I. What is Crystal Island?

II. How do you role-play?

III. RPG Lingo

IV. F.A.Q.

I. What is Crystal Island?

Crystal Island (affectionately known by many of its players as "CI") is an Internet based free-form PBP (play by post) RPG (role play game) that takes place in a real life kind of world. As is the case with message-board based RPGs, you create a character and you play it on the provided message boards by typing out your character's thoughts, actions, and dialogue, and interact with the numerous other characters that are manipulated by CI's other members. Think of it as a sort of interactive, never-ending novel, in which there are tons of plots and sub-plots yet no main characters. Your character is the hero or villain of the story!
However, many people see RPGs as simply a game, which, I might add, is its intended purpose. It is a game, but it is much more fun and involving and can do so much more for one than a simple game can.
RPGs take a lot of work, both for the player and its creator, but the benefits are well worth it. Not only is it fun, but it can also help to improve your creative and literary skills. It sure did for me. Also, many do not realize until they've been role-playing for a while that the characters they create are actually part of them. The creator may not be a dark wolf, a thief, or a princess, but perhaps they share some of their character's fears, flaws, or personality quirks. Or maybe that character is even an alter ego. It really is quite fun to look for a piece of yourself in a character that does not at all seem to be what you are.
But, all in all...the best way to find out what an RPG is, is to participate in one.

1. Objective
That's right, I did say CI was a game, didn't I? Well, the object of the game is simple: to create characters, to write, to plot storylines, to have fun! Basically, CI is what you, the player, make it to be—it's very flexible like that! You create the enemies, conflicts, and storylines, and you create the solutions (if there are any!). Occasionally, there will even be site-wide plots to unite everyone and tie all the various storylines together. The possibilities are indeed as endless as your imagination. So long as you have fun, there are no winners or losers in this game.

2. Plot
As far as plot goes...that is entirely up to you. CI is what you and the other players make it to be, and there are hundreds of plots and subplots woven throughout the game for you to join. Or, of course, you can always start your own.
90% of the time, plots and storylines aren't even pre-planned. Most of them are spontaneous, forming completely by accident due to the actions of various characters. So if coming up with your own grand plots isn't exactly your strong point, fear not! A lot of the best plots are created by accident, no pre-planning required.

II. How do you role-play?

Never role-played before, rusty in your skills, or just want to improve? The section below is a guide dedicated to helping you do just that!

1. Lurk Around
First things first: if it's your first time here, before you do anything else, browse around the site. The first thing you should do is read and familiarize yourself with the Rules. Read about the different areas and lands featured, and lurk around on the forum a bit to get a feel for how people role-play. And, of course, read this section. If you're new to CI, it'll help clear up any questions you may have.
Lastly...don't be intimidated! CI is a big site, but no one will bite you! Never be afraid to ask questions.

2. Character Creation
Well, in order to actually role-play, the first and most important thing you must do is create a character to role-play as! If you are new to this or have no idea where to start (character creation is something many people find challenging, so don't feel bad!), this section shall walk you through the process. Keep in mind you don't have to follow these instructions exactly as they are; you don't even have to follow them at all. This is simply a guide to help you if you need it.

a. Species, Appearance, and Gender: Well, what I see as the most helpful way to start building a character is to decide what species/race and gender it is going to be and what it is going to look like. One important thing to remember is that just because you may be a male or a female, it doesn't mean that your character has to be the same gender. This is just meant to be fun, to portray something you are not, and your character can be whatever you want it to be.
Once you've decided what gender and species it is going to be, work on what it is going to look like. For example...does he or she have any special markings? Maybe it has a scar, or a torn ear? What color are his or her eyes and hair? How tall or large is he or she? What kind of build does the character have; is he or she underweight, thin, lithe, toned, muscular, overweight, etc.?

