Present:
AelKennyr Rhiano
Zryonotralionxus
Shawn Daysleeper
Lihan Taifun
Kellinar Trevellion
Koni Lanzius
Summary:
“Roleplay” is the development and acting out of a character's life in a fantasy realm. The best roleplayers know their character well, know how they would react to situations, and can communicate this in an understandable fashion to the other players.
There is no “one way” to roleplay. There are guidelines to improve communication among players. There are degrees of how planned or spontaneous the roleplay is. Your own perception of the local roleplay style will influence how you develop your character.
The adjectives describing your character (“Kind? miserly? Generous? Crazy?”) give your character personality. Look beyond their role/job title.
What motivated your character to become the person he or she is?
Your character's weaknesses add depth and interest to their personality. (That's why “Cooking with the Valar” scene worked. The Valar are wise, but not all-knowing.) It is no fun and no challenge if your character easily succeeds at everything.
Take clues from where your character lives. How would that shape their experience and expectations? If your character has skills not typical for their background (if, for example, your city-dweller has wilderness survival skills), you should know how they acquired those unusual skills.
AelKennyr Rhiano: Tonight we are talking Developing your characters... So, to begin...I guess we should ask..what IS roleplay?
AelKennyr Rhiano: <crickets are heard> lol
Koni Lanzius: hehehehe so that was not a rhetorical question then?
AelKennyr Rhiano: I guess it is now!
Koni Lanzius: hahaha
Shawn Daysleeper: Roleplay is your interaction with the world using your character
AelKennyr Rhiano: Yes, Shawn...very good!
Shawn Daysleeper: yay :)
Lihan Taifun: collectively writing a story
AelKennyr Rhiano: Roleplay is the actual development and acting out of a character or entity's life you have created in a fantasy realm. Roleplay of course, has many other definitions, but this will be the one that we are most concerned with. Yes, Lihan, very much so.
Koni Lanzius: it is very challenging, i think
AelKennyr Rhiano: It is. Essentially to effectively roleplay, you can do as little as developing a simple character concept, with a simple backstory. Or you can get as grandiose as your creativity and personal time will allow. The best roleplayers are people that know their characters well, and know how they would react to situations and can communicate this in an understandable fashion to other players.
Koni Lanzius: its also good to know the rules of the RP, what is allowed, what is not
Shawn Daysleeper: nods
AelKennyr Rhiano: yes, you are right. And. also.... There is no ONE way to roleplay. There are only guidelines that you can try to follow to try to ensure your being understood by those you are interacting with. Good characters are the development of time and thought. To really enjoy RP, or to enjoy someone else's RP, character development is the key. Koni, you did a very good job of telling us about your character..so I may pick on you a little :P
Koni Lanzius: ~**smiles**~ i had a lot of help
AelKennyr Rhiano: Rp is also about community...the rps that last have that. But the responsibility for developing your rp character is nearly always your own.
The first thing you need to ask yourself is who is your character? Where is he from? What propelled him into his line of work? Did he become a warrior to avenge the slaying of his family by balrogs? Is he a wizard because he has been romanced by the power of the Ainu from a young age? Who are you...when you are playing you the character?
Koni Lanzius: some sort of outline would be helpful for new RP members I think
AelKennyr Rhiano: Please..elaborate?
Koni Lanzius: well, in my screenwriting class at University, we had to create an outline, a story arc for our scenes
AelKennyr Rhiano nods, listening
Koni Lanzius: that makes the framework that one can flesh out with details. it is just a thought
AelKennyr Rhiano: It is a good thought.
Koni Lanzius: im sure everyone creates in their own way. i myself need structure
AelKennyr Rhiano: Some do precisely that...others are more fluid...still others "grow" into their role.
Koni Lanzius: and a general idea of what can and cannot be written
AelKennyr Rhiano: That is usually laid out in the rules of the rp, the rp limits, sometimes the rules of the sim, if the sim is a 24/7 rp sim, and the ROE or Rules of Engagement.
Koni Lanzius: ahh
AelKennyr Rhiano: Most rps in SL make it your responsibility for finding out those rules and abiding by them. Often they will offer classes or discussions like this one.. they may have people you can use as resources, like Lihan or Shawn...
Koni Lanzius: i see
Shawn Daysleeper: smiles
Koni Lanzius: ~**smiles**~
AelKennyr Rhiano: Usually there are people to monitor or edit the rp posted...to ensure the rules are adhered to...a LOT goes on behind the scenes.
Koni Lanzius: that is logical
AelKennyr Rhiano: Rp can take many forms.....
Free-form = there is little or no structure at all...very few rules...this may seem to be easy and some prefer...but it is the hardest rp to maintain.
Non-linear = there are goals and mile markers in the over arching storyline, but the end and the means by which you arrive to the end is determined by each rp, each action and reaction
Linear = has a goal in mind, often a set over all story or plot...sometimes this is very very planned out. almost completely scripted...sometimes...it is more open and less formal. But the goal is kept in mind.
