The Justification of Roleplay

[pchwang]

In light of a rule regarding roleplay that was introduced on the server recently, I would like to point something out.

Do not quantify roleplay, qualify roleplay.

The rule that I am referring to is the "At Least 1 Line of RP" rule. I have little issue with this rule in general, as it does help to persuade some to roleplay, lest get sanctioned. I do, however, have a problem with this rule as a matter of principle.

Roleplay is, in many ways, an art form. It is, for a lack of a better term, acting. We do not judge actors by how much they perform, and we most certainly do not judge them by how verbose they are. We do not judge them by the amount of time they stand in the spotlight. We do not judge them by how long they can pace around on the stage.

We judge actors and actresses by how well they act. We judge them by the intensity of their performance, their humor, their pretend-honesty, the stories that they tell.

When we roleplay, we give up ourselves for a moment, and let our minds to be taken by others who roleplay with us.

The current rule entirely destroys this concept.

I stand from a hill untouched by the flood beneath, as do many along with me. Many of us, especially those whom are here and reading this, will never be affected by this rule. Yet, as a matter of principle, it should not be.

To the Administrators of the Discovery RP 24/7 Server:

We have chosen you to preside over this great community. Preside over it and exercise the power that we have entrusted with you. You have the right to qualify roleplay, so do it. Do not allow a rule to turn something precious into something material.

Roleplay cannot be quantified.

EDIT: It was confirmed to be 1 line, not 3, of RP. My apologies, but the argument still stands.

---

[7:42:05 PM][6:51:36 PM] Igor (Smokey): btw terry
[6:51:48 PM] Terrance Cooper: Ye?
[6:52:00 PM] Igor (Smokey): nothin
[6:52:03 PM] Igor (Smokey): just sayin btw
[6:52:05 PM] Terrance Cooper: <_<

Johnny_Haas: you shot anti criuse speed rockets!!!
Johnny_Haas: but why????
Johnny_Haas: ??
Johnny_Haas: why you shoot criuse speed rockets?

[Asymptotic]

Signed, though my opinion is moot.

[BaconSoda]

I've agreed with you personally, and I know some others have, but I have to say so publicly.

Quite honestly, I think the problem we have here that creates rules like these is the lack of trust in the admins. I don't believe that the threat of being accused of bias is best caused by more rules, but by winning back the trust of the "community." Of course, this entails still being jerks, but polite jerks. That is the way to get rid of these rules. Be jerks, but polite jerks. I really think that's what we've lost, politeness. Not really anything else...

Anyway, that was a fun rant.

---

[8:32:45 PM] Dusty Lens: Oh no, let me get that. Hello? Oh it's my grandma. She says to be roleplay.
[12:49:19 AM] Elgatodiablo: You know its nice that you have all that proof and all, Bacon... but I just don't believe you.

[mwerte]

/signed

---

[Walker]

It goes a DAMN lot deeper then that Elgato...

---

Tiberius Walker, putting flames out and being awesome since Apr 13 2008 ™
[8/17/2008 5:56:46 PM] Aaron (Boss/Jurgen) says: Can't bring myself to say it... Looks like you get the LABC, I've seen what you can do in one
Walker (Albert Wint): I can has win? --- Epyon the Bored: You can haz win. --- [1:18:00 PM] Chris (Niezck) says: I love you <3
[5:55:53 PM] Raisu says: Walker pwned both Battleships(LNS-Texas LNS-Arizona) - [5:55:57 PM] Raisu says: in a cruiser
Tiberius Walker, spreading mayhem, destruction, and Spamming Flood since Oct 22 2008 ™
[9:08:25 AM] Gurjiv (Frozen) says: I hope someone gives you AIDs.
[7:15:17 PM] Dylan (Ximen) says: Walker... you have no idea how much fail you bring into this world...
[8:05:08 AM] Ross (SevereTrinity) says: Screw you for making me install FL again
[10:51IE AM] Epyon the Bored says: My god if I ever meet you I am going to strangle you.
Tiberius Walker, being better then you since April 30, 2009 ™
We will remember - We do not Forget - We do not Forgive

[Virus]

It goes a DAMN lot deeper then that Elgato...

