The No-No's of RPing...Must Read

[Ayianna Simmons]

A quick guide to the no no's of roleplaying, specifically on God-moding/Power Playing.

1. You cannot assume someone is weaker then you.

So if you're in a fight, and you're attacking their ship don't assume that you can blow them up in one hit.

Or if you're in a battle of the wits, don't assume their character won't be able to figure out the problem.


2. If they start talking about their thought, but they say their face shows nothing. You can't tell what they are thinking, unless they state that they are not good at hiding their thoughts. Or you're telepathic.

So, Kemie is:

Joey walks down the dark road, it's scary. However she wears a mask of calmness. On the outside it looks like she's standing tall, unafraid. But on the inside she's shivering.

A correct reply would be:

Jack was amazed at how calm Joey seemed. They were walking the Trail of Blood. Shaking his head he said, "How come you aren't afraid?"

And incorrect post would be:

She could tell that Joey was so afraid so she turned and said, "I know you're afraid just stop trying to pretend."

There are exemptions to this rule, if your characters have known each other their entire lives. And would know when the other is faking, they might know. Or if your character is telepathic/empathic.


3. Don't assume you know how someone will react.

This rule is pretty simple, when you're roleplaying and you do something. Don't assume you know how they will react. You might grab their hand, and think they'd pull away. When they might take your hand back.


4. Don't write their reactions.

Again this is pretty simple, don't write another players reaction. Say you've taken their hand, well just write that down. Don't write down that then pulled away, when they wanted to take your other hand.

5. You don't know everything.

Example one:

April snuck into the small house quietly, managing to pick the lock without making a sound. Slowly opening the door so it wouldn't creak. One bored made a sound, but that could be just the house making sounds in the night. No one should know they were there.

A correct reply:

He heard a creaking, it spooked him but he calmed down. It was probably just the house moving in the wind. He closed his eyes and went back to sleep.

An incorrect reply:

"I CAUGHT YOU! MAHAHAHAH!!" Then he leaped from his bed and ran to the front door. It was obvious where she was. Anyone would know.

Example two

She was hiding the fact that she was from the Orin family. Not a single person knew. Any who had found out had been killed, she made sure of this. There was no way anyone could ever find out. She smiled her plans were coming into play. She would take control and then announce her family lineage. password is caput draconis

A correct reply

He had no idea his betrothed was from the Orin family, the most hated criminals in the world. Soon they would be married and she'd have control of the empire. Little did he know that would start a reign of terror like no other.

An incorrect reply

"I know how you are! You ***** Orin! I shall slay you here and now!" He screeched at her, drawing his sword and killing her.

Example three

Jessica hadn't told anyone where she was going. She sighed a little and then walked into the club, her appearance changed radically. No one would recognize her, nor find her ever again.

A correct reply

He couldn't find her anywhere, he had checked all of the clubs in town. However; he could not find her anywhere. Defeated he went back to his home and sobbed.

An incorrect reply

"I FOUND YOU!!!" He shouted at her, grabbing her arm and pulling her from the club. Dragging her down the street to their home. Ranting at her the whole time.

Example four

You're character can't be all knowing, and a super-genius unless stated before hand. (This goes along with the sixth rule, but should go here anyway.)

ooc: Okay.. my character specializes in.. Engineering.
Ic: Jack walked down the hall, looking for someone to talk to.

ooc: Okay my guys a sick artist. He's got Ninthialist.
ic: Tom is hanging from the wall, blood trailing down his chin.

Jack rushes over to him and grabs him. Shouting, "Quick he's got Ninthialist!" He rushes him to his home and starts to treat him.

ooc: ...I thought he was an engineer..? How does he know what he's got?

ooc: He majored in medical.. after the engineering..

6. Disclaimer. AKA the rule about superpowers.

Say, you haven't said anything about having an immunity to Lightning, and someone's got a speciality in lightning. If they got to attack you, you can't suddenly be immune. Just doesn't work. It's not fair.

Example

ooc: Okay so.. My chara is a normal guy, only he's can like,.. move things with his mind. M'kay?
IC: Jackson dashes down the road, running from someone who is chasing him.

ooc: Okay.. My character has the ability to shoot lightning! Go Zeus power! Mwhaha.
Ic: Tom sees Jackson is getting away, so he shots a ball of lightning at his back to stop him.

"I have immunity to Lightning foo!" Jackson shouts and absorbs the lightning, then runs off and gets away into the night.

ooc: WTF? You said he didn't have anything unnormal but being able to move things?

ooc: Well now he's got an immunity to lightning too!

See how annoying that is?

7. Have a set understanding of your character.
IE: When you start a roleplay think about your character a little. They don't have to be completely developed, but know what they can or can't do. It's not fair when they're all powerful. And it's really annoying when at one moment their bawling because some guy they didn't know was killed. And the next their laughing because their best friend died.

Example

ooc: I'm gonna play a borg!
ic: "I'm the borg! I'll assimilate you!" The drone stated, it glared a moment and then inturned, "Resisting us is futile, prepare to be assimilated.

ooc: Borg don't use contractions.. Or speak in single tense..

ooc: Well mine does!

8. All Powerful Beings From Heaven/mullet/The Gamma Quadrant/The Que.. ect. ect.
Should pretty much be common sense, but unless you've stated before hand, you're character can't be all powerful. Don't be a normal human/whatever and then suddenly be an giant god. It doesn't work. And it's very unfair to everyone else.

9. Spilties..
It's doubtful that your character can be in two places at once. So you can't make you character be on a bridge, and in engineering at the same time. Also, if you're crying in one conversation you can't be laughing joyous in the other.

Example

"WWHYYY!!!?!?!?!" She sobbed, sniffling and rubbing at her running nose.

"It'll be okay Jessica.." Tom told her softly, making to rubbing her back.

That is SO funny! MWHAHAHA." Jessica said to Jack who had told her a joke. Then she turned back to Tom and sobbing on his shoulder.

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Please note that this explaination of God-Modding/Powerplay is from a different site:

Thank you.