Everyone has already offered great advice. I'll try to add some info that hasn't been already!Â
First off, I would recommend joining an RP FC or Linkshell, one that is active and you can experience an RP event for yourself. The best way to learn is to observe, watch and participate. What were your favourite parts of the event? What parts were a little wonky? Take notes, especially on how it is paced. It is very, very easy to make an event go on for too long and bore people.Â
Also, joining a group or making some RP connections first will help a lot in terms of inspiration. When planning plots for my FC, I keep in mind my FC members and what they can do. Pay attention to their skill sets and jobs, mercenaries will want to do adventure-y type stuff, healers might want to treat a mystery illness, culinarians might need a rare ingredient for example. Remember this RP will involve other people and their characters, try to provide them some entertainment or development! People will appreciate it.
Moral alignment and their goals are also very important for character motivation, a Lawful Good character will not want to go on a mission to rob a house, nor would a Chaotic Evil character have fun rescuing kittens from a river. Conflict is good, but you have to be careful that characters don't just simply turn and walk away from the problem at hand or spend the whole time bickering on what to do. So tl;dr, know who you are writing for, or if you decide to recruit for the plot before making connections, be explicitly clear in your PF or event post what kind of RP will be taking place so you attract the right characters for it.Â
Another thing to consider is combat. There are many combat systems used, from simple /random when a difficult task or attack comes up, to very intense character point systems and the like. I would recommend keeping it real simple for now, perhaps one or two enemies. Freeform is also a valid option, and you don't even need to have combat to have a good storyline!Â
Google and the game are your friends for inspiration. Well, at least for me! If I come along an interesting lore tidbit in the game, or perhaps I'm just browsing D&D campaigns, that can spark an idea. Anyways, I've rambled enough, good luck in your plotting and have fun with your RP! o/
First off, I would recommend joining an RP FC or Linkshell, one that is active and you can experience an RP event for yourself. The best way to learn is to observe, watch and participate. What were your favourite parts of the event? What parts were a little wonky? Take notes, especially on how it is paced. It is very, very easy to make an event go on for too long and bore people.Â
Also, joining a group or making some RP connections first will help a lot in terms of inspiration. When planning plots for my FC, I keep in mind my FC members and what they can do. Pay attention to their skill sets and jobs, mercenaries will want to do adventure-y type stuff, healers might want to treat a mystery illness, culinarians might need a rare ingredient for example. Remember this RP will involve other people and their characters, try to provide them some entertainment or development! People will appreciate it.
Moral alignment and their goals are also very important for character motivation, a Lawful Good character will not want to go on a mission to rob a house, nor would a Chaotic Evil character have fun rescuing kittens from a river. Conflict is good, but you have to be careful that characters don't just simply turn and walk away from the problem at hand or spend the whole time bickering on what to do. So tl;dr, know who you are writing for, or if you decide to recruit for the plot before making connections, be explicitly clear in your PF or event post what kind of RP will be taking place so you attract the right characters for it.Â
Another thing to consider is combat. There are many combat systems used, from simple /random when a difficult task or attack comes up, to very intense character point systems and the like. I would recommend keeping it real simple for now, perhaps one or two enemies. Freeform is also a valid option, and you don't even need to have combat to have a good storyline!Â
Google and the game are your friends for inspiration. Well, at least for me! If I come along an interesting lore tidbit in the game, or perhaps I'm just browsing D&D campaigns, that can spark an idea. Anyways, I've rambled enough, good luck in your plotting and have fun with your RP! o/