Post by Bre'Cheye on Jul 11, 2011 21:39:19 GMT -5
To be more exact, here are something that may help explain the rules of a serious RP:
1.) If you do not have a character bio link in your sig, please post one in the Character Profile forum. This basic char info is helpful to others who RP with you, but this info should only be used as a guideline. In other words, just because one has read your char's bio does not mean their char knows your char's abilities, strengths, weaknesses, etc.
2.) Do not RP your char beyond his/her abilities. No char is immune to everything.. every being has at least one weakness. Portraying one's char as a god often discourages others from joining in one's RPs.
3.) If you are starting an RP of your own, in your initial post.. describe at least the beginning location for others to be able to join in without confusion. If you would like only select people to join in your RP.. please add (Closed RP) to the subject title.
4.) If you are joining another's RP, try to follow along with the storyline... do not take a current RP into your own direction. Read enough of the RP to be able to properly assess the setting before you post in it.
5.) Choose the RP's you decide to join carefully. By joining a current RP, you accept the risks to your char. Do not blindly join an RP only to remove your char later simply because you don't want harm to come to him/her.
Also, something of interest which I had found at another site and received permission to link it: crimsondragons30817.yuku.com/topic/3076 which has a lot of good tips on RPing. Check it out!!
Basically what appears below, is what one would see if they clicked on the link in the first post:
Godmodding
This is one of those words which many people use, but few could actually define... doing any of the following constitutes godmodding:
- Creating a character with the intent that (s)he be immune to harm.
- Creating a character with the sole purpose of killing another character.
- Refusing to post a character sheet with the relevant information on your character.
- Posting an incomplete character sheet with no intention of finishing it, to hide weaknesses or flaws in the character.
- Refusing to acknowledge weaknesses of your character.
- Having your character perform some action which is beyond his/her abilities at the time.
- Back-dating Role-Plays without the consent of all the RPs would affect.
- Editing previous Role-Plays or altering your character's past, to fit the situation in a current Role-Play.
- Using Insta-Magic (explained later).
- Using Called Hits (explained later).
- Not declaring Contingencies, Sequencers, or prepared spells at the beginning of a Role-Play (explained later).
- Resurrecting a deceased character inappropriately.
All of these are forms of godmodding, and are looked down on by most of the respectable members of the RP community. They are best avoided, for OOC and IC reasons.
Called Hits
Called hits are adequately explained by T'Gatherin's website regards to physical attacks, but the defenition lacks clarity for those using powerful magics. For example:
{char 1} - *He slashed open {char 2's} gut, whirling away to avoid the inevitable spurts of blood from his severed arteries* - Called Hit
{char 1} - *He slashed at {char 2's} gut, before spinning on his heel to avoid the pulses of coppery blood a successful stroke might cause* - Acceptable
That's a decent enough physical example, but lets move onto something more complex... magic:
{char 3} - *A bolt of lightening was released from his oustretched hand, moving beyond the speed of vision, semingly instantaneous in its conact with {char 2's} chest, boiling his blood in mere moments... a slow, painful, and ultimately futile death* - Called Hit
I shall take a moment to explain why it is a called hit... Although {char 3} may be correct that his adversary could not possibly dodge lightening, it is possible that some hidden attribute or ability {char 2} possesses could alter its effects. A more appropriate line follows:
{char 3} - *A bolt of lightening was released from his oustretched hand, moving beyond the speed of vision, seemingly instantaneous in its contact with {char 2's} chest. The power of the magic would boil a man's blood in mere moments, bringing him a slow, painful, and ultimately futile death, but {char 3} wished to witness {char 2's} end, and watched for the results of his casting...* - Acceptable
I hope that has cleared the line up a little.
Insta-Magic
With powerful characters, insta-magic becomes a convoluted iss, so we'll start off with normal ones.
NORMAL CHARACTERS
Any spell will take time to cast - the more powerful the spell, the more time is required. EVERY spell should take at least two posts - one to begin casting it, then allow time for someone to interrupt it, then finish the spell. If you are a D&D Rper, the following my help:
Posts = 1+ (Spell Level / 2)
Posts: THe number of posts to cast the spell...
Spell Level: D&D Spell level, heh...
Note: (Spell Level / 2) should always be rounded up.
For those who are NOT D&D Rpers... it's a little more blurry. You have to judge your own casting... remember, for mortal characters (ie, not angels, demons, deities, gods, etc) being more powerful will hardly reduce casting time at all, so a wandering rogue will take as long to cast "Magic Missile" as an old elven archmage would.
