Hey everyone. I am not new to RPs, but I have not done Text-based in a few years. Recently I’ve doing my RPs in a videogame engine mod. Usually did a Sci-Fi (as the game’s base files were Sci-Fi) setting but occasionally a fantasy, I personally prefer at least modern era as far as technology available (by modern era I mean starting around the 1900s when machinery started coming into focus.) As the mod lost players, and thus compatible RP ideas, it started to get harder to have an enjoyable experience. So I faded out of RPing for a while (think it’s been about 7 months since). Recently I got engaged in a spontaneous RP session on a YouTube comment that kind of reignited my interest so I stumble here.

The Typical experience I had was a few guys had factions like Colonists or say a military expedition unit (two or three main characters maybe a few minor and a load of generic guys for side conversations or mindless death depending on the case) and a few would have just one or two guys (These one were typically characters with an extensive backstory and took a more active role in the RP compared to others)
I was more on the factional side. What I did exactly varied for each session but at first it typically was a heavily fortified military research installation, don’t remember the name I gave for the faction but they were adept at mass fabrication (building things quickly and in large quantities), so naturally the bulk of the faction consisted of war machines armed with limited A.I. I would have several characters that were prototypes and generally they were the focus in my sessions. Usually along the lines of another player having problems with another player’s faction or whatever and would request my aid, and I would go along the lines of ‘this would help me evaluate the efficiency of these new weapons, I shall aid you other guy!’. That was my main for a while, eventually I started trying some new concpets and found another that stuck.

The one I did more recently consisted of an abandoned research facility plagued with odd growths and desolate structures, usually had growths on them too. There would be a odd ooze or slime covering the facility and expanding a little bit outside. Near the very end of the facility was what appeared to be an egg and odd machinery hooked up to it, which appeared to be pumping something into the growth. So player would send a few guys to stumble upon the place or investigate the strange growth, typically nothing happened the first visit…as far as the characters are aware. Unknowingly they awakened a dormant organism (not the thing in the egg but a lesser being. Can’t recall the name but for the sake of this let’s call him Jerry, of course he actually had a sinister name but I would have to find my dusty old files again). This character was a servent of Jerry and was hidden from others, acted as a scout of sorts and spawned these timed creatures (Formless Spawn) that could resemble another character (usually generic foot soldier because having two Admiral Bob would be suspicious). The Spawn would just up and murder people whenever they can while being hidden from view and would give the biomass/soul/whatever I figured would fit RP best to Jerry as he gestates in the egg to give him more strength. So depending on what everyone else did, they could destroy the gestating egg (the process varied, and obviously had obstacles), preemptively awaken Jerry while he is relatively weak, or Jerry awakens at full strength. I liked this one as I could change some things around and have a Cult of humans instead. Kinda liked the variability I had with this one.

For these forums I have two guys in mind I want to do a little bit with. My favored, is a bit… unorthodox. I don’t want to spawn a few extra pages of text for someone mildly interested, but if someone experienced wants to PM me, I have three or four pages worth of information about this character, and let me know if it’ll work here. I figure he can work adequately in nearly any genre of RP. The other guy is a loner, prefers small parties or to be by self. Adept at engineering and typically has a small cadre of robots/constructs.

Being new to this kind of RPing, I plan on just reading around for a week or so. See how casual/advanced/the others look like to best determine the one I would be most comfortable in See how exactly interest checks or whatever work.
A few questions though (numbered for convenience of response)
1) National RPs, does it have to be a country/empire/etc. or could I have a relatively small faction that is more nomadic than having concrete boarders

2) Interest Checks
a) Starting: using this to check who’ll bite- what all should I include when making one?
b) Joining- Typically do I announce my interest or would I typically have to provide character(s)?

3) What is the typical time period on these forums

4) If someone lists in title ‘open to new players’ or ‘always accepting’, does this mean I can join in right in or as I presume, pm them expressing interest in joining?

Hey, and welcome from a fellow newbie! I might be new here, but I am not new to forum RPing. Here's what I have found from looking around here.

1) I haven't done any nation RPs, but my assumption is that you could probably do any group of people that are autonomous, such as what you just mentioned.

2a) Personally, I would post all of the base information that one would need to decide if they would want to join. That includes a brief insight into your plans for story, your expectations of the players' responsibilities, etc. How in depth you go probably depends on the category. If you're in Advanced, people will expect more from their DM.

2b) Typically, you would announce interest, ask any questions you have, etc. I would do that first, then begin considering your character. The sooner a DM gets an idea of how many are interested, the better they can plan.

3) This is largely up to the DM. Check the OOC or Interest Check thread for their expectations. Generally, I have seen people expect a post or two per week, but it varies quite a bit.

4) Personally, I would always contact the GM, either through PM or the OOC, and wait until you get a response. Some RPs are marked to jump right in, but even with those, I would probably check with the GM.

Keep in mind that everything I've said can vary depending on the GM. I would suggest glancing through the rules in any place you plan to post and make sure everything lines up. That said, this place is designed to not be super strict, so as long as you respect the structure of the forum, you probably won't have any problems.

Welcome :)

1. Entirely depends on the roleplay that you join. See the thread's opening post to get the gist.
2
a - Above poster says the same as I would.
b - Express interest, ask questions, and ensure the roleplay is something you want to invest in before putting the effort into making a character for it. It doesn't reflect on you too well if you find out later, after joining it, that the roleplay just didn't fit. There is no shame in noting that you're interested but intend to wait and see what else occurs.
3. Casual forum ones tend to operate between once a day/once a week if they're healthy. Free forum, multiple times a day or once a day consistently. Advanced forums, closer to a week or more. That said, there's a big mix that depends on the GM. Past the week mark and the health of the roleplay is questionable if it isn't in the advanced forum.
4. Most threads have an "apply" tag in green, in which case they mean you should post a character sheet first. Sometimes they're lazy like me and may end up forgetting, which makes it a safe bet to post openly and ask if there's spots open first.

The exact policies of each roleplay are, as noted above, dependent on the GM. Feel free to shoot me a PM if you have more Q's.