Useful. :rolleyes:

Care to explain?

---

Into the Maelstrom - A Measure of Salvation - Reaver Company Database

[Walker]

I would be de-lighted too... But I figure I'd let my explanation come out with a bang when the time is right.

---

Tiberius Walker, putting flames out and being awesome since Apr 13 2008 ™
[8/17/2008 5:56:46 PM] Aaron (Boss/Jurgen) says: Can't bring myself to say it... Looks like you get the LABC, I've seen what you can do in one
Walker (Albert Wint): I can has win? --- Epyon the Bored: You can haz win. --- [1:18:00 PM] Chris (Niezck) says: I love you <3
[5:55:53 PM] Raisu says: Walker pwned both Battleships(LNS-Texas LNS-Arizona) - [5:55:57 PM] Raisu says: in a cruiser
Tiberius Walker, spreading mayhem, destruction, and Spamming Flood since Oct 22 2008 ™
[9:08:25 AM] Gurjiv (Frozen) says: I hope someone gives you AIDs.
[7:15:17 PM] Dylan (Ximen) says: Walker... you have no idea how much fail you bring into this world...
[8:05:08 AM] Ross (SevereTrinity) says: Screw you for making me install FL again
[10:51IE AM] Epyon the Bored says: My god if I ever meet you I am going to strangle you.
Tiberius Walker, being better then you since April 30, 2009 ™
We will remember - We do not Forget - We do not Forgive

[Xoria]

The current rule entirely destroys this concept.

I am persuadable up until the point of your reliance on hyperbole, at which point I begin to wonder why Reason has no better champion than Exaggeration, and I turn my attention elsewhere.

---

Check out my
Trade Development Blog
for all the latest news on Nerfs and Final Nails, or to request trade changes.

An Interactive Tour of OSC Routes  | POB Supplies

[Grumblesaur]

Elgato is right. One line could be interpreted as "Engaging hostile target".

I myself like to throw a bit of venom and condescension into the mix as I prepare to attack an enemy. If I'm on my destroyer, I usually act as an Orbital Control vessel, but I do go on some small raids [very few as of late]. My roleplay changes. Some days I act as a person, some days I roleplay a full-fledged capital ship. I refer to my ship as the Nocturne, as that's it's name. In using this mystic and oddly threatening name, I can use fear tactics and say things over system comms much like the phantoms do, though I add much more to it.

As my IMG character, my roleplay varies. Normally, I ignore Outcasts. I prefer to mine and explore, save hostile territory. My Albatross, though it is a cap, is meant for protection in case I were to enter a hostile system. I don't plan to try and raid Alpha with it, unless backed up by a large amount of fighters and have some justification. Sure, IMG is hostile to Outcasts, but if they leave me alone, why should I hunt them?

Roleplay comes in several forms. Characters that are in militaries have static RPs, so they may be content to just say a one-liner. Traders either pay the pirate, or fly off teasing them. As for factions like the IMG, and many other things beyond the reaches of house space often find ways to change their roleplay. They may type several lines speaking with an enemy with no intention of engagement. This, I have done on several occasions, and have been applauded for it.

This sort of thing is good for the server environment. If we have more people chatting with that terrorist on scanners, rather than announcing an engagement, the quality will go up. If we have more specialized RPs, like a medical ship, or a bartering station, we'll have a vast variety and excellent quality in the server's roleplay status.

Yes, I know I was rambling about my personal experiences, but I've seen - and given - some fair roleplay in everything from New York to Omicron Alpha - however unbelievable it may seem.

---

A way a lone a last a loved a long the riverrun, past Eve and Adam's, from swerve of shore to bend of bay,
brings us by a commodius vicus of recirculation back to Howth Castle and Environs.

[Magoo!]

Not everybody can act, much less act well. Some people don't even speak English.

As such, they compensate by throwing the Friar's soliloquy at you.

I know your post was aimed towards the rule, but given that people follow said rule, thats all they can do.