kawaiisock13
New Member
hi thanksWelcome to RpNation, a forum-based roleplaying community. We know you're excited to start roleplaying, but perhaps you're confused or unfamiliar as to how. If this is your first time roleplaying or your first time on a forum, this is one of the first places to start! If you have any questions you can ask them here or in the Community Hub. It is highly recommended you check out the FAQ as many other commonly asked questions are answered there.
Introduction to Forums
What is a forum?
An internet forum hosts discussions via threads and posted content. Unlike chats and instant messengers, players (people who are roleplaying) do not need to be online at the exact same time to interact. Forums also are broken down into sections to host specific topic threads. Here on RpNation, we have forums like Looking For Partners and Community Hub.
What are threads?
Threads are basically a single 'discussion' that contains posts that are relevant to the thread's topic.
What are posts?
Posts are basically content that users 'post' on the site. This can be a thread, a reply to a thread, a status update, etc.
What is bumping?
Bumping is a method some users may choose to use in order to 'bump' their post to push to to the top of a forum to have their content gain more attention, without creating a completely new thread. Bumping can sometimes be viewed as spamming if done too frequently or most of a thread's content is nothing but a 'bump.' This should not be done excessively.
Introduction to Roleplaying
What is roleplaying?
There are actually different types of roleplaying. Instead of defining them all, we'll focus on what type of roleplay happens here on RpNation.
Rolelplaying is when a person (generally called a player) assumes the role of a character and write that character's actions, speech, mannerisms, and so-forth. Through these writings a collaborative story generally takes place where two or more players have their characters interacting with each other and the universe in which the roleplay takes place.
How do I join a roleplay?
It's very easy. Go to the Looking for Players area of the site and browse until a roleplay catches your eye. Keep in mind that each GM (game master) has different requirements or preferences for their roleplays. Some may require a CS (character sheet) or a specific style of FC (face claim), so always be sure that you are comfortable with what is being asked of the players. Generally the person who is recruiting for a roleplay will give some direction for players interested in joining. If in doubt just ask!
All it comes down to is letting the person who is running the roleplay know that you are interested and simply go from there!
How do I recruit players for my roleplay?
You will need to recruit them by posting a thread within the Looking for Players area of the site. You'll need to select a forum which best fits what you are looking for. If you are seeking a 1x1 (One-on-One) roleplay you'd post a recruitment thread in Looking for Partners. If you are seeking a group roleplay - which is one with 2+ players - you'd post your recruitment within the Looking for Group area under the sub-forum which best firsts your roleplay's setting.
What types of roleplay are on RpNation?
1x1 (One-on-One) are roleplays which have 1-3 players.
Group Roleplays are roleplays which have 3+ players.
From these two main types you can further break them down into setting and type; fandom, fantasy, realistic and/or modern, futuristic, dice, nation building, quest, and colosseum.
Are there any limits?
There are no limits to what you can roleplay, but each community is different. Please remember to read the Handbook to make sure what you want to roleplay doesn't violate any rules. Sexual roleplay is strictly prohibited on RpNation. While players can additionally set their own limits, they may only do so if they do not violate the site rules.
If you are completely new to roleplaying you might come across a few abbreviations or words you may not be familiar with. Click either the Glossary or Abbreviation Guide to see a list.
(In Alphabetical Order)
Autohit/Autohitting (Negative Term)
- Automatically hitting another player's character within their own post rather than letting the player decide if something hits or not.
Bunnying (Negative Term)
- Where a player takes over - or hijacks - another player's character, writing that character's actions, dialogue, or thoughts without consent from the player controlling the character.
Canon (Fandom)
- Roleplay content that is true to the original source material.
Canon Character (Fandom)
- Use of a character which already exists within a fandom universe.
- Example: Usagi from Sailor Moon.
Chara
- Shortened version of 'Character'.
Chatspeak/Txtspeak
- Typing/writing as though one would if within a chat or texting.
- Example: "R u here?"
Crossover (Fandom)
- Where multiple existing universes overlap or combine into a singular world.
Doubling
- Where players play at least two characters in a 1x1 roleplay.
- Often used as a courtesy for players who want to include other characters.
- Often used as an exchange; "I'll play X character if you play Y character as well."
