Roleplay Points
Roleplay Points and Special Roles in Onward
Think of roleplay points as seeing which roles were available to you if you were an actor. Some roles or races restricted by them. These positions and exist to help create diversity and to bring particular lore to life in the world.
Certain roles in Onward are gated by Roleplay Points (RPP) due to their complexity and the importance of accurate portrayal. Here’s why they are required:
In Onward, certain roles and races exist to enrich the game world by portraying specific narratives and more importantly, cultural elements. These opportunities are entrusted only to players who demonstrate the ability to fulfill them with care and authenticity, as they require strict adherence to the provided documentation and guidelines.
When a player takes on one of these roles or races, they become the standard-bearer for its representation. It is essential that they remain true to the established lore, as these roles are intentionally limited to maintain the world’s diversity and narrative depth.
Cultural and Racial Integrity: These roles often involve representing distinct cultures or races with unique values, beliefs, and behaviors. RPP ensures these roles are filled by players who are prepared to portray them authentically and respectfully. These roles are limited and demand a high standard of cultural or racial portrayal to maintain the integrity of Onward's diverse world.
By tying these roles to RPP, Onward preserves the depth and quality of its shared storytelling experience.
How Can I Earn RPP?
To earn Roleplay Points (RPP), you must demonstrate consistent and immersive roleplay.
Earning RPP isn't about writing long emotes or overly elaborate prose. Instead, it's about staying true to your character’s nature, ideals, and motivations. Using commands like think, feel, and the Journal command to track and develop your character’s journey, decisions, and key events helps staff monitor your roleplay growth. These commands are logged separately for review.
The Easiest Way to Gain RPP
The simplest way to earn RPP is by accurately portraying your character’s culture in your roleplay. For example, Brightfell Villagers who follow the documentation and guidelines for their starter culture show they understand and respect the roleplay principles essential to Onward.
Faithfully representing your villager in line with Brightfell's lore builds trust in your ability to handle more challenging roles and races, as it demonstrates your commitment to accurate and meaningful roleplay.
Occasionally Available: 0RPP Roles
At times, there will be roles requiring 0 RPP that need to be filled. These roles may have specific personality or behavioral requirements for the character. Successfully filling these roles and portraying them accurately can also earn you RPP as they require accurate portrayal.
Concerned About Earning RPP?
If you’re worried that staff might not like you or your character, don’t be. Onward is a collaborative story, and every character contributes to the shared narrative and atmosphere.
Your ability to earn RPP is not about favoritism but about your consistency in roleplaying your character true to their concept. Stay authentic, follow the guidelines, and bring your character to life within the world of Onward, and you will remain eligible for RPP.
Recognition of Commitment: Earning RPP shows that a player is dedicated to meaningful, immersive roleplay and can handle the responsibility of playing nuanced roles.
Disqualifications: Limits On Earning RPP
Certain behaviors can disqualify you from earning Roleplay Points (RPP). These include:
Rarely Using Think, Feel, or the Journal Command
These commands are essential for staff to monitor your character's development, motivations, and meaningful events. Failing to use them limits staff insight into your roleplay and reduces opportunities for RPP consideration.
Excessive Use of the OOC Command In-Game
The OOC command is intended for short, situational clarifications or questions relevant to the immediate scene. Overusing it disrupts immersion and detracts from the collaborative storytelling experience.
Breaking the Game Rules
Violating the game’s rules is a clear disqualification for earning RPP. A full list of rules can be found on the wiki:
By adhering to these guidelines and respecting the principles of Onward, you can maintain eligibility for RPP and contribute to the game's vibrant storytelling.
I have no RPP. Are my characters at a disadvantage?
No. While some roles and races in Onward may offer unique opportunities or positions, 0 RPP characters have the same potential to obtain rare items, stat boosts, and learn advanced skills in-game.
Roleplay Points do not exist to grant power or privilege to certain players. Instead, they ensure that the game world’s vast and diverse lore is upheld. Each race and role in Onward represents a critical part of the story and must be portrayed in a way that aligns with the documentation and guidelines. Playing a race but deviating from its intended portrayal undermines the narrative integrity and how others perceive that race or role in the game world. Roleplaying these accurately can be demanding and difficult as expectations will be high for a player to remain true to the expected portrayal.
RPP is not about giving players power to metagame or to isolate others from plots; it’s about recognizing a player’s ability to contribute meaningfully to the narrative by staying true to the lore and enriching the collaborative story of Onward. Those with RPP are expected to become a representative to others of their role / race and have to maintain high standards as well as an expected level of involvement with other characters in the game.
I'm playing a Stranger, not a Brightfell. How can I earn RPP if there's no culture guide to follow?
There is a culture guide to follow. Playing true to the information you provided to staff of your unique stranger character concept, which becomes your role will earn you RPP.
By applying to play a Stranger you are taking on the responsibility of accurately portraying your role, which is why submitting all the relevant information beforehand to gain approval is important.
Over the course of play, documenting your characters journey if their general life opinions begin to change through the use of the Journal command - as characters progress, or even writing about them staying the same, will also count towards you remaining true to your concept. Earning RPP is about accurately portraying a role: if your role is that of playing a stranger, each one is unique by a case to case basis.