Okay, since a lot of people in the past have asked me what roleplay is and how it's done, I decided to post this. Really couldn't hurt right? Although, I have to admit, I do think I'll be killed for posting unapproved rule set, when I'm just a member.Anyways, I've tried my best to make up a 'basic-type' guide for people who don't understand...If you would like the sources of my information, I will be willing to give it to you. Just ask.
What is roleplaying?:
There have been many attempts to describe just what roleplaying games (or RPGs, for short) are, to those not familiar with them, but the most concise and to-the-point one I've seen comes from Mike Pondsmith of R. Talsorian Games; "Roleplaying games are 'Let's Pretend', with rules."
There is nothing mysterious, secret, or sinister about RPGs -- they are simply a more grown-up version of the make-believe games you probably played as a child. Imagine a group of people working together to write a novel, or a screenplay for a movie, making it up as they go along -- and not knowing in advance how the story will end -- and you've got a pretty good idea of the essence of a roleplaying game. Charcaters, original or not, are used to 'act' or 'write' everything out.
How do you roleplay?:
1. Think of a character. This character can be anyone and anything, depending on the roleplay you're getting involved with, for example if you're in a medieval roleplay, your character could be a mage or a king or a knight. Give them a name, an appearance, some special trait or ability, possibly even more frivolous things like their favorite food. Keep in mind that your character must be able to play a role in the story, hence the term "roleplay."
2. Think of the setting and time period they're in. If it's a fantasy roleplay, you can even create your own setting. However, if your roleplay is based on a series or book, you might want to stick to a familiar area.
3. Know the lingo. When the roleplay is literate, don't use ** == [] -- <> for actions! Make it like this; Ken walked to his house and sighed, "I wish I ate my bagel this morning.". If a roleplay is "yaoi" or "shounen-ai," it is asking for a homosexual relationship between two men. When it is "yuri" or "shoujo-ai," it's asking for a homosexual relationship between women. There are sites with full lists of the terms, so look into those.
An intro can mean everything. Try to include who your character is, what they're doing, what they look like, and perhaps a bit about their past if that's needed.
4. Never kill someone unless you have the permission of the person who created the roleplay and/or the person who's character you are thinking of killing.
5. When you are talking regularly (as in not roleplaying), always use some form of brackets to denote being out of character such as ((text)) or [text]. You can also use abbreviations like 'OoC'.
Tips:
- The person who made the roleplay rules everything, so you shouldn't pick a fight with them if you don't like a rule. If you don't like the rules that have been set, you could just leave, or discuss it -politely- with the roleplay's creator.
- RP is short for Roleplay. RPG stands for Roleplaying Game.
- OoC is short for Out of Character which is used for comments not part of the roleplay. IC is short for in character. BiC stands for Back In Character.
- There are many different types of roleplays. If you do not like one, you may find another you like better. Make sure what you write goes along with the type of roleplay you're doing.
- In order to maintain a more enjoyable atmosphere, remember to treat others with respect. You will be treated with respect in return. [Ex. Never curse someone out; it gets you nowhere. ]
- Remember that you can only control your character (not those of others), unless you have the other person's permission. People are apt to be annoyed if you control their characters without warning.
- In roleplaying, many people enjoy the "skirt" rule. "Long enough to cover the essentials, short enough to be interesting." This will mean what it does, but it usually means three or four sentences that give your fellow roleplayers what they need to know to respond while keeping it short and sweet.
- In literate roleplays, length can be an issue. Many advanced roleplayers expect several paragraphs. If they are the GM (Game Manager), the person who made or is in charge of the roleplay, then, again, discuss it politely or leave if you can't write that much.
- Have a way that you can contact with your other roleplayer(s) on a regular basis. This varies for different people, so discuss it before you begin the roleplay if you think it might become an issue.
Warnings:
- Never GodMode. This is acting like you rule over everyone -- people find it quite annoying.
- You can kill yourself at anytime [virtually]. However, you can not kill other player's characters at anytime without their permission.
- No one likes a character that's too powerful for their own good. Make sure your character has faults, and their powers are on a more normal scale. And please, never, ever make an all-knowing character unless you, yourself are all-knowing. Which, most likely, you are not.
- Never powerplay. No one likes to roleplay with someone who is in one place, then is mystically in another without moving, or has actions completed that they have not included in their post.
- A lot of roleplayers prefer you to have a certain standard for how much you write, and it always varies. You might aim to write three good sentences while someone else wants three good paragraphs, or vice versa. It's important to stay in your writing group.
- No one likes someone who makes two or three posts and doesn't post forever. If you have to go on a trip, have a job or something, then inform your fellow roleplayers so they don't sit on their butts waiting for you all day. Also, if you don't like how a roleplay is going, work it out with the people you're roleplaying with, instead of just leaving.
- Another term you want to avoid is Mary Sue/Marty Stu. You do not want your character to seem constantly depressed and complaining, nor very cynical, especially when roleplaying with a group. In short, a Mary Sue/Marty Stu is someone who tries to make the whole roleplay revolve around them because of how depressed and stressed they are, or how they've been traumatized from childhood, etc. These characters are a potential danger to any roleplay.
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