TTRPGs are quite diverse, but generally speaking they follow a similar formula. Traditionally, play takes place around a table, but even that's negotiable. Many people play exclusively online these days.

Depending on the system you choose to play, accessories such as minis and battlemats could be optional. However, if you favour a tactical game and want to engage with all the combat rules, they do become more important.

There's always alternatives though. I don't keep minis for all my creatures - as a DM, who could afford to? Personally I use paper tokens because they're easy to whip up and doodle on. Many people use coins, legos, or colored blocks. Anything can stand as a proxy of it's the right size. There are tales of people who use candy so players can eat what they kill.

Another option, particularly if you go for the online option, is to use a Virtual Tabeletop (VTT). This is software that simulates your table, battlemat, minis, and generally facilitates play. I find them complicated and kind of fiddly, but a lot of people like them.

At the end of the day, you don't need all that. There's a concept of play called the Theater of the Mind where players use their shared imagination instead of any accessories. It's easier when there aren't a lot of moving parts to keep track of, but if you prefer a narratively focused game then it's a good way to play.

As far as how to play the game, that's up to the individual system. However generally speaking you play by having a conversation. The DM describes a situation and then asks "What do you do?" Players then describe their actions. Turn-taking can be more or less rigid depending on the situation. In D&D in particular, turns become much more formal during combat where players take turns in Initiative Order.

Generally speaking, near the start of the rule book (if you have one) there will be an Example of Play. This is usually styled as a transcript of a conversation between players. I always thought those were neat, and they dona pretty good job of showing how a game might play

Getting into the hobby can be intimidating because there are a lot of rules in certain systems, and it can be hard to keep track of them all.

Almost all systems include (or should include) Rule Zero, or Have Fun - the most important rule of all.

If you're running the game then all rules are optional. As long as everyone is having fun then you can play however you want.

Anyway, I ramble a lot, but I've been playing these games for a long time. You're in for a fun new hobby, good luck getting your group together!

Find a group, for everything else you can just ask them what is it they expect from you. (Usually you are expected to be familiar with the rules)

Games are conversations. Just imagine what would your character do in any given situation and try to match tone of your party and game. Depending on a system they can differ as to what DM does or tells you to do. Don't overthink it, it's just a game and try to have fun. 🙃

Here's the easy way.

• Buy a D&D players handbook
• Buy a set of polyhedral dice.
• Read through the book, see what looks cool to play as. I advise your first character be a Fighter, as the rules for fighters are generally the least complex in most RPGs.
• Find a group.

A lot of your questions depend on what game you're playing. The first question I would ask is, what genre are you interested in playing? D&D is the biggest out there right now and it's medieval fantasy-ish but it has a lot of it's own baggage mixed in. There's a free version of the rules you can download, feel free to do that and give it a quick read through just to get a feel for the tone.

Finding a group to play with is tricky. The best thing might be to get some friends together and all try the game together. Barring that, local game stores might help you find a group, or some places in the Internet have "Looking for Group" (LFG) communities.

You don't need to buy dice just yet. Some TTRPGs use weird dice shapes and not all use the same dice so it's best to decide on a game before spending money on it. If you want to try a game before getting dice you can always use a dice rolling app. If it's D&D you want to play then feel free to find a standard set of seven polyhedral dice. They're not too expensive and collecting pretty dice is a hobby into itself.

How a game is played depends on which game you're playing. With actual D&D it depends whether you're in a combat scenario or not. If you aren't the rules are a lot looser: the DM describes a scene, then you and the other players tell the DM what your characters would like to do. The DM will determine if dice need to be rolled or if an outcome isn't possible, and repeat. Combat is a lot more complex, you have a specific turn order and a much smaller selection of actions based on your character build.

On a larger scale, a bunch o adventures strung together is what makes a campaign. Most groups play this way, but especially if you're new finding (or starting!) a group running a one-shot is a good way to learn how to play. A single adventure you can complete in a single session is great for learning and the story stakes are much lower.

Roleplaying looks different depending on the group you're with and what you're comfortable with. I usually speak in third person at all times, no funny voices or anything like that. I have a friend who comes up with a voice for every character to use when speaking for said character in first person.

That was a pretty big info dump but let me know if I can answer specific questions. I've been playing TTRPGs for nearly 20 years and I've dipped my toes into a lot of different games so if I can help I will.