Community Discussion #1: January 12 2013
Part 2 of 3
Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3
Nero: A few years ago, I heard someone use the phrase, Positive Metagaming. This is the practice of moderating yourself in situations where you feel like you might run roughshod over someone else's fun. You do want to be careful here, because it does not refer to "Not killing someone's character", because that can be fun too. It only refers to extreme situations where you might destroy a player's fun, and could avoid it by augmenting your character's choices slightly. This is worth considering, so long as it doesn't completely break your character out of its personality, paradigm etc.
Sadrain: I am thinking about it, but since when we last talked, they assured me they are just generally museless and then started RPing with someone else (and then I had to go for some time), I am not sure anymore...
Earendill: You make a fine point there Kim.
Mellute: I think a RP is concluded when an event ends. I usually set up sort quests and try to have my fellow IC companions help me out. When the task is completed then I close that, like a chapter in a book. As for threads, and keeping them alive. I like to have help in that. I can't be the only person keeping it together. Usually I stick to a ratio where enough of the writers are invested in the story to keep it going.
Kim: Pen, what a great point!
XinonHyena: I'm a full supporter of ICA -> ICC
Kim: Hello newcomers and latecomers! You are very welcome to join. 
Mellute: Spy, pssssst!
XinonHyena: If you punch a guard in the face in the barracks, you should expect to become a pincushion
fallensiner: eh true true, having some character die is both good and bad. It depends on if the peson is willing to kill their character or not. As well as character not godmodding. That is what irks me the most.
Rubix: Sorry to hear that Sadrain.
Kim: Nero: "Positive metagaming" is a beautiful term, thank you for sharing that.
PenGryphon2007: *rofl* Xinon, well put. 
Tailbone: Personally I feel keeping a character true to self always comes before the worry of 'ruining the fun', but I've grown to view roleplaying as a narrative process rather than a game with controlled pieces.
Copper_Dragon: I love ICA -> ICC, although it does require people on both ends to be mindful of what they have their character do or say!
Keikat: hello
Earendill: Unless you have a good reason to punch him! And/or have bribed the other guards!
Copper_Dragon: Oh, well put, Tailbone!
Zeronight: I can't read stuff fast enough!
Rubix: Pen, beautiful point. 
Lorvilran: I prefer the consent rule, I want to decide when my character dies, not have some jerk come in and shoot the char up for giggles.
Sadrain: Well, I generally have rp-self-esteem issues. It's fine. And well, I always consider my IC actions for all reasons, I develop my characters with the RP and all, so they can adapt slowly and change, in time.
fallensiner: yeah the consent rule id prefer although personally i never knew what it was. But i always ask to off a character or not.
Mellute: I won't kill off my character. No, I love her too much so I then in return do not take the lives of other characters or attempt to.
Rubix: I definitely abide by the consent rule. Anyone that has played with me has probably noticed that lol. I won't even move NPCs around without asking permission.
Kim: Tailbone: Please elaborate on that thought! If you were to co-write a novel with someone, do you think you would lay down rules with them about how the story would progress and who was responsible for what parts and what your criteria for narrative success would be? Do you think that would be different from RP or the same?
XinonHyena: Well one should be mindful of it, I myself would also never accept it if someone randomly chucklemurders my character for no good reason, that doesn't build any kind of plot at all.
Mellute: THough...I made her a fighting based character, but more of an adventurer.
Zeronight: One of my characters is already dead.
Nuclear_Dingoz: I'm the same Rubix I ask permission about everything.
Lucas DaVinci (played by Zeronight): This one.
Earendill: If one of my characters dies I don't see it as an end of the character, merely the end of a certain storyline. I just restart with them in some other RP and see what happens there!
TheLily: I think that right now the biggest thing that is making RP good for me is forgiveness. Last night I screwed up big time. The group I play with didn't hesitate forgive me. I barely had time to say I was sorry before there were offers for roleplay again. Even if I made them mad, they still want to play with me, to be my friend. I can honestly say that nowhere else have I had a chance to meet people who accept that things get hard. I don't have to feel guilty for mistakes and I think that is far more important than any roleplay I could ever join. Even if it was the most amazing story-line with the best characters ever and I'd still not be as happy because I wouldn't have the ability to make mistakes. Without the forgiveness I don't know where I'd be. I think that being in a positive environment here fosters a lot of the OOC friendships that make it easier to play. Even though we end up in cliched positions, we're happy for it while it lasts. When we have problems, we know that we can be friends again. We don't need to keep fighting or mentioning a mistake. We move on. I don't know if that's on topic. I was up all night and my brain is somewhere else.
