Roleplay Etiquitte

This FAQ includes suggestions submitted by other players on this MUSH; it is not intended to be an all-inclusive document on how to roleplay but rather to suggest how to avoid certain difficulties and bad RP.

1. If you enter a room in which roleplay is already occurring, watch the scene before interrupting or involving yourself. It is polite to ask first if you are uncertain about posing as part of the scene. Likewise, roleplay of a private scene should be restricted when possible to private locations rather than open areas such as spaceports, restaurants, and streets.



2. If you have not met someone ICly, do not refer to that person by name. Even the Features are not universally known. Finding out a character's identity or name can be fun roleplay.



3. Attributes such as @odescs (e.g., "Piett glances at Vader") are considered annoying. And never force an emotion or action on someone else in a pose, a description, or a command. For example, having an automated message (@odesc) that says "Piett looks at Vader, impressed, and salutes," when Piett types in "l Vader" is forcing action and emotion on the player...even if he -would- be impressed and salute Vader.
   
   Likewise, in descriptions, don't imply things that people wouldn't normally know just from looking at you. An example would be, "As you look at Luke you know at once this is a hero of the Rebellion and a Jedi Knight." Whatever Luke's reputation may be, just looking at him would not inform you of who or what he is, just that he's a tousle-haired young man in black clothing.



4. Information in a room's description, such as locks or guards, are binding in roleplay. If you have questions or concerns about what is listed in a room description, summon a judge or talk to a building inspector.



5. Be as descriptive as possible in poses without spamming. You don't have to use big words or long phrases to get your point across, but look at the following:
   
   Vader says "No, Luke, I am your father."
   
   Leaning toward the younger man, black-gloved fist upraised, Vader hisses with intensity, "No, Luke...*I* am your father."
   
   The second pose is not long but involves important details about how the words are said and how Vader feels about them. Remember that quantity is not as important as quality!



6. When posing, be sure to avoid forcing actions or thoughts on other characters. Don't assume what the other character will do. For example, "Vader swings his lightsaber and neatly slices off Luke's right hand, making Luke scream in pain," is a poor pose unless the loss of limb was previously arranged. Furthermore, let Luke make his own noises! A better pose would be "Vader swings his lightsaber, intending to slice off Luke's right hand." Then Luke could pose, "Luke screams in pain as the lightsaber hacks off his hand, sending it spinning to the depths below."



7. In combat roleplay, take your time with situations to make them and your actions realistic. Don't pose entering a room, shooting someone, and leaving immediately: if you were in the Mos Eisley cantina, for example, you would have to look around to find the person, check and establish your escape route, and then fire the weapon. You -must- give the others time to pose reactions to your actions, and vice versa: do not cram too much action in each pose.



8. Obviously, don't RP abilities, items or knowledge that your character would not or could not possess. Lightsabers are especially rare.



9. Avoid using teleport-related attributes such as @otport and @oxtport; teleports are not IC and therefore should not be used in an IC environment.



10. Use common sense and be considerate of the people with whom you RP: they're trying to have fun too. And most importantly, remember that this is only a game and a cooperative one at that, so there is no losing.