Dictionary definition of role, part of the word roleplay:
role. n. a part or character that an actor plays in his performance.
Roleplay is basically just that!
My definition of roleplay: noun. The art of creating a character and interacting with other people to create somewhat of a storyline.
When you roleplay, you are creating your own character (or using one already created-it can be anyone, even yourself!) and giving them an appearance and a personality. FOR EXAMPLE!
excerpt from the character "Jack Alode"
Height:6'1"
Weight: 145 lbs.
Hair color: Bleached white/yellow with black tips
Eye color: Hazel, and like some rare other hazels, sometimes his change from blues to greens to purples.
Disposition: helpful, but usually timid. He'll help if it's only a few people, otherwise only if he is really needed or if it's his duty. He doesn't speak very much to large groups, either, and will tend to try to hide.
Powers: languages. He can speak almost all of them. He has a lot of knowledge about survival in the wild from a plane crash he lived through.
Area of Origin: USA west coast. His parents were divorced and he was continually shuttled between California and Washington. Now he goes to Hogwarts.
Other: Jack is also pretty athletic, and can withstand a lot of damage before going down. However, he prefers to be a pacifist.
That is a GOOD example. Here is a bad one:
Peter is a tall boy who has cool brown hair and shiny glasses and a t-shirt and pants. He is nice.
*points teacher stick* See, the second one is not good because is is far too broad, and it doesn't seem like he has any weaknesses. Everybody has both strengths and weaknesses, and everyone's appearance is detailed. Instead of a "t-shirt," try "a faded blue t-shirt, obviously too large for its wearer, creased with years of use."
Whether or not you want to go into that much detail you want to, it's yours.
Now-enough with simply a desc, it's time for actual roleplaying!
When you roleplay, many people have different styles of format. some people have big and fancy things to say what they're doing, some put their actions in *, and others type it and put their speech in quotes to separate talk from action. Confused? Let me explain:
when you roleplay, your character isn't simply talking. Once you adopt/create them, they CAN DO things! They breathe, blink, talk, whatever depending on what you allow them to do. They can even die! So as you can see, they are not limited to speech alone. They are entitled to a lot more, unless you are the cruel person who doesn't like rp'ing and makes your charries deaf, blind, mute, and crippled. And it's not fun that way. Really.
a bad example of roleplay could go something like this:
Bob waks their. He says hey where ar all the pokmon.
Can anyone tell me why this is bad?
1.) It is not in format. There are no quotation marks to define what is action and what is talk.
2.) The spelling is absolutely terrible!
3.) The "blog," as some gamers call them, is useless! It doesn't say WHERE he is, HOW he walks, WHO/WHAT else is there, etc. There could be a fire-breathing thing behind him! But does poor Bob know? Nope, he's just talking to himself! The blog isn't detailed at all. If this person were to modify this blog, he could say instead:
Bob walks around cautiously in the decaying forest, his senses alert despite his long and weary trek to get there. "I wonder where all the pokemon are? Nurse Joy said that this was the perfect place for finding them!"
Bob continues to grumble as a shadow begins to descend upon the self-consumed man, and he remains oblivious until its putridly warm breath flies from its nostrils and tickles Bob's neck. "Uh-oh, I think I'm in trouble..."
Already, it sounds better, doesn't it? And you can pretty much get into as much detail as you want.
one of the main objects of roleplaying is to do it WITH OTHER PEOPLE.
a good example of a multi-player rp could go something like this:
Amalynzie
*A woman wanders through the forest, winding a path through the trees and humming tunelessly. At first glance, she seems almost insane, her eyes wild. But on closer inspection, she's obviously ill. Her eyes are fever-bright and her face flushed. Her pale hands quiver slightly as she pauses, leaning shakily against a tree and looking up at the far-off patch of blue sky above her*
Kuri Stormsong
*Harliquin, alerted by mental 'noise' Amalyzine is giving off cautiously peers out from his hiding place a few meters infront*
Amalynzie
*Ezzie, oblivious to his presence, continues her walk a few steps, automatically holding her white dress above her ankles to avoid roots and brambles; she's obviously used to the Forest, though, she doesn't seem to be following a path*
Kuri Stormsong
*Quickly Harliquin turns on his heel and tries to retreat. He gets three paces before falling flat on his face with a loud thud*
Amalynzie
*Her blue eyes shift immediately to the source of the sound and she turns, looking around in the bushes. Seeing Harlequin, she straightens up, smiling absentmindedly and asking*
Are you hurt?