How Do I Get Them?
Awarding RPP is entirely the responsibility of SOI's administrative staff. In addition to Staff members reviewing rpp awards, players may nominate characters that they are particularly impressed with by using the NOMINATE command.
1st RPP: You have demonstrated a solid grasp of the game's commands, its setting and play your character to fit within its unique canon. You clearly understand the difference between In-Character and Out-of-Character motivations and actions. You use commands, such as emote, and think effectively and do not play the game purely as though it were a hack-and-slash MMORPG. Additionally, you have demonstrated to the Staff that you are reliable and consistent in activity, role-play, and have proven yourself to be a contributive member of the game community in your play and behavior. This also assumes that you have not committed any rule or policy infractions for at least a month, or longer on a case-to-case basis on infractions.
2nd RPP: At least one month has passed since your last RPP award. You continue to show an increasing mastery over manipulating the various in-game commands, particularly the THINK command, and have started to use those commands to immerse yourself further into the world. You have demonstrated a clear drive to interact, impact, and breathe life into the world meaningfully with your role-play. You are familiar with journals and commands like dmote, omote and pmote - and work to find ways to use them within your roleplay. Naturally, you will have also demonstrated you are at least moderately active on the game. This also assumes that you have not committed any infractions against the rules or policy for at least two months, or longer on a case-to-case basis on infractions.
3rd RPP: At least two months have passed since your last RPP award. You are now polished when it comes to manipulating the commands used for immersive roleplay. You have also shown that you are capable of using the THINK command realistically and have fleshed out a character that is more than two-dimensional, consistent, and engaging. Whether through conflict or co-operation, you have proven that you are able to interact well with other characters (and OOCly with their players) to create interesting roleplay. At this tier of RPP, you have proven yourself to be entirely capable of initiating role-play and pursuing plot, and drawing others in. Naturally, this means you are also very consistent, reliable, and active on the game. This also assumes that you have not committed any infractions against the rules or policy for at least five months, or longer on a case-to-case basis on infractions.
4th RPP: At least two months have passed since your last RPP award. You have now made it clear that you are a very gifted roleplayer; your character is immersive, making use of virtual NPCs, the room descriptions and the flow of the scene to bring a higher quality of roleplay out of other players around you. Your character is believable and FEELS real, no matter what their circumstance may be. You have shown that the THINK command leaves room for more than just idle musings; your character's feelings, goals, thoughts and dreams might be shown through thinking. You have shown to make a substantial impact on the game-world through being proactive, inclusive, and thoughtful in engaging other players in your story, as well as the game's. Naturally, you have proven capable of consistent activity on the game, as well as impeccable good OOC behavior. This also assumes that you have not committed any infractions against the rules or policy in the past year, or longer on a case-to-case basis on infractions.
5th RPP: At least two months have passed since your last RPP award. At this level of roleplay, you are capable of even improving the Staff Storytellers' (RPAs) roleplay with your proven ability; you are able to immerse characters that you interact with. You have not only shown that you can create a believable character - you have proven that you have a mastery of language, imagery, character-development and writing; even if English is not your first language, you strive to use your words carefully enough to draw in and make both other staff and players care about your story. This also assumes that you have not committed any infractions against the rules or policy in the past year, or longer on a case-to-case basis on infractions.
How Can I Lose RPP?
The most common way to lose RPP is to choose a customization option in character creation that costs RPP. This will always be clearly explained to you in the client, so that you do not accidentally choose an option without meaning to spend RPP. Should you spend RPP in this way, but continue to show at least the same level of polish as you had previously to spending your point(s), then you will re-earn points as often as you are eligible.
You may also lose RPP as a punishment for breaking game rules; typically, unless the infraction is particularly wicked, you will receive warnings before the staff meets to decide whether or not you have deserved a harsher sanction. Should you be sanctioned, you will always be contacted and made aware of the staff's reasoning for the point deduction.
What Can I Do With Them?
Roleplay Points allow you to unlock some restricted roles and character customization options during the character creation process. In the case of roles, you will be allowed to step right into the game in a role that might require a higher proven level of roleplay ability.