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HINTS & GUIDES
Do you feel like this RP business is too intimidating and complicated for you? Or perhaps you have been doing it for so long now that you've forgotten the basics? Fear not! In this thread, you shall get all the helpful hints and tricks you need in order to be able to become a splendid top notch RPer!
Below, you will find useful information in the form of links to nice threads in the forums, basic things and terms to know and remember when RPing, as well as quick or in-depth guides to various aspects of this phenomena we call our hobby <3 If you still have any questions after reading here, feel free to ask in a reply to this very thread. If you have a topic you would like to discuss or analyze more in detail with the community, you should definitely create a new thread in the Writer's Lounge instead, though!
If you feel lost among the various abbreviations thrown around here, please visit the rules thread, where they are explained.
Below, you will find useful information in the form of links to nice threads in the forums, basic things and terms to know and remember when RPing, as well as quick or in-depth guides to various aspects of this phenomena we call our hobby <3 If you still have any questions after reading here, feel free to ask in a reply to this very thread. If you have a topic you would like to discuss or analyze more in detail with the community, you should definitely create a new thread in the Writer's Lounge instead, though!
If you feel lost among the various abbreviations thrown around here, please visit the rules thread, where they are explained.
BASIC HINTS
Creating a character: As you might have realized, you create a character by finding a RP you are interested in and which has open spots, and filling out the SU sheet presented there. Your finished SU might be the first impression the GM gets of you - make it a good one! It's a good idea to never rush a SU. Develop their characteristics and history well, give them both negative and positive traits. Balanced, realistic but quirky characters are much more enjoyable than plain, "Mary Sue" ones. Especially if you are in the RP for the long haul!
Creating a plot: The plot is the story of the RP. It is never something you can fully develop in a matter of minutes. While some can carve out decent plots in hours, many GMs prefer to carefully think their ideas and setting through over several days before they post the OOC. Ask yourself these questions: What? When? Where? Who? Why? How? It's also always good to strive to do something that has never been done before. Make your RP unique and memorable! If you like a franchise, perhaps a series of games or books, why not make a RP from that but putting your own spin on it?
If you need help with developing ideas, you can post a thread in the Theatre with the "Help Request" category. If you're simply unsure of how many would be interested in the idea, but feel fairly certain of what you'd want to do, you may instead post a Theatre thread under the "Interest Check" category.
Controlling a character: When writing as your character and interacting with others, you have to make sure you think about everything around you. Will your interactions affect the other characters? And in what way? Controlling other's characters however, is not tolerated. Even when it comes to attacking in battle situations, it's common courtesy to post about how you attacked, ending just before you hit, leaving the other player to react. Always ask permission if you need to "bunny" another character, however briefly.
Controlling a roleplay: As a GM, it's your job to keep the RP running smoothly. It's usually a lot of fun! You are the one to create the world you play in, and provide guidance and direction enough for players to know what they should do. Remember that you are not meant to completely dictate what happens though - the players should be allowed to properly influence events. GMs need to be active, even if other's aren't. If somebody's not posting, you might want to chase then down and ask why! And if there are disputes, it's your job to clear them up. You will want to be as fair and unbiased as possible, but if things for some reason do start to go out of hand, don't hesitate to ask the moderators for aid (:
Waiting for a roleplay: If you've joined and the roleplay hasn't started yet, please don't pester the GM. Be patient and wait for the GM to be ready to start. If you must ask, make sure you do so politely.
Waiting for a player: If a player you have been interacting with suddenly goes inactive, don't freak out yet. Send them a VM/PM or try and get in contact with them. If that fails, contact the GM. Never resort to taking control of another's character unless you have the proper permission!
Creating a plot: The plot is the story of the RP. It is never something you can fully develop in a matter of minutes. While some can carve out decent plots in hours, many GMs prefer to carefully think their ideas and setting through over several days before they post the OOC. Ask yourself these questions: What? When? Where? Who? Why? How? It's also always good to strive to do something that has never been done before. Make your RP unique and memorable! If you like a franchise, perhaps a series of games or books, why not make a RP from that but putting your own spin on it?
If you need help with developing ideas, you can post a thread in the Theatre with the "Help Request" category. If you're simply unsure of how many would be interested in the idea, but feel fairly certain of what you'd want to do, you may instead post a Theatre thread under the "Interest Check" category.