GODLY CHARACTERS
While very few people should ever get to the stage of RPing such a powerful character - only after some years of RP... three or four at least - there seems to be a plethora of them these days.
Angels/Demons are capable of casting normal spells much more quickly than a mortal could, but they can STILL be interrupted. They should take two posts over EVERY mortal-level spell. For higher ones (affecting entire cities, kingdoms, or realms - planes are beyond these characters) they should take three, four, and five posts, respectively.
Deities and Gods are also capable of casting normal spells much more quickly than a mortal could, but they too can STILL be interrupted if they are on the same plane. They should take two posts over EVERY mortal-level spell. For higher ones (affecting entire cities, kingdoms, realms, or planes) they should take three, four, five, and six posts, respectively.
Deities and Gods acting from another plane (ie, they are not physically there for their spell to BE interrupted) may cast mortal-level spells in a single post, but should still take two posts over spells which affect entire cities, kingdoms, or realms. Those which will affect an entire plane should take four or five posts, since other godly beings will undoubtedly notice this, and may decide to interfere (of which they are perfectly capable, whether you are physically there or not).
Contengencies, Sequencers, and Prepared Magic
Contingencies - A contingency is a spell you have cast upon yourself or some object in the RP environment which will be activated under a predetermined condition. It has three components - a detection spell (low-level divination), a protection spell (most contingencies also protect the object in question until their activation, and from the negative effects of their activation as well, usually), and a trigger spell (the spell which will be cast upon the fullfillment of the conditions). Contingencies are not used much in freeform, but whenever you do use one - you must give the condition, protection (if any), and trigger in your opening post. If you cast a contingency on yourself during an RP, you must state these factors then instead.
Sequencers - A sequencer is simply a contingency with no detection spell to activate it. Instead it is activated by a pre-determined word (or thought), known only to the caster as those he has ICly informed (or who have ICly gleaned the knowleedge through psionics). You must state the command word (or thought), those who can invoke it, the protection (if any), and trigger in your opening post. If you cast a sequencer during an RP, you must state these factors then instead.
Prepared Magic - Some people use characters who can cast magic more quickly (-1 to post count, for you D&Ders who read the formula in the "Insta-Magic" section). Those of you using these kinds of characters should state ALL of the prepared spells in your opening post, and remember - you can only prepare so many spells... then you start forgetting parts, and can't use the spell. For most characters, I wouldn't suggest any more than two-dozen spells.
Character Creation Issues
Creating godly characters is simply wrong, upsetting the natural balance of strength between characters. Remember, if you are RPing a god, you will not be sitting at the bar having a few drinks with an Overlord of hell or two, and a couple of Angels. A Paladin, with a few Cleric friends might come upon a dark knight or two in the murky tavern, but a God? Be sensible, and realistic. Characters have common-sense constraints. Keep to them.
Creating characters just to kill another character is bad form, unsportsmanlike even. You wouldn't appreciate others doing it to you, so don't do it to them.
You must ALWAYS post or link to a full and complete bio, which includes the following:
- Your age and race
- Your current and past IC names (maiden name, etc etc)
- Your strengths and weaknesses (bearing in mind no character is invulnerable, or immune to anything)
- Your lands and dominions
- A brief physical description
- A brief history
It is also good to include:
- Any special skills your character has
- A more in-depth, detailed biography of your character
- Peculiar character traits
Resurrections
For those who have already resurrected characters... sorry, the chances are I'm about to blow you out of the sky... When a character dies, their soul does one of the following:
- goes to Limbo to be judged
- is captured by someone and kept in a soul stone or some other container
- is destroyed (by a lich, for example)
The body is not a necessary part for a resurrection - but the entire soul is. Part is not enough.
Someone whose soul is in limbo can be resurrected with the grace of a deity or god. They do not need to be directly present - but one of their erstwhile followers would have to be, at the very least. Preferably one of their angelic/demonic servants.
Someone whose soul is in a soul stone can be resurrected much more easily, no diety or god being involved.
Someone whose soul has been destroyed cannot be resurrected. If only part has been destroyed, they cannot be resurrected either.
Now, there are many ways to resurrect a character - a God can, if (s)he wishes, do it instantaneously. An extremely powerful cleric can do it in a day or so of endless prayer... whereupon their god grants said cleric the power to resurrect the deceased one. If neither of these is applicable, then someone must make a ritualistic sacrafice to an appeasable god, in order for said god to grant the ritualee the power to resurrect the dead person. Such sacrafices are not small things like giving up a favourite dagger - sometimes even being so great as to pledge their soul unto that god... (this is not wise if an evil god is being involved). Resurrections are, in short, not something that should be commonplace.
