Secondly, if you're used to rping, then you can skip this part, just read the next four and you'll get the basic idea.
If your not, then this is your lucky day, I'm going to show you how to endear yourself to your fellow Role Players, and make a memorable RP.
If you have not, you should check out this Thread. Click this Link
Here's a few quick rules that should be followed REGARDLESS of the Rules posted in the first few post.
Always read the Rules and story. Allot of times a RP creator will have something in the rules to make sure you were paying attention. But even if they don't, you'll be lost as far as the RP goes without knowing the story.
Quote:
Rule 6: Send all profile PMs as 'Woo Bug hunt!'
Instead of sending it as 'Woo Bug Hunt!' send it as 'Uugh manhunt'
Rule 8: Highlight above to show me you really read the rules.
When speaking Out Of Character OOC -as in it's from you and has nothing to do with the story- put your text inside something to note it's OOC
IE (()) {{}} :: ::
DO NOT cyber. If you don't know, cybering is 'naughty' writing. This is against gaia TOS, and just good practice. If you wouldn't want your mother to walk in on it, it's a good idea not to post it. Mind you Gaia itself is getting into the lewd jokes and romantic stuff, and it's fine by me, but don't go over board. TOS = Terms Of Service, that little contract you agreed to when you signed up.
BE MINDFUL of your spelling and grammar. I'm not a huge stickler on it, as you can tell but if people can't understand you, they can't reply.
NO Godmodding. This means:
~making your character ridiculously strong.
~taking no hits
~taking damage but never enough to really impede your character. Usually written as 'they ignored the pain'
~ Taking control of a character that is not yours without permission, this includes killing them. This is called 'Pupeting'
~Auto-hitting this can be tricky, for the most part you don't want to say a hit landed in your post because this is a auto-hit. It's generally looked down upon as a bad move.
~~ However most higher level rpers don't mind getting hit a few times, just don't make it so they can't fight back.
IE:
Quote:
"Shut the hell up!" Jason yelled and punched Alex in the face, sending him flying backwards. He stormed out of the room before anyone could say anything.
BAD FORM. Any respectable RP creator will give you a warning, but they don't have to. They can kick you out for that.
In stead try this:
Quote:
Shut the hell up!" Jason yelled and punched Alex in the face, he moved around the table aiming another punch at the poor mans gut.
You'll notice it doesn't say the second hit landed, this allows the other player a chance to react without having to uncharacteristically or unrealistically pursuing your character.
NO Teleporting! Meaning:
~~ suddenly appearing in a room you couldn't possibly get to realistically. Try typing out how your character got there, I'm assuming they have legs, they can walk. If not, ROLL ROLL ROLL!
~~Literally teleporting for the sake of not taking damage, or following a character that is trying to get you to leave them alone.This can be considered godmoding by some. But it's just annoying to most. To save you temptation, just avoid this power all together.
Things You Don't Have To Do But Will Help with you RP pimpability.
Try to keep you post between size 9 to 11 : It's small I know, but it keeps everything looking tidy. This gives the impression you want it to be good.
Good is a quality most people like.
READ READ READ read the other's post, read the rules, read even the stuff you can't react to. That way if something big happens, you can plan your reaction before it really hits you.
Write write-WHOA NOW! Most rpers like to see a good sized post, because it gives them something to react to. Most RPs ask for a 3 sentence minimum. In reality you should try for a five line minimum. This makes progress easier, and gives people something to reply to. How is your character talking? Standing? Facial expressions? Do they fiddle with their things? 90% of human communication is body language and tone. To make up for that in writing, you have to tell us what they're doing!
That said, try to refrain from writing a novel unless your with people whole like that(OH! Me, me, me! ). Two-three paragraphs should be enough Mr. Mark Twain.
Take Turns Posting: Double posting looks bad. It negates other people's chances to reply. It is generally only acceptable when saying your going to edit something, or have multiple characters.
If you are in a conversation with multiple people the Polite thing to do is wait for everyone to reply.
