This is a duplicate of the original topic.
I figure since I can't decide where to properly post the topics, I'll just put them in both.

I decided to redo the FAQ again, so that it is easier and clearer to read. If you still have any questions after reading the FAQ, feel free to post them in this topic.

*Edited on 27 June 2007: I added a couple of things that were recently brought up, like the issue of hijacking characters, and also where to find the newer roleplays.*




- What is Roleplaying?

Roleplaying, is basically acting, or better yet, playing a role. Like in the popular RPG series, you play the role of a character in the game. It's the same here. The only difference is, we do text-based roleplaying, instead of getting it on with actual graphics and actions. We often use RP or RPG as short for 'roleplay'.

An example of our roleplaying would be:

Jamiele gasped as the sword edge cut into the flesh of his upper thigh, and jumped back quickly, just in time to avoid the second strike. He glared at his attacker with utmost hatred. "Stop this foolishness."

- What are OOC, IC, OCC and Info threads/topics?

'OOC' stands for Out Of Character, which means when roleplayers are not RPing with their characters, but speaking as themselves. The OOC thread is the first thing created by the GM, posted in the RP Incubation forum, and it contains all the necessary background information and guidelines for character creation. Approval of characters, discussions about the roleplay and communication between RPers also takes place here.

'IC' stands for In Character, which means when roleplayers are RPing with their characters. This is where the story, or game, is played out. It is posted in the main RP forum, after a new RP is qualified with three approved character profiles.

'OCC' stands for Original Character Creation, which is exactly that. These threads are not often created, only when the creator feels there's a need for a separate thread for referring to character profiles to be easier. 'Info' threads are similar or same as OCC threads, except they do not only contain profiles.

- What is a freeform roleplay?

A freeform roleplay is a roleplay where it is usually started without any set plot. Generally, it's more relaxed and easier for players to join at any time. It is to be noted that plots have sometimes been developed in freeform roleplays though.

- What are NPCs and GM?

'NPC' stands for Non-Playable Character. NPCs are characters that can be controlled by any of the roleplayers. The opposite is PC, which means Playable Character that is roleplayed mainly by its roleplayer who created it.

'GM' stands for Game Master. The GM can be the roleplay creator or the roleplay manager, and they are the ones in charge of how the roleplay itself is run and in some cases, they are the ones responsible for moving the plot on. If you have any questions regarding the roleplay, the GM is the one to approach. Sometimes, there are more than one GM. Also, they may be refered to as 'DM' which is a DnD term meaning Dungeon Master.

- How do I join a roleplay?

First thing to do is to read the OOC/Info topics for the necessary information, then if there is already an IC for the one you're interested in, read it as well. If you're still interested in joining it, and the application is not closed (usually will be stated), create a profile based on the template given and post it in the OOC topic for the GM's approval. After your profile is approved, start posting in the IC topic, and then you're officially a part of the roleplay.

It's recommended that you read the Dreamers forum rules and the RP forum rules.

- How do I create a character?

Unlike some roleplay styles out there on other forums, we prefer that an individual character be created for each roleplay, to have their unique abilities created from what the roleplay specified. There will be a template or character creation guidelines given, and creating your character according to it will most definitely give you a good basis.

Your character profile is what will get you approved to join the roleplay, so it's good to give a nice impression. Don't godmod your character, and always use correct english.

- How to roleplay?

Firstly, our general style of roleplay prefers that the roleplay posts (also known as IC posts) are done in essay style writing, written in proper english, past tense and mostly in third person view. Script format and casual short-forms are big no-no, present tense are discouraged but not that big a problem. First person view is alright if you're not bad with it though.

An example of a bad IC post to us:

Jamiele: I run in the enemy's direction and throw a knife at him, stabbing him in the heart. Then I jump over him and clash swords with the next person.

Next, introduce your character into the story. It is quite easy, just go with the flow, or you can follow the example of the other roleplayers, If you are very unsure of how to do your introduction, you can always ask a fellow roleplayer to aid you, especially if the roleplay you are joining is halfway into its story.

Roleplaying is about interaction. Interacting with the story helps develop the plot, be it your own side one or the main one the story is focused on. Interacting with the other characters of the roleplays will help character development for both your own character and the other characters involved, as well as help make the plot more interesting and add some spice to the story.

Interacting with the roleplayers themselves is important. Each roleplayer has their own quirks and there are some things that certain roleplayers will not like. For example, some roleplayers do not like other people controlling their characters, while some others are fine with it. It is better to be careful, and if you need to, ask the roleplayer whose character is involved to review your post first.

