Also, if you are a new user I suggest you read this guide if you are wanting to get into role-playing, but don't know how to make one or what it is; or you know about role-playing though you think something is going wrong. I will try my best to explain all the information you need here.
Right, here is why I wanted to make this guide: The other day, I noticed someone making a simple mistake on their role-play: missing the form. Then there was the user who stole another person's role-play. I'm quite certain these won't be the only error's to occur in role-playing, so I wanted to make a guide so people were sure what to do.
Off-Topic: If any of the moderator's spot mini-modding in this, I am sorry that I didn't realize sooner, and it was also completely unintended if I did sort of mini-mod. Feel free to edit it at that, if you spot anything related to mini-modding.
How to Make a Role-Play
A Title for Your Role-Play
First, a good start for any role-play would be a title. Title's should be something attention grabbing, and creative. Here would be an example of a title: The Shadow Conspiracy. The name is sort of eye catching, and creative as I mentioned what a title should regularly have. Before you make an RP, think of a creative name that will attract attention.
However, try and make the title fit with the plot you are trying to make. Don't just type any random name that comes to mind, as some might be confused on how that name fits with the plot.
Here would be an example on a plot and a name that don't fit together:
Title: Decisions
Plot: One day, a young boy walks into a strange house. Little does he know that the house is in fact, haunted!
I kept it short. Since I wouldn't want to make it too long, because it is only an example.
Though the two don't really fit, do they? The title 'Decisions' would probably be based off a gang of teenager's who need to make life-changing decisions. Though, the plot I put says that a young boy walk's into a house, yet he doesn't know it is really a haunted house. The two don't fit at all, do they? That's why the title and the plot should really fit. You wouldn't want people getting confused over a plot and title that don't fit together.
A Plot for Your Role-Play
Another important feature to any role-play. You can't have a role-play without a good plot/story-line. Your plot is one of the most important feature's as well. Without it, it's clear to say that your role-play won't be going into motion anytime soon.
Why you ask? Well, it's because the player's of the RP won't know what has happened to effect the start of the RP (such as, say a natural disaster [such as an earthquake or a volcano eruption] struck. Though since you didn't have a plot to describe it, or mention it's effects to the current status of the role-play. If someone starts off wrong, and you scold them, they won't really understand why. That's when the RP will go horribly wrong.)
Here would be an example of a plot: (Credit to JalordaPrincess' RP: The Killjoy's.)
Example of a Plot
The Killjoys are a group of kids who are against the government group whom they refer to as, "The Pigs". The Pigs are always seen wearing white clown/vampire masks and are extremely secretive. All the Killjoy members have genetically altered parents, whom passed the traits onto their kids slightly. Although all their parents were kidnapped and killed on the process by 'The Pigs'. Now they're older and are taking on the world and the Pigs as they face danger, adventure, and life!
The future is bulletproof, and the aftermath is secondary. It's time do it now and do it loud! Killjoys, make some noise!!!
(For their safety, the Killjoys members can only refer to themselves as self-appointed names which can relate to their power, or just be plain awesome. Also, your power can only be slight. Say if you want to be invisible, you can only be invisible for a short time. Also, you have a laser gun of any color you choose).
The future is bulletproof, and the aftermath is secondary. It's time do it now and do it loud! Killjoys, make some noise!!!
(For their safety, the Killjoys members can only refer to themselves as self-appointed names which can relate to their power, or just be plain awesome. Also, your power can only be slight. Say if you want to be invisible, you can only be invisible for a short time. Also, you have a laser gun of any color you choose).
As you can see, this plot is quite detailed, and descriptive. It will kind of help people grasp what the role-play will be centered around. Try and be as descriptive as possible when making a plot, think of movie plots you see on Wikipedia, for example. They keep it short, but they make it descriptive as well.
A Form for Your Role-Play
Probably one of the more forgotten features to an RP. If you're wondering what a form is, it is basically what allows other user's to join the RP you've created. Without a form, no one will be able to join.
