The OOC Guide to IC Life
NOTE: this is a classic article and is not editable. It's also outdated on many things. However, for tradition (and because much of it is great) it's still here.
Written by: Winter_Hu
Edited by: Dumble and Otter
Welcome to the Guide!
Welcome to the OOC Guide to IC Life, a tutorial designed to give out the basics of RP, character development, and TP-planning. If you are looking for specifics on certain subjects, you might want to try looking at some of the other tutorials geared towards certain aspects of the MUCK. The jump location for the Redwall MUCK equivalent of this tutorial is #93862, if you wish to visit it on the MUCK or recommend to others; it's also linked from the big room of tutorials in the OOC area.
So you've got a character. . . . .
Now what?
This tutorial/guide will show you the many different things you can do with a character. It will delineate character development, descriptions, traits and habits, ways of RP'ing, posing, TP's, heros and villains, and more.
Descriptions: What you see is what you get
Descriptions are very important to have. They tell others what you are. When you first get your character, your description is not too important. You just need to get the gist of it. Later, however, when you become more familiar with things, you should consider altering your description to fit your character.
Descriptions are what you physically see with your own two eyes. This means that descriptions should not contain your personal history, your current occupation, or anything you cannot see when you look in the mirror. Descriptions should include your physical traits (size, fur color, etc.), what you are wearing (shirt, dress, habit?), and any identifying marks (visible tattoo, earrings, birthmarks.) You can also add things you normally carry with you in your description.
Your description should not be too long. A screen-full of text is a good gauge; that's not a bad length. Longer ones tend to get spammy and hard to read. There is no penalty for shorter or longer descriptions. For more help with setting your descriptions, you can always ask a mentor, especially if you want a longer one and cannot fit it, or if you want the "clothing" option for changeable descriptions.
Character Development: Quirks, traits, and habits
Your character's personality will play a major role in how you RP in the MUCK. Personality is very important. Without it, your character will be a rather flat person to talk to. Personality should make your character unique, yet similar to others. There should be good points and bad points to balance out your character. They shouldn't be a super-human hero, but a person with faults, feelings, and short-comings that may or may not be balanced by good traits.
Your personality should fit who you are. Are you a quiet and shy individual, or a boisterous one who is the life of the party? What are your likes and dislikes? What feelings do you have towards different issues? What do you do on a daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly basis? These small things can add up to an interesting individual.
Character Development: A past, a present, and a future
A history is not necessary for a character, but it is sometimes nice to have. A history includes past experience, present conditions, and future hopes.
- Past Experience: This is the main history part. This is what makes you character who they are now. Not all pasts are tragic. They don't have to involve death or destruction. A perfectly feasible past may be merely growing up at Redwall Abbey, or working with a traveling group since you learned to juggle. Your past should include motives for why you are here, in Mossflower/Redwall right now. Perhaps you were lured to Redwall because of stories told or because you merely happened to be traveling by.
- Present conditions: This is what you're doing right now. Where you live, what you do currently for a living, and your friends can be included in this portion.
- Future hopes: These are your goals and motives for the future. Why are you living in this area? What might make you change your mind? What do you wish to accomplish while being here? These things can also motive what you'll do in your RP.
Character Development: Putting it together
Once you have gotten a basic personality, and a history, how can it be used? These sorts of things can enhance your RP. It may determine what group you hang out with, like Redwalleans or Nimrevians. It holds the reason why you are in the Mossflower area. It gives you a role to play in RP and TP.
Your history and personality may change after you've RP'ed with your character a while. You might find that what you have created for them doesn't really fit them, and if this happens, change it.
History and personality gives you a constant to go by in RP, and this may or may not be a help for you.
Interaction with others
Once you've gotten your character set up, it's time to go out and RP with others. The MUCK is designed for many varieties of interaction, such as feasts, hanging out a a tavern, playing games with dibbuns, or fighting a battle.
There are a few ground rules for any type of interaction:
- Be courteous to the player. This means not the character, but whoever is controlling the character OOC'ly.
- No profanity or explicit actions. You might be talking to a 10 year old person, or someone who is 40. The thing is: You don't know, so it pays to watch your mouth.
