Walk-up Roleplay Advice.

[Aya]

However, I ran into Reason 2, above; with a very few exceptions, it was all transient. If I wanted something more substantial, I'd have to do other things. I set up an advertisement here for a FC company and joined Harbingers of Dawn for several months. That helped with the ability to get long-term roleplay while also letting me continue with walk-ups.

Glad to know you love me too Verad!! :cry:

 

 

I've met most of my friends, and most of my friends that have lead to deeper RP, through random walk-ups either in-game or on the forum.  I know its not easy, and Verad is definitely right about the shotgun approach, but to me it still seems like the most effective, and most obvious, way to get yourself into the game.

[Aris]

I've zero experience setting up roleplay, but wistfully think about it () and imagine I'd PM someone either on here or in-game and ask if they'd like to meet up. I like to plan more, so I'd explain about my character first and ask if they think their character would be interested in meeting and if they think there's RP potential. The latter isn't necessary - some people like to dive in.

 

Free Companies would help find roleplay and provide common ground. The Town Square forum on here is also a super easy way to join in. Just check out the (open) threads. Making a story thread and wiki about your character is a good way to get your character out there for others to see. That's my next plan any how.

[Kage]

Most of my roleplay now is entirely with people who I've made some type of OOC connection. I don't do much walkups anymore, but if I do it's not really "substantial". It's definitely more slice of life that I wouldn't really comment on as character development but it does hold one thing if it's with a character my own character is familiar with and that's building their relationship.

 

I do most of my networking out of the game. On tumblr, in the forums, etc. Stalking their art streams and meeting their friends etc. >.> <.< Most people answer my little cry of reaching out and it means I am trying to find creative ways for my character to do what he does to get to meet them.

 

I could count on one hand the people who I roleplay with that were made through walk-ups (either here in the IC section where I've spent a lot of time in my early days or in-game).

[Verad]

Glad to know you love me too Verad!! :cry:

 

 

I've met most of my friends, and most of my friends that have lead to deeper RP, through random walk-ups either in-game or on the forum.  I know its not easy, and Verad is definitely right about the shotgun approach, but to me it still seems like the most effective, and most obvious, way to get yourself into the game.

 

Aw now, you know I like the superficial RP as much as I like the deeper stuff. I wouldn't be aggressively badgering people in the Quicksand if that were the case - although it has significantly fallen off since I've been managing Scales I admit.

 

But I know a lot of players see walk-up RP as a gateway first and foremost, a means to get into the end of deeper storylines with heavier character development. There are easier ways, I think, to get started on that beyond shotgunning people in the Quicksand, and if a player wants that, but feels too nervous to walk up, it may be in their best interests to seek alternative venues.

[Darien Cadell]

I've had a few people try to walk-up RP with me when my character's been in a public place, but I haven't actually had the time to start anything. It makes me sad, because although I respond in-character before dashing away, at some level it probably feels like a brush-off. Although, if they're trying me in a public enough place, they're probably trying lots of other people and getting brush-offs of all sorts.

 

And then sometimes people introduce themselves with something like "Hey baby," and ohohoho that's such the wrong way to approach my character if you want the conversation to be more than a slap across the face. I think that time I laughed, said something mean, and left, because again, it was in a public place where I was just passing through and didn't have the time to really engage anyway.

 

My real life right now means unless I've blocked out a timeframe, I'm decently likely to need to suddenly leave the keyboard, so I just don't start things anymore. Not that I did much before, but there was a time when I'd scope out a joint and see if there was anyone I recognized to watch for hooks. Now? I almost never have that ability.

 

All this to say, I have no advice for you on how to initiate it. I'm pretty much never the instigator of walk-up, only the responder to receiving it from others. But I do hope the occasional brush-off won't turn anyone off of continuing to try. Sometimes it's just bad timing.

[Roen]

There has been some great suggestions here on how to initiate walk-up RP.

 

I will confess though, I am in Verad's boat in that if I was looking make some significant connections and or explore in depth RP, I arrange things behind the scenes. I like quality control. I like scoping out people's styles and the flavor of their character by reading their IC posts, OOC posts, and wikis. Then if I think we might gel or there are storyline hooks we might be able to play off of, I send a PM. It's worked out for me fairly well so far. (Although there are plenty of folks I wanna send PMs off to but I haven't come up with any hooks...)

 

But I am not ruling out walk-up RPs by any means! Two very significant relationships for Roen have happened through walk-up RP. One of them was at Grindstone and another at Quicksand. Two characters that didn't know each other just started to talk to each other for one reason or another. One of those relationships is still ongoing today, and the other only ended because the character died.

[Aya]

I like scoping out people's styles and the flavor of their character by reading their IC posts, OOC posts, and wikis. Then if I think we might gel or there are storyline hooks we might be able to play off of, I send a PM. It's worked out for me fairly well so far. (Although there are plenty of folks I wanna send PMs off to but I haven't come up with any hooks...)

Walk up RP is literally a very good way to scope out people's style, flavor, and character

[Roen]

I like scoping out people's styles and the flavor of their character by reading their IC posts, OOC posts, and wikis. Then if I think we might gel or there are storyline hooks we might be able to play off of, I send a PM. It's worked out for me fairly well so far. (Although there are plenty of folks I wanna send PMs off to but I haven't come up with any hooks...)

