A Dojodian Survival Guide for Newbies...

Embri · Black Spider Blackstar Native Old Friend Posts: 2172

Seeing we currently have an influx of new residents, I thought about writing up a short guide (sort of an orientation) to life here in the Dojo.

Anyone have any objections, suggestions, or comments?

I will probably start with the EC's Standardized RP rules, then add in some Dojo specific stuff... Having been a newbie not too long ago myself, and disposed with a reasonably good grasp of grammar and spelling, I think I can manage this. Contributions are welcome, of course.

Here's the various topics I was considering covering:

Orientation

The Golden Rules of RPing
(An amended version of the EC's rules)

Dojo Organization:

All about Characters

Shine · Posted: Thu Jul 20, 2006 6:09 pm Post subject:

I think that it would be a good idea. I've copied and refered to your instructions to your ?broither/sister? myself.

However keep it flexible. We are sort of a freestyle site and we do some things differently.

"I use qoutes"

*you use asterisks*

That isn't really a matter of right and wrong. Its more a matter of style.

Standardization is good
Codification in stone, is not so good.

But a basic guide would clearly be helpful.

LordPsycho · Posted: Thu Jul 20, 2006 7:42 pm Post subject:

As far as the God/Immortal Character's, I wish to add that after you finish, being that I was the first to start work on the current organization of Gods that now rule over Dojodian life. We are working out some basic stuff about the gods and spirits, getting everything we've known and understood actually written down.

Netdroid9 · Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2006 1:08 am Post subject:

I was going to do the exact same thing, actually Wink

. I'll see what I can do to help.

Netdroid9 · Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2006 1:58 am Post subject:

The Monk, the Mage, and the Mech. These are the three typical character types, although there is no actual limit as to what you can be. Put simply, the Monk uses existing weapons such as guns or swords, the Mage uses magic and the Mech wields advanced technology only dreamt about in our current society.

The 'Monk' is a good choice of character for beginners, because he/she uses existant technology and therefore does not require much imagination to use. Also, your character is less likly to clash with those of others, due to it's simplicity and lack of theoretical depth.

The 'Mage' is a popular yet bad choice of character for beginners, as it is easy to both powerplay and to clash with other characters in this form. However, the mage has an advantage in that, when wielded successfully, he/she can control powerful forces at will.

The 'Mech' is a good choice for a second character, as it is unlikly to clash with pre-established backstory. However, it is still quite easy to use this character's advanced technology in a way denoting powerplay, and it is possible to over-power such a character and lessen the RP experience for others.

***

Grammer and Spelling. These two basic principles of written language cannot be stressed enough. Without them, the RP experience will be lessened for both you and those who RP with you. With them, you will find people more willing to RP with or against you and that RP organizations such as The Guardiens will be more likly to accept a request for membership.

***

RP Organizations are groups of RPers who co-operate for a singular cause. The Evil Council is an example of one of our community's oldest and most famous RP organizations. Do not take choosing an RP organization lightly, for although it is possible to join multiple organizations using alternate characters, RP organizations are usually highly selective of their participants and will not accept people they do not find up to their standards.

Do not attempt to join an RP organization unless you are sure of your RPing ability, and have RPed here for at least a week. As noted before, RP organizations are generally highly selective and it is best to consult a second opinion before applying for one, lest you find your hopes dashed due to an incorrect opinion of one's ability.

Do not expect to be simply invited to an RP organization. Usually one must apply for membership, and the special few who are invited are usually chosen because they have been arround for a month or more and have shown themselves to be especially gifted in the art of RP.

If you find yourself unable to better yourself to the extent required to join an RP organization, do not lose hope. Certain RP organizations offer apprenticeships, which will give you a basic grounding in character development, basic RPing and proper formatting.

***

Alternate Characters should not be introduced lightly. There are a few RPers who use large groups of such charaters, but in most cases these characters have been developed over a number of years for various purposes, and it is rare to find an RPer who can use such characters effectively.

***

Choosing the species of a character is a very delicate proccess. The species of your character determines your character's abilitys and shortcomings, and give you difinate boundries as to what is and is not possible. If you are having trouble inventing a species of your own, a subforum of Blackstar known as 'The Genetic Library' has a wealth of information on species inhabinting the Dojo.

If you do chose to use a character based on the species of another RPer's invention, it is wise to request their permission before doing so, so as not to offend or disturb them or their characters.

***
***
***

See anything you like, Embri? Feel free to use them should you find them adequate Smile

.

UncleAsriel · Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2006 7:04 am Post subject:

I always found TreeSprite's Grove had a good introductory layout for new users. Check out the link; it may be handy.

Embri · Black Spider Blackstar Native Old Friend Posts: 2172

Thank you all, I will incorporate everything. As for "rules", I was leaning more towards "Most people use X for X..."

For example:

Various forms of puctuation are used during RP'ing to indicate various types of communication and/or actions. There are a few that are used almost exclusively for one thing only, such as double brackets.

Text in quotes, is usually spoken. Alternatively, many people simply write out their words without any special markings for spoken text.

LordPsycho · Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2006 8:00 am Post subject:

Message from the Sensei:

"Welcome to my humble forums. Do you believe in destiny? I believe you aren't here by chance. Please have a look around. This guide has been compiled by our members to provide you with everything you need to know about RP'ing, and specifically how it applies to the Dojo. It is definately a great thing to read before jumping into the tangle of insanity that is the Dojo, and a great way to introduce yourself to what it is to be a Dojodian.