Kim: Lorvilran: If this were an alternate universe where you completely trusted that everyone RPed in a responsible manner, would you feel okay letting go of the consent rule?
Sadrain: I never play a character in only one dimension. So, if she or he dies in one, they will continue to live on elsewhere, honestly.
Zeronight: I do the same thing, earendill!
Bunneh: Honestly, I also preferred the consent rule... Simply because I'm an artist as are a lot of my friends and we put a lot of work into our characters, not just words, but actual artwork and stuff as well. So if some douche just comes around and finds a way to kill my chara for giggles it'll be a complete waste of all that hard work and what not. However, I also understand where non-consent would be fun too, I guess. xD
Kim: Earendill, that sounds like an interesting modification of the consent rule. It kind of lets you have your cake and eat it too.
Mellute: Sadrain. I agree. If my character had to die I'd make her exist somewhere else.
Earendill: Indeed it does! And how delicious that cake is!
Rubix: Hmm, don't know about Lor's answer but I am highly protective of my characters lol. I think I'd still need the consent rule.
Spy: Most of my characters are designed with sort of...Safeguards. The ones that aren't opposed to killing aren't so willy-nilly bloodthirsty that they would off someone without a good reasons, and they keep their standards on what constitutes a "good" reason rather high.
Kim: Okay, so we're all talking about the consent rule. I'm going to throw that question I asked Lorvilran wide and ask everyone.
If this were an alternate universe where you completely trusted that everyone RPed in a responsible manner, would you feel okay letting go of the consent rule?
Sadrain: Ahhaa, apparently I and Earendill do the same thing.
Mellute: Though I tend to get super to attached to one character at a time. I have others but I haven't RPed with them actively in awhile.
Mellute: I would let the rule fly out the window then.
Earendill: I already feel okay in letting it go in this universe, depending on the community!
Tailbone: Absolutely. In fact, I do!
XinonHyena: I would, when I RP with people I trust I usually don't mind it.
PenGryphon2007: brb...
Copper_Dragon: I despise hypotheticals! Boo! Hiiisssss rawr!
... but yes, in all seriousness, I probably would let go of the consent rule!
Nuclear_Dingoz: Me as well.. i had a situation once where someone tried to randomly kill my main character without my consent, and i've been wary ever since. This was years ago and not on rpr lol
Bunneh: Sadrain and Earendill those are very good ideas! ^-^
Spy: Way I see it, eye for an eye. If you're ready to attempt something without consent, don't be surprised if things don't go your way because I have a reasonable counter response prepared.
The_Ross: They're all cartoon characters anyway. Can't die.
Earendill: All RP weapons are made by ACME after all.
Mellute: Hence why I don't fight you Spy. Neither of our characters could do it lol
fallensiner: Eh when everyone is respecting but i never had a problem with people killing anyone in this rp community. So I didn't even know the consent rule even exist.So 
to it. Since everyone is chill.
Oaky: LOL Earendill
Lorvilran: I don't trust that. If EVERYONE in the rp world could be trusted then yes.
Kim: So it isn't the death that bothers people, it's the possibility of a meaningless death?
Rubix: Well you know, let me rephrase that. There are certain rpers that I trust with my little brain babies. But that is because of our connection and how long we've played together. I still have the consent rule, but it seems...a non-verbal agreement between us. We know each other that well and we don't even have to bring it up, it's just natural.
The_Ross: Peace-bonded nerf swords
Nero: I play in many games without a consent rule. It is only required when there are not other rules by which the characters' capabilities are defined.
