Peerless Pressure - The Art of Making RP

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by Jonoth


So you want to start up some RP, eh?

I've noticed quite a bit of frustration lately due to what is coined as "fad RP", or when a certain place becomes "the hub" where most players goes to visit. It is not a new phenomenon, as when any place gets popular, the battle cry inevitably follows:

"RP AT <INSERT LOCATION>??? WHY IS THERE NEVER RP ANYWHERE ELSE?"

The problem isn't the call for variety. Everyone likes to mix things up sometimes and get a totally new and exciting experience out of their RP. So when "the hub" moves, the question becomes: why is the complaint still the exact same, even though people have gotten the change of venue they asked for? The answer is simple, and just a modification of the battle cry:

"RP AT <INSERT LOCATION>??? WHY IS THERE NEVER RP WHERE I WANT IT TO BE?"

This is the heart of the conflict. While people like variety, they inevitably favor certain things above all else. I like a good Dwarf RP myself, or a good Horde Clan gathering. Also, Undead Pirate RP is of particular interest. So when I'm in the mood for something, I have two choices:

  1. Take my kind of RP to "the hub" and hope people there are into that kind of thing.
  2. Start up my very own RP at the location I want it to happen in.

The first is the quickest solution, as there is already an audience for my shenanigans. But sometimes, "the hub" just doesn't fit my particular idea. I doubt a womanizing Dwarf can get much action in the catacombs, unless he's ready to get -really- nasty. Sometime, you just have to gather your own flock and lead them to the promised zone.

So sensei, how do I ever find the RP that -I- want?

I am so glad you asked! Or at least was thinking about asking...maybe...kinda sorta... Anyway, there is this assumption that if you don't go to the hub, no one will go anywhere else. And it's not a completely unfounded fear, as I've seen many a LFG message go unheeded. But fear not, oh ye of little faith, because I'm gonna teach you how to succeed at getting RP without really trying!

Now at least one of you will call BULLS---tuff because of my sheer number of alts. "OF COURSE -YOU- GET RP! YOU GOT, LIKE, 20 CHARACTERS TO CHOOSE FROM! I ONLY GOT 2 AT BEST!" This is true, but as an altoholic, I have learned many valuable lessons about characters as it pertains to getting RP.

Let me tell you a story about a man named Jeb---Jonoth....who joined this supercoolawesomedope RP server. He intended to only play 2 or 3 characters at best, and started with a superb, dashing, mysterious, insane bounty hunter (did I say handsome? I meant to put that in there somewhere). But...this awesome man had trouble fitting in with the RP that was going on in "the hub" of the time, and as a new player I didn't have the reputation...the "brand name"...to just attract RP to him like moths to light. Like metal to a magnet. Like a hipster to skinny jeans. So I started making alts. I figured If I had one of everything, I can end up where the action is! Which worked!...kinda.

Yes, alting like a baws helped me meet more RPers, but it leaves you with a dilemma. With so many characters, its hard to keep up with them all, and inevitably, some get neglected, which means people that play with them get neglected, which means that RP may not be there when you return, and the people you had fun with may not want to play with you again.

If not alting, then what can I do?

There is still lots you can do! Here I present to you.....

Jonoth's (Only) Five Commandments For Finding RP!

