Black.Ice
06-05-2005, 2:00 AM
Below is a FAQ that I've worked out to appear on the main site FAQ. Please let me know what you think, and whether anything needs to be added.
Thank you!
Warning: The spacing may appear weird, as this is copied from Microsoft Word.
1) Overview
a) What is Roleplaying?
i) Roleplaying, (commonly referred to as RP’ing or RP) is very similar to writing a type of story. The only difference is that multiple people are involved, and there is a GM (see below for a detailed explanation of what a GM is), who controls everything in the roleplay.
The roleplay contains various characters emotions, actions, as well as other things similar to any book that you would read.
2) Roleplaying
a) How is a roleplay carried out?
i) A roleplay on Warboards is carried out in a thread where each person writes what their character does in accordance to the overall plot.
ii) A RP on Warboards is carried out in a very simple fashion. A GM will create a thread in the roleplay forum. Each RP is different, but most commonly, you post your intent to join by replying. When the GM decides that it is time for the story to begin, they will begin posting. Simply follow the style and layout of their posts to continue the RP.
b) How do I participate?
i) Participation varies from RP to RP. Each RP has its own set of rules and regulations that must be adhered to, and they are usually stated on the first post of the RP. Most of them are self explanatory, and easy to follow.
In general, the GM will post a story and you will continue the story by writing a small section of the story.
c) How is it controlled, and who controls it?
i) The GM has ultimate control over the RP, and the players have some control. Depending on the RP, each character can develop new things by themselves or mold the direction of the story.
d) What are the requirements of roleplaying?
i) There are no requirements to participate in a RP, however good grammar and a basic understanding of how a story should be written is helpful.
3) Style
a) What different styles are there or roleplaying?
i) Roleplaying has several “styles”. Some of the main styles are
(1) Open Ended RP’s
Open Ended RP’s are where the GM creates a world and a story, and leaves it up to the players to come up with the rest. The players will interact with one another, and define what happens, etc. The GM is usually in charge of the main events of the story and organization.
(2) Quest-Based RP’s
Quest Based RP’s are where the GM creates a world and a story. He gives the players certain events or actions which occur, which move the story forward.
ii) Normally, an RP contains elements of both of these RP’s.
b) What are the different writing styles?
i) The three main writing styles used are 1st person, 2nd person and 3rd person. An example of each is below.
(1) 1st Person: I slowly crept into the dungeon, and peered around the corner. In the impenetrable darkness, two glowing eyes appeared. Suddenly, the demonic creature lurched forward and attacked me.
(2) 2nd Person: You slowly crept into the dungeon and peered around the corner. In the impenetrable darkness that surrounded you, two glowing eyes appeared. Suddenly, a demonic creature lurched forward and attacked you.
(3) 3rd Person: He slowly crept around the dungeon and peered around the corner. In the impenetrable darkness that surrounded him, two glowing eyes appeared. Suddenly, a demonic creature lurched forward and attacked him.
ii) There is also past, present and future tense which can be used. An example of the three is below:
(1) Past: Jon walked up the stairs and into his room.
(2) Present: Jon walks up the stairs and into his room.
(3) Future: Jon will walk up the stairs and into his room.
4) GM'ing
a) What is a GM?
i) A GM stands for game manager (game master, etc.). The GM is the one who is in charge, and is usually the person who has created the RP.
ii) They are the person who is in charge of what actions will occur, and the person which moves the story forward. They are the ones in charge of making sure their RP will continue.
iii) Since they are usually the creator, whatever they say in their RP should be followed.
iv) Sometimes, the GM is not the creator. A new GM may be appointed when the current GM steps down, or when a GM needs an assistant.
b) How do I become a GM?
i) Anyone can create an RP, but it takes a person with experience, knowledge and skill to keep it going. To be a GM, you simply have to create an RP and be in charge of it.
c) What are some guidelines of GM'ing?
i) Be a roleplayer before you become a GM.
If you haven’t RP’d before, how do you expect to control one?
ii) Be fair.
Just because a GM is in charge doesn’t mean that he can suddenly make the game unfair. While it is his choice, a GM doing this will find himself losing members.
iii) Be lenient.
While it’s good to be hard and stick to rules, if you are not lenient and allow no slip-ups from your members, you will find yourself to be running a boring RP and you will lose members quickly.
iv) Have time.
GM’ing takes a lot of time. If a GM does not have time to commit, their RP will most likely fail.
v) Have fun.
If a GM is not having fun when running his RP, the members will not have fun either.
d) What makes a good GM?
i) While this question varies from person to person, and depends on your perspective, the majority of members in the RP community think that the major qualities of a GM are to have experience. The worst thing for an RP is one that starts off excellent, but dies out due to an inexperienced GM.
