Roleplaying





Introduction to Roleplaying





Roleplaying, at its core, is interactive storytelling. Play by post roleplaying is writing short fiction with other people. Each player only has the role of one character. However, there are some conventions that make it different than story writing. When you write a story, you are in control of all of its aspects. Roleplays are fluid things, ever changing as each person contributes to the overall story. One character can change the course of the story, therefore forcing you to adapt and move on.

When writing roleplays it is tradition to write in past tense and use third person narrative. It is possible to roleplay in the first person narrative, but it can often times be troublesome for readers. When each person is using a different point of view the story will become a confusing jumble. So, we recommend staying in the third person.

The Golden Rule



The most important rule in roleplaying is to not control the actions of another player's character. You may only attempt actions on them and you must leave it to them to decide the result. Write with others as you would want to be written with.

Here is an example of what not to do:

Vegeta lowered into his stance, all the while glaring at Goku. He watched as Goku gathered ki into his palm and fired a yellow blast at him. Vegeta managed to roll away at the nick of time and charged Goku—smashing him across the face with his fist.

As you can see, Vegeta, a player controlled character, takes action and decides the fate of Goku, another player's character. This is bad because Goku had no chance to write his response or attempt to evade the attack.

Here is an example of how to do it right:

Vegeta lowered into his stance, all the while glaring at Goku. He watched as Goku gathered ki into his palm and fired a yellow blast at him. Vegeta managed to roll away at the nick of time and charged Goku— attempting to smash him across the face with his right fist.

In this example Vegeta gives Goku a chance to make his move, thus making himself a fair roleplayer. Please keep in mind controlling another person’s character is known as God Modding and is not permitted. If God Modding occurs please notify a referee or moderator, as player’s posts will be requested to be rewritten correcting the mistake.

The only exception to this is if you receive permission from the other player to roleplay their character's actions.

Posts



You may battle, spar, and roleplay at the same time. However, you may only roleplay in two threads at a time. You must roleplay being within the same location you currently are on your character page. For example, you can't roleplay being on earth when your character hasn't traveled there from Namek. You can start a roleplay or join a roleplay by making a post in the forum of your current location. Be sure to include within the roleplay whether or not it is an open, invitation based, reserved for a group, or a solo roleplay. By putting that information in it allows others to know if they can participate.

If you are making the first post of the roleplay it is your job to get the exposition out of the way. Be sure to introduce the storyline, any NPCs and everything someone would need to know to bring their character in. Joining in another person's thread can be tricky. Make sure introduce your character but not take over the story. It would be best to brainstorm with the thread's creator on how to incorporate your character smoothly.

If you are making the first post of the roleplay it is your job to get the exposition out of the way. Be sure to introduce the storyline, any NPCs and everything someone would need to know to bring their character in. Joining in another person's thread can be a bit tricky. Make sure introduce your character but not take over the story. It would be best to brainstorm with the thread's starter on how to incorporate your character smoothly.

Your posts must be at minimum 200 words or they will not be added towards your total for reward.

At the end of each post remember to include the post's word count and total word count of what you've written so far. It is considerate and will make it easier to calculate your rewards later on.

Quality



If your roleplay is well written, with proper grammar, punctuation and with an interesting story, you will earn base rewards. Or if it is not written well, you will not get a full reward. We place emphasis in quality over quantity on this RPG. It doesn't matter if you can pump out tons of words, what matters is that you write good stories.

Rubric

When you submit your RPs for rewards they will be examined and you will be rewarded. Your quality will determine what rewards you will get. Your roleplays are examined using a rubric and the quality assigned that way.

Click Here to view the rubric.

Doesn't Meet Expectations - Your RPs rewards are reduced -10 XP and -50 zeni per 200 words.

Meets Expectations - Your RPs will gain the base bonuses assigned to their type.

The Training Center

If you find you are not meeting expectations, I recommend posting in the Training Center forum, where you can get some help. No matter what, anyone who posts there to get their RPs critiqued, will meet expectations if they follow the rules.

The Training Center is a place for new RPers to learn the ropes. You can post there no matter your location in game. But, it works a little different than your average RP.

You post your RP and then a staff member will critique it, perhaps rewrite some sections to show you examples. Afterward, you get a chance to edit it based on their suggestions. They will review it again and offer more suggestions if need be. Once they deem you're ready, you can submit what you wrote on the RP Rewards forum.

Try not to make your posts too long. Keep them between 200-1,500 words, to make it easier for staff to critique.

