New? Read This Thread First.

[Black.Ice]

welcome...


Welcome to the Warboards RP Forum. This is a forum dedicated to written-stories that are created by members writing together, not role-playing games. If you're interested in discussing RPG games, check out the other forum. (http://www.warboards.org/forumdisplay.php?f=37)

First Things First:

The first thing you want to look at is the FAQ that we have established. Click here to view it. (http://www.warboards.org/faq.php?faq=faq_rpg)

It's important that you read through this first. It contains answers to a lot of the basic questions and explains what RP'ing is and what we do in this forum. It's really short, and it's straight to the point; it doesn't contain garbage information like other FAQ's. (If you have a question that's not covered in the FAQ, feel free to post it here. We'll be more than happy to help you out.)

Questions:
If you have any questions regarding the forum, this is your place to ask.

(This is a work in progress, I'm going to be updating it with rules, etc. This is not going to serve as a guide)

[Ender]

Spelling error! Ahhh!

[Black.Ice]

Oh boo-hoo. Cry me a river and watch how I'll just point and laugh.

^_^

On a more serious note, what else should be added? I was thinking about having rules be covered as well as a few stylistic issues... I didn't want this to turn into an uber-guide for RP'ing.

[Tenebrae]

Hmm...

Any complaints, questions, and comments a person has regarding someone's character and/or the story in general should be stated privately to the thread starter and/or the creator of the character in question.

Each story should consist soly of Character Sheets, Role Play, and any OOC in reference to the particular story or question of another, unless it deviates from the story in which case it too should be sent privately. Everything else should be discussed privately to avoid mindless bickering that engulfs five pages and tends to kill good stories before they start.

I'm not a Gestapo...honest. I just hate seeing a good thread messed up by trivial nonsense that can easily be addressed privately.

Love and kisses,
-Tenebrae


Damn meat bags...

[Ender]

Oh boo-hoo. Cry me a river and watch how I'll just point and laugh.

^_^

On a more serious note, what else should be added? I was thinking about having rules be covered as well as a few stylistic issues... I didn't want this to turn into an uber-guide for RP'ing.

We don't want the new guys thinking the mod of the RP forum - the most writing-heavy forum on WB - can't spell, do we?

If you want my opinion (you better, because you're getting it anyway) don't address style at all, because if you do everyone is going to post some, and then you will have the uber-guide for RPing. I agree, that should be a separate thread.

[Vhaeraun]

I understand the reasoning for putting a RP section in the FAQ, but I question the intelligence behind it.

I'm for the RP FAQ to exist solely within the forum for which it is deigned. This is both for easy access, not to mention this small fact: I dunno how many people actually READ the FAQ. I mean, people may skim through it here and there, but it's really annoying to have to go through umpteen different subheadings just to get to the gist of the FAQ.

Meh. That's my thoughts, and this seemed a good a place as any to voice them since we're on the topic of 'uber-guide for RP'ing.'

[GrassDragon]

I second your sentiment Vhae. I know I haven't read the FAQ in a long time; I didn't even realize there was an RP section there and I'm a mod! I think that FAQ should be moved to this forum where it's audience is far more likely to see it.

[Black.Ice]

But, if I don't post anything here and say read the FAQ for all your questions, people will be forced to read it to learn, won't they. Or else, they'll still have questions.


(But if you really think about it, RP'ing is really easy.... you just post to continue a story and follow the directions in the thread)

[UMSLdragon]

I read teh FAQ on RPing. It wasn't bad and it gave a few insights. And I was glad if gave info on what and how to be a GM. It made things clearer in that respect.

[Cpt.Chronic]

What is godmodding and why is it bad?

[Vhaeraun]

Godmodding is when your charrie is insanely powerful and slaughters others without a thought. For example, picture a guy walking unarmed into a gang territory, singlehandedly killing everyone, and leaving without a scratch. Godmodding.

If everyone godmodded, then RP's wouldn't have a point. Take our advice: Godmodding = bad.

