Difference between revisions of "The Tao Of RolePlay"

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==What is RP==
 
==What is RP==
  
There are many different STYLES or roleplay, Short, para, semi-para, mixed.  But in each case, it is all RP.  IN RP, you operate your avatar as a puppet, it is not an extension of yourself, and the reason for this is the TAO.   
+
There are many different STYLES or roleplay, Short, para, semi-para, mixed.  But in each case, it is all RP.  IN RP, you operate your avatar as a puppet, it is NOT an extension of yourself, and the reason for this is the TAO.   
  
You operate your avatar just like you would operate a puppet in a puppet story, no how much of yourself you put in to the puppet, or the story, the puppet will never be you, and you will never be the puppet.
+
You operate your avatar just like you would operate a puppet in a puppet story. It does not matter how much of yourself you put in to the puppet, or the story, the puppet will never be you, and you will never be the puppet.
  
Much in the same way a writer or other story teller can and will put their characters in danger, with no danger to themselves, you will do the same.
+
Much in the same way a writer, or other story teller, can and will put their characters in danger, with no danger to themselves, you will do the same.
  
 
But its not the same, is it?
 
But its not the same, is it?
  
There are many documents on How-To Roleplay, and what roleplay is, but there is more, something hidden, something that will jump up and bite you right in the tender spot.
+
While there are many documents on How-To Roleplay, and what roleplay is, there is more, something hidden, something that will jump up and bite you right in the tender spot.
  
 
==What is OOC==
 
==What is OOC==
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OOC is out of character, or putting your Real Life self in to your avatar, except for the most important of things, ((Fire, Phone, etc)) OOC chatter of any kind is to be avoided at all costs.
 
OOC is out of character, or putting your Real Life self in to your avatar, except for the most important of things, ((Fire, Phone, etc)) OOC chatter of any kind is to be avoided at all costs.
  
Inserting OOC chatter in to a roleplay is basically the same as yelling CUT, on a movie set or ending a chapter in a book.
+
Inserting OOC chatter in to a roleplay is basically the same as yelling CUT, on a movie set or ending a chapter in a book.  If you want to completely derail a roleplay, OOC chat will usually do it.
  
 
People who don't RolePlay, or have never been exposed to it, are OOC, or even worse, Mixed Role, all the time.  They will discuss how they shot you with their laser in one sentence and the specs of their computer in the next.  They usually don't emote or use other scene descriptive text.
 
People who don't RolePlay, or have never been exposed to it, are OOC, or even worse, Mixed Role, all the time.  They will discuss how they shot you with their laser in one sentence and the specs of their computer in the next.  They usually don't emote or use other scene descriptive text.
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==What is the TAO==
 
==What is the TAO==
  
Thanks for the great roleplay!
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There is something that usually causes mental distress to new roleplayers, separation.  The ability to separate the IC from the OOC, the RL from the SL.  This is especially evident when they are involved in romantic or erotic roleplay.  These players, while thier roleplay is fine, let it seep in to their RL or OOC.
  
That is something you should be able to say when you get your ass kicked.   
+
It really can't be helped, until they develop the Tao.  They will let the roleplay effect them emotionally, it will work its way in to their RL.  Then, when the RP ends, they are hurtThis is not good, but it is normal.
  
There is a mental line you need to cross, a realization, an epiphany.
+
If you let it, the emotional stress from immersing yourself in an addictive roleplay will tear you up inside.
  
It is the lack of the need for people to apologize for the terrible things they do in RP.
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If you are in an RL relationship, you should not need to hide your roleplay from your partner, or feel guilty about it in any way.  Ideally your partner would play here too, but that is not always practical.
  
It is your ability to spend 6 hours on a romantic beach sharing your characters life story with someone, have them kick sand in your face, and walk away, and your only thought is "That was cool, I wonder how they are going to play this out." 
+
If you have the Tao, you realize, in more than just an intellectual way, that:
  
It is your ability to say some of the meanest nastiest things you can thing of and laugh about it, knowing that the CHARACTER you just said it to is not the person behind it, and knowing that if they have the Tao, they are laughing too.
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* My RP CHARACTER is attacking your RP CHARACTER, I am not attacking you.
 +
* My RP CHARACTER is 25 and lives in California, I am not, and do not.
 +
* My RP CHARACTER thinks your RP CHARACTER is cute, nice, whatever.  I don't know you, and probably never will.
 +
* My RP CHARACTER just rode you like a rental.  I don't know you, and probably wouldn't.
 +
* My RP CHARACTER will do and say things that your RP CHARACTER may find offensive.  I probably won't, and am generally nice.
 +
* I will not be upset at the things you CHARACTER does, my CHARACTER might, but only if it finds out.
  