Again, Welcome to the Dojo,
The Sensei

LordPsycho · Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2006 8:08 am Post subject:

That is all I was thinking, Embri. Although we'ed welcome more God's and spirit's into the fold, Playing an immortal character should only be attempted by one with a massive ammount of experience, as for the overly massive ammount of powerplay potential involved. But information on the God's of the Dojo, and how people react to them would be useful (other than the Psychotopian's and maybe Father Mac, not many people worship them).

Shine · Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2006 9:33 am Post subject:

Also remember that some characters come from a different "mythos" background than others. Whiteoak come from a background of the Judeo/Islamic/Christian view of angels and heavenly beings which is significantly different from the "Gods" of Dark Psycho's "mythos" we arentl really here to promote one view of gaming reality. Although it is helpful to understand them as a significant number of EC folks work in this same "mythos".

Rememeber, in gaming we do each create a bit of our own realilty and while this sometimes produces some cognitive dissonance, it is also a part of the fun.

Embri, good choice to keep it simple. Newbies will be scared away from over complexity and will not read something that is pages and pages of arcania.

addman · Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2006 11:48 am Post subject:

How about splitting it into parts? if you want to include lots of information on the immortals, history and mythology behind many of our character, then perhaps this should come in a later part.

For Example:

Guide To The Dojo Part 1: For the complete newbie. A guide to the Blackstar rules, EC standardised RP format, and maybe a touch on character creation.

Guide To The Dojo Part 2: Perhaps a little guided tour, explanation of the Blackstar features, where to find information, who to ask, a little about the Dojo's groups (EC, Guardians, Corporation etc.)

Guide To The Dojo Part 3: Advanced reading including background, immortals and mythology. Perhaps some reference to previous influential RPs.

This will allow new people to read through all this information at their own pace, without the feeling that they are being bombarded with information all at once. Just a suggestion.

Netdroid9 · Posted: Sat Jul 22, 2006 6:03 am Post subject:

Good idea Addman, although it's up to Embri as to how it all works.

***

Powerplaying (or 'God modding') is when someone takes over control of another character without the other RPer's permission. Powerplaying is often commited by explicitly stating that another character was hit by one of your attacks, but it can be applied to other actions. Powerplaying is severly detrimental to the experience of other RPers and is against the rules of most roleplay forums.

There is also a colloquial usage for the term 'Powerplay' when refering to an immortal character, as they are often practically impossible to hit and too overpowered for normal usage.

Powerplaying should be avoided at all costs. This cannot be stressed enough, as it has lead to the downfall of many potentially great RPers throughout the history of our art.

EDIT: Are you going to post some information on what you've done yet Embri, or will we have to wait for the full version? I'm happy to help should you find yourself drowning in the potential workload of such a document.

Shaon · Posted: Sat Jul 22, 2006 7:21 am Post subject:

Somefreakoverthere · Posted: Sat Jul 22, 2006 7:52 am Post subject:

Looks what i found,a bit about the groups and boards of the dojo!...which DP had already written out for us...I removed some of the comments which he wrote and added the Guardians.
___________________________
A little about the Dojo's groups.

The Master's Guild
Type: Closed Group
Joining method: Proven ability. Or years of experience. Or both.
Home Board: Psychotopia City
Description:These People are recognized to be the Best at the Art of the Role Play. You must earn entrance into this organization, so it's pretty futile to ask.

The Evil Council
Type: Closed Group
Joining Method: You must email them a request to join ( JointheEC@inkwell.com.ru ), and then they must vote to accept you in as a member. Prepare to be scrutinized.
Home Board: The Corrupted Cave
Description: This group of no-gooder's is among the oldest of the RP organizations. Membership is up to them, so don't whine to the Admins of this board when they reject you.

The Association of Student Role Players
Type: Open Group
Home Board: The Training Dojo
Description: This is group for those who wish to seek guidance in the Art of Role Playing, as well as the Masters who seek to Guide them.

The Guardians
Type :Open Group
Home board :The Guardian's Lair
Description :A New Group, dedicated to something, something, and something else...It's on their agenda to figure out what and how and why they exist.

The Flock
Type: Open Group
Home Board: The Sanctuary
Description: A force of Good for the Dojo, the Flock seeks peace through faith in dieties.

The Guild of the Creatures RP
Type: Open Group
Home Board: The Norn Gardens
Description: There are those who wish to play as the critters that frequent the Creatures serires of Games. And now they have organized to colonize a local moon for their nornish-exploits.

The Corporation
Type: Open Group
Home Board: The Corporate HQ
Description: We simply have one goal. Acquire the Dojo, and it's space distortion technology, and develop it for Profit!

Admins, Mods, and Entrusted
Type: Closed Group
Joining method: Interested in a Moderatorship?
Home Boards: Meeting Hall, and Closed Doors
Description: This group is for those who help do the work to keep the Dojo a peacefull place to Role Play.

Embri · Black Spider Blackstar Native Old Friend Posts: 2172

I'm going to consider it an open source project, so everyone can work on it... maybe with a Wikipedia Page? We're not strictly part of the CC... but we do have a Norn/Grendel/Creatures only area, so that might be enough to sneak us into the Creatures Wiki... I'll ask GreenReaper about it.

MORE HELP THE BETTER! I think a Wiki page would be perfect for this, because it would allow everyone to work on the same document at the same time... and provide a convenient place to host it.

NOTE: We need a Wikipage for the Blackstar Dojo. I'm going to build one today - that should give us a good place to link our Guide from, at least for now.

DONE- The major stuff is there... I'm dropping in bits and pieces as I find them. Not happy with the History section... anyone want a crack at it?

http://creatures.wikia.com/wiki/Blackstar_Dojo