Elite roleplay: Banter

General Roleplay Etiquette:

1. Control only the actions of your own character(s). (AKA: God Mode)
This doesn't matter how small the action is, even if it is as simple as scratching their nose or a direct reaction to something else that just happened. This applies to everything from casual conversation to full blown fight scenes. If you'd like someone to do something specific, PM that person, however keep in mind they are completely within their rights to say no. Especially if said action is inappropriate to their character and/or circumstance.

2. Don't brute force your way into another persons RP.
Approaching with a conversation starter is fine, or indeed some other small action. However charging in, guns blazing and disrupting the flow of another person/pair/groups conversation/arc is about as rude as doing so in real life. If something is going on that you'd like to participate in, be subtle about it. Put out a gentle hook for someone to take, but again, be aware that said hook may not be taken. If you fear it was simply unnoticed, PM the person or people it concerns. Or even leave a message in the OOC forums.

3. Good grammar and spelling is preferred.
We're not asking you to be perfect, but please at least demonstrate willingness. no1 iz gna tak u srsly usng txt spk. There's a wide variety of people here, many who speak English as a second, or even third language. There are even some with varying degrees of dyslexia and/or likely other issues that affect spelling/grammar. We accept them all here. However, people who aren't accepted, are those unwilling to accept polite correction. Remember that even a small thing like the placement of a comma, or the wrong use of there/their/they're can completely change the definition of an entire sentence.

4. Accept constructive criticism gracefully and politely.
If someone spots an issue with your writings, they may wish to help you improve that writing. They may do this through PM or even publicly air their thoughts on the OOC forum. If they have taken the time to be polite and explain what is wrong with your writing, the best way to behave is to respond in kind, using the same manner they have approached you with. It means they have taken an active interest in what you have written and wish to see more. Basically, you have a fan!

5. Don't take the actions or opinions of things done IN RP, to be directly relevant to the writers thoughts or opinions.
Basically, if some ones character calls your character a jackass, it doesn't mean the writer thinks you are a jackass. It's a ROLE they are PLAYING. Watch a movie. The argument between the characters isn't an argument between the actors involved. The same applies here.

6. It's not a popularity contest.
Your RP might be bustling with participants. You have 3 people off station in a fire fight, while another 2 are infiltrating the darkest areas of the station, meanwhile a group of 4 others are tracking your movements in an effort to stop you. Good for you, I'm sure it will be a thrilling read! But you know what? Sometimes the absolute BEST work, comes from two RP characters having a simple heart to heart. Both are valid, both are great, but NEITHER is categorically better than the other. Period.


Inara RP Etiquette:

1. Respect the setting and rules of the universe.
Inara is an Elite: Dangerous 3rd Party Tool. The RP Forums are set in the Elite: Dangerous universe. Elite: Dangerous has rules, as any fictional universe does from Lord of the Rings to Star Wars, or Game of Thrones to Star Trek. If you intend to RP within the Elite: Dangerous universe you are bound by the history and rules of that universe. Simply put, this RP forum is bound by the same rules as the game, so if it can't be done in the game, it is not permitted here. This applies to things from a 50Ly Jump Range on a normal, unmodified Sidewinder, to the destruction of entire stations.

2. Respect the characters created by others.
We have a wide variety of characters already here. It's expected that some will be similar, just as it's expected that two characters will be vastly different. Opinions of each persons character will naturally be varied, but all are valid provided they follow the rules of the universe. You are allowed to interact with, or avoid interaction with, any character in the RP forums. But you have no right to belittle others for their creation. You are not an authority figure on writing, nor are you directly affected by another persons imagination. You might not like it, but you MUST respect it.

3. Be caught up on current events before joining in.
You need basic things like character descriptions in order to interact with them. You also need to know what's going on in the surrounding areas. This is simply because the people you are hoping to RP with, might be gearing up to something that you might not want to be part of. Or simply that the most recent post, out of context, could leave a different impression on the goings on than if you gather that context. We don't expect you to read every single post from the beginning of the forums, just enough to get that basic understanding.

