The Basic Role Playing Rules and How to Join an RP

[Damxge]

Before I set about explaining how to role play, and how to role play here, I'd like to define a few words we use frequently.

Bunnying: Taking unfair or unauthorized control of another person's character.
Godmodding: Playing unfairly in an RP or using 'god-like' powers. (example, he dodged every one of the chopper rockets and then threw a knife that destroyed the helicopter.)
Role Play (Also referred to as an RP): A collaborative writing game where people take turns controlling their characters to navigate challenges set by an RP Admin.
Action: A single post controlling one's character in an RP.
Threads: This is a simple forum term, but those who have never been on a forum before might need some defining. A thread is a topic on the forum posted by a user.
Interest Check: Interest checks are threads posted as sign ups for role plays. They include details about the RP and the sign up form. You'll read more about that below.

Now that you know a little of the vocab, I can explain the basic rules involved in RP'ing.

† Never, ever, godmod. As defined above, godmodding is playing unfairly in an RP. Don't do it, it annoys others and messes up the RP.
† Don't Bunny another person's character, meaning, don't control another's character without permission.
† Never kill another person's character without their permission.
† Don't post overly explicit Actions in public RPs. While in a private PenPal Role Play, it is permitted.
† Never go offtopic in a role play.
† When posting something still relevant to the Role Play, but not an action, use brackets to enclose the post [ ].
† Do not use a Smiley in a Role Play Action unless it is part of a bracketed off comment.
† You do not have a single Role Play character for all Role Plays. You will create a new character for each one you join; you are allowed to reuse old characters if they are no longer in use, or have been killed from their Role Play.


Now that you know the basic rules of Role Play here on ExRPG, you'll need to go join yourself an RP.
To join an RP, you'll need to go to the Interest Checks Sub-Forum inside of each RPG Difficulty and find an RP you're interested in.

But you may ask first, what's the difference between difficulties...Its very simple really.
Beginner Role Plays are for people newer to Role Playing, people who are not skilled writers, or who don't feel like joining an in depth role play. When posting in a beginner role play, you can post a sentence long action, or a longer one if you feel like it. But keep in mind, the people joining beginner role plays probably don't want to read twenty paragraphs just to post.

Intermediate Role Plays are for more experienced folk, people who have role played in the past and are at least semi-skilled writers. In these RPs you'll need to post a minimum of five paragraphs on average, though you can post less if there's no way to post a longer action. You must use good grammar and adjectives in these RPs.

Expert Role Plays are for advanced RP'rs and excellent writers. You must post long and elaborate actions as well as adhere to lots of special rules set by the Admin, including maps, special terrains and characters, etc...You must be extremely descriptive and have near perfect Grammar to take part in these Role Plays.

Two other role play forums have been added recently for Developmental and Penpal RPGs, I will go into these a bit later as they have a few special requirements for each of them.

Once you decide which level of RP to join, you simply go to that Interest Checks Sub-Forum inside of that forum and read over the titles of RPs with the [Open] label on them; then just check out the description of the RP and submit a Character Form using whatever form the Admin of the RP has used.
Most RP Forms will look something like this:

Code:

Name:
Age:
Gender:
Description of Appearance:
Personality:

Some RPs have special stuff added to them, like super powers, weapons, things like that. So just fill in whatever details the Admin of the RP requests. After you've submitted it, the RP Admin will tell you whether or not it is acceptable or whether or not you can join the RP.
THE ADMIN OF AN RP HAS THE RIGHT TO REFUSE ANY APPLICATION FOR WHATEVER REASON, BE IT PERSONAL DISLIKE OF THE PERSON APPLYING OR LACK OF FAITH IN THEIR WRITING ABILITY.

After you've submitted your Character Form, the Admin of the RP will tell you whether or not they accept you, if they do, then you simply wait for them to post a Thread for the RP itself. Once they do, simply begin posting!
If you'd like to see the process of RPing, go read our Founder's original thread here

Once you've read over that, you're good to post!


After you've got some experience playing in RPs, you probably want to host your own Role Play. This is a whole new experience and can be a tad difficult for some people, if you'd like to learn how to be Admin of an RP, go to this thread.

If you're interested in Developmental RP, you'll want to go here to see how its done and how to host one.

If you're interested in Private Rping, you'll want to go here to see how its done and how to host one.

[cyclonecasey]

I think the "Penpal RP's" should be called "Privet RP's" or "Restricted RP's"
"Penpal" sounds too much like it' just two people RPing over PMs

[killer8529]

I think privet rpg sound better also could it be like a area where only certain people can look like the VIP thing in a sence

[cyclonecasey]

I wouldn't go that far...

[killer8529]

ya when i think about it

[Damxge]

I agree about the Private RPs.

[Sponsored content]