Romance: The First Rule
By Bricu | November 15, 2011
The first rule of Romantic RP: Talk it over with the other player.
Let me perfectly honest here: You might think this RP idea is the best thing since D&D, but if the player of the character isn’t interested, you don’t force it. If they are interested, you need to do the following things:
In short, treat this RP like you would any other RPing partner. The major difference between this kind of RP and “traditional” RP is that you have to allow your character to grow and change based on what occurs in the in game relationship.
Not following Rule Number one isn’t cute or ground breaking RP. It is a serious breach of boundaries. Just because it happens in a romantic comedy does not mean its a good idea in game.
What are some other good rules for romantic RP? Do you have a story about Romance Gone Wrong? Fill us in!
2 Comments
Rhoelyn on November 16, 2011 at 12:02 pm.
I avoid in-character (romantic) relationships, for the most part. I’ve dabbled with them in the past, and I just find them awkward and unconvincing. Perhaps it’s just a lack of experience, but I think character romantic emotions become stupidly blurry too easily. I mean, just look at all the Hollywood romances that begin or end because of a screen romance role.
That’s just me, though. More power to ya, IC romance players.
Kyraine on November 19, 2011 at 10:36 am.
I’m with Rhoelyn, I tend to avoid IC romantic relationships as a rule. I’ve only messed with one once, and that ended almost before it got started when the other player left the game. I’ve had characters who are in relationships or are married (or divorced), but that’s been with my own or another player’s NPC.
Rules, though. I’d say the biggest one is the same rule as any other type of character relationship, and the same one that was mentioned in the blog post. Talk it out! Especially if something you do has the potential to affect the other character. It’s just like being co-authors on a story. While it might be my character, if what she’s doing is going to affect someone else or the story as a whole, I want to have a word with the other player first.
I think that rule is true for all character relations though, not just the romantic ones. RP stories are shared, and that’s something I try to remember all the time.