RPing Questions? Ask Here!

[The Macabees]

So, I'm starting to feel like I've written myself into a corner and generally not planned out my worldbuilding enough before jumping into RP and getting into a rut. Should I plan out a new nation, retcon some things, reboot in general, something else...?

Where is that rut occurring? Could you give me an example?

[Novomagocha]

Hi I'm new to II and want to get involved but I don't know where to start. Can any one suggest an RP I could join?

[Sunset]

Hi I'm new to II and want to get involved but I don't know where to start. Can any one suggest an RP I could join?

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=441830

[The Revetic Soverignty]

what is P2TM

[Purnelaw]

what is P2TM

P2TM stands for Portal To The Multiverse, its where all the non-NS related RPs go.

[HSaboteur]

I did not know

[HSaboteur]

what is P2TM

P2TM stands for Portal To The Multiverse, its where all the non-NS related RPs go.

If your nation is in danger, what will you do?

[Purnelaw]

P2TM stands for Portal To The Multiverse, its where all the non-NS related RPs go.

If your nation is in danger, what will you do?

What do you mean?

[Ata Uerghoor]

I would like to start a RP, Except I dont know if it might be proper or not, I read the RP rules a couple times but I fear the RP I might start might be a bit weird, any ways on how to properly start a RP?

[Shwe Tu Colony]

I would like to start a RP, Except I dont know if it might be proper or not, I read the RP rules a couple times but I fear the RP I might start might be a bit weird, any ways on how to properly start a RP?

No such roleplay as too weird. If you can form coherent posts & a vaguely comprehensible plot, then it ain't too weird. As for how to start it, I'm not certain with what it is, but if it's something diplomatic, you might send out letters asking for people to come & saying why they should, or simply introducing what the devils is happening. I'd say to take a looksee at some of the other roleplays out there, to see what they tried for their intro.

[Kyrusia]

Attention!

For those of you which use Zetaboards for your offsite forums, they will soon be involuntarily converted to the Tapatalk system. There is a thread in Gameplay with further information, but considering the potential usage of Zetaboards among RP regions, such was considered pertinent.

[Shwe Tu Colony]

So how are mentors chosen? Do the mentors &/or their talent spotters (if there are any) associated with them scan through threads & look for people who can consistently make good posts & be positive influences in their roleplays, or do other people telegram mentors to suggest people that they think could be potential mentors? I'm asking here as I see no point in making a new thread somewhere else (& I'm not certain where) & since this would be the next best place.c

[Kyrusia]

So how are mentors chosen? Do the mentors &/or their talent spotters (if there are any) associated with them scan through threads & look for people who can consistently make good posts & be positive influences in their roleplays, or do other people telegram mentors to suggest people that they think could be potential mentors? I'm asking here as I see no point in making a new thread somewhere else (& I'm not certain where) & since this would be the next best place.c

Quoted from elsewhere:

Mentors are selected based on a variety of factors. The following is an abridged form of our expectations to give you a general idea, though I will add the caveat that some facets are more intangible than others ("people skills," "having a good, neutral, helpful attitude," etc.) and this isn't largely the black-and-white process I imagine some expect it to be:

• Mentors are expected to abide by the rules; a history of problems with Moderation disqualifies a player from being a Mentor. No. There isn't some "you are immediately disqualified" point; it's judged on a case-by-case basis by Moderation.
• Mentors are expected to show a pro-active willingness to be helpful in the community and demonstrate a knowledge for the same, as well as the skill set to make use of such. Many Mentors have "specializations" such as certain tech levels, a certain style of threads, etc., but a Mentor is generally expected to be versed in a range of topics relating to their community - even if that means knowing who is more equipped for that task than themselves (see below).
• Mentors are expected to have an attitude which is likely to prove helpful to players, Mentors, and the Moderation Team and to assist such in an active fashion and timely manner. People skills are important here. This also means they are expected to conduct themselves in a capacity that does not poorly reflect their position, the Mentor Program, and NS in general. There is no role for OOC drama to play in the Mentor Program; players known for stirring the pot and causing problems are not players suited for the Program.
• Mentors are expected to understand their position does not remove their right to have personal opinions and express them, but that they are willing - and able - to separate such from their Mentor duties.
• Mentors are expected to, as a team, endeavor for the betterment of a given situation where a large array of skills are necessary. This also means deferring when something is beyond their experience; while the two halves of the Mentor Program are encouraged to work together (and do, heavily), there are still differences between P2TM and N&I RP.
• Mentors are expected to know when "enough is enough." Some players simply do not want help and it can be a drain of resources to try and assist a player who has repeatedly shown they do not want such and are unwilling to heed our advice.
• Mentors are expected to formally resign if a situation arises where they are unable/unwilling to fulfill their role. This is not the same as taking a week vacation; we have an inactivity thread specifically for that sort of thing. Not signing onto the forums for a lengthy period of time, not contributing to Mentor-related discussions, and generally not exercising their duties and, thus, fulfilling the purpose of their jacket results in the loss of that jacket. This is not a "cool kids club"; it's a responsibility.
• Mentors are expected to recognize NS is, fundamentally, just a game; real life is more important and should not be sacrificed. This is to include the so-called "Right of Refusal": a Mentor doesn't have to help anyone they do not want to. They are volunteers.