In completely scripted rp, Everything is predetermined and written out prior to the actual roleplay event. This includes where you stand, what you say, who you interact act with..just like a movie script.
Narrative rp this is extremely detailed form of rp where it is like reading a novel. participants of this are in a constant ballet of action and reaction in extreme detail.
AelKennyr Rhiano: If you had to define rp in the 4th Age...how would you define it...because how the rp is conducted...that often has a bearing on your rp character and its development. Btw...each of you may have a completely different answer... :P
Koni Lanzius: wouldn't it be how you, the GM defines it?
AelKennyr Rhiano: yes....and no
Koni Lanzius: out of curiosity how would you define it?
AelKennyr Rhiano: As far as the mechanics and the administration of the rp...yes, the fellowship defines the rp...but how we see it, that is secondary to YOU when you are perceiving your character.
Kellinar Trevellion: Well, definitely narrative for me.
AelKennyr Rhiano: because of the way the rp notecards are posted?
Kellinar Trevellion: Yes, I suppose so and that I look for relative situations or information that may apply to my character.
AelKennyr Rhiano: So...would you say that your perception of the rp "colors" how you will develop Inwe as the rp moves along?
Kellinar Trevellion: I think so as I am participating in a 'play' with other actual characters with their own lives and actions and I may react them.
AelKennyr Rhiano: And also, as in rl....events define and shape the individual. On the personal level, it is very much how you perceive your rp setting that will impact how you develop your character.
Shawn Daysleeper: the things your character experiences shapes his desires and adaptions.
AelKennyr Rhiano: Well put!
Koni Lanzius: ahh
Shawn Daysleeper: smiles
AelKennyr Rhiano: It is aso what you perceived you are able to do within the confines of the rp rules and guidelines do, without a doubt, help you make decisions about character development, too.
AelKennyr Rhiano: Please, feedback, questions, observations? Does any of this help so far?
Shawn Daysleeper: oh yes :)
Koni Lanzius: i think so. i think one gets better at this with time. its like learning a dance
AelKennyr Rhiano: yes, they do...if they give it a little work and forethought...IT is very much "you get out of it what you put into it."
Koni Lanzius: its not really fun till you have it down
AelKennyr Rhiano: Some rps will dictate every little detail...others leave it wide open...we are somewhere in that middle ground.
Lihan Taifun: awww, maybe you are worrying too much, Koni
Koni Lanzius: ~**smiles**~
AelKennyr Rhiano: I was a worrier, too, at the start...and still am to some extent. So I know how you feel, Koni :)
Koni Lanzius: ahh
Shawn Daysleeper: it was fun for me since the beginning
AelKennyr Rhiano: yay!
Koni Lanzius: i have limited time in my RL, so i feel that pressure
AelKennyr Rhiano: So you want to make the most of it..
Koni Lanzius: yes, exactly ~**smiles**~
AelKennyr Rhiano: Yes, I can certainly get that.
Koni Lanzius: ahh
AelKennyr Rhiano: Right now...at the center, center on Who is this person you are creating... Not their titles, their offices...not, are they the biggest, the meanest, the sweetest...these are really not helpful descriptives to you in the beginning... I don't get up in the morning and think.."Richard, the teacher." Neither, most likely, does your character. Your character may worry about that wart on the end of his nose...or that patch of grey hair she noticed yesterday...
Shawn Daysleeper: hehe
Koni Lanzius: ~**smiles**~
AelKennyr Rhiano: Or for love of Eru do you find noodles? Where and how do you cook those stupid things?
Shawn Daysleeper: ✦✧HaHaHa✦✧
Koni Lanzius: ~**smiles**~ yes that was comedic brilliance
AelKennyr Rhiano: it was!
Shawn Daysleeper smiles. Shawn Daysleeper blushes.
Koni Lanzius: ~**smiles**~
Shawn Daysleeper: it was fun to rp
Lihan Taifun giggles
Kellinar Trevellion whispers: But what were the noodles made of?
Koni Lanzius: hehehehe
AelKennyr Rhiano: :P...omg..you DON'T want to know.
Koni Lanzius: hahahaha
AelKennyr Rhiano: Can we try an exercise that may help?
Koni Lanzius: by all means
AelKennyr Rhiano: ok....We will start with Shawn and He is going to give us the first thing he thinks of when he thinks of Lihan's rp character. Lihan will then have to give an impression of Koni, Koni of Kell, Kell of me, me of Zyron, and Zyron of Shawn....ok?
Koni Lanzius: yes
AelKennyr Rhiano: ok...Shawn, you first.
Shawn Daysleeper: Nienna is calm, thoughtful, and is not a good cook. hehe
Koni Lanzius: ~**smiles**~
Lihan Taifun: * snort *
AelKennyr Rhiano: hahahaha Lihan?
Lihan Taifun: Koni's ... I can't pronounce her name ... she is ambitious, and used to getting her way, one way or another
AelKennyr Rhiano: ohh...nice.
Koni Lanzius: Sadronniel like three words
Lihan Taifun: right, ok
Koni Lanzius: Sad ron niel ~**smiles**~
AelKennyr Rhiano: Koni?