Many people are also hesitant to join an RP run by someone who has no experience, as they do not know what to expect.
Thank you!
Warning: The spacing may appear weird, as this is copied from Microsoft Word.
1) Overview
a) What is Roleplaying?
i) Roleplaying, (commonly referred to as RP’ing or RP) is very similar to writing a type of story. The only difference is that multiple people are involved, and there is a GM (see below for a detailed explanation of what a GM is), who controls everything in the roleplay.
The roleplay contains various characters emotions, actions, as well as other things similar to any book that you would read.
2) Roleplaying
a) How is a roleplay carried out?
i) A roleplay on Warboards is carried out in a thread where each person writes what their character does in accordance to the overall plot.
ii) A RP on Warboards is carried out in a very simple fashion. A GM will create a thread in the roleplay forum. Each RP is different, but most commonly, you post your intent to join by replying. When the GM decides that it is time for the story to begin, they will begin posting. Simply follow the style and layout of their posts to continue the RP.
b) How do I participate?
i) Participation varies from RP to RP. Each RP has its own set of rules and regulations that must be adhered to, and they are usually stated on the first post of the RP. Most of them are self explanatory, and easy to follow.
In general, the GM will post a story and you will continue the story by writing a small section of the story.
c) How is it controlled, and who controls it?
i) The GM has ultimate control over the RP, and the players have some control. Depending on the RP, each character can develop new things by themselves or mold the direction of the story.
d) What are the requirements of roleplaying?
i) There are no requirements to participate in a RP, however good grammar and a basic understanding of how a story should be written is helpful.
3) Style
a) What different styles are there or roleplaying?
i) Roleplaying has several “styles”. Some of the main styles are
(1) Open Ended RP’s
Open Ended RP’s are where the GM creates a world and a story, and leaves it up to the players to come up with the rest. The players will interact with one another, and define what happens, etc. The GM is usually in charge of the main events of the story and organization.
(2) Quest-Based RP’s
Quest Based RP’s are where the GM creates a world and a story. He gives the players certain events or actions which occur, which move the story forward.
ii) Normally, an RP contains elements of both of these RP’s.
b) What are the different writing styles?
i) The three main writing styles used are 1st person, 2nd person and 3rd person. An example of each is below.
(1) 1st Person: I slowly crept into the dungeon, and peered around the corner. In the impenetrable darkness, two glowing eyes appeared. Suddenly, the demonic creature lurched forward and attacked me.
(2) 2nd Person: You slowly crept into the dungeon and peered around the corner. In the impenetrable darkness that surrounded you, two glowing eyes appeared. Suddenly, a demonic creature lurched forward and attacked you.
(3) 3rd Person: He slowly crept around the dungeon and peered around the corner. In the impenetrable darkness that surrounded him, two glowing eyes appeared. Suddenly, a demonic creature lurched forward and attacked him.
ii) There is also past, present and future tense which can be used. An example of the three is below:
(1) Past: Jon walked up the stairs and into his room.
(2) Present: Jon walks up the stairs and into his room.
(3) Future: Jon will walk up the stairs and into his room.
4) GM'ing
a) What is a GM?
i) A GM stands for game manager (game master, etc.). The GM is the one who is in charge, and is usually the person who has created the RP.
ii) They are the person who is in charge of what actions will occur, and the person which moves the story forward. They are the ones in charge of making sure their RP will continue.
iii) Since they are usually the creator, whatever they say in their RP should be followed.
iv) Sometimes, the GM is not the creator. A new GM may be appointed when the current GM steps down, or when a GM needs an assistant.
b) How do I become a GM?
i) Anyone can create an RP, but it takes a person with experience, knowledge and skill to keep it going. To be a GM, you simply have to create an RP and be in charge of it.
c) What are some guidelines of GM'ing?
i) Be a roleplayer before you become a GM.
If you haven’t RP’d before, how do you expect to control one?
ii) Be fair.
Just because a GM is in charge doesn’t mean that he can suddenly make the game unfair. While it is his choice, a GM doing this will find himself losing members.
iii) Be lenient.
While it’s good to be hard and stick to rules, if you are not lenient and allow no slip-ups from your members, you will find yourself to be running a boring RP and you will lose members quickly.
iv) Have time.
GM’ing takes a lot of time. If a GM does not have time to commit, their RP will most likely fail.
v) Have fun.
If a GM is not having fun when running his RP, the members will not have fun either.
d) What makes a good GM?
i) While this question varies from person to person, and depends on your perspective, the majority of members in the RP community think that the major qualities of a GM are to have experience. The worst thing for an RP is one that starts off excellent, but dies out due to an inexperienced GM.
Many people are also hesitant to join an RP run by someone who has no experience, as they do not know what to expect.