Rules of Role Play
Welcome to the role-play chats (better known as RP)!
Everything will be far easier than you think, trust me.
This page will walk you trough some basic role play rules and knowledge.
Channel differences
The channel category “The Tavern” encompasses all role-play chats on the server.
There are 5 kinds – rp, rp-noncannon, idle-rpg, rp-5e and the-dungeon
#rp is the role-play happening in the universe where all the server lore is treated as real.
You can join into the session if it is logical for you to be able to join it.
For example, if there is a tournament being run, you can join in the fighting or spectate. However, if someone is visiting at a friend’s place, you do not fit in. Therefore, you cannot join without the permission of at least majority of the already present users.
If you wish to burn a heretic while something is already going on, just do it really quickly and then take your leave.
#rp-noncannon are chats where the players create their own universe and role-play in it. It is in essence its own universe, with its own rules and weirdness that this handbook does not cover. You may only join in to the situation if a majority of the users already present within it agree to it. After all, it can be possible you may not exist in it. So ask for permission first.
#idle-rp are chats designated for the usage of the bot IdleRPG. This rulebook does not cover any bot commands from IdleRPG. You can use these at any time, but preferably when someone isn’t already occupying the chat.
#rp-5e is designated for DnD sessions hosted on the server. If you wish to join in on one of those, contact a DM running a session.
#the-dungeon is a chat designated for talking about tabletop RPGs in general. It is not, as some may think, a spamming channel.
In Character vs. Out Of Character
In character (IC) describes the state of acting through the eyes, ears, and body of your fictional character. Basically, all physical actions and conversations would be based as if you are really the character, through the emoting and writing guidelines detailed below.
By default, you are in character.
Out of character (OOC) describes responses and interactions with others as your real-self, in out-of-story context. Basically, being OOC means you are not role-playing.
IC versus OOC also reflects the nature of your relationship with other player(s). Understanding the difference between what characters say or do In-Character and what goes on Out-Of-Character is paramount to a healthy storyline and preventing Metagaming.
Rolling via the bot
In the server, we use a bot called RPBot to resort all rolls. Other bots may have this function too, but this one is designated for it. The basic command is %roll . You then specify the number of and type of dice, plus modifiers.
For example:
%roll 1d20
Rolls a random number, ranging from 1 to 20.
%roll 1d20+5
This rolls a random number from 1 to 20, then adds 5 to the roll.
%roll 3d10+6
This one rolls three random numbers from 1 to 10, then adds 6 to the roll.
%roll 3d8+2d6+2
This one rolls three random numbers from 1-8, two from 1-6, adds it all together and adds 2 on top.
You can also do rolls mid-sentence by using () around the command instead of % This is an example (Roll:1d20+5) of how that could work.
Text formatting
To better tell apart what is currently happening in a rp chat, you use text formatting.
Plain text is used for normal communication. Whatever typed is as if it was said by your character. It is generally better if you additionally surround the text with “, to emphasize on the speech part.
Italicized text is to showcase the actions your character takes in the situation. Whatever typed is as if it was done by your character. It is done by surrounding the message with * or _.
(Text in brackets) is used for OOC conversations.
Additional text formatting can be used, but is not standardized and is up to the individual. Examples of this would be bold text, underlined text, striketrough text, a combination, or many more of the formatting styles Discord supports.
Additional terms
Voiding – happens when IC actions or details in a storyline are nulled. It is as if they have never occurred. Sometimes it can be whole scenes or storylines.
This is usually the result of Metagaming, Powergaming or a severe breaking of a rule. Misunderstanding of rules can count as well.
Powergaming – If one attacks without any social interaction, forces people to fight, or post the result of an attack on another character without waiting for a reaction, then they are powergaming.
Besides losing respect from other players, if reported, the offenders may find themselves ejected from groups and banned.
Example:
Player A: I stab B
The correct method in this case would be:
Player A: attempts to stab B
%roll 1d20
Then compare that to player B’s AC to see the outcome
Metagaming – The action of utilizing a player’s real life knowledge to determine the actions of their character, when said character would not have relevant knowledge and/or have the awareness to know in said circumstances. For example, using knowledge from a previously played or dead character.
The golden rule(s)
Remember these two. A GM’s has the final say in things at the end of the day, unless he/she does something which makes absolutely no logical sense, then call Angle.
The following users are considered game masters, therefore are all powerful both IC and OOC.
Pravus, Angle, Dragon, Bradly, Alpha.
Even more importantly, at its’ core, role-play is about having fun. So just, try to not take things way too seriously and enjoy the wild ride.