[Cpt.Chronic]

Take our advice: Godmodding = bad.
Makes sense now that I know what it is. I had read a bunch of ppl say that godmodding is bad, but I didn't know what it was. Thanks for the 411.

[Black.Ice]

Another definition of god-moding is taking control of others characters or refusing to let anything happen to you.

For example, if you're writing a fight scene with another RPer. The first RP'er is firing at you with a gun, but in your posts you keep saying that you're dodging the bullets. This is probably the most common form of god-moding that occurs.

Another version is when you take control of someone's character. Even if you don't do it directly, you start knowing everything that is going to happen. An example of this is you're working with a group of people. One of the RP'ers says that he's a backstabber, but none of the characters know it. God-moding would be to have your character know the other person's a backstabber

[Nickodemus]

but if you make an insanely powerfull character as far as the sheet goes, then gaff the hell out of him. ( which i like to do) that isn't to my knowledge god-modding.... (

[Vhaeraun]

I noticed this a few minutes ago, and I'm gonna pose a suggestion here.

What if we created a RPG Idea Thread? I've seen a lot of Interest Checks lately (Somewhere close to about 4 or 5 on the first page of this forum alone), and I know BF has a similar thread there that works wonders. Basically, the thread would consist of people posting ideas, both to help flesh them out, but also to gauge interest in the RP idea. I've seen it work, but it all depends on how many people want to try it.

[Nickodemus]

Me likes that idea V and wonders if our beloved leader would allow it. maybe stickey it so its at the top??

[100thlurker]

Agreed

[Black.Ice]

The reason I don't prefer that is because individual threads give it the attention that it deserves and allows features like polls, etc.

If a lot of people agree, I'll do it.

[Vhaeraun]

A lot of times, polls really aren't needed. I understand where you're coming from, but the amount of interest checks lately, I also think it's excessive.

[Avenged7Fold]

I know that I'm new here and all, and this is my first real week of RPing, in which I've already gotten involved in like 3 or 4. But I have to agree with V here as well. An RP idea thread wouldn't be such a bad idea. Most of the interest check threads seem to degenerate into nothing but mindless squabble between people that, in my own opinion, only take up space for real RP threads to open up. That's just my opinion though.

[iHawk]

I do enjoy using the polls, but I'll admit there have been more interest checks as of recent. So I'm voting for the RP Idea thread. If nothing else we should try the thread to see if RP's get more or less interest when posted there, or in a seperate thread. If no one reads the thread then we'll ditch it. If it works then Huzzah for saved space!

~iHawk

[Nickodemus]

Thay also works if you have an idea that one of the more experienced people might want to try, you can offer it up for use..

[Black.Ice]

The reason I'm hesitant to go ahead with this idea is because we don't have that many active threads in the forum. A max of maybe 10. Everything is on the first page. If we do get to a point where threads are being so cluttered, they're being pushed back to the second page... then maybe I'll consider it. I haven't really found too many convincing arguments, other than the "it'll save space" argument... we already have space.

Anyone else see my point or do you all think I'm an idiot?

[Avenged7Fold]

No BI...you're not an idiot. >.> <.< >.<. Now that you actually put it that way, then I suppose it makes since. So there, I retract my argument.

[Nickodemus]

the only true reason i can see for it is to put up ideas that other people can run with. For example i have good/interesting ideas. but when i run them they go horrible. but someone else might get them to work.

[Black.Ice]

I've actually been thinking of an idea like that, and been close to implementing it. It's more of a time where you feel like writing or have an idea, but it' snot necessarily a well thought out RP. Sort of like a random idea that strikes you when you're feeling creative. I was thinking about making a scratch pad where people can post random stuff like that...

What are you guys' thoughts about that?

[Avenged7Fold]

Now that sounds like a good idea. I'd like to see something like that.

[Black.Ice]

It has been made.... lets move this discussion to the scratch pad. I would split the thread, but these posts would then go on top of the other post. :/

[CajunMan550]

Wait wo wo wo lol slow down for a sec. I just got on Warboards and I read this thread it said the Online Roleplaying Forum is not for RPs. But I go there and I see tons of them... so umm which is it lol.

