[quote=KabenSaal]
Blegh, if you have a solid plot, a 'this is what your meant to do' you put a timer on the RP. I have seen some RPs last, three to four thousand pages without the slightest semblance of a plot. Just, people RPing with each other and occasionally having the GM throw them a bone. I think RPs should be more like the game 'Shaiya'. There was, on that game, one quest you needed to do, to get your Legendary Weapon. And the rest where optional, I got to max level while remaining oblivious to half the quests on that game. You should think of an RP as Life. Sure it's good to have goals, but don't focus to intently on them. And no, all my experience in DnD comes from DM of the Rings and other web-comics like that. Never actually got a game of it.
[/quote]

Um... dude, the shaiya game description is what jinx described as an rp, there is a big objective, but it's not a binding objective. I've played plenty of DnD and the game structure of a good DM is like this, you are plunged into the world of DnD, you may do as you like but, the world reacts to your actions and the actions of history, like if you play when the magic god died era, sometime in the game you'r magic will go out, and you won't know why, and thats the Main plot, you can choose to investigate and do something about it, but you don't have to. so in my opinion, a good RP needs a plot behind the lines in the darknes to give a sort of, realnes to it, but it doesn't have to bind you. thats my two cents.