|
What
Happens Next?
Once
your character has been fully created - when you've done all the
steps listed above - you'll be given access to our forums and
you'll join the tribe. The Queen will send you a letter with
your guide to the Member's Only area of the website, which is
where we keep graphics, music, and celebrations that are for and
about our tribe. In addition, she'll ask you to visit your
"Welcome" thread in the forum where all the Amazons
will be happily greeting you into the tribe.
The
Primus Orisate will assign you a Primus Athelfi or "First
Sister". Chosen for her length of time in the tribe and her
knowledge of how things work, she's your first friend and
companion. It will be her job to help you figure out what's
going on in the forums and where you will enter the role playing
with us. She'll get you set up on Skype or other messengers,
show you how to friend us all on Facebook or My Space, and be
your source of information on the tribe.
Posting
in the Forums
Role-playing
is one half of what we do in Themiscyra. What we do is write a
story together, one post to the next, and create Amazon legend.
These are some guidelines for posting in the role-playing forum.
Once you're fully integrated into the tribe,
your Primus Athelfi will help you join in the current story.
She'll help merge your biography story with what's happening and
give you all the assistance you need to join the role playing.
What happens beyond that is really all up to you.
We ask that you try to read as many previous posts as possible before
you make your first post. Even if your Primus Athelfi has told you what's
going on, reading will give you a sense of who everyone is. It will also give you insight into
who your sisters are and give you a sense about their lives.
This will make it easier to interact with them.
We have a "story idea" forum called
Nara'te. We try to keep a thread going that says where everyone
currently is in the village. It's also there to start discussions
about what is currently going on and what we'd like to see going
on in the future. What we'll be doing in the future comes from
these posts and if you want us to keep out of your story or if you
have something specific that needs defining, we ask that you post
there first to let us know.
We're all very flexible and we try to work with
whatever is posted. If someone posted that my nose turned green, I
try to post and work with that. If I can't, I hope someone else
can and write my nose back to pink. Sometimes it can't be fixed
unless it's edited out so the Queen, and only the Queen, will go
in and fix it.
TIP: A great place to read
about Themiscyra's past is at Ria
Istoria, where we keep our archives. These have all been
edited, but it's fun to read and discover our long history.
How
Posting Works
There is
a main subject/topic. This can be posted by anyone, so the topic
will change each time. Under the main topic are the posts that
continue the story. This is where you should post.
New topics are started every 18-20 posts. This
keeps things flowing, but keeps them readable, too.
Confused? It's a kind of pyramid:
TOPIC
- title of thread
First
Post - starts the story, named the topic
Second
Post - continues the story
Third
Post - continues the story
Here's a little sample of what posting looks like.
At the very bottom of the page there's a screen shot of some of
our posts.
Click here to view some unedited
sample postings from the forum.
How the
Story Works
Our story is just one long adventure that
doesn't end. We have plots that we follow, both personal and as
a tribe. Those do end and we move on to something new, creating
a rich world of past, present and future.
Your new Amazon sisters have been around for as
long as ten years and as little as a month. Some know where
they've been and where they're going and some don't. Some just
roll with the punches going on and some are off on elaborate
adventures all to themselves. Where your character goes and who
she becomes is all up to you.
I have an idea!
The tribal plotlines are decided upon by the
tribe itself. In "Tavita Istoria Nara'te" we post
ideas, thoughts and suggestions. We discuss the ins and outs and
decide if we want to move forward with the idea. While one
person may have the idea and may lead the execution of the idea,
no one single person is responsible for a tribal plotline. We
all share it. If you are planning a major event that will involve the
entire tribe, you must have approval. (Example: A war between
Rome and Themiscyra.) Please suggest your story in the Nara'te
forum and explain why you are asking
for the event. Be specific about what your character would learn
or gain from the event, and why you think the tribe would
benefit. The tribe's interest will determine if the tribe
will play that event. Personal plotlines are all
about you and your character and kind of weave in and out with the
tribal lines and with the lines of your sisters. You are welcome
to join forces with the other Amazons and team up to create a line
together. As long as your plot affects only your character there
is no permission required to move forward with it.
