Post by Alex on Jul 31, 2012 15:17:24 GMT -8
What is an OOC&SU thread?
An Out of Character & Sign Up thread is just what it sounds like; a thread that the GM of an RP should make in order to recruit players. Players should view these threads and then, if interested, post their character sheet to the thread for approval of the GM. Now, let's go over some basic terms:
Basic Terms
RP- Role-playing, duh.
GM- Game Master. This does NOT mean Global Moderator, and any registered member can be a GM. You simply take on the title of "GM of [thread name]" when you start a RP/OOC&SU thread.
PC- Player Character. You take on this title when you are playing a character in a thread rather than being the GM.
Private- When you make an OOC&SU thread, anyone will be able to post their character sheets in it. The GM must still approve for that character to be applicable, but if the GM only wants specific people to post in their thread, then the title MUST be marked "Private."
Public- Threads that aren't marked "Private" are considered to be Public, meaning any member can post in them. It is not necessary to mark a title with "Public" as it is inferred.
Easy, right? Now, let's move on to the basic template for OOC&SU threads. While this isn't set in stone, newer GMs are better off following this template in order to get a feel for what an OOC&SU thread contains.
OOC&SU Thread Template
Backstory/Premise: Explain the in-game background of your RP. This part is very essential; if people don't know what's going on in your thread, they probably wont post in it. Try to be as detailed as possible, but keep it simple and not too long; this may sound like an oxymoron, but let me explain it in another way; get all of the necessary details out with very minimal extraneous information. This is the formula for success when it comes to writing a Backstory.
Plot Hooks/Quests: This is an optional category. While some enjoy simply having a free reign over the RP, others like to have a more structured goal in mind. The GM may include Plot Hooks/Quests to take the story in a certain direction. If this device is used, GMs should keep in mind that the Plot Hooks should still be fairly open; they should be guiding the characters, not constricting them.
Good Plot Hook Examples:
- The Famed Tournament: A prestigious tournament is taking place in the local arena in one month. The PCs all know of the tournament and may be trying to prepare for it.
- The Nightshade Gang: A band of necromancy-wielding bandits has been terrorizing the town the PCs are in. They are rumored to be found in the forest surrounding the town.
- Forgotten Pasts: An element from each of the PCs pasts has reemerged. The PCs must deal with the thing of memories they had once forgotten.
Starting Area: Again, this is an optional section, but can be helpful to give the PCs an easier time coming into the thread. This section works especially well if the Backstory is somewhat sparse.
Rules: Okay now, there is a set of rules that every thread should follow, but some people just want to watch the world burn. That's okay. Go ahead and go to Non-canon RPs, and look at the thread whose name is in ALL CAPS. That is an example of what rule-less RPing looks like. If this is what you want, go ahead and put "rule-less" in this section.
Now, for those of us who would like to retain our sanity, BasitonRP has outlined the rules that we feel are important to follow. You can find them in the thread entitled RP Rules in the intro and rules board. Simply putting "standard BastionRP rules" in this section is like copy-pasting that thread.
You can also add additional rules to your hearts content.
Other: The section for, well, anything else that you would like to say. An example of what would go here might be character requirements like, "No inventory" or "Only Seraphics."
I hope this answers all of your questions. If you're still confused about something, please feel free to PM me.
An Out of Character & Sign Up thread is just what it sounds like; a thread that the GM of an RP should make in order to recruit players. Players should view these threads and then, if interested, post their character sheet to the thread for approval of the GM. Now, let's go over some basic terms:
Basic Terms
RP- Role-playing, duh.
GM- Game Master. This does NOT mean Global Moderator, and any registered member can be a GM. You simply take on the title of "GM of [thread name]" when you start a RP/OOC&SU thread.
PC- Player Character. You take on this title when you are playing a character in a thread rather than being the GM.
Private- When you make an OOC&SU thread, anyone will be able to post their character sheets in it. The GM must still approve for that character to be applicable, but if the GM only wants specific people to post in their thread, then the title MUST be marked "Private."
Public- Threads that aren't marked "Private" are considered to be Public, meaning any member can post in them. It is not necessary to mark a title with "Public" as it is inferred.
Easy, right? Now, let's move on to the basic template for OOC&SU threads. While this isn't set in stone, newer GMs are better off following this template in order to get a feel for what an OOC&SU thread contains.
OOC&SU Thread Template
Backstory/Premise: Explain the in-game background of your RP. This part is very essential; if people don't know what's going on in your thread, they probably wont post in it. Try to be as detailed as possible, but keep it simple and not too long; this may sound like an oxymoron, but let me explain it in another way; get all of the necessary details out with very minimal extraneous information. This is the formula for success when it comes to writing a Backstory.
Plot Hooks/Quests: This is an optional category. While some enjoy simply having a free reign over the RP, others like to have a more structured goal in mind. The GM may include Plot Hooks/Quests to take the story in a certain direction. If this device is used, GMs should keep in mind that the Plot Hooks should still be fairly open; they should be guiding the characters, not constricting them.
Good Plot Hook Examples:
- The Famed Tournament: A prestigious tournament is taking place in the local arena in one month. The PCs all know of the tournament and may be trying to prepare for it.
- The Nightshade Gang: A band of necromancy-wielding bandits has been terrorizing the town the PCs are in. They are rumored to be found in the forest surrounding the town.
- Forgotten Pasts: An element from each of the PCs pasts has reemerged. The PCs must deal with the thing of memories they had once forgotten.
Starting Area: Again, this is an optional section, but can be helpful to give the PCs an easier time coming into the thread. This section works especially well if the Backstory is somewhat sparse.
Rules: Okay now, there is a set of rules that every thread should follow, but some people just want to watch the world burn. That's okay. Go ahead and go to Non-canon RPs, and look at the thread whose name is in ALL CAPS. That is an example of what rule-less RPing looks like. If this is what you want, go ahead and put "rule-less" in this section.
Now, for those of us who would like to retain our sanity, BasitonRP has outlined the rules that we feel are important to follow. You can find them in the thread entitled RP Rules in the intro and rules board. Simply putting "standard BastionRP rules" in this section is like copy-pasting that thread.
You can also add additional rules to your hearts content.
Other: The section for, well, anything else that you would like to say. An example of what would go here might be character requirements like, "No inventory" or "Only Seraphics."
* * *
I hope this answers all of your questions. If you're still confused about something, please feel free to PM me.