b. Background: The character's background/history is one of the most important things; everyone has a past, after all. This can contribute to a character's personality and it also adds depth to the character, making it more interesting and, if the character does not tell others it's history right away, enigmatic. The character's past may even contribute to the character's attitude and actions in the present and future. Some things to consider when creating a background would be:
Where did the character originate? Where did it come from? What was its childhood like? How did it end up at its destination?
Did the character go through a change? Perhaps its family was killed or it rebelled against something? Maybe the character lived a perfectly normal and happy life! What experiences did the character go through?
Be creative and have fun with it! The character's background can be very simple or very complicated; it can be very pleasant or very sorrowful. In the end, it's all up to you!

c. Personality: Personality is perhaps the most important factors in character creation, and often times the most difficult section of creation. The personality of the character dictates how the character will behave in certain situations or on a daily basis. The character's background can help to determine how the character would act, what its beliefs/morals would be, and what it would feel in certain situations. For example, if a wolf was born into a Darkwolf family and Lightwolves killed its family, chances are that, that wolf would grow up hating Lightwolves. But, if that wolf was kidnapped by Lightwolves and raised by them, it might grow up as a Lightwolf with views that are entirely different from Darkwolves.
Make sure your character's personality is something you can handle and can play, and also make sure that you stay in character. If your character is an anti-social introvert, chances are he or she wouldn't walk into a crowded bar and strike up a random conversation with someone without a good reason and solid motivation! You may not be a big flirt, but if your character is, stay true to it! Push your own morals aside and let your character act upon it's own morals. You are not the character, and what your character does cannot hurt you.
Finally, another important part of your character's personality is oftentimes overlooked—until it whaps you in the face: motivation. In other words, what drives your character? This one factor is especially important if you are planning on playing a villainous character! I don't know how many times I have created a villain I thought would be wonderful to play, only to find out the character was completely beyond my capacity to play, simply because the character had no motivation! There was nothing that drove that character to be the way it was...and, thus, the character was wasted and ended up being deleted.
The motivation for a character doesn't have to be anything complex, though it can be. The character's motivation can be something as simple as hatred or kindness, or something far more complex, such as ulterior motives, a quest to reach some higher goal, whether it be physical, spiritual, or mental, loyalty...or anything you can dream of. And the character's motivation doesn't have to remain the same! It can change as the character grows and develops, and it likely will.
Which brings me to (I promise) my last point: your character can and will change. As your character makes its way through the game, what it experiences and who it associates with may very well shape and mold the character. No, these changes aren't always drastic; they are more likely small, subtle changes. An easily spooked character may develop a streak of bravery, a self-conscious character may develop confidence, a naive character may lose the ability to trust, a kind-hearted character may develop a sense of cruelty, a cruel character may soften...but the character will always remain, at its core, the same character you started out with. Look at your own life: you have changed as you've grown and aged, based off the experiences of your life, but you are still you, if different than you were years ago. Your characters will experience the same thing, and it is one of the most rewarding parts of playing your character.

d. Weaknesses: Every well-rounded character has 'em, and it's nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, weaknesses can make for an even more interesting and fun character. Maybe your character has a weakness for the opposite (or same) sex, or maybe your character is not a strong fighter. Maybe your character lacks confidence, or is quick to judge and mistrust. Whatever it is, it's fun to act out. Besides, no one really likes to see an all-powerful character. That's not fun at all, both for the player and the other players. No one's perfect, and if you can’t be perfect, how can you expect your character to be? To me, the most perfect characters are the ones that have flaws. It makes them so much more realistic and down-to-earth. Keep in mind, though, that it is unlikely that your character will have only one, though one in particular can certainly dominate the rest.

e. Strengths: The strengths balance out the character's weaknesses. So, what kind of strengths will your character have? Perhaps your character is gifted when it comes to words, or is a skilled fighter. Perhaps your character's strength is his or her determination or strong will. Again, whatever it is, it's up to you to decide, and just like weaknesses, it's unlikely your character will just have one, though one can certainly dominate the others.

