Post by Krad Zephyros on Nov 10, 2009 15:40:52 GMT -5
Introduction
Welcome to Zephyros' The Ropes Of Role-Playing. I am here posting this to help lay down the foundation to better Role-Playing skills. Reading this doesn't mean that you suck at Role-Playing, it just simply means you want to further refine your Role-Playing skills. Even if you know you are the greatest Role-Player out there, you should still skim over this anyway. Ya never know, you might learn something.
Here I will be covering some of the basics such as Godmodding, powerplaying and one-liners along with more advanced techniques such as solo character development, combat Rping, and other things, but first lets start out with understanding your Role-Playing world.
But before I get to that, I would like to list a few basic terms used in Role-Playing and what they mean.
Speaking The Language
When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Live in the land, learn the language. These are basic survival tips for any situation including Role-Playing. To further help you, I will make a list of some terms frequently used by your fellow Role-Players.
RP = Role-Play = "Hey, wanna RP?" RP is very dynamic and with adding suffixes, it can mean a number of things. Try to translate these abbreviated terms and see if you can figure them out.
RPing. RPer.
IC = In Character = "Go IC and RP with me." IC is used very frequently with its sibling.
OOC = Out Of Character = "Don't OOC chat while we're IC." OOC is used a lot in the RPing realm. You'll truly look like an idiot if you ask what IC and OOC means, so make sure you check back here if you ever have a brain-fart
PM = Personal Message = "PM me after you post." PMs are used a lot, especially for private conversations. It is not as 'instant' as Instant Messaging, but it is a lot more secure and private.
IM = Instant Message = "IM me for OOC chat." IM is exactly what it sounds like. An Instant Message. It can be used to talk to one person, or a group of people over the net.
RM = Remake = "RM the thread with a different name." RMing is done a lot. Be sure to recognize this term when you see it.
BRB = Be Right Back = "Ill brb, I need food." Brb is a basic text, computer talk.
AFK = Away From Keyboard = "AFK real quick. Brb." Afk is more so computer talk. It is used a lot in IM chats and such things.
Charry = Character = "I think I'm going to give my Charry a sword instead." Charry is just the shortened version of Character. I mean nobody, not even myself, feels like typing out full words. But sometimes you have to. *Sighs*
OC = Original Character = "My OC might even be good enough to get patented." An OC is a completely original character that is created for the RP.
CC = Canon Character = "I know everything about him, so I might as well play him." A CC is a character created by the designer of the storyline. RPs based off television shows have a list of CCs which are the actual characters from the show.
NPC = Non-Playable-Character = "Whose gonna get control of the NPCs?" NPCs are the foundation of a good RP as there are many types of NPCs. They're mostly temporary characters to give the RPers something to do. An NPCless RP will quickly become a boring RP.
Mod = Moderator = "Hello everyone. I am the new Application Mod." Mods are staff members that manage specific subjects. They are the authority basically and have power, so watch out for them.
Admin = Administrator = "You think the Admin will accept this?" Admins are the creators of the RP world they run. They are the highest authority in the land and have the final say in anything that effects the RP.
SPAM = Stupid Pointless Annoying Message = "Stop spamming the damn thread before I kick you!" Spam is a highly annoying and pointless message. Avoid this, it's not welcome.
AH = Auto-Hit = "Dude, stop fucking AHing, shit!" AH is basically when your character strikes another without giving the other character a chance to dodge or block, especially when you cannot justify how or why you hit said character.
PP = Power Playing = "That attack is undodgable! You PP way too much!" PP is when your character always has the advantage, whether it be that no attacks can harm them, or that they simply dodge everything. It's the basis of a God Character.
GM = God Modding = "Imma be afk for awhile, you can GM me if you want." GMing is taking control of another RPer's character. It is against the rules to GM without the RPer's permission.
Those are just some basic examples of the RPing lingo used frequently. If you see any other terms you are not familiar with, ask somebody. You may be called a noob, but you probably are anyway if you need help with them
The World Around You
Every Role-Playing realm is different and has special rules you have to abide by. Make sure you know the rules of the realm including what is accepted and what is not. You don't want to waste your time filling up the suggestion board with ideas that everyone likes, but since they don't go along with the head administrator's universe they don't get accepted.
