Starting a Roleplay Thread Tutorial

Basic Site Mechanics of Starting Threads

Any user can start a thread. You only need to do a few things:

1. Write a 200+ word in-character post
2. Tag the thread appropriately. If a thread has no tags it will be presumed [Open], which means that anyone can join the thread.
   
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   How to [tag]

   
   

   Ever wonder where we get those nifty boxes after or in the title that say things such as Open, Closed, or Private. 
   
   To make this happen all you have to do is place brackets [   ] around the word(s) you wish to have inside a box. 

   What Do Certain Tags Mean?
   

   [PV] - Private thread to more than one person. Unfortunately, our threads only have a certain amount of characters that can be written. Keeping it [PV] is the best way to make it uniform.
   
   [PV "Somebody's name"] - Private thread specifically for someone. Typically, we like to add first and last name so that it prevents confusion with others who may have the same name.
   
   [Finished] - This is a very important tag as it tells us that this thread has been fully finished. 
   
   [Closed] - Closed tags state that the thread has been abandoned. 
   
   [RPG] - This tag states that all posts are 200+ words. Anything lower than that is not permitted. This tag is a bit redundant to use on the site as all our roleplay threads are to be 200 words or more. Typically, this can be categorized when members change the topic type on the bottom of their message box when creating a thread to the quill (RPG).
   
   [RPG+] - This tag states that all posts are 400+ words. Anything lower than that is not permitted. This is a tag that is hardly used on the site, but it is important to keep it in mind for those who are intermediate roleplayers or beginners who would like to challenge themselves.
   
   [RPG++] - This tag states that all posts are 600+ words. Anything lower than that is not permitted. This is a tag that is hardly used on the site, but it is important to keep it in mind for those who are advanced roleplayers or intermediate roleplayers who would like to challenge themselves. 
   
   [GAME] - There are certain places around the site that have threads that are strictly to play games. These tags are often found in the beginning of the title. Staff are the only people who can start game threads.  
   
   [JOURNAL] - Commonly found in the Owlery, journals are primarily solo threads between the character and their quill. 
   
   [OOC] - These are threads that are strictly "Out of Character." We try to limit these types of threads as our main focus in HiO is to roleplay. However, we do understand the concept of connecting with each other OOC than just IC, too. The Leaky Cauldron is an area of OOC and common rooms have incorporated them as well. OOC is very similar to Flood threads, however, we are straying away from Flood as it tends to have more than one meaning.
   
   [FLOOD] - This is a a thread that does not require the 200 word minimum. These threads can only be started/made by staff members and this is not a tag that can be used to bypass the site's minimum word count requirement.
   
   [IC] - These are threads that are strictly "In Character" but they are not in need to meet the 200 word count minimum. Typically, these threads are very much like OOC, except members are chatting as if they are their own characters.
   
   Etiquette in Tags:
   

   Players are expected to adhere to tags as they are not recommendations. The only exception to this is mentioned in the patrolling/catching system so players don't utilize Private [PV] Tags as a means to "never be caught" when up to mischief. That means that if a tag is private or limited to a certain group, this must be adhered to. Asking for permission afterwards places the onus of responsibility as well as the blame for "not letting others have fun" onto them for saying "no." 
   
   Users that join limited threads, be them events or private threads, do not have the ability to change the tag from PV to extend to additional users on a whim, desire to interface with them or to retroactively include them after they have invited themselves. That is the responsibility of the thread maker. 

3. Place the appropriate thread symbol when creating the thread.
   
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   When you create a thread in an RP area, you will have the option of using certain symbols that will show up on the left side of your thread name. These define your topic type. 
   

   

   
   
   : This is the icon for a Discussion Topic. This is a thread for out of character discussion.
   : This is the icon for the RPG. When you make an RP thread, this is the symbol that you use.
   : This is the icon for floods, which are discussion topics with lesser restrictions on frequent posting, normally used for chatting.
   : This icon is for Games. You will see this in the game room in your House for instance. Occasionally you will see this other places as well.
   : This icon is for Quidditch threads. When playing a game of Quidditch, this symbol is used to notify users of this fact. These are official matches made by moderating captains for the dueling system.
   : This icon is for Dueling threads. These are official matches made by moderating captains for the dueling system.
   : This icon is used for Contest threads. These are run by staff members and this symbol would be used to notify users of this fact.
   : This is an informational thread. This is a thread where information is being shared, such as an announcement, a tutorial, etc.
   : This is for a character thread, namely your encyclopedia that describes your character.
   
   Each time you create one, you need to use this. First, it will identify what kind of topic it is and second, you will be able to see it in ''RP'' section on the bottom of the page. The "My Messages" section will either show all threads (besides only RP) and can also be used to filter which kinds of topic you are looking for.
4. Consider advertising your thread if you do not have friends in mind already.
   
   
   We have a Thread Sharing thread and there is also a channel dedicated sharing threads in our Discord called #thread-sharing.

Basic Writing Notions of Starting Threads

Some users struggle with the writing aspect of making a thread starter. As the maker of a starter, you define the setting so you should provide users with basic things like:

1. The location (mostly defined by the forum that you chose to roleplay in) but you can (and should) further specify this. Not only does it help you reach your word count but also this gives other users a clear idea of where this thread is happening.
2. The time of day/date. This can be important because a get-together at noon versus midnight would be the difference between a deviant thread and a normal roleplay. It adds context and also effects what sort of characters might take part in your thread.
3. Consider a theme, a context for the thread. This can be the hardest thing for some, you do need to have something interesting about your character or about the scenario to draw people in. You will struggle to gain roleplay partners if your threads are basically "meet me."
4. Limit the user of non-player characters (NPCs). Generally you should be writing about yourself, interfacing with other players (not your own NPCs). We understand that you have to reference the existence of other students being in the halls (nameless, faceless entities that serve as background noise), or in the great hall during mealtime, or in the library dutifully studying. That said, practice moderation, if your post is you interfacing with an NPC best friend, you leave little opportunity for other members to join the thread because you are already having a moment (with yourself).
   
