The Dos & Don’ts of Role Play Etiquette - Printable Version
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The Dos & Don’ts of Role Play Etiquette - Blade - 03-28-2015
<div style="text-align:center;]<span style="font-size:x-large;]The Dos & Don’ts of Role Play Etiquette </span>[/align]
<font size="2]The Why: While it might seem obvious to some as to what’s kosher and not for role playing with others, it seems to me as if a lot of people (through the course of my many years of experience) don’t really grasp that there is a subtle set of rules that go along with gaming this way. As such, I thought it might be a good idea to create an actual list for some to reference and keep in mind.
The How: This list might appear a little snarky. If so, don’t take it too personally. You may not have to follow every rule to the letter. As Jack Sparrow said “It’s more what you’d call ‘guidelines’ than actual rules.”
The Dos
[/font]<ol type="decimal]<li><font size="2]<font color="#ebf500]Do make worthwhile and immersive characters[/font] people can connect with. Everyone makes 'that hot character', and, the shine has worn off for us experienced peeps. It's cool your character is sexy--awesome; we like hotties. But, where did they grow up? What are their favorite colors? What pisses them off, turns them on? People care about the details, especially the tidbits that aren't easily known. So, make your character someone they're going to give a shit about. Because, honestly, we don't RP to see hot babes and dudes; that's just one aspect of them. We enjoy the wordplay. So, make us care.[/font]</li><li><font size="2]<font color="#ebf500]Do communicate with a person you are RPing with[/font], be it 1x1 or in a general game with others. Remember, you aren't sitting around a table with a DM, GM, or ST; they aren't deciding the outcomes for you, and, sometimes there are parts of your character that aren't known that should be for certain interactions. For instance, I've had to explain to people that when Saint bites them it create a euphoric feeling that, in some characters or species, could be akin to just orgasming right then. But, that might not work well for your character depending on their species--maybe it does't work for you. Talk it out; by not talking problems are created.[/font]</li><li><font size="2]<font color="#ebf500]Do make note of what other characters have done that you are replying to[/font]--not just the stuff they say, and, include it in your replies. Pay attention to posts for the details. Not only will your partner at the time feel as if they haven't wasted theirs on those details, but it will make the game more fun for the both of you; especially when they return the favor.[/font]</li><li><font size="2]<font color="#ebf500]Do make use of a thesaurus[/font]. I know it might feel stupid, or, as if you're cheating. But, believe me, all us up-in-up peeps do this. The reason being that sometimes we've already used a word more than twice in the same paragraph and it feels redundant. Sometimes a word just won't come to us. Thesauruses help. Use it. Your writing will thank you. [/font]</li><li><font size="2]<font color="#ebf500]Do realize that actions speak louder than words[/font]. Sometimes they way a character moves, their tone, or even how they lay down adds to their persona. People, subtly, pick up on this and it sinks them more into that immersion I was talking about. In this forum, where sex happens, even the way one character grabs their partner can tell someone a lot about their mood at the time, or, just about who they are. As Elvis said, "Little less talk, a little more action."[/font]</li><li><font size="2]<font color="#ebf500]Do have your character react, sometime with surprise[/font]. I once RPed with someone whose character appeared to know everything all the time. It got really annoying. Some things won't shock certain characters, some things will. Make sure you know if your character honestly will be or not before you make that post. Again, it adds to story and immersion.[/font]</li><li><font size="2]<font color="#ebf500]Do realize it's OK if your character really hates something[/font]. Not every character is meant to get along with everyone all the time. If your character really hates smoking and someone else's is smoking, they should probably find it annoying--even if they don't vocalize it. Again, this adds to story.[/font]</li><li><font size="2]<font color="#ebf500]Do research.[/font] If your character is a master when it comes to firearms, then you should probably read up on them. At the very least, have some notes written down or website references available to look at when you make a post. This is pretty much true of even sex fiend characters. It doesn't matter if you've never had sex, but at least look into a few sites so your character reads right when performing these actions.[/font]</li><li><font size="2]<font color="#ebf500]Do realize that no everyone can be good at everything[/font]. And they won't be. You might have a wizened character like my girl Ruka; she's well-read, a little OP, and knows a bit about it all. But, honestly, I don't think she's ever fired a gun before. So, if someone handed her a firearm I'm not sure she'd really know how to use it in actual practice. And that's ok because she's good at other things. Having flaws makes characters interesting. Trust me.[/font]</li><li><font size="2]<font color="#ebf500]Do take breaks and switch it up[/font]. One character, one role play, can burn even the best of us out until we reach a point where it feels more like work than fun. It's OK to take breaks; it's important to. Burning out serves no one. Just keep in mind that if you take an extended break you need to let others know who are waiting on you to post. Again, communicate. Let people know you want to RP someone else even. This why a good bit of us have more than one RP going at once all the time--it keeps up from burning out on one character.
