Looking for some out of the box roleplay prompts? You’ve come to the right place! RP prompts ideas are abound in this place, so, read on!
Below are prompts such as an archeologist encountering a tomb raider who’s bent on recovering their family’s ancient heirloom, an immortal deity falling in love with a mortal chosen by a rival god to be their champion, and many more!
Jump to Section
This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I may receive a commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase using these links.
Related posts:
Tragic Love Story Ideas We’re Rooting For (Updated in 2023)
Need Soft Angst OTP Writing Prompts in 2023? I’ve Got You Covered
40+ Sad Backstory Ideas for Your Character (2023)
Pregnancy Prompts for Your OTP from Cute to Angsty (2023)
How Characters Meet: Non-Cliché Meet-Cute Ideas! (2023)
Whether you’re an experienced roleplayer or a novice exploring the art of collaborative storytelling, these prompts are your gateway to a universe of limitless possibilities!
Fantasy Romance
In these prompts, magical powers, mythical creatures and extraordinary adventures abound, shaping the narrative and enhancing the romantic aspects of the plot. Tweak these prompts to your preference, and use them as springboards to craft compelling starters or premises for your roleplays!
- A forbidden love prompt:
An immortal deity falls in love with a mortal chosen by a rival god to be their champion.
FROM: The Most Enticing Forbidden Love Story Ideas (2023) - A post apocalypse prompt:
Following a freaky apocalypse, the birth rate of female babies are declining. Women become scarce, but instead becoming precious commodities they rise to the top of the command chain. Societies are becoming matriarchal, with women taking up many partners and making most of the societal decisions.
FROM: Not Your Usual Post Apocalypse Story Ideas (2023) - A demon-themed prompt:
A demon has taken a liking to a human therapist and poses as a client in order to get closer to her. How will their relationship unfold?
FROM: The Most Disturbing Demon Story Ideas and Writing Prompts of 2023 - A utopian-themed prompt:
It’s the future, and the concept of family is redefined, where individuals are assigned a partner, and in some cases, multiple partners. How would your OC (original character) fare in this world?
FROM: Not Your Usual Utopian Story Ideas & Prompts (2023) - A fantasy-flavored fake dating prompt:
In a futuristic society, a character is given ultimatum by their estranged parents to either get married or be excluded from the family’s inheritance. To spite them, the character then builds an android to pose as their betrothed.
FROM: Not Your Usual Fake Dating Prompts (2023) - A vampire romance prompt:
A vampire is forced to shift into a bat during a crisis, but stuck in that form due to exhaustion. Along comes a zoologist who captures the bat during this unexpected predicament and takes it to their home. What happens when the vampire regains their human form at the most inconvenient of times?
FROM: Vampire Romance Story Ideas and Writing Prompts (2023) - An urban fantasy prompt:
In a city known for its vibrant music scene, a talented musician discovers her melodies have the power to shape reality. Then, one day, she meets a mysterious stranger who seems immune to her magical tunes.
FROM: Urban Fantasy Story Ideas and Writing Prompts (2023) - A fantasy romance prompt:
A logger chops down a tree and hauls it home, oblivious of the tree nymph who calls the tree home. The action now makes him responsible for the nymph’s happiness.
FROM: Fantasy Romance Story Ideas (Updated in 2023) - A dark fantasy prompt:
Adam and Eve awaken in a seemingly heavenly landscape with fragmented memories of their past. As they discovered haunting remnants of civilizations that are kept hidden from them, they realized that they’re not the first Adam and Eve.
FROM: Deep Dark Fantasy Story Ideas & Prompts (Updated in 2023) - A futuristic prompt:
A special force agent who hunts rogue androids for extermination must face the fact that one of them hosts the conscience of his/her late human lover.
FROM: The Most Intriguing Futuristic Story Ideas (Updated in 2023) - A pirate/mermaid-themed prompt:
The captainship of a pirate vessel is determined by a cursed pendant passed from one captain to the next. An extraordinary incident occurs, giving a mermaid the command of a vast pirate ship. What happens next?
RELATED:
Pirate Writing Prompts & Story Ideas (Updated in 2023)
Alluring Mermaid Story Prompts and Ideas (Updated in 2023)
Fantasy Adventure
Here are some prompts with fantastical flairs to evoke a sense of exploration, mystery, and the unknown. Tweak these prompts to your preference, and use them as springboards to craft compelling starters or premises for your roleplays!