Tailbone: That's why we have select settings and screening processes, to keep out unfair players that would run in and start shooting people up - in such environments I surrender that sort of magical protection. However, while I love my characters and do not WANT them to die, will absolutely wiggle around it if I can, awful things -do- happen to people every day and death is a tragic occurrence to shock other characters and their players. That's a part of life and huge plot development. It's not to be taken lightly, but I believe avoiding it entirely when awful things happen, offering a form of immortality bestowed by the 'hand of god' as it were in this case, is unfair to the narrative process. I understand it, but don't think it's healthy.
Oaky:
spy wrote:
Way I see it, eye for an eye. If you're ready to attempt something without consent, don't be surprised if things don't go your way because I have a reasonable counter response prepared.
^^^ This
Copper_Dragon: YES, KIM
XinonHyena: Exactly Kim
Sadrain: HAHAH. That made me laugh, Earendill.
As for fighting... I usually don't fight, or we decide the outcome beforehand, and usually it's a draw, it's for a brawl and things like that. IF it is reasonable, of course. Or we break up the fight.
Zeronight: If my characters die, I just bring them back in a different role play, reguardless of the time. Sort of like an alternate dimension.
Rubix: Yes Kim, meaningless death would be the thing that bothers me. Death happens, characters fall, but doing it with no purpose? That bugs me.
Copper_Dragon: A meaningless death just because the player wants to make it or add to a kill count.
Mellute: Fighting is a game of wits, not strength. Who is the most crafty?
Earendill: Exactly Kim! No one wants their character to be equivalent to that nameless person on the background shouting a Wilhelm scream and dying with no direct connection to the plot.
Tailbone: Agreed!
Nuclear_Dingoz: yes i have killed plenty of characters (of my own). I wouldn't want to invest watching a tv show and then a death of a character happen for no reason at all.
Lorvilran: I've aalmost killed Dimi twice.
XinonHyena: What Earendil said
fallensiner: eh well it depends on the plot of the rp for meaningless death.
Bunneh: Heh, this discussion is actually making me want to look for rp on RPR instead of just the current place I rp. xD
Earendill: We might not all get a spotlight, but that doesn't mean we can't be helpful sidecharacters or more!
Rynh: I'm back! What'd I miss?
Rubix: Bunneh you should.
Earendill: Plenty of RP to be had here 
Kim: So it sounds like one thing we might conclude here is that when one is a responsible RPer, they put effort into helping other people's narratives have meaningful conclusions, whether or not the plot includes death?
Zeronight: I have a few side characters. And a lot.
Lorvilran: The first time was his own fault and it stopped an attack on hiss friends, second time was for effect. So yes meaninglessness in death is a bother. If you're going to kill my char at least make it mean something.
Sadrain: I don't like idea of 'spotlights' on just some characters. If it's a big group thing, I would personally plot so everyone get their spotlight at some point in time equally.
Oaky: I personally love deaths of characters. Especially meaningless ones. (Of course, I'm a writer, so I generally have more than one chara to kill off in a story. In RP it's the same, I just have less cannon fodder, so to speak.)
Mellute: Depends on the story at the time. Not all "Chapters" focus on the same character. Or at least that is how I see it.
Nuclear_Dingoz: I don't even really like messing with Npcs without consent myself.
Copper_Dragon: Well said and agreed, Kim.
Earendill: Indeed Kim.
Rubix: I would say so Kim.
Oaky: Agreed to the seventh power, Kimmy!
Tailbone: Not much Rynh! We're talking about the consent rule vs. character death and if the issue is with death at all or MEANINGLESS death.
Mellute: So If I start a thread, it doesn't make me all important. Everyone owns the RP.
Rynh: Aha! I can have some input about that!
XinonHyena: Exactly, it's all a matter of perspective. You want the death of your character to mean something because it's a major change, same goes for various other major changes a character could pick up that changes everything.
Kim: Good point, Mellute.
Earendill: Everyone pwns the RP!
fallensiner: but hey with meaningless deaht or death in general hey thats what Npcs and side characters are fore. It sometimes adds a little plot to a situation.
Tailbone: Also, I'm totally with you Oaky. A meaningless death doesn't have to mean unfair - they happen every day for the most tragic and ridiculous reasons and a "meaningless" death in and of itself can carry a lot of weight and development for those still alive.
