Abu's Guide

[Abu]

People were asking a rp:ing guide couple weeks ago in some thread. Here is what I put together. I do not remember if I already posted this somewhere. Well couldn´t find it anyway. I thought it might be good in here, but feel free to move it somewhere else...


Roleplaying Guide


This guide is for people who WANT to roleplay, and people who ENJOY writing and roleplaying. You don’t have to read every single word of this, but you may miss something important.

Many people are rather new to roleplaying and have no idea where to start! There are many elements to roleplaying efficiently. You must have clarity, proper use of words, and enjoyment. Remember, everyone roleplays differently and have a different voice when it comes to writing posts that are pleasing and enjoyable to read. You don’t have to do anything that will be discussed in this guide. This guide is just here to HELP you. These are just the basics that every roleplayer should get down to create a roleplaying atmosphere that is comfortable for all participants.

Roleplaying is something that can be constantly improved. There is truly no master to roleplaying.


I. Intro
II. Tips
III. Tricks
IV. Do’s & Don’ts
V. Your Writing Style
VI. Conclusion

Let’s begin!


I. Intro


What is roleplaying? By Merriam-Webster’s definition, roleplaying is:

1. transitive senses : ACT OUT. <students were asked to roleplay the thoughts and feelings of each character -- R. G. Lambert>
2. intransitive senses : to play a role.

Basically, roleplaying is when you create a character—it can be in any atmosphere, such as Naruto, modern, futuristic, medieval, anything that sparks your fancy. This character you create is a peon to whatever you feel them doing. Think of it as a movie, and you’re the director, giving them scripts on what they do and what they say. You are in control of their thoughts, actions, and speech. In roleplaying, this character you’ve created interacts with characters created by other people. Here is an example of a roleplay:

Quote:
Akima wrote:
Akima let a scream as she woke up, jumping out of bed to scurry down the stairs. It was Christmas morning! She quickly dove towards the Christmas tree; frantically searching and counting the presents she had received that year. Oh, I know Mama and Papa bought me that new robe! It has to be here somewhere. She fell back from on her knees to her rump, glancing back at her parents with a disapproving sigh, unable to find any wrapped gift that could possibly be the clothing she wanted desperately.

Akima created the atmosphere by posting first. She made the scene and the started the base of a situation. The italicized text is often used to portray your character’s thoughts, what they’re thinking, what’s on their mind. Unable to find her robe, let’s see what happens. Jinn, her little brother, is next to post and reply to Akima’s roleplay post.

Quote:
Jinn wrote:
The little boy couldn’t help but snigger as he watched his sister tumble down the staircase clumsily, stepping aside as she swept towards the Christmas tree. She’ll never find it! Innocently, he glanced to his parents, then let his gaze fall back onto his sister. He laughed gently as his sister marked with features of defeat. Throwing the box towards her lap, he laughed once again. “You’re so silly. Open it!”

Jinn responded to Akima’s actions and included the parents, who are NPCs (Non-Playable Characters). He also gave a train of thought, and spoke to Akima in bold and quotation marks ( “ and ” ). He’s bound to stir up some trouble with his sister, having given her an item that he had. Let’s see how Akima responds...

Quote:
Akima wrote:
Akima’s eyebrows furrowed together as her brother tossed her the box. She felt her face burning hot, anger boiling up inside of her. Grabbing the box, she stood up, attempting to hit her brother with it a single, hard whack. “How could you do that?! You’re so mean!” She turned away from her brother, beginning to open her present.

Jinn has definitely made Akima angry. She responds to his dialect with her own. Here is an important factor that you must know: Jinn did not control Akima’s character. He reflected the actions she had already done, adding his own response to what she did. We’ll talk more about Actions and Godmoding / Powerplaying in Part Two.


II. Tips


Alrighty! You should now have a basic grasp on what roleplaying should look like.

Here are some important definitions that you’re bound to cross or may have to know:

IC (In Character) :: This is what your character is doing, what they’re thinking, what they’re saying. This is basically the roleplaying part your post.

OOC (Out of Character) :: This is an offhand note, when you’re not roleplaying. This is used to talk to the other person without having to e-mail, instant message, or private message them. Most people use parentheses to isolate OOC notes from the IC portion of the post.

