Users: online
Okay. So you've stumbled across and joined a Role Play site. Just one eensy weensy problem. You have no Idea what RP is, or how it works. This is basically 'RPG for dummies' and outlines the basic points of how message board based RP works. This was written with Lord of the Rings rp in mind, but can just as easily apply to any other sort of text based rp under the sun.
First comes the most obvious question.
WHAT IS ROLE PLAY?
Role Play, usually shortened to Rp or RPG, is a game where people create a character and basically tell a story, each person involved playing with their own character.
Sound confusing?
Dont worry. Read on. You'll get the gist of it.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Obviously when you first start rping you need to create a character.
Basically a good character should have an interesting personality and be fun to RP with.
Now, when joining an RP, it can sometimes look a bit tricky. What do you do when everyone else present (and their characters) has known each other for ages and here you are, a new member with a new character, feeling a little left out. Dont be afraid though, to jump in, as most rp-ers will usually be quite happy to accomodate another character in the story.
How exactly do you join? Many Rpers dont join because they cant think of a way to jump in. It is a little more complicated than this:
Saelir walked up to Lithorel, the latter busy fending off the orcs that were attacking.
"Hi" Saelir said.
Okay... quite frankly if I was Lithorel, currently a little preoccupied trying to stop orcs from killing me, I would probably either ignore Saelir and continue on with what I was doing, or I would turn around and smack him in the face.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
There are right and wrong times to join a rp. Walking up to someone in the middle of a battle and saying "hi," or just appearing out of nowhere in a really tense moment, doesn't tend to make you many friends. Use your intuition. If you think the situation is not right, don't post. However, if you do, and you joining the rp isnt going to ruin any plots or anything, go right ahead. :)
Try to think of an interesting way to join. Coming up and saying "Hi, my name is ________, can I travel with you?" is a little boring. Be original! Use your imagination!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Okay. Now that it's been explained how you CAN join a rp... how exactly do you post?
Rping is like telling a story... but you only tell the part involving your character(s) and from their point of view. RP is done in past tense... and third person.
eg.
Saelir walked up to Lithorel, unsheathing his sword as he went.
"What did you say about my mother?" the raven haired elf asked, narrowing his eyes.
That is the right way!
Now for the wrong ways:
Saelir walks up to Lithorel, unsheathing his sword as he goes.
"What did you say about my mother?" the raven haired elf asks, narrowing his eyes.
or:
I walk up to Lithorel, unsheathing my sword as i go. "what did you say about my mother?" I ask, narrowing my eyes.
The only time you use "I" or "you" etc in rp is if you character is talking or thinking.
Present tense in RP = not good.
First Person in RP = not good.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please try to use correct spelling and punctuation to the best of your ability. It makes it so much easier for everyone else to read. (and prevents annoyed managers turning into the Grammar Nazi and coming after you with a chainsaw and a soggy tea towel.)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hooray! You have posted your first post in the rp. You have a character, your character is now part of a story, you are happy with what you posted and no one has tried to kill you because your grammar or spelling was so awful.
*claps* well done. :)
Once you're involved in an rp though, there are still things to remember.
GET INVOLVED!
Hanging around the scene, not really doing anything can get very lonely at times. Get your character involved! Talk to people, do something! It not only makes rping more fun for you, but also for everyone else. Basically try to do something... please dont pretend to be a rock, it can get very dull, particularly if other people seem to have the same idea.
NEVER PLAY AS SOMEONE ELSE'S CHARACTER!
How annoyed would you be if you had a nicely developed character, estabished in an rp, and someone just comes along, 'borrows' your character and has them do something that they would NEVER do. Very annoying. You wouldnt like it if someone did it to you. Dont do it to other people. If you desperatley need to use someone else's character, ask their permission!
POST REGULARLY
Very little explanation is needed here. Basically if you don't keep up, you'll get left behind. Fellow RP-ers might not wait for you when you don't feel like posting.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
well that's just about it as far as RPG goes. Mostly it's just a case of using your common sence and having fun. Don't be afraid to ask questions either. Most of your fellow rp-ers will be more than happy to answer them for you. :)