Roleplaying Tips and Suggestions

[Maltropia]

The idea of roleplaying intrests me, but I don't really know much about roleplaying. Which ones are easy to catch on for noobs like me? I've never been in an RP before, so it's got to be really easy.

I like to define roleplaying as cooperative storytelling. All you need is an ability to write and an ability to communicate and you're good to go.

Generally speaking, in NationStates roleplaying you're playing your country and its people. There's scope in there for high-level diplomatic roleplay, where nations are negotiating for trade rights or fighting over a remote colony, just as much as there is for you to roleplay a regular person in your country and the saga of his struggle to get a blueberry muffin.

When you're looking for a roleplay to join, bear in mind that there are two major roleplaying subforums in national roleplay: NationStates and International Incidents (there are also sports-driven and economic-focussed subforums but those are for another time). There are differences between the two, some subtle and some less so, but there's often a lot of overlap in their communities. It can be worth looking around.

While you're trying to find a thread, be aware of their tags, usually written in brackets. Some will say [OOC] or [IC]; an [OOC] (out of character) thread is often where signups happen for a roleplay so it can be a good starting point. [IC] is in-character. They might say [Open], in which case anyone is allowed to jump right in and start writing; they might be [Semi-open] - in which case it's probably best to telegram the guy running it, or checking the OOC thread, to find out how to join; or they might be [Closed], and probably only between friends or a region, or they're already 'full'.

I wouldn't say that any one genre of roleplay is easier than another for a new roleplay. It depends on how much of yourself you're wiling to invest in it. What I would say, though, is that the best roleplays you can get into are the ones run by an experienced roleplayer, who'll be able to help you get into the swing of things and offer you advice. It might be worth looking into Greater Dienstad, a roleplay region with some great members which is always happy to give new roleplayers their first home.

If you have any other questions about roleplaying in general or in specific, you're more than welcome to send me a telegram or contact any of the other N&I Roleplay Mentors. We're here to help.

Sorry, but this is the wrong forum to ask these questions. This is the IC roleplaying forum, so take your questions to here: https://forum.nationstates.net/viewtopi ... 5&t=118474

All of the roleplay forums have "[In-character]" in their official description, and all of them have plenty of room for Out-of-Character questions. Why on Earth would we have a thread titled "Roleplaying Tips and Suggestions" be In-Character or in an IC-only subforum? There is no difference in the official IC/OOC levels of II and NS and never has been.

[Islamic Republic Of Wadiya]

Aladeen

[Fiush]

In the economy tab it shows how much of a currency is received and how much of it is in the country, but what we don't know is how much is the Currency worth, the worth of a currency should be dependent on the Nations Economy and compared to a USD.

[Nations United for Conquest]

In the economy tab it shows how much of a currency is received and how much of it is in the country, but what we don't know is how much is the Currency worth, the worth of a currency should be dependent on the Nations Economy and compared to a USD.

There is a site you can use for this

[Nations United for Conquest]

There are several, here's just one of many: http://nseconomy.thirdgeek.com/

[Chatalhoyuk]

There are several, here's just one of many: http://nseconomy.thirdgeek.com/

This site is a very good site to use in roleplaying if regions are having trouble deciding on stats for the roleplaying nations.

[Mutzinia]

I really don't want to count them... Is there any official number?

[Aclion]

Going by stats: Four hundred eighty-four trillion.

[Mercistan State]

My nation is young, but based on a solid moral and spiritual foundation that make greatness inevitable. I seek mentors and compatriots who understand the halls of power, and the nature of the fists that must wield that power. The World Assembly appears to be a weak pseudo-nanny state that would only waste our citizens resources and my time. Wise men and women, please telegram. I await your friendship and instruction.

[Bearstin]

You seem like you would be interested in the raider/defender Conflict.

Notable Raider regions:
HYDRA COMMAND
The Black Hawks
Lone Wolves United

Notable Defender regions:
10000 Islands
(Really most regions that have alliances and are big enough to sustain an army)

I myself am not involved so those regions are just what you hear in the gossip circles of the forums so I'm sure you'lol find one that suits you. Best luck in finding a region!

[Mercistan State]

Are there two choices:

1) Raid and/or defend, and
2) Debate legislature in the World Government?

Is there a third, or a fourth? Is there an option that would allow me to grow my nation, in cooperation with regional partners, neither choosing war or meaningless words for our Conflict?

[Kyrusia]

Are there two choices:

1) Raid and/or defend, and
2) Debate legislature in the World Government?

Is there a third, or a fourth? Is there an option that would allow me to grow my nation, in cooperation with regional partners, neither choosing war or meaningless words for our Conflict?

NationStates is a roleplaying board, not one for gameplay (there is an entirely separate board, titled "Gameplay," for that).

If you are interested in gameplay, raiding/defending, etc., I suggest you visit the board and read their available stickies.

If you are interested in roleplaying - which NationStates, International Incidents, and all of the boards under the "National & International Roleplaying" banner are dedicated to - I suggest reading the appropriate stickies. Namely: this sticky (where this thread was merged, given it reads as an OOC request for assistance) and "International Incidents (New Player? Click Here!).'' You also might consider contacting one of our N&I RP Mentors.

