Dungeon Master (DM) - whoever is in charge of the roleplay, typically the thread creator. You can have multiple DMs, but it's not that likely. Some threads are run predominantly by consensus: however, the thread creator can still seize control if they so desire.
If your game requires any exterior applications (like rolling dice) make sure to let the players know in the initial posting for your RPG.
Common Things to Not Do
Character Control
- Ignoring DM-driven roleplays / when someone is insisting that things go the way they want them to without the player's input.
- Do note that while non-player-characters are frequently allowed to be played by anyone, plot-important NPCs should be left to whoever is the DM.
- If your character has abilities relating to other people, do confer with the other player before doing anything. If you play a telepath, ask them what your character would know of their thoughts.
Godmoding
- Godmoding is when a character is ridiculously overpowered beyond where said character should be. Do not give your character new abilities on the fly; do not refuse to take a hit ever. If a nuke went off right next to your character, your character would not be able to dodge it without teleportation or something.
Railroading
- ... is when the plot of a roleplay veers far off from where the DM intended. If the DM happens to be a good one, then it will probably be possible to get it back on-track somehow, or at least find an alternate plotline. However, for the most part, people are going to have trouble with that. As such, try not to kill off plot-important NPCs.
- In the event that you like posting a lot and everyone else has not responded in the past five minutes, please refrain from posting repeatedly with one of your friends. It's rude.
Remember the IC/OOC Barrier
- What you know, your character does not necessarily know, and shouldn't always act on.
- Things done to your character are likely not directed at you. If my character kicks yours in the face, it does not mean that I want to kick you in the face.
- Just because you dislike someone does not mean your character dislikes theirs. If you are interested in kicking someone in the face, please do not have your character kick theirs simply because of that.
On Running Roleplays
- It is on you to deal with anyone being particularly dumb about roleplaying etiquette. Remember that you can kick people out if you so desire, and if someone refuses to listen after being reprimanded, then feel free to hit the report button and complain. However, it is not that likely that any given moderator will check your thread and help you run it. It is your sandbox.
- Just because you run your roleplay does not mean that it's okay to completely ignore things. Repeated failures to do a mediocre job (at least) of running a roleplay may mean that you get asked to stop starting new ones.
- If a couple of the recent RPs are run entirely by you, then you might not want to make more. Please don't flood the board. If there's no interest in a given RP, it might not be because people do not like the premise: it can easily be because people don't like you.
- Do remember that nothing is forcing you to play in a particular sandbox. However, do not completely ignore someone in a thread just because you don't like them.
- Have an expectation for writing quality in mind. You might want to convey to people just what type of writing you're expecting.
If your game requires any exterior applications (like rolling dice) make sure to let the players know in the initial posting for your RPG.
Common Things to Not Do
Character Control
- Ignoring DM-driven roleplays / when someone is insisting that things go the way they want them to without the player's input.
- Do note that while non-player-characters are frequently allowed to be played by anyone, plot-important NPCs should be left to whoever is the DM.
- If your character has abilities relating to other people, do confer with the other player before doing anything. If you play a telepath, ask them what your character would know of their thoughts.
Godmoding
- Godmoding is when a character is ridiculously overpowered beyond where said character should be. Do not give your character new abilities on the fly; do not refuse to take a hit ever. If a nuke went off right next to your character, your character would not be able to dodge it without teleportation or something.
Railroading
- ... is when the plot of a roleplay veers far off from where the DM intended. If the DM happens to be a good one, then it will probably be possible to get it back on-track somehow, or at least find an alternate plotline. However, for the most part, people are going to have trouble with that. As such, try not to kill off plot-important NPCs.
- In the event that you like posting a lot and everyone else has not responded in the past five minutes, please refrain from posting repeatedly with one of your friends. It's rude.
Remember the IC/OOC Barrier
- What you know, your character does not necessarily know, and shouldn't always act on.
- Things done to your character are likely not directed at you. If my character kicks yours in the face, it does not mean that I want to kick you in the face.
- Just because you dislike someone does not mean your character dislikes theirs. If you are interested in kicking someone in the face, please do not have your character kick theirs simply because of that.
On Running Roleplays
- It is on you to deal with anyone being particularly dumb about roleplaying etiquette. Remember that you can kick people out if you so desire, and if someone refuses to listen after being reprimanded, then feel free to hit the report button and complain. However, it is not that likely that any given moderator will check your thread and help you run it. It is your sandbox.
- Just because you run your roleplay does not mean that it's okay to completely ignore things. Repeated failures to do a mediocre job (at least) of running a roleplay may mean that you get asked to stop starting new ones.
- If a couple of the recent RPs are run entirely by you, then you might not want to make more. Please don't flood the board. If there's no interest in a given RP, it might not be because people do not like the premise: it can easily be because people don't like you.
- Do remember that nothing is forcing you to play in a particular sandbox. However, do not completely ignore someone in a thread just because you don't like them.
- Have an expectation for writing quality in mind. You might want to convey to people just what type of writing you're expecting.