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Announcement: A Newbie's Guide to RPing (Read 952 times)

Lauren
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A Newbie's Guide to RPing
« Thread Started on Aug 14, 2007, 8:36am »

I feel kind of stupid writing this, but hey, when I first started RPing I didn't know exactly how it worked. Then again, I'm just a moron. This is the head mod, Leah, and I'll be inserting my 2 cents worth in teal!

So, What IS RPing, anyway?

RPing is just the lazy to say roleplaying. It's basically just like writing a story, but you do it with several other people (though it can also just be one-on-one.) You control one or more characters, and write like you would in a normal story. Make a plot event or have your character do something, then those you are RPing with will reply with their own "posts".

To put it simply, it's writing a story by taking turns. Have you ever played the game where one person says a word and the next adds another one on, etc. and they make sentences? It's kinda like that, but more in depth and creative. I use RPing to practice creative writing or use new vocabulary.

Where do I begin?

Well, it depends on whether you want to join an existing RP or create your own. If you want to join an existing one, make sure you understand the plot, and ask the creator if you have any questions. Then you post your "intro", introducing your character. Explain some things about them, and what role they play in the plot. Don't say EVERYTHING about them in the first go, though; leave some things in the dark to surprise your fellow RPers with later.

If you want to create your own RP, it's not really much different. The only thing you have to do in addition to creating and introducing your character is creating a plot (duh). Explain it so that people can understand and know how to fit in their characters...but also we tend to, here on RP Lair, create aimless RPs that somehow turn out pretty good after they get going (ex. Black Rider.) This way everyone can contribute their own ideas and build up the plot together.

There's no real rules to all this, so...just do...whatever. Lol.

I would really suggest reading some finished RPs, like Black Rider, just to see how it starts, progresses, and ends.

Okay, but I'm still not sure of all the mechanics of an RP.

No problem! Just read one for a little while until you understand how it works. No worries. Tee hee, me and Lauren think so much alike!

How many characters can I have?

Um, as many as you want, really. Actually, most people I've come across only have one or two characters per RP, but I tend to have...a lot. *grin* Try not to overdo it or anything, but yeah, if you can manage them, while also leaving plenty of action for the other RPers, go for it. Also, don't hesitate to control minor characters to keep the plot going, like a guard, soldier, civilian, storekeeper...WHATEVER. Even if someone else had mentioned them in their own post. Minor, plot-moving characters can be controlled by anyone.

*Note. Please don't force other people's characters into doing things or having things done to them, unless you've talked to that person. Ex. Injuring them, not giving them an opportunity to react to an action or event, etc.

The above mentioned is a form of God-moding (read on). Also, think of characters in a writing form, not so much like a video game. Characters are usually created individually for each RP. For example, I could always play an elemental named Hairy, but in a non-elemental RP, Hairy would be a bit out of place. :-/

Tense

Make sure you stay in the writing tense that the creator of the RP started it in. (Ex. It would either be "She walked into the room." or "She walks into the room.") I don't know for sure if that's what it's called, but...style...whatever. Yeah.

Laurens thinking of is 3rd person. It's easy just to think of yourself as a narrator, verbalizing events as they happen to an invisible audience.

OOC, or Out of Conversation

This is basically anything you post here on the forums that isn't part of an RP. It could be in the OOC section of the boards (like right here!) or in an RP itself. Speaking of ooc in an RP, try not to do it TOO much. If you are gonna do it, keep it to stuff regarding the RP...and stuff. Plot questions, etc. There are a couple ways you could do it:

((Someone needs to bring in the giant ugly donkey.))

Sally gave him a good sturdy kick between the legs

OR

ooc: Someone needs to bring in the giant ugly donkey.

bic: Sally gave him a good sturdy kick between the legs.

Personally I think the first one is easier, but it's whatever floats your boat. It doesn't matter which way you use.

OOCs are great for discussing plot, but there's a line. RPing can get boring if you plan every plot twist out. Let your RPing buddies surprise you once in a while!

The Tiny Glossary of All Terms I can Think of

bic: = back in conversation

Charrie = character

God Modding = having invunerable charries OR injuring/controlling another person's charrie without their permission. PLEASE don't do this

Intro = your first post in an RP or you introducing a new character

Karma = this thing on proboards that has no meaning. Everyone go smite ~~Leah~~ Lauren.

Mod/Moderator = Me, Leah, & default. We have crazy exotic parties. (lol we just take care of dead RPs, help out, etc.) For serious, tho, we do host amazing parties for mods only.

ooc: = out of conversation

Post = new reply in an RP

R/L = real life

RP = roleplay

RP Graveyard = where RPs go that are no longer posted in; "dead RPs"

Your guide SUCKS. I still have a question!

Please, ask it. Then I can add it here and not look stupid. Because I know I've forgotten something. Maybe this wasn't even necessary.
OH LOOK, 20 DOLLARS!

Half of which goes to me for inserting my wonderful analogies into this mediocre FAQ!

Hey...

« Last Edit: Aug 20, 2007, 11:49am by Lauren »

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