TIP: Remember
that your character does not have to be embroiled in some
mystery at all times. Sometimes just going about your duties can
be rewarding.
Posting
Guidelines
Read before you post.
It's important to read everyone's posts between when you last
posted and when you begin again. Reading shows respect for your
sisters and will help you know what's going on and how things
have changed. Watch
where you're going.
If you decide your character needs to speak to Lyna
Bryseis, look through the posts to find where she was last. If
you do choose to move her from one place to another, have
Bryseis remark about it. For example, if Bryseis was in the
training ground, but you want her to be in the mess hall, have
her ENTER the mess hall brushing "dust" or
"grime" from her clothing to show she was working
out. Leave room for
others. Don't try to resolve every mystery or issue in your
post, unless it was YOUR issue or mystery. Let the next person
have a chance to change it or add more clues. Try to leave an
opening for more action to follow or leave at an exciting moment.
Leave a little mystery behind you.
Write in
time.
The movement of time in the forums can be
tricky. Think of it like soap opera time - you're sure it moved,
but you didn't really see the days pass. It's hard to know what
time it was, what time it should be, and what time you can make
it.
We do try to put time markers into our posts. We
say what meals we're eating and where the sun is in the sky.
Beyond that, we're kind of out on our own.
Moving time is the hardest of all because you're
never really sure if you can turn day to night or night to
tomorrow without messing up someone else's plans. Time
information is posted in Nara'te forum and when an Amazon needs
to 'hold' the darkness or the daylight, they will post and let
everyone know. Once the need has been met, they will post and
say so. If nobody has, you're free to move ahead.
If you needed time to hold on and you didn't ask
for it, try to work forward anyhow. Post a flashback or a memory
or just add a simple "Previous Day" note in what
you're writing.
If you do need time to move, but there is a
situation going on that isn't resolving, perhaps you need to
solve it. Post in Nara'te and ask about the situation before
doing anything yourself.
Above all, if you have a question - ask it.
Every single member of the tribe relies on everyone else. The
stupid question is the one you do NOT ask. Nobody will make fun
of you for asking about what's going on.
Non-Player
Characters
Non-player characters, or NPC's, are the
characters that don't have a real person behind them. There is
an extensive list of NPC's at the Roster page. Before you create
someone new try using what's already there.
Occasionally real members of Themsicyra have
left the tribe without instructions on how to treat their
characters. These women have also become NPC players and we move
them about from time to time. Refer to the biography page to get
an understanding of that character and treat them with respect.
They may not be here now, but they were Amazons once.
You are allowed to create your own NPC's if you
can't find one that suits your needs. If your NPC is complex,
consider creating a biography for them, complete with history
and avatar. This will prevent anyone from mistaking your 'bread
maker' with a 'wine maker'.
Technical Notes
We ask that you write your
posts in 3rd person. "She looked
over..." Instead of in 1st person. "I
looked over..." We also ask that you write in past
tense, "She sat down and began to
speak." Not in present
tense, "She sits down. She
speaks."
Please check your work for spelling before you
post. You are never penalized for
bad spelling, it simply makes it easier to read. Please take a few minutes
before you hit enter to put your post into a spell-checker. Tip:
The Google
Toolbar is free and includes a spell-check feature
that's very easy to use. It will spell check any text you enter
in a web environment, including our forums. Don't
know how to spell it? You can also visit http://www.dictionary.com
to look it up. You can also visit http://www.thesaurus.com
which will offer you new and different words to replace your
current choice.
We ask that
you post in the RPF using only the default font
type and size. No colors, pictures or fancy
fonts are allowed in the RPF forums. You can post in color and
size and post pictures in any other kind of forum we have,
however. The exception to this rule are your avatar and a
personal banner which could be
part of your "tag" line.
Punctuation of
dialog should be inside the quotes if you finish the sentence,
and outside the quotes if you add a speech tag. (See above: The
first sentence finishes after the dialog tag of "Deoris
demanded." While the speech from the Queen ends inside the
quotes with an exclamation point.)
