What is Play-by-Post Roleplay? A Complete Guide for Beginners

If you've ever wanted to write stories with other people, explore fictional worlds, or bring characters to life through collaborative fiction, play-by-post roleplay might be exactly what you're looking for. This guide explains everything newcomers need to know about this creative hobby that has been bringing writers together online for decades.

What Exactly is Play-by-Post Roleplay?

Play-by-post roleplay (often abbreviated as PBP or PBEM for 'play by email') is a form of collaborative storytelling where participants write as characters in a shared fictional world. Unlike tabletop games played in real-time or video games with graphics, PBP happens through written posts on forums, websites, or messaging platforms. Each player writes what their character says, thinks, and does, and other players respond with their own characters' reactions. Together, the group builds an ongoing narrative that can span months or even years.

How Does It Work?

The basic flow is simple: one person writes a post describing their character's actions and dialogue, then waits for their writing partner(s) to respond. This back-and-forth creates scenes and storylines organically. Because it's asynchronous, players don't need to be online at the same time. You might write a post in the morning, your partner responds that evening, and you continue the scene the next day. This flexibility is one of PBP's biggest advantages.

A Typical Play-by-Post Workflow

•Join a community or find writing partners who share your interests
•Create a character using the community's guidelines or templates
•Get your character approved (in moderated communities)
•Find or start a thread/scene with other players
•Write posts in turns, each describing your character's perspective
•Continue the story over days, weeks, or longer

Why Do People Love Play-by-Post?

PBP attracts writers, creatives, and storytellers for many reasons. The asynchronous format means you can participate around work, school, and life obligations. The written medium allows for deeper exploration of character thoughts, emotions, and motivations than real-time formats. And the collaborative nature means you're constantly surprised by what your writing partners bring to the story.

Benefits of Play-by-Post Roleplay

Flexible Schedule

Write when you have time - no need to coordinate real-time sessions. Perfect for busy adults.

Deeper Writing

Take time to craft thoughtful posts. Explore character psychology and beautiful prose.

Permanent Record

Your stories are preserved. Re-read favorite scenes, share with friends, or continue years later.

Global Community

Write with people across time zones and cultures. Find partners who share niche interests.

Skill Development

Improve your creative writing through regular practice and feedback from partners.

Creative Freedom

Explore any genre, setting, or story type. Original worlds or beloved fandoms - your choice.

Common Types of Play-by-Post Communities

PBP communities come in many flavors. Some focus on specific genres like fantasy, sci-fi, or horror. Others are based on existing media - Harry Potter, Marvel, anime, video games, and more. Some communities are highly structured with rules, stat systems, and game mechanics, while others are purely freeform storytelling with no dice or numbers involved.

Types of PBP Communities

•Forum-based communities with organized categories and long-form posts
•Discord servers with channel-based roleplay and faster pacing
•One-on-one partnerships for private collaborative stories
•Sandbox communities where players create their own plots
•Staff-driven communities with overarching storylines and events
•Dice-based communities that incorporate tabletop RPG mechanics

Essential Terms to Know

Every hobby has its jargon, and PBP is no exception. Understanding these common terms will help you navigate communities and communicate with other players.

PBP Vocabulary

•IC (In-Character) - Writing as your character, part of the story
•OOC (Out-of-Character) - Communication as yourself, not your character
•Thread/Scene - A single ongoing storyline between characters
•Post - A single written contribution to a thread
•Character Sheet - A profile describing your character's traits and history
•Canon - Official lore or established facts in a community
•AU (Alternate Universe) - A setting that changes established canon
•NPC (Non-Player Character) - Characters controlled by staff or for plot purposes
•Godmodding - Controlling other players' characters without permission (frowned upon)
•Metagaming - Using OOC knowledge IC inappropriately

Getting Started

Ready to try play-by-post roleplay? Start by thinking about what kind of stories you want to tell. Do you love fantasy adventures? Modern drama? Space exploration? Superhero action? Once you know your interests, search for communities that match. Read their rules carefully, observe how current members interact, and don't be afraid to ask questions. Most PBP communities are welcoming to newcomers who show genuine interest and respect for the community's culture.

Remember that PBP is collaborative - it's not about 'winning' or having the most powerful character. The goal is to create compelling stories together. Be open to your character facing challenges, making mistakes, and growing over time. The best roleplay happens when everyone contributes to an engaging narrative rather than trying to 'beat' each other.