Drastic Character Changes
It's very simple... what you have already had your character do, you cannot change. It's in the past, and will NOT be altered. No exceptions, no arguments.
However, charcters can undergo huge mental shifts... from good to evil, wise to dotard, etc etc etc. These are not such a problem... but remember - physical changes must be accounted for with RP. Mental changes SHOULD be Rped, but most will forgive it if they are not.
N00bs and Newbies
Some people get very insulted at being called a n00b... well, I'm not sure most people know what it means. I also don't think they know the difference between a n00b and a newbie.
Newbie - someone who is, when compared to oneself, relatively new at RPing (or any other activity), is a newbie.
If Sam has been RPing for eight years, and James for two, Sam could easily see James as a newbie. However, Jules, who started RPing three days ago, would NOT see James as a newbie, but as an experienced RPer... Jules would also likely see Sam as a veteran - though this is another relative term.
N00b - a N00b is someone with a particular state of mind. A n00b fails to understand one of the vital facets of RPing, and refuses to attempt to.
Sam is a godmodder. She refuses to tone down her GMed character, and insists she has every right to RP the Goddess of Fire alongside James' twenty-year-old farmer's son who decided to become an adventurer. Sam, despite her 8 years of RPing, is a n00b.
Role-Playing Styles
Every RPer has their own style... feel free to create your own - or to mimic someone elses (preferably with their permission). Just make sure that it falls within the bounds of acceptable RP. If you don't like the way somebody writes - perhaps they don't make a clear enough definition between thoughts and speech - then talk to them (nicely) about it. Such discussions help improve both their and your RP, and that's never a bad thing.
Magick Vs Magic
These two words are used often for the wrong thing... some will say that "Magic" refers to circus trickery, while "Magick" is sorecery. Well, allow me to clarify - "Magick" and "Magic" mean the exact same thing, but as a matter of etiquette most RPers use the word "Magic" for true sorcery, and use "Magick" to mock n00bs (which they really shouldn't do, I know). This is partly because good Rpers do not need or want to boost the length of their posts by a small fraction by including unnecessary letters - which some people do in an attempt to seem better than they are - and partly because "Magick" looks more like a weblish word than one fomr the english language. Feel free to use either, but I suggest using "Magic", since it fits in better.
T'Gatherin's site: members.tripod.com/elidoris-ivil/id1.html
1.) If you do not have a character bio link in your sig, please post one in the Character Profile forum. This basic char info is helpful to others who RP with you, but this info should only be used as a guideline. In other words, just because one has read your char's bio does not mean their char knows your char's abilities, strengths, weaknesses, etc.
2.) Do not RP your char beyond his/her abilities. No char is immune to everything.. every being has at least one weakness. Portraying one's char as a god often discourages others from joining in one's RPs.
3.) If you are starting an RP of your own, in your initial post.. describe at least the beginning location for others to be able to join in without confusion. If you would like only select people to join in your RP.. please add (Closed RP) to the subject title.
4.) If you are joining another's RP, try to follow along with the storyline... do not take a current RP into your own direction. Read enough of the RP to be able to properly assess the setting before you post in it.
5.) Choose the RP's you decide to join carefully. By joining a current RP, you accept the risks to your char. Do not blindly join an RP only to remove your char later simply because you don't want harm to come to him/her.
Also, something of interest which I had found at another site and received permission to link it: crimsondragons30817.yuku.com/topic/3076 which has a lot of good tips on RPing. Check it out!!
Basically what appears below, is what one would see if they clicked on the link in the first post:
Godmodding
This is one of those words which many people use, but few could actually define... doing any of the following constitutes godmodding:
- Creating a character with the intent that (s)he be immune to harm.
- Creating a character with the sole purpose of killing another character.
- Refusing to post a character sheet with the relevant information on your character.
- Posting an incomplete character sheet with no intention of finishing it, to hide weaknesses or flaws in the character.
- Refusing to acknowledge weaknesses of your character.
- Having your character perform some action which is beyond his/her abilities at the time.
- Back-dating Role-Plays without the consent of all the RPs would affect.
- Editing previous Role-Plays or altering your character's past, to fit the situation in a current Role-Play.
- Using Insta-Magic (explained later).
- Using Called Hits (explained later).
- Not declaring Contingencies, Sequencers, or prepared spells at the beginning of a Role-Play (explained later).
- Resurrecting a deceased character inappropriately.
All of these are forms of godmodding, and are looked down on by most of the respectable members of the RP community. They are best avoided, for OOC and IC reasons.
