Some Questions

[winner3]

I wanna start off by saying that I think this thread has turned into a pretty nifty and helpful sorta questionnaire. I think it'll serve as a great resource to get so many people weighing in on these things. And to that end, I'm going to sticky this thread in the hopes that more folks see it and find it helpful


How do you feel about formatting?
A long time ago, when I first started getting into rp, I really didn't care much about formatting in general. Over time, I've come to realize that readability is very important. And to that end, I've tried where I can to format character profiles, replies, and so on in a better fashion so that I at least think they're pretty readable before posting them. It could be as simple as putting an important line by itself between paragraphs or making a character profile that doesn't take forever to scroll through, but I think trying to format things such that it's digestible and easy to understand or get the gist of in one read/scroll is more important than putting down a ton of information.

Admittedly, I don't always do a good job, especially with announcement posts.


How do you handle heels and faces?
I feel that the concept is very straightforward, even in a setting like LAW where there's no real kayfabe and matches/action are carried out as if they are real.

I always imagine the concept of heels and faces on a spectrum. Faces have a moral compass or some sort of honor code and generally strive towards their goals without being malicious towards folks that haven't earned it. Heels are much more antagonizing and/or unsavory, especially towards the crowd. Of course, there are many flavors and varieties of both heels and faces, hence the spectrum. Some heels cheat, some heels don't. Some faces would never try to injure anyone. Some will when driven to that point. And so on. Tweeners can take on even more direction based on the character and their background.

Despite the spectrum and creative license writers and IRL bookers have with faces and heels, I feel that there are very basic things about both alignments that should always hold true. I personally think that a heel stops being a heel when they take stock in and care about fans. And that's not to say that heels can't play to the crowd in some instances. Usually, they do so with an ulterior motive for their own benefit, like getting the crowd to cheer or laugh at someone they're humiliating. But the moment they start doing things to show they care about the fans in any meaningful capacity, that character isn't a heel in my mind.

Similarly, some faces will fight dirty if provoked into doing so or out of desperation. But by definition, a face is in good graces with fans, or at least tries to be. The moment a face denounces the fans, I can't call that character a face.

I'm all for getting creative, but without rigid definitions somewhere, I don't really see the point in labels like heel and face. And I feel like characters who push the envelope on these things should use something else to define their alignments, like dnd alignments or something.


How much detail do you put in your profile?
These days I just go with whatever seems like a good idea at the time. A long time ago, I used to not be big on formatting. I'm only slightly better at it now but I do see the merit in it. I'm trying very slowly to revamp/streamline all my character's profiles. And I've made neat little character cards with stats and facts on my wrestlers that you can see on my roster page.


How many (active) characters do you have?
Probably too many. Especially with how busy I normally am. I keep trying to make it work, though. And I'm really driven to stay active on characters I enjoy and characters I get good feedback on!


How do you set up matches?
These days discord is most popular for setting up matches. For me, it's most common through DM's. But I do set up matches on the site via PM's pretty regularly. I'm a huge proponent of keeping the site accessible to our few active members that either aren't on discord or aren't active on discord.

A very long time ago, when I first started RP'ing, I had a hard time finding matches anywhere. About five years ago, I guess I got a bit uppity about a few things and it was said that I would never find anyone to rp with ever again. These days, if I had a ballpark it, I'd say maybe 80 percent of the threads I find myself in were born from people approaching me and not the other way around, so I think I'm doing pretty okay.


How much do you plan out?
It depends on how meaningful the thread is to both characters and both rp'ers. So it varies greatly. Typically, when I get approached for a match-up, or sometimes out of nowhere, I'll think of a super detailed idea and pitch it. And usually, it's received pretty okay and I tweak it with my partner. These days, if it's a one-off match or encounter where maybe someone needs a win, I'll wing it and that'll usually go pretty okay. But for longer stories that require multiple threads, I'll put care into thinking about why each thread should happen and what the overall goal of the story is, and how we're going to get there. I really find myself enjoying long-form storylines and threads these days. Stuff like spots that call back to previous matches and encounters, and wrestlers learning and adapting to one another, is pretty neat to me personally.


How much communication happens throughout the match?
Very much depends on the match but generally, like in real pro wrestling, planning out specifics spots and a finish works out well for me, and sorta winging it till we get to those points goes well. Sometimes things get ad-libbed that work out pretty well, as well. And I try to stay flexible and pitch ideas as we go along if things come to me.


How much do you write in your replies/threads?
Varies based on what's going on in the thread at the time. Like others have said, at least 2 paragraphs for me. I really like small details and little things in pro wrestling that tend to get glossed over in forum rp. Like the crowd clapping or chanting to will a face out of a submission hold, and stuff like selling the wear and tear that the match takes on characters (shaking out a limb the get feeling back into it after a move that targets it, characters adjusting clothes or accessories after a high impact move displaces it), I think are pretty neat. I try to avoid writing filler. But generally, the longer and more descriptive a reply I get is, the more inspired I am to work off the details given to me and make a longer, more detail-oriented reply.


