Lesson 3 - How to act inside a Roleplay

[Drake Heros]

Ohayo. Welcome back. So as for the next lesson.

Now that you know what Roleplay means and how you make a Character the real lessons begins. And here I ask my assistant and apprentice to help me out. So please enter Infenyte. *people start clapping their hands and yell out to Infenyte*

Please. Please, quite down. *people stop and start listening again* Well. I learned Infenyte how to roleplay and he became a really great Roleplayer. But to continue with this class.

A few rules :

- Only post for your own actions and what you say yourself. You are not allowed to use an another person's character to move and to speak. It's like the real world. You can not control an another person like you want to. They have their own life, mind and will.

- Know your character from the inside and the outside completely. It's important that you really know what you play. You have to act, think and do like that character would do in reality.

- Don't change the story just by your own. You play together and play a story set up by some people. You go and play according the ideas. It might change after a while. But that happens when everybody acts different than than the story was made up like. Just go with the flow and don't go against it.

- Keep to the standard rules. Or in case it if it will be different, it will be said in the Rules for every RP itself. - No scolding - No hard porn and such - No god-modding - No taking over the whole RP -.

- God-modding is never allowed in any normal roleplays. When you act like you are invincible, never get hit, are always right and act like some kind of god. That very moment you lose being a real roleplayer. You CAN get hit. You CAN be wrong. And you CAN be defeated. So sometimes you must lose to go on and win. Just like the old saying 'You may have won this battlefield, but not the war'.

- Take your time to read the post of other players. If you do not you will get confusion and irritation. For example;

'I'd like an icecream...'
"What flavor?"
"...Since when are you a mind reader?" *inches away*

or,
*sits down*
"Would you like to sit down?"
"...Open your eyes. I _am_ sitting..."

Many people really get irritated then when other don't read the post really carefully. So take your time and counteract with the propitiate actions.

[Drake Heros]

Infenyte and I will show some actions in roleplaying later. First you have to know some other things.

Like. You should always try to post some kind of story. Like you are writing a book. Just one line like;

Drake walked over and said hi to Infenyte. "How was your day? Mine was great. Bye."

It is too short. You must always try to make a real play with it. For example;

Drake walked over to Infenyte and says hi. "Heya Infenyte. How are you doing?" Drake smiled and looked friendly at him. He was an old friend and they were great Roleplayers together. Ever since they came to the same school they had much fun together. "I'm doing fine. I was just concerned about you."

Drake tells a story and acts more. That gets more story in the RP and gives more life to it.

Other important thing are the signs of talking and acting.

In normal roleplay you just typ without marks as you act and do. But in some occasions the mark * --- * (the stars above the text) is used for an action you make. Like seen in my previous post. That was an occasion to use the * --- * sign. But in most RP's those are left out.

The next sign is the " --- " sign. It shows what you are saying. In other occasions like in these classes you use normal typing for speaking and the * -- * for acting. But in the real RP's you always use the " --- " to show you say something directly to other players characters near yours. It is used to say for example;

Drake said to him that he was strange. "Yeah your are completely nuts even!"

You can act like talking. It is mostly used by experienced roleplayers. It is just like writing a book.

Another sign is the ' --- ' sign. It shows what you are thinking directly. It works the same as speaking, but the other just can't hear you. And also it acts the same as describing you action with thinking. For example;

'They have gone mad!' Drake thought

Drake thought they had gone mad. 'What the hell were they thinking?'

So far, so good. The last sign we have for today is the (( --- )) sign. It shows OOC. Out Of Character. When you want something to say outside the RP of outside of your character you use that sign at the beginning or the end of you post. It is common used when there is a funny part or someone wants to say to another player without using the RP with it.
For example;

(( Hey Infenyte. I am working on the class now. Hope you will join later.))

As Drake walked though the classroom. Inspecting every visitor that comes he smiles. He was a gentle man and always liked to help others. "So well class. I hope you are really learning something here." Drake sighed and started to smile again. This was really a hard day for him. 'Well as long as I can help all the other people around here, I'm fine with it.' He thought and walked back to the front of the class to continue his lessons.

