Roleplay Guide
From CrackDenWiki
Contents |
Introduction
Role-play (RP) is an activity which requires players to assume roles of fictional characters and creating stories with one another. This happens through in-character interaction, following the guidelines below while keeping in mind the sim back-story and universe.
Our community does not believe in winning or losing. Our role-play is about forging stories, creative situations and relationships between other characters.
Abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| RP | Role-play |
| RL / IRL | Real-Life/ In-Real-life |
| OOC | Out of Character |
| IC | In Character |
| CD | Crack Den |
| TT | The Twister (bar) |
| HPD | Hathian Police Dept. |
| FDH | Fire Dept. of Hathian |
| HG | Hathian General (Hospital) |
| CU | Columtreal University |
| CME | Callum Mondegreen Elementary |
| JPH | Jr Pessoa High School |
| NPC | Non-Player Character (Fake) |
Avatar Appearance
All players here are assumed to be human. You may choose to RP an animal, however, it must be a realistic animal, such as a dog, cat, or anything that is domesticated and can be kept as a pet. No animals that walk on two feet or wild animals. All dogs must be actual dogs and not wolves. All cats must be house cats and not large wild cats. Any birds must be of realistic size and should not be larger than a human avatar.
Nekos, lycans, vampires, furries, etc. avatars are only acceptable if they role-play as "humans in a costume". However, if you plan on becoming a more familiar face in the Den, we recommend you make a human avatar for it.
NOTE: We have created a free “newbie” box in the teleport entry area – you will find freebies and content that will make your alt or new avatar realistic.
In-Character Communication
Writer's Point-of-View
You are the narrator in the stories your character participate in. Like most novels, we recommend you make use of emotes and chat to write in third-person perspective (using pronouns such as he, she, they, their, herself, himself, themselves, etc.).
Example: /me opens the door and steps in. She looks around the room before closing it behind her.
Emote Command Usage
Emoting in SL means to use the “/me” command following a description of what your character is physically doing.
When communicating, you should learn to mix emotes and chat properly. Abbreviations such as ‘lol’, ‘haha’, ‘omg’, etc. are NOT acceptable – use the “/me” command to emote laughter instead. Example of what you’d type:
Example: /me laughs her ass off!
All physical actions should be emoted. Here’s a combination example of talking to someone in 3rd-person perspective while emoting an action:
Example: /me takes a step back and holds up her hands, “Don’t come any closer!”
Turns
Role-play is also “turn-based”, which means when you post your emote/chat, you should wait for others to take their turn to respond with their own emote/chat. We recommend you only post ONCE and then wait for others' response – posting multiple times before giving others a chance to respond will create confusion.
Combat
Done in turns, our combat is done purely through written actions and is highly recommended (ie. “/me swings the bat towards her.”). When initiating group raids, leaders MUST coordinate and agree, out-of-character, final outcome before the RP begins. Everything in-between will be determined spontaneously through players’ RP.
Intent
In role-play, it is important that the idea of “winning” and “losing” does not take precedent over the true goal, that is, to create stories and relationships with one another. The outcome of any combat should not end in death or serious harm to another character (unless planned and pre-established)!
Whether you engage in verbal or physical combat, consent between both parties must be established.
Weapons
- Guns (small-arms only; handguns): You must apply and be invited into the Criminal group as a CD Armed Criminal or the HPD (Police) in order to use a gun. Both roles require their own special application. Remember, this isn’t the Matrix. Be discreet. Unconcealed weapons will draw police attention and you will be required to RP jail time if caught.
- Realistic hand-melee weapon (bats, knives, crow-bar, etc.): May be used by anyone who has been accepted into an official CD group (Civilian, Criminal, etc.). Simply joining the "Crack Den Roleplay" group DOES NOT allow you to use any kind of weapon against anyone.
- Protection (armor, kevlar, etc.): While such protection prevents the bullet from penetrating the body, the impact often stuns / knocks you off balance. It is highly discouraged for common use since small arms and shotguns are the only allowed weapon in RP anyways. Basically, the only people that can now use Kevlar without a pre-planned scene is the CDPD.
CU Campus
The Columtreal University campus in Black Bottom is dedicated to student role-play and have a different set of rules. Combat is extremely limited and guns are strictly not allowed on campus. Furthermore, gang activity is limited to minor dealings (drugs).
HG Hospital
The hospital is considered a safe zone from combat since it's attached to the Police Dept. Patients and visitors will not be admitted if they are armed. Violent RP within the hospital should be considered extremely rare.