Make sure you also learn about your fellow RPers. Discuss things about them and try to find out what type of person they are, whether they are the nice and understandable type, or the type that has to have it there way no matter how good an argument you pose. You have to watch out for those types; they tend to make RPing harder on everyone.
Finally, you should invest your time in understanding the plot line of a RP. What is the use in signing up for a RP, then finding out that the plot is so weak there is basically nothing to do. You have to make sure you are signing up for something that you will actually enjoy.
Now that you understand the world you are about to enter, it's time to once again go over the rules and regulations, then post an application for a character to start your journey!
Character Types
All new RPers must understand what types of characters there are in the world and how to use these characters in a fair and just way. Everyone wants to be the strongest and the best, but we can't all be main characters.
Main Characters are the characters that the storyline and plot follow and directly effect. The story basically revolves around the Main Characters, which is why not everyone can be one. Besides, there are always characters that are needed to help the Main Character and get the story to move along.
Side Characters are just as important as Main Characters, but they do not receive nearly as much of the spotlight, which is why most people think they are less important. The Side Characters are the ones that move the story along and are the causes of drastic changes in the main characters and the storyline itself.
Event Characters are temporary characters created for the sole purpose of functioning in an event. They're basically the 'filler' characters to distract RPers from the main plot line. We all need a break every now and then, right?
NPCs are Non-Playable-Characters. They are generally the monsters, shop keepers, and characters along those lines. The general RPer is granted limited control over these characters to fit their situational needs, but NPCs cannot be 'owned' by anybody. Usually, Moderators and other staff members take control over NPCs, but sometimes control of these characters are given to others for temporary use.
God Characters are ultimate beings that can do just about everything. They can't be killed in almost any situation and have very few weaknesses. God Characters are seen as unfair, especially when put up against normal characters. These should be reserved for the most elite RPers, and just because you are a staff member, that does not mean you have the rights to a God Character.
Interaction
This is where you learn how to interact with the world and players around you while IC. A RPer's posts can tell a lot about the person personally; whether they even care or not, and even hint as to if they're a total dumbass or not. This is what everyone looks at, after all, this is RPing.
A good post is one with a point, not a stupid, pointless, or annoying message. A good post is at least a paragraph long containing everything a RPer would need to know what's going on. If you cannot find ways to take up space, think of adding subtle details. Posts also shouldn't include abbreviations or any type of txt/ 1337-Sp33k. It should be proper, understandable English, especially while IC. Unless of course, it's dialogue. If your charry says something in 1337, by all means, type it in 1337.
(ex) And so he stood there, silently waiting for his opponent's next move. His muscles were tense and his breathing was calm and cool while he waited. The crimson coloring in his eyes seem to almost glow with anticipation while his angelic hair sways in the wind around him. (ex)
In that single paragraph I have painted a scene, given the reason why said scene is taking place, and have also added a few details about my character. There are more examples of good, legitimate posts, but for now let us move on to conversing with other characters.
Character dialog is when two RP character speak with one another. This could be a simple hi, or a heated and passionate debate or conversation. Now sometimes there is nothing interesting or one character to say to another, or they simply don't want to say anything, but when they do talk, it still has to be a legitimate paragraph-length post.
(ex) Krad lifted his ocean blue eyes towards the nervous girl in front of him. He gives a devious smirk before moving closer to her, gently running his hand down her side. He had no true feelings for the woman, but he enjoyed tormenting her. He took pleasure in toying with her emotions, and just when she asked him that simple question, his sadistic mind formed its answer. And so, as his manipulative lips parted, he spoke out with a simple, "I never really loved you." (ex)
See how that simple sentence was dragged out? Its very easy to add minor details. Everything adds up eventually. From that simple post you have several ideas about what is taking place. These are the types of posts that people look for. I've also added the color to the text to show that it is separated from the detailed setting and to make it known that that is my character speaking. I picked that particular color because the character mentioned has blue eyes. It helps to further identify my character and separate him from others.
