I've been playing for a couple years, and have hosted a few rps
OOC Wise:- I think the most important thing for a leader is to keep leading, really. For something (a member declaring they hate you, an idiot that somehow escaped radar, someone continuously being a jerk, etc) to happen but to still get back on the pride the next day and go on recruiting. It's the hardest thing for me when that happens and I get knocked back to continue.
- A well though-out plot or at
least rival group is a must. Otherwise people end up staring at each other waiting for something to do. I've tried plots that explained a certain aspect of the rp, but unless you make a plot that you can go forwards with, it won't work.
Maybe some thing like:
- a disease is affecting the plants causing it die, thus starving the prey, thus starving the predators as well
- Humans have begun making a city nearby, disrupting the ecosystem. (poisoned waters, lions getting shot, prey being run off, etc)
- A dispute in the royal family, causing a number of mutinous lions to secede or forcibly take control of the pride.
- Forums are usually rather helpful to keep track of bios and announcements. I've seen groups use their sites to keep tabs on activity as well, since it's far easier to pop in a website and sign in to show one's interested still, than to spend an hour rping. The group set it so everyone had to sign in once a week.
-Get a good friend (or a couple) that you trust and put them in power both IC and OOC. It's much easier with more than one person.
- Don't let rule-breakers plead to your emotions and let them off. Might seem cold-hearted to boot someone after they plead, but otherwise, the more important rules will get steam-rolled over and havoc will reign.
IC wise:- Encourage people calling high ranks by their title or "my lord," etc. It'll set those you've chosen to have power apart. The mods/admins can still be friendly with everyone else, but bottom line is the staff run the rp.
-Make sure that the male/female pair ranks are mates. It's easier that way.
Ranks:For ranks, creative ones are better. Just keep in mind they shouldn't be too specific and obscure. I usually don;t have guards, because they don't do anything.) Here's a set up I came up with a while ago based on British nobility:
Queen --- King
Prince --- Princess (Royal cubs)
Baron -- Baroness (An honorary position given to the best of the warriors/hunters/scouts/healers)
Royal Guard (One or two bodyguards for the rulers)
Knight --- Dame (warrior)
Huntsman --- Huntress (hunter)
Outrider (scout)
Governess (pregnant or nursing mother)
Elder (+ title)
Squire [+ title] (Blank in training)
Young one
Hope this helps. Good luck!