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Kheni'to · **11-03-2013, 03:32 AM**

Hello everyone. I recently posted an introduction, and am now ready to get to a thread I've been wanting to post for a couple of days.

There are a lot of conflicting signals that are confusing me a bit. For example, I recently read a post/message from a person advertising a free company of theirs. They stated that they would be welcoming to Role Play newbies, but wanted skilled role players (not in those exact words, but close enough). How does that work?. Also, a lot of RP free companies state that they want quality over quantity. This is an intimidating statement. What would be quality? Why do I only see statements like this from many RP Free Companies? Maybe I'm misunderstanding it, but it comes across to me as "we only take the best". Isn't that subjective? How do I know what FC to possibly apply to if I don't know when or how I'd be a skilled RPer?

I will appreciate anyone who responds to my post. Maybe I'm over-thinking it. I tend to do that.

Maqali Qulaan · **11-03-2013, 03:37 AM**

I don't really know what to say to the first part, honestly, but usually when FCs look for 'quality over quantity' what they mean is that they want people who are willing to put in time and honest effort, rather than just looking for semi-warm bodies to fill the roster. Honestly, I feel that you'd be fine... an FC that disregards someone who is making honest effort because they're new isn't worth your time, and I've yet to see an FC or LS in the RPC that's like that. Smile

Gharen · **11-03-2013, 03:49 AM**

It sounds like you're reading a little too much into it. "We only take the best" types of groups are generally looked down upon as elitist.. and I have not seen anything like that here on the RPC.

What constitutes "good" RP is purely subjective. We all have our own unique style of RP, if you're new and willing to learn the ropes I'd say that's a good place to be.

Cato · **11-03-2013, 03:58 AM**

It can generally be summed up as role-play that makes sense. In other words, a character concept that is both feasible and abides by the canon lore as closely as possible. Excessive gimmicks are typically a turn off, since a solid character can survive under scrutiny rather easily. As a rule of thumb if multiple role-players end up offering constructive criticism regarding similar matters then there's a very big chance that the character in question could do with being adjusted.

As for 'elitism', that's another matter entirely. It's not necessarily a bad thing, either - no one is obligated to role-play with anyone else. Usually the role-players who kick up a fuss about alleged elitism are some of the first to uphold the desperate exclusivity they claim to despise.

Freemoon · **11-03-2013, 04:01 AM**

(11-03-2013, 03:32 AM)Kheni Wrote: Maybe I'm over-thinking it. I tend to do that.

You're not alone, so don't worry! Â Big Grin

In my eyes, skilled RP is anyone who is putting forth an effort to be a character and having fun while doing it. Â Some people like to get really into detail and live out the lives of their characters, some people like to simply speak in character every now and then, and neither of them are "wrong" or "right". Â As long as you're not godmode/metagaming or trying to control how someone else RPs, then you're going to be fine.

Kheni'to · **11-03-2013, 06:15 AM**

Thanks for the advice everyone. I can already tell this community is pretty diverse. Once I step back, calm down and stop over-thinking it; I can probably be good at this. I learned from Eva's Role-playing Handbook what pitfalls to avoid.

BTW S'janna and Gharen, your wikis are awesome. Didn't know there were character wikis that could be made. I'll have to think about that.

Maqali Qulaan · **11-03-2013, 06:18 AM**

(11-03-2013, 06:15 AM)Kheni Wrote: Thanks for the advice everyone. I can already tell this community is pretty diverse. Once I step back, calm down and stop over-thinking it; I can probably be good at this. I learned from Eva's Role-playing Handbook what pitfalls to avoid.

BTW S'janna and Gharen, your wikis are awesome. Didn't know there were character wikis that could be made. I'll have to think about that.

Thanks! I need to update it, though... Janna's been through a lot since she first entered Eorzea and I should represent that on her character page!

Jael'li · **11-03-2013, 06:31 AM**

If anything, a skilled roleplayer pretty much means that you know how to properly punctuate and weave your words in such a way that it seems rather fluid while you're reading it! Also a big thing is researching the theme of the free company and see how your character can fit in! A basic rule of writing is to write about what you know; and if you don't know it, use google magic!

Tiergan · **11-03-2013, 07:26 AM**

Just remember to have fun and be open-minded/flexible if others gently warn you that you've slipped up in regards to the main RP no-no's or the lore of the game.Â

You've already shown pretty clearly in these forum posts alone that you can type without using a mess of net-speak and wonky punctuation - that alone will get you surprisingly far. ;)Â I would think that even the most 'elitist' RPer would be willing to be patient and help guide you along if they also profess to want to be helpful and open to newbie RPers - especially one as dedicated about 'getting it right' as you.

