Post by Thores on Feb 9, 2003 22:25:52 GMT -5
Alright, since you guys are new to RPs, I'm gonna start out with the easiest kind of RP: General/Freestyle. If this goes well, I'll introduce you guys to a cooler, harder system. Now let's get cracking!
What Is Freestyle?:
I'm glad you asked, Billy! Freestyle is the simplest system of RPing out there. It is completely numberless -- whether or not a character can do something and whether or not an attack/spell/ is successful is generally left up to the person RPing such, as well as the GM and fellow RPers. While there is no limit to creative writing in any RPing system, in freestyle, creative writing is the only option. Sometimes, whether or not something is successful is determined by how well it is written.
DO's and DONT's of Freestyling:
Even though freestyling is fairly loose, there are things you can and can't do. Here goes.
DO's:
Descriptive posts- Other people have to read em too, ya know! Don't make em too long and stringy or people will lose intrest. Try to keep em interesting.
Character Development- The interesting character makes for the interesting read. Give em little quirks, don't make them too generic or cliche.
Posting regularly- This one is VERY important. If you make or join an RP or RPs, KEEP UP WITH IT/THEM. One of the main causes of RP deaths is the absence of a main member.
Plots- Plots are usually determined by the maker of the RP. If other RPers try to change the plot without asking the author first, or the RP is started without a plot in mind, the RP tends to die a SPAMMY DEATH.
Discussion- Talk to the other RPers (through PM, IM, or e-mail- in the thread is discouraged) if you have a question and sort out problems as they arise.
Talking in Third Person- Don't refer to yourself in RPs as "I", refer to yourself as your character name. (i.e "Thores took the garbage out" instead of "I took the garbage out") That way people don't gt so confused when reading the thread. (Added 5/3/03)
DONT's:
Spamming- Irrelevent posts, or goofy posts in serious RPs, are BAD for you. I'm gonna be really strict with this one.
Character Control- This is using other RPer's characters without their permission, which usually leads to bad results. If you must, keep it to a bare minimum. You can do more if you have permission.
Damage calling or "autoing" - Attacking someone and then saying how much damage it does or how the character responds without even giving them a chance to reply.
Godmoding- This is a SERIOUS don't. Godmoding can and often does completely ruin most RPS. There are three types:
Type 1- A Type 1 godmoder is described as a "Super Duper Unbeatable Unkillable Omnipotent Being. They poop fireballs and cast Devastating Attacks in their sleep. They will always dodge or survive any attack thrown at them, no matter what their opponent says." In other words, this person never misses, never gets injured/hit, never has a bad hair day, et cetera. Other godmoding skills might be incorporated into this persona: an infinite supply of items; possession of vast amounts of money, training, or experience; well developed skills in all areas. For the latter, see also Type 3.
Type 2- Basically the same as version one, only watered down in an attempt to not appear godmodey -- they may allow themselves to be hit once or twice, for instance. These players still have the problem of outclassing the other RPers, drastically changing and/or ruining plot with their god-like mad skillz, and overall taking all the challenge/fun out of an RP, while also having the added annoyance of pissing off everyone else with their constant cry of "I'm not a godmoder!"
Type 3- These are characters with enough flaws of skill and personality to potentially make a good character, but they have too many, well developed, all-encompassing powers (like the person who's a master Master Martial Artist Summoning Hair Stylist Librarian). This is the hardest type of godmoding to deal with because how many skills are had and how well they are developed before they make a godmoder is dependent on the circumstances of the RP as well as the person reading it. In some cases, a character who may otherwise fall into this category is not a godmoder; however, these characters invariably tend to just drain the challenge of an RP away -- especially for the other RPers who they outclass -- and they are rarely used with the moderation with which they should be.
Version one godmoding can be spotted a mile away, and version two is almost as easy for someone to spot, even if they aren't familiar with RPing in general (normally, it's the type two godmoders who are the ones confused on it). Version three is much harder to agree on, however, and is also dependent on the RP and how everything is played out. So yes. Godmoding makes Baby Jesus cry.
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Alrighty then. Those are the rules. I'm going to ask Paul to make this a sticky. Any questions? Soon I'll post a freestyle character sheet for you all to abide by, and then I'll post the first Freesyle RP. Afterwards others are free to make their own. Yay!
EDIT: Many people have been breaking the rules, sometimes unintentionally. But I'm going to be enforcing them a bit more right now, especially in Legendary Quest. Be sure to read over the rules, including the new one, and make sure you're following them all.
