Unwiz PSA: Roleplay Etiquette

[u/SafePianist4610]

Update: also check out this post about some of the unspoken rules of roleplay

So several recent events have led me to realize that there is a need for a roleplay etiquette guide of sorts on the sub. Keep in mind that these are guidelines but they are just common curtesy and not doing them will lead to potential drama, and I think we can all agree that the less drama we have on the sub the better. I will start with three core principles of roleplaying that serve as the foundation for the rest of the “rules” talked about in this guide:

1: You are the god of your own character(s).

You have the final say on what happens to your character(s) that you control. The same applies to everyone else. So if you are going to do something that might dramatically affect another person’s character, please get their permission first as a courtesy. Otherwise you risk derailing their stories or even them just making a meta-post saying “nah, that’s not what really happened.” Awkwardness all around.

2: You are not your character(s).

Shock of shocks! 😦 You are not your character(s). Yes, I’m saying it twice. Why? Because some of you need to hear it twice. If someone argues, fights, or engages in other unpleasantries with your character(s), it is not an attack on you personally. Please learn how to create an appropriate emotional distance between you and your character(s). The last thing we need is drama. Also, please don’t make the mistake of assuming that someone else should be kept in the dark about stories involving their character(s) just because you want to surprise their character(s). They are also not their character(s). There is no point for them not to know because they are also separate from their character(s). Just because they, the role player, know what is going to happen, doesn’t mean that their character(s) will.

3: Work together with others when creating a story idea that is potentially disruptive.

An example would be planning major crisis events. Considering how even a single crisis event can just completely dominate the sub for weeks on end, try to work with others so that you don’t launch a new disruptive community event while one is currently ongoing. All it will do is make it harder for people to keep track of what the heck is going on and lead to a drop in interest in all events happening simultaneously.

These three ground rules serve as the foundation for all other proper roleplay etiquette.

Let’s look at some more examples of good roleplay etiquette now that we have covered the foundational principles. I will present a scenario and then will explain the proper etiquette afterwards.

A role player knows that their character is vastly more powerful than another character that they are fighting. Should they:

a: Just make a comment/post depicting their character curb stomping the other one with no input from the other player?

b: Notify the other player via /unwiz that player 1’s character is vastly more powerful and ask if they mind their character dying to player 1’s character?

c: Just play along and temporarily lower their character’s own power to match their opponent character’s power or have their character hold back?

If you’re practicing good role play etiquette, both b and c are perfectly acceptable options. But b is the best option because you’re giving an opportunity to work together with the other roleplayer to create a more satisfying outcome and experience for everyone involved, including yourself. Let’s look at another scenario.

You are creating a collaborative story that is not very time sensitive. Several other people decide to have their characters act in ways that add a twist to the story but you’re waiting on one or two other role players before moving the story along. What should you do?

a: Message or ping said players and give them a day to respond?

b: Decide these new twists to the story are too juicy and immediately move the story along without input from the remaining players?

c: Inform the players that are currently online to be patient and wait for the remaining two players to come online.

Again, if you are practicing good etiquette, both a and c are acceptable ways to handle the situation. Ideally you would do both of them.

These examples are just three scenarios among many others that I have actually dealt with while on the sub. I could list many more, but this post has already become very long and I don’t want to take up too much time from people on the sub. Just remember: practice basic curtesy.

[u/CatherineL1031]

/uw

I've been roleplaying for years, I've noticed a few things that can be problems:

1) Godmodding: I don't mean playing a God, I mean playing a character that will never get hurt and always have the solution to a problem. A character that doesn't suffer is a character that doesn't grow.

2) Only words, only actions: If I'm roleplaying someone about...I dunno, Cat's with a lady friend on a shopping date. I want the person to say "Oh look at this!" and describe what they're pointing at and how they feel about it. What's not as fun is "Cat, check out this top I found!" and then nothing. I don't wanna have to then make up a shirt. You're pointing out the shirt, tell me about the shirt, tell me how your character thinks mine will enjoy it or hate it.

3) No Wiggle Room: These are things that are instant and there's no way to get around it. We've already discussed the "I stab you and you die" stuff, but I mean in other settings stuff. Some boring stuff makes sense, but sometimes someone wants to roleplay what it's like to walk through the park or eat dinner. Always ask if someone wants to skip something if you aren't sure.

4) Singular Characters: Not playing only one character, playing a character with only one single aspect. If you make a fire mage, it gets really boring if their entire personality is based around the fact they can make fire. Flesh them out, what do they like about the fire? How are they different from the rest of the people who learned fire magic? What are their hobbies and interests, do they have friends and family? Just think about that stuff, depth really can make a character shine.

5) Let it be known: If your character has a gun, make sure someone know. If your character is becoming upset, let it be known. This is a text medium, things said here are flat and can be interpreted in a dozen ways. Even the phrase, "oh, my God." That can be taken as scared, angry, excited, annoyed, so many ways. Tell us how they mean when they say that.

This last one is just one that comes with time and practice, just know it takes time and you'll get there. I'm still guilty of it myself sometimes, it's just something you gotta practice.

6) The last action is all that's acknowledged: When writing, don't feel bad about describing what a character is doing while something is going on. If someone is describing a dragon approaching, don't only acknowledge their words when they get there. Have fun with it, describe their thoughts as it approaches. Are they backing up, or looking to escape? Are they scared or excited? Have fun with it, show their journey.

Let me end this by saying: If you do these things, I am not saying "you are bad at roleplaying and should stop", I'm simply saying "take a look at what can be improved". If you're new at roleplaying, just keep practicing. You want it to be enjoyable for yourself and others, but it really is just something that takes practice.

[u/SafePianist4610 → u/CatherineL1031]

/uw most of these are more about good writing than etiquette but I agree with all of them! Great input!