Now for the hardest form of RPing, Combat-RPing. This is difficult because everyone wants to win. What you want to do here is avoid AH, PP, and GM, which can be very difficult at some times.
(ex) Reign walked over to Fenrir and kicked him in the balls, then sliced his head off and killed him. (ex)
That, my friends, is AHing at its finest. Notice how I have no specific details as to how Reign did such things as well as I never gave Fenrir a chance to avoid the fatal blows.
(ex) Reign, because he is able to move at hyper speed, simply walked over to Fenrir; however, since the mercenary cannot move nor see in hyper speed, he had no idea Reign had even moved, and before he knew it, there was a foot flying straight towards his balls, giving him no hope of dodging. (ex)
Because Reign is moving at hyper speed and Fenrir has no known defenses to this, he has no true hope of dodging the kick that will surely impair his ability to have children.
(ex) Fenrir saw Reign's kick at the last second and jumped back before he got hit; preserving his family jewels for another day. (ex)
This would be an example of PP because there is no way he would be able to dodge an attack faster than he can keep track of.
(ex) The predatory senses Fenrir possessed alerted him to Reign's movements, even though he could clearly see the Imperial standing still before him. Suddenly, his primal instincts ripped him off into a backwards jump just as Reign's foot exited hyper space and he dodged the powerful kick. (ex)
Because Fenrir had a legitimate reason for being able to dodge the attack, this maneuver is perfectly legal. He escaped with both his pride and dignity, along with impressing his opponent.
(ex) Fenrir rushed forward with his fists balled tightly to his side, and he threw a powerful punch, but Reign dodged to the side, not knowing that Fenrir had twisted into a kick, which easily found its mark to Reign's head. (ex)
GOD MODDER!! *Beats Fen in the head with a paper fan* Since the post included Reign moving, even though Fenrir does not have control over Reign, this is considered GMing.
(ex) Fenrir Rushed forward with his fists balled tightly to his side, and he threw a powerful punch towards Reign's face.
Reign saw the punch coming in slow motion; it seemed unfair that he had the advantage of speed, but there was nothing he could do about it since he was forever trapped in hyper space, so he simply and uncaringly leans to the side, dodging the attack.
Fenrir was counting on the dodge. He knew that Reign was getting tired and bored with this fight. He knew he would eventually let his guard down, which is why the punch was only a feint, distracting the reaper from Fenrir's twisting body, which sends his leg smashing into Reign's head with enough force to knock him off his feet.
Reign was indeed letting his guard down. He knew he had this fight with speed alone, but he was not counting on the feint that Fenrir preformed, and before he knew it, there was a foot smashing against his head. As the pain rings with numbing vibrations through his head, Reign feels his feet leaving the earth behind as he falls over to his side onto the ground. (ex)
The colored text represents the individual RPers controlling their individual charrys. Every move had been described and every action was justified along with what was expected to happen, and what actually happened. A heated battle like this could ensue for hours upon hours, which is exactly why RPing is so fun and exciting. You never know what exactly might happen next.
Life's First Breaths
Now that you know some of the more advanced information about RPing, it is time to create a character. Character creation is something that should be well thought out and detailed. Even though every RP has different types of standards, you should still strive to make the best application you can. Remember, be sure that your application follows the rules of the world around you. Don't make a half-fish character if the RP takes place on the sun. It's just not going to work.
Here are some examples of what most applications ask for and tips on filling out these areas:
Name: (The name of your character. It should be their full name, but if that information is unavailable, then a nickname will suffice.)
Age: (The age of your character. Again, make sure you follow the rules of the RP realm. Do not make someone 253 years old if it is a more realistic RP.)
Race: (Your character's race. Perhaps he is a Vampire, or a pirate from Space Colony Delta. Remember to check the rules and setting of the RP before you decide on a race.)
Gender: (Your Character's gender. This is pretty much essential in all character applications.)