  1. Thou shall not make plain, boring, generic requests for RP and expect to get any. I hear it all the time. "But I announced it in LFG! How come they aren't coming?" They aren't coming because your LFG post had about as much personality in it as a slice of white bread and a glass of water. Rule number 1 about RP: People want to enjoy RP. I know this sounds a little biased because some people are naturally more entertaining than others. But, if you put no pep at all into your request for RP, people are just going to assume that nothing interesting is going to happen. So instead of "LF RP", or "RP in <insert location>", you have to sell it like something interesting will happen! "TUN'KAR, STRONGEST ORC THERE IS, GONNA HAGGLE THIS PRICE! WILL HE GET FOR ONE COPPER OR TWO? ONLY ONE WAY FIND OUT!" Mind you, you can't (and shouldn't) all caps in LFG, but I just made buying something from a Goblin sound like a heavyweight fight of epic proportions is going down! Even if a little silly, people will come because at the very least they will get a laugh out of it. Humor doesn't have to be involved in the request, just something that makes it sound like you are excited about what is going to happen, so they can get excited too.
  2. Thou shall roll at least one alt that is not confined to a single place/region. This one is pretty important, because the next biggest complaints are "All the RP is <insert race> RP!" and "My character isn't anywhere near <insert location>!" Some days, you'll crave playing with a particular character. For everything else, there's Mast--there's the "everywhere" character. I have a couple of these myself. One is a mage, who's teleporting provides her the ability to pop up anyplace, and her Argent Dawn background allows her to interact with any race in at least passing terms. Then there is Remyl, who by virtue of his womanizing will interact with any race as long as it has lady parts, and because he's not central in any story or plot, I can always make up an excuse why he's in any place (namely, that it has broads and booze). If you are having troubles landing in some RP, having an "everywhere" character is a good way to meet people and establish your "brand", so when you want to explore the RP you like, people will remember having fun with you, and be excited to see what you have in store.
  3. Thou shall not chastize people in the OOC zone. For how often it happens, this could be number one. "Get your bums out and RP! Why are you all not RPing on an RP server! You should all be ashamed of yourself for lounging around and having a good laugh out of character!" Okay, so I made that last one up, but it is essentially how such statements will be interpreted by the people hanging out in OOC. No one likes to be chastized, and even more certainly no one wants to be chastized into RP. So don't make the people you are trying to attract upset for taking things easy, because they'll remember, and there's a high chance you'll end up on the ignore list. And that will defeat the whole point of why you raged, which was to get people to RP.
  4. No one wants to RP, but everyone wants to have a great RP. That sounds like an oxymoron, but let me explain. I work as a photographer by day, taking pictures of tourists. One thing we are told in the orientation is "No one wants to take a photo, but everyone wants to take a great photo." I kinda understood it in the beginning, but to see it in action was a revelation. People will fight you on taking a picture like the camera will steal their soul, then when they see the picture buy 3 copies of it. The thing is, as I pointed out in the first commandment, that people want to have fun, and if they take a chance on your RP, they want to be rewarded with a good experience. And rightfully so! This is why you've gotta be willing to explore places you wouldn't normally, and treat people the way you want to be treated and not berate them.
  5. Thou shall roll a Dwarf. Sounds biased, but requires an explanation. You get a few things built in with a Dwarf due to both stereotype and lore.
  • Dwarves are explorers. They have the Explorer's League for crying out loud! If any race has an easy way to explain why they are traveling, it's them.
  • Dwarves know how to have a good time. They are loud, funny, uninhibited. It's really hard to start new RP with an introvert, so rolling a race that likes to party naturally opens up interactions.
  • Dwarves value a good fight. They have a tough, don't quit attitude that makes you feel like the hero you want to be, even with a diminuitive size.
  • Dwarves are stocky. Both genders. So no need to feel like you are rolling the "pretty" race. Though I find Dwarf girls to be gorgeous. Heyyy pretty momma!
  • Dwarves are smart too. Dwarves aren't the same level of genius per se as a Gnome, but they have their share of inventions. So if a Gnome is just too geeky for you, a smart Dwarf is a good compromise.
  • Yes, you can do the accent. And if not, you don't need a strong one. The accent is usually excuse number one of why people don't play Dwarves. But trying can be fun! And it really helps you immerse into the character. You can do it!

Any other advice, oh masterful master of mastering mastery?

What? You want more?! THERE AIN'T NO MORE! I mean...

I stand by my points above, because I've tried them and tested them. Obviously there are issues that will come up, like people who like to troll on your ideas, or some argument on the forum that's left people in a sour mood and unwanting to RP, but in general, this is meant to be a place to start, and a way to avoid the most common pratfalls of attaining maximum RPage. And remember why you RP in the first place: to enjoy yourself! Now get out there and have fun!