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<font size="4]The Don'ts[/font]
<ol type="decimal]<li><font size="2]<font color="#ebf500]Don't be pushy[/font]. I know this one seems like a no-brainer to some, but it's a really important one. And there is a fine line between being excited about a game and annoying the living shit out of someone to the point that they never want to RP with you--ever. Realize that people have their own lives, their own universes, that don't include you. If they've told you'll they'll get to it give it some time. If weeks pass by and your worried, ask them again. Work something out. Ultimately, if they're too busy to continue, tell them you've got move on and either drop the thread (if it's a 1x1), or, run right over their post (if it's a walk-in or something with a lot of people). Most people I know doing 1x1s will wait a long time; it's not a big deal here. I personally don't see the point in dropping a 1x1, but that's just me. I do know that asking someone to post everyday and dropping hints makes me wanna throw a hot apple pie in their face and tell them to fuck off.[/font]</li><li><font size="2]<font color="#ebf500]Don't make it all about your character[/font]. Seriously. Don't. 1x1s, Walk-Ins, Closed-Plot? I don't care. The other characters in the game do not solely exist to make you happy, or, to make your character look like the greatest hunk of meat (or metal) that was gifted into the realm of imagination. In your book or novel, sure; not in an RP. This ties into what I said in Dos section about paying attention to what a character does or says in a post, about the details, and sometimes letting your character be surprised or shocked. It not only adds depth to the game, but allows for plot where there otherwise might not have been any at all. And don't get me wrong, it's cool if you have a giant T-Rex that can recite Shakespeare; just make me understand why. (Maybe he was cursed by some witch to be a giant dinosaur and he used to be a Renaissance man.) Don't just put it in there because you feel like your character shouldn't be left out on the Shakespeare talk going in between two others. 'Cause, for real, it's funnier if he doesn't and inserts himself anyway. ...Awkward. (But good.)[/font]</li><li><font size="2]<font color="#ebf500]Don't do just what you want and be unmindful[/font]. Some of us have us have created games and themes with a certain world in mind. We're not opposed to you being a little silly or doing something off the wall, but make sure there's an explanation. If we tell you that there are no giant T-rexes work in our world, don't bring one in and whine when you get told you remove it--or have your post fucking deleted. Or worse, when you're ignored entirely. You can't always have what you want all the time. And whining about it won't fix that. It'll just piss us off. Also, think about some important details before you post. If someone is running a game that's set in a Wiccan store that sells incense and shit, bringing in a a dude who's looking looking for beer and a party probably won't sit well. At all.[/font]</li><li><font size="2]<font color="#ebf500]Don't mix IRL and IC drama[/font]. This seems to be a real problem, mostly, with the newbie crowd. But, it's a common one that runs the gambit and hits every experienced RPer's lips once. We RP to get away from the real world, the politics, and the stupidity. If you don't like someone, don't RP with them. But, do all us all a favor and keep it out of the game if you do. And, if someone does something in game that upsets you, something to your character, talk to them about it. If they're still an asshole then you might want to move on. Or, hell, you might want to report them. Personally, I just avoid RPing with them.[/font]</li><li><font size="2]<font color="#ebf500]Don't get pissed off and take it personally when someone is cordially honest with you[/font]. By this I mean that maybe you guys thought you had the same RP style, but when it got down to the actual game... maybe they weren't feeling it. So, they tell you, nicely, that it's not their cup of tea (OOC, mind you). The smart reaction is the one where you're understanding, listen, and move on. Find someone else even. Hell, maybe they're not even at the same level of RP you are and didn't realize it. It's ok. Take a deep breath and let it go. Because, honestly, if someone takes the time--summons up the courage--to tell you it's not working and they're sorry, you should appreciate it for what it is.[/font]</li><li><font size="2]<font color="#ebf500]Don't be a hypocrite[/font]. This can be taken a lot of different ways. One of example is that if you're bugging someone to post, they post because you're excited, and then you dip out for weeks. How is that fair? You just egged them on for a post because you want one right-fucking-now, but then you're not going to make yourself equally available? Yeah, no. I won't game with you. And my replies to you will probably be even slower than they are to other people who either patiently waited, or, who aren't hypocritical about it. The world, again, it's made to revolve around you and your needs.[/font]</li><li><font size="2]<font color="#ebf500]Don't use RP solely as a means to get off IRL[/font], unless you're both into that. I'll be the first to admit that the smutty parts of my games are great kindling for going to bed with my hubs. It gets the ball rolling for me and him. I love it. Awesome. But, if there's no story in the game and the 1x1s are just for getting your rocks off and nothing else--like it's obvious to me--it's going to be boring as hell for me. Like, your character just became that random cock in a porn; and I hate that; it does nothing for me. Story also helps get me off and makes me wanna post more. And the best RPers I know have an acute awareness for how to weave plot into sex and beyond. Doing that will garner you more 1x1s ones for getting your rocks off, I promise. Also, read romance novels. Please read fucking romance novels. It'll help. There is a reason that romance is the number one selling genre.[/font]</li><li><font size="2]<font color="#ebf500]Don't make your character cookie cutter[/font]. Ok, it's cool, you like Dante from DMC. He's awesome; I get it. So, base your character off Dante. Hell, use his pic for reference if you really want to in game. I could give a shit less. But, if you're actually playing Dante and it's not a DCM game... it makes my brain hurt. Be creative; mold him into being yours. Please. It is the stable of an experienced RPer when a character isn't cookie cutter. Twist things; take old ideas and make them new again; ask for advice and help. You will be much better for it.[/font]</li></ol><div><font size="2]
So, yeah, that's what I've got so far. Again, don't take it personally. It's just my own little list that I thought might help everyone and then some. Hell, at the very least, I hope it was funny to read?[/font][/align]
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