NPC (Non-Playable Character) :: A non-playable character is often referred as a background person. They are either of insignificance and just there to add realism to the situation or maybe a character that helps develop a plot. An example of an NPC could be your character’s mother, or maybe a little more indirect—that person that walks by you in your village, or that person that’s selling you fish at the fish market. Another example of an NPC can be a monster or enemy—that person that’s always been out to kill you, or that frog that just threw you a dirty look. NPCs are very useful to making a roleplay interesting.

Godmoding / Powerplaying / Metagaming :: Abbrevations of these terms could be GMing / PPing / MTGing.To put this simply, GMing, MTGing, or PPing is “controlling someone else’s character.” It is forcing an action, forcing a thought, or forcing dialect. Like in the real world, you can’t control someone or what they do (unless you have a mind-controlling machine, which I will buy off of you for a couple hundred dollars). Some places where you can roleplay will ban you or strike you for this. Be very careful with your choice of words. Here is a situation of no GMing and GMing, for example.

This is NOT GMing / PPing / MTGing.

Quote:
Akima wrote:
Grabbing the kunai, she stood up, attempting to hit her brother with it a single, hard thrust.

This is GMing / PPing / MTGing.

Quote:
Akima wrote:
Grabbing the kunai, she stood up, hitting her brother with it a single, hard thrust.

III. Tricks


Description - which seems obviously simple, but you’d be surprised how easy it is to forget about. For example, you could say a cat slept on the mat or you could say the peaceful Persian cat slept soundly on the warm, fluffy mat. The second example not only appears more impressive and gives you a better picture of exactly what’s going on, but it also happens to be nearly twice as long as the first example.

Another very important method of improving your post size is focused around responding to what your fellow role-players write in the posts before yours, so make sure that you read the posts before yours carefully in order to figure out exactly what’s going on! Failing to do that just leads to major confusion which could simply be avoided by a few minutes of careful reading. Back to the previous point – what exactly do I mean by responding to other people’s posts? As an example, Bob, your fellow role-player, has just stepped into a bar. You’re in the bar of course, so you should respond to what Bob has done. You could Ignore the newcomer and continue drinking your lemonade or perhaps you would glare over your shoulder and examine the newcomer before hunching back over the bar.


Choice of Words :: A Dictionary and Thesaurus are the best friends you can EVER have while roleplaying. They are a powerful combination as well! A roleplaying post can get very dull if you’re using the same words over and over again. Want to see what I’m saying?

Here’s one where Jinn repetitively uses a common verb, open.

Quote:
Jinn wrote:
First Jinn opened the square box to his right, revealing a miniature action figure of the Hokage. Then, Jinn opened an ugly heart shaped box that was probably from his sister, to find a small pink pouch for holding shuriken. He’d probably burn it later. Lastly, he opened a rectangular box and hugged the present close. Finally! The thing he wanted—a kunai sharpening set!

Time to power up the thesaurus! Be sure to use the dictionary for words that you aren’t sure for the definition of. (The last thing you want to do is use a word you don’t understand and sounds good. You could be saying it completely wrong or make no sense!)

From Thesaurus.com

Main Entry: open
Part of Speech: verb
Definition: clear
Synonyms: bare, breach, break in, break out, broach, burst, bust in, come apart, crack, disclose, display, disrupt, expand, expose, fissure, free, gap, gape, hole, jimmy, kick in, lacerate, lance, penetrate, perforate, pierce, pop, puncture, release, reveal, rupture, separate, sever, slit, slot, split, spread, tap, unblock, unbolt, unclose, unclothe, uncork, uncover, undo, unfasten, unfold, unfurl, unlatch, unlock, unroll, unseal, unshut, unstop, untie, unwrap, vent, ventilate, yawn, yawp

Now to replace open with different verbs!

Quote:
Jinn wrote:
First Jinn undid the wrapping of the square box to his right, revealing a miniature action figure of the Hokage. Then, Jinn exposed an ugly heart shaped box that was probably from his sister, to find a small pink pouch for holding shuriken. He’d probably burn it later. Lastly, he unfurled a rectangular box and hugged the present close. Finally! The thing he wanted—a kunai sharpening set!

Grammar and Spelling :: Even if you’re not going to post a lot, I suggest you write your roleplay posts in a program with automatic spell check, like Microsoft Word. Correct spelling and grammar will go a long way. People will judge you by your sentence structure, your choice of words, how well your roleplay post flows. Even though these are little things, they mean a lot when it comes to clarity and quality. Correct spelling and grammar is often used to distinguish advanced from new roleplayers. Don’t let people stereotype you by the way you write, because they often undermine the true potential a writer has! Show them that you actually enjoy roleplaying and you want them to enjoy themselves as well.