EDIT2: There. Finally stickied so it will be on the very top.
What Is Freestyle?:
I'm glad you asked, Billy! Freestyle is the simplest system of RPing out there. It is completely numberless -- whether or not a character can do something and whether or not an attack/spell/ is successful is generally left up to the person RPing such, as well as the GM and fellow RPers. While there is no limit to creative writing in any RPing system, in freestyle, creative writing is the only option. Sometimes, whether or not something is successful is determined by how well it is written.
DO's and DONT's of Freestyling:
Even though freestyling is fairly loose, there are things you can and can't do. Here goes.
DO's:
Descriptive posts- Other people have to read em too, ya know! Don't make em too long and stringy or people will lose intrest. Try to keep em interesting.
Character Development- The interesting character makes for the interesting read. Give em little quirks, don't make them too generic or cliche.
Posting regularly- This one is VERY important. If you make or join an RP or RPs, KEEP UP WITH IT/THEM. One of the main causes of RP deaths is the absence of a main member.
Plots- Plots are usually determined by the maker of the RP. If other RPers try to change the plot without asking the author first, or the RP is started without a plot in mind, the RP tends to die a SPAMMY DEATH.
Discussion- Talk to the other RPers (through PM, IM, or e-mail- in the thread is discouraged) if you have a question and sort out problems as they arise.
Talking in Third Person- Don't refer to yourself in RPs as "I", refer to yourself as your character name. (i.e "Thores took the garbage out" instead of "I took the garbage out") That way people don't gt so confused when reading the thread. (Added 5/3/03)
DONT's:
Spamming- Irrelevent posts, or goofy posts in serious RPs, are BAD for you. I'm gonna be really strict with this one.
Character Control- This is using other RPer's characters without their permission, which usually leads to bad results. If you must, keep it to a bare minimum. You can do more if you have permission.
Damage calling or "autoing" - Attacking someone and then saying how much damage it does or how the character responds without even giving them a chance to reply.
Godmoding- This is a SERIOUS don't. Godmoding can and often does completely ruin most RPS. There are three types:
Type 1- A Type 1 godmoder is described as a "Super Duper Unbeatable Unkillable Omnipotent Being. They poop fireballs and cast Devastating Attacks in their sleep. They will always dodge or survive any attack thrown at them, no matter what their opponent says." In other words, this person never misses, never gets injured/hit, never has a bad hair day, et cetera. Other godmoding skills might be incorporated into this persona: an infinite supply of items; possession of vast amounts of money, training, or experience; well developed skills in all areas. For the latter, see also Type 3.
Type 2- Basically the same as version one, only watered down in an attempt to not appear godmodey -- they may allow themselves to be hit once or twice, for instance. These players still have the problem of outclassing the other RPers, drastically changing and/or ruining plot with their god-like mad skillz, and overall taking all the challenge/fun out of an RP, while also having the added annoyance of pissing off everyone else with their constant cry of "I'm not a godmoder!"
Type 3- These are characters with enough flaws of skill and personality to potentially make a good character, but they have too many, well developed, all-encompassing powers (like the person who's a master Master Martial Artist Summoning Hair Stylist Librarian). This is the hardest type of godmoding to deal with because how many skills are had and how well they are developed before they make a godmoder is dependent on the circumstances of the RP as well as the person reading it. In some cases, a character who may otherwise fall into this category is not a godmoder; however, these characters invariably tend to just drain the challenge of an RP away -- especially for the other RPers who they outclass -- and they are rarely used with the moderation with which they should be.
Version one godmoding can be spotted a mile away, and version two is almost as easy for someone to spot, even if they aren't familiar with RPing in general (normally, it's the type two godmoders who are the ones confused on it). Version three is much harder to agree on, however, and is also dependent on the RP and how everything is played out. So yes. Godmoding makes Baby Jesus cry.
-----------------------------------------
Alrighty then. Those are the rules. I'm going to ask Paul to make this a sticky. Any questions? Soon I'll post a freestyle character sheet for you all to abide by, and then I'll post the first Freesyle RP. Afterwards others are free to make their own. Yay!
EDIT: Many people have been breaking the rules, sometimes unintentionally. But I'm going to be enforcing them a bit more right now, especially in Legendary Quest. Be sure to read over the rules, including the new one, and make sure you're following them all.
EDIT2: There. Finally stickied so it will be on the very top.