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Roleplay Guide; Proved by Chairman Cross of RPG-D
Topic Started: Apr 18 2011, 10:17 AM (173 Views)
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I'm going to get straight to the point: RPG, Role-playing game, whatever you want to call it. RP-ing is a very good way to get character empathy skills and a good way to get more writing skill. So, I bet you're wondering 'sure, this sounds good...now how do I do it?'

I'm glad you asked! ^^

Role-playing is just like writing a creative writing piece except there's no boring theme or silly title to adhere to. In RP-ing you make your own character with unique attributes to your own imagination. Sure, you can take inspiration from various mangas, TV programs and films but let's face it, who wants to play with Alucard's or Ichigos all the time with different and sometimes plain stupid names? So, we at the watchers made up this little guide for you. Without further ado:

The beginner's guide to RP-ing.

Someone saw that you liked to write creatively and suggested Role Playing to you (Hypothetically), you wanted to try this out for a giggle. Well, if you've come to this site wanting to make a perfect character without any flaws and incredible universe destroying powers the forget it, go back to your creative writing and don't darken the doorway again.

But all is not lost, it's ok, we can whip you into great Rp-ers within a few minutes of your time and hopefully your cooperation. You see, Role playing has few rules that need obeying for people not to get annoyed with you and toss you off their site. I know I'm being harsh here but please bare with us and you'll be glad you did I swear.

Construction
In Role-play, construction of your post is a great thing to have with you when you read another's post. You need to consider two things when making a post. OK, you need to consider loads of things but we'll just take it one step at a time ok? Firstly, the first thing above all else when posting is your own good talent at writing. When people read your posts they want to be captivated by them, not trying to decipher chat/text speak and being disappointed by one-lined posts. If you're going to make a one-line post then don't even bother clicking that 'reply' button. It's not nice to find your three paragraph post answered by three sentences. No, bad idea.

When posting, I like to follow the MBT method. Now, MBT stands for three things. They are

MIND
What your character thinks about what just happened.

BODY
How your character reacts physically to what just happened whether it's recoiling in horror or attacking them or even jumping for joy. It's imperative that your character displays emotions because not everyone is a mind-reader and can't react to you thoughts.

THOUGHTS
What does your character think about what they've done? Do they think they did the right thing? What are their thoughts/feelings on their actions? You can also sneak in a cheeky little explanation of something here. You can say something like

"Editourous collapsed because he'd over exerted himself. He wasn't pleased at showing a sign of weakness to those around him but the cold claws of unconsciousness dragged him face-first into the numb darkness similar to death itself."

People would be very impressed if you used language like that.

In these three sections, usually a paragraph each, you describe how your character reacts to what the last post has been. You see? If everyone does this, it gives them much more to work with and it's alot more fun for everyone.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, nobody wants to read a 2000 word reply because it's just too damn long! I mean, a bazillion paragraphs on one moment does kind of make it boring. Which is why the MBT formation helps alot. You see, if we use that method, not alot can go wrong. If you can, shoot for two paragraphs in one section or two but no more: No one's going to read it so don't bother, keep it til later as it'll enhance your interest and enthusiasm for the thread your posting on. Don't let everything go at once!

Of Gods, Abilities and Common Sense

Most of the following section is good old common sense. But there's every reason to read this next bit as a surprising amount of the population lack a good sense of common (...?)

Anyway, ignoring my blooper, we can continue onto a set of the most basic rules of Role Play. So, let's see what you should and shouldn't do in this sort of situation:

1:God-Modding
This isn't being a god, it's being a jerk to be frank. God-modding is controlling the other guy's character without permission which is very rude. A good way to avoid this would be to not control what their character does but rather what they did. Before you get any ideas and several admins blaming me for their member's sudden uprising, I'd like to point out that the template for what their character did is right above you: The last post.

Yes, you can use their own words if you're short of muse. They'll provide you with a template for you to add your character's thoughts and actions to. It's really easy to do this but I wouldn't recommend it too often as it can stop a plot from moving if both of you do it. A warning wisely heeded at this point.

