DO NOT DO NOT DO NOT DO NOT, and I repeat, DO NOT POST YOUR CHARACTER HERE. IF YOU DO, I SHALL BLACKLIST YOU AS A NOOB IN RPDREAM AND POSSIBLY OTHER ROLEPLAY ROOMS, AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO BE PROMOTED WHATSOEVER. [Posted as of Sunday, August 17th, 2008]

*NOTICE: I give permission to everyone to post this journal in their chatrooms. However, you CAN NOT take any credit for any part of this (unless I stuck your name in here). And PLEASE distinguish between this journal and the character posting journal; I've got enough people accidentally posting their chars here.*
Also, this is a GUIDE. That means it is not the official one-and-only-mighty-law-book of rping. There are differing opinions on how to rp. This is just my take on it.

Now, who hasn't had to run across a couple of newbs/newblets during their time in a chatroom? Who hasn't had to explain things that seem obviously simple about roleplaying to them? Well, this guide is to help those newbs/newblets learn about the fascinating world of roleplaying! (oh geez. this is a corny introduction. but who cares?)

RP means Roleplay, as does RPing means Roleplaying. Many people use this as an outlet for creativity, and to let their imagination to run free. There are accepted things that you should do during an rp, and things that should be left somewhere else or not done at all.

Bracketing and getting posts to people
Everyone needs to know what belongs in the rp and what is OOC text (out of character text). For lines of text that are OOC, use brackets, such as these: (){}[] (I myself use <> type, though some use them for "thought bubble" type.) When in an RP chatroom, and you are not using brackets and are not posting for your rp, you will be requested to put your OOC posts in brackets. You only need to put a bracket on the end of the post. To put a post in brackets is simply to put a bracket at the end of it, like so:
Thatperson: Well, what is your character?>
Also, another thing that is important is that in busy RP chatrooms here on dA, post the person or persons' username(s) in front of the post, by typing the first few letters of the person's usernames and then touching tab. Do the same for the second person, if there is one, but space after that person, because it won't do it for you, like the first username. This is called tabbing.
If you're trying to get from one chatroom to another chatroom on a friend's request, and it's not there because you spelled it wrong/they didn't give you the name, type in /whois (username of person). The chatroom should be on that list. It's always listed in backwards order of the order they joined the chatrooms.
And no matter how many times you say it, I still count <> as being brackets. but / and \ at the end of a sentence are not brackets. They just look like your finger slipped when you were pressing a key.

Posting
When in an actual Rp, the posts are done differently depending on who writes them. There are usually 2 accepted methods, though one is better suited for longer postings and lots of detail.
Script style: Putting the actions in ** and talk out in the open. I’m not sure what thoughts are put in for this type. Usually, you post the person who is talking and/or doing the actions before the post, and after the name of the person who you're rping with. For example, if I were rping with Thatperson, the post would look like this: Thatperson: Mikki: Wow, that’s amazing *walks towards matt* Can you show me?
Story style: Putting actions in the open, and talk in “”. Thoughts are either put in <>, made italic, or indicated otherwise by the person posting. This way is generally used by better roleplayers, and is useful when you want to do a lot of detail. Also, try to use good grammar in this type. For example, the same post with Thatperson, in this format: “Wow, that amazing!” Mikki said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ears and walking towards Matt. “Can you show me?” I hope he can… she thought, smiling nervously.
See what difference it makes, both in length and in feel?

If you are still new at the whole rping thing, a friend of mine has graciously made a place where you can learn. [link] .

Post Types
Generally, there are two types of posts, longpost and shortpost. Shortpost rps usually have one-two line posts that don't offer a lot of detail, and usually go quickly. This is good for when you have a few minutes of time here and there. Longpost rps usually have anywhere from 3 to a gazillion (meaning a very high number, usually no more than 30, though I have seen much, much longer) lines. Generally, ones that have 30 lines have some sort of prewrite. And again, try to use good grammar. Don't want people to try to read your writing and it making no sense whatsoever!

One of the biggest concerns with doing longpost is How to get it so long. I won't post any of my own posts in here, but I will give you some info about them.
One of the main things is to use description.
A boring sentence would be: the boy walked through the park.
A better version, with adjectives, adverbs, better diction, and additional clauses: The redheaded teenager, bemused by the color of the fall leaves, strolled through the park as though without a care in the world.
It's longer, and is more interesting. More details help a lot. If you can add a who (I hope this is already present), what, when, where, how, or why to a post, then it'll be much longer. Try not to repeat words (like using 'the boy' a gazillion times) too much. If you add some action to the post, then there's another opportunity to make it longer!
Keep in mind it's not always possible to hold up a long post -- I know this from experience. Typically, post size dwindles when working with dialog, which doesn't necessarily have to have as much detail.
Even if you think you're out of school, you still have to apply what you've learned.

