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This is the Dangerverse on deviantART, the corner where anything and everything related—and perhaps some things that are not so related—to Gerard’s Danger Days concept is roleplayed.
First of all, I understand that most people in the Dangerverse RP (roleplay) for fun, and to relieve stress, etc., and I don’t mean to be presumptuous and tell people how to roleplay, but there is a point where casual intentions are overreached, and the RP just becomes a drag.
I’ve already brushed over the more basic points here, but I will most probably reiterate, and this time in more depth. I am also mostly going to be using the male pronoun throughout this article when referring impersonally, because repeating “his/her” or “he/she,” etc., is not only inconveniencing for myself but also hard on the readers.
And so, we go:
In relation to the Dangerverse –
Headcanon.
Separate headcanons are allowed, obviously, but must be specified, preferably on the page of the Poison in that headcanon, because most universes will revolve around that character. How it is specified (deviation, paragraph in the ID, link to a journal, etc.) is up to the one who owns the Party Poison account. The headcanon will be basic, and only related to the canon characters themselves (as well as the conditions between BL/ind and the Killjoys, for some), of course, so that other (OC) roleplayers will be able to go on from there.
And, remember, one’s character cannot act with a different headcanon as he would act with the one that he is familiar with. Newer headcanon/characters will not understand everything talked about, or recognize every name mentioned. Think of interacting with separate headcanons as jumping between realms, or flipping switches. Though mostly in small ways, almost everything in a separate headcanon will be different from the other(s).
More importantly, one cannot impose his own backstories on a headcanon. For instance, one cannot join a roleplay group claiming that s/he is Poison’s cousin, or sister, or wife, or evil twin brother, or nephew, or lover, etc. The headcanon was there before the character was, and it is somewhat selfish to assume that a headcanon will change for one’s own backstory.
AU characters.
This would fall under headcanon, mostly, but there are a few additions.
If the AU character is only for the purpose of a few—say, oneself and one’s close friends—then there is no need for an actual account to play the character, unless the account is low profile (no pun there) and used solely for that purpose. However, if one creates an AU account and hopes to interact with RPers on a larger scale—if that character is canon, then that is basically creating a new headcanon, so I would ask one to please refrain from doing so unless he is willing to shoulder the responsibility. And there is responsibility there, believe it or not.
On that note, it would be theft if one were to take an OC and create an AU version without permission from the OC’s owner. No one has done this, so far as I have seen; I’m mentioning for future reference.
In addition: If one is going to create an account for a canon, at least attempt to come up with a name that is not eerily similar to an already existing account’s name. It only adds to the confusion.
In relation to roleplaying, itself –
God-modding.
This has been an issue, sometimes, and so I will address it.
God-modding, as most RPers call it, is basically a situation in which one RPer claims to affect another RPer without the other’s consent. For example:
RPer 1: *kicks at you*
RPer 2: *manages to dodge most of the impact, but gets clipped and staggers*
RPer1: *punches you in the face, breaking your nose*
RPer2: *holds nose, taking out a gun and shooting at your shoulder*
RPer1: *dodges, pulls out a gun as well and shoots you in the arm, making it fall limp*
RPer2: (Uh, excuse me.)
Instead of claiming to affect the other character with what one’s character does, in this kind of situation it is usually better to simply state his character’s actions and leave the other RPer to collaborate, like so:
RPer1: *throws out a kick*
RPer2: *manages to dodge most of the impact, but gets clipped and staggers*
RPer1: *swings a fist at your face as you stagger*
RPer2: *drops, pulling out a gun and shooting at your shoulder*
RPer1: *grunts as the shot hits home; takes out a gun as well and points it at your arm, shooting*
Etc. And this isn’t a one way street, of course—both participants must give as well as receive. It’s how roleplaying works.
Also related is a situation in which a roleplayer sends out a transmission stating or implying that his character is captured or in trouble. In many of these cases, the RPer has a specific plot in mind, and attempting to rescue the character without adhering to that plotline is simply rude. For example:
RPer1: This Killjoy rebel has been captured by BL/ind. Keep smiling.
RPer2: *comes upon the scene of the crime and starts shooting* HEY! Hands off!
RPer1: *is bundled into a car and driven away to BC*
RPer2: *bursts into BC, guns blazing; catches sight of you just as you’re leaving, rushes after you and shoots your captors in the head*
RPer1: *is quickly ushered away*
RPer2: *jumps into a car, begins chasing you around the city* GIVE RPer1 BACK YOU FREAKS
Behavior like this is presumptuous and can be avoided by simply using parentheses (to signify that one is speaking out of character, or OOC) to ask the other RPer what he has planned for his character.