Zeronight: I'm afraid I don't have much input to this chat.
Zeronight: -Has a sudden hankering for skittles-
Earendill: Then it isn't really meaningless, is it? 
Tailbone: So is there such a thing at all? x)
Rynh: I say not every character death is a loss. A character's death can be put to use as a surprise element. I personally liking throwing in random twists in roleplays depending on how they go. If the other characters made decisions that would normally have consequence, I make it come back in the near future and cause casualties, usually on my own character, since I have no problem with seeing them go in the heat of the moment
Rubix: Tailbone, I'd hazard to say that is actually meaningful then.
Spy: Y'know, I was actually trying to think of a situation in which a death is meaningless...And I've yet to come up with one.
Earendill: Oh, going philosophical on me, are we!
Nero: If we're not talking about meaningless death exactly, perhaps we want to say it is the forgotten death that we don't want for our characters?
XinonHyena: I think that with meaningless they mean OOCly Tail, like if some random guy walks into the rp and begins doing everything their character can do to kill yours
Earendill: I think what we describe here as "meaningless" isn't really meaningless, but more or less without proper build-up.
XinonHyena: Yeah what Ear said
Copper_Dragon:
XinonHyena wrote:
I think that with meaningless they mean OOCly Tail, like if some random guy walks into the rp and begins doing everything their character can do to kill yours
That's exactly what I mean too when I say I dislike meaningless deaths.
Earendill: Like when someone poofs into the dream, murderstabs you and disappears again.
Rubix: To me meaningless death in rp is something that doesn't leave a profound impact. Say you have a character that gets gun downed in the first rp you're in, to me that's meaningless. Because as a player you haven't had the time to develop that character etc. And if it was against your consent you're now stuck with an unusable character you may have had high hopes for.
Tailbone: Yes! A much better way to put it, "meaningless" perhaps wasn't the word.
Mellute: Hmmm, so maybe that is way immortal and "God" like characters are everywhere in RP communities.
Earendill: Not when your character dies by tripping on a sword and stabbing himself in the face while leading the rebel alliance to victory!
Lorvilran: You can scar Dimi to valsirith(hell) and back for all I care but you better have put some meaning in his death.
Copper_Dragon: Perhaps it could be worded as a... hm... Metagaming Death? No, no, not quite.
Mellute: Eliminate death and then there is no discussion. No room for anything to happen.
Copper_Dragon: Twinking Murder?
Kim: Mellute, that is a fantastic point.
Kim: You guys are making some great points and I'm taking notes like mad, but I want to change the question very slightly.
What responsibilities do brand new players have?
Mellute: Thank you
Rubix: Hmm that's a point I hadn't thought about Mellute.
Lorvilran: To learn.
XinonHyena: Watch an' leaaarn
fallensiner: hmm true ear, it isnt really meaningless if you have plot build up. It doesn't really have a place in rp, unless your character goes on a random murder spree and kills a village full of npcs. for no reason, but even then theres always a reason. So to be honest death more or less is a key factor in the long thought process of rp.
Earendill: Though if we eliminate death completely, where's the thrill?
Mellute: Brand new players...should be humble. But not lick the experienced player's shoes.
Nero: New gamers need to be open to the thought that they are new, and thus do not know everything about gaming yet. As with any new thing, one must be prepared to learn and take advice from those who have come before. An important early lesson for any new gamer is to stick to their own character. Your character is just one piece in this grand puzzle, your actions are your own, and you may do whatever you like with your character, /until/ your intentions or actions come into another character, or their actions or intentions. Once two characters come into direct contact(and I don't just mean physically touching), poses shorten from minutes to moments, each player taking one step at a time, gauging the reaction of the others in the scene at each relevant increment.
PenGryphon2007: I can answer this one as a relatively new RPer! To learn quickly and try to adapt and be open to suggestions!
Spy: New players? Above all I would say learning their way around before they try to bite off more than they can chew.
Sadrain: I wouldn't agree, Mellute. If you play one on one... Death is way to end the game, unless you play lot of characters.
Rubix: New players have the responsibility of listening. There is a lot of talk that flies around with new and old players, and an experienced player can reach out and try to help newer players etc. But if you don't listen to advice etc. Then you're bound to make some waves.