f. Name: The simplest part! Once you got all that other stuff figured out, you have to come up with a name. The name can have meaning or it can be completely meaningless. The name can be ordinary and plain or it can be bold and exotic. It can describe something about the character, or it can be decided by simply pulling letters out of a hat and arranging them to your liking. However you come up with a name is entirely up to you.

g. Residence: Where will your character live? Browse around the site and look at all the different areas available, and read the descriptions provided to get a feel for each unique land. Will your character dwell in one of the Kingdoms? Or is your character more suited to the uncharted, untamed lands, such as the Jungle or Mountains? Or perhaps your character is nomadic, and has no area to call home because he or she travels so much. Or perhaps your character comes from a land as of yet unheard of, or maybe even another realm. Whatever the case, it's up to you, and knowing your character's residence is helpful, for it can also give you a starting point as to where you should first post and introduce your character.

h. Occupation: What does your character do for a living? Is your character a thief? A humble innkeeper? A doctor/healer? Or does your character have no job at all?
Well, after you have created your character, the next step is to simply play it and watch how your character ends up or, in many cases, how those that are close to that character end up. More often than not, your character's actions will not only affect it, but it will affect those around it...

3. Playing Your Character
Basically, you treat message-board role-playing as you would treat a story. Once you've created your character, you post it on one of the provided forums by writing out both dialogue and action. It's just like writing a story...except, with role-playing, other characters, played by other members, may interact with yours, and you only have control of your character. That's the beauty of role-playing—it's spontaneous, and you never know what's going to happen next. The main goal of role-playing is to develop relationships (friendships, rivalries, alliances, enemies, romances, etc.) between your character(s) and the characters of other players, and through those relationships, stories and adventures will unfold. Or, perhaps the reverse will happen. Perhaps, through the stories and adventures your character takes part in, relationships will form.
Whatever the case, interaction between your character and the characters of other players is crucial.

4. Writing Your Posts
Here are some tips when it comes to writing out your posts. And, again, these are just some very basic tips for those who are less experienced when it comes to role-playing. There is a lot more to role-playing and writing than what I could ever hope to write about here! But, as you develop your own writing style and become more familiar with role-playing, you'll learn in time through experience.

a. Effort: I can't stress it enough. Put time and effort into your posts! Now, you don't have to be the best writer. Even the best writers among us were beginners at one point, and there is always room for improvement. However, the only way to improve is to try, and if you put forth effort, you will get better, regardless of your skill level!
Effort doesn't mean you have to belt out 500 word posts every time (though if you can, hey, by all means don't hold back!). No. Don't focus on the length of your posts; rather, focus on the quality of them. Word counts should only matter when you're doing a school assignment!
Now, when I talk about quality, this is what I mean: you are in control of your character and everything about that character, and to some extent, you are also in control of the scenery (if someone has already described the weather as stormy, for example, don't write in your post that it's sunny! Rather, expand upon the description that was already offered). So, go wild and get creative! Describe your character's thoughts about the current situation or past ones, describe your character's actions, emotions...anything you like! And always be sure to leave the reader something to reply to! Your post can be long and wonderful, but it still may be difficult to reply to, especially if, say, it is a post made up primarily of the character's thoughts. Remember, other player's characters can only see what your character does and hear what your character says. Luckily, solving this problem is pretty easy: use body language! Have your character shift some weight nervously, or sigh agitatedly or sadly. Just whatever you do, make sure that your post can be responded to.

b. Spelling and Grammar: Typos and other silly errors happen to everyone. And not everyone is the best at spelling. If spelling happens to be one of your really weak points, please take advantage of the spell check on a program such as Word to help fix such errors. And always proofread your posts! It's an easy way to catch mistakes. There's nothing to be ashamed of, trust me. Some of the best writers I know personally are horrible at spelling. Hey, even I have to paste everything I write on this site into Word to correct stuff! So take full advantage of the available programs! The less mechanical errors, the easier on the eyes a post is.
Rest assured, though, that the main point of CI is not correctness in spelling or grammar; everyone makes mistakes, and you won't get berated for them.

