HOW TO WRITE IN-CHARACTER

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Learning the rules of writing in-character is undoubtedly the hardest part of roleplaying. But that's okay, you got this. I'm going to list the rules and guidelines as well as give some examples.

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• Speak from the third person. In other words, don't say "I," "me," or "we" unless it's IC dialogue. You are not your character when it comes to roleplaying. Sure, perhaps everyone calls you by your character name, but when you're in the RPG, you are the writer, who is separate from your character. The pronouns "he," "she," "their," etc. will be what you normally use. This is the vast norm for text-based RPGs.

• However, it's not customary to address the readers (all other players) either, so phrases like "dear reader" or "as the reader might wonder," are really not the norm. 

• Your job is to respond to what the GM writes, so it's important not to write anything else. Your posts, basically, are just responses. Try to think of it this way: you're not the creator -- you're the reactor. Don't mention anything not mentioned by the GM or other characters. Write only for your character, which includes: 1) what your character is thinking​, 2) what your character is doing (within the limits of the environment), and 3) what your character is seeing/experiencing (again, within the limits of what the GM or other characters have told you). If you're not doing either of these two things, you are probably godmodding. All players mess up at some point, but the goal is lessen how often this happens so that the game runs smoothly. To explain godmodding further...

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So, if the GM writes.....

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Suddenly, John would find that a cloaked figure was stalking him in the shadows, a blaster gleaming in his hand. The figure moved silently and quickly, like a hunter waiting to strike.

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....you cannot respond like...

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John turned on his heel, removing his own blaster from its holster and shooting the stalker dead. He walked up to the body, kicking it in disgust. "That'll teach you to follow me, bounty hunter scum!"

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You also cannot say....

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John quickly turned a corner, running quickly so that he also took the next corner to the right. Ha! He had lost the stalker!

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The reason these are wrong is because of godmodding. A simple definition of godmodding is writing about things you don't control. That, as a player, includes many things: all other characters (unless you're given permission), events in the game that change the story, and the overall setting.

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So, you can't write that John stabbed someone, you have to write that he "attempted to stab" (yes, "attempted" is a word used often), "tried to stab," or "aimed for" the other character. The other character that John tries to stab (whether this is another player or the GM) gets to decide whether the blow landed. 

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HOWEVER, some game rules allow for an exception. That exception is known as auto-hitting. While also something of a synonym for godmodding, auto-hitting may also refer to a neat little rule that lets you hit an opponent without their feedback. If a Player 2 doesn't respond to the fact that Player 1's character tried to stab Player 2's character, then the GM will (sometimes) allow the blow to land. So, if Player 1 says...

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John swung his knife downward, the blade aimed at Character 2's thigh.

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...and Player 2 says...

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Character 2 smirked, laughing as he proclaimed "you'll never kill me!"

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...then John gets to stab Character 2 in the thigh. Player 2 would have to explicitly write that Charater 2 either dodged or block the blow. 

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Yet again, ask your GM if this autohitting rule applies to the RPG. A good roleplayer never ignores any movements made against him, and you must similarly avoid or block any strikes. The best thing to do is to at least acknowledge the most important parts of each GM's or player's posts to avoid hurting your character or being rude. 

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*It is important to note that godmodding also applies to character thoughts. Do not assume what another character is thinking or feeling. Even if your character is a telepath and the other player mentions his character's feelings, be wary of doing this.*

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For John's Player 1 to respond correctly to the GM's mention of the stalker (above), Player 1 should write:

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John saw the stalker, blaster in hand, and quickly rose. He didn't want it to seem like he had seen the cloaked man, so he kept his head down, only looking from the corners of his eyes. Quickly, he walked back towards his house, hoping to get away from the strange figure without looking suspicious. 

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Take note of the "hoping" in that post. This means you're not assuming that what you did worked. You're leaving that up to the GM. 

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Small details may be added, though, and it helps build the post. As your character or group is waiting by a wall, you can add that your character began scraping the wall with his fingernail, trying to even out a nail edge that was tearing. Things like this add detail, but are insignificant enough to not disrupt the game. You can, of course, use the environment as described by the GM. Just because he does not describe where every boulder is placed doesn't mean you can't say your character tried to jump on the boulders to get away. You must be sure, however, that your GM at one point described that boulders existed in the area. 

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Let's summarize, and add in a few more rules...

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• Take turns: To put it simply, this is how game roleplaying works. Step one, the GM writes his post, mentioning your character and tagging you to let you know you're mentioned. Step 2, you and other players respond to the GMs post. Often, it is necessary for you to respond to other characters, and this might continue for a few more posts until the GM posts again. Just be careful not to advance the story or the environment without permission. As long as character interactions are contained and don't affect the rest of the story, it is usually fine. 

• Don't follow another player's actions if he is godmodding. Ask your GM if you should wait for the player to be corrected or accept the move. Even small details may be hiding the GM's next big plan, and you don't want to destroy that. That being said, the unexpected actions of the players are what make RPGs great! 

• Also, don't correct a character within the RPG, even if it's in an OOC comment. Mention it privately and politely to the player or, even better, politely ask your GM for guidance. Even if its godmodding, sometimes a GM will like a character's actions so much that he accepts it. Always best to ask. (Don't take this as an invitation to create some "cool" godmodding of your own.)

• If you have an idea, PM the GM. They might even like it and accept it, even if they have to change the story a bit. I would hold off on doing this until you have a bit more experience, though.

• Do what the GM tells you to do. If the GM says "we're all going here," don't lag behind. Go if he says go. You can express, perhaps, that your character doesn't want to go, but out of courtesy you should still go. 

• As mentioned above, respond to everything major, including the environment. Not only does it show respect for the writers, but it may mean you have an escape route if you're trapped. If your GM mentions a loose screw on an air vent, try it, but don't write that the vent came off. That's up to your GM.

• Don't forget to tag other players. Often, the GM will tag you as well as a few other players after the same paragraph, so don't forget to tag not only these players, but also the GM. Tag anyone else who subsequently becomes involved in your storyline. Usually, the GM will lead the way on this so it's safe to follow who they are posting. 

• By all means... DO NOT GODMOD! Your GM and fellow players thank you. Also, avoid autohitting.

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Well well well! Look at you! You're nearly to the end of beginner training. If you've understood everything on here, the next page will take you to a few more details. You're almost done! 

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