Another thing to note is not to drag your own personal issue into your roleplaying. If you have a problem with another roleplayer, don't lose your temper or take things out on his or her character. Try to clear it peacefully between the two of you if possible, or you can tell the GM or the RP forum moderator to help work it out.

- Are there any rules?

Yes, there are some rules regarding roleplaying that must be observed, and you can read them here. Other than that, there's the Dreamers forum rules.

- What is Godmodding?

Godmodding is what it's called when your character performs a feat that would generally be physically impossible, or require more luck than winning the lottery. Some examples of godmodding are below.

Jamiele frowned and chanted. Then with a loud cry, he unleashed the most powerful spell that even magicians hundred times stronger than himself would not be able to cast, Ultima. The spell destroyed each and every of the ten thousand troops the Dark Lord brought with him, and left the Dark Lord at the edge of death.

A simpler, and more modern example of godmodding is:

"Goodbye, suckers." Jamiele grinned at his enemies and produced a nuclear bomb from his pocket. Without any warning, he detonated it, and destroyed everything a hundred miles radius from his spot. Except him. He survived without so much as a cut.

A good example of roleplaying without godmodding is:

Jamiele jumped back just in time to narrowly escape two of the three arrows, and winced as the third struck his upper left arm, but managed to release four poison darts towards his enemies before he tumbled and rolled behind a box.

The point to not godmodding is to let your character be normal. Being more powerful is fine, but not to the point of being impossibly powerful. A tip to dealing out powerful attacks without godmodding is to sacrifice something of equal value. Afterall, no gain without loss.

- Can I make a roleplay?

Yes, of course you can make a roleplay. First, you must check if the roleplay you are creating meets the Basic Guidelines for all new roleplays. If they do, then you post the OOC topic of your new roleplay in the RP Incubation Forum, where the roleplayers will look for the roleplays that interest them. If there is a minimum of three acceptable profiles, the roleplay will then be moved to the main forum where the IC topic can then be posted. If the roleplays have an inactivity period of two weeks, the moderator may choose to close them.



- Can I join more than one roleplay at a time?

Of course you can, if you can manage being in more than one roleplay at a time. If being in several roleplays makes it hard for you to handle, or becomes a burden, it may not be wise.

- Can I have more than one characters in a roleplay?

Yes, if the GM or manager allows it. It's best to ask the creator if it's allowed before you tried to create the second character, or a third, if you want to.

- Must I control other people's characters to roleplay?

No, it's not absolutely necessary. You can roleplay without controlling another person's character, for whatever reason, as long as it does not hinder plot advancement. Also, some roleplays have set it so that roleplayers control only their own characters, so look out for that.

However, if you need to control another character and you're not sure if the owner of the character will approve of your usage, it's always good to contact the roleplayer of the character to get his or her approval. Some people are touchy about the usage of their characters, so please don't be careless with this.

*ADDED* However, if you control another person's character in a manner different from how that character is supposed to act, that is counted as hijacking, and it is heavily disapproved. Same goes for if you control the characters of a roleplayer who stated that he/she did not want others to use his/her characters. Be warned, you may be dealt with severely if you persist in doing it again.

- Can I write in first person's point of view as opposed to the normal third person's?

Yes, you can. It is not as easy therefore it's not encouraged as the norm, but if you feel you can handle it, go ahead.

- I am a very busy person and have limited time for roleplaying. Will I be a burden to the other roleplayers?

(Answered by Exire)

There is a topic where you can say when you are going to be away, so someone can roleplay as your character while your away. Then when you come back, just get right back into the thick of things. It would be good to at least show the comfort of others of knowing your not going to just disappear and never come back again, like some new people do.

Try to be on, even if you just read and put in a post then shove off, thats good enough. A number of people here all have lives and are busy, so its not uncommon really. Put that together and form your own opinion. You know your schedule, we don't.

- *ADDED* I don't want to jump into a roleplay in which so many things have already happen. Are there new roleplays that have just started or have not even began yet?

You can try checking out the roleplays which are started more recently or have shorter IC topics. Or you can search in the RP Incubation forum, where newly created RPs are kept before they are qualified for the main RP forum.

