1. to assume the attitudes, actions, and discourse of (another), esp. in a make-believe situation in an effort to understand a differing point of view or social interaction.
2. to experiment with or experience (a situation or viewpoint) by playing a role.

© Random House, Inc. 2006.

There are many different kinds of Role Play witnessed in video games, story books, and even, occupational settings (such as detective work). Rp (abbreviation for Role Play) is a crucial part of human existence. It enables us to expand our opinions and views beyond the boundaries of simplistic thinking, on numerous of levels of importance. One’s ability to Role Play has even contributed to the elevation of the human race. Its significance stretches from essential survival mechanism, to creative exercise.

Internet Role Play has gained renowned popularity, whether it be in chat rooms and forums, or online games such as EverQuest, GuildWars, and World of Warcraft.

The Role Play practiced here is Story Board RP, during which an individual assumes the identity of a character, and writes out its part in an interactive story that others may join with their own characters, resulting in a network of interlaced plots, ideas, and personas.
Authors submit their paragraphs - also referred to as ’posts’ - to message boards, so that others may read and reply to them. These stories may last for a few days, or several years.
RPG’s based on script contain many covert benefits, as they may successfully enhance one’s ability to interpret thought into words, visualize detail, access memory, employ creativity, expand proper grammar, and broaden vocabulary.

If you require further assistance, please continue reading. If not, invent your eagerly awaited character(s) and bring them into the Role Play!

ENTERING THE ROLE PLAY

When Role Playing, there are two different ways to post on a message board - In Character (ic) and Out Of Character (ooc). In Character comments are reserved for the Role Play. Out of Character remarks are used only when the Role Player wishes to stress something that has to do with his/her surrounding Reality. OOC notes do NOT effect In Character Role Play.

Lets pretend you wanted to enter the Role Play as a small, bristly feline deemed half-tail. You would find the desired board, and post an Introduction (also called an Intro), - a line or paragraph sharing the appearance and information about your Character. Try to include details about your creature’s form and surroundings.

Example:

IC:
Half-Tail peered from his place beneath the undergrowth. He was smaller than most, and tried to keep his presence secret. Yellow eyes glanced cautiously, delicate nose sniffing the air. He curled his short, spiky furred tail around large hind paws, crouching low. He had no home and did not belong here. He did not know if the territory was owned.

OOC:
Hi. I’m new to the Role Play. Half-tail is my creation.

If no one responds to this, but there are other people sharing the board, feel free to take the initiative and join their Role Play with a post that continues from your introduction.

Example:

IC:
Half-Tail’s fluffy ears swiveled forward. Had he heard footsteps? Voices? Softly he slunk forward. Yes - just ahead two more felines were walking together. His tail was kinked in a questioning manner as he skittered towards them, keeping far enough away so that they could not harm him. He purred to announce his presence, loud enough for them to hear and perhaps interrupt their wanderings.

OOC:
Sorry to barge in, but no one responded to my into. I wasn’t sure if anyone knew I was there.

No one should reply to OOC comments with their IC Characters.
The reaction your critter receives may depend on the board you post your information. The Named Clan does not typically associate with outsiders, and often considers them enemies. Half-tail may or may not be met with aggression on Clan Ground. Some Un-Named cats cannot talk or react with understanding and will answer as natural felines do, with gestures or even blank expressions. Certain stranger’s will be friendly and others rude. It’s entirely up to the Role Player’s and the Characters that you approach.

Because the boards merely represent different areas of the same world, your Character may only be present on one board at a time. It may travel between lands, but it cannot be attending all of them at the same instant. You may have as many Characters as you would like however, and each separate creature can attend its own forum, or the same. Be sure to point out which beast you are posting with. For example, if you had another character, called Pouncer, you would need to find a way to distinguish your posts as Pouncer, from those you submit as Half-Tail.

Example:

IC:
(Half-Tail)
Half-Tail blinked. The two cats did not acknowledge him. Perhaps they didn’t see he was there, or had not heard him. Suddenly, ahead at the trail, there was a dim rustling. The ferns parted, and another cat-form leapt from the shadows. It was Pouncer, and he was chasing a cricket, oblivious that he had landed in front of the two odd rouges. Half-Tail’s dark fur prickled. What if these stranger’s attacked Pouncer?

(Pouncer)
The lithe pale figure slapped a paw on the insect, mashing it to the ground. With a grimace of both triumph and disgust, Pouncer tried to wipe the oozy slime off his toes. His whiskers arched as he abruptly became aware that he was no longer alone. His head snapped up to the two cats beside him. Behind their larger frames, he could see his companion, Half-Tail.

If you have yet to gain a reply, the other Role Player(s) are either unable to post, or no longer in the RP. Simply gather your characters and have them head off to a different board. Be sure to let others know where to find them OOC.

Example:

(Half-Tail and Pouncer)
The pair paused and looked to one another. A message was shared between them, one that did not need words. It was expressed in gaze alone. Together the cats gathered their paws and leapt back into the bushes. They dashed in the direction of the wind, so that none would follow their scents on the current.

OOC:
If you still want to RP, Half-Tail and Pouncer will be on the Clan Ground board.