Crossroads Role Playing

You may be wondering how to get started. We do have our Quick and Easy Introduction to the BA located in the sticky threads in the Battle Arena, but I suppose it can't hurt to have a little more clarification here.

Getting a Character
So, getting started. You should already have an approved character. If you don't you need to see the Writing a Character thread and the Getting Started thread located in Characters and Resources. You can't post here without a character approved by a BA Council member.

Once you get one approved, mods won't yell at you for posting in here.

The Crossroads is for those with characters approved by the Council only. It is the place where Battle Arena style of RPing takes place. VCR (Virtual Character Reality) characters that have not been filled out with the correct profile template and have not gone through the approval process with a BA Councilor cannot be used here until so and those without a BA approved character may not post in this board until they have one and only with the BA approved character. The VCR and the BA operate differently from each other.

Posting in Here
Okay, so you have a character. But you're probably still having problems getting people to join your RP threads. Generally, if you want a RPing partner check out the Match Making thread, which is also always available in the Battle Arena (BA). You can also post RP requests in the Out of Character thread (the OoC), where many RPers congregate to discuss such things, and it is also found in the BA.

I'll give some general advice right now. When you post, most newbies don't know to space their paragraphs.

Example:

Originally Posted by Shrub

Ren stared after Rain and Khaz, his red eyes narrowed in suspicion. Kira caught this near-glare of his and quirked a brow as she raised her cup to her lips. "What's with that look, eh?"
Ren kept staring until he lost sight of them. He rubbed at the itchy scar on his neck as he continued to scowl. "The groom-guy is a vampire."
"Is he?" Kira tried to crane her head to look at him again, but both he and Khaz were gone. So she looked back to Ren with a shrug. "And? So is Adrien."
Ren snorted derisively. "Yeah, and unlike you twats, I don't trust him either."
Kira rolled her eyes. Right. Ren and his vampire prejudice. She couldn't figure out why he hated them so much. Sure, most of them weren't like Adrien or Rain, but still. Kira had no suspicions about Rain. She didn't know Cadenza well really, but she was too savvy not to know what her new husband was. That was enough to know Rain wasn't the other type. Obviously, Cadenza didn't care what he was. It was sweet really.

You should space them so that there's a whole extra gap between each paragraph you write:

Example:

Originally Posted by Shrub

Ren stared after Rain and Khaz, his red eyes narrowed in suspicion. Kira caught this near-glare of his and quirked a brow as she raised her cup to her lips. "What's with that look, eh?"

Ren kept staring until he lost sight of them. He rubbed at the itchy scar on his neck as he continued to scowl. "The groom-guy is a vampire."

"Is he?" Kira tried to crane her head to look at him again, but both he and Khaz were gone. So she looked back to Ren with a shrug. "And? So is Adrien."

Ren snorted derisively. "Yeah, and unlike you twats, I don't trust him either."

Kira rolled her eyes. Right. Ren and his vampire prejudice. She couldn't figure out why he hated them so much. Sure, most of them weren't like Adrien or Rain, but still. Kira had no suspicions about Rain. She didn't know Cadenza well really, but she was too savvy not to know what her new husband was. That was enough to know Rain wasn't the other type. Obviously, Cadenza didn't care what he was. It was sweet really.

Sometimes if you're copying and pasting from a program, it won't space it like this. Sometimes you have to do it manually. I've just learned to add the extra spaces as I write by now.

It's better to space it like this as it's easier on the eyes and makes it less confusing to read. Savy?

Threads
You can always start your own thread here, and if you're fine with just anyone joining it you should have the Title (Open), so that everyone knows.

Example: False Knight (Open)

If you have any specific rules for your RP list them in an "OoC:" (Out of Character) note at the top of the post. Be sure to tag when you are writing in character by adding "BiC:" before it (Back in Character).

Example:

Originally Posted by Shrub

OoC: Alrighty, everyone feel free to introduce your characters as you wish. You can even wait to introduce them later if you so desire it.

BiC:
“Oi! Get up, it’s time for school!” said Kira, bursting into Rontu’s room, which was dark like a bear’s cave in winter.

If you're starting a thread pre-arranged with another member, you have the Title (Username). You put the other RPer's username in the parenthesis, if you are the one making the thread. If your RP partner is starting the thread, then they will put your username in the parenthesis. Peachy?

Example: Memory's Chain (Quark)

If there are more than two RPer's (so 3 or more): Fear and Loathing in Delusuu (Dakine and Rune)

Note: The one who creates the thread does not need to put their name in the title, because their name is already on it as the thread creator. You can if you feel so inclined, but it isn't necessary. It is only required to put the username of the other person or people who are in the RP aside from the creator of the thread.

There must always be a minimum of two RPers writing together in a thread. Otherwise if it is one writer then it is not an RP, it's a solo character fiction, which belongs in Character Fiction, not the Crossroads.

To start an RP, typically one starts with just an Open thread. OoC notes explaining setting and the rules of the RP, how many RPers and characters are allowed to join and the like. Then a BiC part of the first post usually sets the stage with the creator of the thread's character(s). RPers join by writing a post that introduces their character(s) in-character.

However, this is not the only way to start an RP. One can always open a discussion thread in the BA to allow RPers to join completely out of character and discuss the RP concept before creating the actual RP thread in the Crossroads.

Role Play No-No's
There are two main things that are not allowed in role playing here in the BA. See the Quick and Easy Introduction thread for a complete list of the BA rules.

Powerplay - Powerplaying is describing the actions and thoughts of another person’s character without their express permission. A character belongs to its creator, not you.