Personality: (The personality of the character. What makes them come alive? What sets them apart from everyone else? What do they like, dislike, and how do they handle certain situations. Personalities can sometimes be difficult to come up with and even harder to maintain. If your character does have a change in his personality, make sure you fully explain why.)
Appearance: (What does your character look like? What is their hair/eye/skin color? What type of clothing or jewelry do they wear? Do they have any outstanding features such as wings, tails, or battle scars? Here is where you paint a mental image of your character. Sometimes its easier to add a picture here so that everyone can get a full understanding of what the are dealing with.)
Weapons: (Does your character use weapons? If so, what are they and what do they look like. Again, this is another area where description is key as well as knowing the rules of your realm. You don't want to design a great weapon, just to have it denied because everyone uses a different type of weapon.)
Strengths: (What is your character good at? Does he have any type of specialty? What boosts your character's confidence and what just simply comes natural to him?)
Weaknesses: (What are their fears? What holds them back? How do you beat them? A lot of people tend to give very skimpy weaknesses since nobody truly wants to be beaten, but you have to understand that in order to have the most enjoyable time RPing, you need to be fair and balanced.)
History: (Give a detailed history about your character from birth to current age. This way, the Mods will be able to see if your character will fit in the RP realm without distorting the plot or story lines. Histories don't exactly need to be long, but they do need to include key information about your character.)
RP Sample: (This is the piece that will make or break your chances at acceptance. This is where you put an example of your RPing skills along with how well you use your character. Make sure this is the best example you can possibly give, evolving how well you describe your characters, your grammatical abilities, and your ability to use detail. This section is vital in getting accepted, so be careful here.)
A lot of people feel as though a long biography is a strong biography, but if its just a huge hunk of meaningless jib-jab, then of course it will get trashed. It is very common for shorter bios to get accepted over the longer ones simply because they contain better details and are more balance.
Remember: Quality is much more important than Quantity.
You Are Ready
Now that you have a general understanding of the world around you along with the techniques for proper RPing, you are ready to take your charry to the top and become the best RPer this World Wide Web's ever seen.
Welcome to Zephyros' The Ropes Of Role-Playing. I am here posting this to help lay down the foundation to better Role-Playing skills. Reading this doesn't mean that you suck at Role-Playing, it just simply means you want to further refine your Role-Playing skills. Even if you know you are the greatest Role-Player out there, you should still skim over this anyway. Ya never know, you might learn something.
Here I will be covering some of the basics such as Godmodding, powerplaying and one-liners along with more advanced techniques such as solo character development, combat Rping, and other things, but first lets start out with understanding your Role-Playing world.
But before I get to that, I would like to list a few basic terms used in Role-Playing and what they mean.
Speaking The Language
When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Live in the land, learn the language. These are basic survival tips for any situation including Role-Playing. To further help you, I will make a list of some terms frequently used by your fellow Role-Players.
RP = Role-Play = "Hey, wanna RP?" RP is very dynamic and with adding suffixes, it can mean a number of things. Try to translate these abbreviated terms and see if you can figure them out.
RPing. RPer.
IC = In Character = "Go IC and RP with me." IC is used very frequently with its sibling.
OOC = Out Of Character = "Don't OOC chat while we're IC." OOC is used a lot in the RPing realm. You'll truly look like an idiot if you ask what IC and OOC means, so make sure you check back here if you ever have a brain-fart
PM = Personal Message = "PM me after you post." PMs are used a lot, especially for private conversations. It is not as 'instant' as Instant Messaging, but it is a lot more secure and private.
IM = Instant Message = "IM me for OOC chat." IM is exactly what it sounds like. An Instant Message. It can be used to talk to one person, or a group of people over the net.
RM = Remake = "RM the thread with a different name." RMing is done a lot. Be sure to recognize this term when you see it.
BRB = Be Right Back = "Ill brb, I need food." Brb is a basic text, computer talk.
AFK = Away From Keyboard = "AFK real quick. Brb." Afk is more so computer talk. It is used a lot in IM chats and such things.
