How to Roleplay

Welcome to the Crack Den — a modern noir roleplay experience built inside the oldest metaverse still thriving today. With over two decades of continuous development, the Crack Den offers deep, text-based storytelling, AI-powered narrative systems, and high-fidelity urban immersion. Here, your words are your weapon, and your imagination is your freedom.

All roleplay is done through text. We use detailed emotes, turn-based posting, and character-driven storylines to create the most immersive world in Second Life. If you’re new to this, or just need a refresher, this guide will get you started.

What is Emoting?

Emoting means writing both your character’s actions and dialogue in one single post. This is done using the /me command — a built-in feature in the Second Life viewer that displays your character’s name followed by the text. Emoting allows other players to fairly react to your actions in-character.

❌ Bad Example: Not Emoting

Jane Doe: Hello  
Jane Doe: *smiles*  
Jane Doe: What are you doing?

✅ Good Example: Emoted and Combined

/me approaches the man and smiles faintly. “Hello. What are you doing?”

Post in Turn

Since we use a free-form text system without automation, players must follow a turn-based order in scenes. Observe who posted last and wait for your turn before responding. This helps scenes stay clean and fair for everyone involved.

❌ Bad Example: Multi-posting

/me walks to the bar.  
/me sits down.  
/me orders a drink and looks around the room.

✅ Good Example: Single Combined Post

/me walks to the bar, pulls out a stool, and settles in before glancing around. “Whiskey. Neat,” she mutters to the bartender.

Joining a Scene

Before you jump into a public scene, observe the players already involved. Wait for a full round of responses so you understand the context and the posting order. When in doubt, send a respectful IM to ask if it’s okay to join — especially if the scene looks intense or personal.

Forced Scenes and Consent

If you see a forced fantasy or violent scene in progress, do not interrupt unless invited. Always ask the players involved if your character can intervene. Respect for ongoing scenes is part of what keeps our community immersive and collaborative.

Example of a Good Scene

This is what a healthy round of turn-based, immersive roleplay looks like:

(( First round begins ))

Joe Blow: /me enters the room and looks around. Spotting the uniformed police officer on the side, he panics, quickly turns, and begins to exit into the hallway.

Jane Doe: /me shifts slightly in her chair, quietly observing the room. She notices the man’s arrival, his quick departure, and then wonders what he’s up to. “Hmmm…” she ponders.

Officer Taov: /me notices the man’s shady behavior and immediately calls after him. “Hey you! Where do you think you’re going?!”

(( Second round begins ))

Joe Blow: /me hears the loud command and immediately freezes. His mind races as he turns around and stutters, “Uh … is there a problem officer?”

Jane Doe: /me jolts at the sudden yelling from the officer. She sits up straight and begins listening in to the confrontation with intense curiosity. “I wonder if he’s going to get arrested,” she whispers to herself.

Officer Taov: /me cautiously begins walking towards the man with his hand on the handle of his baton. “You seem to be in quite a hurry when you saw me, boy.” He stops just a few steps from him and adds, “You got a problem with the law?”

Quick Tips for Great Roleplay

• Combine action and speech: Don’t split posts. Put everything into a single emote.
• Stay in third person: Always write from your character’s perspective, not your own.
• React, don’t control: Never write outcomes for another player. Let them choose their reaction.
• Post with intent: Keep the story moving. Every line should add something.

❌ Bad Example: First Person Writing

/me looks around nervously. I say, “I think someone’s watching me.”

✅ Good Example: Third Person Writing

/me scans the alley with uneasy eyes. “I think someone’s watching me,” he mutters.

Why It Matters

Good roleplay is about shared imagination, clear writing, and mutual respect. Whether you’re a veteran or brand new, taking the time to emote properly builds better scenes, stronger stories, and a more immersive city for everyone.

With AI-powered systems like the Story HUD, lifelike NPCs, and a player-driven world spanning over 20 years of lore, the Crack Den remains one of the deepest and most creative roleplay communities in the metaverse.

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