- A parallel world prompt:
In an old antique store, Character A stumbles upon a hidden door. Behind the door is a bustling marketplace where traders offer unique and magical items at cunning stakes. Character B is the trickster leading Character A into such transaction, or someone who helps Character A navigates this tricky place.
FROM: The Best Parallel Universe Story Ideas of 2023 - A time travel prompt:
Character A has the ability to explore different time periods and they befriend Character B. As the two jump between time periods, they unwittingly start a chain of event that might spell catastrophe bigger than they could imagine.
FROM: Not Your Usual Time Travel Story Ideas (2023) - A ghost story prompt:
Following the demise of her estranged parents, a woman encounters their ghostly apparitions and discovers a chilling revelation: she is destined to be sacrificed in a sinister ritual aimed at bringing her deceased parents back to life.
FROM: The Most Unsettling Ghost Story Ideas (Updated in 2023) - A monster-themed prompt:
A genie is being re-awakened in the 20th century, and is now trying to collect on a promise. But the original promise maker has been long dead, so, the genie is coming for their nearest descendant.
FROM: The Most Unnerving Monster Story Ideas (Updated in 2023) - A steampunk-themed prompt:
In a steampunk alternate world, a traveling carnival fueled by clockwork technology arrives in town, captivating audiences with mesmerizing spectacles. Unbeknownst to the audience, the carnival serves as a guise for a rebel organization, covertly recruiting individuals to join their cause and rise against the government.
FROM: The Most Creative Steampunk Story Ideas (Updated in 2023) - A magic school prompt:
A group of misfit witches and wizards who have been rejected from other magical schools forms their own secret coven to learn magic.
FROM: Crafting Captivating Tales: Magic School Story Ideas (2023) - A space opera prompt:
The space frontier’s crops are destroyed by mysterious indigenous creatures while facing an opposition from another frontier group who harbors malicious intent.
FROM: Space Opera Story Ideas and Writing Prompts (Updated in 2023) - A werewolf-themed prompt:
A werewolf and a detective pair up to investigate a series of mysterious crimes that target both humans and supernatural beings alike.
FROM: Werewolf Story Ideas and Prompts (Updated in 2023) - A dragon-themed prompt:
Write together about the adventure of a dragon charmer or a dragon whisperer and their mentor. Or alternatively, the adventure of a dragon charmer and the were-dragon they’re charming.
FROM: Dragon Story Ideas to Spark the Imagination (Updated in 2023) - A high fantasy prompt:
Once every century, during a rare celestial alignment, a grand masquerade ball takes place where every supernatural creature can freely reveal their true forms without fear of persecution. The story follows an encounter at such ball that goes horribly wrong.
FROM: The Best High Fantasy Story Ideas and Writing Prompts (Updated 2023) - A survival-themed prompt:
After days of floating in the ocean, a pair of marooned survivors finds that they’ve been stranded on an island, and saved by a woman who’s been cursed to live on the island forever. And since she can’t leave, neither could her new friends.
FROM: Dramatic Survival Story Ideas & Prompts (Updated in 2023) - A zombie-themed prompt:
Write about a zombie strain that is only activated during full moons, and then during any other time, the people affected resume their normal lives as though nothing happens.
FROM: Unique Zombie Story Ideas (Updated in 2023)
Non-Fantasy Romance
With these prompts, non-fantasy romance roleplays aren’t boring anymore! Tweak these prompts to your preference, and use them as springboards to craft compelling starters or premises for your roleplays!
- A cowboy-themed prompt:
A country music star seeking inspiration for her next album retreats to a secluded ranch, where she meets a talented songwriter and cowboy. Problem is, he hates her superstar persona.
FROM: The Best Cowboy Writing Prompts to Spark Your Creativity (2023) - A pregnancy-themed prompt:
In the aftermath of a passionate one-night stand, a woman’s world turns upside down when she discovers that he is new, arrogant boss. Then, she soon learns that she’s pregnant, adding a new layer of complexity to their unexpected connection.
