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

Lucius Ignatius · **10-19-2017, 07:23 AM**

Generally I tend to be open and accepting of almost anyone within certain bounds--I give anyone the benefit of the doubt until I know them better. That being said, after being in multiple RP communities over the years, I've come to know quite a few Red Flags. I'll put a few that come to mind for now (hopefully these don't come off as peevish!), but I may think of more later. A lot of these have been mentioned I'm sure, but I'd like to add my two cents.

FC/Guild Cliques. Pretty much the typical High School kind, except within a guild or FC. The kind that officers/guild leaders form, and they always treat anyone who joined the guild/FC as lesser players/RPers, or supporting characters in almost any RP or plot. A good FC/Guild finds ways to attempt to include everyone, not treat them as a number. Its why some larger FC/Guilds aren't always that great, because you tend to be on the side lines.

Characters that constantly cause IC drama and pull almost everyone on the server into it, and when caught, never take consequences seriously, or allow a final resolution to their conflict. I'm not saying there can't be evil doers or large evil plots--those can be awesome! But, when playing an evil character, I think you should consider a more 3-dimensional approach. Other than saying 'they are evil' or possessed, or 'willingly' evil because of power--that's all well and good, but they should have a deeper motive than this, in my opinion. I'm not trying to attempt to tell someone 'how' to RP, but all I ask is to keep the players who are interacting with you in mind. If you are a hero going against a villain, it isn't fun to see your RP have no long-term effect (at least to some extent--not trying to say villains should always be repressed, but villains should consider permanent changes to their character in various ways so that the hero's RP doesn't feel wasted to that player). I also think heroes should take some losses too where appropriate, just make sure neither side's RP feels like its worthless or constantly on-going without some consequence. I could see if it was a common thief that steals things from time to time, thats fine. But villains who murder/maim/etc. without care, you should expect to be thwarted for good at some point. Being involved in these types of scenarios often across many games, have lead me to be somewhat selective in who I go after in terms of IC conflict.

Partners who do not communicate OOC. For the love of all that is good, please communicate when something is wrong. I have had people who do not say a word through out their RP, before or after the sessions. Sometimes it isn't needed, but after RPing down a certain path, and the person says nothing, or says 'everything is fine', and later on ends up attempting to force a path on you that wasn't discussed at all/you happen to not agree with and then says 'Well...' at the very end--that kind of player I refuse to continue RPing with after the first whiff of it. I'd consider this one of my largest of all red flags. I am totally fine with changing courses or retconning things, but I want communication where it matters--don't continue on and force things without asking or telling your partner how you feel. Don't wait until the last minute/post to say something. Most partners (if they are good RPers, in my opinion) will understand and work with you if you speak up. If not, then they aren't worth your time. I understand that IC should come before OOC decisions, but in these cases, speak up.

Partners who lash out at you/be passive aggressive/take things the wrong way when you are expressing your feelings on the RP in a constructive manner/won't analyze what you are trying to say. To elaborate a little on this: say you have been in a plot or RP for a good while (maybe 3-4 months IRL time), things aren't going in a way that you feel comfortable with IC, after trying to resolve things IC and some minor OOC questioning, so you speak up to try explaining your problems in a constructive, calm way. You are met with the person suddenly accusing you of various things and instant hate, when all you were trying to do was explain you do not feel comfortable with certain things in said RP. You -liked- the RP and the people involved, but you wanted to try talking things out so you could perhaps continue, but you have the person greet you with hostility. Again, communication is always key for me. If someone refuses to communicate where it matters or cant have a civil conversation about things, that is a huuuuuuge red flag to me.

Futas, F-lists... all that kind of deal. I'm okay with stating character sexual preferences in the note tab, and the whole M/D RP thing, but if someone approaches with a clear intent to score an ERP, I will see how they RP first. If my character is involved with someone, he will not see anyone for that reason, period. If they start badgering me OOC, thats when I start shifting away. If they try getting to know my character and they aren't too pushy/my character isn't involved and they are generally easy to speak to OOC, I may consider a romantic arc. But not off the bat.

There is more I am sure. But these are some big ones I haven't seen posted.

[Discussion] Red Flags in RP/RP Partners?

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