Mellute: I think you learn best by making mistakes and being aware that they will continue to happen.
Earendill: Brand new players have the responsibility to show interest in the community they want to join and make an effort to follow its continuity. Of course, mistakes are allowed, they are new after all! But the effor should be there.
Tailbone: Yeah, to me that takes out so much from the lives of our characters. If there is no threat of death, a part of you knows that, are the threats, fears, and shocks your characters feel really have the emotional substance they should?
Bunneh: I think new characters should learn, not just by sitting idly by and watching, but also playing with others that are more experienced and being open to certain pointers someone might offer and such. 
PenGryphon2007: Btw, I've been in an RP where the only way out was to kill a character... It wasn't ideal, but it did help me a lot with how to write a death scene and how to make it meaningful.
Nuclear_Dingoz: Pen has learned very quickly as well 
Zeronight: I'm just going to watch the discussion. Because I don't know what to input.
Spy: Most important among the things to learn being that the ther people you're playing with are people, not objects.
Copper_Dragon: To grow as better writers while still enjoying themselves. We've all got a bit of ego in ourselves, and we won't always realize that we're not perfect and we need to learn and grow from more experienced Roleplayers.
But then you dig down keep, find that humility that will let you admit "Okay, I may be able to actually learn something here", and do it.
Nuclear_Dingoz: I agree with the new players need to watch and learn. It took me forever to learn lol
Sadrain: This is personally moving too fast and I think like most people don't read everything said here, so it's like jumblemumble. xD
fallensiner: So kim as for new players their responsibility is to learn the ins and outs of rp and start off to get used to rping. Say get their key character and learn their tweaks and what they can do best first. Say start with their persona first and then build on from that. As well as taking advice from more experienced rpers. say start of with a less literate rp. for example
"i has the cheese"*throws block of cheese in the air*
after words start to rp like how they do in books and follow thread that you like to learn.
Kim: Copper, do you equate better writing with better RP? Would you say there are skills that differ in each activity?
Spy: Too many times I've seen a new player stroll into a RP like they own the place and treat the other players like NPCs rather than, well, players.
Kim: So are new players not immediately responsible for being mindful of other people's fun? At what point do we expect them to know better?
Earendill: Whilst better writing is definitely a plus, it doesn't equal better RP if what you write is pointless to the story itself.
Zeronight: Some people want to role play, but they don't know how. Or like you said, treat players like NPCs.
Earendill: Kim, are you talking about people new to RP, or new to a certain RP group but still experienced with RP?
PenGryphon2007: Probably the biggest adjustment for a new Roleplayer is realizing that they don't control the scene--just the action of their character. Meaning, they can't assume every attack hits, or every punch is dodged.
Sadrain: When I was 13 and first playing, I got carried away a lot, especially with the story it self. I didn't boss the other characters around, but I did boss events around if the original story creator left (on sites like Neopets and other). Often, they turned interesting and people stayed, though and when I left, they really died, haha. But I've learned to be more considerate since then.
Kim: Sadrian, I'm just barely keep up myself. I think it's okay to focus on certain threads of the conversation for a little while, then move over to a different group of people to look at to see what other people think. OTherwise, your brain will melt.
Zeronight: I have this friend that does that, but I think it's because he has a lack of understanding on what to do.
Mellute: I usually expect them to know better once they have rooted themselves into a community. Or have been writing with a few people for awhile.
Nero: Being mindful of other people's fun is a valid first lesson for new gamers.
Rynh: It's difficult to tell when someone should know better. You'd have to know the player as a person first before you can judge when he or she can do better.
Spy: I wouldn't say they aren't immediately responsible. But I would say it's not as high a priority as bettering themselves. Crawl before you can walk, and all that.
Kim: Earendill: Both. Do you think there are different requirements for each group?
Sadrain: Events, like, "troll barged in NOW", not about hits and such.
Kim: Mellute: Define "awhile"?
Oaky:
Kim wrote:
So are new players not immediately responsible for being mindful of other people's fun? At what point do we expect them to know better?
For me, it's easy to tell an experienced, idiot player from an inexperienced player.