IE A and B start talking. C comments. A replies, B replies. Before either A or B can respond again C has to say something. Likewise C replies, B replies... wait for A and so on and so forth.
As Painful as it is if you have to quit, or want to, inform the rp creator and move your character away from everyone so nobodies waiting for you to reply.
Be Careful using NPC, a NPC is a character that is not controlled by another gaian/person. It can be a random soldier, or a shop keep, or even a monster/villain. They are key parts of a good story. Reoccurring NPC's can even be fun.
If you find your talking as them alot, and want to keep them around, make a profile.
Also, people get tempted to wailing on NPCs because they can't make a move you don't already know, and your character can easily doge. This is called Powerplaying, and is regarded as generally undesirable. There's a place for everything, remember that.
Use dem pweety colors! If you have multiple characters. One color for each, savy? Keeps things tidy. Tidy is good. And good is good, remember?
Try to keep you post between size 9 to 11 : It's small I know, but it keeps everything looking tidy. This gives the impression you want it to be good.
Good is a quality most people like.
READ READ READ read the other's post, read the rules, read even the stuff you can't react to. That way if something big happens, you can plan your reaction before it really hits you.
Write write-WHOA NOW! Most rpers like to see a good sized post, because it gives them something to react to. Most RPs ask for a 3 sentence minimum. In reality you should try for a five line minimum. This makes progress easier, and gives people something to reply to. How is your character talking? Standing? Facial expressions? Do they fiddle with their things? 90% of human communication is body language and tone. To make up for that in writing, you have to tell us what they're doing!
That said, try to refrain from writing a novel unless your with people whole like that(OH! Me, me, me! ). Two-three paragraphs should be enough Mr. Mark Twain.
Take Turns Posting: Double posting looks bad. It negates other people's chances to reply. It is generally only acceptable when saying your going to edit something, or have multiple characters.
If you are in a conversation with multiple people the Polite thing to do is wait for everyone to reply.
IE A and B start talking. C comments. A replies, B replies. Before either A or B can respond again C has to say something. Likewise C replies, B replies... wait for A and so on and so forth.
As Painful as it is if you have to quit, or want to, inform the rp creator and move your character away from everyone so nobodies waiting for you to reply.
Be Careful using NPC, a NPC is a character that is not controlled by another gaian/person. It can be a random soldier, or a shop keep, or even a monster/villain. They are key parts of a good story. Reoccurring NPC's can even be fun.
If you find your talking as them alot, and want to keep them around, make a profile.
Also, people get tempted to wailing on NPCs because they can't make a move you don't already know, and your character can easily doge. This is called Powerplaying, and is regarded as generally undesirable. There's a place for everything, remember that.
Use dem pweety colors! If you have multiple characters. One color for each, savy? Keeps things tidy. Tidy is good. And good is good, remember?
Make your Post *POP* If a thread is really busy, or really text heavy some people have an easier time finding a post by picking up color/pictures used consistently. Make sure your picture doesn't stretch the page, and keep your pics either in the center above or below the text. Ideally you should be able to slide the pic beside your text. Remember to be consistent.
Keeps things Tidy.
Tidy is good.
Good is Good.
Keeps things Tidy.
Tidy is good.
Good is Good.
Take Heed of the Genre! Though you may still be accepted, if you send in a ninja to a Midevil European RP people are going to raise eyebrows. Likewise in a SciFi it would be illogical to have swords. A combat knife, maybe, but guns are called the great equalizer for a reason.
Suggestions for making a good RP
Makng an rp is like outlining a book. The same principles apply. Take your time, touch the key points, keep it tidy..
((mind you this is slightly hypocritical due to the time constraints I'm working under.))
'*~Details Coming Soon!~*`
Acronyms and Terms to know in an RP:
Barton Town : The place RP's live on gaia! Mapquest Option: Click Forums, scan page for Barton Town, Click.
Black list: Bad, bad person! You ignored the rules or seriously ticked someone off. RP makers will observe other RP's white and black list. If your on the black, you might get the stick eye in the next rp you go to.
