Author Topic: Roleplay Manifest  (Read 12720 times)

Soren / Zarathustra217

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Roleplay Manifest
« on: November 23, 2009, 05:37:37 PM »
From our first definition, Ravenloft POTM is intended to be a scene for roleplay. This means that we will always strive to implement systems and designs that rather than getting in the way of roleplay, adds natural elements to it, facilitates it, inspires it and provide a large amount of opportunities for it.

On the same account, we don't want to rigidly monitor or dictate roleplay. We want the experience feel intuitive, encourage creativity and put faith into each individual's ability to roleplay.

However, this also puts a lot of responsibility on you, the player. Not toward us, as in the server team (at least only secondarily) but first and foremost toward your fellow players. Roleplay relies on the illusion of an alternative reality, and for it to work, it needs to be fairly consistent without too many disturbing elements. To an extent, all players have to have some common aim of what this illusion should be about.

There's many ways to do roleplay, and we don't want to judge one as better than the other. Some people might prefer the humorous, while others value it for it's authenticity. Some wish for it to be about wielding incredible strength and power, while others wish it to be focused on the more down to earth, gritty and mundane. We respect all these preferences as having equal merit, but none the less we have to have a common aim. Therefore, keep in mind that we are a gothic horror oriented roleplay world. We aren't so zealous that we ask you to abstain from any elements that does not fit into this in your own private space on the server among known friends. But for the general atmosphere, we ask you to use this as your inspiration when roleplaying in the more public space, as well as whenever roleplaying with those adhering to this aim (DMs and players).

This implies that when taking part in events or interactions that aspire toward the more serious roleplay, don't break it off by humorous, silly, corny or cheesy remarks or actions. It implies that when people roleplay deeply psychological horror elements, not to have your character stand out as invulnerable and without any weakness or fear. It implies some humbleness and not demand a superior amount of attention or exceptionally important role. It implies doing an effort in seeking into the core of the roleplay scenes that others try to build with you - DMs and players - to add to as well as embracing the atmosphere, to dwell upon the mystery rather than trivialize or expose it, to let events happen naturally instead of pushing things, work for the subtle rather than the blatant.

Don't run ahead during events or dungeon exploration. Don't hang around outside at night just to show how tough your character is. Don't push things, act loud or extravagantly just to get a central role in the roleplay. Or put more simply: use your common sense.

This applies even when the alternative might seem more logical from a purely IC perspective. Some characters have nothing to fear from the foes they are commonly presented - but from a roleplay point of view, the consequence is that something essential to the experience of gothic horror is lost. Remember that you decide what you bring into it, how your character ultimately develops, what reasoning and values drive their decisions. Even if you feel you might have legitimate reason to act as you do, it is not a necessity. And usually you should be able to come up with an alternative rationale that still stays true to your character.

Roleplay is so powerful because by mutual creativity, you can create a whole world out of nothing but your shared imagination. This is the overarching aim of this place, but we can only offer it to you as a potential - how great it actually becomes is in your hands, and it only takes one person to ruin it for all other present. Always keep this in mind, respect the effort people do, and whenever you can, work to make it even better.

On behalf of all, thank you in advance. We are at constant excited to see what your creativity can contribute to the server and the shared narrative, and look forward to participating as it unfolds.
« Last Edit: December 08, 2020, 03:54:45 PM by EO »

Minstrel

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Re: Roleplay Manifest
« Reply #1 on: December 02, 2009, 06:27:25 PM »
  So what does this mean in effect? It implies that while taking part in events or interactions that aspire toward the more serious roleplay, don't break it off by humorous, silly, corny or cheesy roleplay. It implies that when people roleplay deeply psychological horror elements, not to have your character stand out as invulnerable and without any weakness or fear. It implies some humbleness and not demand a superior amount of attention or exceptionally important role because of some extraordinary background or involvement your character has. It implies doing an effort in seeking into the core of the roleplay scenes that others try to build with you, to add to as well as appreciate the atmosphere, dwell upon the mystery rather than trivialize or expose it, to let it happen naturally instead of pushing things, work for the subtle rather than the blatant.

Bit of a bump to highlight this section.

Soren / Zarathustra217

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Re: Roleplay Manifest
« Reply #2 on: December 04, 2009, 05:44:47 AM »
Allow me to elaborate a bit by clarifying some of the intend of this.

As DMs and Developers we often try to generate fear and terror by posing threats to those that dare venture out in to the night. For example, this could be the creatures of the night that sometimes roam the Western Outskirts. Some characters, however, have become so powerful that they can take down these foes rather trivially, and as a result, starts to hang out in the line of threat at night. It's unsure if they do it to protect, prove their strength or simply because they can - but the impact is the same. Under the wing of these powerful characters, more and more join, and soon, the night is more or less the same as the day.

This might seem fairly logical from a purely IC perspective. The characters have nothing really to fear (except when we pull something really strong in) - however, from a roleplay point of view, the consequence is that something is lost. Something rather essential to the experience of gothic horror. Remember, that you create the world. Even if you have legitimate reason to act as you do, it is not a necessity. Your character could easily be the world savvy that knows that eventually, all boldness is punished in these lands, and stay indoors. Your character could hang out somewhere else, where there's not so crowded.

It's all up to you. But consider the impact.

Thank you :)