OOC can be a big tell, of course. I generally tend to avoid experienced (but ignorant, arrogant) players and try to help newer ones.
Lorvilran: I'vee booted players from dreams for not being willing to learn even basic rules and limitations, they were new but I did try to be nice, they are to try to make it fun for others and if they can't they shouldd step out and let people have their fun.
The_Ross: This is kind of a necro (from a whole sixty seconds ago!) - but I don't think the threat of death, or even of serious injury, is necessary to create dramatic tension, to give actions meaning, nor to make a story interesting.
fallensiner: well of course, there not immediatly responsible however they should be aware. Of course let everyone know in the rp that they are new. Course for newbies one sentance replies are good for a start. However they should learn that autohits and godmodding isn't allowed and troling is unexecptable. But after a few weeks and maybe two days they should know the general feel or rps. course they should always ask for help.
Sadrain: I've got to go for a bit now, I will be back later.
Earendill: Kim: Well, of course! When you don't know even the basics of RP, there's a whole new set of responsibilities: learning to RP! And not just that, also learning everything that comes with it. Respect for a continuity and such
Rynh: Sometimes you've got to be hard on people before they learn. It's a difficult thing to do, really. But there's just people out there who don't get it otherwise. I was one of those guys who needed a good bop on the head before I realized I was doing something horribly wrong
Mellute: Kim, hmmmm.... thats a tough one to define.
PenGryphon2007: Well keep in mind too, that new RPers...either in general or to RPR are possibly still getting their feet under them and learning about their character. Once they have that established though, then I think they should be focusing on how to get as much fun out of an RP as possible--which goes back to establishing OOC relationships. So having an Introduction forum is really helpful for that kind of thing.
Kim:
PenGryphon2007 wrote:
Probably the biggest adjustment for a new Roleplayer is realizing that they don't control the scene--just the action of their character. Meaning, they can't assume every attack hits, or every punch is dodged.
Personally, I think this is an argument for introducing people to simple dice systems early on -- it really drives home the idea that some things are out of their control, but also lets them feel safe that the results for their characters are not be written by someone else, either. Everyone has a chance to fail or succeed. You can go further with dice, or remove them as training wheels, but it really demonstrates clearly the idea of turns, fairness, and occasional failure being a part of the game that there's no shame in.
Earendill: Whereas when you're experienced with RP, you can straight on hop to integrating into your new home and family!
Lorvilran: *boots Rynh*
Zeronight: I autohit, but I expect people to think that it doesn't actually hit. For example- Lucas stabs Greg.
Rubix: Kim I honestly think that responsibility goes both ways, both new and experienced rpers should be more mindful of others.
Zeronight: I mean they have a chance to dodge it.
Tailbone: I strongly believe that reading skills and writing ability correlate - a new player should always understand, just like any art form, it's a never ending process of improvement and observation with no room for ego. I think roleplay at its core is a way for us to grow together, bounce off each other, learn through the process. It's been a wonderful training ground for me and a roleplayer should always remember to treat it as such. It's not a contest.
Mellute: People should be mindful in general. As for unspoken rules, they should be put out in the open.
Mellute: Or at least discussed.
Tailbone: Also, goodness no Ross! I don't think so either, but there are times when it should be addressed, life and death are huge parts of living itself, the bread of each end if you will. It holds experience together.
XinonHyena: What Tailbone said
Earendill: I agree Tailbone.
Copper_Dragon:
Kim wrote:
Copper, do you equate better writing with better RP? Would you say there are skills that differ in each activity?
To an extent, yes I do. Mind you, you don't have to write like the next Stephen King or Tolkein, but...
As we're probably pretty aware of, there are specific and universal "don'ts" in RPdom. I believe I mentioned that earlier. Don't Godmod, don't Auto-hit, don't Twink, &c, and it takes some skill and learning and pratice-- much with just writing as a whole for a language class--to learn how to rise above such things. As an experienced roleplayer who has been working on RP (and has hit every high and low), I feel a new person has got to eventually rise up and learn the universal ins and outs of what RP is.
Kim wrote:
So are new players not immediately responsible for being mindful of other people's fun? At what point do we expect them to know better?