Charry = Character = "I think I'm going to give my Charry a sword instead." Charry is just the shortened version of Character. I mean nobody, not even myself, feels like typing out full words. But sometimes you have to. *Sighs*
OC = Original Character = "My OC might even be good enough to get patented." An OC is a completely original character that is created for the RP.
CC = Canon Character = "I know everything about him, so I might as well play him." A CC is a character created by the designer of the storyline. RPs based off television shows have a list of CCs which are the actual characters from the show.
NPC = Non-Playable-Character = "Whose gonna get control of the NPCs?" NPCs are the foundation of a good RP as there are many types of NPCs. They're mostly temporary characters to give the RPers something to do. An NPCless RP will quickly become a boring RP.
Mod = Moderator = "Hello everyone. I am the new Application Mod." Mods are staff members that manage specific subjects. They are the authority basically and have power, so watch out for them.
Admin = Administrator = "You think the Admin will accept this?" Admins are the creators of the RP world they run. They are the highest authority in the land and have the final say in anything that effects the RP.
SPAM = Stupid Pointless Annoying Message = "Stop spamming the damn thread before I kick you!" Spam is a highly annoying and pointless message. Avoid this, it's not welcome.
AH = Auto-Hit = "Dude, stop fucking AHing, shit!" AH is basically when your character strikes another without giving the other character a chance to dodge or block, especially when you cannot justify how or why you hit said character.
PP = Power Playing = "That attack is undodgable! You PP way too much!" PP is when your character always has the advantage, whether it be that no attacks can harm them, or that they simply dodge everything. It's the basis of a God Character.
GM = God Modding = "Imma be afk for awhile, you can GM me if you want." GMing is taking control of another RPer's character. It is against the rules to GM without the RPer's permission.
Those are just some basic examples of the RPing lingo used frequently. If you see any other terms you are not familiar with, ask somebody. You may be called a noob, but you probably are anyway if you need help with them
The World Around You
Every Role-Playing realm is different and has special rules you have to abide by. Make sure you know the rules of the realm including what is accepted and what is not. You don't want to waste your time filling up the suggestion board with ideas that everyone likes, but since they don't go along with the head administrator's universe they don't get accepted.
Make sure you also learn about your fellow RPers. Discuss things about them and try to find out what type of person they are, whether they are the nice and understandable type, or the type that has to have it there way no matter how good an argument you pose. You have to watch out for those types; they tend to make RPing harder on everyone.
Finally, you should invest your time in understanding the plot line of a RP. What is the use in signing up for a RP, then finding out that the plot is so weak there is basically nothing to do. You have to make sure you are signing up for something that you will actually enjoy.
Now that you understand the world you are about to enter, it's time to once again go over the rules and regulations, then post an application for a character to start your journey!
Character Types
All new RPers must understand what types of characters there are in the world and how to use these characters in a fair and just way. Everyone wants to be the strongest and the best, but we can't all be main characters.
Main Characters are the characters that the storyline and plot follow and directly effect. The story basically revolves around the Main Characters, which is why not everyone can be one. Besides, there are always characters that are needed to help the Main Character and get the story to move along.
Side Characters are just as important as Main Characters, but they do not receive nearly as much of the spotlight, which is why most people think they are less important. The Side Characters are the ones that move the story along and are the causes of drastic changes in the main characters and the storyline itself.
Event Characters are temporary characters created for the sole purpose of functioning in an event. They're basically the 'filler' characters to distract RPers from the main plot line. We all need a break every now and then, right?
NPCs are Non-Playable-Characters. They are generally the monsters, shop keepers, and characters along those lines. The general RPer is granted limited control over these characters to fit their situational needs, but NPCs cannot be 'owned' by anybody. Usually, Moderators and other staff members take control over NPCs, but sometimes control of these characters are given to others for temporary use.
God Characters are ultimate beings that can do just about everything. They can't be killed in almost any situation and have very few weaknesses. God Characters are seen as unfair, especially when put up against normal characters. These should be reserved for the most elite RPers, and just because you are a staff member, that does not mean you have the rights to a God Character.