FROM: Pregnancy Prompts for Your OTP from Cute to Angsty (2023) - An arranged marriage prompt:
An arranged marriage between two royals who have never seen each other before. On the day before the wedding, one of them decide to fool around with a stranger. On the wedding day, they find out that the one standing on the altar is none other than the very same stranger they had spent the previous night with.
FROM: Not Your Usual Arranged Marriage Prompts (2023) - A reverse harem prompt:
Fearing that his immense wealth would be divided into pieces when his sons marry, a father specifies in his will that his sons will only get their inheritance if they all marry the same woman.
FROM: The Best Reverse Harem Story Ideas and Writing Prompts of 2023 - An enemies-to-lovers prompt:
In the depths of an ancient archaeological site, an archaeologist discovers a tomb raider recovering their family’s lost heirlooms. As they confront the thief, a surprising connection emerges.
FROM: Enemies to Lovers Writing Prompts and Story Ideas (2023) - A detective noir prompt:
In exchange for a precious bit of intel, an informant clandestinely asks for personal favors from the female detective who’s investigating the case. Desperate for recognition, the detective relents, but at what cost? Furthermore, what if she begins to enjoy it, and what if her loyalty begins to shift?
FROM: Detective Noir Writing Prompts and Story Ideas (2023) - A dark romance prompt:
A gang leader is presented with a unique birthday gift from a rival aiming to gain favor—a talented up-and-coming singer. Aware of the gang leader’s infatuation with the vocalist, the rival kidnapped her, and presented her as a gift for this gang leader.
FROM: Dark Romance Story Ideas and Writing Prompts (Updated in 2023) - A historical romance prompt:
A grieving Viking widow takes up the mantle of her supposedly drowned Jarl husband, and refusing to accept his death she roams the sea in an attempt to rescue him. Can she find him? Or will she welcome a new love into her life?
FROM: Historical Romance Story Ideas and Writing Prompts (2023) - A mafia-themed prompt:
A Mafia’s son kidnaps their family’s rival’s daughter due to his eagerness to prove himself. But he never expects the girl to be so handful, and never expects her to outwit him so many times.
FROM: Intriguing Mafia Romance Story Ideas (Updated in 2023)
Non-Fantasy Adventure
Dive into thrilling adventures outside the realms of fantasy with these prompts! Customize and adapt them to suit your preferences, utilizing these ideas as launching pads to create engaging starting points for your roleplays.
- A family drama prompt:
In her sunset years, an aging actress manages a charming little inn with her daughter. But the excitement of a full-booked weekend takes a bleak turn when one of her guests ends up dead.
FROM: Riveting Family Drama Story Ideas - A murder story prompt:
A murder happens in a theater during a theater performance. Is the victim a theater critic, an audience member, an understudy, or the prima donna? Is the culprit the spotlight-seeking director, the salty stage assistant, a delusional fan, or a fellow actor/actress?
FROM: The Best Murder Mystery Story Ideas to Inspire You! (2023) - A slice of life prompt:
A group of childhood friends reunites after many years and stumbles upon their old time capsule in a forgotten attic. What kind of story follows as they open the capsules and revisit their past?
FROM: Captivating Slice of Life Story Ideas (2023) - A royalty-themed prompt:
A prince or princess, yearning for adventure, disguises themselves as a pirate and joins a notorious crew. Together, they navigate the high seas, encountering rival pirates, mythical sea creatures, and a quest for a legendary treasure that could change the fate of their kingdom.
FROM: Not Your Usual Royalty Story Ideas (2023) - A cozy mystery prompt:
Due to a freak storm, a tourist’s itinerary and plan for the weekend are ruined. They take up the offer of a bike shop owner to take shelter in their shop. When a fellow refugee gets murdered, your characters must work to find out the real culprit before they, too, become victims.
FROM: The Best Cozy Mystery Story Ideas and Writing Prompts of 2023 - A vigilante-themed prompt:
A priest takes matters into his own hands after hearing some congregation members’ crime confessions.
FROM: The Most Enticing Vigilante Writing Prompts and Story Ideas (2023) - A spy-themed prompt:
Due to a mixed-up apartment contract, an undercover spy must share an apartment with three nosey roommates, which might just be the thing that spoils her cover-up. And she couldn’t just get another apartment because this one is too perfect for the mission!
