The Castle Of Shadows

Character Interaction - The Chat Room

haracter actions, and online-FFRP generally, are all about typed messages in the chat room, conducted in real-time. Those familiar with IRC chatting would know that anything typed becomes a character's words (what a character says), while actions (what a character does) can be executed by using the /me or /act commands or by including words in brackets (action brackets).

Example:
Alex wants to say 'Greetings, all.' By typing that, and pressing return, the IRC chat screen should have added a new line, which should look something like:

Alex: Greetings, all.

Suppose Alex wanted to pick up a bottle of beer. He could either type /me picks up a bottle of beer or use appropriate action brackets, and then type the action as normal.

Using the /me command:
Alex picks up a bottle of beer

Using action brackets:
Alex: (Picks up a bottle of beer) or <Picks up a bottle of beer> or {Picks up a bottle of beer}, or anything to a similar effect.

Character interaction is simple, and there is no limit placed on how detailed and descriptive character actions can be, nor should there be.

Example:
Alex: Top of the morning to you, fine ladies and gents!

Alex, feeling thirsty, picks up a bottle of pale ale, which is on the bartop next to him.
Alex: (Feeling thirsty, picks up a bottle of pale ale, which is on the bartop next to him.)

As for interaction between two or more characters, remember that you can only specify actions which involve your character. You can't type other characters' responses to your actions, under any circumstances. For example:

Tor wants to kiss Destiny.

All Torcan do is this:

Tor: (Walks over to Destiny)
Tor: (Leans over, close to her cheek)
Tor: (Gently kisses her cheek)

Tor, feeling romantic, walks over to Destiny, and, leaning his head close to her cheek, gently kisses it.

How Destiny responds to this, is her own choice, not Tor's. Whether she is touched by the gesture and smiles, or pulls a disgusted face, is entirely up to her!

When characters wish to physically interact, they need to be relatively close together. That is to say, if Rico wanted to punch Alex, then he'd have to be within arm's reach of his target. A sense of realism must be applied in any and all actions.

Example:
Rico: <Walks over to Alex> (1)
Rico: <Draws back his fist> (2)
Rico: <Shoots it out, at Alex's nose> (3)

Rico couldn't carry out actions (2) and (3), if he hadn't already executed action (1).

*Note: For FFRP combat between characters, additional rules apply. Please be sure to read them.

Finally, concerning interaction between characters, Role-players should abide also, to a single golden rule:

'Treat others how you wish to be treated.'

If your character is aggressive, out-spoken and insolent, then they are taking for granted that they may well receive a hearty taste of their own medicine, and should not complain. Should they?

Example of Chat Room Interaction involving three characters.

Rothgar: (Walks inside the tavern.) - Rothgar enters, using action brackets.
Innkeeper: Greetings, stranger, what can I get you? - Innkeeper speaks.
Rothgar: Good day, innkeep. A pint of ale, if you will? - Rothgar speaks.
Innkeeper: Certainly. <Turns to a girl behind the bar.> Sarah, draw a pint of ale for ... oh ... <Returns his Gaze to the visitor> ... I didn't catch your name, sir? - Innkeeper uses speech and action brackets to answer Rothgar and perform his actions.
Rothgar: Rothgar. - Rothgar speaks.
Sarah draws a pint of ale for Rothgar, and, moving down the bar towards the man, offers it to him. - Sarah uses the /me command to carry out an action.
Rothgar: (Accepts the drink, and nods in thanks.) Thank you. - Rothgar uses speech and action brackets.

Any questions about chat room interaction should be submitted here.

Back to the Rules & Guidelines page.

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