Beginner's Guide to Roleplaying

I know the first time I started my World of Warcraft client, the option of roleplaying servers surprised me.  Never having been a roleplayer myself, it wasn't what I'd bought the game for, and while I've spent a little time attempting to play on them, but never really had a good feel for how to interact with players there.  However, Manovan from EU server Scarshield Legion has written up a good guide for a beginning roleplayer – providing a good start for players who don't know where to start.