Koni Lanzius: i see lord Ingwe very much as Hugo Weaving's Elrond: strong, decisive troubled and spiritual
AelKennyr Rhiano nods....good... Ok, Kell?
Kellinar Trevellion: Olwe is completely distracted with pain and nightmares but does not give in.
AelKennyr Rhiano: ok... my turn... Zyron is detached, lonely...very much desirous of belonging and fitting in. Zyron? And sorry, I used your avatar name because your rp charcter is still a work in progress.
Zryonotralionxus Tiss ok
AelKennyr Rhiano smiles and listens :)
Zryonotralionxus: I am trying to remember who Shawns character is
Shawn Daysleeper: Nole
AelKennyr Rhiano: Nole the sea Merchant
Shawn Daysleeper: smiles
AelKennyr Rhiano: Or you could comment on Irmo, if you are more familiar with that character in the rp
AelKennyr Rhiano: Perhaps someone could assist Zyron? Would that be ok with you, Zyron? AelKennyr Rhiano smiles encouragingly.
Zryonotralionxus: Yes, cause I fear I am just drawing blanks!
AelKennyr Rhiano: Ok....anyone?
Zryonotralionxus: And the noodle lady is all that I truly can remember lol
AelKennyr Rhiano: hahahaha
Koni Lanzius: hahaha
Shawn Daysleeper: ✦✧HaHaHa✦✧
AelKennyr Rhiano: Good enough! Now, please, I ask you to think about what was said about your character...notice...the adjectives? Spiritual....calm...determined... descriptives were used...not nouns like....king...ranger...Vala..dragon... Those are often labels that you can get caught hiding behind.
Zryonotralionxus Resident nods
Lihan Taifun: 'cept everyone remembers the noodles
AelKennyr Rhiano: If you are an elf...what kind of elf? And I don't mean Vanya, Telerin, Noldo....What are you? Kind? miserly? Generous? Crazy?
AelKennyr Rhiano: hahaha yes!
Zryonotralionxus: I felt I was able to taste the noodles myself
Koni Lanzius: yea
Shawn Daysleeper: lol
AelKennyr Rhiano: See? Now Lihan and Shawn did a wonderful job of developing their characters in that rp...
Koni Lanzius: ~**smiles**~
AelKennyr Rhiano: Create your appearance. Take some time to enhance your looks to suit the role you have chosen. Are you going to be an elf? Find the appropriate clothing and accessories, such as ears and/or weapons. Take on the traits of the character. But don't forget...that is only part of who Ingwe is or who Nienna is...
Lihan Taifun: because the Valar are actually quite naive about some practical matters of physical life
AelKennyr Rhiano: Exactly!
Shawn Daysleeper: nods
AelKennyr Rhiano: They are NOT all knowing. Wise but now all knowing.
AelKennyr Rhiano: And we remember Nienna and Irmo with greater fondness because they are not all knowing.
Shawn Daysleeper: smiles
AelKennyr Rhiano: Ask yourself...when I heard myself describe...was that the impression I want to create? How do I develop that further?
Koni Lanzius: yes vulnerability is a great character development
AelKennyr Rhiano: Yes, it is.
Koni Lanzius: not easy to do
AelKennyr Rhiano: No, but when you do...wow, is it powerful.
Koni Lanzius: you really do have to get into the head of your character
AelKennyr Rhiano: It is of little worth if your character achieve every single thing he or she sets out to do. Where is the fun? The challenge?
Koni Lanzius: yea you are right
Shawn Daysleeper: yes
AelKennyr Rhiano: A ranger is not a sea merchant... A king is not a chef. And if they are...then, it should be a part of their personal life history how they acquired that skill.
Zryonotralionxus: A dragon is not an elf!
AelKennyr Rhiano: And if he is...then how, and why?
AelKennyr Rhiano: Another consideration... A good way to start is to take a look at the environment, your surroundings. Do you live in a city? A forest? Are you surrounded by impending doom around the realm's borders? There are simply so many different environmental cues that can help you begin your story as a character.
AelKennyr Rhiano: The Vanyar live in a paradise...They have really no idea of what is coming.
Kellinar Trevellion nods
AelKennyr Rhiano: The Valar really have no real drive to concern themselves with the affairs of the mortal world. Until now
Lihan Taifun: (very quiet here)
Koni Lanzius: Ahahaha! XD well, i enjoy creative writing
Zryonotralionxus: I am pondering
Koni Lanzius: but i have to learn the RP guidelines better, for example i would like to flesh out my botany skills as a ranger
Zryonotralionxus: Cause I know myself, the character I am working on is taking time because I am trying to link so much together in his past to bring him to the present
Lihan Taifun: yes, you have a very complicated past
Zryonotralionxus: So I been constantly reading and searching info before I can write a few paras, then back to reading and research again! But keeping my mind living the parts of the history he would have been a part of makes it easier to work him out while also developing his characteristics
{Ael crashes, effectively bringing the meeting to an end. Farewells}
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