Discussing Character Usage

Subject: Discussing Character Usage Sat Dec 08, 2007 5:03 am

Having grown up playing AD&D, and now being 36yrs old - it is fairly reasonable to expect me to know a lil about RPing. You all would be correct in that assumption. I've also written many a short story in my time, and started a million more - none are published though however. I love this sort of thing, and live to RP w/ decent writters like what we hope to gather here.

That being said - I would like to open a discussion about something that has been going on in our RPs here. Rather than having each person write ONLY what their character does, we have been making posts to our RPs that include the actions other peoples characters have made. I too am guilty of this, but it hasn't become an issue here yet either

However, as our membership grows and other writters join our ranks the chance off causing offence will increase. So. what do we do now and how to try and stave off this potentially volotile issue from rearing its ugly head?

- Please feel free to share any and all comments or ideas on this matter. I now open the discussion to you all...

king

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'OH, WHAT MAY MAN WITHIN HIM HIDE, THOUGH ANGEL ON THE OUTWARD SIDE?' - W. Shakespear

Ally Joined : 08 Dec 2007 Posts : 9

Well I would like to be direct to the point that making other characters speech and action is quite a "boo" for me. It diminishes the excitement of anticipating what the other character should do or how would they react would what I or You have posted. As what Athentix said the chance of making offense to a person is greatly increase as more people join the forum.

Ex: "As - L - pass by he notice someone standing in the corner. The person happens to be Athentix and he was wiggling around drunk"

If it so happen that Athentix character doesn't want to be known as a drinker then that will be a problem.

More Example: "John was so madly inlove with Jenny"

Now thats way too obviously offensive.

It would be much better if it goes this way..

Ex: Person1: "- L - was walking alone in the canyon."
Person2 - > "Athentix was catching a mice in the canyon when all of a sudden
he came across a man wandering around the canyon"

Ex2: Person1: "Jenny asked John on what he thinks about him"
Person2: "Jenny asked John on what he thinks about him. John answered "Are you
insane? then followed "You didn't notice that I'm madly inlove with you"

So its up to you guys to think which one is much preferable^^

- L -

Brethren - Specialist Joined : 07 Nov 2007 Posts : 36

I think writing for others should be reserved for those that know each other pretty well. Like Mordeuis and Athentix, and on ocassion myself. We have gamed together before and RP'ed. I still try and leave it vague and very short. In general I dont' write for other's characters. And I will not do so unless I am 100% sure that its within thier character. And even still I try and keep it to internal monologues and thoughts of that character in reguards to my characters apperance or actions. I feel that is the safest, because a thought is just a thought, actions are what defines a character. And everyone has random thoughts that lead to what they really think and act on. Also I try and leave plunty of room open for interuptation, and use my writings of someone else as a nudge in the direction I was thinking they might take.

Also before making a big character reaction for another, Private Message them for approval ahead of time. Or if you have a particular out come desired from an RP, get their imput on how there character would react, before posting. But in the end, it is still best to let them post their own reactions.

Whatever we decide, we should create RP eddicate guidelines that we suggest our memebers follow.

Subject: Re: Discussing Character Usage Sat Dec 08, 2007 9:20 pm

Well put the both of you, and I thank you for sharing. I agree on each of your points, and you are right Brueson - what has been done on this forum here so far has been with beforehand knowledge of the other character and its player. That said though - maybe we should start working at using recognised RP ettiquette...

- Lets hear from a few others, and then we'll put this to a vote.
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'OH, WHAT MAY MAN WITHIN HIM HIDE, THOUGH ANGEL ON THE OUTWARD SIDE?' - W. Shakespear

Subject: Re: Discussing Character Usage Sun Dec 09, 2007 2:08 am

i understand and agree with the prehand knowledge of each other, Mord and i went to school and hung out togehter for along time, we know each other. but im still not going to write an RP and try to portray what he would do because his character is different. the only way i can actually find out what he thinks when he writes is to read what he does in like "making it personal" or other things hes wrote. things like the historys or solo things help alot too. like with my first RP on here in the solo, im hoping people who wish to write with me read this and figure out waht i think when i wrote this, or when i write in general. i know we have a chat box in the forums, is there any time we can all get on there and attemp to do a "live" RP and like copy and paste what was wrote? or like a IRC channel? i know me being here in korea it'll be hard but i'll try to get with you guys if you ever set up like a guild wide meeting.

if you can portray it accuratly, then do it but if that person has a problem with it, they should be able to change it.
_________________
Speech: #00aa77
Death isn't your fear.
I will guide you to glory

Had to use it Mord.

Ally Joined : 08 Dec 2007 Posts : 9

Well well knowing each other is still not enough to RP as them. Well thats ok if that wont lessen your RP excitement. I think you guys missed my other point which is the fact that we have to wait for others and answers and not make their actions heighten up the excitement in the RP world. Thinking and reacting to what other people would say is the best thing in RP. Another thing is that it will start a confusion to new members coming in this forum.

I can see that all of you agrees to the fact that we should RP for our characters action,thoughts and speeches.

I agree with Predain we should all meet up in the cbox^^

Subject: Re: Discussing Character Usage Sun Dec 09, 2007 5:41 am

Here are my feeling on this:

- Most times I totaly agree that no one should post someone elses character in any way UNLESS its only as a repeat of an already posted action by that character and its creator.

- Everyone should wait on the responce of other writters characters even in conversations. This should even be true when there was discussion via some chat or PMs.

- There are acceptable exceptions to this though, and as a for-instance I would offer up the RP 'Making It Personal' by Mordeuis and myself for the following reasons:

1. We are in VERY regular contact w/ eachother about where our story is going.

2. We are good friend, and always ready to make changes should one of us disagree w/ the others post.

3. We even proof read each others work and make changes w/ minor mistakes such as spelling or gramar.

4. MOST IMPORTANTLY - this IS a closed RP between just the two of us. No other players will ever be involved w/ that particular RP.

Wink

Now, I am not making law here w/ this post. I would like to see this discussed some more, and left for future members to read as well. So, please continue all of you, and feel free to share your thoughts any time on this matter.

king

_________________

'OH, WHAT MAY MAN WITHIN HIM HIDE, THOUGH ANGEL ON THE OUTWARD SIDE?' - W. Shakespear