(06-11-2014, 10:22 AM)C Wrote: If I could add one thing to it that's made the biggest difference for me: RP like you're a supporting character in someone else's story.
Quote:Enable other people's RP. Do that, and you'll never have an end to people wanting to RP with you.
A thousand times yes. I met up with Shuei Setsuna for the first time yesterday, and after a brief introductory RP, we decided in-character to go questing together. I joked OOC, "Hiroshu has joined the party! (victory music)" and put him on follow. And that was exactly how I played it from then on: as though I was a supporting character in his party.
It's still true that you are always the hero of your own story, but it's just as fun being the cool side character in someone else's. Role playing is certainly improv, and improv is a team sport, but what makes role playing so unique is that six different role players are like six different authors writing six different novels at the same time.
Let your story adapt to the circumstances other role players put you in, and you'll be amazed at what can emerge. The difference, then, between typical storytelling and role playing is that you get to be an audience to your character just like everyone else. You don't know yet what's going to happen to them. That's truly what makes it fun.
Knight Kat Wrote:It does not matter what your character is, or what your character does, do not go searching with expectations and limitations. You want to enter a bar? Do it. "But my character does not drink alcohol." Then get some damn tea. Want to go to Thanalan? "But my character does not go to Thanalan." You had some bad tea, and while intoxicated, took a caravan to Thanalan. Your character wakes up there; not knowing how the heck he/she got there.
That's a great point. I'd say stop worrying about what your character would NEVER do. Start thinking about why they did it this time. Stories are interesting not when everything goes to plan, but when the plan gets ruined. That's what changes your character over time and allows them to grow.
