ROLEPLAY! - The art of good roleplay

[Vexx]

~ Introduction ~

Hello everyone, my name is Vexx and thank you for coming to my TED talk. So over the last while, I've dumped a considerable number of hours trying to go around as many people in the city as possible to try and gauge the roleplay of others. Now, it's not the best but it's getting there and I'm so happy to see that last part. So I've figured I'm going to write a really long and detailed guide to how to really nail being a good roleplayer.

There is a good chance that many will read this, some will understand and adapt and maybe even, this will turn one person's roleplay into something so divine that it creates a whole new thing for others. If I achieve this, my purpose for this guide has been met.

~ But why should I listen to you, you're Vexx and everyone thinks you're derpy? ~

Well, here's some backing koala-fications as to why you should give this a read through. It's definitely worth a read for what it's worth.

• I'm an IRL D&D player with a collective 4 years experience including some Dungeon Master work as well.
• I've been a roleplayer on games such as AltisLife, DarkRP as well as even trying to host a few games myself so I can replicate the magic I've experienced so others can too!
• In this city alone and to date, I've portrayed 9 different characters of which have all had a lasting effect on the roleplayers you come across every day you come back to our city

Now it does extend past that to a few other things but I believe they're not relevant enough to list. 

Disclaimer: If you feel anything I've said is something you ain't cool with. Please get in touch with me on Discord (Vexx#0111) and we can talk like people to understand each other's point of view

~ Part 1: The Character ~

Every time you create or portray a character, your former self isn't there. It's gone, bye bye. You are now a whole new person and that doesn't stop at just:

• Who you are: "I'm Jackson Teller"
• What defines you: 
  • Your backstory
  • Your goals
  • Your motivations
  • Your reaction to others and the world around you
  • The way that your character acts both in conversation and in navigating the world
• How you achieve your goals in regards to others:
  • Does your character double cross everyone you come across?
  • Does your character keep their word regardless of the outcome?
  • What tasks and situations do you cause to achieve your goals?
  • What motivations do you have that restrict the choices your character makes?

Now with all these considered as just the tip of the iceberg. Here is a link to a very well made article on exactly what defines a good character which you'll likely have found across television, movies, books, comic books and all those
wonderful places. [Click me! Click me!]

"Because some characters read like cardboard" - TerribleMinds

By now you may have a good baseline or structure to who your character really is whether it's from scratch or you're simply improving your character that has existed for a long time. The most important thing you can do to tie this all together is this:

Play out that character like whatever happens to them as much as that situation would affect you.

If my character won a million dollars, he would be exhilarated, almost at the peak of excitement. He'd give out the money
to others because he doesn't need it as much as others may. My character is reinforcing their personality through what they do down the little details of how they even come across giving the money away.

The way I walk, the posture I have, the animations we have and anything we can use to change the way we talk to be as creative and unique as possible is the end goal for fantastic roleplay.

Example: Sometimes, my character monologues out loud and it sounds like below which is both comedic and atmospheric for myself and others who witness it.

 Monologue#1.wav

The tools you have should complement your character, the character should not complement your tools.

~ Part 2: The world around you ~

Just like a simple case of you know you, the question is. How does your character interact with what comes across them and the city they live in?

Just as you look into the abyss, the abyss looks into you. The world and the people you interact with will slowly but surely with every encounter, change your character in the same way major changes in life alter your mindset to the world.

Did a particular traumatic situation change your character to be skeptical of a particular thing?
Did you have great success and from this, become reckless or more confident in a particular approach?

A character that has been wronged by law enforcement might be particularly skeptical of when they try to help him or perhaps a character that has been saved by a paramedic might revere paramedics because of that outcome.

Every situation should develop your character by increments if not dramatically based on how much that situation affected your character.

A criminal with a good backstory will have more impact than the Godfather or they could end up being just another asshole in bright colored clothing. The amount of effort you put into that character is what you will get out of it.