There isn't a formal nomination process so much as a player is suggested for consideration by a Mentor (either due to their own observation, being contacted by someone who is interested [but not a blatant self-nomination], or by being approached by another player suggesting a third party might make a good addition) or Moderator.

Beyond this, the process is fairly simple, but discussion-heavy. It includes a consideration phase, a review of their record by a member of Moderation (typically done myself initially, then brought-up for general Mod review) to indicate if some set of issues would disqualify them, a formal notification process and question session for the nominee, and a vote by the Mentors (assuming Moderation has found nothing that would disqualify them). There is not a unilateral decision process - to the possible exclusion of a member of Moderation informing the Mentors (after our own, internal review of the player's record) that something in their record would disqualify them, though this has historically been rare as players that tend to cause these sort of problems typically don't receive consideration to begin with.

Assuming nothing disqualifies a nominee, assuming the Mentors vote to approve them, and assuming the nominee accepts, they are jacketed into either the P2TM or N&I RP Mentors usergroup, get access to our super secret "open secret" Lounge, and get a fancy badge - along with all the added responsibilities that come with them.

And no, constantly pestering a Mentor or Mod about being made a Mentor is not a good way to become one. For one, that typically drops your name to the bottom of the list; for two, at a certain point, that is likely to bring the wrath of Mod down on them for harassment. More often than not (much like with Moderator and other, special user group candidacies), this is a situation where if a player shows a pro-active willingness to help, demonstrates to be knowledgeable in their respective RP community, and essentially does this without prompting, they are going to be noticed.

You can find more information about the Mentor Program here (II mirror) and here (P2TM mirror).

[Shazbotdom]

Serious question

Is it wise to nuke Reppy?

[Sunset]

Serious question

Is it wise to nuke Reppy?

Serious Answer;

The Immortal Shogunate of Reploid Productions is a futuristic state; Nuclear weapons are somewhat old-hat for the reploids. It should also be noted that the Shogunate is a member in excellent standing of the Triumvirate of Yut and said action would invoke a mutual defense clause - likely resulting in the occupation of the offending state and the removal of its leadership. Thus the wisdom of such an action would be questionable.

Now...

*Flashes the Topic Light*

[Madossa]

I'm still new to the whole military thing. What is a good amount of people, planes, and ships for a medium-sized nation?

[The Macabees]

I'm still new to the whole military thing. What is a good amount of people, planes, and ships for a medium-sized nation?

Welcome to NS Madossa!

Here is a 2012 guide on building a military. I found this one on Google, and it's off-site, but it's pretty good.

[New Aeyariss]

I'm still new to the whole military thing. What is a good amount of people, planes, and ships for a medium-sized nation?

Medium sized nation does not really give us any information. How big is your population, territory, GDP, how long are the borders, and is any of those bordering you a threat? What are your interests on the sea? Do you plan power projection? What is your terrain and climate?

The more information you can deliver = better.

[Madossa]

Like, say a nation the size of Spain, southern France, and northern Italy, with a population of 188 million, with a GDP of 3 trillion dollars, with long borders and an angry nation to the North. The nation has Imperial ambitions, holding some colonies and plans power projections, with it's home land being fairly mountainous and a dry & warm climate, being located in the Mediterranean.

[Ivelboria]

Hi, I've never done an actual RP on wars, let alone any RP at all. I have plans on doing an RP on a civil war. Can you guys please suggest me the essential rules of civil wars? Is there anything else I need to know regarding civil wars?

[Sunset]

Hi, I've never done an actual RP on wars, let alone any RP at all. I have plans on doing an RP on a civil war. Can you guys please suggest me the essential rules of civil wars? Is there anything else I need to know regarding civil wars?

I would start with the 'let alone any RP at all' part; How do you want to role-play? There are many different ways and how you want to RP in general is going to greatly influence how we answer the next question.

Sample Styles:
As a Nation; RP in this form is generally done from the large perspective. Posts are descriptive of the movements of large bodies of soldiers, the course or outcome of an entire election; The broadest strokes of a brush, to use an analogy. RPs in this style often make heavy use of numbers; This many soldiers, this many ships.

