Ill take hat as a compliment ^^
Yes, this thought have lingered in my mind for ages now.
and I thought, now that this forum opened, it was almost as it was calling for me to jam in this ^^

here is a base for the different versions.
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for the 1st version. This is basically the "can you play YOUR char in [RP]"

-Character name: This is the name of the pre-made character you'd like to "Hire"
-RP: This is information on the RP you want the char to appear in. A link is required.
-Time: Estimated time that the char will be "hired". It does not have to be listed in "days", it can be listed in "Till [insert plot stage here] happens" This off course, can change as time goes.
[[NOTE After said time is gone, the character will leave, in such a way that he should NOT be followed, this is to terminate his role in the RP]]
-When/How: When will said character enter, Right away, after a certain event. State, and explain here.
Will the character just walk around a corner, and greet his friend. Or try to kill them with a ranged attack.
-Info: This is the most important tab. This will explain what the char will be doing. Is he a friend of [Name] char. Or is he an enemy of the world. Will he be bound in killing a specific character, or the clichè one of destroying/enslaving the world.
-Changes: This is if there need to be any changes to said character. If the character are to be evil, and the char sheet states he is good, naturally that is given. But if the char is to be slightly modified. Perhaps the humor are to change, or the way he considers about killing. Such stuff. State any wish for character change here.
-Other: Is there anything other that does not fit into another tab, List that here.

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The "play this char in this RP":

-RP: This is information on the RP you want the char to appear in. A link is required.
-Time: Estimated time that the char will be "played". It does not have to be listed in "days", it can be listed in "Till [insert plot stage here] happens" This off course, can change as time goes.
|-Then: After the time is gone, what will the char do. Will he die, kill himself, or just wanter off, seeking his own goals.
-When/How: When will said character enter, Right away, after a certain event. State, and explain here.
Will the character just walk around a corner, and greet his friend. Or try to kill them with a ranged attack.
-Info: This is the most important tab. This will explain what the char will be doing. Is he a friend of [Name] char. Or is he an enemy of the world. Will he be bound in killing a specific character, or the clichè one of destroying/enslaving the world.
-Other: Is there anything other that does not fit into another tab, List that here.
-Char: Here is where you will write the character you wish to have player, or link to one.
As stated, it does not have to be as detailed as a normal character.
Simply the basic info is needed. And one need not think too much about balancing, as it will be taken care of by the NPC player.
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The mini bio MUST contain this:
--
-Name:
-Race:
-Gender:
-Age:
-Appearance:
-Personality:
-Weapon(s):
-Magic:
-Skills:
-Other:
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It can be altered to fit a specific RP, but the basic info IS needed.
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Extra info

If you request a NPC, said NPC will NOT be played by you for the time requested.
For that time, some other player will take the role as that character.
The character can be a random NPC already in the RP, or some one that you make up.

In Either case.
Make a new topic in here, that that is named accordingly.
Template: -Char(s) name(s), Job/position [RP NAME]
Template2: -Job/position, Char(s) name(s) [RP NAME]
For example.
|-Jon Smith, assassin [AE]
|-The assassin Jon Smith [AE]

If you want a character names: Jon Smith, that is an assassin in the RP named AE.
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If there is anything else, feel free to ask, be it in this topic, voa PM, or MSN. ^^
Im just glad that you like it ^^

I am incredibly impressed. That template will be extremely useful for Throttle and I, I can't thank you enough for putting so much effort into this idea.

I've already rep'd this post, because...well, there was no way I couldn't. xD

Heh, thank you ^^

but I'm fine with the fact that you like my idea, and are obviously thinking of using it.
So, as it gets worked out, it will be an everlasting (or at least as long as it is there) proof to myself. ^^

I'm looking forward to his this will look as it is completed ^^

I don't know if its been mentioned before but I would like to offer a suggestion for your NPC service :

How about Monster NPC's.

The RP section could hold a contest to inspire activity with members that would include a 'most creative monster' contest. Anyone would be able to enter at any time and those who created usable monsters would have their bio's added to an Arena 'Monster NPC/usable NPC' section, they could receive a point towards their reputation as prize and maybe a signature?

You could also have a group of interested RPers (I for one would be interested) who would RPB as Monsters. You could call them 'Monster Handlers'. Possibly have a Monster Handler Guild and a 'Monster Handler Request thread' that allows members to challenge specific beasts for practice.

Those monsters could be included as conditional stipulations in Tournaments or in legendary matches. A Handicap system if you will.

If you'd like I can think of an almost infinite number of uses for such a thing. Here's a few :

Steal skills now allowed.
In accordance with Red Fox's idea : a story building scenario.
Monsters can be affected by Status effects.
Members would be allowed the satisfaction of defeating beasts.
This would make for an incredible Training ground as Members could be coached based on their performance.

I'm sure I can come up with more....perhaps special monsters that have unknown weaknesses that you have to figure out based on context clues...to hone an RPer's ability to read between the lines? I don't know.

Thats all I have at present, Hope it helps and good luck with your idea!

I sorta assumed that this would enter the realm of the 2nd scenario, where a mini bio where presented, and in such a case the race would simply be classified as monster.

But I like the idea, a lot in fact.
The contest, and the RPB benefits are quite large.

Though, ultimately it is Hera and CF's decision, thought I think it is something worthy of at least mentioning.
And even if it is not implemented as its own "thing" in the beginning, a contest can simply be started by the "leaders" of it at a later date.

But knowing Hera, I'm almost certain he will loaf through it, and make something of it.

@Hera:
This can be implemented as a subsection of choice 2, or you can make up a part 4 specifically for beasts in the "monster" class.
Some mindless beasts, some intelligent creatures.
These might be just as important to a storyline progress, and as F_G stated, they can be excellent RP tools, as one can use poisons and other status elements against them that are normally not allowed in RPB's

If it is up to be, Id be glad to enter it, not sure if it should be a sub section of option 2, or make it an option 4.
But it might be rather simmilar to option 2, and therefore might be best to have it there.

I really like the idea of Monster NPCs, because it would be an easy way to train some of the less-experienced RPers, and also to use monsters in contests, as Fair_Game previous mentioned.

Since this Forum is a Final Fantasy one, we could even use monsters from say...Final Fantasy VIII. The Beastiary in the FF8 Strategy Guide lists all of the statistics of the monsters, and I've seen a handful of bios within Hall of Warriors utilize FF8 spells. We'd already have all of our monsters pre-made and ready to go.

All we'd need are people who wouldn't mind playing them during these battles.

Well, I for one would be glad to, it sounds like fun.
And If I'm not wrong, I seem to remember F_G volunteering as well.

That is at lest 2 people. ^^

I'd volunteer for it as well. It'd be pretty easy to do, I'd think, and it would be fun to play the monsters, while being restricted to their magic list, strengths, and weaknesses.

What do you think about using FF8 monsters, Red Fox? I think they'd really be ideal for this idea.