Last Updated: 4/4/03

Some of these questions have never actually been asked. I choose to believe that this is because I did such a good job explaining things. Some of them have been asked repeatedly. Please do me (and everyone else) the courtesy of checking here first before asking questions in the forums.

If you think of a question that should be included here, mention it in the Forest Discussion forum or contact me, Salli.

Or, use this list:

• How do I get started at the Forest?
• How do I join the RPG?
• Who are you, anyway?
• I’m confused by “Storytellers” and “Moderators.”
• Can I be a Storyteller/Moderator?
• Does my character really have to be a human?
• I can’t come up with a name/description/etc. for my character.
• Can I use another profession?
• Do I need to have statistics/keep track of damage points for my character?
• Do I need to register?
• I've been accepted... where do I start?
• Where's my adventure? When will I get a reply? Where are you?
• Can my character use a profession if the description uses the opposite gender?
• Hey! The "Last Updated" date doesn't match the date you actually uploaded the page!

•  How do I get started at the Forest?

  Go straight to the New Player Guide! It's there just for you! You should also visit the Welcome forum. (Particularly if you are still confused.)

  Related Links: New Player Guide, Welcome, New Characters

  

•  How do I join the RPG?

  All you have to do is submit a character (it’s easy!) and use a registered account. You need to be registered so that we can be sure that no one else ever posts as you.

  Related Links: New Player Guide, Register An Account, New Characters, Character Creation

  

•  Who are you, anyway?

  This board has two Administrators: Salli Canaliya (that’s me!) is the EzOp/Founder, and SarahStar is the resident ezboard/html/Tolkien/names expert. (If you have any questions about those subjects, she’s the one to ask!) We essentially developed the Forest of Shadows together, although I am the ultimate authority. KitKat Katrie and Aemilia Landrunner do administrative things from time to time. Right now, Joker88, Miraeda Stormsinger, WhisperAcrossWater, Raynewyn Moonsabre, and Ellienad Telcontar, Sarah, Kat, Amy, and I are storytellers.

  Generally, “I” is me talking, although Sarah and I wrote much of the rules, guidelines, etc. together, so it tends to get a little blurred.

  Rumor has it that we might be related. No comment.

  Our Moderators are Kat, Amy, Daeruil, Joker, Miraeda, Raynewyn, Nerwen, Ellie, and Baranak.

  Related Links: Moderating Policies, Board Profile, About Us

  

•  I’m confused by "Storytellers" and "Moderators."

  Basically, “Moderators” are normal ezboard moderators, with the powers that implies. (Editing posts, closing topics, etc.) “Storytellers” are like mini-gamemasters in the RPG—they run individual adventures. They’ll be listed in the “Moderated By” column or in individual forum headings wherever they have authority, and they may have moderating powers.

  We distinguish between the two because we need moderators for the discussion forums, and they may not be people who are interested in the RPG. Also, some or all Storytellers may technically be forum hosts.

  Related Links: Board Profile

  

•  Can I be a Storyteller/Moderator?

  I’d rather you didn’t ask. However, it wouldn’t hurt to express your interest/willingness to eventually be a Storyteller, once you have tried the system. Please post in the appropriate topic in the Forest Discussion forum. (At the moment, we have more storytellers and moderators than we know what to do with—I'll make an announcement when this changes.)

  Anyone may help with story ideas and world development, even if you are not eligible or interested in becoming a storyteller.

  Related Links: New Storytellers, Adventure Suggestions , Forest Discussion

•  Does my character really have to be a human?

  Yes. We do have other races, but they are only available to players creating their second character. There are no exceptions to this rule. Even Sarah had to follow it when she created a character.

  Please don't bring up this topic up in the forums. The races in our world are not like the races in others, although the occassionally have the same name. It would be asking too much of you and your storyteller to expect your first character to learn about our world while following the specific guidelines of a non-human.

  

•  I can’t come up with a name/description/etc. for my character.

  If you are having trouble with one or two things, just ask in the RPG discussion forum! We can give you suggestions. (And Sarah can help you a lot in the name department.) We want joining to be as easy as possible. If you’re feeling adventurous, we wouldn’t be adverse to filling in a couple of blanks randomly, but you need to ask us to do so.

  If you're leaving something blank on purpose, say so. Otherwise, we will assume the character is simply incomplete. Characters missing mandatory information cannot be approved.

  Related Links: Character Creation, Forest Discussion

  

•  Can I use another profession?

  For your first character, the answer is no. I'd much prefer you didn't ask. Possibly yes for future characters, as long as it follows the pattern of the others. If you submit an idea, expect me to arrange it to my own liking, since it needs to work with the first adventure. We strongly encourage (to the point of requiring) you to use a pre-made profession first. Afterward, you can tell us your idea, and it might go on the official list, for you to try with another character.

  Repeat: If you have your heart set on some profession not available, tell us about it, and you might be able to use it next time.

  Related Links: Starting Professions

  

•  Do I need to have statistics/keep track of damage points for my character?

  Nope!

  

•  Do I need to register?

  At this time, you do not need to register with ezboard to read messages and post at the Forest of Shadows. You can post as an unregistered user. (You may see a box for a password—just leave it blank!) The ability to post unregistered is a privilege that we've decided to give all of our members and guests, and it may end at any time without prior warning.

  You will have to register to post in the RPG because otherwise we have no way to be certain that the correct person is controlling your character. If you have any questions about this policy or need help, there are at many to contact Sarah from her profile.

  Related Links: Register An Account, Login/Registration Problems

  

•  I've been accepted... where do I start?

  Someone will start your character his or her very own topic in the Forest of Shadows forum as soon as possible. Keep an eye on your character submission topic (which is something you should always do) because we'll notify you there. Until then, why don't you stop by our discussion forums?

  Related Links: Welcome, General Discussion, Forest Discussion

  

•  Where's my adventure? When will I get a reply? Where are you?

  It's coming, really it is. As soon as possible. Probably frantically busy.

  It will rarely take longer than a day or two for a reply, although new adventures sometimes take longer if they require planning. I try to respond quickly, but it is sometimes very difficult to keep up with everyone's storylines all at the same time. We're mostly students, so when a storyteller isn't around or doesn't post, he or she usually has a good reason. (The up side is that we have much better internet access now!)

  If you ever feel that you have been waiting too long or are getting impatient, please post in this topic in the Forest Discussion forum, and another storyteller will assist you.

  We tend to get new players in waves. I have no idea why. It generally takes a little longer to straighten things out and settle into a routine when we get many newcomers in a short time period. Your patience in these situations is much appreciated.

  Related Links: Player Concerns

  

•  Can my character use a profession if the description uses the opposite gender?

  Absolutely! The descriptions only use one gender for convenience, and most professions already include male and female characters.

  Related Links: Starting Professions

  

•  Hey! The "Last Updated" date doesn't match the date you actually uploaded the page!

  Sometimes I save a bunch of pages to upload at the same time. It means less tedious entries in the news log, and the dates do reflect when I last did something to that page. If you noticed the update date discrepancy you may have also caught on to the fact that I don't always announce all page updates on the news or index pages. I wouldn't blame you if you didn't believe me, but it actually has more to do with not having time for busywork than being lazy.

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