Types of Roleplays



Solo Roleplay

Anyone can do a solo roleplay. It is simply writing a short story in which you are the main character. You may turn in a solo RP at any time, but a minimum of 400 words is required.

Rewards:

  • ► +25 XP per 200 words.
  • ► +1% XP for every 5 character levels (max +30%.)
  • ► +150 zeni per 200 words.
  • ► +1 Action Point per 1,000 words.


Duo Roleplay

A duo roleplay is when two people team up and write together. You may turn in a Duo RP at any time, but a minimum of 800 words is required. Please note, you may only gain the bonus if both participants write at least 30% of the total word count.

Rewards:

  • ► +25 XP per 200 words.
  • ► +1% XP for every 5 character levels (max +30%.)
  • ► +175 zeni per 200 words.
  • ► +1 Action Point per 1,000 words.
  • Bonus: +5% XP for every 4,000 words written collectively


Group Roleplay

A group roleplay is when three or more people team up and write together. ou may turn in a Duo RP at any time, but a minimum of 1,600 words is required. Please note, you may only gain a bonus if all participants write at least 15% of the the total word count

Rewards:

  • ► +28 XP per 200 words.
  • ► +1% XP for every 5 character levels (max +30%.)
  • ► +175 zeni per 200 words.
  • ► +1 Action Point per 1,000 words.
  • Bonus: +3% XP per participant for every 6,000 words written collectively


Quest

A quest is an assignment, or mission that your character takes on. Keep in mind you don't have to quest alone, either. Questing together can often knock it out faster as your combined word count goes towards the minimum. You are limited to completing three quests per week. There are three levels of quests you may take on, each has a minimum writing requirement.

Easy - 1,500 words
Medium - 3,000 words
Hard - 5,000 words

You may only turn in the quest if the word count minimum is met. Please note, you may only gain a bonus if all participants write at least 15% of the the total word count,

Rewards:

  • ► +22 XP per 200 words.
  • ► +1% XP for every 5 character levels (max +30%.)
  • ► Quest specific rewards.
  • ► +100 zeni per 200 words past the minimum requirement.
  • ► +1 Action Point per 1,000 words.
  • Bonus: +3% XP per participant (to a max of +15%.)


Adventures

Adventures are unique roleplay opportunities. Instead of writing a cooperative story, they work more along the lines of a choose your own adventure book or a session of Dungeons and Dragons. You are guided by a staff member who serves to control NPCs and the environment and gives you option of what actions you can take. To embark upon an adventure you must post in the Adventure Request thread in the Roleplay Forum.

A staff member will come along and reply, and then the thread will start. Each adventure can have a maximum of three participants (including the staff member.) You can be apart of one adventure per week (they don't count as one of your two RP threads.) You must choose which difficulty your adventure will be (easy, medium, or hard.) There is a chance your character can die during an adventure and that risk will increase the higher level you go. There is a completion bonus based on the difficulty that you complete. All participants (staff included) will gain from writing. However, only the players may receive the completion bonus.

Rewards:

  • ► +20 XP per 200 words.
  • ► +1% XP for every 5 character levels (max +30%.)
  • ► +100 zeni per 200 words.
  • ► +1 Action Point per 1,000 words.
  • Easy Bonus: +5% XP and +1 Battle Merit.
  • Medium Bonus: +10% XP and +2 Battle Merits.
  • Hard Bonus: +15% XP and +3 Battle Merits.


Campaign

Campaigns are usually site-wide events that affect the main storyline of the RPG. Campaigns will have increased XP and gold rewards compared to a group roleplay (typically +25%.) Exclusive items are rewarded, often making them worth the effort. Campaigns are ran by staff members.


Battles



Battles are combative roleplays between one or more players. They have distinct rules that must be followed. The Combat page contains more information about how combat actually works.

Before a battle can be considered over, each player must have at least 3 posts each. If a battle ends before each player makes at least 3 posts, then the winning and losing bonus is not given. However, players can still get rewards based on their word counts.

Duel

A duel is a one on one battle overseen by a referee agreed on by both participants. Keep in mind unlike spars, dueling can be dangerous as you can kill or be killed. You can only duel a player in the same location. Both players fight until someone gives up or has taken so much damage they can no longer fight.

Rewards:

  • ► +25 XP per 200 words.
  • ► +1% XP for every 5 character levels (max +30%.)
  • ► +100 zeni per 200 words.
  • ► +1 Action Point per 1,000 words.
  • Winner: +1,250 zeni, +5 Battle Merits, +100 XP and +2% of opponent's total XP.
  • Loser: +3 Battle Merits, +50 XP and +1% of opponent's total XP.


