INTRODUCTION:
Welcome to Slader's "Role Playing Guide and Tips: For Newcommers or just a reminder". I'll be going over the basic instructions for Role Playing on Mako Poison Forums, and with these simple tips, other RPing sites as well. I'll be covering the basics: from making and using your character, to Role Play Battles and other RPGs. I have not taken this guide or any tips from any other site; these rules strictly come from my knowledge of Role Playing Games on forums. If you wish to use my guide and tips please PM me and we can discuss it.

[THE BASICS: GETTING TO KNOW THE ROPES]
An online RPG, or Role Playing Game, is a story created by a member; either original (also known as ORPG) or an un-original RPG based on an already told story (or URPG). These stories are played out post by post, through all the joined members in the story. each using their own original character. Every character in an ORPG or URPG must be approved by the GM (Game Master) before they are allowed into the story. If you need information or tips regarding creating a character please refer to the Profile Template Thread in the Profile Database.

Once your character has been created and allowed into a story, it is up to you to know how to use your character properly with in the RP. There are certain rules that you must follow while In Character: Do not break character when making a post unless it is labeled as OoC (or Out of Character), when speaking it is proper to use quotation marks (" ") to show when your character is speaking, and always type in third person (that means using words like "he" or "she" instead of "I" and "me"). Remember, it is good to type the post while in character as if you were reading it, not as if you were speaking it.

While you are in the story, you will meet other members using their characters, which will require you to interact with other characters in the story. When doing so, remember that you control your character, and only YOUR character. Unless you have the consent of the other character's creator, DO NOT move or control the other characters in the RP. You wouldn't want to have your character do something or say something that they wouldn't have said, and neither would any one else
*Note that this rule only applies to Player Characters, Non-Player Characters (NPCs) are allowed unless other wise stated by the GM.
If you are working on tag-team moves or other team based actions, go over them while out of character in the discussion thread or a Private Message (PM).

Let's recap some of the Rules and Tips...

[Rules]
1. Your character must be an original creation by you, whether you are in a URPG or ORPG.
2. All Characters must be approved before entering a story.
3. Never break character while making a post.
4. Only move your character; DO NOT move or control other Player Characters.
5. Type your post in Third Person, NOT first.
6. Try to use Quotation Marks (" ") when making your character speak.

[Tips]
1. When creating a Character, think of your favorite movie or video game character for inspiration. Remember, all characters have a bit of their creators in them too.
2. While typing out your post, be as descriptive as possible. We can't see what you're thinking unless you type it.
3. Before doing team-tag moves and abilities, go over them with your co-members. Work out the best way to do it.
4. When speaking out loud, people often use the bold function to express this; italics often symbolizes some one's inner thoughts (if you see italics, their character is most likely thinking).
5. While making posts in Third Person, remember to type in the past tense: "Slashed", "Jumped" "Ran" (Not "Slashes" "Jumps" or "Runs")
6. Remember to respect the GM and his rules, they may be different then the basic ones.

Now that you understand the basics of RPing, we can move on to some of the more in-depth rules and tips for Role Playing: such as Role Play Battles.

[RULES FOR ROLE PLAY BATTLES AND TIPS TO BEING A BETTER RPER]
Once you have gotten the hang of posting and being in an RP, you'll feel a little bit more confident in your work. It's that time to really reach out and define your character, and show who they are as a person. Maybe they have an allergic reaction to potions, or are addicted to a substance; bring it out in the story to add depth to your character. Doing little things like adding minor details to your character not only add to your character being more original, but it adds to your post length. Keep in mind that the longer the post, the more you can accomplish and add to the story. Most RPs will only require a minimum of a paragraph post, but it is important to push yourself and your abilities if you want to further expand your character. Remember to be as descriptive as possible, if you see a car go by mention things like: what color it was, who was driving it or if there was anything in the car.

Eventually, unless it is not a fighting based RPG, you'll have to confront another character, whether they are Player Characters or NPCs. I will go over both in separate sections so that no one will be confused over the rules and guidelines for either one. It is important, especially if you are in a strictly RPB thread, to follow these rules other wise you may lose the match.

[Guidelines for Role Play Battling NPCs]
Within the story, you will most likely be required to fight a NPC to continue on with the game. Like I've said before, it is important to be as descriptive as possible, especially in a fight. When fighting NPCs, remember that if there is a level system within your RPG to consider the level difference between you and your enemy; if you are level twenty and are forced upon a level forty, you still have a chance to win, it's just much lower. Fighting the opponent shouldn't take up a lot of your time in a post, except if they are a boss fight or some one noted to be very powerful. The stronger the opponent, the longer the fight will go on, possibly extending to five or more of your posts.

When engaging in the fight, think it out before making a move. If you and your opponent both have swords, know they you will lock blades in the fight. No one wants to read about an Over Powered Character that chops every body in half in one swing and is never damaged (any OP attributes or characteristics are usually pointed out when your character is being looked at for approval). Use rolls, back flips, and cartwheels to dodge attacks, but remember you can't always escape every attack.
A fight in a post should not look like: "Johnny runs at his enemy with his sword in hand. He does a jump in the air, then another jump in the air after that to avoid any possible attack, then lands on the ground behind his opponent without sound and stabs them in the back, instantly killing them."
A good example of that same fight could be: "Johnny, gripping his blade tightly, runs at his opponent to start the battle. Before reaching his enemy, Johny jumps in the air and spins, making him harder to swing at. When landing behind him, Johnny attempts to strike at his opponent, but he quickly turns, blocking the attack with his blade, then counter swinging vertically. Johnny rolls to the side, jumping up quickly to slice the side of his opponent, cutting through his skin and bone to damage the lung."

The more descriptive the fight, the more fun it is to read and to write. If you have any questions about fighting NPCs, ask your GM or Role Playing Director/Mod. They should be able to answer any questions that you might have about NPC battles or the enemy you're fighting.

[Guidelines for Role Play Battles against other Characters]
Whether you are fighting in a RPB Thread as a contestant or sparring with another member for training, it is important to know the rules for fighting against an actual person. Although not too different from a fight against an NPC, RPBs require a little bit more caution (and some times skill) when facing your opponent, especially if you are being judged as most official RPBs are.
If you recall one of the basic rules, you are not allowed to control another player's character; in a RPB, this rule is taken to a further step by not allowing you to officially make contact with your opponent. You can swing AT them or TOWARDS them, but it is up to your opponent to say whether or not your attack made contact. For example: an incorrect fight might look like this, "Bill swung at Fred, cutting his arm and making him bleed every where." "Bill's attack cut Fred's arm, but at the same time Fred used his dagger to stab Bill in the back". Posts like those lead to arguments and IRL fights between the two members.
A proper example of the same fight might look like this: "Bill, running towards Fred, unsheathed his sword from his back and swung at his opponent horizontally, directing the attack towards his upper body." "Fred managed to block the attack with his two daggers, but the force pushed him back a few feet. Regaining his footing, then sprinting towards Bill, Fred slid on the ground before reaching him and attempted to cut at Bill's legs."
When posting this way, it not only looks better, but it keeps it fair. If you are starting a RPB Thread, be sure to have a non-biased judge to look after the fight and see who the winner is (if the two members themselves cannot come to decide); usually a mod for the RP area will be happy to judge the fight.

[IN CONCLUSION]
Keep in mind to always be descriptive when making a post. It keeps the story running smoothly and your posts looking great. Always be respectful of other members and their character, and to never God Mod (people who break the Rules of RPing and be OP). If you ever have any questions please ask your site's RPing staff and they should be happy to help answer any questions. Thank you for reading my Role Playing Guide and I hope it helped all of you.