((Well Infy, soon I will need your help here! So get your butt over here and help me around!))

To tell you the truth I am acting a little hard on Infenyte , because I am still his master in RP. But normally we would speak like great friends to each other and guide our selves around a little. It is useful to tell the other you planned to do so the other can help out and act according to plan so you can continue your actions.

Useful tips :

- Try to avoid sudden actions that can change the whole play. Of course surprises are normal and useful. But don't make it that hard of a blow that it changes the whole storyline.

- Try to ask for an action. For example;
Drake tried to grab Infenyte's hand and begun to yell at him.
You can not control actions of others, So you must try to lead them into the direction you want and it is up to the other player how he/she wants to react.

- Never use god-modding. You are able to get hit and are not invincible or immortal. Some roleplays allow it. But before you make your character that way, you have to ask the moderator (owner) of that certain roleplay if it is allowed. Else you are a normal, breathing being that can die and is able to make mistakes.

- If you want a another person to join up with you from so far away, ask it in the OOC (( --- )) talk. Since the other player knows now what you want to do, the other player can counteract to it.

- Keep RP and real life separate. This is an important tip. Some people mistake the action people make in the roleplay for a real action. People can be totally different outside a RP. So never think the actions made inside should have effect outside it as well. Both are different places and you play someone else.

- Never try to say what result will come of your action. For instance;
Drake is running away from Sasuke. But Drake was too fast and got away from Sasuke.
That is wrong. You just have to say you run away and try to get out of sight. Than the other character have to counteract to it by saying it worked or it didn't. So still always make your action a question so it can be counteracted by other players,

- And never double post. If something isn't right, you modify your post. But never post a second after the first one. You must always wait for another person to react. It bypasses irritation and frustration. And it isn't very professional if you still do it.

[Drake Heros]

So as for a little roleplay shown, Infenyte and me will show you how you should act in a roleplay.

This little example is set up like this;

Storyline
We are sitting in a classroom. Drake is being a teacher and tells what to do. Infenyte is a student and wants to get some answers for the test. Of course Drake refuses and a conversation starts.

Characters
Drake and Infenyte act like they normally would and show how it works.
Drake is an adult teacher and tries to test a class of their skills.
Infenyte is a teenage student and wants answers and will try to get one way or another.

[Drake Heros]

(( Well let's start shall we))

Drake stood in font of the class and looked at them with a hard look. He always hated these tests. But it was necessary to find out if the students learned enough and were capable of getting to the next stage. "They are really quit. I'm really surprised. But I do like it though." Drake whispered to himself.

'I hope they will do fine. And not a single question yet. That is really something new.' Drake thought. Slowly he started moving trough the classroom as he looked over the shoulders of the students, seeing how they were doing their tests.

(( Your turn Infy, don't shout right away, But start normal okay? ))

[Infenyte]

((What you can see now is that Drake is giving me a "hint" (I like to call it that) Drake hints out that there aren't questions asked yet and so shows how the storyline can envelope further.))

'This question is really though' Infy thought in himself. Whatever he did it always turned out completely wrong. He was at an end and was about to give up. He could call for help from the teacher but what if he just asked what the problem is, so that the entire class would hear him. What if the question was a stupid question? What if the entire class... And even the teacher would laugh at him?
He couldn't risk that, so he kept his mouth.

Luckily for him Drake just started walking trough the many tables. This was a good chance. When Drake walked past his table he raised a finger.

((As you can see I made quite a post for something as simple as raising a finger (Not THAT finger). In my post you can see I added something from myself. The thoughts my character would have. This is good because now not only the readers and other rp'ers can understand the character, you can also give them an idea how to interact with the next post they make.

Secondly you noticed I briefly controlled Drake, this was possible because he SAID (or typed) that he was walking around the tables. so naturally he would come pass my table... Alright you can post now Draky))

[Drake Heros]

(( Well done Infenyte. He is totally correct. Since I also gave him those 'hints' he counteracted toward me))

Drake saw Infenyte's finger rise up and stopped his tour. He bowed forward and whispered softly to Infenyte. "What is it young man? Can I help you with something?" Drake was really curious what Infenyte would ask and also made that impression. Asking a question during a test is really out of the ordinary and although his class liked to do that anyway, no one else had raised their finger yet.