Favorite characters to use?
That's a tough one. It's hard for me to name a single favorite. It's been fun using various characters and seeing some of them hit a stride. I've been told that I do a pretty okay job with face wrestlers and I think that's held up pretty well over the years. Most of the characters I enjoy using and most of my characters that people seem to take to are various types of faces. In no particular order, each of the SWAT Cats, my e-girl Jem Holland, and Sienna Smith, have all been super fun to use pretty much every time I've used them since joining LAW.


Favorite character that isn't yours?
This is another tough one. I told myself that I wasn't going to attempt this because I feel like almost every character that gets used actively at LAW brings something fun and interesting to the table and leaves an impression that helps them stand out in my mind. I couldn't even begin to make a comprehensive list that gives a shout out to everyone that deserves it. But I think people very much enjoy seeing their characters receive praise and I genuinely think that there's a multitude of characters that deserve it.

So in no particular order: Avalie Reza, Astrid Ostberg, The Heartbreakers, Hitomi Akari, Momo Kazan, Bella King, Karen Starring, Diana Accera, Rose Gold, GASTER, The Wings of Wrestling, Alaina Sanders, The Baroness, The Ashfords, Trisha Andrews, Jessica Wright, Cyber Widow, Erin Quinn, Holly Matheson, Camie Young, Wicke Sykes

Honorable Mentions to: Katsumi Oshiro, DeMONIQUE, The Imperial Russian Empire, Kyoko Akan, Ayame Akan, Misty Sims, Gemma and Victoria Faraday, The Booty Princesses, Golden Liger, Rei Tachibana, The Pom Pom Punchers, Ossi Shamar, The Rosette Sisters, Daisuke Takeuchi, Ryori Bleck, The Carnival Girls, Húxiān Li, Ichika Rei

I'm sure there are a ton I couldn't recall off the top of my head. If you feel I forgot you, I genuinely apologize!

[KnightViva4869]

| How do you feel about formatting?
I'd like to keep it simple, using only important details, as long as it's readable and understandable.

| How do you handle heels and faces?
Faces are easy to describe, a good character, loved by fans, following the rules, etc. But what about heels? It's also simple, they're the exact opposite from faces. But are they?

What do you think when you hear 'heels'? Are they those who enjoy hardcore, bloody fight like hell in a cell/barbed wire match? Those who enjoy humiliating others in hentai match? Does someone being an evil person only on the ring is a heel? What about those who acts violent and cheats against a certain style (let's say boxing) but respects and plays fair with another style (this time grappling)?

Maybe I'm reading too much, heels are someone who's hated. Would you hate a character whose reason to be heel was because of their past suffering? Such as bullying, raped, not getting affection from family, and many more. If a heel shows mercy to someone weaker than her, would you change your mind and calling her a face, or still calling her a heel because she's been labelled as one? If a heel manages to win the crowd's heart via humiliating or torturing her opponent, is she a heel?

There's a lot of reason why someone could be or not be a heel, which is why I believe a lot of characters are either face/tweener.

As for their interactions, it's always interesting to see rivalry between a face and a heel. A lot of enjoyable match are made because of them. Something that I like to see is Face A vs Heel A, then in another match Heel B tortures and defeats Face A, then Heel A takes on Heel B for revenge, saying something along the lines of "I'm the only one who can mess with her!"
Enemies to lovers, slow burn
(Sorry for rambling too much)

| Are much detail do you put in your profile?
I mix up all the profiles sheet I could find, deleting parts which doesn't fit my writing and adding some. I don't put much details on a profile, the only long thing I write is the backstory. The rest of them is pretty simple.

| How many (active) characters do you have?
Only one for now (another one is still on progress)

| How do you set up matches?
Create a request thread about characters I want to have a match, then I'll pretty much accepts both pm and discord offer.

| How much do you plan out?
Just a little, which character would be use and the match type. If my partner didn't say anything about who's going to win, I'll take it as a sign that anyone can win so we improvise throughout the match. Haven't made a friendship or rivalry so for now I don't think a detail planning is needed.

| How much communication happens throughout the match?
Pretty much none. I only communicate if I don't understand the situation, and towards the ending. When I'm in a good position, I ask my partner, is it okay to end the match? Or do they still want it to continue? I tend to overthink and afraid if I ask too much details they would think I'm annoying, but until now LAW community is treating me well so I'll try my best to be better at communicating.

| How much do you write in your replies/threads?
It depends on my mood tbh. Sometimes when I had a good day I write more than usual. Maybe around 1-2 paragraph? I'm not really good at showing the situation, usually I just write it in general.

| Favorite characters to use?
Just Kiyoshi, it's not like I have anyone else.

| Favorite character that isn't yours?
Proceeds to write half of LAW roster
Hmm, there's a lot of characters I enjoy, so I'm going to limit myself to 4 person each class weight.

Heavyweight : Alaina Sanders, Astrid Ostberg, Katherine Starring, Karen Hart

Middleweight : Ducky Williams, Rei Tachibana, Eirina Makishima, Ichika Rei

Lightweight : Rose Gold, GASTER, Natalia Dominique, Amano Jaku

[Fairy Dragon]

How do you feel about formatting?