It is your ability to watch a character you are close to get dragged off to a dungeon and be tortured for days and your only thought is ((was the roleplay any good)) Are you ok?.
 
  
A lot of the Tao is the resistance to meta-game, or use information you know, but your character would have no way of knowing, to influence your roleplay.  Sure, he was dragged off, you saw it, but unless you were there, and until he roleplays it, you really don't know what happened.
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<b>And finally, until you develop the Tao, I wish to apologize to everyone past present and future, for any emotional stress that I have or will cause, because of your belief that in some small way any of this might be real.</b>
  
The Tao is your ability to have YOUR CHARACTER form a relationship with another CHARACTER, in the roleplay, and know that is does not go beyond that.
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If you wish to visit me personally I am at:
 
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* 200, quai Charles de Gaulle
The Tao is most important if you are in an RL relationship, whether or not your partner plays.  They need to embrace the Tao as much as you.  If they play as well, it is exponentially more important.  Failure in this area can lead to much discomfort in your life.
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* 69006 Lyon
 
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* France
just remember, everyone you roleplay with is a 52 year old plumber, on disability, living with a relative, in the low rent part of town.  They are not a rich lonely supermodel just waiting to take you away to a better life.
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* Fax: +33 4 72 44 71 63
 
 
You must be able to lose.  Losing can be  fun, congratulate the winner on their excellent rolplay, and take your punishment.
 
 
 
===The Tao is mandatory of you are involved in erotic roleplay.===
 
  
 +
Just ask for my avatar by name.
  
  

Latest revision as of 08:04, 15 October 2019


The Tao Of RolePlay

What is RP

There are many different STYLES or roleplay, Short, para, semi-para, mixed. But in each case, it is all RP. IN RP, you operate your avatar as a puppet, it is NOT an extension of yourself, and the reason for this is the TAO.

You operate your avatar just like you would operate a puppet in a puppet story. It does not matter how much of yourself you put in to the puppet, or the story, the puppet will never be you, and you will never be the puppet.

Much in the same way a writer, or other story teller, can and will put their characters in danger, with no danger to themselves, you will do the same.

But its not the same, is it?

While there are many documents on How-To Roleplay, and what roleplay is, there is more, something hidden, something that will jump up and bite you right in the tender spot.

What is OOC

OOC is out of character, or putting your Real Life self in to your avatar, except for the most important of things, ((Fire, Phone, etc)) OOC chatter of any kind is to be avoided at all costs.

Inserting OOC chatter in to a roleplay is basically the same as yelling CUT, on a movie set or ending a chapter in a book. If you want to completely derail a roleplay, OOC chat will usually do it.

People who don't RolePlay, or have never been exposed to it, are OOC, or even worse, Mixed Role, all the time. They will discuss how they shot you with their laser in one sentence and the specs of their computer in the next. They usually don't emote or use other scene descriptive text.

People who try to RolePlay in IM. IM's are for OOC chatter, and some very specific RP scenarios, otherwise all roleplay is in local chat. What is the point of writing a book no one else can read.

What is the TAO

There is something that usually causes mental distress to new roleplayers, separation. The ability to separate the IC from the OOC, the RL from the SL. This is especially evident when they are involved in romantic or erotic roleplay. These players, while thier roleplay is fine, let it seep in to their RL or OOC.

It really can't be helped, until they develop the Tao. They will let the roleplay effect them emotionally, it will work its way in to their RL. Then, when the RP ends, they are hurt. This is not good, but it is normal.

If you let it, the emotional stress from immersing yourself in an addictive roleplay will tear you up inside.

If you are in an RL relationship, you should not need to hide your roleplay from your partner, or feel guilty about it in any way. Ideally your partner would play here too, but that is not always practical.

If you have the Tao, you realize, in more than just an intellectual way, that:

  • My RP CHARACTER is attacking your RP CHARACTER, I am not attacking you.
  • My RP CHARACTER is 25 and lives in California, I am not, and do not.
  • My RP CHARACTER thinks your RP CHARACTER is cute, nice, whatever. I don't know you, and probably never will.
  • My RP CHARACTER just rode you like a rental. I don't know you, and probably wouldn't.
  • My RP CHARACTER will do and say things that your RP CHARACTER may find offensive. I probably won't, and am generally nice.
  • I will not be upset at the things you CHARACTER does, my CHARACTER might, but only if it finds out.


And finally, until you develop the Tao, I wish to apologize to everyone past present and future, for any emotional stress that I have or will cause, because of your belief that in some small way any of this might be real.

If you wish to visit me personally I am at:

  • 200, quai Charles de Gaulle
  • 69006 Lyon
  • France
  • Fax: +33 4 72 44 71 63

Just ask for my avatar by name.