Roleplaying Tips

[ClottedCream]

I'd say new DM's should probably avoid doing what Sparky's done-Now, I've never DM'd but it seems a little overwhelming to be in several RP's and DM'ing two. Apologies for singling out Sparky, but that was the first Example I saw.

[The-Shadow-One]

-raises hand- It is slightly overwhelming if they go at the speed of light and some. but when they slow down..

[Deimos]

Could I get some DM'ing tips. I'm a bit nervous about my upcoming RP.

[The-Shadow-One]

Be like bamboo, bend only when extreme pressure is on
Describe all settings, all characters.
Have fun.
Enjoy screwing over your chracters. (Only do if your like me)

[Deimos]

screwing over the characters.....hmm. Too bad Sparky isn't in it. He enjoyed messing with me at the beginning of LMdNY.

[Musicman247]

Don't start an RP with a big quest unless you are supremely confident in your DM skills.

I would start with all the characters in or near the same place. Describe the setting in detail and then let them get acquainted with each other.

Small groups seem to work better for characters and DMs alike. Having one big group in an action setting can get chaotic (look at Dawnguard's first action scene).

Pay attention to what your players say and ask NPCs.

You might want to keep some kind of journal with main points of the RP in it.

Try not to railroad (forcing players down one specific path) unless the plot requires it.

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I have only DMed one time myself, but got lots of good constructive criticism from the players themselves.

[Deimos]

Too bad about the small group thing. I have a large squad of 8 in my RP.

[Musicman247]

You can always split them up into Alpha and Beta teams and have them try and accomplish smaller parts of the same task.

[Deimos]

True. Well, we'll see when we get to the RP. I''ll sleep on it tonight. Need a fresh mind for this Friday.

[Sparky]

Sorry, I liked making them. I won't make another one for a long time, no promises.

[Musicman247]

If you edit a post in an RP, post again to let everyone know you edited. Will save a lot of confusion.

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A couple things that always get mentioned to new RPers, but should be codified:

• Roleplays are written in the past tense here, like a book instead of a table top game.

  Past Tense(Correct): Dal looked around at the enemies. He planted his feet and raised his war axe.
  Present Tense(Incorrect): Dal looks around at the enemies. He plants his feet and raises his war axe.

• Thoughts are written in italics so they are not confused with spoken words.

  Correct: I wonder where everyone is, thought Irri. "This way!" the Bosmer shouted.
  Incorrect: "I wonder where everyone is," thought Irri. "This way!" the Bosmer shouted.

[The-Shadow-One]

Always include the characters name at least once per post to save confusion...

[MARS]

In addition, please don't just post spoken words. Describe a little bit of action, even if it's just "X said".

[Sloady]

In addition, please don't just post spoken words. Describe a little bit of action, even if it's just "X said".

This. I'd recommend leaving your post sit for a couple minutes, then going back and revising it, writing in as much detail as you can physically bear. In fact, I'd recommend doing that twice, but that's not realistic. You'll always think of more to say the second time though, so don't think just because you've written a long-ish post that it doesn't deserve more. If it's less than three lines, it's probably not long enough. Obviously there are exceptions, but I'd stick to a three line minimum on posts.

[Kerr]

I disagree. There's nothing wrong with posts that are just a sentence and then "said X." Sometimes that is all that is needed.

[The-Shadow-One]

I try to fill out my posts but there are times when my brain is just like "what the hell can I pull out here." So I'm saying try your hardest but don't over do it. Too much in a post is as bad as too little.

[Sloady]

I can't see where a lot of good description might go amiss TSO, but if you're not great at it, then yeah, I agree, less could be more.

[Musicman247]

Descriptions aren't always necessary, especially if everyone is in the same room they've been in for the past hour (in-game time). Unless your character would actually do something it's fine to just write dialogue. You should never force yourself to write something if it doesn't fit your character.

[Kerr]

Think of "Mary Sue traits" like salt. The best dishes often have just the right amount of salt. But if you have too much you ruin the whole thing. And keep in mind that too little can be bad too.

[Unionhack]

That's the best explanation of Mary Sue-ism that I've ever heard.

Keep in mind that a character with excessive flaws can be just as boring, however! A good balance is is key.

[Hissien]

Tip: You don't have to read the whole RP if you're joining late. While it is good to read the Op and characters, you don't need to read all the events. Better to ask for a summary of the story, the reason for this being that it's easier to act like you don't know everyone when you do not in fact, know everyone already based solely on the interactions you've read.

[Musicman247]

I agree with that tip. Joining late can be fun because your character doesn't know much, so there's already a built-in "what's going on?" social dynamic that can lead to good interactions and conversations.

[Unionhack]

Irvine was one of my favorite characters to play by far because I got to be different than the folks who started with the main group.

[Kerr]

If you're a GM then you should really consider involving things from the Player Characters' backgrounds in the RP. Don't go crazy and overdo it but do it when it makes sense. Your players' backgrounds are home to some of your best plot hooks. As a player who has had it happen to me and a GM who's done it I feel it can add a lot and it really involves the players in what's happening.

If you are a player, when you are making your character have things your GM can pick up on. Family, friends, enemies, things they want to do. These kinds of player characters will have a lot more for a GM to pick up on than homeless orphans with no friends. Another plus is if your character dies your character's sibling or friend is an easy character to jump into playing.

[Baloth-Kul]

Any character trait or writing/roleplaying convention (use of humor, the character is rough and tumble, their gender or background) should not be overdone. Such traits and roleplaying conventions are like a spice or seasoning. Used in moderation; improves the experience. In the hands of a master, even something over the top can be wonderful. Otherwise, add too much (try too hard to be funny, or serious and brooding), you soil the whole thing...not just for yourself, but everyone who partakes.

Write characters as real feasible people. Characters are people. And people are more than one trait. People aren't solely gruff or solely flirty. Consider what sounds like real human speech--try reading a line out loud, to yourself. Does it sound like something you would be comfortable being told or asked by someone else? If not, maybe consider rewriting what your character is saying. Avoid one-note characters, and avoid unrealistic, over the top dialogue.