Freestyle roleplaying

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Due to some of the events that have gone on in this forum (Tavern of Infinity anyone?) I feel the need to post some guidelines for freestyle roleplaying.

Freestyle roleplaying is where your character's attributes are not earned through a DM or some other system, giving structure and form while rewarding hard work (i.e., spending a lot of time roleplaying... wait that's not work) with greater bonuses. Anyone can have a Godlike character in freestyle, with no effort beyond using one's imagination. However, that doesn't mean there are NO rules....

It is considered common courtesy (and common sense, I should think) never to dictate someone else's actions when describing your own. Thus, in a fight, you do NOT say, "I cleave your arm off with my giant +12 hackmaster sword." There is no reason you can't have the +12 hackmaster sword, but you cannot cleave someone's arm off anytime you desire. Rather, you swing at the arm. This gives the other PC a chance to react and deflect the blow with his +15 BFA.

Naturally, this calls for some maturity on the parts of the participants. There are some times when you should take a blow, just as there should be limits to what your character can do. Also, there are special situations where you can dictate what you do to an enemy (e.g., he's unconscious). But with freestyle, that doesn't happen very often, since no one likes to lose.

EDIT: Just to clarify, you NEVER dictate the actions of others unless there is a very good reason that you can do so.

[This message has been edited by Capstone (edited September 25, 2001).]

 

Check out my topic "for those who haven't time to join a campaign" in role-play corner.

 

I~t is a great idea and i am sure it works though some people here are lacking in the ability to hold back their enthusiasm and superiority complexes.

 

Yeah, it gets a little awkward when everyone is invincible.

 

And that gets kinda boring after 10 seconds...

 

Like I said, freestyle requires maturity. I prefer structured environments where the rules are defined... part of my LG nature I suppose. I can play freestyle without going overboard, though.

 

Half the fun of role-playing is to overcome tragic flaws, to fail without falling, and to win by the skin of your teeth.

That being said, I'll leave my Kryptonian Paladin named Kal-El in the briefcase and play more suitable characters (Although there was a cool comic where Superman had gone evil in a medeval setting and Batman had to joust him. Long story ending with a Kryptonite lance, but when I was 11 it was the best!!! )