Rp Guide

[Alucard Crinos]

Daikus [Frosty] of Its In Yer Mind has allowed us to us this rp guide given to him.

RP Guide Given to me by a person called Ranka, he calls on dibs on this and gets full props!

1.1What is Role-Playing?

Role-Playing, otherwise known as RPing, is where you, through a character, act in a game and play along with other people whether it be through fighting, exploring, commanding, etc. This guide will mostly serve as a helpful guide to those new to RP fighting, although we recommend that even RP Veterans re-read this to brush up on their skills.

1.2 Definitions

• True: Fighting without describing damage inflicted on your opponent
  
• Cheeze: Fighting with describing damage inflicted on your opponent
  
• OOC: Out of Character
  
• IC: In Character
  
• Duel: An engagement between two (2) fighters
  
• Battle: An engagement between more than two (2) fighters
  
• War: An engagement between two or more rival factions
  
• Faction: A group composed of members who RP, be it fighting or otherwise
  
• Controlling: Making your opponent perform an action
  
• God-Modder: A person who Cheezes
  

1.3 Fighting Styles

In RPing, there are three fighting styles: True, Cheeze and Mix. These three styles of a lot in common, yet they have very distinct differences. Fighters usually favor only one, but versatile warriors can adapt to any style in a battle. Cheeze is not something that is tolerated, yet we will describe it for you anyway.

2.1 Posting in a Role-Play

There is nothing more exciting than entering an RP with good RPers and younger members that are hungry for experience and excitement. These people depend on you. When you post in an RP you are dedicating yourself to that RP and, unless you leave it, you are bound to it and its destiny. Keeping this in mind, when you post you need to be aware of how active it is, what you hope to achieve and how you’re going fit in and leave. Likewise, when you create a thread you are dedicating yourself to it and its story. You need to have the inspiration to post in it, as well as the basic plan for where you would like it to go. However, anything can change and the end will undoubtedly differ from what you had imagined.

2.2 How to star a Role-Play Thread

When you’ve decided you want to make a thread you will need to decide what it is going to be about. You need to think of possible characters, places and, most importantly, the thread status. The thread status is put beside the title. The four statuses are as follows:

• Open: A thread that anyone can join
  
• Ask: A thread that only people who ask can join
  
• Invite: A thread only for people you have invited to participate
  
• Closed: A thread where the starting characters are the only ones who will be participating
  

Once you have all the variables, it is time to start it up. The first post of a thread needs to set the story. It needs to describe where it is, who is there and why certain things are happening. Description is key. You need to explain every little detail so that when people begin to post they are aware of what is happening. Here is a suggested guideline as to the layout of a first post:

• Where is it?
  
• What is it like there?
  
• What does it feel like?
  
• Where are the characters?
  
• What are they doing?
  
• Why are they doing it?
  
• What are they feeling?
  
• Why are they feeling it?
  
• Anything else you wish to add.
  

Many times, a post can be boring and deter people from posting in the thread; add in details to really make people want to join.

2.3 How to post in a Role-Play

Once you have decided that you want to join an RP, you need to know what to post first. Much like making the initial thread you need to know what you hope to achieve from your post, and indeed you role in the story. Here is a suggested guideline as to the layout of your first post in an RP:

• How did your character get there?
  
• Why are you there?
  
• Who is there?
  
• What do they feel like?
  
• Where are they?
  
• What are they doing?
  
• Why are they doing it?
  
• What are they feeling?
  
• Anything else you wish to add.
  

3.1 True Style

True fighting, or orthodox fighting, is a style that is the oldest and most followed amongst veterans. Newer RPers tend not to fight in True right away, as it is somewhat an acquired taste. However, it is powerful in the respect that it requires high creativity and honor to make it work. True is defined as: “On offense: not describing any damage inflicted upon an opponent; not controlling an opponent. On defense: not completely avoiding damage; not being a god.”

3.2 Determining Damage

Determining damage is a large part of True fighting. It is also the most important, as you must decide how much damage is inflicted upon you based on your opponents attack. Let us first look at an example of determining damage. In this example, Wiergraf is on the defense and Shinn Kuuro is attacking:

• With a mighty yell, Shinn Kuuro swung his flaming blade in a powerful wide arc, slicing through the air in the blink of an eye towards Wiergraf’s exposed head.
  

