Let me toss in my two gil. 
1. What chat channels do most RPers constantly use? Say/Party/Tell? Or do most people switch it up depending on where they are and/or who they are with?
In my experience, RPers are typically always, or almost always, IC in /say. Beyond that, it varies. I'm IC in party and tell unless otherwise marked -- and in tell, I always specify how it's IC (*whispered*, *via linkpearl*, etc.).
Linkshell and Free Company channels can be IC or OOC at the discretion of the group. Mysterium's IC channel is an LS; once we get the FC formed, we'll transition our OOC channel (which is also an LS) to FC chat. Other groups take different approaches to this.
2. How are custom emotes used? Are they used to express a simple action (i.e.: Nald'thal looks down upon Uldah.), or do people tend to be more wordy and reveal inner thoughts (i.e.: Nald'thal looks down upon Uldah, wondering where all the puny people went. Surely the city was full just moments ago!)?
You'll get a variety of opinions on this. I personally don't put thoughts in emotes, since other characters aren't psychic and have no way of knowing my character's thoughts or reacting to them without metagaming. I often combine emotes with text, rather than putting the speech and the emote on separate lines; it's just a more natural style for me, having come originally (long ago) from MUSHes where that's standard procedure.
3. Exactly how often are emotes used? Are they more scarce in a simple conversation between friends, and seen more in like, a scene... or something?
Constantly! Emotes are a key way to express your character outside of what they say. A wink, a nudge, a smile, a smirk, or even a raspberry add a great deal of depth and subtext to RP.
4. Is it commonplace for RP to be planned, or is 'freestyle' RP more popular?
This (of course) varies from person to person. Some people prefer planned events and storylines. Others prefer their RP to happen spontaneously. It's not uncommon for LSs and FCs to plan events, but leave what happens at them to the discretion of the players and their RP. Likewise, it's not uncommon for players to plan OOC to RP with one or more people at a particular time (even if it's just as simple as, "hey, let's meet up at a tavern"), but leave the content completely unplanned.
Fully planned RP, where the end result and possibly some of the parts played and actions taken are planned out in advance among players, is quite rare in my experience and usually done (or, at least, should be done) in private.
5. How does one with a crippling sense of inadequacy find people to RP with?
Might I recommend the RPC mentor program? In addition to picking a mentor, all of us mentors are open to being grabbed for random RP. Friend us and poke us if you want to meet, or just strike up a conversation if you see us in the world!
You can also often identify an RPer by their use of walking. It's sort of an implicit signal that someone's IC and open for RP. Starting a conversation here is a bit trickier (since you're basically talking to some random person on the street ), but it's a viable option. Perhaps you need directions, or perhaps you think they're wearing a cute outfit?
Finally, you can connect with an LS or FC that fits your concept. They'll bring you into RP quite effectively.
(Optional) 6. Does your character prefer sweet, sour or spicy food?
L'yhta's a huge fan of sweets, as evidenced by her ever-present bag of candied fruits.
1. What chat channels do most RPers constantly use? Say/Party/Tell? Or do most people switch it up depending on where they are and/or who they are with?
In my experience, RPers are typically always, or almost always, IC in /say. Beyond that, it varies. I'm IC in party and tell unless otherwise marked -- and in tell, I always specify how it's IC (*whispered*, *via linkpearl*, etc.).
Linkshell and Free Company channels can be IC or OOC at the discretion of the group. Mysterium's IC channel is an LS; once we get the FC formed, we'll transition our OOC channel (which is also an LS) to FC chat. Other groups take different approaches to this.
2. How are custom emotes used? Are they used to express a simple action (i.e.: Nald'thal looks down upon Uldah.), or do people tend to be more wordy and reveal inner thoughts (i.e.: Nald'thal looks down upon Uldah, wondering where all the puny people went. Surely the city was full just moments ago!)?
You'll get a variety of opinions on this. I personally don't put thoughts in emotes, since other characters aren't psychic and have no way of knowing my character's thoughts or reacting to them without metagaming. I often combine emotes with text, rather than putting the speech and the emote on separate lines; it's just a more natural style for me, having come originally (long ago) from MUSHes where that's standard procedure.
3. Exactly how often are emotes used? Are they more scarce in a simple conversation between friends, and seen more in like, a scene... or something?
Constantly!
Emotes are a key way to express your character outside of what they say. A wink, a nudge, a smile, a smirk, or even a raspberry add a great deal of depth and subtext to RP.4. Is it commonplace for RP to be planned, or is 'freestyle' RP more popular?
This (of course) varies from person to person. Some people prefer planned events and storylines. Others prefer their RP to happen spontaneously. It's not uncommon for LSs and FCs to plan events, but leave what happens at them to the discretion of the players and their RP. Likewise, it's not uncommon for players to plan OOC to RP with one or more people at a particular time (even if it's just as simple as, "hey, let's meet up at a tavern"), but leave the content completely unplanned.
Fully planned RP, where the end result and possibly some of the parts played and actions taken are planned out in advance among players, is quite rare in my experience and usually done (or, at least, should be done) in private.
5. How does one with a crippling sense of inadequacy find people to RP with?
Might I recommend the RPC mentor program? In addition to picking a mentor, all of us mentors are open to being grabbed for random RP. Friend us and poke us if you want to meet, or just strike up a conversation if you see us in the world!
You can also often identify an RPer by their use of walking. It's sort of an implicit signal that someone's IC and open for RP. Starting a conversation here is a bit trickier (since you're basically talking to some random person on the street
), but it's a viable option. Perhaps you need directions, or perhaps you think they're wearing a cute outfit?Finally, you can connect with an LS or FC that fits your concept. They'll bring you into RP quite effectively.
(Optional) 6. Does your character prefer sweet, sour or spicy food?
L'yhta's a huge fan of sweets, as evidenced by her ever-present bag of candied fruits.
The Freelance Wizard
Quality RP at low, low prices!
((about me | about L'yhta Mahre | L'yhta's desk | about Mysterium, the Ivory Tower: a heavy RP society of mages))
Quality RP at low, low prices!
((about me | about L'yhta Mahre | L'yhta's desk | about Mysterium, the Ivory Tower: a heavy RP society of mages))