In the world, your character will develop relationships of particular kinds. Be it two guys who become business rivals, two enemies become lovers, two gang members from opposing gangs who one day end up saving each others lives or a heist crew that left you for dead sending you on a quest for revenge and payback through creative means.

These relationships with others build up the reputation of your character and how others will perceive you through word of mouth alone.

~ Part 3: The tools at your disposal ~

[Your voice]

This is the single most powerful tool in your arsenal. It can cause a gunfight and it can stop someone being executed. It can portray various emotions, accents and feelings without even needing the right words, just the act of portraying it in your voice. 

From a voice, we can determine their likely ethnicity, their mood, their confidence and so much more but for many, it only goes as far as the words we say, when it can be more with how we say them.

[Your emotes]

When you get punched in the face, do you feel nothing? 
Perhaps, you become delirious and your stance changes to injured
Perhaps even you start to lose consciousness without even being knocked down after just one punch. You begin to stagger and fall over through the use of emotes.

"What you portray is what others will interpret." - Me.

With what we have in the city, is a lot of different tools to express our character visually, the more you use them. The more depth your character has. As they say, actions do speak louder than words

Bad Example: "Oh that punch was really painful!"
Good Example: "Oh that hardly hurt...It was...like...a (/e falls over) ladies....backhand... (/me becomes unconscious)

 

~ Part 4: The person behind the mask ~

One of the most important things to remember is this, it's a two parter. Roleplay is a game that in itself, is a game of cooperation. By working with the roleplayers around you to achieve something new and fun. You're both winners. Now when things are not going cooperatively your mood (yes, your actual mood) will be affected for both sides. This can be laughing your head off or it can be your getting angry at a situations so I'll let you in on a little secret. Everyone does.

 

So part one, The Roleplayer

Keep your composure and detach yourself from the character in the same way a puppeteer works with the puppet. You're controlling the character but the character doesn't control you. So don't lose your shit comedically or angrily. It's not so much an issue when you're laughing and people can hear it slip in during a serious situation. Those are hilarious and makes us all laugh too!

 

And part two, The other guy.

Remember that at times, things can get beyond the game. Keep that shit neutral and friendly. I've made friendships over bonded roleplay with others and no doubt, you'll make rivals and enemies which can sometimes go out of character.

If you ever feel the need to take things out of character. Keep it friendly and constructive. This relieves potential boundaries between roleplayers in a community where you will roleplay a lot together.

 

 

Part 5: The Finale

If you wrap all this together, nail down the parts you're unsure of or didn't try to date. You will create a character that is unique in it's portrayal and in it's own right, people will remember and enjoy role playing with you. 

If I can roleplay out a dancing robot, your character can have a curious backstory!
If I can roleplay out an old crooked Asian reporter, you can develop relationships with others!
If I can roleplay out a long standing cop that develops into a psychotic killer, you can develop your character.

I use the tools you all have access to with the knowledge I hope helps you all.

So I'll leave you with one final statement that I hope sticks with you when you read this.

Quote

A good roleplayer can be a part of any situation. A great roleplayer creates a situation that anyone can be a part of. - Vexx 2020

For that, thank you for reading and have a wonderful day!

 

Super Secret Part if you're still reading.

It doesn't matter if you lose, just have fun!

[Enjoy...]

TheSongOfRoleplay.wav

 

[Chloe Anderson]

This is awesome! 

[Billy Jackson]

Incredible. This needs to be read by EVERYONE at least once

[SuthernSoldier]

I'm taking this and working on my craft

[John Falcon]

This is awesome lol. Loved the song too hahaha

[Ben Accardi]

7 hours ago, 15 | Sgt. Theodore Lancelot said:

Yerrrr

Johnson muppet best rper oh yeah

[Jack Morgan]

Kanstantine Stanislavsky would love this! Thank you for putting this out for people to see.

 

[Hvstle]

Nice post, Vexx. Thanks for taking the time to write/post it.

[Devin Black]

Nice!!!!