So...you want to be a roleplayer, eh? 

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Well, then you've made a good decision coming here. This is your first step into the world of roleplaying, so let's not sit around chit-chatting away, we've got learning to do! Main sections are bolded so that they are easier to find on the page. I may make references to Player 1 and Player 2 when I give examples. Please do not be offended by my use of the "he" pronoun -- there are many women and gender non-binary players out there. "He" is merely used for convenience.

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Here is a clickable Table of Contents so that you know what's coming up:

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• Terms and Phrases (this page)

• Creating Your CS

• Posting Structure

• How to Write In Character

• Roleplaying Etiquette 

• Combo Posts

• Final Notes

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TERMS and PHRASES

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It's helpful to begin by defining several terms and abbreviations. After this section, I will refer to all terms by their abbreviations, so it might be necessary to refer back to this section later on. I would briefly look over them now, but come back to them as you read because some of these terms are slightly harder to understand out of context. These terms will be discussed more later.

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• Auto-hitting -- this refers to a big no-no in the world of roleplaying. In other words, a player cannot assume they have hit or otherwise influenced another person's character. Some game leaders have a rule that you can only auto-hit when your opponent doesn't counter your attack. For example, if Player 1 tries to stab Player 2, Player 2's response has to include blocking or otherwise avoiding the stab. If not, the players assume that Player 1 succeeded in stabbing Player 2. This term is related to god-modding (below).

• CS -- Abbreviation for "Character Sheet." This is the sheet you will create, ideally, at the very beginning before you roleplay. It shows your character's basic information, which is for both you and other players to reference. Most roleplaying games require you to make one for your character before joining.

• GM -- Short for Game Master. This term refers to whoever is leading/creating the game. GMs may have co-GMs, who help them run the game.

• Godmodding -- This is the backbone of roleplaying posts, and the ultimate no-no. Simply, this means you can't assume anything about 1) another person's character and 2) what your actions have done to that character, or 3) the environment created by the GM. Player 1, for instance, can't assume that he successfully shot Player 2. He can only say he tried to shoot Player 2. It is Player two's decision how the shot affects him.

• IC -- Short for In Character. This is an abbreviation placed at the top of some roleplaying posts. Ask your GM if this is required, but posting it anyways is normally fine as well. IC means that you're writing as your character. Anything said or done is not directed to other players. Rather, it is directed towards other players' characters. This can be an important distinction when harassment or violence in involved between characters. Be sure to keep IC comments and actions separate!

• Metagaming -- Sort of an extension of godmodding, metagaming is allowing your character to know more than he should. Write from the point of view of the character and you will be fine.

• NPCs -- These are non-player characters. This means that the GM has certain characters written into the story that are not controlled by another player. They are in place to help the story along. Still, you must apply the rules of godmodding to these NPCs.

• OOC: This means Out of Character, which is the opposite of IC. This is used in a roleplaying post to say something to the players rather than the characters. Generally, this is not for idle chit-chat. Giving player notifications (i.e. "I'll be out all day tomorrow") or saying something about the game (i.e. "Do you want us to go further or just stop here?) is typically acceptable. More often than not, GMs have a separate place for OOC comments that you will have access to.

• RPG: This is "roleplaying game," also known as the reason you're here in the first place. 

• TAG(s): Because this is online, you have to tag players who are in your group or with your character. I'll explain who all to tag, later. 

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