Shadowlight - Some Friendly Tips, Rules of Thumb, and Guidelines

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Jul 31, 2010, 5:10pm

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WHAT IS SHADOWLIGHT?
All throughout human history, everywhere around the world, the belief in "other worlds" has existed side by side with the belief in magic and the supernatural. In fact, these two are one and the same. The Shadowlight is the world in-between that binds all other mythical Otherworlds together. It is intertwined with ours, yet unless you possess the gift of magic, it cannot be perceived. And magic and life flow from it.

THE PLOT SO FAR
The year is 2012. After the explosive and public 20th century, things have settled down. The old covens remain safely secret, the Guardians still keep watch. But the young defy the Laws of Secrecy, and everywhere there's rumors of dark magic. On All Hallows Eve the year shall "die" to lie entombed till it's once again reborn. Winter Solstice is the day, Fate and Time be squared and met.

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Shadowlight :: Informational Section :: What You'll Need To Know :: Some Friendly Tips, Rules of Thumb, and Guidelines

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Topic: Some Friendly Tips, Rules of Thumb, and Guidelines (Read 52 times)

The Shadowlight
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Some Friendly Tips, Rules of Thumb, and Guidelines
« Thread Started on Apr 27, 2008, 8:59pm »

I started out calling this thread "Rules & Guidelines" and they just piled up and became quite formidable. So, I have swung in the opposite direction and will now present to you something... easier to digest and not as imposing.

Generally speaking: RULES are to be followed, and there will be consequences if they're not. Of course, it's for the best, our little contract (our 'Terms of Agreement') that we function by. Don't worry, we're not here to punish, but neither are the rules there to be ignored or laughed at. Got it? GUIDELINES are "softer" than rules, and are only those things we wish to see happen in the RPG. They're meant to help you, to guide you as you first come in. TIPS are just friendly reminders that we've dropped here and there for you.

~*~*~

These are the only real RULES you have to follow, so please pay attention:

a) Please, always be courteous and respectful of others. Does it require a lengthy explanation? No. I think ya'll know what I'm talking 'bout. If the Admins witness this sort of misconduct, you will be warned, or worse if rude/disruptive behavior persists.

b) In-Character sections are for role-playing. Please, keep all OOC chatter to a minimum. You can always post a thread in the Discussion Area for that.

c) The number of characters you create is up to you. However, make sure you can handle them!

d) Posting length--quite an issue. We'd like to consider ourselves an "advanced" role playing site. That means somewhere around four to five paragraphs, three to five sentences each. It is true, however, that sometimes we're just 'bleh' and can't get out a good reply. Oh well--two paragraphs minimum, and you better not repeat that often!

e) We are, for all intents and purposes, a "mature" RPG. Therefore, do not be shocked to see adult language, situations, violence, and/or references to sex and other particular details. But, by the same token, don't over do it. The key is balance, and tastefulness.

ON RESTRICTED AND FORBIDDEN CHARACTERS

a) At first, there will be a few types of magic users that will either be restricted, or "forbidden" from play. That is not to say it is written in stone. If you'd really like a certain character, and have a great idea for him or her, please contact the Admins. We'll discuss it with you and we'll reach some sort of agreement.

b) The following types of characters are restricted: Masters, Shamans, Shadowlight spirits, and Deadwalkers. Restricted means "not for everyone" and also only 1/3 of your total characters. So, if you prove yourself competent to play restricted characters, but have only 2 to 3 characters playing thus far, you will only be allowed 1. The way you prove yourself competent to play restricted characters is simple: be active for a while with good/high quality posts.

c) The following types of characters are forbidden: gods, goddesses, or unusually powerful spirits/creatures. For obvious reasons. You can, however, include them as NPC's with limited interaction. Notice how we did not outright forbid spirits (but only restricted them, above). At certain times during specific plots, in the future, one or two of these forbidden characters will free up to be played and instead become restricted characters. Look to the Announcements, we'll let you know there when the time is appropriate.

~*~*~

These are the GUIDELINES that I was speaking of, only meant to guide you in certain aspects of the forum. (From here on out all these bullets (including the TIPS) can be changed in the future, moved up to either RULE status, or bumped down to TIP status.)

a) Display names should include your character's full name. You can either abbreviate or spell out any possible middle names, as you wish. But please, no more than just the name.

b) Make sure to mark all Out Of Character passages in In-Character sections, somehow. (Example: OOC:, (()), [[]], etc.)

c) Avatars should be no larger than 100x100 (in fact, those are the enforced parameters for Proboards). Signatures should be 500x200, or less. Character pictures cannot be more than 500 pixels wide. Anything more than that will stretch the layout of the pages and make it ugly.

d) When you apply for a character, you might be asked to change/fix a few things here and there, or to redo entire sections. We're not picking on you, we're just trying to get a good picture/idea of who your character is and what he or she has been through. It is your responsibility to be as thorough as possible with all applications. Notice: thorough, not unbearably long. Spellcheck is a blessing, use it. Remember that for the most part, your Character Application *is* our clue to how you role play. Make sure we get a good impression from it!

e) Since some people find it so offensive, actual sex will not be open to the public. There will be a separate section for all material deemed anywhere near NC-17, and it will be password protected. Since this is not a porn site, the password will only be given to those whose role playing is that section itself. NO PEEPING!

~*~*~

And finally, here are the TIPS we want to share with you!

a) Remember to place the date the thread is happening at the very top. For example, something like [April 27, 2012] will do. That is, not our current date, but the forum's. Believe me, it helps with the timelines of plots and things.

b) When naming your character, please ensure it is original? I know sometimes we're stumped for a proper name, but there are so many out there, it shouldn't really be an excuse!

c) Be as original as possible when creating your characters. Include all that in your Application. That's what it is for. Don't feel rushed, get it all down. If later on you discover something new, add it. And if we catch you stealing plots and stories from obvious, well-known sources, you'll be in trouble.

d) All human beings, and by extension, all our characters are flawed in some way or another. Some are more flawed than others, granted, but none is perfect. Heck, not even the gods are perfect. Praise their attributes, yes. But treat their flaws like good gossip: share it!

e) It is very sad to create a character that is only going to get one use through you. If you feel that's going to happen, if you do not have some sort of long, complicated, and drawn out plot idea for the character, STOP. There is a section where you can request other people to adopt character ideas you've come up with. Post it there, see what happens. Who knows? You might think of exactly what someone was planning for. Consequently, if a character of yours has gone inactive for whatever reason: there is a similar section where you can brain storm plot ideas with others, and create or join existing ones.

f) Posting frequency--another issue. To put it quite simply: time is ticking by. If you start a thread with someone else, but take forever to reply or finish it, chances are it will die on you and never get done. Not to mention it is rude to the other person, who might be more prompt with their replies.

g) The number of active posts at any one time, with any one character, is up to you. But, a word of caution: don't make it so confusing you're mixing stuff up.

h) And finally, last but not least: for God's sakes have fun!

« Last Edit: May 26, 2008, 9:28pm by The Shadowlight »

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