Is your character quiet, shy, or reclusive?!
Are they anti-social, poor conversation starters, or do they just prefer being alone?!
This is the thread for you!
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In a slightly mutilated nutshell, this thread is a "place" where you can swap ideas and methods for throwing the quieter characters headfirst into RP situations... Whether they like it or not.
For example, my character, Faelin, is generally quite solitary, and that can sometimes make it a challenge to get involved in RPs that more sociable characters can simply waltz directly into. So, sometimes I have to rely on methods other than our classic: "Greetings, stranger!" in order to RP, and I am going to attempt to explain them somewhat logically for you below.
One such method is to be sure to give detailed descriptions of your character's actions whilst you are silent. If what they are doing is of interest to other characters, somebody is bound to question them about it, or else comment on their actions; potentially starting a conversation.
Another way to get involved is to pay attention to nearby RPs. If somebody else's character says, does, or implies something that might incite a reaction from your own - do not just ignore it.
If they say something that your character finds offensive, you can always go for the good old *scowls*, *twitches irritably*, or indicate their annoyance in some other manner. Likewise, if your character overhears something of particular interest to them, don't just shift-click behind a wall - actually RP them taking an interest, and moving closer to listen. If they do not intend to be seen, it can be especially funny if they are discovered, forcing the character to either talk their way out of trouble, or to attempt to run away.
These are the ones I use most often in order to RP with characters my own character has not met before, and - though they give varying degrees of success - they generally manage to get my character talking.
I hope this was somewhat helpful, and if you have any more advice for the players of similar characters, please feel free to throw it all into the comments box.