Taromai

Taromai (also sometimes stylized as Tarōmai) is a relatively obscure term, primarily found within certain online role-playing game (RPG) communities and forums. It generally refers to a specific type of player behavior characterized by excessive, often disruptive, role-playing.

The defining feature of a "Taromai" player is their commitment to staying strictly in character, even in situations where it is detrimental to the overall gameplay experience, potentially annoying other players, or creating unnecessary complications. This can manifest in various ways, such as:

• Refusal to break character for practical reasons: Ignoring out-of-character (OOC) communication or instructions, even if it results in the party's failure or inconvenience.

• Overly dramatic or elaborate role-playing: Engaging in excessively descriptive or verbose actions and dialogue that slow down the game.

• Uncooperative behavior: Prioritizing their character's perceived needs or motivations over the party's goals or strategic objectives, even when those motivations are based on a flimsy backstory.

• Inflexibility: Being unwilling to adapt their character's behavior to changing circumstances, even if it is illogical or harmful.

The term "Taromai" is typically used pejoratively, implying that the player in question is taking role-playing too seriously and negatively impacting the enjoyment of others. The term does not typically imply any malicious intent; rather, it describes behavior perceived as overly zealous or self-absorbed in the context of a cooperative game. The origins of the term are unclear, though some suggest it may be related to earlier forum slang describing similar behaviors. It is not widely recognized outside of niche online gaming circles.