Controlling a character: When writing as your character and interacting with others, you have to make sure you think about everything around you. Will your interactions affect the other characters? And in what way? Controlling other's characters however, is not tolerated. Even when it comes to attacking in battle situations, it's common courtesy to post about how you attacked, ending just before you hit, leaving the other player to react. Always ask permission if you need to "bunny" another character, however briefly.
Controlling a roleplay: As a GM, it's your job to keep the RP running smoothly. It's usually a lot of fun! You are the one to create the world you play in, and provide guidance and direction enough for players to know what they should do. Remember that you are not meant to completely dictate what happens though - the players should be allowed to properly influence events. GMs need to be active, even if other's aren't. If somebody's not posting, you might want to chase then down and ask why! And if there are disputes, it's your job to clear them up. You will want to be as fair and unbiased as possible, but if things for some reason do start to go out of hand, don't hesitate to ask the moderators for aid (:
Waiting for a roleplay: If you've joined and the roleplay hasn't started yet, please don't pester the GM. Be patient and wait for the GM to be ready to start. If you must ask, make sure you do so politely.
Waiting for a player: If a player you have been interacting with suddenly goes inactive, don't freak out yet. Send them a VM/PM or try and get in contact with them. If that fails, contact the GM. Never resort to taking control of another's character unless you have the proper permission!
USEFUL TERMS
- Godmodding means to 'play god' and either take control of events or characters that only the GM should, or to make your character unreasonably lucky or strong. It's usually quite boring :p
- Powerplaying means to control other characters that are not your own. This is unacceptable unless you have got permission beforehand.
- Bunnying is basically the same as powerplaying, only that it's usually milder such as pulling a person along. Again, permission is always needed before you bunny a character.
- Mary Sue/Gary Stu is a term used to describe the perfect character; they get everything, know everyone, win everything and are basically no fun to play with at all. There are variations to this, including an Anti-Sue, which all bad things happen to that character. Mary-Sues are universally unliked and demonstrates poor character development. Don't know if your character is a Sue? Take this test!
- Metagaming means using OOC knowledge for IC behaviour. For example if Person A writes their character is lying or hiding something from Person B, and then Person B in his post suddenly knows somehow and calls Person A out on it.
- Retconning is acting as if a previous IC event never occurred. Like when Person A's character got wounded badly, and the next day he's completely healed. Or when Person A and B were in an ugly fight, but then the next day they're all buddy-buddy again. Retconning can also be implemented on purpose by the GM, for example when a player leaves the RP and it is best if the remaining players pretend that the suddenly missing character was never there at all.
- RP Samples are a detail that can be asked for when signing up for a roleplay. It's to show you understand how roleplaying on PC works. If you've been in an RP before, you are often allowed to link to an old post from there. If this is your first time RPing, you can either write a short piece for the character you are signing up as, or show another piece of writing you've done.
GUIDES
If you have an idea for a Guide yourself, you may post it in the Theatre under the "Guide" prefix! If the moderators think it seems useful for the future community here, we will put it on this list and reward you with an emblem for your work~!
- How to be a GM by gimmepie
- A Treatise on Character Profiles by Alter Ego
- Basic Roleplay Tutorials by MichaelaTheUchiha
- The Roleplayer's Guide to Roleplaying by Skymin
- A Basic Grammar Guide by ArcanineOod
- How To Create Great Posts by MichaelaTheUchiha
- Bad habits of RPrs by (a collaborative community of roleplayers)
- How to Stay Dedicated to a Roleplay by Dragon
- Roleplayer's Etiquette 101 by PkMnTrainer Yellow
- A Short Guide on Making Posts Look Nice by Astronaut
- Gimme's SU Guide by gimmepie
HELPFUL THREADS
First and foremost, you should certainly read the Roleplay Rules unless you haven't already! That thread also contains information on the structure of the RP forums here and what to post where.
We have a Hall of Fame for RPs that actually manage to reach the end of their run and wrap things up and properly finish! Have a good read one day, or just gaze in awe at the listed titles and names and dream about one day ending up there yourself...
It's also a good idea to subscribe to the Check to see if your roleplay has been approved v3 to keep up to date with on new roleplays coming out.
We have a Hall of Fame for RPs that actually manage to reach the end of their run and wrap things up and properly finish! Have a good read one day, or just gaze in awe at the listed titles and names and dream about one day ending up there yourself...
It's also a good idea to subscribe to the Check to see if your roleplay has been approved v3 to keep up to date with on new roleplays coming out.