Godmoding - Godmoding is using your character in such a way that their skills, abilities, or powers accomplish things that break the fairness of a roleplay. For example, this may be a player assuming that every action their character makes is successful and that they’ll always accomplish what they want, when they want. Allow others the chance to react. Communicate about who will win and why.

Note: If the other writer does not like what you have done to their character in your post and they tell you so—you have to change the post or delete it. No questions asked. It’s their character not yours. You have to respect that. If not, you may have a Councilor or Mod on your ass very fast, and the trouble will get deeper from there. Because role playing is a collaboration, not a manipulation of other people's characters. Everyone should agree on what happens and why it happens. You cannot do whatever you want to other people's characters even if your character is capable of doing it.

If anyone breaks these rules, first talk to them about it to make sure they are aware of the rules and understand what powerplaying and godmoding is. Tell them to stop. If they still continue to break these rules, please contact any member of the BA Council. We deal with the people who don't play nice.

Communication
The key to role playing here is communicating with each other.

Comprehension and Distractions – Firstly, before I mentioned no 1337 or “leet speak”. It is important for others to be able to understand what you have written in your post. So basic grammar is important. As long as everyone knows what you’re saying, you don’t have to be a master of grammar or punctuation. Though it might be distracting if you do not do basic capitalization either. Coloring, changing your font, or otherwise formatting your text while posting here can be distracting, because not everyone uses the same skin as you. So certain colors can make it hard on the eyes for some and certain fonts often appear smaller or bigger depending on the skin the viewer is using. It's just something you should keep in mind when writing a post.

Clarification and Powerplay – Secondly, if you don’t understand something or are confused by something another wrote in a post, then you can send them a PM or VM to ask them about it. Always ask for clarification if you are not sure. Most of the mistakes I see in RP’s come from lack of communication between all writers present.

This is also often the excuse for powerplaying. It is against the rules to write any dialogue or actions or thoughts for another person’s character without permission. Most people think the best way to keep their post flowing is to write for another’s character.

While most people might not like it, they may just go with the flow to avoid conflict between writers. So you may be stepping on other people’s toes without realizing you are. Just because they don’t complain, doesn’t mean they like it. Plus, no one knows the character better than the owner. Not only might you get the character wrong, but they might have had a different idea for what they wanted to happen next with the character.

Powerplaying is only allowed if the other writer gives permission for you to do so. This is where the communication factor comes in to help the RP flow faster and without stepping on anyone’s toes. If there was absolutely no powerplay allowed, characters would tend to become left on their own little islands in the posts, separate and less willing to interact with each other.

There’s two ways to do this. First, shorter posts that allow the other writer to respond with their character on their own. However, it is annoying to have only the dialogue. That would make it maybe one or three sentences long. Try to include any other thoughts, actions, and expressions the character might have while asking a question. This gives the post more meat, so to speak.

Not everyone likes to do this though, as it slows the RP down. So there is the second option. Do a mini RP for the conversation in PMs or if you both have an instant messenger, you can do it there. Then, not only do you have the permission of the other writer, but the character’s actions and words will be true to the character. And then once you have all you need, write your post.

Remember that you do not need to post constantly when you feel it has been too long since your character made an appearance or has done something. This leads to unrealistic behavior and it can make it hard for the other RPers to keep up with you. Don’t be afraid to wait it out for the proper time for you to post again and to wait for the others to write a few posts to hammer out the story bit more.

Combat and Godmoding- Fighting, battles, and short little spats between characters can be difficult to manage, because without keeping communication in mind, RPers can tend to godmode which leads to arguments and breaking of BA rules. There are a few things that have to happen when aggression and physical competition come up between characters or all will be lost:

1. Agree on who wins, who loses, or maybe neither win or lose. This must happen. If you cannot agree together on the outcome of this encounter, then there is no point in continuing. It will only lead to conflict and strife between role players. Agree or stop role playing together.

2. Do not powerplay or godmode. So do not control the other person's character without their permission and do not assume your character's attempt at attacking or besting their character will be successful. Going back the first principle, you must be able to agree on the attempt working or failing. Communicate about why and how this happens. Shorter posts are ideal for these situations.

3. Stick to the limits and weaknesses you have set for your character. Godmoding can happen when you defy the rules of your character's abilities and powers as recorded in their profile. When you break, bend, or by pass through loopholes in the limits and weaknesses of your characters you are breaking the fairness of the role play, thus godmoding. This counts even when combating random NPC's. Stick to what your profile dictates.

The Point of Role Playing Together
The point of the Crossroads is for characters to interact, to interact with the characters of other writers. To write together. It makes no sense for you to write their characters for them (powerplay with no previous permission or IM RP for an outlinte), as the point is to enjoy your characters reacting and bouncing off each other. It is also a basic respect. Ask first if you need to.

Just remember to stop when you get in ego-battles with other writers about which character is faster, stronger, or whose spell out does the other's. Stop and think that maybe your ego is getting in the way of this being a fun experience for you and everyone else involved. When it ceases to be fun and has become a contest about whose character is better, the point of role playing together has become lost.

It makes no sense to use other's characters as side-kicks to oooh-and-aw about the amazing and wondrous abilities and magic of your character, or stupid villains to be crushed under their might. The point here is not to win all the time, and godmode just to get the end result you want. If you cannot handle your character losing, your character not always being amazing and admired, and not using others' characters without permission—then this is not the place for you. Go else where.

(This thread will remain open for any questions on Crossroads RPing.)