Role Playing Guide

By Cairn Destop

Let's pretend. Those two words were the very start of many a playground game. If you still remember the days when your age had but one digit, you’ll probably recall that much of your playtime was based on such fantasies. How many of you recall sitting on a small merry-go-round with your hands held before you, gripping the steering wheel of a ‘race car’? Which of you didn't carry around a flashlight as a lightsaber, looking for Darth Vader?

When you are in your late teens and early twenties, such memories come with a feeling of embarrassment. You are far too mature for such foolishness. You are a young adult and don't go into such childish things. Yeah, right.

Even we who are adults engage in such fantasy play. When I was in high school and college, the big craze was Dungeons and Dragons and its more modern companion, Spy Games. In each of these, you became a character and over the lunch table or in the Dormitory's common area, friends would gather for such recreational pleasure.

Think nobody is still interested in such games? Watch your local papers and don't be surprised by the many fan conventions. People that seem so serious become rabid members of the Klingon High Command. There are even hotels that sponsor a "murder" as guests play detectives trying to solve the mystery.

All of these examples now have an electronic equivalent online. Welcome, friend, to the world of role playing. Be it Andorians or elves, police detectives or secret agents, there is a site for your area of interest.

Should you go to such sites, you will be tempted to participate, and that's a good thing. But remember that, just like the playground, there are rules to RPing (Role Playing). I make no claim of expertise, but these basic guidelines should put you in a favorable position if ever you do join.

First, you should remember that the RP online experience is the equivalent of writing a book in partnership with numerous authors. Since nobody likes to have their work destroyed or radically modified once started, you must know the storyline. If the adventure has just started, there should be no excuse why you cannot go back to the beginning. Is the story already a long running one? Then read enough of the prior pages so that you know what is happening.

Next step is joining the story. Check out the prior pages and see if they are actively seeking new players. If there isn't an invitation, consider the game closed. That means you should request permission from the current players as a courtesy to them. This can be done by posting a message on their story with the leading OOC (Out Of Character) notation or sending a message to a participating member.

Unless there is a good reason for refusing new members, most RP adventure groups welcome you. This is when you get to introduce your character. That first post you do should answer as many of the Big Six (who, what, when, where, why and how) as possible. Perhaps a short example would help:

George rose from his bed and once again donned his uniform. After so many years, you would think he would enjoy wearing his dress blues, but not on a planet where the temperature at dawn often hit 80 degrees. However, rank had its privileges. Unlike the Mechwarriors under him, George could return to an air-conditioned office after the ceremony.

Everybody now knows you are an officer commanding warriors on a desert planet and that something special is going to occur. With that much information, the other players can begin reacting to your presence. They can decide if you are a good officer or if this current duty is considered a punishment. Your fellow adventurers can decide if your base is worth attacking or defending.

This brings up the next item about RP adventures. There are other players that will need to have your character do something specific if the story is to progress. Expect other players will have your character say or do things without your awareness. The reverse is also true; you will have to write out scenes that include other characters to highlight something about the one you created.

The term for this is "auto" and has its dangers. This is why it is so important for you to read the story. Imagine you have Helen scampering up to the access panel holding a monkey wrench. It sounds great unless Helen happens to be the base cook. To avoid such errors, make sure you know Helen. If in doubt, contact the author playing Helen and ask if she is the technician.

What this all comes down to is communication. When you join a story, you have to communicate with your fellow authors. They might have side plots or ideas they want to explore that your auto could ruin. Avoid such problems either through the PM system, e mail, or a supporting topic thread. Remember that such communication will help your player remain the character you envisioned.

As you continue with the story, concentrate on your character. You know his thoughts and actions; so when you write your chapter, remain focused on portraying your character in the best way possible. This doesn't mean stealing every scene.

Remember, there are other players in this story and each believes their character is the star. Allow your fellow players their chance in the spotlight. It might be nothing more than that person suggesting that the ridge on the left is better than the one on the right, but they deserve that moment of glory. Don't steal it.

I cannot emphasize this point too strongly. Always respect your fellow players and the characters they designed. If you auto another player and place them in an awkward position or you have them doing something out of character, your fellow authors will mistrust you. This will make future interaction difficult and could lead to the others asking you to withdraw from their story.

So let me summarize my guideline:

1 - Be courteous and ask if you can join an RP adventure.

2 - Know what has happened before you join.

3 - Concentrate your writings on your character.

4 - Understand auto.

5 - Keep up with the adventure.

6 - Respect your fellow authors and their characters.

7 - Let others have their turn in the spotlight.

My final guideline is the easiest to follow. Remember that this RP adventure is a recreational activity. Even if it is part of a contest, enjoy your participation. These RP stories can become the most pleasurable part about the online experience. Don't cheat yourself out of the opportunity. Pretend. Become that Jedi Knight, CIA Agent, or lady raccoon!