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====== Roleplaying ====== | ====== Roleplaying ====== | ||
- | Roleplaying is what Star Army is all about! You you have the power to control your character' | + | Star Army is a play-by-post roleplaying game. It could also be described as collaborative fiction. |
- | This SARP thrives around play-by-post roleplaying, | ||
- | |||
- | ==== Roleplaying ==== | ||
Once you're in a plot, start role-playing! If it's a single-post plot you can start right away (or as soon as it makes sense in the plot). If it's a [[# | Once you're in a plot, start role-playing! If it's a single-post plot you can start right away (or as soon as it makes sense in the plot). If it's a [[# | ||
- | === Basic Rules === | + | ===== Basic Rules ===== |
- | | + | |
- | | + | |
- | | + | |
- | | + | |
- | * Don't disappear on us. Don't vanish and leave people waiting on a post that will never come. | + | |
- | | + | |
- | | + | - Please post in third-person, |
- | === Format and Use of Forum Code === | + | ===== Format and Use of Forum Code ===== |
The following formatting is standard for in-character posts: | The following formatting is standard for in-character posts: | ||
- | * Bold text is used for announcements (such as the ship's intercom) and emphasis. | + | |
- | * Italics are used for wireless communication and telepathy (using quotation marks) | + | * //Italics// are used for: |
+ | * wireless communication and telepathy (using quotation marks) | ||
+ | * Example: //" | ||
+ | * thoughts (with or without quotation marks) | ||
+ | * Example: //Ten seconds to get this spacesuit sealed//, Mia thought. | ||
+ | * emphasis (for things like sarcasm, etc. | ||
+ | * Example: " | ||
* Quote boxes should be used for any content from a previous post and for in-character quotes of things like electronic mail, dinner menus, etc. | * Quote boxes should be used for any content from a previous post and for in-character quotes of things like electronic mail, dinner menus, etc. | ||
- | * Parenthesis | + | * Parenthesis |
+ | * Use caution with colored text, as it may not be readable on some styles (Star Army has blue, red, white, and black styles). | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===== Communicate! ===== | ||
+ | Communicate with other players and with your [[game_master]]. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Sub-plots, problems, questions, concerns, suggestions, | ||
+ | |||
+ | Ways to communicate: | ||
- | === Communicate! === | + | * OOC threads |
- | There are several available methods of Communication available to RP Members. Yahoo! Messenger, E-mail, private messages, and the forums themselves are some examples. Sub-plots, problems, questions, concerns, suggestions, | + | * Conversations (sometimes called PMs) |
+ | * The [[https:// | ||
- | === Conflicts === | + | ===== Conflicts |
Any major event, situation, condition, action, etc. which directly involves another Player' | Any major event, situation, condition, action, etc. which directly involves another Player' | ||
In the case that someone has used your character in some way, or done something that went against one of your plots, sort it out politely and quickly. Attempt to work it out with the offending Player first. If this fails, take it to the Plot GM. In an RP as large as this one to become, it is nearly impossible to avoid all problems, but if we can sort them out smoothly, politely and quickly, there will be minimal difficulties. | In the case that someone has used your character in some way, or done something that went against one of your plots, sort it out politely and quickly. Attempt to work it out with the offending Player first. If this fails, take it to the Plot GM. In an RP as large as this one to become, it is nearly impossible to avoid all problems, but if we can sort them out smoothly, politely and quickly, there will be minimal difficulties. | ||
- | === Metagaming === | + | ===== Metagaming |
Let's all remember to keep OOC knowledge separate from IC knowledge. Don't direct your character to stuff if he/she wouldn' | Let's all remember to keep OOC knowledge separate from IC knowledge. Don't direct your character to stuff if he/she wouldn' | ||
- | === Breaking the Fourth Wall === | + | ==== Breaking the Fourth Wall ==== |
**Q:** Is it possible, every once in a while (Like only once or twice in a plot arc) to do this in the name of comic relief? | **Q:** Is it possible, every once in a while (Like only once or twice in a plot arc) to do this in the name of comic relief? | ||
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**A:** Only the GM of a plot is okay with it. | **A:** Only the GM of a plot is okay with it. | ||
- | === Keeping Up === | + | ===== Keeping Up ===== |
- | Try your hardest to read each and every new post in your roleplay. This cuts down on confusion and prevents conflicts in the storyline from arising. If you don’t have time, at least read the ones involving your ship. Print them if you need to. You are expected to post regularly (at least one RP post a week). If you can’t for some reason, let people | + | Try your hardest to read each and every new post in the threads |
