What is Role Play?

Role playing (RP) is about creating a character and becoming that character. As you create your virtual avatar in Second Life, keep in mind the type of personality you wish to portray. Equip your avatar with the appropriate weapons and clothes. Think about the realms you wish to explore and how that theme may be played. For instance Amazon Warriors were strong and powerful. Myths and lore tell of tall or giant women warriors that could compete with men. Our realm is Celt Amazons from the Iron age. We did not wear skimpy skins and be bare, we were in harsh cold environments riding our beloved horses into battle.

Out of character (Abbreviated to OOC) is a phrase used in role playing to differentiate between a person and their character. When the person is being him-or herself, he or she is said to be “out of character”. The opposite, when the person is acting as the character, is “in character or IC”. By default when role playing (rping), everyone is in character. Keep chatting out of character to a minimum to encourage role play. Always mark your out of character chat using specific etiquette from your place of role play be it IM (instant message) or brackets (( text)).

Communication during role play will contribute to the success of your problem solving. Display courtesy and express patience when you are asking questions. It is considered inappropriate to ruin the game or another role play due to your frustration.

No one will like you if you are crude, cruel or even disruptive out of character in the game. Treat others as you would like to be treated in return.

What happens in game, stays in game. People who do not know you may make assumptions about your personality based on the type of character that you play, or vice versa, but don’t allow this to deceive your view of someone, or let it prevent you from making friendships. People are not their character.

Stereotypes regarding names must be avoided. It goes without saying that you should never use famous canon character names as your own character name or username. This includes celebrities and other relevant or well known names.

Presupposition Syndrome (Also known as Meta-gaming) is when a role player assumes their character knows everything about the universe and the characters around them. This must never happen. You should always keep a vague record of what your character knows and who your character knows in your mind and in a biography.

Invincibility Syndrome (Also known as Ubering) is when a role player avoids death using unconventional or unrealistic role play. The permanent death of your character can be a scary thought. The author of a character reserves the right to choose the way their character passes or lives. However, if you allow yourself to fall prey to a situation of certain death, you should not hinder the role play of others and protest out of character. Remember, you can only bring it upon yourself. Any unconventional or unrealistic role-play regarding character invincibility is not acceptable. In the Amazon Celt World we have actual weapon meters that display damage and health, like many 3D games. Life and death of a character is your choice by act of role playing, and neither is a requirement in being a member of the Amazon Celt clan.

Annex Syndrome (Also known as Power-emoting) is when a role player forcibly takes control over a character of another role player without their permission. This usually occurs when a role player is describing their characters actions in response to the other character. It is not acceptable to annex another character during role play. Always premeditate these situations with the other role player and display courtesy when deciding on resolutions.

We are many old and new players in the Amazon Celt Clan of Second Life. It is always best and more fun to role play your way to knowing another member through inquisitory conversation. RP should be fun first and foremost, so please enjoy the moment and be patient with others of all levels, and your experience will be rewarding.