[kongurous]

Wait wo wo wo lol slow down for a sec. I just got on Warboards and I read this thread it said the Online Roleplaying Forum is not for RPs. But I go there and I see tons of them... so umm which is it lol.

Read the entire thread, that will help you.

[CajunMan550]

Ok lol I just read the entire thread and the Faq. Still don't get it wtf is a written story lol. I really don't get what you guys mean do you just want rp with a big stoyline at beginning or what?

[DarkMirror]

Yes.
In short, we want to RP with a god backstory.

[kongurous]

Ok lol I just read the entire thread and the Faq. Still don't get it wtf is a written story lol. I really don't get what you guys mean do you just want rp with a big stoyline at beginning or what?

There is no hope for you.

[CajunMan550]

Lol gah why don't yall make it simple and say this is or isn't the rp forum. I know how to rp and how to make them just tell me is or isn't this the rp forum. I have an entire rp ready but I don't know you guys don't know how to give straight anwsers.

If this is do yall do politics round here?

[Magmaniac]

If you want to make an RP, the beginning post should be this long:

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at least

[kongurous]

Lol gah why don't yall make it simple and say this is or isn't the rp forum. I know how to rp and how to make them just tell me is or isn't this the rp forum. I have an entire rp ready but I don't know you guys don't know how to give straight anwsers.

If this is do yall do politics round here?

There are straight answers everywhere. If you're too blind to see them, there is no hope for you.

[CajunMan550]

If you want to make an RP, the beginning post should be this long:

lol Ok i can do that lol.

[Solar]

How long does a role play usually last? Looking at the threads it seems like several months but I dont think they finish in that time... I think it'd be fun to join and write but I don't think I'll stay commited for that long... is there like a faster way or short roleplays or anything because if there are I'd definitely love to join.

[Protoss_Honor]

In short, yes and no. Yes there are shorter RP's that do not require as much commitment as the storylined RP's. Go look at B.I.'s three recent Community RP's, or my Black Hole Bar RP, and both Protosschick and Darkmirror made RP's entitled Red Dragon Tavern. None of these require character sheets, and you can make as many characters as you want with them, and you don't have to stick with each character the whole time.

These are simply the RP's I recall the most, I am sure that have been many more like them.

No there are not any active short RP's, except for DM's RDT.

[Black.Ice]

As PH already stated, several RPs are short and the majority are long... It's best not to get started if you have problem with time as posting and writing takes a lot of time.

When I was GM'ing, I was spending 2-5 hours a week on it.

[Vhaeraun]

When I was GM'ing, I was spending 2-5 hours a week on it.
which explains why it took so long for your rp's to progress ;p

I <3 you BI.

Generally, I spent at least 4 hours a day on posting - more if there were that many posts to reply to. RP'ing is a huge time sink, and if you don't have the time, don't try. Simple as that.

[GrassDragon]

4 hours... Jesus. When I was GMing my big RPs, I spent about the same amount of time as BI. 4 hrs/day is a shit load though O_O

[Black.Ice]

Yeah, I do 4 hours a day... It ends up averaging between 30 min - 1 hour a day...

Sometimes, like the first week, it takes a lot more but yeah...

Good to have you around, cookie man.

[Vhaeraun]

Good to be back around, Icy.

GD: 4 hours a day is nothing when you have nothing else to do in life. :(

[Protosschick99]

Man I miss the good ol' RP days.....*sigh*

Maybe I will return....One day :D

[DarkMirror]

Are you going to join the Red Dragon Tavern RP?

[Vhaeraun]

Man I miss the good ol' RP days.....*sigh*

Maybe I will return....One day :D
And the good ol' RP days miss you ;D

[Protosschick99]

Are you going to join the Red Dragon Tavern RP?

I was thinking about it :D Maybe I can bust out Trinity again or a new character :)

And the good ol' RP days miss you ;D

Awww thanks Vhaer! I miss you too dude. Seriously--I do, lolz :P

/me hugz all old skool RPer's :D

[TheOutcast]

This RP'ing is very interesting. But I got a question, I've noticed that most of the RP's are based on some "already-created" worlds, like StarCraft or Elder Scrolls. Can we make our very own RP universe or does it have to be based on a game world already created?