Be warned though, that if the roleplays in the RP Incubation do not have enough profiles (three approved ones) to be qualified and falls into a period of inactivity of longer than two weeks, the roleplay may be closed and deleted by the RP mod, so there's a risk to be taken.




o1) Use proper english. Which includes understandable grammar, capital letters and punctuation at the correct places, minimal spelling errors and good paragraphing.

o2) When using another person's character in your posts, please try to use that character in accordance to that character's personality. You wouldn't want another person making your mild-mannered female character swearing and cursing like a sailor, so don't do the same to others.

o3) Try not to challenge the minimum post limit. The default is two decent paragraph, and that's fairly short. Elaborate, add a bit of description here and there, add in a bit more action and you can easily have more than four paragraphs. You'll get the hang of it after a while.

o4) Develop the thinking that everyone is not planning post, unless they said they will, therefore you should post. If you're planning something that doesn't need to be kept absolute secret, post in the OOC saying that. If you don't want certain things or conditions to be foiled, restrict the certain areas required.

If such announcements are not present, it's alright to take it as nobody is planning something and just go ahead and advance the plot. As much as you can without spamming the IC, post. That's the advice, for good wholesome roleplay activity.

o5) Don't worry about foiling other people's plans, unless you purposely ignored their announcement. People who post after you should work around your post. Or if they really can't, they can always ask you to edit. So there's no reason to worry about spoiling anything and not posting because of that. If you're really worried, post in the OOC asking if doing whatever you want is alright.

o6) If you feel the need to post but don't know what to, like maybe say during a situation where the plot absolutely must wait for one person's post, then do some character development. Like elaborating character's thoughts about the previous conversations, about the surroundings, about the nice blue-eyed girl sitting to your left etc. This is for when you are really stuck, or when you're worried about messing up the plot.

I merged Ensim's roleplayer guide topic together with this FAQ. Do read it, it is rather interesting and accurate.

*Added* It is done with the permission of Ensim, if anyone wants to ask.

*Edit* Because I cannot duplicate his post full with his username, I can only copy and post it. The post below belongs to Ensim.

1: Don't be too eager to finish the game. Imagine how Lord of the Rings would have been if the script had been:
"At the meeting at Rivendale..."
"Look, for the last time, we are not using a catapult!"
"Then I agree, it is hopeless. It's not like we can just fly over on a bird and drop it in."
*Gandulf steps up* "Are you f*cking kidding me? Watch this!"
*Gandulf summons birds and flies over mount doom.*
*Drops ring into the volcano and it explodes.*
Hobbits: "Woah..."
Gandulf:"Now what the f*ck was so hard about that?"
The point of an RP is to tell an interesting story. You do want to make sure the story does'nt become stagnant, true, however, completing story arcs, or acts, just means you have that much less to role through. The fun in a Roleplay is not the acheivement, it's the journey along the way. If two charicters start bickering for some reason, let them go at it and let their personalities clash. It may open up a whole new window for the players to explore. charicters in RPs are only human (Well, except elves and stuff) They will do stupid things, they will be vengeful, fall in love, laugh, cry, don't be afraid to let your charicters stop and do something, oh, I don't know, human. They're not always going to be emotionless, goal oriented only, Robots. Hell, even robots have feelings more times than not in Roleplays...

2: For GMs, don't be too strict with your storyline. You may want to lead it somewhere, and only somewhere, but it will stem creativity, and players may be afraid to post if they fear GM reprisal, and their post being invalid and worthless. Even any ending you have in mind, be prepared to change it just a bit, to fit if the story is starting to lead somewhere else. You don't have to let the players completely take over your roleplay, as you do of course have say in what the main plot is, but just try not to make every last event conform. Sometimes you will be missing out on alot better stories this way.

3: Roleplays are NOT video games! RPs and Video games differ in the fact that alot of video games will throw out tons of enemies for you to quickly kill and be on your way. This gets very boring in Roleplays, very fast. Even in war-scenes, or battlefield-centered roleplays, try to conserve on the actual number of battles you throw at players. And as for the battles themselves, don't be too ready to just cut through and kill people. It is a battle, a struggle. The point is not to post something like, "My charicter goes forth, cutting down anyone who gets in his way" It's not a video game, where the monsters are just thrown in to keep you from completeing the game and giving you something to do. They ARE the game! Role with them, battle and skirmish with enemies. Like any other part in the RP, it is simply an event that rquires it's own description and storytelling. It is little different than the rest of the story. The point is not to merely get past it, but to do it with style, if that makes any sense. Just like the RP. The ending is not so important as how your charicter got there.