If the battle had so far consisted of short attacks, then this would be qualified as a good hitting attack, or an attack capable of inflicting damage. To determine if an attack is good enough, take into account spelling, grammar, punctuation, detail, physics and how the attack is unfolding. Also take into account the stance your character is in, how proficient he is in martial arts, etc. Wiergraf is a master swordsman and Shinn’s attack was concise, descriptive and grammatically correct, thus making it a good hitting attack. Here is an example of a possible defense Wiergraf could use:

• Wiergraf spotted the incoming blade and quickly threw his apocalypse up in an attempt to ward off the ferocious blow. The two weapons collided, sending sparks flying in all directions. Wiergraf managed to deflect the sword somewhat so, instead of hitting his vulnerable head, its teeth cut into his left shoulder. A river of blood began to seep out of the long, jagged gash. Wiergraf looked into the eyes of his opponent, narrowing his own eyes.
  

Sometimes, however, there are times when you should not inflict damage upon yourself. If you see an attack that has poor spelling, poor grammar, poor punctuation, little to no detail, etc. then you are expected to not inflict damage upon yourself. Here is an example of when not to inflict damage:

• Shinn took his word and swung it at weirs body. The sword went quickly and fastly and Shinn aimed it at weir’s head.
  

That was horrible, for lack of a better word. There are spelling errors, grammar errors and hardly any detail. Here is an example of an appropriate response:

• Wiergraf rolled his eyes and watched as the futile warrior attempted to strike him. His pathetic toy of a sword thumped against Wiergraf’s blade and bounced back as the great warrior yawned, growing impatient at the debacle.
  

Shinn’s attack was inadequate and weak, thus Wiergraf’s response dealt with that while inflicting no damage to either side. If you see a post such as Wiergraf’s response and you have been offended, please do not be. It is simply someone telling you to be a little more careful in how you attack in the future.

Final Lesson: Description, grammar and power all equal damage. Don’t expect a weak and poorly spelt attack to do anything to your opponent.

4.1 Cheeze Style

Cheeze fighting, or unorthodox fighting, is what it means to inflict damage and deny your opponent the chance to counter an attack. Cheeze is looked won upon by most RP Veterans, though it is highly liked by those who are new to RPing and do not quite understand the true nature of RPing. Cheeze is a style that depends on creativity, imagination and a touch of brutality. In short, the most effective Cheeze attacks are those that make the reader wince as he shares the victim’s pain. Cheeze is defined as: “On offense: inflicting amage on your opponent with a 100% hit rate, meaning any attack always hits; damage is determined by the attacker, not the defender; status effects may be automatically inflicted. On defense: healing and recovering from enemy onslaughts while they are occurring.”

4.2 Variations of Cheeze

There are many variations of Cheeze, each one a headache to remember. Hopefully, though, enough people will read this guide and use it to standardize somewhat the varying styles within a style. Most Cheezers use what is called True Cheeze, an oxymoron yet a descriptive title. This involves:

• No killing until the end of the duel
  
• Inflicting damage yet not making your opponent’s moves null and void
  
• Not automatically healing to full strength
  
• Not removing all status effects
  
• Controlling your opponent to a degree
  

Below is an example of True Cheeze. Wiergraf is attack while Shinn Kuuro is defending:

• Wiergraf grabbed Shin by the threat and squeezes, his iron viselike grip crushing his weak foe’s vertebrae into powder before slinging him onto the ground. With a quick motion, Wiergraf withdrew his fearsome blade and, snapping his wrist, buried the sharp sword into the skull of Shinn, skewering his brains and leaving him twitching on the ground. Blood was everywhere. The victim was in intense and agonizing pain.
  

That obviously has done a great deal of damage to Shinn....or has it? In this attack, Wiergraf completely brutalizes Shinn, breaking his neck and turning his head into a human shish-ka-bob. Below is Shinn’s counter:

• Shinn gritted his teeth, the flames of pain eating away at every fiber in his body. With a trembling hand, he managed to grasp the invading weapon and yell as he jerked it from his head, a column of crimson blood spewing out of the wound. Quickly muttering a cure spell, Shinn is somewhat rejuvenated to where the gaping wound closed up enough to halt the flow of blood.
  

