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writing:roleplay_terms [2014/01/18 16:01]
admin Added: "APC", "APP", "App", "Crack", "Fanon", "PB", "Post order" "Rating" 		writing:roleplay_terms [2016/04/27 15:19] (current)
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 ====== Roleplay Terms ====== ====== Roleplay Terms ======
  
-Here is a list of several common place terms for Roleplaying+Here is a list of several common place terms for Roleplaying. Please bear in mind that this is not a perfect list and that there may be other terms that have yet to be added. 
  
 ===== APC (Account Per Character) ===== ===== APC (Account Per Character) =====
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 For example if two characters could never meet because one died before the other was around, the players could have a crack roleplay just so these two characters could meet and interact. For example if two characters could never meet because one died before the other was around, the players could have a crack roleplay just so these two characters could meet and interact.
 +
 +The term "Crack" could have come from:
 +  - the fact the particular set up is broken (or impossible) and does not fit within the world.
 +  - the fact it's often very addictive (like the drug crack).
 +
 +===== ERP (Erotic Roleplay) =====
 +A specific type of roleplay that focuses predominantly on (but is not solely limited to) characters partaking in sexual activity. Often written for the purpose of amusement, arousal or to explore different orientations and facets of the Human sexuality. 
 +
 +Often gets confused with traditional roleplay by those who aren't very familiar with the term 'roleplay'. 
 +
 +You may also hear the term "smut" or "porn without plot" used to refer to refer to Erotic Roleplay. Though they tend to refer specifically to erotic roleplay that is for excitement rather than to move a plot along. (This does not mean a plot can't be moved along while the writers enjoy the scene though.)
 +
 +===== FTB (Fade to Black) =====
 +Fade to Black is a term used to describe when a roleplay is approaching a sexual scene, but instead of playing out the scene (and writing everything out) the players skip to after the act has occurred and pick up there.
 +
 +Fade to Black was a film term used to describe these situations in a movie setting that got applied to roleplay.
 +
 +Fade to Black is sometimes used because:
 +  - the rating of the site requires it. (Often due to Terms of Service of the host.)
 +  - one player in that thread may not be comfortable playing out sex threads.
 +  - one player is bored with typing everything out and is more interested in dealing with aftereffects.
 +  - one player is underage (under 18).
  
 ===== Fanon ===== ===== Fanon =====
-Fanon is a contraction of fan canon. It basically means when a writer fills in the gaps of a canon work with their own material. Generally this work is classed not officially canon, but it may make sense to help explain aspects of the world in question. +Fanon is a contraction of "fan canon". It basically means when a writer fills in the gaps of a canon work with their own material. Generally this work is classed not officially canon, but it may make sense to help explain aspects of the world in question.  
 + 
 +===== Fluff ===== 
 +Fluff is extraneous content added to a post to increase length, often to meet word count minimums, that didn't really contribute anything of value. Players often can't reply to the fluff (since many times it's a character's internal monologue). 
 +Fluff may use purple prose to help increase length through descriptions.
  
 ===== GM (Game Master)  ===== ===== GM (Game Master)  =====
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 <code> <code>
 IN: IN:
-<Something relevant>+Captain America threw his shield quickly. His shield clanged off the Chitauri's metal breastplate and knocked the alien down before returning to the hand of Captain America.
  
 IC: IC:
-<Something else relevant>+Hawkeye stood on top of the building and watched as Captain America dispatched another Chitauri. He turned and raised his bow at the same time. His fingers nimbly grasped the feather of an arrow and deftly he pulled the arrow out of the quiver. In short order the arrow was loaded and the bowstring was extended. He paused only a second before the arrow flew and hit it's mark.
 </code> </code>
  
 ===== NPC (Non Playing Character) ===== ===== NPC (Non Playing Character) =====
    
-Non Playing Character (NPCs) are any character that appears within a roleplay but may not be up for use by the players. They are often used by the game creator to help drive the story forward. They may not have their own character sheet filled out simply because they don't play a large enough part in the story to warrant it. (Some NPCs are only mentioned to be killed off to further other character's stories.) +Non Playing Character (NPCs) are any character that appears within a roleplay but //may// not be up for use by players other than the one who created that NPC. Though some NPCs (depending on the game and player) may be designated open for use so any player can include them in their writing. They may not have their own character sheet filled out simply because they don't play a large enough part in the story to warrant it (or they have no one interested enough to play that character).  
 + 
 +Typically NPCs are only mentioned to further other character's stories (which may include being killed off later if necessary). NPCs are often created and employed by the game creators to help drive the story forward.  
 + 
 +Though NPCs can be turned into player characters if there is enough interest in playing that character. (Some may start out as NPCs until someone willing to play them can be found.) Similarly, player characters can become NPCs also if that player leaves the game or decides to give that character up. (Though this depends on the game in question.)
  