c. Avoid one-liners! : They are what they sound like: a ridiculously short post of only a few sentences, and they are many a role-player's worst nightmare! For one...they show no depth; remember the point about effort! Two, they are pretty difficult to respond to. And three, they're pretty disheartening, especially if you just posted something descriptive and insightful and got a one-liner in reply.
Of course, we all suffer from a lack of time and inspiration every now and then; it's inevitable. So, it's understandable if you have no choice but to write out such a post every now and then.

d. Avoid Mind-reading! : One of the biggest annoyances in the RPG community occurs when a character's thoughts are read or their telepathic messages are intercepted. Some of the biggest arguments I have seen have spawned from this, and it's really not fun to deal with. It causes a lot of messy situations. So, to keep from getting your head bitten off, simply don't claim to know what a character that is not yours is thinking, telepathically or not.
I know there is a theory that those possessing telepathy can intercept the telepathic messages of other, for I have heard this more than once. However, among the majority, this theory in not accepted. Why, you may ask? Well, because there would be no point in having telepathy if everyone could hear it that had it. And since most characters do possess telepathy...it would kind of defeat the purpose.
Besides, contrary to popular belief, telepathy and mind-reading are two completely different things. Mind reading is the ability to read others' thoughts. Telepathy is the ability to communicate to others by sending their message mentally rather than verbally. Two completely different skills.

e. Avoid Multi-tasking! : Now, I know in real life you are often pushed to learn how to multi-task, but...once you enter the RPG world, you might want to stick to being in one place at a time and take things as they come! Being in many different areas at one time can often be annoying to others, especially if you decide to have your character butt into multiple conversations and conflicts all at once. It gets really confusing!
Don't get me wrong, it is necessary and fun to get involved in conflicts and conversations. Your character needs to make acquaintances and friends! Your character needs to socialize! However, it is not necessary to be in more than one place at a time. If you feel the need to have your character leave one thread and move to another, write it out. Write a post detailing your character leaving, that way other players will know your character is no longer a part of that particular thread and has moved on to another.

f. Take Risks! : Experiment with writing! Remember, this here is simply a guide; there are no set-in-stone rules when it comes to writing, and even if there were, there are exceptions to every rule. So, take chances! Play around with your writing style, try new things, and experiment with sentence structure, with dialogue, with descriptions. With writing, you can do anything; you have ultimate freedom of expression. So take advantage of it and use it to the fullest! You will learn the most this way.

5. Getting Noticed

As stated earlier, you can't very well role-play unless your character has someone to interact with. Now, for your first post you may decide to start your own thread on one of the boards, and that's perfectly fine! However, if you do that, you are at the mercy of other players. That is to say...you must wait for someone to respond to you. So, if you do this, it is critical that you make the subject of your post catchy, and the content within your post equally stimulating, otherwise it can be easily overlooked.
What is recommended most for those who are new to CI (either as someone completely new to role-playing, or as a veteran new only to CI) is that you respond to a thread that has already been created. That way, you immerse yourself right away in the game and get your character involved up front. Just please, if you do this...pay attention to the date of the post you are responding to! Always reply to threads that are recent, because if you're responding to a thread that was last replied to a month or longer ago, chances are, the thread has died or been concluded and you won't get a response.
However, something you should avoid when meeting up with a character or character(s) that your character is unfamiliar with is simply walking up and introducing yourself. Keep in mind your character's personality! Now, it may be that your character is the type that would walk up and randomly introduce his or herself to strangers, and in that case, it's fine and understandable. But in most cases, it comes across as unrealistic, and for this reason it is recommended that you come up with a more creative way of getting your character noticed. Bump into someone, rob someone, get into trouble of some sort, and help someone in need. The possibilities are endless.

III. RPG Lingo

You're likely to see this pop up all over the site and the forums, so if you don't know any role-play terms...now's your chance to learn!