((Well it is up to you again Infenyte. Show our students how to 'counteract' to these these kind of posts))

[Infenyte]

((Alright Now I am to counteract as Drake said. Let's try adding in some spice in the form of a small twist-plot. You know to give Drake an idea on a little story-setting of your own. I like to call that a "side-story" For you Yaoi fans))

When Drake bowed over toward Infenyte and whispered toward him, he blushed slightly. He could never have it when someone came so close. Especially if he likes that person very much.
"Eeer yes. I... I have trouble with question number 18. It states 'Name three of the five tiger Generals of Shu which Liu Bei had under his command.' I just don't understand what the word 'command' means." He looked up at Drake, hoping he would have an answer. And hoped Drake wouldn't start laughing right in his face.

((As you can see I hinted something back at him as well. Now Drake can decide if he goes further into this like adding something as: thinking how he likes Infy back. As you can see I didn't forgot the main storyline, the question and answer line.

P.s for the people who really need to know who the five generals are, they are Zhao Yun, Guan yu, Zhang fei, Ma Chao and Huang Zhong))

[Drake Heros]

(( Wow! Great counteract Infy! ))

As Drake heared the question he was kinda surprised. That wasn't the easiest question but it was the common question after all. Softly Drake spoke to Infy when he saw Infenyte turning red. 'Does he think the same as I do?' And Drake became nervous himself. "W-well command is... Is that you control a group and you-you are being able to give orders. A-and they will listen will-llingly." Drake said shy. Because he bowed so far forward he lost is balance and fell against Infy. He was falling toward Infenyte's shoulder and would hit it with his own chest.

(( I knew the answer!! Yay! But right back where we were talking about. As Infenyte gave a reaction I reacted back and gave a new twist into the story))

[Infenyte]

((As you can see here, Drake just made a move that I cannot change. He actually HIT my character, however this was intended. As I gave a hint and he accepted it, I actually wanted something like that to happen. Also sometimes this is just necessary to go on with the story. Just don't be a total rules-lover and freak out about it. As long as he isn't doing things like that continuously everything is cool. It makes it more fun to RP))

Infenyte heard Drake stammering slightly. He was a bit confused about of this, because normally the teacher never did such a thing. Was there something wrong, did... Did he notice he liked him! Al tough pondering about this he still listened to Drake's explanation carefully. When the teacher was finished Infenyte nodded. "Thank you, I understand it..." Suddenly he felt Drake's chest pressing at his shoulder and his face turned bright red. The teacher had fallen against him. "I er- I..." Infenyte stammered while looking the teacher right into his eyes. He felt the entire class looking at them, but did not dare nor wanted to look away from those eyes.

((As you can see I squeezed something in. Drake posted he (kinda) fell over and before that happened I allowed my char to say something. When you do this make sure you post what Drake said afterward, be it in your own words, trough the eyes of your character or in a quote. You also noticed I posted something from Drake as well, the fact that he never stammers. Just imagine that this RP has around 50 post already and that during those posts my char never heard Drake stammer. You can of course add this to your post))

[Drake Heros]

(( You were completely right Infenyte. I didn't tell all parts about my speaking and just as you said I could have made it more clear. And as I would like to continue))

Drake had tried to grab Infenyte, but quickly regained balances again after it. "I'm sorry Infenyte. I must have slipped." As Drake's voice was like the old steady him again. He still had that soft curious look in his eyes and couldn't take them of Infenyte's. 'Does he feel more to it, like I did? Or am I really going mad?' Drake thought.

((As you see. I put an another action before I continued and than counteract toward Infenyte. I stare back at his eyes))

[Drake Heros]

We have now shown you all the basics of Roleplaying in a simple RP. It even got bigger than we attended to. But it was fun. As you see, RP is not that difficult, but you need creativity, brains and passion.

For some people this is a way for a second life. It helps controlling emotions, writing away stress and get free from the daily slumber.

It was fun giving this lesson. Until next time!

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