 ===== OC (Original Character) ===== ===== OC (Original Character) =====
    
 This is a character that a person creates for a roleplay. The character belongs to them (and not the roleplay creator or the roleplay they are acting in). This is a character that a person creates for a roleplay. The character belongs to them (and not the roleplay creator or the roleplay they are acting in).
 +
 +Original characters may be inspired by other characters, though they may not be exact replicas of existing characters. Copying an existing character from one franchise to another under the guise of it being an original character is generally frowned upon (and is often grounds for a character to be rejected).
 +For example, copying the Hulk entirely is not acceptable. However creating a new character who transforms when angry is. (Provided they don't also turn into a 10 foot talk green rage monster.) 
 +
  
 ===== OOC (Out Of Character) ===== ===== OOC (Out Of Character) =====
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   * The age of the person in the photo (when it was taken) must be within X years of your character.   * The age of the person in the photo (when it was taken) must be within X years of your character.
   * Only one person may use a playby at a time. (So if someone uses Chris Hemsworth, no one else can use any of his images.)   * Only one person may use a playby at a time. (So if someone uses Chris Hemsworth, no one else can use any of his images.)
 + 
 +===== PSL (Private Story Line) =====
 +PSL's are threads where only two players participate. They are typically agreed on beforehand that it's private. Then when the topic/thread is made it is tagged with the other character's name to show it's private.
 +
 +It is considered poor form to join a PSL thread without asking permission from both participants. 
 +
 +You may also see 1x1 or [P] (followed by a name) used to indicate a private thread. 
  
 ===== Posting Order ===== ===== Posting Order =====
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   * Player 4    * Player 4 
   * Player 3   * Player 3
 +
 +===== Purple Prose =====
 +Purple Prose is any writing that is features exceptionally lengthy descriptions. They are often very ornate descriptions and may be very poetic sounding. Purple Prose typically features many similies (comparing one thing to another using like or as). Often to exemplify beauty or characteristics of the character. May also be done to help pad length of replies if there is a word count. 
 +
 +Though Purple Prose may not help to actually accurately describe a person at all. (In some cases they may confuse the readers rather than add clarity.) They may add length and the idea of detail without actually telling others anything about the character.
 +
 +For example:
 +"Her cheeks were like the finest porcelain, her lips were like roses and her eyes were like the ocean, deep and vast with the power to consume all while still offering gentle caress." 
  
 ===== Rating ===== ===== Rating =====
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 Roleplays often use the Motion Picture Arts & Association rating or the Electronic Software Rating Board (for games) guide which has the following levels: Roleplays often use the Motion Picture Arts & Association rating or the Electronic Software Rating Board (for games) guide which has the following levels:
  