- Have fun, but don't infringe on the fun of others. If you ask to join an RP and are asked to stay on the sidelines, please do so.
- Ask permission. This is so there are no misunderstandings about what/where/when/why/how you are RP'ing.
- Follow the rules. In certain places, ie. Redwall, the Black Gull Tavern, and Nimrev have their own special set of rules along with the MUCK rules (see "news rules" while on Redwall MUCK for MUCK-wide rules). Disobedience of these rules may lead to untoward actions to keep it from happening again.
- Questions? Ask the staffers if necessary.
Interaction with others, continued
On this MUCK, you will meet a wide variety of different characters. There are some guidelines that you should keep in mind when interacting with others on an RP/IC basis:
If you run into someone who is a "stranger" (ie, one who you have not met or been introduced to), there is no way you can know their name unless by an extremely lucky guess. You also would not know very much about them, unless you can infer it from their description.
Players with "vermin" characters often have their characters with a typical "vermin" personality.
While you may be offended IC'ly, remember that it's only a game, and that the player behind the character should still OOC'ly be treated with respect and courtesy.
Don't barge into another's RP without asking permission first. This saves on confusion that often happens when an RP grows in size until it becomes chaotic.
Professions: Many choices for many types
There are many professions for many types of characters, from woodlander to neutral to vermin. A profession is often a good thing to have, as it may determine what you might do in your everyday RP.
- Dibbuns: Dibbuns, normally age 1-5 seasons, don't really have any profession except being themselves. Dibbun RP can include playing games, doing chores (after long cries of dismay), listening to stories, or getting into little bits of mischief. There are no such things as dibbun warriors -- it would be like sending a five-year-old to the battle front.
- Woodlanders: Woodlanders who live at the Abbey are encouraged not to have warrior characters: There should only be one warrior there, and that is the Abbey Hero. However, there are many others professions, for example: healer, chef, gardener, fisher, teacher, watching the dibbuns, cleaning, or bell ringer. Other professions by non-abbey woodlanders might be traveler, fighter, archer, builder, etc. Warriors should make up only a small percentage of woodlanders, for becoming a warrior is hard and rigorous.
- Neutral: Neutral beasts can have a variety of jobs from either the woodlander or vermin categories.
- Vermin: Vermin can often have similar jobs to woodlanders, but they can also be: spies, poisoners, assasins, mercenaries, horde members, horde captains, thieves, etc. Horde leaders should be few and far between; there should be many more members than leaders.
Posing: A way to show yourself off
Posing (the "pose" or the ":" command) allows you to show what you're doing to the room. A typical pose shows Player <does some sort of action.>
Poses are the gateways to RP. Posing can be simple or complex. You can pose your position relative to other characters or landmarks in the room (Player watches the others from the side of the road.), what you're doing (Player takes out a book and starts to read it.), your mood (Player covers a yawn, looking extremely bored.), and more. It can convey something about you (Player's tail swishes while brushing off some dirt.)
Your posing should not directly do anything to anyone (like Player smacks Otherplayer on the head). It also should not show what you are "thinking", or anything that cannot be viewed by others (don't do: Player thinks this is very boring.) because the others can't know this ICly unless they're psychic...
You can also pose what you are saying to add extra flavor, such as: Player pauses a moment, deep in thought, glances at the others, and says, "I don't know if that's a good idea."
Be creative in your posing!
Sizes: Small, medium, and large
There are many species on this MUCK. For a full listing, use the command, "+list_species". Not all animals are the same size. As in real life, there are small beasts, medium beasts, and large beasts. This can affect your RP if you have a general idea of sizes.
- Small beasts: These include the species, Dipper, Frog, Lizard (not monitor), Mole, Mouse, Newt, Pygymy Shrew, Robin, Shrew, Sparrow, Squirrel, Toad, and Vole. These are generally the smaller-sized denizens of the MUCK.
- Medium beasts: Adder, Bat, Badger, Beaver, Cat, Crow, Dog, Eagle, Ermine, Falcon, Ferret, Fox, Goose, Gull, Hare, Hawk, Kestrel, Marten, Mink, Monitor Lizard, Otter, Owl, Polecat, Rabbit, Rat, Raven, Sea Otter, Shrike, Snake, Stoat, Swan, Turtle, and Weasel. Most of the MUCK is populated by medium-sized beasts.