Fade To Black
- A cut-scene where any intimate or sexual activities are skipped over.
Fan Character (Fandom)
- A character made to specifically exist within a canon/fandom universe.
Fluff
- Used in romance roleplays referring to very lovey-dovey or cute romance interactions.
- Non-essential details within a roleplay.
Ghosting (Negative)
- Where a player discontinues communication and roleplaying without any notification to their partner or GM.
Godmodding (Negative)
- Umbrella term applied to various negative roleplaying habits.
- Includes autohit, powerplay, metagaming, and retconning.
- A player tries to roleplay a character that is generally overpowered and in a 'godmode' with unlimited powers or abilities.
Limits
- Things players are unwilling or uninterested in roleplaying.
Lit/Literate (Style)
- Style preference generally requiring good spelling and grammar.
Mary-Sue/Gary-Stu (Negative)
- A character who is often written as or includes issues such as;
- Perfect
- Lacks flaws
- Self-Insert
- Unrealistic
- To be the only love interest
Metagaming (Negative)
- Using OOC information when your character has no knowledge of it IC.
Multi-para (Style)
- Multiple paragraphs
- Writing style of a player that posts multiple paragraphs.
- Generally 2-5 paragraphs.
Muse
- Term often used to refer to a character's role within a plot.
- Usually written with a letter such as Muse A, Muse B, Muse C.
Novella (Style)
- See Multi-para.
- Generally 5+ paragraphs.
One-liner (Style)
- Style where a post is essentially a single line or does not reach the minimum of 4-5 sentences that is standard for a paragraph.
Pairings
- A list of desired character pairs, usually for a certain role for characters in a 1x1 roleplay.
Para (Style)
- Paragraph
- Writing style of a player that posts at least one paragraph.
Powerplay (Negative)
- Character hijacking; see Bunnying
- Damage Powerplay
- Inflicting damage without permission.
- Players engage in a fight where each tries to outdo the other, resulting in a cycle and potential endless battle.
- Assumption Powerplay
- Assuming another player's actions and writing them out.
- Assuming details about another character - such as appearance - and writing them out.
Purple Prose (Style)
- Writing style that is very detail-oriented with flowery or ornate text that can be excessive.
Retconning (Negative)
- Where a player ignores a roleplay occurrence/event as if it never happened.
Script (Style)
- Writing style of a player that posts much like a script for a movie.
- Actions are generally written within asterisks; *She ate the apple.*
Self-Insert (Negative)
- When a user self-inserts themselves as a character generally for personal satisfaction.
- A character that's purpose is for player self-gratification.
Semi-lit (Style)
- Writing style of a player that may indicate possible minor grammatical and spelling errors.
- A more relaxed style than Lit/Literate.
Ship/Shipping
- Term used in romance roleplays; short for relationship.
- Where characters are intended to either start off or form a romantic relationship.
- A desire for characters to enter a romantic relationship.
Slash
- Used generally for same-sex pairings; m/m, f/f.
(Not in Alphabetical Order)
- IC - In Character
- Content that is posted by a player writing as a character within a roleplay.
- OOC - Out of Character
- Content that is posted by a player outside of a roleplay. OOC chat is common so that players can discuss things regarding a roleplay; such as planning out combat, plot, events, etc, or just chatting with each other.
- PC - Player Character
- A character used by a player within an roleplay.
- MC - Main Character or My Character
- OC - Original Character
- NPC - Non-Playable Character
- A character generally controlled by the GM.
- A minor character to fulfill a certain role or purpose.
- CS - Character Sheet
- A form or application a player fills out with their character information.
- RP - Roleplay
- Rp(er) - a roleplayer
- Rp(ing) - roleplaying
- GM - Game Master
- The person that created and is in control of the roleplay and determines the roleplay rules, universe, setting, and so forth.
- Co-GM - Co-Game Master
- A person or people selected by the GM to help assist in running a roleplay.
- SL - Storyline
- OP - Has multiple breakdowns;
- Overpowered - referring to a character.
- Original Post
- AU - Alternate Universe
- An existing universe than has been altered in some way.
- FC - Face Claim
- Images used to represent a character.
- FTB - Fade to Black
