In Myriad Reality, the style of posting is unlike any roleplay that exists on Roleplayer Guild or otherwise. Because of the unique, first-person perspective, it is occasionally difficult to maintain the multitude of characters that every player surely will have—therefore, two solutions have been established. The original method was to log out and log back into a secondary account that houses a separate character. However, a newer method arose when this grew tedious: the single account character reference. In order to allow another character to speak or act without specifically switching to an alternate account, it is possible to refer to that character by using a colon after that character’s name, and then using a single dash to refer back to the character the account houses, as is the most common method. Some individuals prefer to customize this system by utilizing different text characters, such as dashes, and it is a minor formatting concern, as long as it is clearly being used as a reference. An example of using such references is shown below.
Are you all sure you have confidence that he can hit a mark that far away?
Lan: *Secures a position on a higher plane to make targeting easier*
They should be.
-*Glances toward him, nervously*
Hopefully the reference to multiple accounts is not concerning, as it will make the experience significantly easier. While it is not required, it is recommended to maintain more than a single account in order to make transition as smooth as possible; as the Guild is currently, it is quite easy to construct new accounts, and Mahz has hinted at implementing a system to link multiple accounts together, so it should become even easier in due time. The reason we utilize this system as opposed to solely the reference system is for the ease of other players—in order to maintain multiple plot lines, and even actions at one time (which is especially useful, since we are capable of continuing at any given moment, even when an individual is absent for whatever reason), we use multiple accounts that we can switch between without disturbing one account set up for a single character. When we set up accounts, we change the profile picture to a representation of that character (preferably no real people used for pictures), as well as the title of the account to the name of the character being used. While this isn’t absolutely required, it is highly recommended. This system allows for switching to another account if a particular storyline grows cold due to the operator’s absence, and simply direct the focus of attention to another, using another character. We do not set up an account for each character, but rather keep a small stockpile of accounts to “set up” and change for different characters—this is useful for when a character goes “off-screen,” and it is a simple matter to change the profile picture and the title for another character that is in action at the time.
The asterisks in the example may seem strange, or perhaps even elementary. However, the simplicity in short, first-person posts with asterisks to indicate action paradoxically contributes to the overall complexity of Myriad Reality. This style was not chosen because it was easy—no, rather it grew as the inevitable method of achieving the greatest amount of creative freedom. There are no bounds due to length, unnecessary information, or overly revealing descriptions, but instead solely what could be observed if a being was there his or herself. Yes, immersion is the true goal of Myriad reality; in fact, it did not even begin as a roleplay. Myriad Realty began on another website, in which different themed accounts began to interact and speak over comments sections, yet never breaking the characterization of the themes. This led to the equivalent of a roleplay, while a majority of the members were unaware of what a roleplay even was. But as this chat led to interaction (without any OOC at any point), a system grew from nothing that allowed interaction—the asterisk/speech system.
In Myriad Reality, the only indications of the surroundings are actions and speech, just as in the real world. Emotions are not narrated, nor are intentions, feelings, or the past in reality, but solely what one can observe—the environment, facial cues, and speech, all of which can be quickly and easily represented through the asterisk action symbols. But of course it would mimic reality, because this “roleplay” [i]is[/i] a reality. When it was conceived, for the sake of continuity, a multiverse was established as the canon, in order to allow the themes to interact without conflict. A lore, history, and system all grew out of nothing, without once breaking character, or speaking as if it was a roleplay. Anything that was said happened, and that was the established system of the time, and it worked—it worked well. Myriad Reality was constructed to include even the “real world,” because each one of the actions and words recorded in the confines of digital text are representations of what actually happen in worlds and dimensions beyond ours—we are simply the channels to unwittingly record the history. While we do use OOC today, the prime directive has been, and always will be, the IC. We have all grown to be excellent friends and companions, never having lost a single long-term member as a result of this; we all begin to unravel the inner thoughts and creativity of every player, which strengthens the bond between us. When beginning, it may be difficult—it was for all of us as we started—but the key is adaptation. Myriad Reality utilizes a tried and true system that has never once buckled nor failed, and while individuals have attempted to change the system used, the attempts have been unsuccessful each and every time; because the system has been shown to provide the most freedom, adaptation to an unfamiliar style is one of the key signs that someone is prepared to take the step and accept what Myriad Reality has to offer.