Post by Cobra5 on Aug 29, 2003 18:30:35 GMT -5
I just wanted to get some things down. These are not, 100% enforced and disciplined rules, but rather, the things people generally frown upon, and the such.
You can think of this as a "Guide" to RP at this board.
Now, let's begin.
Post in the Ideas thread first!
For RPing here, we generally discuss the ideas of what the story will include, as well as who our characters are, before we begin posting. Joining late in an RPG is almost always allowed, but you should post in the RPG Ideas thread first. The other players can get an idea of your character, make sure it fits well with the RPGs context, come up with a way to get your character into the group, and if there is one, the GM can approve the character.
Do not ever control other people's characters unless they give you permission!
And if you do use someone else's character, they have a right to change the actions you have set in place for them. Generally, of you have to control another person's character, discuss this beforehand with the appropriate people.
Don't steer the group as a whole unless you are GMing a story segment!
(IE- "The group notices an inn, and heads inside". Just end it at, "The group notices an inn", or preferably, "My character notices an inn"). Try to describe only your own actions. If you want the group to get moving, a good way to do it is to say just your character is walking down the road. The others will almost certainly say they are as well.
Don't powerplay!
You can be powerful but don't be immortal. Although I'm fairly certain our Characters will always come out on top, at least make it seem like a challenge. And in some RPGs, like Soul Saber and GTARPG, it's ok to die now and then.
Do not be "Super unique"!
This is probably one of the most important rules, right up there with "Don't control other characters". All characters are unique, remeber that. There is no reason to go over board. Some of the most common forms of this is making your charcater a half-blood (half-alien, half-mystic, or something like that) or some mythical creature (Shapeshifter, vampire, etc). Another big give away is that a character constantly wants sympathy for (or calls attention to) a single part of their character, which is extremely unique. This is always frowned upon. In fact, at the time of this writing, only one character has ever been rejected, and that was because it was too unique. A true RPer makes an ordinary character extraordinary.
Leave room for possibilities when dealing with any action that could have an affect on any other character!
For example, instead of saying, "The monster decides that I am too difficult of a target, so it takes a mighty swing at Character B instead!", say "The monster decides that I am to difficult of a target, so shifts his attention to Character B instead!". Although this was a tiny change, Character B's player has much more control over the situation, even if it doesn't seem like it. Now, instead of just dealing with a "mighty swing", Character B can choose to RP with any attack he/she chooses. Or, it might not even be able to get off an attack, and character be could have the first move. See what I'm saying?
Basic Syntax
In the past our RPGs had strict formating guidelines, but since most of the guidelines have fallen out of practice. If you see things like asterisks and colored text, these only denote narration.
*This is an example of what narration would have looked like in the past. Each character would have their own color of text. It is no longer used, but may be seen from time to time by some of the older members.*
((Double Parenthesis denote Out Of Character, or OOC, text. This is discussion about the RPG itself, that does not actually belong in the RPG's Narration. This is only for short notes, discussion should be placed within the relevant RPG Ideas thread, to reduce clutter.))
The RPGs here all consist of two threads- One in the Role Playing Board, which contains the RPG itself. The other is in the RPG Ideas Board, which contains out-of-character discussion and information on the RPG. You should always post in the RPG ideas thread first, before posting in the RPG itself. It isn't necessary to read the entire Ideas thread! They have grown to over a hundred pages in the past. Just ask a user to sum up the relevant information (everyone is very friendly toward new people here).
You can think of this as a "Guide" to RP at this board.
Now, let's begin.
Post in the Ideas thread first!
For RPing here, we generally discuss the ideas of what the story will include, as well as who our characters are, before we begin posting. Joining late in an RPG is almost always allowed, but you should post in the RPG Ideas thread first. The other players can get an idea of your character, make sure it fits well with the RPGs context, come up with a way to get your character into the group, and if there is one, the GM can approve the character.
Do not ever control other people's characters unless they give you permission!
And if you do use someone else's character, they have a right to change the actions you have set in place for them. Generally, of you have to control another person's character, discuss this beforehand with the appropriate people.
Don't steer the group as a whole unless you are GMing a story segment!
(IE- "The group notices an inn, and heads inside". Just end it at, "The group notices an inn", or preferably, "My character notices an inn"). Try to describe only your own actions. If you want the group to get moving, a good way to do it is to say just your character is walking down the road. The others will almost certainly say they are as well.
Don't powerplay!
You can be powerful but don't be immortal. Although I'm fairly certain our Characters will always come out on top, at least make it seem like a challenge. And in some RPGs, like Soul Saber and GTARPG, it's ok to die now and then.
Do not be "Super unique"!
This is probably one of the most important rules, right up there with "Don't control other characters". All characters are unique, remeber that. There is no reason to go over board. Some of the most common forms of this is making your charcater a half-blood (half-alien, half-mystic, or something like that) or some mythical creature (Shapeshifter, vampire, etc). Another big give away is that a character constantly wants sympathy for (or calls attention to) a single part of their character, which is extremely unique. This is always frowned upon. In fact, at the time of this writing, only one character has ever been rejected, and that was because it was too unique. A true RPer makes an ordinary character extraordinary.
Leave room for possibilities when dealing with any action that could have an affect on any other character!
For example, instead of saying, "The monster decides that I am too difficult of a target, so it takes a mighty swing at Character B instead!", say "The monster decides that I am to difficult of a target, so shifts his attention to Character B instead!". Although this was a tiny change, Character B's player has much more control over the situation, even if it doesn't seem like it. Now, instead of just dealing with a "mighty swing", Character B can choose to RP with any attack he/she chooses. Or, it might not even be able to get off an attack, and character be could have the first move. See what I'm saying?
Basic Syntax
In the past our RPGs had strict formating guidelines, but since most of the guidelines have fallen out of practice. If you see things like asterisks and colored text, these only denote narration.
*This is an example of what narration would have looked like in the past. Each character would have their own color of text. It is no longer used, but may be seen from time to time by some of the older members.*
((Double Parenthesis denote Out Of Character, or OOC, text. This is discussion about the RPG itself, that does not actually belong in the RPG's Narration. This is only for short notes, discussion should be placed within the relevant RPG Ideas thread, to reduce clutter.))
The RPGs here all consist of two threads- One in the Role Playing Board, which contains the RPG itself. The other is in the RPG Ideas Board, which contains out-of-character discussion and information on the RPG. You should always post in the RPG ideas thread first, before posting in the RPG itself. It isn't necessary to read the entire Ideas thread! They have grown to over a hundred pages in the past. Just ask a user to sum up the relevant information (everyone is very friendly toward new people here).