Interaction
This is where you learn how to interact with the world and players around you while IC. A RPer's posts can tell a lot about the person personally; whether they even care or not, and even hint as to if they're a total dumbass or not. This is what everyone looks at, after all, this is RPing.
A good post is one with a point, not a stupid, pointless, or annoying message. A good post is at least a paragraph long containing everything a RPer would need to know what's going on. If you cannot find ways to take up space, think of adding subtle details. Posts also shouldn't include abbreviations or any type of txt/ 1337-Sp33k. It should be proper, understandable English, especially while IC. Unless of course, it's dialogue. If your charry says something in 1337, by all means, type it in 1337.
(ex) And so he stood there, silently waiting for his opponent's next move. His muscles were tense and his breathing was calm and cool while he waited. The crimson coloring in his eyes seem to almost glow with anticipation while his angelic hair sways in the wind around him. (ex)
In that single paragraph I have painted a scene, given the reason why said scene is taking place, and have also added a few details about my character. There are more examples of good, legitimate posts, but for now let us move on to conversing with other characters.
Character dialog is when two RP character speak with one another. This could be a simple hi, or a heated and passionate debate or conversation. Now sometimes there is nothing interesting or one character to say to another, or they simply don't want to say anything, but when they do talk, it still has to be a legitimate paragraph-length post.
(ex) Krad lifted his ocean blue eyes towards the nervous girl in front of him. He gives a devious smirk before moving closer to her, gently running his hand down her side. He had no true feelings for the woman, but he enjoyed tormenting her. He took pleasure in toying with her emotions, and just when she asked him that simple question, his sadistic mind formed its answer. And so, as his manipulative lips parted, he spoke out with a simple, "I never really loved you." (ex)
See how that simple sentence was dragged out? Its very easy to add minor details. Everything adds up eventually. From that simple post you have several ideas about what is taking place. These are the types of posts that people look for. I've also added the color to the text to show that it is separated from the detailed setting and to make it known that that is my character speaking. I picked that particular color because the character mentioned has blue eyes. It helps to further identify my character and separate him from others.
Now for the hardest form of RPing, Combat-RPing. This is difficult because everyone wants to win. What you want to do here is avoid AH, PP, and GM, which can be very difficult at some times.
(ex) Reign walked over to Fenrir and kicked him in the balls, then sliced his head off and killed him. (ex)
That, my friends, is AHing at its finest. Notice how I have no specific details as to how Reign did such things as well as I never gave Fenrir a chance to avoid the fatal blows.
(ex) Reign, because he is able to move at hyper speed, simply walked over to Fenrir; however, since the mercenary cannot move nor see in hyper speed, he had no idea Reign had even moved, and before he knew it, there was a foot flying straight towards his balls, giving him no hope of dodging. (ex)
Because Reign is moving at hyper speed and Fenrir has no known defenses to this, he has no true hope of dodging the kick that will surely impair his ability to have children.
(ex) Fenrir saw Reign's kick at the last second and jumped back before he got hit; preserving his family jewels for another day. (ex)
This would be an example of PP because there is no way he would be able to dodge an attack faster than he can keep track of.
(ex) The predatory senses Fenrir possessed alerted him to Reign's movements, even though he could clearly see the Imperial standing still before him. Suddenly, his primal instincts ripped him off into a backwards jump just as Reign's foot exited hyper space and he dodged the powerful kick. (ex)
Because Fenrir had a legitimate reason for being able to dodge the attack, this maneuver is perfectly legal. He escaped with both his pride and dignity, along with impressing his opponent.
(ex) Fenrir rushed forward with his fists balled tightly to his side, and he threw a powerful punch, but Reign dodged to the side, not knowing that Fenrir had twisted into a kick, which easily found its mark to Reign's head. (ex)
GOD MODDER!! *Beats Fen in the head with a paper fan* Since the post included Reign moving, even though Fenrir does not have control over Reign, this is considered GMing.
(ex) Fenrir Rushed forward with his fists balled tightly to his side, and he threw a powerful punch towards Reign's face.
