Kitsuria Network
Interactive Area => Roleplaying => Training Area => Topic started by: Voncloud on Jan 28 2010, 12:49 AM
-
This is an in depth Guide to RPing, not used as rules and regulations, but more an instruction book and what to do. Add to it as you wish.
RPing Guidelines
This is a step by step guide to a basic RP character creation, joining an RP, and tips.
Character Creation
I wont go through the boring details of name, age. etc. As we all know how to do that, however I will go through a few things to remember.
When creating your character, you need to think of when and where it's going to be used. As an example, a vast majority of you will know that Sirus is my main character, which means most of the time I will probably pick him to use in an RP. However, there are RP's where Sirus does not belong, "A Kitsune Beginning", in this case, is an RP based around Kitsune, so Sirus would have no place there. So, I made up a Kitsune character purely for Kitsune based RP's.
Along with making a character who fits the RP plot, make sure they fit in with the environment they will be in. So, if its a fantasy RP with swords and magic, a solider with a shotgun isn't really going to fit, no matter what story you may have about how he may have gotten it. Also, make sure that your character has abilities that suit the intended RP.
Another thing to keep in mind is that your character doesn't have to be outrageously good to be in the RP. You will still be allowed to be in the RP if you character happens to just be normal. You don't have to be skilled in everything, a master of whatever, and again, if its an RP based around it, make sure you're not overpowered. Bringing up "A Kitsune Beginning" again, that was based around kitsune getting their powers for the first time. So, a character who was already a master of the elements wouldn't fit there, as it defeats the point of the plot.
If you have doubts about your character, or REALLY are adamant about using them, ask the creator of the RP to check your character's profile.
One last thing to remember about your characters: If they are to join an RP that has a bad guy in it, 9 times out of 10, your character WON'T be able to take it on after the first few posts (as bad guys are meant to be bad for a reason, as I will go through later).
Joining an RP
When joining an RP, make sure you do read it all, especially the opening post, as that has a tendency of explaining everything (even ground rules, if they have any). If you post and the author has a go at you, it's only yourself that you can blame if they have said that the information was in the first post. If joining a newly started RP, make sure you don't advance to far ahead, most authors will have a plot in mind which you will need to follow, so make sure not to be too hasty to just run in straight away.
When joining a running RP, again make sure to read everyone's posts, as it helps to know what's happening and who's doing what. You don't want to join and start talking to someone who was, in fact, killed a few posts back. On the topic of actually joining, DON'T just conveniently POP out of nowhere and happen to be where everyone/the action is. It's very frustrating for authors and tends to make you look bad, as you now have to give a VERY good reason/story as to why and how you happened to be there. If you're going to join, find a reasonable way of doing it. A clich? example: Say some characters are trapped in a dungeon in a castle, Its plausible you may also be a prisoner, but if you're in there, there's a good chance you haven't got a way to escape before you think about saving people. Or maybe you happen to be a servant who brings down the bread and water. Who knows, either way you need to have decent reasons for being. Again with certain settings, clear it up with the author, because for all you know, he might have undead sevants in his castle.
As with the above topic of characters, make sure your character actually fits in.
Creating an RP
Creating an RP on forums is a lot trickier then it may seem, You first need to think of a plot, this plot could be anything from the depths of your creative brain, however, you need to make sure the plot has some structure. There's no point in creating a plot if it doesn't have a back bone to it. You need to plan the plot based around the people who are RPing it. Work on responses, you can plan one path based on character decisions, but if those characters don't make the right decision, you will be stumped. So, make sure to plan for a variety of responses so your plot can always take a direction.
Using our castle example from earlier, say in your plot, you plan that the one character you didn't capture ends up rescuing them and you go on a hunt for them. That's one progressive path, but what if something happens to the character? Or, he decides not to let them all out until he's dealt with your bad guy first? You need to make sure to plan for other possibilities, as not all RPers will go the exact path you set out for them. Keep your options open.
If your RP is going to have a bad guy in it that is UBER-powerful until your climax at the end, make sure people are aware of it, Too often have I seen it where a bad guy is meant to be the fear factor of an RP, and authors have struggled to emphasise this against characters who somehow can take them on. This goes to you people who are RPing against them. Remember that if there's a bad guy, there's a good chance he's not meant to be defeated straight away.
Some Quick Tips
* If in doubt, ask. The author of the RP, if still active, won't mind a PM from you if you want to know more, or feel you have an issue.
* Let people reply. Just because you and one other are on a roll doesn't mean the rest are. If you can see people are going to be left behind, stop. Let them reply.
* Update your profiles. Keep your characters updated on the profiles sections if you need to LINK your profiles when joining new RP's.
* Let other people do things. Yes, we all want our characters to look the best in the plots we choose, but there are others around you, let them shine once in a while.
* Think logically, yes you are RPing, and it's not real, but sometimes you need to go into your characters shoes and REALLY think, "What would I do now?" Sometimes, it leads to a better RP if you do things that make sense.
If you have any questions or any additions, then please reply.
(I don't want any "OH this is too long" messages. This is meant to be an in-depth guide. It's *meant* to be long. If you want a short hand version, read RP rules.)