Though, the possible actual purpose of a form is so people can know your role-playing character's basic's. (such as appearance, and their name) Form's aren't really that hard to make, they are actually the easiest addition to any RP. Though, what you're probably wondering about is how to make a form. That is also quite easy, here is an example of a simple form: (Also, you don't need to necessarily use the Code option for making a form.)
Form Name: Age: Gender: Personality: Appearance:
That is probably one of the most easiest form's you'll find. Though, role-play's vary in many way's; and one of those way's would be that they are never the same. Here would be a more... Different form: (Credit to TheHolyAura's sign-up form for Transformation.)
Name: Gender: Animal-at-heart: What you look like: Personality:
As you can see, the form is set for a more animal-like-form. Such as the bit where it says, 'Animal At Heart'.
There are many different role-play's out there, so don't expect the same form for every one of them. May I suggest you make your own form? It will be your RP, so you should set the form out the way you like it; not in another person's way of setting it out.
Rules for Your Role-Play
This is what every RP requires, in my opinion. A rule sheet will stop thing's from occurring which you do not want to happen. Such as God-Mod. A basic rule sheet can be anything, just at least it's reasonable and agreeable with the RP you've made.
Here would be a basic rule sheet: (Again, you don't need to use the Code option.)
Rules 1. No Goofing Off 2. Do Not God-Mod 3. Use the Appropriate Form 4. No Being Perfect at Everything
That is your typical rule sheet. There are many different rule sheets, so here would be a different rule sheet: (Credit to Blaquaza's rule sheet from: Ninja Academy.)
1. No always being perfect at everything. You will not always pass everything. 2. You can fight (despite it being forbidden, that was a metaphorical thing.), but you will be strictly punished. 3. Once again, there are separate dorms for boys and girls, but there are only 5 rooms which can store 3 people inside. 4. You are allowed to walk around campus from 3:00 PM (When school ends.) until 8:30 PM (When you should be back in your dorm.)
Rule sheets vary in many way's, the same with form's. Try and make the rule sheet the way you want it.
Other
That should be it for the basic's of creating an Rp. Though here are some points you should include when making one:
Good Points:
- Creative title
- Descriptive and Detailed Plot (Try and make it short as well.)
- Well Set Out Form
- Good Grammar and Spelling (Not necessarily a point to include, though it is to be suggested.)
- Spamming
- Title and Plot Not Fitting Together
- Very Long Plot and Non-Detailed Plot
- Copying Another Person's RP (Mostly if the RP copied is still active.)
If you are a new user, and want to get into role-playing, though you are not sure where to start; or what an RP is, then I suggest you read this:
Role-playing is what you could call, 'L.A.R.P.' What does L.A.R.P stand for, if you may ask? It stands for Live-Action-Role-Playing. You may L.A.R.P a lot in real life with your friends; you just may not realize it. Take this as an example:
Veruca, the lone adventurer walked up to the silent chamber which contained her close friend, Sila. This could be you out in the playground doing L.A.R.P with your friends. You being the adventurer, Veruca, and your friend being the hermit, Sila.
This is basically what role-playing is; acting out your own or someone else's role-playing adventures as your own made-up characters. Its quite fun, and easy, once you get the hang of it! Take my word for it. :]
Signing Up For an Rp
If you find an interesting role-play that you would like to join, but don't know how to sign up I'll tell you here:
First, fill in the information required, such as the name of your character; here is an example of a completed form: (Credit to Vilex.)
Name: Voa Thonpyne
Gender: Female
Appearance: Short Black hair with purple bangs, denim miniskirt and thick black jacket.
Personality: Peaceful by nature, and often gullible and lost in thought. Easily picked on by other the other leaders and is a fan of art and tends to be clingy when happy.
Age: 16
Picture (If want):
Pokemon Team:
Rank: Leader
Signing up is not really that complicated. Just fill in the required information; and if you are struggling just ask someone for help.