Honestly I just need enough to get the gist. I'll read anything regardless of length so long as its done well enough that I can understand whats being said. Pics and visuals help sometimes but no need to go overboard with them

| How do you handle heels and faces?

Like how they are in wrestling I think faces generally need to follow the basic concept of how they go about there behavior. Faces for one reason or another play to the fans and do there best to cater and entertain, or at the very least don't bother trying to insult the fans, how they go about doing that can be there own way as I know Faces are harder for some fans to make since anything can be seen as less then face like. Heels of course are easier to define, Do they cheat? take pleasure in pissing the fans off? is the clear aggressor in a feud and often for little to no reason? Congrats thats a heel. Even easier they dont even need to fill out each category simply one or two or even others is enough to make it clear there the bad guy/girl where people generally expect the face to be morally upstanding, though a face that sometimes plays dirty often as a form of turnabout is fair play is still a face to me.

| How many (active) characters do you have?

Fluctuates but generally I tend to have around 3 or 4 active characters. Some more active then others but Ideally Id have all of my characters 'active' if I could manage things better.

| How do you set up matches?

I generally approach people for matches but rarely do I have an exact idea of what I want before I do it. Often I see if the rp'er has any interest in working with me and if so what characters of mine do they want to work with and then go from there. To my shame I dont approach others as much as I should but I'm always willing to listen to an idea thrown my way even if I might say no, the prospect could be good for the future. I will communicate with people anyway I can, Discord, PM, Trillian XD if I can get access to it I will use it.

| How much do you plan out?

Just the winner and a few spots if possible during the match to build up as we go along. I can leave an overall feud open ended but once we start a match I generally need to know who's going to come out on top so I know what to work towards.

| How much communication happens throughout the match?

Whenever and however much my partner and I want to, I tend to ask how they feel about things a few pages in and go from there but outside of the occasional check up to ask if they have any ideas, communication varies from person to person from there.

| Favorite characters to use?

Kyoko most of the time. Though there is a certain time during the years where I legit favor another of my gals like Amy or Cheryl but Kyoko remains the standard favorite.

| Favorite character that isn't yours?

A Lot Will answer later

[Vc0m]

How do you feel about formatting?

So 2 important things in that regard: 1. No walls of text, and if I must, they have to be hidden under spoilers.

2. Try to make each section noticable, and keeping everything concise enough to be read in under 10 seconds...but not so short that it's just a one word description of a section. Personally, I've found that a profile lives or dies on a good reference pic or concise and descriptive formating.

How do you handle heels and faces?

Since I started RPs, I've been introduced to the wonderful world of Joshi wrestling, and I tend to follow writing stuff around the heels and faces of that category. Japan doesn't have truly heelish or truly facish individuals. Everyone is respected, and everyone is cheered to a point. It's the actions that get negativity, which is what I've been trying to do in my writing, though I do try to merge this with the American Wrestling presentation of heels and faces. I do like face v face matches as well, and depending on how the match goes, my characters can easily lean heel to boost the opposing wrestler as an underdog...or sometimes vice versa.

How much detail do you put in your profile?

Backstories inevitably become walls of text for me though I am aiming to limit that. Otherwise, a sentence or a paragraph or 2 at worst is sufficient for each section I find. Concise enough for people to read quickly, but not too much so that they lose attention (or I lose attention anyway)

How many (active) characters do you have?

3-4. Currently, Navi, Lya and Mariposa are somewhat in the back for me, and Mai hasn't seen enough activity, and I am looking to revive Melody as a character. Might be up to 5 soonish (spoilers )

Otherwise I don't think it's the amount of characters that matters, but threads, of which I tend to have too much lmao.

How do you set up matches?

Depends on whether I found a fun/compatible character to write my gal against or if I haven't and need some help finding one. From there I either contact a user directly, or pop a message into thread request and put that on Discord as well.

How much do you plan out?

Usually on the fly with maybe a few big spots planned out in advance (sometimes none at all, and everything is winged)

How much communication happens throughout the match?

Depends on how much planning has been done or how many times something goes wrong (usually from my end lol)

Favorite characters to use?

GASTER lol. I've been REALLY warming to Chika as well, however.

Favorite character that isn't yours?

I'll try not to coward my way out of this, and just choose one - Katherine Hart. LAW does have a ton of awesome characters to properly choose however.

[dakatos555]

Is it okay if I pick one of two existing fighters and start roleplaying on their duel post? Like Jessica Simone Vs. A Lust For Strength thread for example?

[winner3]

Is it okay if I pick one of two existing fighters and start roleplaying on their duel post? Like Jessica Simone Vs. A Lust For Strength thread for example?

No, you're only allowed to take control of your own characters on this forum. You can do non-canon/fantasy matches here that don't impact stories and continuities: http://law-rp.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=53

But even if you were to try and do this, you must get permission from a character's owner if you wanted to use their characters.

Also, this really isn't thread to be asking general questions in. If you have specific questions, please create a new thread to ask them in. Or reach out to the myself or one of the other mods on discord and ask directly.

[HarryPotter69]

Why is everone using the same question over and over again and can someone tell me how to get rid of these ads