In this counter, Shinn further described his misery and healed himself. It must be noted that he didn’t entire heal his wound, but rather he merely gave himself enough strength to carry on. That is a crucial element to True Cheeze and it also brings up a Cheeze Sub-Style.

4.3 Hard Core Cheeze

Hard Core Cheeze is a style of Cheeze that causes battles to drag out with multi-post attacks and end only when one fighter gives up. It requires a great deal of endurance but it is not as testing on someone’s skill like True and Cheeze are. Hard Core Cheeze can be very, very annoying in battle. Hard Core, with a few slight variations amongst different fighters, is defined as: “killing your opponent, most of the time frequently in battle; automatically healing yourself fully, including resurrection; absorbing every attack; ignoring an attack; extensively controlling your opponent.”

Here is an example of a Hard Core Cheeze attack. Wiergraf is once again on the attack:

• Wiergraf grabs Shinn by the arm and twists, shattering the fool’s limb into thousands of bone fragments. He then sweep-kicks his legs out from under him and slams him hard onto the granite ground, snapping several limbs and knocking the wind out of him. Wiergraf then, with a gleam in his eye and a smirk on his lips, smoothly swings his withdrawn blade downwards in a deadly arc. The razor-sharp sword cleanly bites into and cuts through Shinn’s neck, severing the head, blood gushing forth from dissected arteries. A last gasp of breath escapes from the severed windpipe, a crimson foam forming on the jagged edge as Shinn expiries.
  

Essentially, Wiergraf killed Shin by decapitating him. Now, Shinn will reply by finding some creative way of resurrecting himself and then killing Wiergraf, thus starting the cycle all oever again. This is why Hard Core Cheeze battles are annoying and will not be tolerated in a serious RP. This is a fun style for some to play around with, but in a serious duel, tournament or RP it is not acceptable. Below is one more example of a Hard Core Cheeze attack:

• Wiergraf outstretches his hand towards Shinn and, with a snapping of his fingers, takes complete and utter control of Shinn. He mumbles a few words and grins as Shinn begins weeping like a little girl.
  

Not only is that embarrassing to you, but it can be embarrassing to all of site. This type of attack happens all the time in a Hard Core Cheeze RP, and only those who are in to goofing off in such a manner will like this fighting style.

5.1 Mix Style

It is a blend between True and Cheeze. It combines the best element of the two main styles in a way that fans of both would enjoy. Mix fighters follow the universally accepted guideline. You may connect with your pre-attacks or minor attacks that led up to the major offense, but you cannot do too much damage with them. Think of them as preparation for the major attack. On defense, you must recognize any damage inflicted on you as well as defend and counter against the main onslaught.

Below is an example of Mix. Wiergraf is on the attack while Shinn is once again defending:

• Wiergraf withdraws his blade and leaps at Shinn, his eyes blazing with fury. With a swift motion, he spins 360 degrees and whips his right leg around. His foot collides into Shinn’s face, snapping his head around violently as Wiergraf’s other foot smashes into his chest. Shinn is thrown backwards into a rock outcropping and barely has time to look as Wiergraf swings his mighty blade down towards his head.
  

As you can see, Wiergraf connected with his two pre-attacks and inflicted damage before his main attack, which was done in the True Style. Thus while he did Cheeze, he still allowed Shinn to counter the main attack. This style does have certain limitations and must be used with caution. It certainly takes some time to get used to, especially in terms of defense, but it can be quite fun to use.

6.1 Fun

Fun is something that is to be had at all times while you are RPing. The definition of fun is “something that provides mirth or amusement”. Remember, an RP is not your real life. If you are having personal problems that you feel will distract you and cause you not to have fun RPing, then do not RP. It will be easier on you and easier on those around you. If at any time you feel that another member is taking away from the fun of an RP, please express your concerns to that person via the Personal Message System. If that does not work, please feel free to consult any Staff Member about the situation.

Credit to Ranka [Kel] and Daikus [Frosty] of Its In Yer Mind for this wonderful guide! Thanks guys!