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Posted: Apr 16th, 2007 at 06:07 pm
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RP 101 Role Playing for Beginners
Alright, here is a small online tutorial for those who wish to RP (role play, ie. write in-character). This article is mostly concerning RP in story threads, I shall save the discussions for on the field RP for another day…
First: “What is RP, and How Do I Get Started?”
Well, simply put RP (for our purposes) is simply writing in-charcter, usually to tell a story, or add a reply in an RP thread (an on-going story told by several people ). Typically, one would start by creating a character (persona), writing some form of backstory to give depth/dimension to said character. Fortunately, most of you have already done this as a part of being in Dagorhir… This story can be simple or complex, that choice is entirely yours. If you only have a few sentences, and a vague idea of where your persona came from, that is a good start. Often our personas grow as we spend more time in game, meet other people, and learn more about ourselves, and the game.
Next, you would either insert him/her into an RP thread, or try to write a short story from your persona's point of view (perhaps some great battle that you fought bravely in, or just some silly quest you went on). I encourage both of these, because it adds extra dimension to our game learning to be this fictitious person you have created. It is often helpful to start small (say a few posts in an on-going Tavern Thread, where you walk in, sit down, order some food, and strike up a conversation with other patrons). Once you feel like you are getting the hang of trying to speak (or in our case type) in-character, then you may wish to jump into a full blown RP thread. Some of these can be like long-term D&D campaigns, and last months, and sometimes longer, and have hundreds of posts.
Second: Learning the Lingo
IC (In Character) used to denote that all comments, etc. following are in character. This is typically used after someone has felt the need to post a question Out Of Character (OOC). A good example may be that you feel inclined to ask what the heck the last post was supposed to mean (heavy typos, or unclear meaning).
Beast posts:I grab the narb rood and swing it open, suprising the goblins hiding inside…
Ronvaldr replies:(OOC: Huh??) (IC) I follow on the heels of Beast, spear at the ready.
Needless to say, IC boards you don't usaully use leet, netspeak, or any sort of online lingo (ex: stuff like lol, brb, u, etc.).
OOC (Out Of Character) Occasionally you may find the need to post inside of an RP thread something that is Out Of Character. This may be anything from a clarifiaction (as in the previous example), or perhaps a comment on the last post, or some inside jest that all may enjoy. These can be amusing, and are certainly useful, but try to keep them to a minimum. After all, the point of an RP thread is to tell a story IC , right?
Third: A Standard Post
The standard post in an RP thread (your reply, if you will) should have a bit of length to it, while it need not be epic, you should do more than say “I agree with Tomas…” and leave it like that. The rule of thumb (and by no means a hard-and-fast rule) is a 50-word minimum. Four or five sentences, or the equivalent to your basic paragraph is often an excellent length for a good post. Your post typically should contain your reaction/ actions based on the previous post, any dialogue or comments you wish to make along with those actions. Finally, as a finish to you post, typically there is a “pass”. This is an action, or a comment, that tells somebody else that you wish them to post next. A “pass” may be as simple as “What do you think Beast?” or as subtle as, “Hey Nilfrod, You have first watch… I am going to sack out. Wake me if you hear anything, alright?” Without a pass, or even with a poor pass, often an RP thread parks, for no one is sure who is supposed to post next. Most posts should (from a basic writing standpoint have a beginning (your thoughts or actions from the previous post), middle (your actions and thoughts that are the basis of your post), and an end (the pass).
« Last Edited by
Oron the Wolf
Apr 16th, 2007 at 07:30 pm »
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Kinsman Oron the Wolf
A hard, lean, man of middle age, with long brown hair, and a handle bar mustache. An obvious veteran of many campaigns, wearing light leather armor. A short sword is strapped to his left hip, a large knife rests against the back of his wide hero's belt, and a small oval shield hangs over his shoulder.
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Posted: Apr 16th, 2007 at 06:20 pm
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Fourth: Adding Length to our Posts
Adding length to our posts is not as difficult, nor as daunting as it may at first seem. Simply consider what your persona is seeing, hearing, smelling, or thinking about as they do whatever actions you wish to perform in the post.
Example: I draw my sword, and prepare to fight.
Better Example: I look into my opponent’s eyes as I slowly draw my long sword. He has no idea the loathing I have for him and all his clan, but soon enough, he will…
Both posts say the same thing, but the latter paints a far better mental image of the scene. Simple actions, like lighting one's pipe, or brewing tea can be treated in much the same manner.
I take the kettle out of my pack, and make some tea…
becomes: I sift through my saddle bags and pull out my travel-worn copper kettle. In no time at all, the aroma of sweet elven tea is wandering about the small camp. Thoughts of home and childhood wander through my mind, while I wait for in anticipation for it to finish brewing.
Fifth: “Do’s and Don’ts of RP”
Well, the do’s have mostly been explained, with the exception of combat, which I will get into now… Unless the person, persons, or creatures you are fighting, are of your own creation (you introduced them into the RP thread) or you know that they are expendable (ie. the squad of orcs that have just surprised you and your companions on the road), do not kill them. This is important, Never Kill Somebody’s Persona Without His or Her Expressed Permission!!! It is often considered bad form to kill off important bad guys/monsters without at least asking who ever created it (mostly because there is usually a point to said bad guy/monster, which will be difficult for him/them to do, if they are dead). This is best handled by asking the originator via PM or IM. Attacking them, and allowing the originator to finish the attack as his reply best handle bad Guys/Monsters of importance to the story.
Bad form: I kill the Necromancer…
Much Better: I charge the accursed Necromancer, sword held high, seething with rage. I swing my great sword with all my might, hoping to loose his head from his shoulders…
This allows the Necromancer to react to your attack, or not as the originator of the Necromancer sees fit.
As for the Don'ts… First off, none of us are super-human, and your posts should reflect that. We all are better in our minds than we are on the field, and that is fine, your posts should reflect the fighting, riding, archery, etc, prowess you wish you had. It is after all role play… But, we all get wounded from time to time, we can not lift hobgoblins like rag dolls, and we can not fly, leap tall buildings in a single bound, move faster than a speeding bullet, etc… Try to make your posts believable. If you are an Elf, to say that you have exceptional hearing, is quite acceptable, to have improved vision, good, but to see through solid objects, or hear an orc fart a mile away, too much. Set some realistic boundaries for yourself, exceed them from time to time, when the moment is right, but do not over-do it.
Do not post actions for other people in the thread, again this is considered bad form. The exception to this is if you have already spoken to this individual (outside of the thread) and he or she agrees to said actions. You do not want people posting your replies for you, and they in turn do not want you posting theirs.
Alright, that is all I have for now, the most important thing to remember is to have fun, that is the entire point to joining into RP threads, or writing tales and short stories in character. Do not worry if your posts are not as impressive as you would like, writing in character takes practice, and there is definitely a learning curve. But I highly recommend that you give it a try, you may just find that you enjoy it.
« Last Edited by
Oron the Wolf
Apr 16th, 2007 at 07:33 pm »
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Kinsman Oron the Wolf
A hard, lean, man of middle age, with long brown hair, and a handle bar mustache. An obvious veteran of many campaigns, wearing light leather armor. A short sword is strapped to his left hip, a large knife rests against the back of his wide hero's belt, and a small oval shield hangs over his shoulder.
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RP 101: Role Playing For Beginners - (Read 313 Times)