Posting (And Quality)
Quality in role-playing posts is an important thing, and usually it helps others understand what you are trying to say. Nowaday's, posting one-liners is going to get you NOWHERE. Description and grammar is important! I know too many people including myself who have a problem with this, and I guess its time I updated something to address it. Its really not too hard to avoid this, but if you are a lazy-poster then I can't say I can help you. Here are some examples of one-liners to give you the basic idea:
"Percy ate the cheese."
"Michelle fainted."
"Timmy fell off his bike."
Those are just some examples. Now here's how you can change them to be a little more detailed.
"Percy ate the cheese." ==> "Percy walked into the kitchen and checked around the cupboards for something to eat. Upon opening the fridge door, he picked up some of the leftover cheese strips and ate them."
"Michelle fainted." ==> "Upon seeing the horrific sight, Michelle fell backwards and fainted; barely able to take what she had seen."
"Timmy fell of his bike." ==> "Timmy yelped in fear as his bike began to swerve and shiver. He let out a small scream as his bike tumbled to the side, flattening him."
Just some brief examples. I apologize if they don't seem to really help but that's only helping in description. In post length on the other hand, I would recommend at least writing a post as long as a paragraph, maybe a lot longer. I don't really have any examples to show here at the time, but I might be able to squeeze something in later.
Another Note
Once your Rp has had its run, replies will gradually slow down, and it will not be as popular as it used to be until they both eventually stop. Why is this? It could be because your RP has died.
But how can something like an RP die? Well, it's not necessarily dead like as in... How people live and die in real life. No, it isn't that at all. When an RP dies, it means that the process of that Rp still being active has gradually gone to a standstill. As in, no one replies to it anymore. Don't feel bad if yours does die though. Believe me or not, they all die eventually.
Also... if you are making an RP now, try and make it adventurous, and imaginative. Such as JalordaPrincess' idea with, 'Playing with Pixel's'. An imaginative RP is quite fun as well, could get more attention then regular role-play's.
What I mean by regular, is more serious role-play's (they can also include humor/humour). Usually set in the real world.
When you are Role-Playing...
We all have a fun time when it comes to role-playing. There can be anything you want to be in it, as long as it goes by the rules. However, there are some things you should and should not do when it comes to role-playing:
Things you normally might want to do:
- RP by a third or first person perspective. Reason?: So that others may be able to understand your posts in the RP.
- Be fair. Reason?: It's no fun if you take control of the whole situation and god-mod. Be fair to the other role-players who might be role-playing with you!
- Follow the rules. Reason?: Doesn't really need explaining.
- Keep to the plot and story-line. Reason?: Obvious reasons.
- Follow the PokeStadium rules.
- God-Mod. Reason?: This is basically what annoys the other role-players. It is normally listed in the rules as to not god-mod as it ruins the RP, and can make it seem like you are trying to win everything, which can be an annoyance to others.
- Post in an RP you haven't even joined. Reason?: This causes annoyance towards the creator of the RP. Don't be rude, just sign up for the RP! It's as simple as that. *Sometimes accidental posts can be an exception*
- Break one or more of the rules for the RP. Reason?: Obvious reasons.
- Disrupt an RP mid-way through the story. Reason?: This disturbs an RP that is mid-way through the story. One of the ways this can be done by signing up for the RP mid-way through story. However, sometimes the creators of the RP can make this as an exception.
- Be a drama llama/queen. Reason?: Being a drama llama spoils the fun for others in the RP because being one seems to make the whole RP turn into a depressing story. An example of this could be that your character will not get over a loved one dying and they keep complaining about it. You'll probably get the idea. It is best not to act like a drama llama because believe it or not, there are consequences. Which ones? Lots. Its up to the creator of the RP to decide if you keep doing it and they believe something must be done to resolve this. (Thanks to TheRedAndTealEspeon for the suggestion for this!)
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All as well, I'll try and update this guide if I can find anything else to add too it.
Hope this role-playing guide helps in your or others the future. Oh, and happy role-playing!