Characters/Character Postings
Usually, on RP chatrooms like RPDream and such, they want you to post a character on a journal entry so they can put you in a group. There's a general outline for character postings, which change depending on the type of chatroom.
Name: Pretty much what your character's name is.
Gender: Male, Female, double or none.
Age: An 8 year old would react differently to something than a 32 year old would, and so age can have some sort of relevance.
Race: is your character human, an elf, a dwarf, dragon, alien?
Appearance: What your character wears, dominating features, hair color, eye color, and all that type of stuff goes here. If you have a picture, you'd put it here.
Weapon: Self-explanatory, though not all chatrooms have this. Nor do all characters.
Class: Is your character a mage, a non fighter, or a sword wielder? That would go here, though this isn't always in the format.
Personality: Is your character a cold, violent wreck, or a happy-go-lucky person?
History: This is where you give some background about your character. What makes your character stand out from all the others of his/her species/time frame/social group? Perhaps being dropped on his/her head at birth is relevant after all.
You only need to put your first character on the journal entry in RPDream, though you can make more than one character. You can put the other characters you create in journal entries or on deviations.

GodModding
This is something that you never, under no circumstances, want to be caught doing. It is either killing another Rper's player without their permission, or allowing them pretty much no control in their posts. I have RPed with a godmodder before, and trust me, it is not fun. If you are stuck with someone who godmods, tell them it, and if they refuse to stop, get out of the rp. No, really. In addition, having no weaknesses, striking without fail, having waaaay too many powers, invunerability to everything, etc. Some types of Mary Sues can be considered as characters practically made for godmodding.

Mary Sues/Gary Stus
Mary Sues. Ah, the sweet sound of the perfect little girl who always manages to get the hero, or manages to get the bad guy to act good, getting almost every character to act noncannon (in fandoms, anyways... and in fan roleplays, like Harry Potter, YuYu Hakashu, etc). They make me sick! No one wants to roleplay with one.
don't know if your character's a mary sue? Some signs: no weaknesses, more than 2 species for one charater, tons of powers, knows everything, flowery and sparkly and pretty beyond all belief, etc. if you're still unsure, go here to test your char: [link] Of course, this is merely a guide to help you know if you need to change your character a bit.
Wikipedia has an excellent article on Mary Sues: [link]
also, Mary Sues are often godmodders as well. Typically created by inexperienced roleplayers.


Starting an RP
Usually, when starting an rp, you want to first find an RP buddy. The most common ways are to ask the whole chatroom if someone wants to rp with you, telling someone who is asking to rp that you will rp with them, or ask individual people to rp. Give them a link to your character after they say yes, and tell them the type of rp that you want to do (modern, pirate, Kids Next Door, Inuyasha, fantasy, etc.). Then you should decide who posts first. The person who posts first usually sets the tone, though most people don't want to go first.

Are people losing interest in your rp's?
If you are
not giving enough content for continuing along the storyline
or
making the other person continue the storyline through their posts and you just going along
then people may lose interest.
or
you just suck at rping.
The ways to fix this: add more stuff to your post, get better at roleplaying, or continue the storyline in your posts as well! an rp is not a one-person job with another person hanging on because they want to see something 'cool' happen.

Also, please note that some dA rp chatrooms don't allow you to use bold unless you're making an important announcement or asking for an rp or something like that. RPDream is one of those chatrooms.

Terms -- given to me by ~Kasaira
RPG - RPG stands for role playing game. This is the first term you must learn and always keep at the back of your mind. This is the first term all new role players must know first. Not knowing this can lead to embarrassment, especially on professional role playing forums that are more advanced than this. Make sure you memorize this term.


OC - OC stands for original character. Original characters are what all role players use in all types of role playing games. Without original characters, you won't be able to role play, unless of course there are canon characters you can audition for. There are also good characters and bad characters, meaning good quality or bad quality characters. This will be explained in another thread.


OOC - OOC stands for out of character. Out of character is when role players are speaking normally, specifically speaking to each other, and not role playing. In chat rooms and on instant messenger, people use brackets to show they are talking out of character. This is not allowed on most role playing forums in the role playing boards however.


NPC - NPC stands for non-player character. NPCs are minor characters that usually have relationships with the role player's main original character. For example, if a character's mother, father, brother, sister, husband, wife, pet and the like are shown with the character in the role play, then they are considered to be NPCs. NPCs can also be minor characers such as a waitress or a bartender or anything of that sort.


SP - SP stands for spelling. Role players use this term mostly when role playing on instant messenger or on a chat room. It will be seen in brackets most of the time, being out of character. When a role player uses this, they are asking if they spelled a certain word right or if that's how you spell that word. You may see this on forums, but usually in the out of character boards when talking to other members than on the role playing boards.
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More terms:
IC - In character. Often refers to when you're roleplaying. Typically, when in character, you are using third person (rather than first, which would be used if the character is speaking.)

Canon - Something in a plotline of a book, movie, comic, TV series, etc. Usually refers to a main character (Harry Potter, for example).

Fanon - something made up by fans. Generally does not fall into place with a regular series (for example, Hermione dating Draco)

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Please note that most of this is for the chatrooms here in DeviantART, though it is probably possible that you could use some of it in pure role-play type sites, or in the forums. As far as I've been told, forums don't use OOC.

When I think of more things to add to this, I will. If you have any questions, or wish to input in this, contact me.

Happy RPing!

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DO NOT DO NOT DO NOT DO NOT, and I repeat, DO NOT POST YOUR CHARACTER HERE. IF YOU DO, I SHALL BLACKLIST YOU AS A NOOB IN RPDREAM AND POSSIBLY OTHER ROLEPLAY ROOMS, AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO BE PROMOTED WHATSOEVER. [Posted as of Sunday, August 17th, 2008]