Welcome to the Roleplay Forum of Menewsha! If you are just starting out with roleplaying and do not know what to do feel free to ask a friend, roleplayers you see around (keep in mind to post in the OOC, or One on One Subforums, don't be posting in their Roleplay threads) or even I am here to help with the questions you might have.

Don't get discouraged if you're not as good as those you see here. Roleplayers aren't born as perfect as they seem, it's from long practice and work that they've become as good as they are. Keep at it and some day you too might be just as good or better! Watching them is also a very simple way to learn better styles and tips that you wouldn't learn on your own.

One last thing to this Introduction: Remember, it's a Roleplay. You're here to have fun and interact with others and their characters. Nothing about it should be unfun!! If it appears so perhaps it is best to move on to a different Roleplay with a kind note to your partner(s). Don't take things too seriously and do have fun!

What is Roleplaying?

Wikipedia Defines it as:

Quote:

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.

Although this is a forum and you are definitely not on stage (for all I know – maybe you are while reading this), it is exactly that. You create a character that you would like to play and act out their role in the plot that you and your partner(s) have created. Your character will be interacting with the other characters and you all have the ability to do what you wish with the story through improvisation, reacting to each post to move the story along.

Anything is possible, because you are in charge.

Labels

There are many different labels used for different types of Roleplayers. They are not meant to be offensive at all, but to distinguish between different types of Roleplayers so that those with higher standards can get more what they want in a roleplay.

Illiterate: Usually beginners to roleplaying, they are known for very list like descriptions of characters such as:

Name: Kale
Gender: Female
Eyes: Hazel
Hair: Shoulder-length, brown.
Clothes: A simple T-shirt and jeans.
Etc.

There is usually little depth to these characters and the roleplay will consist of one-liners. They usually have little to no regards to proper punctuation, capitalization or grammar and OOC posts are normally indistinguishable from their posts until read.

Semi-Literate: Usually longer and more in depth descriptions that get into the character more. Usually the paragraph or two written may not be very intriguing or well written. Grammar may or may not be better than Illiterate.

Literate: Have longer introductions and posts that are both intriguing and descriptive. Their characters are realistic and are comparable to real counterparts that the reader is interested in reading about and not just interacting with. The writing is much more developed and the Grammar is intact.

Advanced: This is the person who specializes and making long and in depth posts that are both creative, and hooks the attention of the reader from the beginning. The grammar is nearly perfect and the writing more thought out.

Terms

There are different terms used by roleplayers, some of the more common ones are:

OOC: Stands for Out of Character, it's when you are speaking as yourself and not as your character. Generally posted between some sign to allow others to know that it is you that saying the words and has nothing to do with your character. These can include (( )), [ ], (OOC: ) and more as long as they stick out and it is made obvious from the beginning what you use for OOC posts.

Mary / Gary Sue: These are the perfect characters, they have no flaws in no way, shape or form. These are generally frowned upon and many would not want to play with someone playing such a character as they are boring and does not make an interesting roleplay. Flaws and personality traits are what makes the roleplay interesting. They are commonly played by Illiterates and sometimes Semi-Literates.

Powerplay: Controlling someone else's character – This is not permitted, you are only allowed to control the actions of your own character.

Godmode: Creating unrealistic circumstances, or characters that can do anything.

Slash: Romantic relationships in the form of a fanfiction roleplay between already made characters that is not of the norm. (Ex. Harry/Snape)

MxM or FxF: Homosexual relationships between two characters

MxF: Heterosexual relationships between two characters

N00b: Someone who is new to roleplaying and illiterate and without mentor.

Newb: Someone who is well on their way working past Illiteracy but still needs practice. Often found in Semi-Literate roleplays.

1)Spell Check your posts, typos aren't forbidden and they happen at the best of times. People don't want to read through a slew of typos however. Make an effort at clearing your post of them.
2)Do not use chatspeak. Not only is it annoying, but it is hard to read and no one will understand what you are trying to get across.
3)Post Length – quality is better than quantity of course, but put some effort in explaining your character so people get a feel for them. Not just how they look and feel, things like their personality, history, any flaws they might have shown in the post, stuff that makes them human (or whatever race your character is)
4)Use proper grammar.
5)Make your best effort to write intriguing and interesting posts. Learn from trying and you will succeed.
6)Be original. The same characters going around can be boring. If you see a genre you like and a thread is already made for the type of Roleplay you want try to join it, don't just make a duplicate because chances are people who would be interested are already part of the original thread and don't want to roleplay the same thing in two threads.

Pointers

1)Don't use asterisks (*) to roleplay, use formal writing while roleplaying
2)Structure sentences so they flow together.
3)Don't use words repeatedly.
4)Pay attention to other's posts.

1)If you're going to be starting off with a group roleplay, get a feel for the roleplay first. Perhaps read through some of the posts before deciding that's the one you want to join, realize what the other players might be expecting and judge if you are able to meet that expectation.

2)Keep your characters close, starting off you might want to have a character that doesn't mimic yourself but have it close enough that you are able to keep up with the character. Starting out with a flamboyant character that you may find it difficult to start out with something so different from yourself.

3)Give your character a history. Your character isn't newly born in the roleplay, even if it was just created by you. Where did he/she come from? What events shaped his/her personality? How would he/she react to common situations that they may be facing in the game?

4)Be moddest when creating your character. Do not make them too strong or too weak, both instances will make a short and boring roleplay. Give your characters strengths and weaknesses, both fitting with their history. This will offer situations that your character can overcome when it comes up in roleplay.

5)Familiarize yourself with your character. You want to know how your character will react in those unpredictable situations. It's often split second decisions, but back up as to why they would react in such a way rather than just going with the flow. It might be something similar would happen again and yet not remembering why they reacted that way the first time you would make them react the complete opposite the next time.

6)Do not be too explicit with your character. Don't tell your life story at the beginning of the roleplay like you don't tell your life story to strangers. This way your character can mold to fit the roleplay as well as giving the readers something to look forward to in learning about your character.

7)Make your character sociable. This is rather obvious. If your character is a loner who avoids all contact, who roams the forest alone or sits atop a tree contemplating the meaning of life the roleplay would be dull and have little interest to others. Part of roleplaying is interacting with other characters and keep things interesting.

8)Wait actively. This is the hardest thing to learn to do. You have to learn to get involved with the story and not wait around for the others to add in plot twists. If you have an idea that works with the situation you are in, work it into your posts, make that idea happen.

9)Finally. Ask questions. If you don't know what's going on, or need help with understanding something don't be afraid to look stupid. It's better to ask questions than looking stupid because you hadn't asked questions.

Final Notes:

Roleplaying isn't just with yourself, you must realize you have to keep the other player(s) feelings at hand.

1)Don't be a jerk because you can. No one appreciates this and no one will want to roleplay with you.

2)Don't allow others to be jerks to you. You don't have to put up with it and if you ask them to stop and they don't you don't have to continue to play with them.

3)Roleplays won't be all rainbows and sunshines. The driving force of all stories is conflict, without conflict you have no story and the roleplay will get boring and no one would want to play. Everyone should agree with the direction of a plotline however and everyone should all be able to escape from the conlflict gracefully.