Okay this is kinda important... as a very cool RP that I was in basically got shot down because of something OOC.
What happened was the host asked another person on some ideas for the plot. Player A gives him a couple of ideas, one of them being kinda major (like idea on main baddie). From what has been posted in the thread (which was a bunch of flamming, unfortunately... I was gone for two days and noticed that the thread was locked TT_TT), actually I'll just tell you what happened and explain their points of view.
IN RP:
Player A's character basically puts herself into a spot where she either tells the General (who is played by the host) or dies. Note: she was spying on the General, and probably was a little too close when her cloaking power shorted out. Also, in my opinion had a couple of chances to get out of the mess. But she stuck around and there were multiple going back and forth between General and PA's char; she not saying anything and he threatening to kill her. Player A did not say anything OOC that he didn't want the character to be killed... but in my opinion he was digging the character's own grave by 1. His character's actions and 2. Not telling the host what they REALLY want to happen (character says one thing, player wants another thing done). Who knows if Player A PMed the host anything or not I don't know.
I know this doesn't really have anything to do with what I first said but after the host kills Player A's character it got really nasty. Had I been on at any point before tonight/this morning, I would have put my two bits in during the argument.
Anyway, the host's and Player A's opinions on RPing turned into a flame war. Player A thought that this RP was as much as his as it was the host because of the ideas he put in. I also might add that Player A sometimes posted some stuff that were really big plot twists things. The first time, the host let it slide, as it basically fitted what he wanted to do anyway (did make an OOC comment about it though, but not a "don't do it again without asking me".) When PA did it again, the host did comment on it, although I think it was during the flaming part or just before. The host said that he accepted the ideas, yes, but he turned them into his own, therefore Player A did have the right to the RP as he claimed.
And this is getting a little confusing even for me... gomen... here's the link... Player A's character is Iris, the host is General Alexander, I am obviously Aysu (human) and Raiden (her dragon mount).
www.phpbbserver.com/talesuniverse/viewtopic.php?t=2544&start=80&mforum=talesuniverseI reread it over again... and I think the host jumped the gun... but I still think it was in character.... anyway it's page 4 where the uncloaking happened but I think the main stuff happened page 5 on...
I know killing off your player's characters is not a very smart or good thing to do... BUT
Players need to know a few things:
1. The host actually IS god in the RP, they are in charge with the story, plot twists etc. So don't piss them off.
2. If you don't tell the host what you hope to happen to your character or what you plan to do, don't get angry if it doesn't go your way, the host can't read minds. (this is the character says do this but the player actually wants something else to happen instead).
3. Think before you act and know how to get yourself out of a bind. You have to really understand your character and other people's characters for this. Before you do something, think of what can happen, and what can go wrong. If you are going to do something risky, know the worst possible senario and figure out some sort of way to get out of it if it happens. If it involves other characters, try and figure out how they would act in the situation. Don't depend on other people to help you get out of a jam, they might, they might not, and even if they might, they might not be able to be there when you need them (aka they aren't on the comp), also don't expect people to change their character's personality for a moment just because you're in a jam. For example: If you are talking to a person that hates treachery, and they just caught you spying on them in an important conversation, don't expect them to let you go when you say "I'm not saying anything, either kill me or let me go." You put yourself in a situation, you get yourself out of it.
and 4. Unless the host asks you flat out if you would like to help move the story along with major plot twists etc. DON'T DO IT! Even if you joint-host something with someone, ask them first if it's okay if you do this. They might ask you for ideas but whether they use them or not, or twist them is up to them. This doesn't give you the right to take over their RP.
5 (yeah it sounded like 4 was last but oh well)
Remember it's only a game, and the only purpose of it is to have fun. Otherwise, what's the point?
If all else fails
6. If you don't like how someone is running an RP, drop out. It's their RP not yours, just say you don't like how this is going and leave. Other people might like it, don't ruin it for them.
since I don't feel like changing numbers
7. Don't start arguments. It'll ruin the fun for everyone. If someone is doing something you don't like, tell them, but tell them nicely. If it's something the host is doing, it might be something you just might have to deal with. If it's with another player and they keep doing it, take it to the host, just keep in mind that you still might have to deal with it.
For hosts:
1. ask opinions of your players. Do they like what's happening? What do they see their character doing in the future? You can use this to spice things up in the RP and keep thing interesting.
2. Tell your players what you don't like. If someone is doing something that you aren't cool with, tell them. NICELY. Don't get snippy. Be stern if you need to though, this is your RP, not theirs.
3. Warn your players if they character is doing something that might put them in a bind that they won't be able to get out of, regardless of what they do. go like ((OOC: Do you want to get your character killed? 'Cause you're getting close)) or something like that. Who knows, perhaps they want to kill off their character... but if not, this lets them know that you don't know what they want to happen and fill you in(aka Player's rule #2)
4. If you have your own character in the story, make sure you don't godmod.
This goes with Godmodding:
Sometimes a host has to godmod in order to teach a player a lesson. I've seen this happen. On a RP on Gaia, a person (whose character was a teenage theif) got into a fight with an adult character, a death knight to be exact (which was the host in disguise). The theif character tried to godmod by dodging everything, the Dknight did godmod and stabbed the character. Theif got pissed, Dknight revealed that she was host and made a point that the theif was only a teenager, he can't use all of his abilities to their full potential.
Those are just my opinions.. but what would you guys do in the specific situation that I mentioned in the first place?
Edit: Ari... I'm going to post your list in the other forum... it's good and I think it will help over there. And I'll credit you and everything ^_^