[DarkMirror]

It can be anything you want, but that doesn't mean people will join. Premade worlds are easyier because they already have predefined ideas and places and things to use.

[TheOutcast]

Cool, I was thinking of making an Roleplay based in the same world that the story I wrote takes place in.

http://www.warboards.org/showthread.php?t=28752: Incase you haven't heard of my story yet....

I read the FAQ to RP'ing and I don't think I would be a good GM.
All of the other RP's have already started and I can't join to get experience:concern:.
I'll post a thread about my story world and see what people think....

[BobaDaFett]

Thanks alot for the thread

[Solar]

I just read thru the FAQ and it's reallynice. It covered a lot of things like GM and RP. I had no idea what those meant when i first came here. I do have a question that I was unable to find my searching: What does OOC mean?

I think it means out of context? Like when you post something that's not story? I'm not too sure about that.


Also, what tense do you post it? I normally write in First Person Past Tense, but I noticed that everyone was doing 3rd person... should I switch or is 1st person acceptable?

thanx

[Tech]

OOC= out of character

So just use this tag to separate what your character is doing from questions or comments that you yourself have. And it doesn't really matter what tense you're posting in, if first person is your style then stick with that. The more diversity the better.

[Black.Ice]

Tech nailed the proverbial nail on the head. OOC = Out of Character, and it's just used to interject random stuff that doesn't relate to the story. For example, if you have a question about something or want to tag someone (tag means you want some other person to continue the story).

A lot of people use 3rd person view. I personally find that you can get a lot more depth to it, but 1st person works just fine. I started off RP'ing in 1st person.

Welcome to the club, Solar.

[ForTheSwarm]

Welcome to the Warboards RP Forum. This is a forum dedicated to written-stories that are created by members writing together, not role-playing games. If you're interested in discussing RPG games, check out the other forum. (http://www.warboards.org/forumdisplay.php?f=37)
Strange considering the description of the forum says it's for RPG games. :P

The home for all our member-run RPGs.

[Vhaeraun]

Strange considering the description of the forum says it's for RPG games. :P

We have Gaming Utopia for the actual games. This forum is for member-designed stories, if that makes much sense - doesn't make much sense to me, but meh.

[100thlurker]

Wikipedia defines the term Roleplaying as;
In roleplaying, participants adopt and act out the role of characters, or parts, that may have personalities, motivations, and backgrounds different from their own. Roleplaying, also known as RP to some, is like being in an improvisational drama or free-form theater, in which the participants are the actors who are playing parts, and the audience.

So clearly, Dungeons and Dragons is not the end all and be all of what is called Roleplaying.

[ForTheSwarm]

I never said it was.

[100thlurker]

Ach, sorry 'bout that then.

[Anoiktos]

I believe the difference is this:
Role-Playing Games, as played on forums, are player-defined gameworlds whose structure and rules are subject to interpretation primarily through text. As such, while Dungeons & Dragons - style settings are possible, so are completely different and more varied settings subject only to the imagination of the players. The key difference is that these games are played on the forums.

The purpose of Black.Ice's statement was not to outlaw the playing of roleplaying games through the medium of the roleplaying forum, but to keep discussion of roleplaying games played through other mediums (computers) out of this forum.

As such, while two RPGs, say "Jimmy Kangaroo and friends' explorations on the dark side of the Horsehead Nebula" and "Star Wars RPG: the rerererererehashing of a rerereused plot" might both be acceptable, were they intended to be played through the format of text on this forum, threads like "What did you think of that TOEE game" or "Man, I hate The Witcher" would not, and would be more appropriately placed in the gaming forum of this site.

Less convoluted summary: This forum is for playing RPGs, not discussing them.*

[B.I., do feel free to clarify and please forgive me if I've misrepresented your intent.]

*unless they are also to be played by means of this forum.