Use italics to indicate a persons thoughts.
You can also use italics to show a
flashback or memory. We also use them to translate Amazon to
English.
"Cu ena durus Tae'Nah arcis!" she yelled. To a strong
Amazon nation!
In our forum, you need to use [u] before your italic text and
[/u] at the end. The sentence above would look like this when you
type it: "Cu ena durus Tae'Nah arcis!" she yelled.
[u]To a strong Amazon nation![/u]
Read your own work. This is a very simple way to make sure your post is free
from mistakes and that it makes sense. Your post should flow from one action to
another and not jump around. It should be clear what your character
is doing. Take just a moment before you hit enter and make sure what you
wanted to say is what you actually said.
Double space between
paragraphs, do not indent. Indentions can cause your post
to have extra or strange characters. Double spacing (as I've
done throughout this page) is a clear way to show you're moving
to a new thought. You should always separate each person
speaking into a new paragraph. Example:
"Jadea, just say what you mean,"
Deoris demanded.
"Fine," the Queen growled. "You
are too easy on them. Punishment should teach, not
condone!"
Amazon
Behavior
If you're looking for some rules about Amazon
behavior, you should visit our Amazon Law
page. The Codes of Honor are sacred and going against them could
result in your expulsion. They are listed below, but with a more
modern and forum-based interpretation. Following them will make
your time in Themiscyra more pleasant and fun.
Courage - Show you
can be brave by asking questions instead of listening to gossip.
Do not fear the truth.
Sense of Self -
Know who you are and share it with others. By the same token,
learn who others are and respect your differences.
Discipline - Don't
blow up at someone in the main forum until you have read,
re-read, and researched the facts. Take the time you need to
make a well thought-out choice.
Self-Sacrifice -
Stand up for yourself and for others, but not at the expense of
someone else. Don't hold someone else up if it means putting
another down.
Compassion - Put
yourself in the shoes of another before you judge them. What would
you have done in her place?
Tradition - Show
respect for each Amazon as you would your own grandmother,
mother or sister. We have representatives from every age group
and from a lot of nations. Learn from them.
Honesty - Step
forth if you have made a mistake and own it.
If you do have an altercation with another
Amazon, you conduct it in private. Fights on the forum will
result in your post being pulled and you being 'silenced'. You
can turn to the Queen for mediation if you are unable to find a
suitable resolution to your problem.
Avoid stepping into the middle of any fight, no
matter whose side you are on. This will just explode the issue
and welcome others to follow your example which leads to more
explosions. This is the cycle of hate. Instead, support your
side of the fight privately and behind the scenes, lending your
strength to someone who needs it instead of fueling the fire.
Leaving the Tribe
There are a couple of different ways to leave
the tribe.
The first is the simple way, and retire your
character. You will have complete control over this form of
leaving. Send an email to the Queen and let her know your
intention is to retire. Give her the courtesy and opportunity to
dissuade you. If you can't be turned away from leaving, let her
know your intention with your character and how you'd like her
to be removed from role-playing. You can then post your farewell
to the tribe in the forums.
If you leave without word, your character
automatically becomes a non-player-character usable by anyone
within the tribe. If you choose to leave, or are asked to leave,
the tribe, we will do our best to follow your wishes regarding
the handling of your character. If you choose to take your
character with you, we will do our utmost to give you whatever
exit you vision for your character. If you choose to leave your
character with us, we will continue to treat your character with
the respect it deserves. Any non-player-character you created
will revert to the tribe as a whole.
The other way to leave the tribe is banishment.
Banishment occurs when an Amazon goes against the rules of the
tribe. There have been several banishments over the years and
almost all of them were for lying. When a woman is banished, we
do what we can to respect her wishes in regard to her character
should she have any. Most have simply gone on a journey never to
return.
You are creatively entitled to your character
and her history, of course, no matter how you leave the tribe.
Any stories you created
while in Themiscyra remain will remain Themiscyran property.
They were built for and with others, and are not solely your own
anymore. They will be archived on our website and credit will be
given to your characters name.
Top
|