Ninian Lune'ciel · **11-03-2013, 08:49 AM**

It seems like everyone's already come up with all of the important points to make, between being believable for who your character is meant to be and whatnot. If you're talking about what makes a good rp post, I'd say just make sure you show everything you want to show.

RP is completely subjective, so make sure you're at least up to your own standards. Don't go easy on yourself, either. Your characters are people and people are hopelessly complex on tons of different levels =p

Magellan · **11-03-2013, 12:31 PM**

(11-03-2013, 06:31 AM)Jael Wrote: Also a big thing is researching the theme of the free company and see how your character can fit in!

This. There are people who just want RP; doesn't really matter who or what, just the act of RPing and interacting with others as their character is exciting.

Then there are those who want to tell a shared story. The excitement comes from 'signing up' for a theme, then working together to see where that theme goes. I would wager that's where the 'quality over quantity' phrase comes from.

Because in the second example, so much can go wrong. People put in a lot of time and love trying to craft this story, only to have someone come along and completely disrupt or derail it because their character honestly didn't fit the theme. Or people come along who try too hard to tell 'their story', instead of helping to contribute to the overall story that the group had agreed to tell.

The absolute best FC's manage to juggle both. When you have a 'shared story' only, it can be absolutely maddening and intimidating trying to break your character into; it can feel like you're picking up a book and trying to read it from the middle. It can feel like you're 'shut out' because all these other characters already know each other and get along great, and barely show you any attention.

And it can be hard to find a way to contribute; in the end we all want to tell our personal stories, but some groups really want to focus on the shared story heavily; and without instruction, it can be really hard to know how to integrate the two.

Again, the best FC's imo, set up a framework, or over-arcing storyline for people to participate in, but then give a lot of freedom to the player in how they interact with that storyline. My current character, Claire, is very much an everyday, regular person, and is really thriving in a school/academy based FC. However, she would probably fall flat on her face if she tried to join a mercenary group, or a band of knights, etc. because she is not a fighter.

'Quality over quantity' imo usually refers to 'please pay attention to what you are signing up for, and be respectful of the story we are trying to tell'. It may take a few tries to find the FC you like and that's fine. There is nothing wrong with trying out a group, deciding its not for you, and moving on to another one. The RP experience should be fun for all involved, and there should be no hard feelings if things do not work out ICly (if things go poorly OOCly, that's a different matter).

Anyway, skilled RP really is nothing more than respect. Respect of others tastes, being willing to compromise, learn from each other, and being considerate of what others find fun. You certainly don't have to write like Shakespeare or tell stories like Neil Gaiman to RP with me =P

Gharen · **11-03-2013, 04:27 PM**

(11-03-2013, 06:15 AM)Kheni Wrote: Thanks for the advice everyone. I can already tell this community is pretty diverse. Once I step back, calm down and stop over-thinking it; I can probably be good at this. I learned from Eva's Role-playing Handbook what pitfalls to avoid.

BTW S'janna and Gharen, your wikis are awesome. Didn't know there were character wikis that could be made. I'll have to think about that.

Thanks, mine still needs some work done on it. It's looking pretty plain right now.

Entity · **04-10-2014, 10:17 PM**

To be as short as I can without turning this into a paragraph: RP is like acting, but with a keyboard. You know you're doing a good job when someone asks you OOC if you guys are ACTUALLY fighting or there's "drama" going on [IC], lol. I've been told that once when I fought with someone IC on a LS.Â Just act like your character, is really all there is to it. If your character isÂ cocky, think of something that makes you feel like the best. If your character isÂ witty, think of the most cleverÂ things toÂ say.

Faye · **04-10-2014, 10:23 PM**

It is indeed, as you say, subjective. Therefore, for a real answer you would have to ask the respective leader of any specific free company what they mean by wanting "skilled" or "quality" role-players. To say they welcome RP newbs yet only want skilled RPers could be a bit hypocritical, but there are many people who jump into RP with a decent amount of skill (sure, RP experience helps, but all it really takes to be a good role-player is decent spelling/grammar, common sense, effort, and respect for others). However, as others said, don't read too much into it and don't be alarmed! For a lot of FC's, "skilled RPers" seems to simply mean people who take RP seriously and put in an effort, while other FC's don't particularly look for any certain quality of members when they say that, they just want to seem exclusive and fancy.

Koninbeor · **04-10-2014, 10:35 PM**

What Constitutes Skilled RP?

RPC has moved! These pages have been kept for historical purposes