   
   More information can be found on NPCs here.
5. When other users join your thread, remember that they control their own character. Do not godmod them. Godmodding is controlling their character, speaking for them, saying they did something or reacted in a certain way that they did not write.
6. When other users join your thread, remember that you only know what your character knows about them. So if the other player is a muggleborn and you don't even know their name, you would not know that they are a muggle born for example. This is called metagaming. Metagaming means acting on things about someone else that you should not already know.
7. If you are roleplaying that you are using a potion item, a magical item that we sell in the shop, a specific sort of broom, you need to own (and have) the item in your inventory. This means that you need to purchase the item with your hard-earned galleons.
   
   You will need to have the galleons on hand to buy an item in the shop.
   
   
   Note: the galleons you have on hand and your total worth (money and items) are different things. One if the amount of money that you have and the other (as it says directly below total worth) is the money you have on hand and the value of any items that you own. So if you own 10 galleons worth of candy from the shop and have 5 galleons, your amount on hand would be 5 galleons and your total worth would be 15.

How to Write a Compelling Scenario

This normally comes with experience but I am going to make a short list of ideas for making starters. Your starter is just a beginning post, it does not need to be the best post you have ever written to attract someone, it just needs to be interesting enough to get things moving. You can (and perhaps should) start small and build up like a snow ball. Some users start things up with something big and dramatic but that can be intimidating so you might struggle to find roleplay partners.


1. Start with a "BANG!"

Start with something loud, sudden, and in your face. Someone suddenly running around a corner, a sudden attack, a loud noise, a scream, a door slamming, a spell (you know) backfiring, a book being dropped, a pet (if you own one) making a loud noise or causing a commotion. If you have a roleplay partner in mind, you might consider something that would appeal to them. If they in-character hate cursing and you said an expletive in response to something going wrong for example. If they have a fear of certain pets or scenarios, overcoming this for them (or you) could be a great bonding experience. Having sudden things pop out of no where gives you both a chance, in character, to react to it and share an experience.

2. Set a goal to reach.

Think of something important to your character and make it a goal. Alternatively if you are thinking of your roleplay partner, think about a goal that they might have or one that you might share and make it a thread goal. Think about how you/they will get there. Think about the potential obstacles you (and they) will have to overcome. This can very easy turn into a storyline. Examples might include pranking someone in particular, asking someone out on a date, steal something (no we won't let you steal a time-turning or anything major school level but you can agree to steal one another's diaries), sneak out at night, climb something, explore something, learn something specific about another character (follow them around maybe).

3. Introduce/focus on a character quirk.

Your character has quirks, or well they should. Being a Mary Sue or a Gary Stu makes for a boring character. Something visible or audible that your character does could be used to draw the attention of another user. Have them do whatever this quirk might be. Explain the action, explain what it means vaguely in your narration, leave space for characters to join and ask questions about it.
Be careful that your quirk is not offensive or breaking site rating (such as self harm).

4. Focus on the Setting.

Talk about an interesting place, a fascinating scene. Looking at the Hogwarts castle for the first time, looking at the window and watching it rain/snow, have a magical creature (that you are not directly interfacing with) walk into view with the permission of the Care of Magical Creatures Professor. Maybe just lunch time in the Great Hall, a shop in Diagon Alley, etc. Just set up a scene, spend most of your post describing the area and if there are NPCs what they are up to (they should not be interfacing with you because you want to leave opening for others to talk to you) and if anything of interest might be happening. Then insert your character closer to the end of the post. Consider where would your character likely be, or where you want them to be.

Advanced Writing Considerations: use your setting to create a mood for roleplayers. Gloomy places being wet, dark, damp, perhaps a musty or aged scent. Creaks and groans in floorboards, mist and shadow can all lend to a dismal, dark atmosphere by focusing on certain elements. Conversely happiness can be conveyed with light, butterflies, flowers, pleasant scents like cookies, cozy crackling hearths, etc.

Advanced Writing Considerations: Set up a thread that is at odds with the plot or plan for the thread. Placing a happy, cute, cuddly character in a dark, dismal place. Be an indoor person that is stuck outside, perhaps in in-climate weather. Be a gloomy person in a happy setting. This adds an additional layer to the setting, gives your character something particularly interesting that might encourage others to join in the thread.

Advanced Writing Considerations: Set up a thread where there is something to be contested over. A favorite chair in a common room or nook in the library, quiet corner in the courtyard or romantic space on the grounds. Explain why the place conjures a want, why others might share your love for this particular space. This creates that mood but also provides a focused plot.

5. Meet and Greet.

This is a common topic of choice for new roleplayers. Basically you bump into someone (literally) or ask for someone to enter a thread where your character is and introduce themselves to you. This can be a challenging one to get players for without a specific interest or focus. Often to keep the thread interesting and to prevent the thread from droning on would require the thoughtful addition of some drama - a secret, a quirk, a random incident like a broken window, an emotional moment, some reveal. A simple, thoughtless diversion or way to end the thread before they go on too long if all you needed was a short introduction is having to leave abruptly because of curfew, remember that you are late for class, study session, that you are hungry or meant to meet someone at that time. This can also be used to move the other character into a fresh thread to keep a story going.

6. Weather changes

Apparently Scotland has unpredictable weather who knew! Sudden snowfall, heavy winds, hail or rain that you were unprepared for. Hurry and find cover!

In short, choose a situation/place, react, and give room for their reaction. That's it.