Please, dear reader, let's pause a moment and talk about how role playing happens. Especially in this setting of a 3D chat, with freestyle paragraphs.

I'm not here to expound upon the features of T1 - I actually do not like that system in the slightest. I feel it was designed to accomodate those who want to have powerful characters and get away with it. In the end, it creates a world where characters are ever more powerful and ludicrously so, just to make sure they're never defeated by other ludicrous, over-powered characters.

No, this letter is to talk about post length, and why I personally believe the shorter post may be the better post. In certain situations.

When we write, we are working together to create a world, and not only the world, but its history, its peoples, and the action that is taking place within it. And in doing so, a successfully engaging story maintains its flow through a variance of paragraph length.

For example, when setting the scene, introducing new characters, and presenting a bit of history to go along with the story we are working with, longer posts will naturally be a part of the flow. We are taking the time to establish what is available to us, and what is the reality for that scene.

However, as the scene progresses, posts should naturally grow shorter. We will not have a need to continue to talk about the scene around us, because it has been established already in the first post. The same with describing ourselves. On occasion, one might mention their hair color, or eye color again, but that is acceptable and even encouraged, especially if the avatar you are using is not exact to the character you are playing.

Exposition, then, becomes the normal, and for characters newly introduced the paragraphs may maintain a good deal of length as history and backstories are shared between each other. And for a few players, the length may be extended through their punny use of the english language in describing how their character thinks, feels, and so on. All of this is understandable and completely acceptable.

But now I want to talk about when posts should most definitely be kept tight, quick, and short. Perhaps dropping the need for dialogue, exposition, and detailed description. These posts should most certainly be used during high-stress situations, like combat. To maintain a sense of action, movement, and danger, posts should be kept to 2-3 lines and move as fast as possible. Otherwise, the tension is lost, and the story may end up grinding to a halt when it is in a state that should be moving along to its climax and eventual conclusion.

Stories live, stories breathe, and we are here to help this story, this world, become alive for the enjoyment of all. Thank you for taking the time to read this, I know it was very long-winded.

~Sincerely, Esylana Geldamont

TL;DR: Long paragraphs(5-10 lines) work for exposition, introduction of characters, setting of scenes. Talking and interacting should be mid-length(3-4 lines). Action must be kept short, else the tension and excitement of said action is lost(2-3 lines).