Called Hits
Called hits are adequately explained by T'Gatherin's website regards to physical attacks, but the defenition lacks clarity for those using powerful magics. For example:
{char 1} - *He slashed open {char 2's} gut, whirling away to avoid the inevitable spurts of blood from his severed arteries* - Called Hit
{char 1} - *He slashed at {char 2's} gut, before spinning on his heel to avoid the pulses of coppery blood a successful stroke might cause* - Acceptable
That's a decent enough physical example, but lets move onto something more complex... magic:
{char 3} - *A bolt of lightening was released from his oustretched hand, moving beyond the speed of vision, semingly instantaneous in its conact with {char 2's} chest, boiling his blood in mere moments... a slow, painful, and ultimately futile death* - Called Hit
I shall take a moment to explain why it is a called hit... Although {char 3} may be correct that his adversary could not possibly dodge lightening, it is possible that some hidden attribute or ability {char 2} possesses could alter its effects. A more appropriate line follows:
{char 3} - *A bolt of lightening was released from his oustretched hand, moving beyond the speed of vision, seemingly instantaneous in its contact with {char 2's} chest. The power of the magic would boil a man's blood in mere moments, bringing him a slow, painful, and ultimately futile death, but {char 3} wished to witness {char 2's} end, and watched for the results of his casting...* - Acceptable
I hope that has cleared the line up a little.
Insta-Magic
With powerful characters, insta-magic becomes a convoluted iss, so we'll start off with normal ones.
NORMAL CHARACTERS
Any spell will take time to cast - the more powerful the spell, the more time is required. EVERY spell should take at least two posts - one to begin casting it, then allow time for someone to interrupt it, then finish the spell. If you are a D&D Rper, the following my help:
Posts = 1+ (Spell Level / 2)
Posts: THe number of posts to cast the spell...
Spell Level: D&D Spell level, heh...
Note: (Spell Level / 2) should always be rounded up.
For those who are NOT D&D Rpers... it's a little more blurry. You have to judge your own casting... remember, for mortal characters (ie, not angels, demons, deities, gods, etc) being more powerful will hardly reduce casting time at all, so a wandering rogue will take as long to cast "Magic Missile" as an old elven archmage would.
GODLY CHARACTERS
While very few people should ever get to the stage of RPing such a powerful character - only after some years of RP... three or four at least - there seems to be a plethora of them these days.
Angels/Demons are capable of casting normal spells much more quickly than a mortal could, but they can STILL be interrupted. They should take two posts over EVERY mortal-level spell. For higher ones (affecting entire cities, kingdoms, or realms - planes are beyond these characters) they should take three, four, and five posts, respectively.
Deities and Gods are also capable of casting normal spells much more quickly than a mortal could, but they too can STILL be interrupted if they are on the same plane. They should take two posts over EVERY mortal-level spell. For higher ones (affecting entire cities, kingdoms, realms, or planes) they should take three, four, five, and six posts, respectively.
Deities and Gods acting from another plane (ie, they are not physically there for their spell to BE interrupted) may cast mortal-level spells in a single post, but should still take two posts over spells which affect entire cities, kingdoms, or realms. Those which will affect an entire plane should take four or five posts, since other godly beings will undoubtedly notice this, and may decide to interfere (of which they are perfectly capable, whether you are physically there or not).
Contengencies, Sequencers, and Prepared Magic
Contingencies - A contingency is a spell you have cast upon yourself or some object in the RP environment which will be activated under a predetermined condition. It has three components - a detection spell (low-level divination), a protection spell (most contingencies also protect the object in question until their activation, and from the negative effects of their activation as well, usually), and a trigger spell (the spell which will be cast upon the fullfillment of the conditions). Contingencies are not used much in freeform, but whenever you do use one - you must give the condition, protection (if any), and trigger in your opening post. If you cast a contingency on yourself during an RP, you must state these factors then instead.
Sequencers - A sequencer is simply a contingency with no detection spell to activate it. Instead it is activated by a pre-determined word (or thought), known only to the caster as those he has ICly informed (or who have ICly gleaned the knowleedge through psionics). You must state the command word (or thought), those who can invoke it, the protection (if any), and trigger in your opening post. If you cast a sequencer during an RP, you must state these factors then instead.
Prepared Magic - Some people use characters who can cast magic more quickly (-1 to post count, for you D&Ders who read the formula in the "Insta-Magic" section). Those of you using these kinds of characters should state ALL of the prepared spells in your opening post, and remember - you can only prepare so many spells... then you start forgetting parts, and can't use the spell. For most characters, I wouldn't suggest any more than two-dozen spells.
