I'd love to play ttrpgs but i'm really really scared of people.
Ive also hadnt talked to anyone in half a decade and i'm afraid of being the DnD weirdo who ends up on reddit and then like a narrator yt channel.

The hobby seems like so much fun though. I just really wish i had friends to play with or were neurotypicsl enough to reach out to strangers irl.

>>96274772 (OP)
>i'm afraid of being the DnD weirdo who ends up on reddit
Yeah I hate those dumbasses. Just don't make a reddit account and you won't end up like them.

Talk to a doctor.

>>96274787
About what?

>>96274803
your euthanasia options

>>96274803
Getting medication for your brain problems, anxiety, depression, etc.

>>96274821
I dont have any problems. My brain just reacted the way a brain is supposed to when you hadnt talked to people for as long as i have.
Thats like being mad at your stomach for hurting after you ate dogshit.

>>96274803
Your escitalopram dependency

>>96274772 (OP)
Just play a few times at your local library or wherever public games are held, thats what I do.

>>96274772 (OP)
>I'd love to play ttrpgs but i'm really really scared of people.
unfortunately this hobby is a very social thing, idk how you can get into it while avoiding people outside of solo gaming
>i'm afraid of being the DnD weirdo who ends up on reddit and then like a narrator yt channel.
this doesn't happen. all the stories those channels read are made up.
>I just really wish i had friends to play with or were neurotypicsl enough to reach out to strangers irl.
consider the middle ground, playing online. 5e fucking sucks but it's got a ton of players in online spaces, try joining a discord or something.

>>96274841
It should be important to not that online play and irl play are very different experiences. I personally find online a lot less engaging and harder to do. less non verbal communication and stuff.

>>96274837
too scary.
>>96274841
I probably should.

My biggest fear is earnestly getting into it and putting forth an initiativs to make a fun story for everyone or to be funny or stuff only for it to bomb completely and for people to mock and ridicule me.

>>96274850
fair, but playing online can be a first step toward building up the confidence to play in person
>>96274853
>My biggest fear is earnestly getting into it and putting forth an initiativs to make a fun story for everyone or to be funny or stuff only for it to bomb completely and for people to mock and ridicule me.
i have been running and playing in games for close to 16 years and i have never seen this happen. granted i mostly play with friends and not strangers, but even the few times i have played with strangers it's been fine. most ttrpg nerds are stinky autists who are too busy worrying about their own stuff to pay much attention to you. just let them know you're new to playing and most people will go easy on you.

>>96274853
I was scared, and then I did, then I became less scared.

>>96274772 (OP)
Solo RPGs do exist.

>>96274914
You wont have the frame of reference to do them enjoyably without playing inter-homo rpgs.

>>96274772 (OP)
I feel you. I've been there.
It's a pretty standard introvert problem, and it requires the standard introvert solution; you just have to force yourself out there into shitty, uncomfortable situations until it eventually works out.
Also, don't use words like "neurotypical" or "neurodivergent" if you're actually an autist, it's cringe. I'm a spaz and proud of it, and I'm not using queerosexual euphemistic language to describe things.

>>96274821
> jUsT tHrOw A pIlL aT iT !!

>>96274853
>bombing
I create a wandering encounter for if people get bored, just enough danger that they have to take cover or move in the right direction.

When I don’t know how to do what they players are asking, I just say I don’t know how to make it work and ask them to think of something else, and give them an advantage for that. It’s only happened once that I can remember.

>>96274772 (OP)
>were neurotypicsl enough
Fuck off. We don't need a single autistic retard more in this hobby.

>>96274920
it worked for me

>>96274853
You'd have to be fucking awful to play with to end up in a story.

Like, most of the people described are the sort of people that can't understand being told 'no'. The very fear of rejection and embarrassment you hold will keep you from all but the most minor faux pas. That's not to say you will perfectly jell with any given group, but caring about your social standing is about 90% of the way to guaranteeing you won't have a terrible social standing.

>>96274772 (OP)
Dont dox me bro

>>96274830
If your stomach hurt after eating dog shit it would be a good idea to get medical help. You won't need it forever, but why wouldn't you get treatment to make healing faster?

>>96274772 (OP)
Play with kids from your extended family. If you don't have those then just kill yourself.

>>96274772 (OP)
Find a FLGS that has open play slots. I would actually recommend playing board games or card games in those settings first for something lighter to get your social confidence up. The benefit for those settings is the people go there to game first and socialize as a distant second. Socializing happens but it isn't the focus and it gives you an easier time to get your socializing skills improved without overloading it.

Also, LEARN THE GAME YOU WILL BE PLAYING BEFORE ATTENDING. Making mistakes in complex games is fine as long as you don't mind correction, but going somewhere where the game is the focus and you not knowing the basics slows shit down for everyone.

>>96274772 (OP)
>Ive also hadnt talked to anyone in half a decade
How? How do you even live? Money? Groceries? Hoe do people like you manage all that? Not trying to be mean, just curious.