Powergaming
Role-players who bypass social interaction before attacking (ie. firing a gun without warning or provocation through role-play), use excessive force during combat without expressed consent, or imposes damage/harm without giving other participants a chance to respond (ie. /me stabs you and runs away) are considered power gamers.
For example, if someone swings a pipe at your head, you may duck to avoid it and then respond with your own force. However, if 4 people attack you, you wouldn't realistically be able to avoid them all. Also, if you plan to confront a police officer, be prepared to get arrested. Claiming to escape in these situations is considered to be unrealistic and unacceptable RP. Power gaming like this will cause you to lose respect amongst other role-players, results in ejection or even banishment. Play fair; it’s more fun!
Metagaming
Metagaming is a form of power-gaming in which a player who takes OOC information, or details which their character would not have known yet, and uses that in-character against someone. This unfair practice is prohibited and would immediately void the role-play you’re conducting.
Tips
- When engaged in combat, do not simply IM someone to come help you. You must establish calling for aid through RP first, if even possible to your character (emoting text messages, cell phone, etc.) If you find yourself surrounded, you're better of realistically taking the beating rather than having a bunch of your buddies teleport into the sim to help you.
- If you've just stepped into a combat scene, wait for a round of posts to get some understanding of the current situation, then ease into the scene with your own post.
- Remember, if you’re hurt in RP, we recommend you to dial 911! (use the “Crack Den Roleplay” chat to emote dialing 911 and describe location and injury BRIEFLY – an EMT or police rescue may respond) – you will be able to RP with police/medical staff, creating extended RP and giving you more opportunity for fun interactions with others.
Erotica
Don’t let the pose animations be the extent of your role-play. Instead, use it as visual aid and direction to your writing.
The city is scattered with animation balls & equipment. Most are hidden within buildings and alleys. They were custom built and designed to aid your erotic role-play. Touching props with hooks and beds/mattresses will bring up menus for pose selection and control. Shades of blue/pink balls animate your avatar by simply sitting on them. Clicking on certain graffiti found on the sides of buildings will bring up its pose menu.
Recommended Roles: If you’re interested in being a sexual deviant – a predator looking for his next victim, then you should apply for the “CD Lurker” role in the Criminals group. If you wish to play the role of the victim, secretly enjoying being stalked and forced by a stranger and predators, then you should apply for the role of “CD Innocent” in the Citizens group.
- Ageplay is STRICTLY prohibited. If your character represents a minor, you must stay clear of all pose balls and scenes.
- Interruption without establishing consent first is prohibited.
Respect
Since our sim requires everyone to be the age of 18+ IRL, all players should act it! Immaturity will not be tolerated. If you have a problem with someone OOC, take it to private instant messages or mute the person bothering you! OOC arguments disrupt role-play and BOTH parties will be warned, ejected or even banned.
If you are continuously being harassed by someone, you are recommended to do two things:
- File an abuse report through the SL client.
- Log chats with the offending party and send a copy to Security GM, Stu Canning.
If you are warned by a security officer for violation of a rule or improper conduct, they will NOT make the time to discuss or debate it. Rules are clearly stated in “Welcome Guide” that everyone is supposed to read - ignorance is not an excuse.
Remember, treat others as you would want to be treated.
Tips
Don't decide it all
When typing an action or response during role-play, be sure to avoid writing in the other player's response.
Bad Example:
/me swings the bat at her head, smashing it in, and watches her fall unconscious.
The above example is powergaming, forcing someone to take your hit and their reaction.
Corrected Example:
/me swings the bat towards her head in hopes to knock her unconscious.
This new example is acceptable. Not only were you able to swing that bat towards her head and suggest that you wanted her unconscious, but you give the other player an opportunity to choose their own response to that action. They can either take the hit, duck and miss the hit, or whatever else they want to do.
Take turns - Post once!
Take a minute or two to think your actions out in your head then type it in one single post. Do not confuse other people by posting line after line, multiple times, as it clutters the viewer's chat area and does not signal the other player properly when it is his/her turn to respond.
Bad Example:
Steve looks down at Amy
You shouldn't have laughed at me girl.
Steve inhales on his cigarette
This will teach you and everyone else not to mess with me.
Steve spits on Amys unconscious body before heading for the door.
Good Examples:
Steve looks down at Amy "You shouldn't have laughed at me girl." he inhales on his cigarette. "This will teach you and everyone else not to mess with me." He spits at Amys unconscious body before heading for the door.
Have Fun
Role-playing is supposed to an enriching, creative and fun activity. If you are confused in any scene, simply stop and break the RP with the appropriate OOC protocol to clarify issues. 99.9% of issues can be cleared by simply taking the initiative and time to ask help from others.
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