Roleplay FAQ
Aug 26, 2023 15:50:34 GMT -5
Post by Fyri on Aug 26, 2023 15:50:34 GMT -5
~ROLEPLAY FAQ~
What is roleplaying?
What are the different types of roleplay on DAB?
Prose
The bread and butter of DAB. This RP type generally has a longer post length (usually a paragraph or more) and encourages quality writing. Make sure to include the tag [PROSE] at the end of the title when starting your own prose roleplay. If an RP has a set amount of participants, then be sure to add the names in the tags as well so others know not to post in it. For example, [Madeline/Fyri]. If the RP's plot is too far along for easy entry or deemed to have enough participants, add [FULL] to make this easy for others to spot as well.
Quick Posts for Busy Folk
QPBF is a quick and snappy style of Prose RP. That means all posts are limited to five sentences, not counting any repeated dialogue from someones else's post. Note that this guideline is meant to help keep posts quick and plentiful, so if you are spending more time fretting over editing your entry down to the five lines than you spent writing it, don't fret putting a sixth. To ease entry/exit of fellow writers, try to always imagine your character as part of a larger group, not just those who are currently writing. This will keep these Rps as open as possible. Add the tag [QPBF] at the end of your RP thread.
Quest
Quests are a type of prose RP that are have more complex plots, require extra planning, and often need more involved RP posts. Quests are run by a GM (game master) and have their own separate planning thread where an idea can be further fleshed out and discussed, before and during the RP.
How to RP?
You can:
- Join an ongoing RP
You can find a list of currently active RPs under the tab 'Current activities' at the top of the main page or you can check the roleplaying board. Any RP is open by default unless they contain the [FULL] tag or a tag containing names, for example [Madeline/Fyri]. If you're still not sure if the RP is at a good spot to jump in, you can always ask in the shoutbox or PM the participants for confirmation.
- Start your own RP
Simply go to the Prose board and make a new RP thread or set up a planning page for a quest, if you're more ambitious. It's always a good idea to announce your new RP in the shoutbox as well for more exposure. For quests, running the idea by other members in the Quest Pitches/Ideas thread is usually a good idea and a way to gauge interest as well. Speaking of....
- Plan/discuss ideas for an RP in the Free RP Planning Thread or by coining the idea in the shoutbox. (Do be aware, however, that unlike forum posts, shoutbox messages are not stored so if you don't want to lose your idea in the chatter, make sure to post it instead!)
Not sure which type of RP to start? Prose RP is the most common type of RP and is very versatile, so it works for most ideas. QPBF lend themselves well to times when you want to RP but don't have the time to invest in longer paragraphs. Quests are often planned between more than one person. We usually only have one or two quests going at a time, so feel free to pitch it in the Quest Pitch/Ideas thread or to toss out your idea in the shoutbox for other members to chime in before starting a proper quest planning thread
- Once you've finished an RP (it IS possible!), go ahead and edit the title with the [COMPLETED] tag, that way you can brag about actually finishing an RP!
Can I roleplay as more than one character?
Can I roleplay as a character from the Redwall books?
Can I have some RP tips?
Of course you can! Here are a couple:
- Make sure to only use your character. Other people's characters are theirs to write. It's good RPing etiquette to let the other person decide how your actions affect them: your character may have thrown the snowball, but let their target decide whether it hit. Hitting or deciding another character's response without their roleplayer's permission is called autohitting. Autohits make it hard for the other person to roleplay, so we avoid them.
- Keep it real. Especially when we're roleplaying Dibbuns, there are lots of things we can't do and just as many that we can. Doing impossible things is called godmodding. Like autohitting, godmodding doesn't give other RPers a chance to respond, and it also makes it hard to RP. Because of this, we make sure not to godmod. Plus, it's fun to explore what we can do and be creative about our limitations!
- Write in the third person ("she went" instead of "I went") and past tense ("he went" instead of "he goes").
- Describe. Get inside your character's head and show us what's going on. Make the scene come to life as best you can. If you want help with this, check out the Writer's Workshop board. One of the most exciting parts of roleplaying is getting to know each other's characters -- and your own, too!
- Respect the turn order. Keeping to a posting turn order helps to avoid chaos or RPers accidentally working on a post at the same time that may not align. It's also the easiest and quickest way to know whose turn it is to post. This is not a rule set in stone, however, and if discussed and agreed with by the other participants, then a deviation in turn order is certainly allowed.
- Try. All we ask is that you give it a bit of an effort, respect your fellow roleplayers, and come in with a willing spirit. At the end of the day, what matters to us is that we can all have fun creating stories together and enjoy the world of Redwall.
Why do roleplayers put some text in bold in prose RP posts?
What's up with the asterisks and colours in older posts?
I have other questions about roleplaying. Where can I ask them?