A Guide to Play-by-Post Roleplaying. The Prerequisites, part 1

So, here I am again, rambling on about roleplaying. After yesterday's rant though, I thought, why not make a guide. It could help me get better known while at the same time, help those who are having problems with their roleplays like me. So let's get started.

In this post, I'll cover the prerequisites of Roleplaying. Don't take me the wrong way though, I'm going to be giving my own prerequisites for roleplay.

The MUSTS:

• A thought out plot
• A setting
• A target audience
• A character sheet
• A cohesive idea
• Literacy

The OPTIONALS:

• A very well thought out general plot
• Skill in writing
• The ability to describe the world with words that will make it seem as though it's really there. 
• The ability to keep a character consistent.

The DON'TS:

• A restrictive plot or a plot that hasn't even been that well thought out yet.
• A character that is either mary-sue or gary stu
• ONE LINER POSTS
• 13375P34K, Cht spk, or even "EoWH pfFwUOh, AjEjEjE" Jejenese.

Okay, so let's go in-depth.

First off, A thought out plot. This will cover the three first items in the musts, the optionals and the don'ts.

A thought out plot is a plot that is not too loose, but not too restrictive either. It should be just right. There should be elements that would keep your roleplayers IN the story and will make sure that they do not lose interest.

An example of a BAD plot:

You are a dragon. The world is ending. Save it.

No need for further explanation. Very loose plot and there isn't even enough information about it. The setting isn't even that original.

An example of a GOOD plot:

You are a dragon, the world is ending because an evil overlord has unleashed a force of destruction upon the land. Everyone else has fallen slave to his evil reign, but even he is unaware of what is to come.

An example of an EXCELLENT plot:

You are a dragon, beast of legend with massive strength, intellect and wisdom. The world is nearing its end for an evil warlord has summoned a force beyond mortal reckoning and unleashed it upon the land.

Everyone else has fallen slave to his evil reign and he is as arrogant as ever. The marching of his armies shakes the land and sows death and destruction in its path. Be that as it may, even he doesn't know the follies of his actions.

You came upon a scroll that tells of what might happen if his fell armies are not returned to where they came. You're the only one left, but you gather a ramshackle resistance. Now, time is running out and you must stop the warlord before it is too late.

 A restrictive plot is where you don't allow roleplayers to have their liberty in taking the story their own way. For example, you have to get to the temple and retrieve a sword that can save the world. Along the journey, your players might make a few twists, just to make it exciting, but you restrict it.

A good example of this:

Roleplayer: All of a sudden, the sand in front of Mara turned into a gaping hole (This should make for a good plot point. What's in the hole, why did the hole appear?)

GM: Without warning, a warm breeze wafted from the hole and the sand filled it up again. James just simply walked on, eyes looking forward and his face was gaunt and set.

(The GM just stopped a potential sub-plot from forming. That's being restrictive)

One way of avoiding it is to be flexible enough for any of the surprises. Try setting up your post in your mind while waiting for someone else to post. If they post something that at least partly makes your post impossible, don't make it so that your post makes their post invalid just like the above example. Make it fluid, adjust to the previous post. For example:

GM: The hole started to gape wider and swallowed Mara and Layla. James looked at them, shocked, but they would have to get out of it themselves. The temple was what was important. He looked onward, hoping that if ever he gets to the temple, he would be able to rescue them.

 That's how you make a fluid post.

So let us move on.

Spicing up a plot. 

You could start off with a basic plot. Like, a hero is born, has to save the world thing. However, keep in mind,  that's too plain and is unlikely to attract roleplayers.

Don't stress though, about being too original, in the world of fantasy, the chances are, that someone has written about what you're planning before you. There is, though, one way around this. Take your ideas, inspirations and such and then mash them together to make something original.

For example, the traditional save the world plotline. It can be spiced up by something like saving the world from the protagonist. Maybe even having the protagonist as a villain who wants to save the world so that he could destroy it.

You see, my good friends, a good plot is one that is unique in its own way but is a mash of the tried and tested formulae of fantasy adventures. Also, make sure that when you spice up your plot, it's still the old plot that you liked, just a little better. After all, what use is roleplaying when you don't even like what you're playing as or at least playing in.

That's it for this session of A Guide to PBP Roleplaying.

Part 2:[link]