Character bending.
Character bending is another issue that has been noticed on multiple occasions. It is as the name suggests, only in a figurative way; it is bending one’s character to fit the given situation. For example:
RPer1: LOL so many Dracs are dead, SUCK IT
RPer2: There were innocent citizens injured and possibly killed, as well.
RPer1: I am so sorry. I’m a really moral person, so I feel so bad that all those people are dead.
RPer2: What about the Draculoids? They had families, too, I’m sure.
RPer1: LOL nope those Dracs are dicks even though I don’t know them so I REVEL IN THEIR BLOOD
Or perhaps:
RPer1: Hi, how’re you?
RPer2: I can throw a knife through a crack as wide as a thumb, and I know all of the martial arts, and I’m the best around with a gun, and—
RPer1: Okay . . .
Dr. D has joined
Dr.D: Hey, I’m recruiting Killjoys for a beat down on BC. Want to join?
RPer2: I’LL JOIN
Dr.D: Great. What can you do?
RPer2: Well, I don’t like to boast . . . I’ll just do what I can ; )
This is not consistent at all, and rather destroys the point of having an original character. The character must follow his characteristics, and not change to make himself appear better or more likable. Continuous personality-changing is also somewhat confusing to the other roleplayers that this character comes into contact with.
Pity-digging.
I’m not sure if there is a name for this, but what I’m going to call pity-digging is a situation in which one’s character will not stop badgering other characters with his woeful backstory.
First of all, if a newcomer has just met one’s character, they are not interested in the character’s baggage. Constantly hinting at his character’s hardships does not serve to make that character admired, or pitied; it does not serve to make the character look strong—it only serves to annoy the other RPer, especially if done in an excessive amount.
Secondly, there is a definite limit to how woeful a backstory can be. If there is a rather large number of tragedies, it becomes ridiculous after a while, especially if mentioned time and time again without cause.
An example:
RPer1: Hey there, haven’t seen you before.
RPer2: Yeah, I’m new here. How are you?
RPer1: *bites lip and considers spilling everything*
RPer2: Um, I think I asked a question.
RPer1: *gets choked up*
RPer2: Are you okay?
RPer1: Well, like, Korse killed my entire family while I was watching because he’s got nothing better to do and then I lost my eye to a leprechaun and then I lost my little toe to a naked man waving car aerials around. *sobs* I feel so guilty for everything.
RPer2: . . .
As one can see, a situation like this can be extremely awkward and is best avoided, especially as a courtesy to the other RPer. Most are too polite to say it; however, I am sure no one enjoys being saddled with something like that not ten minutes after first introductions.
Conversation-stalling.
This is not an actual term, but I’m going to utilize it for lack of a better one. Conversation-stalling is an RPing style in which one participant of a conversation seems to be making every possible effort to kill the current dialogue. For instance:
RPer1: Oh, hey. What’s up?
RPer2: I just found a shirt that doesn’t have holes, man. *slaps a hand to his forehead* Pretty awesome. You?
RPer1: *shrugs* Not much.
RPer2: Yeah, it gets like that. *nods somberly* I’m actually kind of jealous. All my days without “not much” have been killing my feet. So how’ve you been?
RPer1: Okay.
RPer2: I was okay the other day, too. *looks upward, reminiscent* Had myself a six-pack and a rack on each side, ‘twas pretty sweet.
RPer1: . . . Cool.
Of course, if the character is in a morose mood, this behavior is only natural; but if this is the character’s actual personality, one might consider adding a little more depth to his OC. Talking to a character like this feels as if one is talking to a bland white wall. It’s dissatisfying and plain boring, in most cases. People join conversations to converse, not to read the monologue for “The Taciturn Man.”
Self-praise.
I have not seen much of this, but I will bring it up anyway. Over the years, there have been a few accounts created for the single function of praising the creator’s original RP account. The new character has no personality; the new character has no actual purpose—just to praise. Accounts such as these clog up the RP and are not, I’m sure, appreciated by anyone other than the creator himself.
——
In closing, here is a very informative and helpful article on respect in roleplays by =toad1. Please read it through, and without that grain of salt. As you come across every point, try to honestly apply it to your character and see if it fits. We all have some changes that need to be made; most likely no one is exempt.
Also, this article is attempting to cover everything that it can, so if you have anything to add, feel free to leave a comment with such. Thank you for reading.
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