Bob Barker: An OC that can do no wrong, they may have faults, and may get hurt, but that doesn't stop them from saving the day. Relation: Marry Sue
Cossplay: Pretending to be a character for an RP.
Cross over: An rp, or character that is like a Cossplay, but puts a different cast or plot inside the story.
CossPlay OC : Traditionally an original character for a crossover. Sometimes means a character wit the same image and/or name and/or personality as a well known character, but with a completely history that allows them to partake in the RP.
Fourth Wall: The barrier between reality and the story. Breaking the fourth wall might entail, a character remarking on being in a story. Or getting in an argument with the narrator/writer (IE Winnie the pooh.) Often used for comedic purposes.
Frozen: When a charcter cannot move because they are waiting for a reply from another rper, or have put their character has been put in a position where they cannot respond. IE locked in a closet, knocked unconscious.
Freezeing: Leaving in the middle of a conversation, or interaction, causing the other character to be frozen. Though this is often can't be avoided in semi-lit + rps if possible, without sacrificing continuity this should be avoided. But it can't be helped and most rpers will understand.
Godmod: harmless douche (see above suggestions for full details)
Godmoder: mostly harmless douche (see above suggestions to get full image) Relations: Bob Barker, Mary Sue, Puppeteer, Powerplay Spy
Literate: Aka Lit. Literally, the ability to read and write, a person who can read and write. On Gaia Lit. writers rarely post less than a full paragraph, and always remember to spell correctly and never drop a comma ever unless to jeer at others 'not on their level'. Though there has been rumors of lit rps and lit rpers that do not fit this description, by scientific study we have found it is just that. Rumors. Many are the 'Johnny' in the old adage about work, play and dull boys.
Mary Sue: That cute little girl/lady that can kick a Naz=vy Seal twice her size's but without previous training, and is piratically perfect in every way. If she does have flaws they're only there because she was wronged. Relation: Bob Barker
NPC: Non Player Character, a character that is not controlled by anyone.
IE: Shop keepers, Monsters random soldiers.
NSP: Non Stop Poster (1) A person unwilling/unable to wait for others and will eagerly 'take over' with one or two others. More often than not, these rpers tend to be Bob Barkers and Mary Sues. (2) A person who, if the person their talking to has to get offline, regardless of what is happening, they will leave that character behind. (2) A person who will flood an rp with double-triple-quadruple-ect ect post.
OC: Original Character, someone you made up/control/pretend to be for the RP.
OOC: Out Of Character things that have nothing to do with the story. Should be put inside something to show it's OOC. IE ((where is everyone?)) A thread is sometimes created solely for OOC
OP : Original poster often they are the RPC as well.
RPC : Role play Creator. They are God of that rp. Keep them happy.
Semi-Lit: An Rp or Rper of moderate writing ability. Often post a minimum of 3 lines but rarely ventures over two paragraphs outside of introductory post. These people sometimes drop commas, and make spelling mistakes as if they've never heard of english, and DO NOT SPEAK IT MOTHERF%^&ER! But only sometimes. Despite this, they can be effective story tellers. From time to time. Once in a blue moon.
Spy: Someone who can inexplicably hear anything, be it said under the breath in the middle of an air raid, quietly thought in the back of the mind, or even in the Narration. They use their skills to obtain information that would be impossible to get without breaking the Fourth wall, *see fourth wall*
Powerplayer: Someone who uses NPCs to make themselves seem cooler/scarier/sexier/whatever-er without any redeeming qualities. Variant of Godmoder, mostly harmless, but annoying douche.
Profile: The stats on your character, almost every rp will want you to fill one out.
Pre-made : Characters created for the RP, an nice -though rare- option in case your having trouble coming up with something.
Puppeter: Someone who controls another persons RPC without permission. Variant of Godmoder.
White list: Where you want to be. White listed people tend to get invited to other rps, and general treated with more respect.
((If you see any obvious mistakes, have suggestions for the 'advice on making a good rp' section, or would like me to add something please PM me.))
