» Wed Mar 09, 2011 4:58 pm 1. No god-mode/ all-knowing characters
2. Realistic characters, no Mary Sues.
3. Brackets for OOC
4. It never hurts to mention that well-thought out posts are appreciated. It's much more fun to roleplay with someone who poses interesting questions to your characters, and introduces situations ripe for roleplay.
5. Use the character sheet I posted, no more information.
6. DO NOT post the thoughts of your characters. I notice this is a favorite route to characterization on these forums, and it irks me to no end. No one can hear your character think, instead, incorporate what you had your character thinking into the story. This way the other characters can respond to it.
(EXAMPLE)
The huge empty halls of the castle reminded Lorrick of his childhood, the lonely chambers where he wasted away his youth. His parents never were home, always away traveling with the caravan, managing their accounts. His only friends were the sprites of his imagination.
-or-
Lorrick took in the emptiness of the hallway, he ran his hand over the worn masonry, eyes lost in the past. He grimaced slightly.
The second excerpt contains ample opportunity for roleplay. Another character can REACT to that post, whereas with the first the character would have to possess mind-reading faculties to be able to respond. And with the second, Lorrick can even refuse to answer, this tension makes his character more interesting, the grimace hinting towards an awful past that may be revealed later.
This sort of showing, instead of telling, ultimately ends in more substantial relationships between the player characters. Try to avoid exposition, and instead focus on creating an immersive world.
A few notes on this roleplay:
1. This is what some would call a "literate" roleplay, in that proper grammar and spelling is expected. Poor writing is fine, I'm no Faulkner myself.
2. Please don't include your character's back-story or history with the character sheet. These parts of your character should be revealed within the roleplay.
3. I tried to make joining the roleplay as simple as possible. Just include your sheet with your first post.
Character Sheet:
Name -
Gender -
Race -
Major Skills (2) -
Minor Skill (1) -
Physical Description -
Clothing -
Weaponry -
Name - Gavin Maleoplox
Gender - Male
Race - Breton
Major Skills - Destruction and Speechcraft
Minor Skills - Alteration
Physical Description - Gavin is of average height and slim build. His hair is short, unkempt, and shocking red in color. He wears a mustache and goatee likewise maintained. His eyes are a sharp tawny color, and quick to anger. His skin is lightly tanned and sparsely muscled. His face is predatory, and dominated by a savagely hooked nose.
Clothing - He wears a weathered pair of cotton pants over leather boots. His shirt is white and stained, worn under a leather vest. He travels with a large leather backpack which contains all of the survival essentials.
Weaponry - He has no weapons to speak of.
Name - Sara Raikrof
Gender - Female
Race - Imperial
Major Skills - Marksman and Hand-to-Hand
Minor Skills - Sneak
Physical Description - She is a compact woman, built like a huntress should be. Her brown hair is often worn back in a tight bun, her eyes are deep and black, her mouth small. Her face does not suggest beauty, but neither ugliness. Her poise is impeccable, and suggestive of a military background.
Clothing - She wears a full suit of leather armor, well broken-in and well maintained.
Weaponry - She carries a bow across with her back, along with a full quiver of arrows. A dagger is also hung at her waist.
Scene:
The sky forebodes rain and the wind pulls relentlessly at the trees. The camp is positioned in a clearing in the woods, a number of tents surrounding a healthy campfire, with only the darkness beyond. A collection of characters are gathered around the fire, some sitting on the ground amid the dust and leaves, others on logs collected from the surrounding forest, and still others on the overturned pots and pans of dinner. The flame shines heartily on their faces, lending each a ruddy glow.
It is a few years before the Oblivion Crisis, you are one of these mercenaries, employed by the City of Cheydinhal to rid Fort Haddix of the bandits holed up within. The camp is set up about a mile from the castle. Cheydinhal has sent a detachment of its guard to aid you/keep an eye on their investment. This detachment is made up of two foot soldiers and Sara Raikrof. They are standing away from the fire, gathered around a map-strewn desk lit with an oil lantern, presumably coordinating tomorrow's assault.
------------------------
Gavin leans forward, resting his elbows on his legs and clasping his hands together. He looks around the circle, running his gaze across every face, eyes intent.
"Well, my new-found comrades. Tomorrow we go to battle."
There was a murmur of agreement.
"And we hardly know each other. I believe introductions are in order, I'll start."
He stands and smooths out his vest, clears his throat:
"My name is Gavin Maleoplox, bandit-slayer extraordinaire and your comrade-in-arms. You may ask, where's my weapon? These are my weapons," he holds his hands up, then suddenly thrusts them into the fire. He laughs, a sharp laugh, withdraws his hands and the fire comes with them. He flips the flame from hand to hand, then throws it into his mouth. The camp is dark except for the red glow of his cheeks. FROOOOM, he spits the fire back into the pit. His eyes shimmer merrily.
"Ha ha, yes. Lookit that," he regains his seat, "magician, I'm called. Came from the beautiful sea port of Chorrol, born to a [censored] and a sailor, doncha know." he shakes his head, then looks over his shoulder, shouts, "How about you Cap'n, where're you from?"
The figure hunched over the desk stiffens, then straightens up. Sara appears at the edge of the glow. "Which one of you asked for me?" she addresses the group disdainfully. Gavin raises his hand in the air meekly, blinking his apologies, flashed a toothy grin up at her, "T'was me ma'am."
She looks down at him, points to the emblem on her chest, "Cheydinhal," and returns to her guard.
Gavin holds back a laugh, snickering to himself, looks around the group, "What a girl, huh? How'd you like to bed her? Ms. Icy-[censored]." He lets the laugh die off into a sigh, leans back. "Hell, I'm done talking. Introductions! Who's next?"