- Large beasts: Heron, Horse, Sea lion, Seal, Wildcat and Wolf. These are the largest citizens of the MUCK.
Such information may become helpful in fight situations. It would seem that a wolf has an advantage over a squirrel, as the wolf is in general a much larger being than a squirrel is. Of course, the squirrel doesn't have to be the underdog; smallness can have its good points too. Please keep note: Certain animals have certain abilities. Few beasts can match otters, seals, or sea lions in the water, while squirrels and martens are champion climbers. Only birds should soar in the sky, although moles are probably more content underground. Keep in mind the abilities of each animal in real life, and model your own character based on these.
Role Play and Tiny Plots
RP -> Role Play -> Role plays are your common, every-day interaction. They are often spur of the moment and can last ten minutes or ten days, depending. It can include average things, like chatting, traveling to a friend's house, etc.
TP -> Tiny Plot -> Tiny plots are often larger, more thought out RP. Sometimes TP's are posted on the MOTD, so check it regularly. TP's can involve vast numbers of people, especially if it includes a feast or a dance. TP's are enlarged RP.
There are other variations of RP and TP. There's PTP, or personal tiny-plot, involved a few people but on a longer scale. There are, on rare occasions, MP, or Mega-plots, like a siege of Redwall, that can take many months to complete.
Status: OOC, IC, PRV, IDL...
OOC, IC, etc? What do they all mean?
They are all different "status" that you can set yourself. When you are PRV, you are "private" and your location will not be on the 'find' list. If you are IDL, you are idling and not doing anything. If you are EDT, you are in the editor, working on something. ZZZ means that the player is not connected (offline) and is automatically set when you disconnect, and IC'ly means they are sleeping.
OOC
OOC means "Out Of Character". To become OOC, type "status ooc".
>>Being OOC means you are not playing the personality of your character. People are often
OOC when they are not RP'ing. They may be building, getting help OOC'ly, talking about OOC
items, and/or hanging out in the OOC area. You should not be OOC during an RP or a TP.
IC
IC means In Character. To become IC, type "status ic".
>>IC means you are playing the personality of your character, especially if you are RP'ing.
When IC, please refrain from acting in an OOC manner or discussing OOC things. "Rpage" allows you to talk OOC'ly while in an IC role-play, but do not spam others with it. If you wish to talk with another OOC'ly during an IC role-play, use whisper, or page, especially if it only involves one or two others.
The OOC Area: Zany, wild places
The OOC area, or the out-of-character area, can be accessed by typing "go OOC" in any IC room.
This will take you to the OOC area.
The OOC area does not always pertain to the books. For example, the Newsletter Complex in the Hallway leads to some wild and zany rooms with many things impossible to do in the IC area, but are perfectly legal in the OOC area. There is also the theatre, where you can sometimes watch an RP unfold. When in the OOC area, you can have your status as OOC, and have less to worry about regarding the IC rules.
Many players have offices in the OOC area where they plan and do their OOC work or chat. If you see someone in their office and wish to talk with them, please page them and ask if you can jump over first.
The OOC area is the place if you want to merely chat with someone about such topics as Redwall books, weather, and things IRL -- and is the best place to bring these sorts of chats.
The IC Area: Redwall
The IC Area, or the In-Character Area, can be accessed by typing "go IC" from any OOC room.
The IC area is the larger part of the MUCK. It includes Redwall, Mossflower, and all other places that might be found in the Redwall books. It is here that all the RP and TP happens.
When in the IC Area, it's best to stay IC, and to play your character. If you wish to discuss things not related to the RP, please take your discussions to the OOC area or conduct it through page so as to avoid spamming others needlessly.
If you get lost in the IC area, the best thing to do is to go "home" and start your trip over. Or you can ask ICly others for help and directions. The IC area has some places that are difficult to navigate, but if you explore enough, you'll find it easier to find the places you'd like to go.
What is legal in the IC Area?
Anything that has been mentioned in the Redwall Books. Or, (the follow information came from "news mission" file) "Nothing not referenced to one of the books is legal unless its a fact of RL England that was accessible to a peasant farmer as a result of social interaction in the medieval period." This means no magic, guns, airplanes, etc, while swords, bows and arrows, and carts are perfectly okay. If you have a question, ask an H/V for help.