Reign saw the punch coming in slow motion; it seemed unfair that he had the advantage of speed, but there was nothing he could do about it since he was forever trapped in hyper space, so he simply and uncaringly leans to the side, dodging the attack.
Fenrir was counting on the dodge. He knew that Reign was getting tired and bored with this fight. He knew he would eventually let his guard down, which is why the punch was only a feint, distracting the reaper from Fenrir's twisting body, which sends his leg smashing into Reign's head with enough force to knock him off his feet.
Reign was indeed letting his guard down. He knew he had this fight with speed alone, but he was not counting on the feint that Fenrir preformed, and before he knew it, there was a foot smashing against his head. As the pain rings with numbing vibrations through his head, Reign feels his feet leaving the earth behind as he falls over to his side onto the ground. (ex)
The colored text represents the individual RPers controlling their individual charrys. Every move had been described and every action was justified along with what was expected to happen, and what actually happened. A heated battle like this could ensue for hours upon hours, which is exactly why RPing is so fun and exciting. You never know what exactly might happen next.
Life's First Breaths
Now that you know some of the more advanced information about RPing, it is time to create a character. Character creation is something that should be well thought out and detailed. Even though every RP has different types of standards, you should still strive to make the best application you can. Remember, be sure that your application follows the rules of the world around you. Don't make a half-fish character if the RP takes place on the sun. It's just not going to work.
Here are some examples of what most applications ask for and tips on filling out these areas:
Name: (The name of your character. It should be their full name, but if that information is unavailable, then a nickname will suffice.)
Age: (The age of your character. Again, make sure you follow the rules of the RP realm. Do not make someone 253 years old if it is a more realistic RP.)
Race: (Your character's race. Perhaps he is a Vampire, or a pirate from Space Colony Delta. Remember to check the rules and setting of the RP before you decide on a race.)
Gender: (Your Character's gender. This is pretty much essential in all character applications.)
Personality: (The personality of the character. What makes them come alive? What sets them apart from everyone else? What do they like, dislike, and how do they handle certain situations. Personalities can sometimes be difficult to come up with and even harder to maintain. If your character does have a change in his personality, make sure you fully explain why.)
Appearance: (What does your character look like? What is their hair/eye/skin color? What type of clothing or jewelry do they wear? Do they have any outstanding features such as wings, tails, or battle scars? Here is where you paint a mental image of your character. Sometimes its easier to add a picture here so that everyone can get a full understanding of what the are dealing with.)
Weapons: (Does your character use weapons? If so, what are they and what do they look like. Again, this is another area where description is key as well as knowing the rules of your realm. You don't want to design a great weapon, just to have it denied because everyone uses a different type of weapon.)
Strengths: (What is your character good at? Does he have any type of specialty? What boosts your character's confidence and what just simply comes natural to him?)
Weaknesses: (What are their fears? What holds them back? How do you beat them? A lot of people tend to give very skimpy weaknesses since nobody truly wants to be beaten, but you have to understand that in order to have the most enjoyable time RPing, you need to be fair and balanced.)
History: (Give a detailed history about your character from birth to current age. This way, the Mods will be able to see if your character will fit in the RP realm without distorting the plot or story lines. Histories don't exactly need to be long, but they do need to include key information about your character.)
RP Sample: (This is the piece that will make or break your chances at acceptance. This is where you put an example of your RPing skills along with how well you use your character. Make sure this is the best example you can possibly give, evolving how well you describe your characters, your grammatical abilities, and your ability to use detail. This section is vital in getting accepted, so be careful here.)
A lot of people feel as though a long biography is a strong biography, but if its just a huge hunk of meaningless jib-jab, then of course it will get trashed. It is very common for shorter bios to get accepted over the longer ones simply because they contain better details and are more balance.
Remember: Quality is much more important than Quantity.
You Are Ready
Now that you have a general understanding of the world around you along with the techniques for proper RPing, you are ready to take your charry to the top and become the best RPer this World Wide Web's ever seen.
