A New User's Guide to RPA(Endorsed)

[Anne Bonny]

Ask as many forum and roleplay related questions as you like! We'd help you with things like joining a role-play or showing you how to put a avatar in your profile.

Being new isn't a bad thing. So don't be embarrassed about asking questions. We're very friendly here and we never yell at anyone for being new.

http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr261/roleplaying_forum/red.jpg

A few frequently asked questions (and answers) to save us all some time!

Why can't I send private messages (pm), view profiles, view my own profile?
It's because you're a "newbie." When you get to the status of "member," all those options will open up for you.

How do I get to be a member then?
There's no magic post count number or secret password to becoming a member. To put it generally, you have to participate in our community to be concidered a member of it. Join a few roleplays, get to know some people Downtown, try out some of the fun surveys we've got. Just participate a bit and you'll have member status before you know it.

How the heck does this forum work anyway?
Check out this helpful section (http://role-player.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=23) for some advice and tips on how to get around RPA.

How big can my signature be?
Check that here! (http://role-player.net/forum/showthread.php?t=3)

How do I find an rp that is open to new people?
We've got a whole section of the forum dedicated to RPG Recruitment (http://role-player.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=77). I highly recommend the directories, pinned at the top of that section.

[PandaCobain]

I'm a major n00b to this type of roleplay and am just wondering how to get started. I haven't been on a roleplay site in a year!! I've been busy. So any advice on where to start would be much appreciated. :)

[Anne Bonny]

The roleplaying sections of RPA are broken up into genre, which I think it probably self explanatory.

In each genre, there are four sections: OOC, IC, Hall of Fame, and Recycle Box. The Hall of Fame is for rp's that have been finished, so they are all read-only. The Recycle Box is for rp's that have died off. That section is also read-only, but if players want to restart a game, a moderator can move it out of the Recycle Box.

As for the other two sections, that's where the activity happens. OOC stands for "Out Of Character." It's where people post first for a roleplay. The gm (game master, leader and creator of any rp) will start a thread there outlining the plot, what they look for in a character, and whatever other information they also feel is important knowledge for joining their rp.

The IC (stands for In Character) is where the actual roleplaying happens. Players write about what's going on, what their character is doing or how they feel, etc. Everything here is written in character.

The reason for the two sections is to keep the story as simply the story, without all the discussions of plot and side conversations muddling it up. Players can use the OOC to communicate and plan with each other, laugh about the game, or whatever.

ALWAYS check in at the OOC before posting in a rp! Make sure your character and plans are okay with the gm before just jumping in. It's just a courtesy that we hold very dear around these parts.

I hope that helped! Please let me know if you want me to elaborate on anything!

[Damonique]

I just want to know if you can get that image in your opener(The "Where all the Badasses go to get their RP on) as a Siggy for me to use.

[Anne Bonny]

Anything for you Jansen! Incoming pm in 3... 2... 1...

:D

[Stiltzkin]

is there a particular style of RP structure that everyone kind of abides by
or can RP's be structured any kind of way?

[Nazgul]

That is left up to the GM. In most cases the GM will say what they are looking for in the rules in the OOC. But there is never anything set in stone by the site. For the most part, a lot of the GMs are fairly loose with the structure. Few RPs have a posting order. Mind you, in most cases, the structure of an RP can be usually determined by the end of the first page of IC posts. But when in doubt, ask the GM, as everyone has their own particular style. As an example I request that the players in my RPs wait for at least two people to post before posting again. This cuts down on what I like to call power posting.

Hopefully that was the answer you were looking for. And hopefully it makes sense as so little of what I write does XD Let me know if you have more questions.

[Nazgul]

Disregard

[Reenok]

How do you put those spoiler boxes in posts? >.< lol

[Merry Gentry]

you do it like so - taking out the space before the word hide at the front and the back

[ hide=christmas][ img]http://sacramentoscoop.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/merry-christmas.gif[/img][/ hide]

then it looks like this

http://sacramentoscoop.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/merry-christmas.gif

[Stage_lover_15]

im new and not really sure what to do or where to go...i've ever only been one other role playing site, and that was harry potter realted, but i decided to go out of my comfort zone and try someplace new. please help...

[Nazgul]

Well I guess the first thing you would need to do is decide what you want to do at the moment. You could always check out Downtown and hit the clubs and games. It's a great way to get to know your fellow members.

AS for RPing, we have decided everyhting into sections. The best place to begin is to figure out what genre you like and go to the OOC(out of character) forum of that section. There you will be able to find RPs that are accepting characters and you will be able to post a character sheet for approval by a GM.