Walk up RP is literally a very good way to scope out people's style, flavor, and character

 

It IS! And if that is how people want to go about their research, good on them! It takes a lot of work though! But it could be fun too. This I will not deny.

[Gegenji]

I like scoping out people's styles and the flavor of their character by reading their IC posts, OOC posts, and wikis. Then if I think we might gel or there are storyline hooks we might be able to play off of, I send a PM. It's worked out for me fairly well so far. (Although there are plenty of folks I wanna send PMs off to but I haven't come up with any hooks...)

Walk up RP is literally a very good way to scope out people's style, flavor, and character

 

It IS! And if that is how people want to go about their research, good on them! It takes a lot of work though! But it could be fun too. This I will not deny.

 

I would just add that it might be good to have some solid escape plans if the person's style/flavor/character turns out to be less than you expected. You see an interestingly designed Roe and his note says he's up for walk-up RP... and then you find out he's supposed to be Hulk Hogan brought into Eorzea through mysterious artifice. Which, while possibly awesome and entertaining, is not something you want your character to deal with.

 

There's still a player behind that character, and you wouldn't want to be just dropped like a sack of hammers because someone didn't like your concept. So, having a feasible, unassuming out on hand might be nice. Even if it's putting a hand to your ear and saying a friend is requesting your attention via pearl and you need to go.

[Aya]

I would just add that it might be good to have some solid escape plans if the person's style/flavor/character turns out to be less than you expected. You see an interestingly designed Roe and his note says he's up for walk-up RP... and then you find out he's supposed to be Hulk Hogan brought into Eorzea through mysterious artifice. Which, while possibly awesome and entertaining, is not something you want your character to deal with.

 

There's still a player behind that character, and you wouldn't want to be just dropped like a sack of hammers because someone didn't like your concept. So, having a feasible, unassuming out on hand might be nice. Even if it's putting a hand to your ear and saying a friend is requesting your attention via pearl and you need to go.

The great thing about walk-up RP is that you don't need an escape plan.  "Um, see you later!"  Qualifies :-]  There's no investment by either side, no commitment, or expectation involved.

 

I'm just trying to take what Verad and Roen have said (which is well stated and based upon their experience) and just point out that its not really exclusionary to walk-up RP.  There's no "well, I want serious or deep RP, so I think I should avoid walking up...", I actually think anyone who takes that approach is doing themselves a disservice.  Walk-Up RP is both a quick-and-easy way to generate RP opportunities, it also provides opportunities to meet people, and to become more comfortable (and less nervous about) your own RP. 

 

There are other ways to go about it, but in the end its going to require approaching people to look for RP, all that changes is the venue (and perhaps your objective).  Whether its approaching someone to join an LS or an FC, or else approaching someone OOCly with your RP idea, you're ultimately going to end up having to face down your nervousness and shyness (or just hope to be lucky in having someone walk up and approach you instead). 

 

As I've said before in these sorts of threads, there's literally no panacea.  No clear-cut one-size-fits-all solution.  There's no advice that we can offer where any of us can say, "if you do this, you're going to find just the RP you're looking for."  All you can do is try, and try again as the old stories encourage.  The more you try, the more failures you face, but the more people you meet, the more stories you make, and the more opportunities you generate.

 

*Hugs* Funny...I go through that same scenario when I walk into the Quicksand as well. Oh look, a friend.,...oh they look like they must be busy talking to someone I will just turn around and run back to the safety of my housing district Market Board. *clings to it*

I have to say that I hear this a lot, and it always makes me feel sad.  I know that I'm never too busy for someone to approach me, and although you may have to be patient for a moment, I would vastly prefer that over leaving out of a fear of intruding on my time...

 

I mean we're in a place of public RP for a reason, and that reason isn't to avoid being bothered by people we knew, or people we could meet

 

[A mod can delete my two-in-a-row-posting ^^]

[Mercurias]

Typically, I start walkup roleplay by politely asking in tells whether the player is receptive to a walkup, since they could well be busy, OOC, or only wanting to talk to/ERP with (baby I ain't judgin') their friends. This also lets the person have a chance to get prepped (if needed) to get IC and lets them know your character is going to be talking to him/her.

 

After that, it depends on the character's personality. 

 

My main, M'sato, normally starts by asking a question or making an observation (e.g. "/em steps over to x and frowns thoughtfully as he briefly studies him/her. "...S'cuse me for bothering you, but d'you mind my asking exactly what that thing you're holding is?")

 

My much flirtier alt, Solomon, would just make an idle observation and try to steer it into compliment territory (e.g. /em saunters over to the rail and leans on it, looking over at x with a smile. "I greatly love Ul'dah. A desert city so hot that its people so often choose to wear so little. What, if anything, do you enjoy about this great, gilded sandcastle?").

 

Soren, yet another alt who is a consummate Gemini, would probably open with a strange compliment that leads to a talking point (e.g. "Look, I'm sorry if this is going to sound strange, but that is the most purple shirt I have ever seen. And I mean that. You should be proud.").

