Closed RPs
A Closed RP is driven by the Thread Master. This thread will go in a specific direction, and the thread master will likely enforce this direction if it starts to stray. It will have a set starting location, time; it will answer all the why-when-who questions. However this could all change throughout the duration of the thread.
A Closed RP will always require a Sign Up, this is what defines them as closed. A Sign Up is a small bio with information that the Thread Master wants from each Poster signing up. This will generally involve Name, Race, Class and a description, often times a brief History as well. The Thread Master will accept or decline sign ups, until he gets enough posters.
<A directed, focused RP with a plot, driven by the Thread Master as a director.>
How to get into a Closed RP
Getting into a Closed RP requires a Sign Up. Closed RPs will generally begin with an OOC thread probably phrased something like this...
Example Thread ((Sign Ups and OOC)) or Example(Sign Ups).
This Thread will generally contain a short IC introduction, an OOC introduction, and a template for Sign Ups, you are expected to follow this template unless the TM says otherwise. Put effort into your sign up, as this is what the TM is going to use, to consider accepting you into his/her thread, they’re not expected to decide upon your previous work.
Once/If you are accepted, you wait until the TM makes the second thread which will be tagged ((Closed RP)), it will usually have the same name as the OOC thread, if it doesn’t, the TM will likely say what it’s called in the OOC thread. You are presumed at this point, to be free to post your OP. If the TM has told you to start somewhere specific, it is his RP so it is his rules, and you should follow them. If the TM has not stated anything, then you can start how you wish, it would be best to follow the Open Thread suggestion upon OPs.
<Use the template given to Sign Up to the thread, politely change anything that the TM asks you to, or elect not to join. Once the IC thread is up, feel free to post unless the TM has told you otherwise.>
Expectations in a Closed RP
In a Closed RP, you are expected to put effort into your writing. The TM of a Closed RP, has put a lot of effort into creating their RP, and deserves to see that effort repaid by you, in signing up, and in posting. They have presumably created the RP with the intention to see it through, or at least have it survive a while with good posts in it. If the TM puts a page together, spends his time creating a post that is good, and you reply with a single paragraph of badly written nonsense, that is purely disrespectful.
The Rules of Relevance also apply to closed threads. However, as a part of the TM’s story, it could be accepted that you are out of the way in Howling Fjord when you are required in Feralas; perhaps you are to meet up later. As long as you communicate OOCly and everyone, (especially the TM) knows what you are doing, it should be fine.
Loyalty. This is especially important in a Closed RP. If you signed up to a thread, and the TM accepted you, they are expecting you to be a part of the RP. If you can only post once a day, or once every two or three days, you should definitely mention that on your Sign Up. If you are going to go missing for a week, you should tell your TM. It is considered rude to leave a Closed Thread halfway through, if you really must, as long as you apologize and politely tell the TM, you should be forgiven. If not, you did the right thing anyway, do not dwell on it.
In a Closed RP, the Thread Master is the Director. It is their story, and you are pieces in it. While you have freedom in how you roleplay, who you roleplay, what you do and say, you should respect the bounds of the TM’s story. If he wishes you to go to Grizzly Hills to fight a basilisk, then you should, if he wants the party to flee from a group of monsters, you should. A Closed RP won’t generally be so forcefully jolted around, but still show respect to your TM, it is his/her story.
The other way around, respect should be shown in reverse. Someone who has signed up, has put effort into signing up, and is looking forward to RPing in this story they obviously found good enough to sign up to. The TM and the other posters, should show respect to them too, and discuss any problems maturely in OOC.
<You are expected to put effort into your work. You should try to at least return the effort shown to you. Above all you should respect the TM, help him tell his story in whatever way you can. You are also expected to be loyal in a closed thread. Every loss in a closed thread damages it, and there’s only so much each thread can take.>