Non-Boring RP

RightMeow

I just show up. You’re welcome.

Okay, really though a lot that has been said here. I check out their hooks and connections we might have. I try to pull something that I might know about them to loop them into something.

I fall on their table. I engage directly with them. I swoon across their lap on a dare and make them carry me everywhere… that one might be too specific. I can’t guarantee I’m boring because I have horrible imposter syndrome most the time and think I’m the problem, but I do at least try to include them. Ask questions. Then I go off the vibe because my RP doesn’t fit all RP.

MisterBoring

Florid Answer: I try to see if someone else is trying to push a specific storyline, and fall into that as best I can. If nobody’s pushing their stories or one of the game’s plots, then I’ll try and drive things around what my character has going on. Ultimately, I play “yes and” and try and have fun with it.

Actual Truthful Answer: If I don’t hyperfocus on something in the RP, I’m basically a walk-on extra.

Tez

RP about me, not about you. Tell me how great I am. Don’t tell me how great your character is.

hellfrog

@Tez this is actually the secret. If you want people to want more rp with you, rp curiosity about their characters. That’s it, that’s literally all it takes.

Pavel

@hellfrog It’s like dating. Show an interest in the other person/people, have a sense of humour, and be open to trying new things at least once.

spiriferida

I am always the most fun rper (and having the most fun) when I am a big fan of the characters of the people I am playing with. The things mentioned above about showing interest in my RP partner’s character and considering their hooks and everything is a lot easier when I am sidling up to them and metaphorically twirling my hair around my finger as I go ‘hey I think you’re cool want to rp after work today?’

To that effect, I actually start a lot of my efforts to be a good rp partner with how I build my character, because I want to be someone those cool characters might have a fun time with.

What are my character’s goals, and what things will they be unable to accomplish on their own? What ways can I make them reliant on the expertise of others?

What themes in the setting allow for shared elements of history, worldview, and trauma, that will give my character a chance to build meaningful relationships with others?

What traits will draw my character towards someone? What will push them away? How do I balance the character so that levels of interpersonal friction remain fun? How do I make it so I am not fighting my character to set up RP? (i.e. how do I find workarounds for the they wouldn’t go there/do that/talk to them shutdowns that might happen on my end.)

Most of this isn’t a formal checklist, but I know I’ve done a good job of it when I’m looking at other characters pages and going ‘oh it would be fun to have my character do x with them.’

Jennkryst

@Ashkuri said:

This is in GG and not R&R

BOLD OF YOU TO ASSUME THAT WILL STOP ME FROM GOING CAPS LOCK CRUISE CONTROL!

RightMeow

@Pavel said:

@hellfrog It’s like dating.

This must be why I’m not MU*ing anywhere right now. I understand.

Pavel

@RightMeow said:

@Pavel said:

@hellfrog It’s like dating.

This must be why I’m not MU*ing anywhere right now. I understand.

In this economy, who can blame you?

Juniper

If something is advertised as a bar scene, a karaoke night, or auction, I just don’t go. Avoid contributing to boring RP by not being there.

Otherwise it helps if you do a passable imitation of somebody who is paying attention to what people are saying to you. I use Pyrephox’s method of a) reacting to what people give me, then b) do something that takes the action further and give other people something to react to. RP is a game of catch. Catch the ball and throw it. Don’t sit there gormlessly hanging onto it.