To expect a new person who has just literally started RP to immeidately grasp the mindfulness of it is foolhardy. I believe if they're attentive and open-minded to the wise words of others, they'll learn those ins and outs over time. Yes, it may take a long while to do it. As I said, I've been at this for 10 years now, and even still I'm learning new ways to write my characters and my stories.
As for what point, there is no universal 'point' for that. Everyone learns and grows differently. However, I do believe that if they've been talked to with more experienced people for quite a while, and they STILL haven't picked up on anything...actually, I'm not sure how to end that point!
XinonHyena: You can be RPing for a long time but there'll still be people who perhaps write in a style and flair that'll inspire you, it's something that never stops growing
Kim: Tailbone, that was beautifully said!
Copper_Dragon: Er, apologies for the fatness. Next time I'll put it into a collapse tag!
Earendill: Copper: Ohgod! Writing like Tolkien would be horrible! Mind you, he was awesome, but his stories are so full of descriptions and fluff they wouldn expand the RP into hot air!
Copper_Dragon: Twas just an example, Ulrin! 
The_Ross: Granted, however - removing them from the design space of a roleplay doesn't make the actions of the characters within it any less meaningful.
Tailbone: I 'unno guys, I'm pretty full of fluff! Also, I sort of disagree with that Ross.
Kim: That's okay Copper, that was a very informative post.
Spy: Honestly, I feel like a lot of the things concerning the responsibility of RPers to the other players should be common sense. Don't disrespect your peers. It's a rule everywhere in the world and not something that should need to be learned again just because it's the Internet.
Earendill: You're -so fluffy- I'm going to die, Tailbone
The_Ross: I loved the way Tolkien wrote. It made his stories feel like first-hand accounts.
Mellute: I think the way a person writes says a lot about their passion for the content. I see blatant spelling errors and poorly constructed paragraphs as disrespectful. That's just me. It is like the other writers isn't even trying at all. I almost always get angry.
Copper_Dragon: Thank you, Kim. xD I feel like I'm writing for a high school test or something again.
fallensiner: To Mellute: ditto, people should be mindufl in general.
to zero: well i suppose Auto hits aren't bad so long as the other person has time to react and defend against the other.
so long as the character is hit like crazy and has no way of defending. And the character dodging all hits as well.
Bunneh: Spy, kind of like treat others the way you'd want to be treated, right?
Earendill: Oh yes, Tolkien was brilliant in his stories! But if everyone posted like that all the time, nothing would get done in reasonable amounts of time and RP would turn into an Entmoot!
Lorvilran: Writing little while giving what is needed is the perfect level in truth.
Zeronight: I don't have anything to talk about in this. Sadly.
Lorvilran: But entmootss aree amazing!
Kim: Spy: Do you think that "respect" is an augmented idea when it comes to co-writing a plot? After all, you can do some incredibly disrespectful things IC and still like someone OOC. How can a new player get that off the bat as "common sense"? It's a little bit tweaked from our normal conception, no?
The_Ross: Yeah, I agree there
Tailbone: Imagine if a part of you knew that you didn't have to worry about any negative effects of your actions - that there was no threat of death, that your loved ones would always be safe around you, that weather, accidents, injury, and encounters no longer had any reason to make you worry or fear because you can't die. A part of you, even as narrator, will always know that and your characters may not behave the same for it.
Copper_Dragon: I agree with Mellute, and it may be because I'm one of those players who does indeed treat RP like an exercise in writing.
Kim: Zeronight, it's okay just to watch and learn.
Mellute: However, in chat form errors are fine. We are just trying to get out what we need to say. Purely that. So OOC errors are not pesky.
Tailbone: The reality of our mortality affects most of us every day.
Kim: Also, lollerskates, Earendill used "entmoot" correctly in conversation. I'm so happy.
fallensiner: To Mellute: ah yes that is another thing that irks me when the sentences are poorly made and are spammed full of error when it becomes too much. But sometimes we fat finger things. And our brains think faster then we can type.
Earendill: My pleasure, Kim!
The_Ross: There are plenty of negative consequences we can imagine for our characters that create the exact same kind of tension and terror without the rp-killing permanence of death.
Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3