Gathered up the ideas generated in this thread, added to/tweaked a few, and attempted to split them into ones that are more "rules" (usually things already in the PS rules but still important to point out regarding RP) and "ideals" (General concepts that at the very least are really good suggestions). I seem to remember the settings team putting the kibosh on player characters posing as official guards, particularly since GMs are now actually RPing law enforcement roles. However, if I'm mistaken about this stance, let me know so I can rewrite it and make it more of a suggestion rather than a rule.
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Roleplay Principles.
1. All out of character (OOC) chat must be enclosed within a type of brackets.
This reduces confusion and shows respect for the other players roleplaying (RPing) around you.
Examples: [OOC comment], (OOC comment), {OOC comment}
2. No 1337 speak, IM abbreviations, or languages other than English in the main chat tab.
However, feel free to create a dialect or interesting speech pattern for your character.
3. Leave the official guarding to the government (and GMs).
GMs, Developers, etc. are the only people officially allowed to roleplay legitimate government officials. If your character strives to protect/serve the citizens of Yliakum, do it under your own banner not the government’s.
4. Roleplays should be “PG” rated.
PlaneShift is intended for a broad age range of players. Keep this in mind when creating RPs.
5. A character’s name is not known until it is heard IC.
Just as there are no floating nametags over our heads in real life, there are no floating tags in PlaneShift from an in-character perspective. In game nametags exist only for player convenience.
Roleplay Ideals
1. Give your character a description.
Character descriptions are only for what another person's character would see. Books are for autobiographies, character descriptions are not.
2. Stick with what is known about the PS world. (AKA: Know the settings)
A person must know the rules before they bend/break/add to them. All back-stories and character abilities should still be firmly aligned with what is known about the settings.
Note: PS is still a game heavily in development and therefore apt to change/grow/add to the in-game universe and lore.
3. Using /me or /my to indicate what your character is thinking is poor form.
Your thoughts are your own in RL. Your character’s thoughts are their own in PS.
4. In general, do not exceed your character’s race traits.
This includes extremes like attempting to RP a 7-foot tall dwarf or a Kran made entirely of vanilla ice cream, to less obvious faux pas like playing a character much older than any other of his species to ever walk the realm.
5. Don’t try to grab the spotlight; you’ll burn yourself.
An excellent way to turn-off fellow players to your roleplay is to constantly insist on being the most tragic, loud, dramatic character in the room. Not only is it obnoxious, it leaves zero room for anyone else to talk to you about their own character’s events or story.
6. Every great roleplayed strength should have an equally great weakness.
No weakness means zero conflict. It also ensures more thoughtful RPers will largely avoid you since it is no fun playing a game with someone that can never lose.
7. Ideally, roleplay and in-game stats should coincide.
While not always possible, if you are roleplaying a person that knows magic or is quick with a sword, it is probably a good idea to invest a little time training these skills using the game mechanics. Likewise, if you were RPing a farmer it would make little sense to train stats that make him the equivalent of a warrior.
8a. Do not take things said in character personally.
Unless someone is specifically harassing you (which should be reported to a GM) assume there is a nice person behind the character simply trying to liven up the PS universe. Just because their character is a thief, gruff, conceited, etc. does not mean the person playing them is the same way or intended any insult against you (the player).
8b. Do not use “being in character” as an excuse to be rude.
Remember, there are real people with real feelings behind every character. While a myriad of IC personalities makes roleplaying interesting, using your character as a convenient excuse to treat people poorly is not acceptable. Always be aware of the line between being IC and being just plain rude.
9. In general, roleplay should be done in the Main tab.
Using Tells, Group, and Guild tabs to roleplay means other players have no idea what your character is doing. Don’t deprive others of witnessing and perhaps participating in your roleplay.
10. Bald exposition is lazy roleplay.
Don’t cheat yourself with exposition you don’t need. It is unrealistic and removes a lot of the mystery from your character.
11. Your character only has as much power as the PS community accepts.
Just because you say you are a “powerful” mage/warrior/etc. does not mean others will treat you like one. A reputation is something that must be earned.
12. Have fun.
Never forget it’s just a game.
