First up: What do you want to learn?

[True Sparrow]

Hmm... I'll take up the 'fighting' challenge.

So what you're asking is how to describe a fight without being a... god mod...? And, of course, where to let the other roleplayer come in? Perhaps where you should end the post?

Is this correct?

 

[Dan the Dante]

Yup.

I mean it feels a little, uh, cut short, if I end it in 'His sword lashes through the air and heads towards his neck.'

I know I have to give room for the other user to response, but is there any other ways to spice things up?  

[True Sparrow]

Hmm... unfortunately, fighting scenes are hard. It's simpler if you're fighting a non-character like some random street-person or an army.

But with another roleplayed character, I'd have to say that the best way to go is to play it safe.

Instead of saying: "He slashed down the man's left side, gashing his arm," You should write: "He slashed his sword down that man's left side, aiming to gash his arm." If you really want to make it good, I'd suggest talking with the person who plays the other fighter. Maybe you two can come to an agreement on who gets injured, who wins, etc. This can be hard, as no one wants their character to be weak or a loser, but it's only fair. Still, you'd have to roleplay 'safe'. If you've agreed to gash character #2 arms, don't just say: "Character #1 gashed character #2's arm." You'd still have to write: "Character #1 aimed to gash character #2's arm." Then the other roleplayer can post: "Character #2 yelped as character #1 sliced his arm."

Does that make any sense?

I know how you're supposed to go with the flow in roleplays, and post in the spur of the moment, but oftentimes planning shortly ahead helps!

 

[Dan the Dante]

Yes I agree with what you said, and I think I understood most, if not all of it.

It does sound fun to arrange the fight before roleplaying it beforehand, but I agree with you with the whole 'no one wants their character to lose or get hurt.' Although I myself take the responsibility to allow my opponents a few hits on my character, especially if I see that the attack is truly inescapable.

Anyway thanks for the advice.  

[True Sparrow]

No problem! I hope it helped!

Any more questions, anyone?

 

[w i g g l e c a k e]

I too came here to learn about fighting. xD Seems like I've already found most of the information I was looking for. Whee!

So I guess the planning ahead part would be something you'd put in those little "OOC" notes people use sometimes. Right?  

[True Sparrow]

No. Well I wouldn't, anyway. It's better to message them, so that the other characters won't know all about the fight. It gives them a little surprise, I think.

 

[Rene Miashi]

I'm glad someone on the staff knows what they are doing. I haven't a clue as to how these things work. I avoid fights as much as possible by creating characters that do not like to fight sweatdrop  

[Dan the Dante]

Okay, any tips on how to create a humorous RP post.

I sometimes create characters that are supposed to be funny. From the way they talk to the way they act.

But I'm having difficulty doing that, so can someone help?  

[Psychedelic Seizure]

Hope you don't mind if I just... slide in right here.

Anyway...
That really depends on the sense of humour of those around you. Comedy is a very subjective thing, so what may be funny to one person may be simply idiotic to another. Different types of comedy appeal to different types of people. However, these are the types I see most often in my roleplays:

Sarcasm - witty language used to convey insult or scorn
Should be employed in both the character's thoughts and dialogue. A sarcastic character can be anywhere from reclusive to very forward in their opinions.

Slapstick - boisterous comedy, usually including chases, collisions, and practical jokes
Should be employed through the character's actions. A 'slapstick' character is usually either a complete klutz or has a tendency to be clumsy at the most inopportune times. Unfortunately, this form of humor can get very annoying if used too freely. --Falling down a flight of stairs can only be funny so many times before it just gets pathetic...

'Blue' humour - comedy which deals with topics usually deemed vulgar or 'in bad taste' according to social norms
Should not be employed at all. Though this may seem rather '1950s Stepford wife' of me to say, it's true. Frankly, unless you know the people you are roleplaying with personally, you shouldn't risk working a dead-baby-joke into your post for the sake of 'spicing things up'. To some people, it's the social equivalent of whipping out a racial slur. To be frank, 'blue' humour should be avoided.

[ Mods - Don't hesitate to add more types. I'm certain I've missed some. ]

Now, unfortunately, comedy can't really be 'taught'. Frankly, you're either funny or you aren't. But, in the end, I'd go by this simple rule of thumb:
Try to make yourself laugh and to hell with everyone else.
If you obsess too much on trying to make your character funny, odds are, you're just going to make an a** out of yourself.  

[Dan the Dante]

In all honesty that sounds real difficult. But I guess that just proves that life is easier than comedy. Thanks for the help anyways, fortunately I'm not roleplaying any comedic characters as of now, so I have time to think about what you just said and apply it into my writing.  

[Psychedelic Seizure]

Oops.

Perhaps it was the way I explained it...
I wasn't meaning to discourage you from comedy at all.
Bad Psych! -spanks self-

Anyway, if you have anything in particular that you want me to clarify or elaborate on, feel free to pester.

I'd hate to think I've just added to your confusion on the subject.

 

[Rene Miashi]

Psychedelic Seizure

Bad Psych! -spanks self-

I got a little giggle out of that one. whee  

[XziqueX]

Psychedelic Seizure

But, in the end, I'd go by this simple rule of thumb:
Try to make yourself laugh and to hell with everyone else.
If you obsess too much on trying to make your character funny, odds are, you're just going to make an a** out of yourself.

This really helps. rofl  

[Psychedelic Seizure]

Glad I could amuse. ^^;;