Getting RP
This is one of the rare sections of the web site which is not a news file on the MUSH. It is designed to, hopefully, be just as helpful to current players as it is to new players. This guide as it stands was penned by a current admin, Gemma. It is primarily her (that is, my) opinions and suggestions... rather than those of the administration at large.
Now, with that disclaimer said and done:
If you've come this far, you know that M3 is a cooperative environment, founded in the spirit of, everyone helps everyone else out. So now you're here, and now you're ready to start some cooperative RP, but... how? M3 is a fairly big MUSH, and it can be daunting sometimes, especially if you are new, and even if you are old. Sometimes people need additional help in getting RP, and that's what I aim to offer.
With apologies to past or future Chill Penguin players, I'm going to use him as my sock puppet in most of these examples, because he's frequently unfilled.
Channels
M3 has a system with many different channels. One of these channels is called, easily enough, RP! The RP! channel is frequently used to organize scenes that players want to do. Unfortunately, though it can be an effective way to start up RP, it's often used ineffectively.
<RP!> Chill Penguin says, "Hey, anyone out there want to RP?"(Long pause, no response.)
<RP!> Chill Penguin says, "Anyone?"
<RP!> Spark Mandrill says, "Sorry, busy."
<RP!> General says, "Time for lunch."
<RP!> Chill Penguin says, "I NEVER GET RP HERE."
Well, not all exchanges go that way, but nine times out of ten, asking for RP with the phrase "Hey, is there any RP?" won't get much in the way of results.
Let's try again:
<RP!> Chill Penguin says, "I was thinking about harrassing some crab boats in Alaska and doing some damage. Anyone up to defend?"
<RP!> General says, "...Sure, if you'll give me about thirty minutes."
<RP!> Chill Penguin says, "Oo, okay."
It helps a lot, I've found, to have some kind of concrete plan before going to the RP channel and making a request. That helps people know what they'll be up for, before they sign up. Otherwise you just aren't going to get their attention. But if you have a plan, you'll probably be more likely to suck someone in.
Your own faction channels are also a good place to drum up some RP, if you like. Again, the same general rule applies...it's good to have a plan first, even if it's vauge.
<O-Coalition> Chill Penguin says, "I'm bored, anyone want to RP?"
<O-Coalition> Spark Mandrill says, "Eh."
Versus:
<O-Coalition> Chill Penguin says, "Anyone want to cause some trouble somewhere?"
<O-Coalition> Spark Mandrill says, "I could be up for that."
RP! channel isn't the only place to get RP. The faction channels, and public, can be used to drum up a scene. A vauge plan is good, a concrete plan is better, and any plan is better than no plan at all. Of course, there's always the potential that someone else could announce a scene and you could hang out and head out to it, but, being proactive
Channels aren't the only tools we have at our disposal, either.
Page
This is probably the most foolproof way to get RP, but it takes both a concrete plan, and a little bravery.
Use the page command. Choose someone you want to RP with, and see if they're up for it. Not too difficult, really, though you'll have to get over your butterflies. This works well if you have a plan, too.
You paged Zero with: "Hey, want to stop me from tipping over some crab boats?"
Zero pages: "Sure!"
Now, this won't always work flawlessly either...
You paged Zero with: "Hey, want to stop me from tipping over some crab boats?"
Zero pages: "Sorry, was beat up two days ago, no combat for now. :/"
You paged Zero with: "Okay. Well, how about meeting up at Ruby's or something?"
Zero pages: "OK."
But you can adjust for this.
If you're at a loss as to who to try paging for RP, well, you can page someone your character might be interested in meeting, would like to learn about or get info from, or... just page someone you haven't interacted with yet. Then you can meet some new people, which is always good.
Sometimes people will say no: they're busy, not up for it, or whatever. Then you'll have to try again by paging someone else, but, don't get too downhearted.
The Grid
I never see this happen anymore, but there's another way to get RP that also works pretty well. Try walking around the grid. Explore the world. Then, when you run into someone else, ask, OOCly, what they're up to. If they aren't doing anything, just idling IC, ask if they want to RP. It's likely they will, since, they're still sitting around IC, and they may be bored, too. If they are idling IC but not RPing, wander somewhere else.
An advanced technique which can also work, is to just pose entering the room where someone is idling IC. However, some people don't like for someone to initiate RP without asking first if they are up for it. Use your best discretion, there. But also use the grid: it's there to wander and explore. The grid is also very useful if you don't really have a plan, since, sometimes where-ever it is that you end up will put a plan in your head.
The Boards
IC bulletin boards, especially those like News, Rumors, or the Tartarus board, are a way to set up "time release" RP. It's pretty simple. Just post something along the lines of:
Rumors
Rumors have it that a ghost ship has been seen in the waters surrounding Alaska. Fishermen are baffled, but it's already destroyed the cargo of two boats.
(OOC: Page Chill Penguin with questions.)
Then lean back and see if you catch any fish. Some boards are anonymous, in case people want to leave anonymous postings, but if you want to start RP with your post, leaving contact information is pretty important. Then, people will probably start to page or mail you for RP, so you don't have to page or mail them. Of course, sometimes this one takes a couple of days.
IC News
The +gnn command, which most new players learn eventually, makes a direct broadcast via IC news, that everyone on the game can see. It's a great way to announce attacks, parties, events, or anything that you've come up with to try and get people active.
The +gnn command is a great tool that comes with a few disclaimers: Don't pose too many lines in a GNN, because it spams the entire game. Don't powerpose killing NPCs, especially not the reporter giving the broadcast. And don't start major attacks, as a villain, unless you know there is someone out there willing to stop you. But it can really get people running, if you use it right.
Radios
M3 has a fully coded IC radio system. People use it a lot if they aren't up for serious RP, but want to shoot the breeze with people from other factions.
Radio RP can lead to scenes too. If you're in a good conversation with someone on the global radio about a topic that interests you, but you find that the banter or conversational din is getting in the way, try paging the person you were talking to and seeing if they're up for discussing it in a scene.
Radio RP is RP too, but without scenes to back it up, it is only one color in the RP rainbow.
I know this guide has rambled a little, but I hope it gives you something to think about. If you have any tips you want to add, get ahold of Gemma on the MUSH, and, let me know!