IV. Do´s & Don´ts


Post Layout :: Yes! What your post looks like is also very important.

List of DO’s
1. Double-space if you think it looks crowded and hard to read.
2. Distinguish actions from speech from thoughts. Usually actions are defaulted, speech is bolded, and thoughts are italicized. But of course, you don’t have to do it like this. Be sure to make it clear though!
3. If you are going to have NPCs talk in your post, it is usually helpful to clarify that too. A way to do this is make their speech a different color than the default black bold.

List of DONT’s
1. Type your post in all caps. That’s just silly.
2. Don’t make your post one, single paragraph. It’s hard to read and it looks chunky.
3. No excessive periods—if you are describing something, use several commas.


Your Character :: Get to know your character. What was he/she like? What they have to go through as a child? What does he/she look like? This is important because little details can go a long way. Remember, your character is like a person. They respond differently to different things. This keeps your character unique and enjoyable to roleplay with.

List of DO’s
1. Stick to a certain eye color and hair color.
2. Remember wounds and impairments that happen to your character when they get injured or hurt.
3. Remember what your character is wearing and what equipment they have. This will keep you alive.

List of DONT’s
1. If your character wouldn’t know something or do something because of their age, don’t do it. An eleven-year-old can’t drink.



V. Your Writing Style


No one can read your mind. Clarity is a very important thing. The way you write is, in some way, unique to you. Your writer’s voice is different from everyone’s else—you just have to unlock it and power it up to its highest potential through the different use of words, tenses, points of views, and etcetera. Here are some important factors in your “Writing Style.” Experiment with these, or stick with one—your writing, your choice.

Tenses :: There are three tenses: past, present, and future. You probably know this by now, but it’s pretty interesting how unconsciously, the human mind mixes them up while writing. You don’t want to mix up your tenses while you’re roleplaying. Reread your post after you’ve finished writing it.

Points of View :: There are three points of view: first person, second person, and third person. Let me explain each a little bit. This is important because it is how you portray your post to other people.

First Person: First person is in the self-appointed point of view. For instance, you’d write “I went to the store.” “I bought the kunai.” “I had some ramen last night.” The first person point of view is often less detailed about the surroundings and more centered on the character itself. The default text is not about the area around the character but what the character is thinking and what is going on in their mind. Past tense is memories and what the character can recall.

Second Person: This is RARELY used in roleplaying. It is... very odd. Second person is in the form of “you went to the store.” “You bought ramen.” This is often used for essays and advertisements, and is often not accepted for roleplaying.

Third Person: “He/She went to the store.” “They bought the kunai.” “He called her after the car accident.” Third person is more centered on the event and what is happening through the big picture. (We suggest you use this.)



VI. Conclusion


Well... that’s it. If you have any additions to the guide, feel free to post them

Thanks for taking the time to read—good luck in mastering roleplaying! Remember, experience is everything. The more you roleplay, the better you will get at it.

~Abu~

May the roleplayingness be with you! ^^

[AfroNinja]

Advanced Role Playing Info by Abu

Though this is named advanced it is a very good reading for the first timers! And it is named Advanced only because we do not say what you should do or not do anymore. You have to use your own brains. ^^

- What it is all about!
- Story? What kind of story?
- Know what you should take notice when making a character
- Know when your Character is ready to rank up.
- Know what your character will do. Have visions.
- Keep yourself interested.
- I made a bad character, I want new one.
- Use your brains.
- A small test


Roleplaying according to wikipedia:

Act of Adobting Roles

"In roleplaying, participants adopt and act out the role of characters, or parts, that may have personalities, motivations, and backgrounds different from their own. Roleplaying, also known as RP to some, is like being in an improvisational drama or free-form theater, in which the participants are the actors who are playing parts."

"A role-playing game is a game in which the participants assume the roles of characters and collaboratively create stories. Participants determine the actions of their characters based on their characterization."

What is it all about?

RP:ing is all about making a story!

Everything we discuss here is to address this point.

Story? What kind of story?

It is the story of your liking! You like making comedy, drama whatever.

Make your story interesting. This is not easily done, but it should be the aim.