Character Creation Issues
Creating godly characters is simply wrong, upsetting the natural balance of strength between characters. Remember, if you are RPing a god, you will not be sitting at the bar having a few drinks with an Overlord of hell or two, and a couple of Angels. A Paladin, with a few Cleric friends might come upon a dark knight or two in the murky tavern, but a God? Be sensible, and realistic. Characters have common-sense constraints. Keep to them.
Creating characters just to kill another character is bad form, unsportsmanlike even. You wouldn't appreciate others doing it to you, so don't do it to them.
You must ALWAYS post or link to a full and complete bio, which includes the following:
- Your age and race
- Your current and past IC names (maiden name, etc etc)
- Your strengths and weaknesses (bearing in mind no character is invulnerable, or immune to anything)
- Your lands and dominions
- A brief physical description
- A brief history
It is also good to include:
- Any special skills your character has
- A more in-depth, detailed biography of your character
- Peculiar character traits
Resurrections
For those who have already resurrected characters... sorry, the chances are I'm about to blow you out of the sky... When a character dies, their soul does one of the following:
- goes to Limbo to be judged
- is captured by someone and kept in a soul stone or some other container
- is destroyed (by a lich, for example)
The body is not a necessary part for a resurrection - but the entire soul is. Part is not enough.
Someone whose soul is in limbo can be resurrected with the grace of a deity or god. They do not need to be directly present - but one of their erstwhile followers would have to be, at the very least. Preferably one of their angelic/demonic servants.
Someone whose soul is in a soul stone can be resurrected much more easily, no diety or god being involved.
Someone whose soul has been destroyed cannot be resurrected. If only part has been destroyed, they cannot be resurrected either.
Now, there are many ways to resurrect a character - a God can, if (s)he wishes, do it instantaneously. An extremely powerful cleric can do it in a day or so of endless prayer... whereupon their god grants said cleric the power to resurrect the deceased one. If neither of these is applicable, then someone must make a ritualistic sacrafice to an appeasable god, in order for said god to grant the ritualee the power to resurrect the dead person. Such sacrafices are not small things like giving up a favourite dagger - sometimes even being so great as to pledge their soul unto that god... (this is not wise if an evil god is being involved). Resurrections are, in short, not something that should be commonplace.
Drastic Character Changes
It's very simple... what you have already had your character do, you cannot change. It's in the past, and will NOT be altered. No exceptions, no arguments.
However, charcters can undergo huge mental shifts... from good to evil, wise to dotard, etc etc etc. These are not such a problem... but remember - physical changes must be accounted for with RP. Mental changes SHOULD be Rped, but most will forgive it if they are not.
N00bs and Newbies
Some people get very insulted at being called a n00b... well, I'm not sure most people know what it means. I also don't think they know the difference between a n00b and a newbie.
Newbie - someone who is, when compared to oneself, relatively new at RPing (or any other activity), is a newbie.
If Sam has been RPing for eight years, and James for two, Sam could easily see James as a newbie. However, Jules, who started RPing three days ago, would NOT see James as a newbie, but as an experienced RPer... Jules would also likely see Sam as a veteran - though this is another relative term.
N00b - a N00b is someone with a particular state of mind. A n00b fails to understand one of the vital facets of RPing, and refuses to attempt to.
Sam is a godmodder. She refuses to tone down her GMed character, and insists she has every right to RP the Goddess of Fire alongside James' twenty-year-old farmer's son who decided to become an adventurer. Sam, despite her 8 years of RPing, is a n00b.
Role-Playing Styles
Every RPer has their own style... feel free to create your own - or to mimic someone elses (preferably with their permission). Just make sure that it falls within the bounds of acceptable RP. If you don't like the way somebody writes - perhaps they don't make a clear enough definition between thoughts and speech - then talk to them (nicely) about it. Such discussions help improve both their and your RP, and that's never a bad thing.
Magick Vs Magic
These two words are used often for the wrong thing... some will say that "Magic" refers to circus trickery, while "Magick" is sorecery. Well, allow me to clarify - "Magick" and "Magic" mean the exact same thing, but as a matter of etiquette most RPers use the word "Magic" for true sorcery, and use "Magick" to mock n00bs (which they really shouldn't do, I know). This is partly because good Rpers do not need or want to boost the length of their posts by a small fraction by including unnecessary letters - which some people do in an attempt to seem better than they are - and partly because "Magick" looks more like a weblish word than one fomr the english language. Feel free to use either, but I suggest using "Magic", since it fits in better.
T'Gatherin's site: members.tripod.com/elidoris-ivil/id1.html
i will see what i can do. 
