How to Roleplay-by-Post: A guide to online character interaction

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An Introduction to Roleplay-by-Post

What is Roleplaying?
Roleplaying is the name given to the collaboration of two or more people who act out a given scenario. In terms of play-by-post, this means that two or more players write out a short story, either as the initial post or in response to new posts. Roleplay-by-post is often done on a forum board, but it can also simply be done by emailing one another, though this means that the audience is limited to the players themselves. The result is a collaborative fiction, which other internet or forum users may read repeatedly, so long as the roleplay remains hosted on a server. This initial collaboration may give rise to other plots, and more interaction between players’ characters.
The Purpose of Roleplaying
The main purpose is to entertain. By writing a roleplay and posting it, other people can read it, and thus may find it interesting, and continue to follow those characters as the writers develop the plot and the characters themselves. The writer is entertained as roleplaying provides them with the freedom to act out their imagination in words. In this way, roleplayers are similar to authors, without the paycheque. As roleplay-by-post, participating in such interactions can give those whose first language is English a boost in their overall skill with written English. With a language other than English as a first language, writing English can be quite difficult, but interacting with tolerant players, who are willing to teach and not be condescending toward such a player can assist in a person whose first language isn’t English, in learning written English.
A Brief History about Roleplaying 1
Rolelpaying has its roots in miniature war-games. Instead of the typical approach of contr...

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... a character follow yours is okay, but you may not provide anything other than the description of “character B followed character A to the new location.”

Character Development
This term differs from Character Creation, as it happens during your character’s time active. These developments are relationships between characters - who your character’s friends and foes are, for example. New abilities and knowledge within the scope of the roleplay “universe” also fall under character development.
Character development is an important aspect of roleplay. If your character doesn’t develop or evolve from where they were when you first started, then there’s not much story. It is important to build on their story, so that many people can enjoy their adventures and journeys.

Works Cited

http://www.unwinnable.com/2011/07/28/tabletop-wizard-01-a-brief-history-of-role-playing/

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