- | === Starting a Side Plot === | + | ===== Starting a Side Plot ===== |
In each adventure there are two types of plots: The Backbone Plot, and the various Sub-plots. The Backbone Plot takes precedence over sub-plots. Sub-plots must be worked in and around the Backbone Plot in order for the RP to function correctly. This is not to say that because a sub-plot goes against the Backbone Plot it can't be used. It simply means that you must either rework, or put off the sub plot until such a time as it can be used. | In each adventure there are two types of plots: The Backbone Plot, and the various Sub-plots. The Backbone Plot takes precedence over sub-plots. Sub-plots must be worked in and around the Backbone Plot in order for the RP to function correctly. This is not to say that because a sub-plot goes against the Backbone Plot it can't be used. It simply means that you must either rework, or put off the sub plot until such a time as it can be used. | ||
- | === Quality Of Writing === | + | ===== Quality Of Writing |
Writing is the means with which we interact with one another. It is vital that you write well, so that others can understand you and so they aren't distracted from the RP by errors. Don't bother posting a sentence if you can't be bothered to capitalize it or put a period at the end. The clearer your post, the less the likelihood it will be overlooked or misunderstood. | Writing is the means with which we interact with one another. It is vital that you write well, so that others can understand you and so they aren't distracted from the RP by errors. Don't bother posting a sentence if you can't be bothered to capitalize it or put a period at the end. The clearer your post, the less the likelihood it will be overlooked or misunderstood. | ||
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==== Single Posts ==== | ==== Single Posts ==== | ||
- | Most Star Army roleplay is done by posting directly onto a thread (or start a new one), which is called a Single Post or just a post. Sometimes single posts are consolidated into compilations. | + | This is your standard play-by-post RP. Most Star Army roleplay is done by posting directly onto a thread (or start a new one), which is called a Single Post or just a post. Sometimes single posts are consolidated into compilations. |
Single posting is fairly easy: just post your characters speech and actions into the appropriate role-play thread. | Single posting is fairly easy: just post your characters speech and actions into the appropriate role-play thread. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The ideal roleplaying post: | ||
+ | |||
+ | - Advances the plot/story | ||
+ | - Is fun and interesting to read (Think details, action, and humor) | ||
+ | - Involves other characters (Give the next poster something to react to!) | ||
Posts are generally in chronological order. It's not required to wait for every player to have their turn, but it is courteous to give them a chance if you feel the story is starting to move along without their character; however, if the game is lagging and you are able to post, do it. And don't just post to yourself! Try to interact with other characters. | Posts are generally in chronological order. It's not required to wait for every player to have their turn, but it is courteous to give them a chance if you feel the story is starting to move along without their character; however, if the game is lagging and you are able to post, do it. And don't just post to yourself! Try to interact with other characters. | ||
Please start each post by giving the location where it takes place (for example: //YSS Aeon Cargo Bay//). | Please start each post by giving the location where it takes place (for example: //YSS Aeon Cargo Bay//). | ||
+ | |||
==== Joint Posts ==== | ==== Joint Posts ==== | ||
Two more more players can collaborate on an in-character post. This is referred to as joint posting (JP). Joint posting saves time and can feel more exciting because it's done in real time. For JPs, we usually arrange a meeting time or just spontaneously start role-playing with whoever is online that fits into a plot. These RP sessions usually last about an hour or two and when we're done, one of the people in the RP session saves, edits, and posts the transcript (the joint post) onto the boards. The above methods of RP are why some parts of the board tend to have big, long posts with multiple characters and few replies--so don't let them intimidate you, they' | Two more more players can collaborate on an in-character post. This is referred to as joint posting (JP). Joint posting saves time and can feel more exciting because it's done in real time. For JPs, we usually arrange a meeting time or just spontaneously start role-playing with whoever is online that fits into a plot. These RP sessions usually last about an hour or two and when we're done, one of the people in the RP session saves, edits, and posts the transcript (the joint post) onto the boards. The above methods of RP are why some parts of the board tend to have big, long posts with multiple characters and few replies--so don't let them intimidate you, they' | ||