Power-Playing:
This is the single most common mistake every person new to Role-playing does. It's basically making your character ultra powerful. Issues here are very misty because the amount of power your character can have is subject to the board's policy. But, as we mentioned earlier, common sense dictates that your character wouldn't be able to blow the roof of the school if you were in a normal-life RPG right? This one's a stinker so just be careful alright?

Mary-sue and Gary-stu:
Oh dear, these two have made life ultimately miserable for me the last few years. Mary sue and Gary stu are terms used to describe super-man perfect characters that have no flaws whatsoever. NO, NO, NO!

I really cannot stress this enough, I've done it myself and paid several heavy consequences in response. Mary-sues are the most boring and idiotic creatures to ever exist. Perfection is boring, flawed is exiting. See, what every newbie has done in my experience is made a perfect character, hoping that it'll get accepted on the basis of 'Flashbacks of her past made her scared'. No. They are a frankly rubbish excuse that makes me mentally gag. I wanted nice, interesting characters and I got these monstrosities. So, when making a character, no matter what board you're on, A PERFECT CHARACTER SUCKS!

Remember this and you'll go far.

One-liners:
Good for Horatio Caine, bad for RPGs. Posting one line is a really bad idea. If you're going to post one sentence then forget it, step away from the mouse and muse for a bit. Use MBT then return to your post. It'll get praise instead of scorn.

How to Make an Interesting character.
Here's how you make a good character. And this is a short version mind.

Names:
Names reflect who your character is. It's best not to be too creative with this particular area. If you make a stupidly long and complex name that nobody could spell in a million years then you're royally...well, it won't be good put it that way.

Abilities:
I've mentioned this before haven't I? Well, repetition never hurt anybody. As said before: MAKE THE ABILITY FIT THE BOARD! The best policy is not to over-power your character. And if you're unsure, ask the admin if the ability's ok. That's your safest bet.

Personality
If your board asks you for this (Which most do.) then have a good idea of what you're character's like. Most of the time, the personality reflects your ability to understand people on a whole. Even I can do it and 'm hardly renowned as the world's best socialite. A personality must reflect upon the reader the true nature of that person. How they'd react to this and that, how they'd see certain issues, what their main attributes are and all that jazz. Before you actually consider this, I'd like to point out that and Insane, generic killer is my thing and I will take your cookies if you make one.;P

History
Oh goody, another important one! History is the single most important aspect of a profile. It's what affects your character's personality, their abilities, their likes, their dislikes, almost everything but the name! So, I bet you're wondering about how to do it right? It's the easiest part thankfully. History from the point of birth or even before dictates alot of your character traits. Well, why don't you simply take the rest and mould it into a form that makes writing easy. Say your guy/gal was angry and hateful. Well, ask yourself 'How did he get like that?' and history writing suddenly becomes alot easier! ^^

Weaknesses:
Add the weaknesses and please make them viable! Not 'Flashbacks' because they're rubbish. Try something more robust like hideous burns (I'll steal your cookies for that too!). You may now think 'Well that makes him ugly and in pain all the time!' can i just say: That's the bloody point of weaknesses!

Last section yay!
So, to make a nice rounder for my little documentation here, I'd like to say that sentence structure and attitude are very important in posting. If you don't want to post then for the love of all that's holy, DON'T! It effects posting style and quality and to be honest, they reek when you post unwillingly. The way you post reflects things a hell of a lot better than the sentence structure or the way you've been in the shoutbox. No,no. Bad idea to post if you don't want to. Balence though. Don't leave the thread to rot without telling the other people involved.

Structure is important. The way you build sentences and the use of literary devices show us alot about your personality. If you make short, annoyingly detatched posts then you're in trouble: Tey're boring and make you look rather stupid. Instead of

'She went to the garden'

try

'She walked out onto the terrace, the sun bathing her in a warm brilliance as she walked down onto the lawn, her bare feet touching the grass tenderly as she walked as gracefully as a dancer towards her own little hidaway.'

See the difference? It's much better to read the second than the first, trust me, it'll pay off in the long run.

Conclusion
So that's it! You've got through my long-winded explination of things related to Role-playing! Well done you! Just keep this in your head and you'll do wonders in the Rp world!

I really must thank you for reading this because it took ages to write.

Thank you and good night, Chairman Cross Of the RPGD!
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