Party Battle

Party battles can be 2 on 2, 3 on 3, or 4 on. 4. A referee must be agreed upon and appointed. The maximum number of players not in the same alliance can be 2 on 2. Alliance battles can go up to 4 on 4. You can only battle people who are in the same location as you. The fight will go on until there's there no people standing on the opposite team.

Rewards:

  • ► +25 XP per 200 words.
  • ► +1% XP for every 5 character levels (max +30%.)
  • ►+100 zeni per 200 words.
  • ► +1 Action Point per 1,000 words.
  • Winner: +1,500 zeni, +5 Battle Merits, +125 XP and +2% of the most experienced opponent's Total XP
  • Loser: +3 Battle Merits, +50 XP and +1% of the most experienced opponent's Total XP.


Triple Threat Battle

Triple Threat battles are when more than two factions duke it out. A referee must be agreed upon and appointed. They can be 1 on 1 on 1, or 2 on 2 on 2. There can only be a max of six participants at any given time and one side can't have more than 2 people fighting for them. You can only battle people who are in the same location as you. The fight will go on until there's only one team standing.

Rewards:

  • ► +25 XP per 200 words.
  • ► +1% XP for every 5 character levels (max +30%.)
  • ► +100 zeni per 200 words.
  • ► +1 Action Point per 1,000 words.
  • Winner: +1,750 zeni, +5 Battle Merits, +145 XP and +2% of the strongest opponent's (determined by highest total XP) Total XP.
  • Loser: +3 Battle Merits, +50 XP and +1% of the most experienced opponent's Total XP.


Handicapped Battle

Handicapped battles occur whenever the odds are not even. The maximum it can be is 3 on 2 in a party battle. For a triple threat match it can be 2 on 2 on 1, or 2 on 1 on 1. A referee must be agreed upon. You can only battle people who are in the same location as you. Handicapped battles have less rewards if the winners out number the losers and more rewards if the winner beats those that outnumber them.

Rewards:

  • ► +25 XP per 200 words.
  • ► +1% XP for every 5 character levels (max +30%.)
  • ► +100 zeni per 200 words.
  • ► +1 Action Point per 1,000 words.
  • Winner (Outnumbered: +2,000 zeni, +5 Battle Merits, +150 XP and +2% of the strongest opponent's (determined by highest Total XP) Total XP.
  • ► Winner (Handicapped:) +1,000 zeni, +5 Battle Merits, +75 XP and +2% of the most experienced opponent's Total XP.
  • Loser (Outnumbered:) +3 Battle Merits, +50 XP and +1% of the most experienced opponent's Total XP.
  • Loser (Handicapped:) +3 Battle Merits, +35 XP and +1% of the most experienced opponent's Total XP.


Spars



Spars are practice battles between two players in which deaths do not occur. They are both fun and useful to improve battle writing. You can spar anyone in the same location as you up to twice per week. You can spar, even if you're in a roleplay and a battle.

Spars must be at least 2,000 words total combined from both players, with a minimum of 1,000 words written by each, before they can be submitted. A referee is not needed for a spar, as they are meant to be quick little bouts.

Rewards:

  • ► +20 XP per 200 words or +15 XP per 200 words with an Astral Gem.
  • ►+1% XP for every 5 character levels (max +30%.)
  • ► +100 zeni per 200 words or +75 zeni per 200 words with an Astral Gem.
  • ► +1 Action Point per 1,000 words.
  • Normal Bonus: +25 XP, +150 zeni, and +1 Battle Merit, if you write at least 2,000 words combined.
  • Alliance Bonus: +50 XP, +200 zeni, and +1 Battle Merit, if you write at least 2,000 words combined.


You also have the option to do your spars in a chat-room or via an instant messaging program. You will take turns, each player getting two actions each turn. You don't have to write nearly as much and these can be a good way to get your spars done if you don't have a lot of time, or are in a hurry. Once you've completed it, you can post the chat log on the Spar forum to get rewarded for it. There's is no word limit or requirement, but it should be a decent length. Chat spars give a flat out reward of +150 XP and +500 zeni. Chat spars via an Astral Gem give a flat out reward of +125 XP and +400 zeni.

Completing a Roleplay



When your roleplay thread is completed and you're ready to get rewards, be sure to post into the Roleplay Rewards forum and a staff member will get to it as soon as possible for you.