4: Statistics. I have rarely ever seen anything good come from each person giving a read-out of how fast, intelligent, strong, etc. A reasonible example should be given in a person's charicter sheet if they exceed normal in any peticular trait, and Item lists make things a bit easier to keep track of, but otherwise, this is really just stupid. And don't even think about giving out Experience points, or Level ups. This rolls into Rule 3. Roleplays are not table-tops. The experience of each is very different. If you want charicters to gain new spells or equipment, have them granted as quest rewards, or some such thing.

5: Everyone likes a team-player. If 8 people join an RP before you, and 6 of them are frail wizards of the dark arts, don't join as another wizard. If you do, then try to change your spell array to compliment the spells other players already have. If everyone is a fire wizard, if a water monster comes along, you're all screwed. If an item unique to Fire magics come along, you'll all bicker for the next three pages over it. Try to round the team out. If someone focuses on major attack spells, try to get something like a support spell or two for them. If you can learn it on the side, a few other spells for yourself to make your own self well rounded in case you find yourself alone is always wise, but try to plan around other members. Even if you're a rogue, or a warrior, do dual or triple person technique attacks with other people. (If you've ever played Chrono Trigger and seen some of the triple techs, they are pretty impressive. Imagine what you could do with such teamwork.) This often time requires alot more preparation and planning with other players, but pulling off one person attack, then another person follows up, then a third person comes in with an awsome finishing strike for example, and most GMs would be impressed enough to let a multiple attack go off and do several times more of an effect than alll those people alone could have done. It makes things more involving for everyone. After-all, there's no "I" in "Team", but there's a "We" in Weapon"!

6: Don't make a charicter that follows along a sterotype that's been done a million times before. Melo guys who are goodhearted, and always freindly, but always serious in battle, those guys are dime-a-dozen I swear. Make something fun, that way you'll remember your charicter later. Make them with a certain and unexplainible hatred or fear of something. Give them a special niche like, unable to resist stealing any red objects, or unbeleivibly handy in battle using just a T-shirt, or make them a little off the deep end with some stupid idiocincrasy or habbit. Make someone who plots revenge and to kill everyone but will delight and forget all about such plans upon the first person who presents something sweet. Perhaps these are too strong of examples, but be creative, and type something out that people will remember, chuckle, and maybe even feel incredible pity or sadness for them.

7: I see this an awful lot. People post a few times, or even post for a couple weeks when the RP is still hot and new, then just completely stop posting. An RP is a commitment. It is very rude, and speaks very badly about your reliability when you bail out on RPs. When you only do it a few times, it reflects a bit poorly on your reliability as an RPer. If you do it all the time, it reflects poorly on your reliability as a person. If you know full well ahead of time, you cannot spare enough time required to be on a Roleplay, you should not sign up. It's just that simple. If a roleplay does not interest you a week or two down the road, try to do the best you can in spite. Perhaps it will pick up. If it really starts sucking, or you just cannot keep up with it, sh*t happens, and RPs are not a life or death thing. However, at least have the curteosy to either tell the GM, or post a note in the thread declaring your leave. What happens to any charicter's you controlled varies depending on how nice the GM is, and how they are feeling about it.

Also, on this same note, try not to become a spot-light charicter unless you are on often enough to make use of it. If people will be referring to you often, make sure you can get on to post enough. Now, normally, getting online once to twice a day should be well enough suffifient for most RPs. However, that may vary from roleplay to roleplay. Also, there will be times, the forum may turn into a chatroom. Most times are after kids get out of school, when an RP starts up, late at night, or when major conflict first arises in the storyline. Try to plan around these, to either be online and able to post, or try to give your charicter and excuse for large inaction time gaps between posts, so you don't have to catch up 3 pages in a single post. That often just looks sloppy, or forced.

8: Roleplays normally do NOT have any "main charicters" or "Destiny heros". It is generally not wise, not liked when people try to declare their charicter as "Special" to the storyline. All charicters are special and have an equal chance at the spotlight. Things that generally disrupt this kind of thing are "legendary" class items. Your charicter should never have anything "Legendary" or "Supermythical" or whatever, unless it is important to the storyline, it is earned, or is cleared with the GM in some other way. And to GMs: Try not to make the RP about a single charicter, and all other people joining in to be side charicters on you're own personal "quest". I've seen this done by a few newbies from time to time, and fortunatly, no one else.

