One of my favorite easy prompts is “Hey, got a light?” Simple and plausible. Another idea is playing with the environment. One of my favorite roleplays was a pvp skeleton in the middle of the city and walking up to someone pretending it was a real dead body and not actually Hallow’s End decoration (which I stated it was in the narrative). Starting conversations based on a book someone’s reading is a good one too. Or even an outfit that your character admires.
The best walk ups are ones that are inspired by the hooks in my TRP. The prompt really should just be a way to get the ball rolling. To me, the prompt isn’t nearly as important as the other player being able to play off of it and add to it. Really, it’s on them to set the tone. As long as the other person and you can play “yes and” after that, that’s where the good stuff comes in. Giving someone a flower is good, but if neither of you are going to add to it-- then you walk off and the RP stops. Make sure to keep adding and building off what the other person is saying.
My favorite walk-ups have three conversations going on within each emote: answering their questions + providing additional info about yourself + asking a question in return. Ofc, that’s my personal preference, some people prefer more casual and quick! Either way, remember to have fun!
Random compliments have been a decent walk up starter I’ve received and given. Whether its someone’s weapon or armor. It’s pretty easy to get a bunch of rangers talking about their bows LOL.
I’ve started getting into the habit of having a hook section in my TRPs to make it easier. Nothing super telling, but enough for someone to be “HEY I WAS THERE TOO.” I’ve had a lot more walkups since I’ve added that.
I don’t like going in with a plan. I want my words to be tailored to the people getting them, you know?
But when I’m blanking and just need to be seen, I’ll usually create a small, harmless problem someone else can choose to fix. Pacing with an untied shoe. Patting myself down for a lighter I left in the office. Contemplating the rain and its effect on my coat. Stopping to ask for the hour, despite wearing a timepiece.
RP isn’t really writing, which is the loneliest profession. RP is a give and take. If you want to take, first you need to give. I prefer to give my walk-up VICTIMS a chance to show me who they are in our very first exchange.
I also Roleplay a very hard thing to play, A ghostly bike that wants to eat you.
I set that up like an offer as a one shot. BIG JUICY HOOKS, promises of horror, fun, and that at the end of the night you get a cool story out of it.
Thoe hooks are just prompts like. “Your gaze catches a glimpse of shining metal. Your magnificent reflection on the chrome tail-pipe of an abandoned Mekgineer’s chopper. A single touch, and the bike still feels warm and beckoning for a rider.”
“the saddest looking sidemirror in the world beams back your questioning gaze…Who Would Abandon such a fine vehicle? Perhaps it should be turned in to a guard…”
“When you check around the wheels, you notice just out of sight, beyond the crate, a small glinting object of silver. A Solid key for a mechanical Lock mechanism, that would start the engine of the nearby bike.”