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Yahoo messenger and IRC were once the most common JP tools but Etherpad type sites have become the most favored and used. They' | Yahoo messenger and IRC were once the most common JP tools but Etherpad type sites have become the most favored and used. They' | ||
- | * [[: | ||
- | * [[guide: | ||
* Etherpads | * Etherpads | ||
- | * [[http:// | ||
* [[http:// | * [[http:// | ||
* [[http:// | * [[http:// | ||
* [[http:// | * [[http:// | ||
* [[http:// | * [[http:// | ||
+ | * Chatrooms | ||
+ | * IRC | ||
=== Joining a Joint Post === | === Joining a Joint Post === | ||
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- | === Scene === | ||
- | The scene is where the focus and action of the Joint Post takes place, usually, in a space where all the characters (and thus, an imaginary observer) can interact with one another. It is considered rude to post actions and speech which occur outside of the scene, because A) It disrupts the scene and B) characters can't react to it. A scene is generally a room or area, such as a ship's bridge or a clearing in a forest; it is generally specified at the start of a roleplay (eg; ON: "YSS Sakura Wardroom" | ||
- | It is both the players and the GM's responsibility to keep things within a unifed scene. Think of the roleplay as an interactive movie. You have one camera--the reader. You can skip between scenes if it makes sense, but DO NOT just throw everything together, or things will get horribly confusing. | ||
- | Players who post out-of-scene might have their posts removed from the edited transcript. | + | === JP Tips === |
- | + | * Make sure you have the time to JP. If you're not sure, ask how long it's expected to take. If you have to leave early, or can't JP at all, be sure to inform your plot's GM. | |
- | The best way to avoid being Out-Of-Scene is to have your character join the others. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | === Tips === | + | |
- | * Always make sure you have the time to JP. If you're not sure, ask how long it's expected to take. If you have to leave early, or can't JP at all, be sure to inform your plot's GM. | + | |
* Don't GM anything unless asked to do so. | * Don't GM anything unless asked to do so. | ||
* If you have to go away from your computer a moment for whatever reason, be sure to let everyone know. This is OOC, of course. (Bathroom, be right back) | * If you have to go away from your computer a moment for whatever reason, be sure to let everyone know. This is OOC, of course. (Bathroom, be right back) | ||
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Most GMs even impose posting time limits in order to keep the pace up. If the game is lagging and you are able to post, do it. And don't just post to yourself! Try to interact with other characters to keep things exciting. | Most GMs even impose posting time limits in order to keep the pace up. If the game is lagging and you are able to post, do it. And don't just post to yourself! Try to interact with other characters to keep things exciting. | ||
- | ==== Subject ==== | + | Posting speed and leave of absence policies are set by individual GMs. On a site-wide basis, threads are considered inactive if it has been a month since the last RP post. |
+ | |||
+ | ===== Scene ===== | ||
+ | The scene is where the focus and action of the Joint Post takes place, usually, in a space where all the characters (and thus, an imaginary observer) can interact with one another. It is considered rude to post actions and speech which occur outside of the scene, because A) It disrupts the scene and B) characters can't react to it. A scene is generally a room or area, such as a ship's bridge or a clearing in a forest; it is generally specified at the start of a roleplay (eg; ON: "YSS Sakura Wardroom" | ||
+ | |||
+ | It is both the players and the GM's responsibility to keep things within a unifed scene. Think of the roleplay as an interactive movie. You have one camera--the reader. You can skip between scenes if it makes sense, but DO NOT just throw everything together, or things will get horribly confusing. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Players who post out-of-scene might have their posts removed from the edited transcript. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The best way to avoid being Out-Of-Scene is to have your character join the others. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===== Subject | ||
The subject is the person or thing taking action in a particular paragraph. If the subject changes, one should start a new paragraph. The subject (generally a PC) should always be mentioned in paragraphs, unless it is obvious (such as a verbal reply when only two characters are speaking). To avoid repetitiveness, | The subject is the person or thing taking action in a particular paragraph. If the subject changes, one should start a new paragraph. The subject (generally a PC) should always be mentioned in paragraphs, unless it is obvious (such as a verbal reply when only two characters are speaking). To avoid repetitiveness, | ||