-^  [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entertainment_Software_Rating_Board|MPAA]]  ^  [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entertainment_Software_Rating_Board|ESRB]]  ^  Description  ^ +^  [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entertainment_Software_Rating_Board|MPAA]]  ^  [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entertainment_Software_Rating_Board|ESRB]]  ^  Description  ^  Examples  ^ 
-|  G  |  E  |  This is the lowest level of rating. It means there is no violent or sexual imagery at all. Death can still occur here but can't be shown graphically. Drugs shouldn't be shown or mentioned here. Cursing should also be limited to none or series specific ones here  | +|  G  |  E  |  This is the lowest level of rating. It means there is no violent or sexual imagery at all. Death can still occur here but can't be shown graphically. Drugs shouldn't be shown or mentioned here. Cursing should also be limited to none or series specific ones here  |  Disney Epic Mickey \\ Lion King  | 
-|  PG  |  E10+  |   Allows for some violence/sexuality. \\ Violence is limited to cartoon violence where no lasting injuries occur and no blood or severe injuries are shown. \\ Sexuality is limited to kissing and hand holding predominately. \\ Drugs shouldn't be depicted being used at all, but some (like alcohol) can have their side effects mentioned/shown. \\ Cursing is allowed but should be very infrequent.  | +|  PG  |  E10+  |   Allows for some violence/sexuality. \\ Violence is limited to cartoon violence where no lasting injuries occur and no blood or severe injuries are shown. \\ Sexuality is limited to kissing and hand holding predominately. \\ Drugs shouldn't be depicted being used at all, but some (like alcohol) can have their side effects mentioned/shown. \\ Cursing is allowed but should be very infrequent.  |  Portal 2 \\ Star Wars  | 
-|  PG-13  |  T  |  This is the middle rating and it offers a modest amount of room for violence and sexuality.  \\ Death/violence can be written about, but shouldn't be focused on for very long or in tremendous detail. Basically no fountains of blood or intense torture/surgeries. \\ Sexual situations are permitted up until the clothes start coming off. But once the clothes are coming off then it's time to fade to black. \\ Hard Drug use (like cocaine or heroine) is not permitted to be depicted, but the effects can be mentioned/shown. Other drugs like alcohol can be shown in use though.  \\ Cursing is permitted more frequently. \\ This is the maximum level allowed for free forum hosts or forums running ads.  | +|  PG-13  |  T  |  This is the middle rating and it offers a modest amount of room for violence and sexuality.  \\ Death/violence can be written about, but shouldn't be focused on for very long or in tremendous detail. Basically no fountains of blood or intense torture/surgeries. \\ Sexual situations are permitted up until the clothes start coming off. But once the clothes are coming off then it's time to fade to black. \\ Hard Drug use (like cocaine or heroine) is not permitted to be depicted, but the effects can be mentioned/shown. Other drugs like alcohol can be shown in use though.  \\ Cursing is permitted more frequently. \\ This is the maximum level allowed for free forum hosts or forums running ads.  |  Uncharted (series) \\ The Dark Knight \\   | 
-|  R  |  M  |  Allows for more room to display violence and sexual situations. Though it does not mean unlimited. \\ Violence can occur frequently and fairly graphically. \\ Sexual acts are still not allowed to be written out in full detail, though they are allowed to continue past clothes coming off. \\ Hard drug use is allowed to be shown, but should be shown infrequently. \\ Cursing is allowed with very few, if any, limits. \\ This is the rating most roleplays actually want/use.  | +|  R  |  M  |  Allows for more room to display violence and sexual situations. Though it does not mean unlimited. \\ Violence can occur frequently and fairly graphically. \\ Sexual acts are still not allowed to be written out in full detail, though they are allowed to continue past clothes coming off. \\ Hard drug use is allowed to be shown, but should be shown infrequently. \\ Cursing is allowed with very few, if any, limits. \\ This is the rating most roleplays actually want/use.  |  Bioshock: Infinite \\ Terminator  | 
-|  NC-17  |  AO  |  This is the highest rating and it means basically anything goes. Very few games will actually rate themselves this however. Most will opt for an R/M rating.  |+|  NC-17  |  AO  |  This is the highest rating and it means basically anything goes. Very few games will actually rate themselves this however. Most will opt for an R/M rating.  |  GTA: San Andreas ([[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Theft_Auto:_San_Andreas#Hot_Coffee_mod|temporarily]]) \\ Blue is the warmest color  |
  
 ===== RP (Roleplay) ===== ===== RP (Roleplay) =====
 Roleplay refers to the activity of collaborative/group writing where each players take turns writing actions for their own characters (or canon characters they may be writing for).  RP can happen on many different platforms (from social network sites to forums and blogs). Roleplay refers to the activity of collaborative/group writing where each players take turns writing actions for their own characters (or canon characters they may be writing for).  RP can happen on many different platforms (from social network sites to forums and blogs).
  
-Roleplay can sometimes take on a negative connotation (especially when spoken to about people who don't know what it refers to and think it means strictly sexual activity in the bedroom) and is therefore sometimes referred to as collaborative writing rather than roleplay.+Roleplay can sometimes take on a negative connotation (especially when spoken to about people who don't know what it refers to and think it means strictly sexual activity in the bedroom) and is therefore sometimes referred to as 'Collaborative Writing' rather than roleplay.
  
 ===== RPer (Roleplayer) ===== ===== RPer (Roleplayer) =====
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 These are the guidelines that every player consents to when they start the game. (If you don’t agree to the rules… Don’t join the game.) These are the guidelines that every player consents to when they start the game. (If you don’t agree to the rules… Don’t join the game.)
  
 +Different games may have different rules depending on that game's creator.
 +
 +===== WC (Word Count) =====
 +Word counts are when an Game Master imposes a minimum number of words for each reply in the roleplay. Each player in the game is then expected to make sure each of their posts has at least that number of words in it.
 +
 +The game's runner may check the number of words occasionally to see if the writer is meeting the standard. If a writer does not meet the standard they may be asked to either improve to meet the standard, give up a character or even to leave the roleplay. (The outcome often depends upon the number of times that writer has had issues, how important the character is to the story and etc... )
 +
 +This is often done in the guise of increasing quality of the roleplay, however it fails to address the issue that length and quality are not the same thing. 
  

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