Arr-Pee

Rules for RPing

The rules for RPing well are basically the same for theatre improvisation. They’re sketched below because I can’t sleep yet.

1.Say yes to what’s happening (not the same as your character agreeing).

Just like in improv., if you block the progress of the other characters, you drain the scene of its momentum. This kills a lot of scenes that could be good.

2.Add to the scene, move the story forward with every post rather than simply
passively responding.

It’s really frustrating when characters just react to what everyone else creates, rather than moving the scene forward. In improv, I believe this is the ‘yes, and—‘ rule. Don’t deny; and once you’ve done that, add your own bit. Posts shouldn’t be space fillers.

3.Be open to creating opportunities for your partners to shine.

I’ve found a lot of players are weirdly selfish about this. When they see two characters start to do something interesting together..they feel the need to rush in and make sure their character is involved, whether or not it makes sense for her to be there, and despite how the presence of the character deflates the scene. Sheesh, cut it out, people.

4.Don’t just ask questions. Add more to the world and what’s happening (don’t put all the pressure on others to expand the story).

Self explanatory, possibly redundant.

5.Tell a story, don’t just write a character sketch.

Plot is important; RPers focus on their characters, as in the kinds I play people usually add their character to a (sometimes just barely) established scenario. In spite of this—players should drive to expand the world around their characters. Why?
So there’s room for the characters to play out of this scene/scenario, which rarely is sketched out entirely in advance. I mean, who would want to roleplay a finite world where you already know what’s going to happen?

I dunno. This is a little pretentious. Tee hee?