9: Try not to start out at your total peak, or a level with weapons, gear, and spells that is so strong you don't have much room to improve. Half the fun of many games is collecting certain items of power. (Except LOZ: Minish cap, because then it's just a fricken nightmare of never-ending puzzles.....anyways) What fun will the game be if you can easily smash through anything on the field? Consequently, the GM may have to up the ante on challanges just to keep things fair to you. This will inadvertantly punish other players who chose more "mortal" charicters. It's only human to have weakness. It adds challange and keeps you feeling on your toes, that you actually have to try. Did I mention how awsome and cool it is when you collect new powers and items along the way of your journey? There's a reason it's called "Treasure".

Also, try not to cover every base when you create a charicter. It get's REALLY annoying. Mostly whenever I see someone who gets a charicter with Knight's full plate armor, the declares that there charicter has trianed in it long enough, they can move fast enough so it does'nt deter them. I say that's #######. If you wear heavy armor, your agility is decreased to make up for extra defense. Period. You don't get normal to increased dodging speed and high defense both on the same token. It does'nt work that way. If you are a mage, you are not Hiryu or Dragon Ball dude, you cannot go in with a sword and start killing ##### ninja style. If you are a rogue arch-type, you cannot take a gazillion hits and still be fine, and you are not Conan the barbarian, capible of massive feats of strength. If you are a warrior arch-type, you do not have complete mastery of a hundred spells, and you will be lucky if you can cast any spell, half as well as any mage can. If you wear massive armor to increase your defense, it will either be magical, and under the GM's disgression to give you, or it will be heavier than hell, restricting you from dancing all over like a damn ninja on a sugar-high.

10: Be polite, and forgiving to other players. It's an undeniable fact of RPing life: you are going to piss someone off eventually, and someone will eventually piss you off. Whether it's an action you feel is a violation over charicter limits, or unlawful interferance with your charicter, or someone who is used to a different set of rules than you, or a common mistake in reading, or because someone is'nt as skilled as you and types some pretty lame posts, etc. The sole reason I'm not still at my first forum I started at is because I was'nt forgiving enough to some other Roleplayers I got into an argument with them. It ended...pretty badly, ending in me getting banned. Be lenient and understanding with your fellow roleplayers. They are only human, they get irratated and commonly cuss, saying things they don't mean or are only joking, etc. Don't alienate your fellow RPers, it will create a bit of harsh and akward times roleplaying with them, and you may have to find another forum because of a simple argument by the time everything is said and done. Good roleplayers are about as endangered as the Right whale.

11: Be creative, be resourceful! It's pretty cool to go just slashing enemies in half and cutting their heads off with your sword for a first few pages, but it gets dull after awhile. Try to be creative. If theres a nearby tree, swing across a branch and deliver a kick to the enemy's face. Use the surronding terrain to your advantage. Just don't get too carried away. ^^; Instead of just slashing through enemies, try to get creative. Practice and research some sword or weapon techniques and implicate them. Cooler sounding attacks tend to get alot more damage & hit%, and "That's totally sweet!" from other players.

12: Be detailed enough to be interesting, but be breif enough, and don't stuff too much "filler" into your post. This goes for Biographies, as well as battle manuvers. Try to include a few hand movements, and weapon positions, but don't type up more than two paragraphs for a technique. In fact, NEVER, write more than two paragraphs for a single technique, unless it's a bad-ass, mother of all, to end all, awsome super magic attacks or something, that will likely cause an earthquake around it's so friggen intense, or story-line important. In fact, try to keep technique description down to one paragraph per technique maximum, unless it's an incredibly complex technique, or requires mutliple actions. And as for biographies, try(emphasis on try), to keep them shorter than 4 paragraphs, or 60 lines of whatever web page you're on. People want a brief overview of your life, and if they need anything else, you can do flashbacks or dialogue with people for it.

13: Throughout RPs, besides Events, there are several things GMs can throw out at people to pass the time or conflict areas. Battles are only one thing a person can do. Be creative. A natural crisis, such as a fire, a quake, a storm, a collapsing building, all present danger and a chance for players to react in manner. Also don't forget traps. Who could get through a dungeoun or castle without encountering a few deathtraps?

14: A note about magic: Be subtle, and keep a sense of realism about you. If your goal is to burn down a hamlet, who in their right mind would summon a swarm of commets from space, to crash into the tiny village and turn it to ash? Most mages would be intelligent enough to simply throw a small flare onto a flammible haystack, and throw a couple weak linking fire chains between buildings. It gets the job down with 1/40th the amount of mana/MP spent, because let's face it. Conjuring a powerful spell takes a little bit of time, and a lot of energy and preperation. Walking around, holding your hands up and instantly obliterating entire buildings is something no playible charicter in any game should ever have.