 

Questions, observations, strange compliments that make them head-tilt...The important point is to try and engage the other party in a manner that encourages dialogue or a reaction. It gives the other party something to sink their teeth into rather than simply walking up, making a statement, and then waiting for the other party to try to figure out if you were addressing them and how to respond on the fly.

[Dante Abigor]

/random until you get higher than someone, hit their character over the head with a club and drag them off. ??? Profit.

 

Seriously though for walkups its more about plugging your character into a situation you feel they could fit into. And you likely cant find out if it is one if you wallflower the Quicksand all day, so just be brave here and there and try Rping next to someone. If it doesn't work out, take some time to recover and try again with someone else.

 

I personally believe its more about conquering your own fear of being a horribad Rper than it is about walking up when it comes to walk ups. Also not being an intrusive titmelon.

[Temmi]

While I agree with what a lot of people have said so far in the thread, I would like to add one huge comment.

 

Don't go into a random walk-up encounter unprepared!

 

 

This is scary!

 

As most people have said, if you want to walk up to someone, whisper them to politely ask if they're receptive. If they are, the next step is absolutely pivotal!

 

PLAN AHEAD!!

 

 

I absolutely never go into a new encounter without something planned. My character is distant, guarded, and on her own, would likely never choose to interact with another. But there are so many ways to fix this! I've had her trip over someone. I've had her sneeze on someone. I've given her an obvious and minor injury to drive conflict and conversation. I've had her nearly vomit on someone!

 

Don't just walk up to someone and expect amazing roleplay to just magically happen! It might not! Set yourself up for success!! Think of something hilarious and cool that could happen to your character, or that your character could do to someone else.

 

Does your character think they are someone else?

Is your character racist against them?

Is your character doing something suspicious? (even if they aren't, phrase your words to add intrigue!)

Does your character think they are doing something suspicious?

 

There are so many ideas to spark off an amazing scene, and you will have people super interested to come back and roleplay with you again! Unless I'm roleplaying with someone whom I'm very comfortable with, I almost never play reactive.

 

I know some people greatly enjoy having nice, organic roleplay, and that's totally fine! That's not mutually exclusive with being prepared, as it were. Just think of a few little tidbits to add to the scene, and let everything else happen as it may! That's the stance I usually take anyway. I'll throw in a few ice breakers, stir the pot, then just let it boil!

 

If someone else is approaching you for walk-up, the burden is more upon them to have something interesting to say or do to draw the scene along, so don't fret about that, but if you are walking up to someone else, you should absolutely take five minutes to think of something to spark a scene first. It will be worth it! I promise you!

 

EDIT to comment: My closest and most valuable RP partner was gained from a simple, random poke. Don't let anyone tell you that walk up isn't fruitful (but certainly don't disbelieve them if they say it's hard!)

[C'kayah Polaali]

There's been a lot of good advice in this thread, so I'm not going to say much more than simply "Yes, do all this!"

 

One thing that hasn't come up here, however, is that walk-up RP especially benefits from the "yes, and..." RP habit: When you walk up to someone and start yakking at them, try to do so with an overly open mind. No matter how they respond, try to make your response to them be in the form of "Yes, and...", as opposed to "No". I'm not talking about your actual words here, mind you. Just your attitude.

 

"So, you come here often?"

"Not really. You see, Ishgard usually has me assigned to the front lines to combat the Dravanian horde..."

"But... but... You're half-Lalafell and half-Au Ra. Ishgard doesn't employ..."

"Bite me!"

 

"So, you come here often?"

"Not really. You see, Ishgard usually has me assigned to the front lines to combat the Dravanian horde..."

"Interesting! I didn't think Ishgard employed many half-Lalafell half-Au Ra Dragoons."

"Well, it's an interesting story. You see, my mother was a silver merchant from Ul'dah, but she ran afoul of the Syndicate and was driven into exile, where she met..."

 

See the difference? Now you, personally, may feel that a half-Lalafell half-Au Ra Ishgardian Dragoon is as likely as Elvis living in a condo on the moon, but you're getting RP out of playing along with it. And hey, from your point of view, said Dragoon might merely be an entertaining crazy person! Going along with their RP doesn't mean you have to accept everything they say as the truth!

 

I'm personally a big fan of walk-up RP. I like hearing people's stories. That said, I do what Verad (and a number of other people in this thread) suggest: I send people OOC /tells asking if they want to RP. Sometimes we'll discuss our characters a little, so that we can roll into the RP having heard rumors of the others. Sometimes we'll talk about why they might interact, so we can roll into it having a purpose. Mainly, though, talking OOCly before walking up ensures that the other person is both there at the keyboard and interested in RP with you. The only thing worse than trying to RP with someone who simply walks away is trying to RP with someone who simply doesn't respond - until 30 minutes later when they send you a tell saying "Sorry, I was cleaning up a Wagnerian quantity of cat barf!"

[Nelson Herrmann]

Just think of it  as if you're in  real  life.  Ask all those questions to  yourself  and  go in for the kill.  If you bother yourself too much,  you won't be able to do it!