4. Either subscribe to, or frequently check, the Roleplay: Q&A and OOC forum.
People may be discussing something relevant to you there, or even discussing you directly. Perhaps someone asked what the general consensus on the existence or non-existence of a certain object. Or we're just chatting about random gibberish. Either way, be aware of it and use it. If you're unsure about something, such as how guns would look and or behave, or even the music selection, use the OOC forum to ask. We don't have all of the answers, but the collective knowledge and logic usually allows us to overcome an issue and come to a decision on what should be allowed. Frontier Developments, and even David Braben himself, don't have the answers to every possible question that can be asked.

5. Large Scale events exploding out of nowhere are a complete no go.
We get it. Everyone wants their character to be noticed and for people to be tripping over themselves to interact with them. In some audiences, an introduction involving you blasting in for landing in a fiery wreckage of a ship, before cart wheeling out and sword fighting 35 Ninjas before whisking off with the local celebrity for a glorious night of passion, is in fact, cool. This is not one of those audiences. It is generally considered better to build your character up slowly over time. Eventually, you might even have a legitimate excuse to fight those Ninjas. Maybe even with other RP participants by your side.

6. Perfect characters are boring.
The point of a character arc, is that it is in fact, an arc shape. One who is morally unquestionable, fully kitted out and an infinite fountain of knowledge, cannot go through an arc. Give your character flaws. Be it a tendency towards befriending the wrong people, or a bad knee that frequently gives out at inopportune moments. It gives readers something to latch onto and empathise with. You can give your character exceptional capabilities at something, but it requires balance. She's a damn good pilot with no equal, but can't drive an SRV for peanuts. It can lead to some very interesting moments between characters, be it heartfelt or comedic.


Other Notes:
It should be noted that there can be exceptions to these points. For example, good grammar when a character is speaking is actually rare. Few people in real life actually speak with perfect eloquence after all. Or previously arranged actions during a fight scene, such as someone stumbling back after a punch. What's key to remember is context.

All in all, remember this is purely for fun. We have some seriously talented writers here, and others whose writing history starts and ends at high school. But many are willing to help out in whatever way they can. All it takes is that you ask nicely.

Also keep in mind that many people who RP here, also have logbook stories related to the character, or characters, they portray. If it looks like there's an "in joke" going on that you're unsure of, it's probably in those.

In fact, some users have even gone to the trouble of creating "alts" to RP with. If you read back far enough, it's usually pretty clear who has and hasn't, and which ones are the "alts". It's therefore not unheard of to see the apparent seizing of control of other characters. If you do spot one, point it out in the OOC section. If intervention is needed, it will be sorted quickly and (hopefully) politely.

Most, if not all RP participants here have Logbook stories pertaining to their character(s). These are for the reading pleasure of anyone who wishes to do so. While it can be useful to read them in order to gain a bit of backstory on a character you wish to interact with, it should not be assumed that your character shares that knowledge. Within the E:D Universe, these Logbooks either don't exist, or are private diaries kept by the characters. Either way, without explicit statements to say otherwise from the writer, your interactions should reflect that your character is in the dark about any information you, the writer/reader, have gained from reading the stories.
28 Dec 2021, 12:33am
Can't beat a nice cold beer. Good whiskey is also very nice for celebrations.
28 Dec 2021, 2:02am
I usually just get water. Maybe I should start looking into non-alcoholic, and possibly non-caffeinated drinks.
28 Dec 2021, 2:25am
Same here. Water is usually my go to as well.

I do get where Jubei and Kyla are coming from though.
28 Dec 2021, 2:42am
So many non-drinkers… I don’t know how you guys take the edge off a long trip, or a stressful meeting, or a Wednesday, or quieten the constant screaming in your heads.
28 Dec 2021, 2:53am
JB ThreepwoodSo many non-drinkers… I don’t know how you guys take the edge off a long trip, or a stressful meeting, or a Wednesday, or quieten the constant screaming in your heads.