>>96276801
watch the whale with brendan frasier

>>96274772 (OP)
>I'd love to play ttrpgs but i'm really really scared of people.
Get therapy. Self-imposed therapy works too.
Go and do the people version of "touch grass", i.e. get out of your room, meet people in the most basic and undemanding everyday context, get used to it, remembers the situation when you interact with people and it doesn't result in a disaster, so when you're nervous you have counterarguments for your brain on file.
If you start with RPGs in that state you'd just be doing it on hard mode.

>>96274772 (OP)
How old are you?

>>96276801
I just stopped talking to people at age fifteen.
I work at a warehouse so i just show up, sign in move shit around for a few hours and sign out.

>>96276827
20

>>96274821
I recently had a bunch of tests done and found out I am clinically resistant to most anti depressants

>>96276801
If you live in first world of bigger second world city you can shop groceries online at little to no extra cost. And there's bunch of jobs you can do remotely. Or work graveyard shift where you never talk to anyone. Or leech off relatives that feel sorry for you.

>>96274772 (OP)
Have you considered reaching out to strangers online? I met my D&D group playing TF2.

>>96274772 (OP)
Those are probably good reasons to get into ttrpgs. Lots of weirdos who can't function socially play ttrpgs because it's a social interaction based around well-defined rules and conduct.

what are some good options for playing online even? roll20?

>>96276428
Most stories I've read are more often than not the normie DM allowing some Chad to do literally whatever he wants in his game for some reason, like he has no agency as a human being whatsoever, it's entirely the disliked player's fault every time.

>>96274772 (OP)
Go for it. I recommend the /lfg/ board on reddit. They're pretty considerate and welcoming, honestly. Message people who are looking for players. The trick to seeming normal is: don't talk to much. You're looking for a game. So when you see a post offering a game? Respond "Hey are you still looking for players? I'd love to join the XYZ game you posted." Resist the urge to write a three-page screed about the feelings and interest and thoughts you're having. Just say what you're looking for. Remember that most people are thinking about themselves. You don't need to deeply explain yourself. That's the biggest problem for most people without social skills: they're convinced that others will be deeply interested in them, or that they need to constantly explain everything about themselves. People generally aren't interested. Say "what's up may I join?" Then respond to questions simply. Then talk about the thing that's going on, and don't go into long, sad stories about yourself.

>>96274830
You can't learn to socialize without socializing.

>>96274772 (OP)
Seek therapy and start talking to people more. Playing an RPG with several other people is a good goal to work toward but I would say it likely won't be enjoyable for you at this moment.

>>96281662
If you like Reddit so much, why are you here?

Everything in life worth doing comes with risk of failure. Nothing ventured, noting gained. Fortune favors the bold.

I use TTRPG's as a way to overcome my social anxiety when I was younger. I used it to make friends and find a space of other socially awkward weirdos to socialize with.

I've got great news for you. If you go to an open game at a Friendly Local Gaming Store, many FLGS have at least one group who allows randos to show up and play, if you go to that group you will be in good company. Everyone who plays in a public game at an FLGS is at least as awkward and anxious as you are. So start there, and then the goal is to make friends at the FLGS to the point where you're invited to a home game.

Tabletoppers, generally, are very happy to introduce people to their hobby and teach them how to play. I cannot tell you how many people I have taught how to play RPG's over the course of my life, and I'm always happy to do it. And if you come across a raging asshole or something like that, don't take it personally and don't let it discourage you. They exist, they're out there, learning how to deal with them is part of being a mature and capable human being.

Social skills are *skills* and can therefore be practiced and learned. Plenty of books and other resources to learn manners, etiquette, how to be polite and how to hold a good conversation. Geek stores and hobbies is a great, low-stakes, low difficulty place to practice and develop these skills and make some friends.

Good luck, anon! I used to be just like you, if I could overcome it, so can you! I believe in you!

>>96277059
You're roughly the same age I was when I embarked on my quest to overcome my social anxiety. You can do it! Never too late.

>>96274772 (OP)
It's just a game.
If you are not obnoxious in normal conversations chances are you'll be fine. Every horror story dude clearly doesn't realize they are not the main character of the world and acts with strangers like it's a single character game (not the ttrpg, the human interaction).

If you go to an open table after taking a shower, pay attention to what other people do, and try to match the general energy, you'll be fine. Also don't get your hopes too high, everyone has good and bad days, it applies to both you and everyone at the table.

>>96279430
I met my current group through Minecraft, though the server was advertised here on /tg/ so it was kind of just a circular path.

>>96274772 (OP)
Begin with play by post/asynchronous RP.
It's a wholly different experience than pmaying in real time, in person or otherwise, but it's very fun.
RPG Crossing is a great place for that.
You might get friendly with some people and get an online group in the process.

>>96291717
I met mine playing Killing Floor.

>>96274772 (OP)
Please stay out of hobbies. Continue being afraid of people, no one wants to play with furfags.

>>96274772 (OP)
Sorry op that's really rough and a little bit retarded anyway I wanna impregnate that dog

>>96291717
I met mine through a left 4 dead steam group. I met my alternate group through a political shitposting IRC when I brought up DnD one day and everyone mentioned that they'd always wanted to try it.

>>96279430

>>96274772 (OP)
You'll find bigger spazzes than you instantly. Everyone has their own funk. The embarrassment is guaranteed and worth it.