
The following are links to a few resources to help you step up your roleplaying game.
You don't have to read through all of them, but we recommend that everyone at least take the Litmus test, and skim a few of the articles posted here.
-Limyaael's Fantasy Rants: Although intended to be used by novelists, these rants can be an indispensable guide to creating characters to roleplay with. The rants on different fantasy races and characterization may be the most useful to you, but they're all worth a read.
-Way with Worlds: Even in a setting like the SIN headquarters, world building can still be an important part of RPing. Maybe you're thinking up your character's backstory and she just happens to be from a land undiscovered. These articles are brief but can give valuable insight into your world building.
-The Universal Mary Sue Litmus Test: I'm sure we've all seen them in a roleplay, those angelically beautiful, tragic half-elf girls that manage to charm every man simply by existing. Mary Sues, how droll and a symptom of poor roleplaying skills. This is a guide to help you realize if your character is slipping towards the bad end of the Sue spectrum. Keep in mind that sometimes legitimate characters may score high or actual Sues may score low. It's all in how you play them: the defining aspect of a Sue is that they steal all the attention from everyone else. Still, it's very useful as a general guideline while creating characters.
-Behind the Name: A rose by any other name would smell just as sweet, but if you called roses puppies, everyone would think that you're crazy. The right name can make all the difference. Finding a name is an important part in creating your character and this site is a great resource when doing so. It is a vast, searchable database of names from all around the world and pop culture. Be sure to check out its sister site, Behind the Surname, in case you're in need of a family name.
-Using Body Language: Actions scream louder than words. A great deal of communication is now what one says but how they say it and how they move their body. Often ignore in roleplaying, body language is perhaps the greatest tool in human communication. But why should one ignore body language in roleplays when it's so vital? Instead, its subtleties should be embraced. It's better to show how, for example, a character is embarrassed rather than just stating that he or she is so.
-Creative Writing Exercises: Practice makes perfect. The best way to become a better writer is to actually write. This site offers up some helpful writing exercises for when you've hit a dead point and need to get your creative juices flowing. Better writing means better roleplaying!
-Encyclopedia Mythica: We Sinners are a motley lot made up of hundreds of different species. It is good to familiarize yourself with the mythology behind these creatures so that you can roleplay better. Of course, it's always best to ask your roleplay partner questions about their species instead of making assumptions, but it never hurts to familiarize yourself with traditional mythology. Besides, the myths and creatures may give you ideas for new characters!
-Project Gutenberg: As we read the works of those who have come before us, we pick up on the intricacies of language and how to better utilize it to communicate. Project Gutenberg is a collection of public domain literature for you to read at your leisure. There are thousands of authors and even more stories to read. Personally, I recommend Sherlock Holmes.
-The Think Tank: Have an idea that you'd like to use in a roleplay but you're just not sure it's feasible or realistic enough? Gaia's own Think Tank will help you out. Ask them your questions and they're try to give you their answers.
-The Character Creation Thread by Arcturus Highwind: A great thread that you should read at least twice. Wonderful insight into character creation, and tips on how to accurately transfer the story for your character into a profile.
-100 Questions to ask About Your RP Character: Extremely useful to literally get into character. If you have a general idea of the character's background, answer these questions as the character you want to create. Helps "get your story straight" - really useful to make sure that there aren't any inconsistencies in your personality and biography.
-So You Wanna Take it Outside, Huh? (Combat RP Guide) by Wahoozerman: Since we Chaotiks are a rowdy bunch, it's inevitable that we would get into a scrap or twenty. Valuable thread for both the combat tips, and the list of common mistakes/no-nos people make when RPing.
Remember, you are always encouraged to post any questions you may have in the OOC thread! If you've come across a resource that you think may be appropriate for this list, then feel free to PM me or one of the crew and we shall add it if it's suitable.