Twinks, Room-page, and other things during RP
During an RP, there are several things you should try to avoid doing.
- Twinks: This is a major no-no! Twinks are when you do anything to another without their consent.
- (Example: CharacterA swings his sword at CharacterB and pierces his heart!)
- This would be unfair, for CharacterB has no chance for retaliation or reaction, and no choice in what to do. It is, however, okay if you whisper/page and get permission first. Twinks can also include: Hugging, shaking hands, etc., unless you have permission.
- Room-Page: Roompage is often helpful in RP when you need to convey an OOC comment. However, overuse makes a spammy situation and disrupts RP. If your conversation must continue longer, consider using whisper or page, or perhaps a chat program.
- Spoof: Spoofing allows for some neat affects: it shows a message without your name in front. (you must be IC to use this.) Spoof can be used for such effects as weather situations. It should not be used to correct your typos (don't worry about correcting typos unless they interfere with the original meaning, and then, use roompage), and it shouldn't be used to make another person seem to do something they really didn't. If someone is spoofing the weather, please don't spoof an alternate weather at the same time.
- And remember -- H/V and wizards can see the source of all spoofs.
Where, what, and how to RP
There are several main public places to RP on Redwall MUCK.
Redwall: Woodlander RP
Many RP's happen at Redwall. Please keep in mind that there is no fighting without prior permission from the Abbot Brocmal.
Such RP can include story-tellings or poetry readings, eating dinner or having a feast, meeting with friends and chatting, swimming in the pond or playing games in the dormitories, doing chores and weeding the gardens, tending the dibbuns or cooking a meal, etc. Vermin and Woodlanders alike are not to bring weapons into the Abbey, for it is a place of peace.
The Dirt Road: Neutral RP
The Dirt Road is a place for vermin and woodlander characters to meet and have neutral RP. Don't forget: The road is a public place for anyone, woodlander or vermin, and neither side has any claim on it.
Many times there are fights on the dirt road, especially between woodlanders and vermin. However, the dirt road is also another place where beasts can chatter and discuss things. If there is a fight on the dirt road, please ask those involved first if you can enter before doing so.
Black Gull: Vermin RP
The Black Gull is a vermin hangout/tavern. It is rather like an anti-Redwall, where the vermin can go to talk, drink, get drunk, gossip, etc. Woodlanders are not to enter the Black Gull without reading the rules at the entry and gaining permission from those inside.
- RP at the Black Gull includes: discussion and other types of chatting, gossiping, getting some food or drink and/or getting drunk off of it, or playing games like cards with others.
Other helpful information on RP
Don't forget!
The Heros and Villains staff (type "heros" while on Redwall MUCK to see a list) is always around if you need help on RP, TP, or other related topics. (If you have a techincal question, such as building, please consult with a mentor.)
Keep watch on the MOTD. Periodically, there are classes hosted by H/V over various topics like being a warrior or a healerbeast.
If you're not sure at first, watch others RP. Gradually, you may find yourself joining in as you learn more about things.
Keep in mind that things that are IC are things either found in the Redwall books or were available to medieval peasants. There is no magic (except for sleight-of-hand tricksters), no guns or gunpowder, and no electricity.
And if all else fails, don't feel shy -- ask for help.
TP's: Creating, Planning, Executing
TP's are also called Tiny Plots. These are larger than role-plays, and are often planned.
Have an idea for a TP? This could include a feast, a dance, a party on a boat, a long battle, or even a treasure hunt. If you have a good idea and want help developing it or want to ask for some ideas, talk to the h/v's.
You need several things for a TP: A plot that is planned out and is a rough backbone for the TP, characters who will participate, and a time, date, and place for it to happen. If your TP is on a large scale, you may wish to ask the H/V to post an MOTD so that others can know, or you can post your own message on the CCBB in the Tiny Plot Lounge in the OOC area.
For more information...
For more information, there are many news topics you may read (type "news index" while on Redwall MUCK for a list.)
Keep tabs on the MOTD and the website for updates on various RP/TP's or classes that may be held.
Don't forget! This MUCK is intended to allow you to have fun!
