How do I roleplay?

[Dirtcopter77]

Every time I look at the latest replies column, I see it filled with roleplay threads. It looks like a good way to get to know people, and a source of good fun, but I'm not sure where to start. How do I join a roleplay? Any rules once I'm in? What do all the roleplay sections and thread headings even mean?

[Otebon Albrecht]

Oh man... this is a question for me. To answer your questions in order...

To join a roleplay, usually there is an OOC (Out Of Character) thread that is associated with the RP (RolePlay) with entrance information and requirements. Generally, this is simply a rules page, character submissions, applications, and all the Out Of Character discussion in the RP. These threads are where you ask for permission to enter and do everything that pertains to the RP that has no place in the RP.

The rules of the RP are set by the Author (or Gamemaster [GM] or whatever they wish to call themselves, but the person in charge) and usually fall along these lines:

-Do not Power-play: This means don't control any characters beyond your own. Don't make other people do things or force someone to do something they don't want to do.
-No God-modding: This means don't make yourself a God and be unbeatable. Everyone has faults and everyone has failings. You can't win every fight.
-Be respectful.
-Follow Forum rules.

The Sections and thread headings are descriptors of what are in the RP or really Titles. For example, there is a RP currently going called "Arkane Halls" and that is just it's title. The heading is nothing more than it's name to be honest. If the letters "OOC" are in the title and it is in the OOC board, then it is the Out Of Character board for the RP it describes.

Did that answer your questions?

[WingedZephyr]

You might want to look around the RP Training Grounds, as it is designed for people to practice RPing. The stickied threads in that board also hold a lot of useful general information about how RPs work.

[Dirtcopter77]

Part of the problem is that I'm too nervous to inject myself into someone else's roleplay. :X

Know any roleplays open to new RPers?

[Otebon Albrecht]

Well, there are many RPs running in the General board. Here is the OOC board link (http://www.thefurryforum.com/forums/index.php?board=55.0), and I'm sure that there are plenty waiting for new players or you could make your own. I would suggest, if you are feeling trepidation about RPing, then you should go to the Training grounds and practice with someone. Make up some sort of situation that you'd like to try and just... write.

The only way you'll get better and do well is to practice. In this case, that means writing. Just write, write, write, and write some more.

[[Sov]]

Go to the Training Grounds that Zephyr mentioned. Otebon and I are going to lead a crash course in role playing for people who want to play seriously but are nervous or don't know what to do exactly. Come in and play!