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The Roleplaying Games Tour Guide
Hey guys! This is a guide that will hopefully explain and clarify the tiny nuances of the Roleplaying Games Section. It covers everything you may need to know about participating in a roleplay, along with numerous terms used by the members of the section.
* What is a roleplay? How do they work?
A roleplay is a game that involves multiple people. Each person takes the role of a specific character, and with these characters, they create a long, overarching story. Roleplaying is very similar to, say, Dungeons and Dragons. However, roleplays are much more free, and are rarely restricted by numbers and previously rolled values. To get an idea of what one looks like, I’d definitely suggest glancing over a few of the running roleplays in the section.
You’ll notice that roleplays are very story driven, and involve the cooperation of everyone involved.
Getting more into detail, each roleplay is run by a game master. The game master is the one who creates, and is in charge of, the roleplay. They are in charge of basic concepts, plot, and most non player characters, or NPCs. Game masters are responsible for keeping up with their roleplays and providing posts for the players to react to.
Creating a roleplay has two steps: the sign up phase, and the start up phase.
In the sign up phase, game masters create a thread to explain the plot of their roleplay, and address their rules and expectations. They create a sign up sheet for users to fill out about their character, and either accept or deny any submissions they may receive.
Once enough players are gathered, the game master can then enter the start up phase. This is where the game master begins their roleplay, and the main plot. Only users accepted in the sign up thread may participate. A game master’s word is law in this thread, with only the moderators having a higher say. This is where the roleplaying itself takes place, with the game master controlling the plot.
The plot of a roleplay can greatly vary. They span many genres, and most roleplayers are willing to try anything that sounds interesting to them. Bulbagarden Forums is a Pokemon forum, and as such, Pokemon roleplays are usually quite popular in this section.
You’ll notice that roleplays are very story driven, and involve the cooperation of everyone involved.
Getting more into detail, each roleplay is run by a game master. The game master is the one who creates, and is in charge of, the roleplay. They are in charge of basic concepts, plot, and most non player characters, or NPCs. Game masters are responsible for keeping up with their roleplays and providing posts for the players to react to.
Creating a roleplay has two steps: the sign up phase, and the start up phase.
In the sign up phase, game masters create a thread to explain the plot of their roleplay, and address their rules and expectations. They create a sign up sheet for users to fill out about their character, and either accept or deny any submissions they may receive.
Once enough players are gathered, the game master can then enter the start up phase. This is where the game master begins their roleplay, and the main plot. Only users accepted in the sign up thread may participate. A game master’s word is law in this thread, with only the moderators having a higher say. This is where the roleplaying itself takes place, with the game master controlling the plot.
The plot of a roleplay can greatly vary. They span many genres, and most roleplayers are willing to try anything that sounds interesting to them. Bulbagarden Forums is a Pokemon forum, and as such, Pokemon roleplays are usually quite popular in this section.
* What is a private roleplay?
A private roleplay is quite self explanatory. It is a roleplay that involves a small, premade group of people. There is no sign up or start up phase required for these; there is no need for that. Private roleplays are quite freeing, as their terms are previously discussed amongst the group beforehand.
* What is the archive?
The archive is where inactive roleplays are sent. They are not to be posted in once sent there. A more detailed explanation of when a roleplay is considered dead can be read about here.
* What are some terms and buzzwords used in the section?
Important Terms:
More Specific Terms:
Rule Specific Terms:
RP, RPG: Roleplay, Roleplaying Game
PRP: Private Roleplay
GM: Game Master
PRP: Private Roleplay
GM: Game Master
More Specific Terms:
CO-GM: In the event a Game Master needs some help, they may assign a CO-GM, or a Co-Game Master.
OOC: Out of character. When in a roleplay, you must remain in character. However, if you have a comment to make about the roleplay, that isn’t in character, they should be treated differently. Normally, OOC comments look like this:
((This is an OOC comment! Try not to overdo OOC comments, however!))
OC: Original character. These are the characters players control in an RP. They have sign ups made for them.
NPC: Non player character. Non player characters have no sign ups made for them, and are normally run by the GM. They are used to further the plot. However, players may control NPCs if the GM allows it.
OOC: Out of character. When in a roleplay, you must remain in character. However, if you have a comment to make about the roleplay, that isn’t in character, they should be treated differently. Normally, OOC comments look like this:
((This is an OOC comment! Try not to overdo OOC comments, however!))
OC: Original character. These are the characters players control in an RP. They have sign ups made for them.
NPC: Non player character. Non player characters have no sign ups made for them, and are normally run by the GM. They are used to further the plot. However, players may control NPCs if the GM allows it.
Rule Specific Terms:
Godmodding: This term is crucial. Godmodding is when someone’s character has the ability to do anything without a limit of sorts. They are not affected by rules. This is commonly seen when an OC instantly kills another OC without permission, or when an OC is able to dodge every single attack without explanation. A GM will easily call out a player on godmodding, so do try to avoid doing it.
Tennising: This is when two players continuously reply to each other back and forth. And it’s only them replying, normally with short one liners or reactions. This is generally frowned upon, as it’s hard for other RPers to keep track of the plot with such clutter.
Bunnying: This is when a player suddenly takes control of someone else’s character. Don’t do this.
Metagaming: Essentially, this is when the user knows something (from OOC conversation, or from narration), and their character should not. However, the character is written as knowing what their writer does.
Retconning: This is acting as if a certain plot never happened, and/or ignoring the GMs posts.
Tennising: This is when two players continuously reply to each other back and forth. And it’s only them replying, normally with short one liners or reactions. This is generally frowned upon, as it’s hard for other RPers to keep track of the plot with such clutter.
Bunnying: This is when a player suddenly takes control of someone else’s character. Don’t do this.
Metagaming: Essentially, this is when the user knows something (from OOC conversation, or from narration), and their character should not. However, the character is written as knowing what their writer does.
Retconning: This is acting as if a certain plot never happened, and/or ignoring the GMs posts.
And that’s about it! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact any of the section’s staff and we’d be happy to clarify anything for you.