1. CI, CD, CN, CL, CT
In the order they are stated, Crystal Island, Crystal Dreams, Crystal Nightmare, Crystal Lust, Crystal Temptations. Those are just the abbreviated forms.

2. OOC
Out of Character. Used when you, the player, wish to make a note or comment outside of the actual role-playing that is occurring in a thread.

3. IC/BIC
In Character/Back in Character. Used after making an OOC comment to let other players know you have returned back to posting as your character.

4. RPG/RP/RPing/RPer
Role-Play Game/Role-Play/Role-Playing/Role-Player.

5. F.A.Q.
Frequently Asked Questions. Consult this if you have any questions!

6. LPS
Long Post Syndrome. Official CI lingo, used usually as an OOC comment when a player has a sudden burst of inspiration and whips out a nice, long post!

7. SPS
Short Post Syndrome. More official CI lingo, used usually as an OOC comment when a player suffers from a sudden lack of inspiration and has trouble writing a well fleshed out post.

8. NPC
Non-Player Character. What that means is that it's a character(s) that is not joined and that it belongs to no one; anyone can play it. Examples include animals that animal characters hunt, and whatever else you can come up with!

9. NJC
Non-Joined Character. NJCs differ from NPCs in that they're characters that, like a real joined character, are created and played by a specific player. In short, they're like secondary characters in a novel—not a main character, so thus not important enough to join, but there to complement or complicate the plot. They're also sometimes know as "Temporary Characters", which are characters created temporarily just to serve a specific purpose in a plot before being discarded...which thus makes them not important enough to join. Of course, sometimes, NJCs evolve into actual joined characters...

10. Power-playing
Controlling another player's character by stating that character's actions/reactions/damage received in battle.

11. God-moding
Where a character is invincible, much like a god.

12. Auto-killing
Where a character is killed without permission by another player's character.

13. Hit-calling
Where your character actually performs an attack that connects with its opponent without stating the damage. The damage is decided by the one receiving it, and that person may also decide not to accept damage and to dodge the attack.

IV. F.A.Q.

1. I've posted, but no one has replied! What's up with that?
Often, people's characters will be too busy with their own dilemmas to notice a newcomer if you post your entrance in a separate message thread. So, to be noticed, I suggest you post your entrance in one of the threads that is already going on. Make your entrance exciting, something that will grab people's attention! Bump into someone, ask someone for help... Doing something like that would get you noticed right away.

2. Can I create my own pack/herd/flock/area/kingdom/etc.?
It depends! If you have a great idea for a new area that you'd like to see on the site, post your idea on the Inbox Board, then everyone can discuss it! If the majority of people like the idea, it'll become a new area!

3. Can I bring in a different species of cat into Crystal Lust?
Of course you may, and, in fact, it's even encouraged. Let your imagination run wild! And, if you would like to submit your idea to the site so that other people may read about your creation and even perhaps play as one. Write up any information concerning your creation and e-mail(jaded_huntress@hotmail.com) it to me so I can put it up on the site.

4. How does the seasons/weather/time work in CI?
A lot of RPGs have certain formulas or charts established to denote the passage of time and current weather and season. That's just not the case in CI. The player determines the passage of time and weather. For instance, in a lot of cases, a group of players may decide on a "time jump", to speed things up, for the purpose of storylines (like, if a character gets pregnant, for instance, or if characters have embarked on a long journey—no one really wants to play all that out in real time, eh?). The players also determine weather.
As for the seasons...generally, what I've noticed is that the current season is generally determined by what season it actually is in real life (on the Northern Hemisphere, at least). Really, it's all up to the player. Just pay attention to each other's posts, to help determine the current weather.

This page would not be here with out the help of Spirts Of The Earth. Thanks to there wonderfull owner I was aloud to take this page and fix it to meet the standards of CI. If you would like the origal to look at or want a copy of this your self please visit the sister sites page and SotE and the link will be there.