Beyond this, roleplaying on NationStates is largely freeform. You decide your level of involvement and the nature of such (as long as it adheres to the rules) - be it based around your NS-country, or otherwise (roleplays not related to your NS-country in some way belong in Portal to the Multiverse). This means you don't have to be involved in R/D if you do not want to; likewise, you do not have to be involved in the WA if you do not want to. There are also a variety of roleplay regions (usually organized based on a predominant tech level) on NationStates that you can begin looking through by selecting the "role player" regional tag (which you can narrow down by adding "Modern Tech," "Future Tech," etc. tags to your search).

Hope that helps!

[Marshian nation12]

Limit the number of players

(Image)

When you are first learning how to create your own RP, you have so many different items to keep track of, the NPCs, the flow of the story, adversaries, and many more. If you allow too many player characters into a game, it's hard to make sure that every single one is accounted for, not to mention that having one too many players could end up impeding the story from continuing in the event that they are away, which could end up killing the RP altogether. 4-6 players is a good number to keep anyone from getting completely lost, but allowing the story to continue by other means. This is a recommendation though, if you feel your story will benefit from more (or less), absolutely continue with it.

Keeping your Players Interested

Creative NPCs – Make sure that your NPCs are not generic. Give each one a distinct possibility and roleplay those differences. Do not hesitate to go for nontraditional gender roles or other "differences." It will keep your players on their toes.
Ask your players for advice – I think this is one of the hardest. You may feel nervous about asking for advice, fearing to lose authority. But, sometimes, you run out of ideas. You have a group that can help you. It has nothing to do with your knowledge of the game. Make it clear that you are still the referee, you just want some input. It will really help your players feel a part of the creative process. And besides, they will see for themselves, its not always that easy to come up with ideas. A new respect will grow from this. Send a telegram in-game or exchange instant messengers in the event that you can't seem to catch each other on the forum/game together, or use IRC to have a group pow-wow to further develop ideas for the storyline.
Reward Creativity - Make sure that the only answer to a solution is not being sliced by Bart's dagger. If the players are crafty, they make find a way around the problem you were stumping them with. Even if the idea had never occurred to you, if its intelligent and well thought out, let it work. Show them that roleplaying is not only beating up the bad guy. Maybe the villain is too hard to actually beat in combat so the players need to think of a new way around the problem. See how the players handle some loss and if they regroup and make the best of the situation. As you gain in experience you can give your players new and exciting challenges to deal with.
Keep it Simple- As you can see in the previous paragraph, by no means am I saying you cannot have puzzles, riddles or a couple of subplots or plot twists brewing. There is nothing more satisfying than being in a group that has just figured out the set of clues or exhilarating as a creative plot twist. But be careful. I have seen many Role-Players have so many subplots going on that the main storyline is lost. Unless players are mindreaders they may not see where this is all leading. Both players and the RP-creator can get frustrated at this point and the story get stranded. Too many red herrings makes players wary of trusting the RP-creator. Don't get carried away. And the most important issue:
Have fun with it!
Remember, that is the number one reason for roleplaying. It's a game for you and your friends. Relax, trust your instincts, and don't take things too seriously. I have seen many fights break out over unimportant issues. You need to keep this in mind.

Can you make a role play for the little mermaid but different ways.

[Marshian nation12]

I really don't want to count them... Is there any official number?

Wow.

[Shadow Guard]

oh

[Marshian nation36]

The link to "Big List of RP Plots" is dead, along with "What Is a Role-Play Game?", and "The Name Generator".

May I suggest adding http://www.seventhsanctum.com to the list?

I like the role play of beauty and the beast.

[Marshian nation36]

The link to "Big List of RP Plots" is dead, along with "What Is a Role-Play Game?", and "The Name Generator".

May I suggest adding http://www.seventhsanctum.com to the list?

What is your role play.

[Mezonpotania]

I managed to make a BBC code for the stat badges!!!!
Look at this!

[Grossdeutsches]

I sugguest Nation states website need a name generator and astrology generator including age generator. I don't think it necessary to go website and head back here is soo annoying but it not bad to be honest. I would love to see you guys make name generator, astrology generator and age generator for the characters rp in factbook of their nations

[Aleirt]

HI/ I'm new here and your tips helped a lot! I will totally spend time here with you, especially because usually i spend a lot of time on drug reviews and here with you i just found a piece of paradise!

[Kyrusia]

Players that Use Photobucket!

If any of you are having difficulty displaying your images from Photobucket, you are not the only one. Assuming you are now in the market for a new image host, there are many that are available, but please do NOT use TinyPic. TinyPic recycles its URLs after a time, so your image of a boat, character, flag, etc. may eventually be recycled, turning the image displayed into something obscene. If that happens, you are responsible for what is posted, meaning you can get hit with the Ominous Redtext™ if the image is obscene, gore, pornographic, etc. I would personally recommend using a host such as Imgur.

Thanks for your time!

[Britonisea]

Oops.

I use tinypic all the time; now I'm scared

[Kyrusia]

Oops.

I use tinypic all the time; now I'm scared

Then I would recommend going back and replacing the images; there is no telling when/if the URLs may be recycled.

[Gugaina]

I am trying to put a system in place so that people can govern there country as if it was a state (like a U.S. state) any ideas? I also want to have colonies but not sure how to make them act differently

[Terricon]

So are you looking for a form of government that willingly surrenders its own powers in anticipation for a higher government to fill in the gaps?
I'm having trouble understanding what you want.