FROM: Spy Writing Prompts and Story Ideas (Updated in 2023) - A mafia-themed prompt:
Character A, the daughter of a deceased mafia boss, is unexpectedly chosen as the sole heir to her father’s empire. Faced with discontent from her family, she goes into hiding. Character B could either be an assassin sent to eliminate her, a protective ally, or a rival mafia leader.
FROM: Crime Thriller Story Ideas That Captivate Us (Updated in 2023)
Roleplay Picture Prompts
Here are some picture prompts, because a picture speaks a thousand words!
Here’s an idea: A fantasy adventure: Deep in the heart of an ancient forest stands a magical tree said to be able to grant wishes. Among those searching for its power are two characters from rival kingdoms. Who are they and how will their lives intertwined in their quest for this wish-granting tree?
Here’s an idea: This is an Agatha Christie-esque whodunnit story. In a secluded lakeside retreat, a prominent figure is found murdered. Participants have the freedom to embody any character they desire—a humble hotel manager who hides many secrets, a sassy yet lonely B-lister actress who happens to spent a week in the retreat, a flamboyant playboy with substantial debts, etc!
More about Roleplays
Roleplay refers to the act of collaboratively writing stories with one person or more in online forums (or through other platforms such as Discord) as a dynamic form of creative expression. Through roleplay, participants immerse themselves in a shared narrative, each contributing to the story’s evolution through written exchanges.
The beauty of writing roleplays lies in the collaborative nature, where characters, settings, and plotlines come to life through the collective imagination of the participants. It provides a canvas for literary exploration and fosters a collaborative storytelling experience that transcends the boundaries of individual authorship.
How Do you Write a Roleplay Prompt?
Crafting a compelling roleplay prompt involves clarity, vivid setting descriptions, character introductions, a central conflict or goal, flexibility for creativity, encouragement of collaboration, and a call to action.
Aim for brevity while ensuring that the prompt sparks participants’ interest and invites them to contribute to the collaborative narrative.
An example of a bad roleplay prompt:
“In a town, there are people. Do stuff. Maybe there’s a problem. Or not. Your characters exist. Write about it. Yeah.”
There are nothing inspiring about that prompt. There’s no specificity, direction, and engagement. It provides no clear setting, conflict, or character details.
In contrast, the good roleplay prompt establishes a vivid setting, introduces a compelling conflict, and outlines the characters’ roles. It prompts creativity and encourages collaboration by presenting a clear direction for the narrative.
An example of a good roleplay prompt:
“In an old antique store (a setting), Character A stumbles upon a hidden door (character introduction). Behind the door is a bustling marketplace where traders offer unique and magical items at cunning stakes, enticing Character A to potentially lose everything that’s dear to them (a conflict). Character B is the trickster leading Character A into such transaction, or someone who helps Character A navigates this tricky place, or whoever else you want to be! (flexibility for creativity, encourage collaboration, and a call to action for the other person to choose and decide the background of their own character)
How Do You Make a Roleplay Exciting?
To make a roleplay exciting, it’s crucial to foster an environment that encourages creativity, engagement, and collaboration among participants.
First and foremost, establish a compelling and dynamic setting that captures the imagination. Whether it’s a vibrant cyberpunk city or an enchanted fantasy realm, a vivid and detailed backdrop sets the stage for an exciting narrative.
Introduce a central conflict or goal that propels the story forward. This could be a mystery to solve, a quest to undertake, or a looming threat that requires collaborative efforts. A well-crafted conflict not only adds excitement but also provides a clear direction for participants, giving their characters purpose and motivation.
Lastly, keep the roleplay dynamic by allowing for unexpected twists and turns. Encourage participants to contribute plot developments, surprises, and challenges. Embrace the unpredictability of the collaborative storytelling process, as it not only keeps the narrative fresh and exciting but also ensures that each participant has the opportunity to shape the story in meaningful ways.
By combining a captivating setting, a compelling conflict, and a willingness to embrace spontaneity, you create an environment where excitement flourishes, making the roleplay a thrilling and engaging experience for all involved.
More?
If you need more story ideas and prompts, please browse our Story Ideas & Writing Prompts category!
Have any question or feedback? Feel free to contact me here. Until next time!