Remember that usually stories have ups and downs, meaning suprises. Stories that go along a straight line, will get boring. So remember that rp:ing is not only ranking up your character, training new jutsus, and filling the requirements of ranking up. It is developing your character. Of course RP:er has many many ways to develope his/her character. He can rank character up a specific level and then start to develope the story. Well there are many many ways. ^^

You want superhero story? Well your choise, just remember that there are other kinds of stories! Watch Clint Eastwoods movies. They are no superhero stories, they are small stories of recular people. No Mission Impossible or Superman stuff there! He chalenges the minds of the characters and character development are done mentally. Of course it is to the RP:ers liking again, whether to develope the character mentally physically or both ways.

There are manykinds of stories. If you like the one that your character...
- aims for kage
- wants to kill someone
- just wants to survive
- wants to be anbu
- wants ultimate power
etc.
It does not matter! Any of these are good stories. There are no clisés. They are just what your character wants to be. There are many roads to them of which some are interesting and some clisés. The aim of your character can also change during your rp. It shows rp skill to be able to adapt to situations and change your rpc story line according to your opponent rp:ers post.

To make a story. You do not nessesary need Clans, organisations, custom jutsus, bloodlines, pets, custom weapons, missions, you do not nessesary need to rank up, etc. These are just ways to spend your time. Some of them can be thought as bad as they take focus off from actual rp:ing. Example: If you spend 2 months making your bloodline and do not rp at all, what is the point!?

Know what you should take notice when making a character.

When you are making a character. By looking from the point of view of the Story, it is good to start with making your background first and after that the rest. Again it is up to you.

What I have put notice is that unique or just interesting or good appearance of the character can make people remember your character better. It is much better write the appearance than it is to list it like eyes: blue, hair: grey.... It gives a feeling of rp:ing when you do it that way.

Now then what is important in the character template? Nothing! Absolutely nothing.

You do not need great detailed appearance, long interesting background, super strenghts, unique jutsus, anything. All you need is an idea that you can rp.

What f**king idea? The red line of your story. ^^

But remember we do not ask you to write personality for your character or ask you to make your background longer, just for the hell with it. It all helps you with your character!

Sample post: Now this can be of anything but I recomend that this will be your characters first rp post. It helps quite a lot to get your story a beginning!

Know when your Character is ready to rank up.

The rank up requirements are good thing to exist, but remember that you do not have to get too much into them. You can miss great deal of character development if you just try to fill up the rank up requirements. I say go and do few extra missions have couple of extra spars etc. It makes your character stand out from the mass. A question to you to think: Did all Academy students really have same amount of spars when they ranked up?

Know what your character will do. Have visions.

Have visions of your character, but remember that they are just visions they do not nesessary come true. I say, plan your story but do not stick to your plan! Adapt!

Keep yourself interested.

Keep yourself interested in your story. This is the key point of your success. If you are able to do this and develope your story, the story will become something.

I´m sorry, I do not have any waterproof ways to do this. And I will not give you any examples because you need to start learning using your own brains for a change!!!

I made a bad character, I want new one.

Now there is no characters that stink. You cannot make character that cannot play a part you want to play. Just change the characters goals and stuff. ADAPT! So there truly is no need to abandon character.

Now a good ending is a different thing. You can kill your character, but do it because it is for the story, not because you want rid of him. It was a great death of a character and a magnificent story ending if you will miss your character after it!!!!!!!!!!!! So do not just say Died. period. Work it up, make it dramatic, funny, what ever you want. Play funerals with some npc etc.

Use your brains.

Go and watch what others do and do the same, and when you know many many styles how others rp you will be a great rp:er. Listen what everyone teaches you and do the same, that way you will learn. You should only try to rp your own way after you have learned enough about roleplaying.

NO!!! YOU STUPID FOOL!!!

You were already going to do that! You stupid "!&¤&#¤/"!

Go and think. You have a brain you know!

Now it is a different thing to adapt from others. Because then you are making your own way to do that.
And I am not saying that doing like someone else is for bad, hell it could be a great way. ALL I am saying is to use your brain. Do not always agree with everything and do not always disagree with everything either. ^^

A small test.

What do you think rp:ing in this site is?
What is your characters story?
What is the point of this test?
What are your characters goals?
Does character even need goals?
Is this even a test?
I posted a rp-post, what next?

Post another one!!

--------------------------------------

RP:ing? There is no right way to do it.

IT IS ALL UP TO YOU!