I'm still figuring that out myself.
28 Dec 2021, 2:58am
JB ThreepwoodSo many non-drinkers… I don’t know how you guys take the edge off a long trip, or a stressful meeting, or a Wednesday, or quieten the constant screaming in your heads.


A bit of onionhead usually does the trick for me haha.
28 Dec 2021, 5:05am
Sometimes, ya find activities to help alleviate the onset of PTSD ya suffer from bein' a pilot in this galaxy. For some, it's helpin' others in a similar situation, others find solace in a good and hot meal.

And then there are those lost, who in their despair and hate, find people to take out their nightmares upon.
28 Dec 2021, 6:03am
Jubei HimuraSometimes, ya find activities to help alleviate the onset of PTSD ya suffer from bein' a pilot in this galaxy. For some, it's helpin' others in a similar situation, others find solace in a good and hot meal.


Thanks for the tip, Jubei.
28 Dec 2021, 6:22am
Jubei HimuraSometimes, ya find activities to help alleviate the onset of PTSD ya suffer from bein' a pilot in this galaxy. For some, it's helpin' others in a similar situation, others find solace in a good and hot meal.

And then there are those lost, who in their despair and hate, find people to take out their nightmares upon.


I like that. Wise words, man. I’ll keep that in mind.
28 Dec 2021, 7:16am
Jubei Himuraonset of PTSD ya suffer
I was, kind of, waiting for someone saying this. You know... Coping on your own may look like a right thing to do. Finding that 'escape', but it surely not enough. One of the main differences between physical and mental health is... If you have a broken arm, you see and feel that your arm is broken. If your mind is going to break, you might... Miss the point of no return. Thinking that everything happening is 'normal' for you, it's 'a part of your personality'. Nope. It's the condition that changes your personality... Slowly. Year after year. Until you go past that point of no return. That makes disorders a 'disorders'. You can't just deal with them on your own effectively, you can't fix a broken part with a broken tool. Speaking out, venting out your stuff to someone who understand is a good thing to do, but... You really, really should seek out for professional help with this. Believe me.
28 Dec 2021, 9:25am
Alcohol is a depressant. It disguises its nature well with desirable side effects, but moderation is best with any mind-altering chemical. Using it to 'take the edge off' is dangerous. In some cases, it sharpens that edge, letting it cut deeper rather than dulling it.

Abstinence is loadable, providing one is abstaining from a temptation. I could have done with abstaining from my enjoyment of creamy custard. Eggnog drew me in with its custardy ways, and brought me to ruin with its naughty friend alcoho.

Mr Montresor abstains from many things. He abstains from vegetables, disposing of empty take away containers, washing clothes, and daily use of soap.
I'm glad he simply doses not enjoy 'a drink or two', otherwise, I would have to take care of a drunken lout, rather than just a garden verity one.
28 Dec 2021, 9:33am
Just... Do not underestimate anything that could happen to your mind.

p.s. Yeah, Lamb is right. You'll 'take the edge off' today, at the cost of your future.


Last edit: 28 Dec 2021, 9:46am
28 Dec 2021, 11:22am
We get it, you're all too good to be drinking.

Jubei HimuraCan't beat a nice cold beer. Good whiskey is also very nice for celebrations.


Bad whisky is a good way to ruin a celebration. Stay away from Nectar of Ceos, unless you like the taste of mechanical grease.
28 Dec 2021, 11:28am
Kyla EmmerichWe get it, you're all too good to be drinking.
Nope. That's simple. I don't want to have another relapse.
28 Dec 2021, 3:00pm
Lambast MercyMr Montresor abstains from many things. He abstains from vegetables, disposing of empty take away containers, washing clothes, and daily use of soap.


Not true! I’ve ate plenty of vegetables!

….Mostly by accident but still….


Meowers
Kyla EmmerichWe get it, you're all too good to be drinking.

Nope. That's simple. I don't want to have another relapse.


Yeah, I’m not too good to drink. I’m just a weak willed dillweed with no self control.

100% a me problem.


Last edit: 28 Dec 2021, 3:09pm

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