As an Event; RP in this form is more focused on the middle details. There are individual characters, but they are typically unnamed and usually described by their actions. A soldier ran over to a screaming baby and her mother, a lawyer was hit by a bus. These RPs usually provide more detail as to a specific event, but they don't emphasize the impact of said event on the characters involved. If the first example involved a terrorist campaign, this would be a single terrorist attack.

First Person; RP in this form is often done from the perspective of an individual character or group of characters. RPs in this form tend to be more like novels with characters talking and acting their way through events as they happen with a lot of focus on the details, the how-and-why of decisions, and similar minutia.

If one of these fits your current or potential posting style, great! We'll go from there. If now, I would suggest starting out by writing up your OP - Opening Post - and seeing just how you write it, see what style it fits into. From there we'll have a lot more advice to offer.

[Shwe Tu Colony]

Say, who would you guys say was probably the most influential fantasy-tech roleplayer &/or fantasy-tech mentor on NationStates?

[Ivelboria]

Hi, I've never done an actual RP on wars, let alone any RP at all. I have plans on doing an RP on a civil war. Can you guys please suggest me the essential rules of civil wars? Is there anything else I need to know regarding civil wars?

I would start with the 'let alone any RP at all' part; How do you want to role-play? There are many different ways and how you want to RP in general is going to greatly influence how we answer the next question.

Sample Styles:
As a Nation; RP in this form is generally done from the large perspective. Posts are descriptive of the movements of large bodies of soldiers, the course or outcome of an entire election; The broadest strokes of a brush, to use an analogy. RPs in this style often make heavy use of numbers; This many soldiers, this many ships.

As an Event; RP in this form is more focused on the middle details. There are individual characters, but they are typically unnamed and usually described by their actions. A soldier ran over to a screaming baby and her mother, a lawyer was hit by a bus. These RPs usually provide more detail as to a specific event, but they don't emphasize the impact of said event on the characters involved. If the first example involved a terrorist campaign, this would be a single terrorist attack.

First Person; RP in this form is often done from the perspective of an individual character or group of characters. RPs in this form tend to be more like novels with characters talking and acting their way through events as they happen with a lot of focus on the details, the how-and-why of decisions, and similar minutia.

If one of these fits your current or potential posting style, great! We'll go from there. If now, I would suggest starting out by writing up your OP - Opening Post - and seeing just how you write it, see what style it fits into. From there we'll have a lot more advice to offer.

Hmmm, okay. And is it fine if I select two styles and use them simultaneously?
EDIT - What things are important in the OP?

[Sunset]

I would start with the 'let alone any RP at all' part; How do you want to role-play? There are many different ways and how you want to RP in general is going to greatly influence how we answer the next question.

Sample Styles:
As a Nation; RP in this form is generally done from the large perspective. Posts are descriptive of the movements of large bodies of soldiers, the course or outcome of an entire election; The broadest strokes of a brush, to use an analogy. RPs in this style often make heavy use of numbers; This many soldiers, this many ships.

As an Event; RP in this form is more focused on the middle details. There are individual characters, but they are typically unnamed and usually described by their actions. A soldier ran over to a screaming baby and her mother, a lawyer was hit by a bus. These RPs usually provide more detail as to a specific event, but they don't emphasize the impact of said event on the characters involved. If the first example involved a terrorist campaign, this would be a single terrorist attack.

First Person; RP in this form is often done from the perspective of an individual character or group of characters. RPs in this form tend to be more like novels with characters talking and acting their way through events as they happen with a lot of focus on the details, the how-and-why of decisions, and similar minutia.

If one of these fits your current or potential posting style, great! We'll go from there. If now, I would suggest starting out by writing up your OP - Opening Post - and seeing just how you write it, see what style it fits into. From there we'll have a lot more advice to offer.

Hmmm, okay. And is it fine if I select two styles and use them simultaneously?
EDIT - What things are important in the OP?

Absolutely - or even switch between them as the needs of the story change. For a lot of people though, their OP is going to fall into one of those three styles and it will set the tone and expectations for the other participants. If you want to go two or three then that's something of a signal that your expectations will be high(er). So you do want to match this to your actual expectations as well as your own ability to commit to those needs.

Regardless of style and length, a good OP will include the Six Ws. Who, What, Why, Where, When, and HoW. Who is involved, What is happening, Why it's happening, Where it's happening, and HoW it happened or happens. For a civil war OP, go through these and answer them in story form and in your chosen style(s).

[Ivelboria]

Hmmm, okay. And is it fine if I select two styles and use them simultaneously?
EDIT - What things are important in the OP?

Absolutely - or even switch between them as the needs of the story change. For a lot of people though, their OP is going to fall into one of those three styles and it will set the tone and expectations for the other participants. If you want to go two or three then that's something of a signal that your expectations will be high (er)

Okay.