Oh, and the Mature section will contain RPs of any genre. I hope that helps.

[Summer Memories]

im actuall really interested but im a noob on how to start these things off and how to keep them goin. any adivce?

[Merry Gentry]

The easiest way around our forum is to click the banner at the top
of the page. This will bring you to the main layout.
From there you can see it’s broken up into sections.
At the top you’ll find our News & Updates (http://role-player.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=2) section
and Advice & Questions (http://role-player.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=4)
also the Introduce Your self (http://role-player.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=5) section.

Our forum members are really helpful and friendly;
why not let us know you’re here in the Intro area so we can meet you! (shake)

Already familiar with RP’ing?
Check these sections for new games to jump into
Roleplay Request and Recruitment (http://role-player.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=77)
Roleplay of the Week (http://role-player.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=22)
You’ll also see that the Staff (http://role-player.net/forum/showthread.php?t=10) has new games in our signatures.
We update them alot, so be sure to check back often.

Not really sure how to RP here?
Well then definitely check out the
Guide for Play by Play Post Games (http://role-player.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=23)
and our Rules & Regulations (http://role-player.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=3) section.
Both of these areas have alot of helpful tips about this forum
and how things work here.

The middle of the main page has all of our RolePlaying Categories.
This is where the active games are, broken down by genre.
In there you’ll find
Fantasy (http://role-player.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=9)
General (http://role-player.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=8)
Clans & Guilds (http://role-player.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=91)
SciFi (http://role-player.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=10)
Private 1x1 (http://role-player.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=13)
And a Battle Arena (http://role-player.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=229)
just to name a few.

We of course have Rules and Regulations (http://role-player.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=3) that we ask you adhere to.
Especially when it comes to our RP games.
If you're confused about our rules, or our game rating systems
please ask a Staff (http://role-player.net/forum/showthread.php?t=10) Member so we can help you.

A little further down on the main page is our
Community Chat area (http://role-player.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=14)
It’s a wonderfully social area and it’s the quickest way to meet some of our
members, and have some fun.
We have a Creative Section (http://role-player.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=18)
and some Entertainment ( http://role-player.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=16) areas.
Another popular way to spend time here is in our Downtown Area (http://role-player.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=17), its full of silliness like
Ask A Member (http://role-player.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=59),
some Forum Games (http://role-player.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=57),
and of course the Clubs (http://role-player.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=60) sections.

As you are a new person to our site, there will be some small restrictions on your account, to start. New accounts are reviewed on a regular basis and once you are a participating member, your account will be upgraded to member, with no restrictions.

[Marcen Tacticus]

I don't know what to asl first. This and everyother site but myyearbook cunfuse me. I can't find anything or fingure out how to do anything.

[ColeMight]

The site isn't allowing me to access my profile so I can customize it, is there like a waiting period for new members before they can do things, or am I just going about it the wrong way?

[Merry Gentry]

As a ‘New Member’ to the site, your name will appear as yellow and, with it, come some minor restrictions. This is a temporary stage to identify spammers and the like. Restrictions include limited Private Message storage and the inability to view your own profile page or those of other members.

To advance to ‘Member’ status, it is recommended that you remain patient and participate around the board; stay active in a roleplay or two and get involved in the Community Chat Section for example.

[Sirenmoon]

I'm really new and i want to join an rp but everyone seems to have gone silent and none seem to be active what do I do

[Miss Fortune]

Most roleplays are slow because everyone's life and schedules are different. Try to be patient when waiting for response about trying to join a roleplay. They'll get to you when they can. If they've really became inactive as in weeks or months without activity, you should find another RP to join.

[KittyKat]

I am COMPLETELY NEW to this role play thing, could someone explain exactly what it is?

[V]

What we do here at RPA is 'Play by Post' Role playing.

Each roleplaying game begins with the Game Master (GM) creating an Out Of Character (OOC) thread in one of the various sections around the site.

They put up their plot/ story that they wish to start, and other Players join their game with characters. The GM accepts them into their RP.

Once the GM has enough characters they start up an In Character thread (IC).

The IC is the important place where the RP is played out. Each person takes turns and writes as their character, they react to others who have written a post before them, or add new things to push the story forward. The GM keeps the game moving forward.

Hope that helps =D

You should also check out this lovely guide by Auki on the various sections of our forum - http://role-player.net/forum/showthread.php?t=22553

[Old Gregg]

Is there a way to be able to change my name on here? :<

[Auki]

If you contact an Administrator telling them what you want your name changed to, they'll be able to make the alteration. Name changes are only allowed once a month though C: