You can debate what constitutes roleplaying.
To be 'roleplaying' (not necessarily good or bad) you bust be doing the following:
- Taking on the role of a character you have created.
Now, to roleplay well in my opinion is to be doing the following:
- First and foremost, creating a character with 'history'. In otherwords, you give your character some sort of background, some sort of life before what you do now. You don't need every detail of your characters prior life but some kind of basic background adds to the realism that your character actually was living before you brought them ingame through character creation.
- Giving your character some sort of current description. It doesn't have to be long, fancy, or special. I don't mind if you say 'A big blue kran'. If those are your exact words then it's perfectly alright. I understand it seems silly because if your avatar is a big blue kran then you don't see a point. However, it's nice to have those words there so others can know what to expect. Definitely don't say nothing in your description and yet expect people to see 100 different features about you.
- Giving your character a set personality. This really goes without much conversation. You can't be Mr Happy Kran one day then Evil Emperor Kran the next.
- Giving your character strengths and weaknesses. This goes for everyone, 'PLer' or 'Rper' as we all make the same mistake. 'PLers' often max stats and feel that totally alright. I don't care if the guards can reach y strength so x is possible. X is the strongest we can get so everyone shouldn't have X. If you do have X then the rest of your stats shouldn't also be X. Give yourself weakness reflected in your leveling. 'Rpers' I don't like it when we go around and say 'my character does have a weakness, its just super hard to find it.' Don't lie as many of us do it. Your character will have a weakness and it will not be 'Oh, to beat him you need a special sword that takes years to make.' In fact, have multiple weaknesses else it's just pointless.
- Use english. No 1337 speak. No other languages. If it is another language, put it in brakets. The only acceptable languages are those created by the settings for the races.
- Follow the settings. Self explanatory. You read them. What they say is what you can do. If you have a question about them ask a settings team member. Somethings will obviously be questionable but there are other things that obviously aren't allowed.
- Just because you can do something does not mean you should do something. To examples. Just because you can max doesn't mean you should. Just because you can roleplay the ability to infict perma-death doesn't mean you should. Now of course, there are people who do both things. In that case just because you have something, doesn't mean you should use them.
- Never assume your character is stronger than someone elses, regardless of stats and what you roleplay your character to be. Everyone should be given an even chance, if you decide to 'roleplay fight' (In duels stats would be the deciding factor regardless). This is the key to eliminating godmodding. If no one ever assumes themseleves anything but the equal of others or less then there can be no godmodding (and if everyone gives themselves multiple weaknesses fights would be determined on strategy, not 'uber strength').
- Have fun and realize that it's okay to lose sometimes. Make yourself vunerable if you want but never become invunerable to win. Unless something is prearranged don't focus on winning. Focus on playing the game.
Now obviously with rules come exceptions. I have a few.
To my 3rd point, the exception would be if your characters nature was to be 'flip floppy' or they had some kind of reason behind it.
My 4th point I only change in the case of 'events'. I know many people (myself included) who set up events not much different from how GM events work. We do it not to make super characters but to challenge and entertain other players before having the 'super character' die/meet his or her end. In those cases I don't mind someone with one weakness who is uber. However, one should not use this as an excuse to make an uber character.
My 5th point changes for those who can't speak/write in english very well. It's harder for some so you have to give them room to improve and not disinclude them. Don't use this as an excuse to speak badly. This also changes if your roleplaying a character who has bad speaking skills. However there are ways to pull this off by RPing and it shouldn't be an excuse to go around saying 'lol'.
7 only can be broken if your breaking 4 and like I said, you do it to entertain other players, not to make yourself stronger. If they aren't having fun then you need to fix something.
