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Posting
in the Forums
**
Disclaimer **
Themiscyra is a community posting environment.
We want to be sure you understand that anything you write here
with us becomes the property of Themiscyra as a whole, forever.
When you join and then post, you are giving us permission to
use, change, and display that work as Themiscyran work.
While our forums are private, our
archives are public so we can share with the universe at large
our community and how it works. Posting at Themiscyra means you
give us the right to post your work publicly. You will always be
credited as your chosen character name for any work we display
publicly.
You are creatively entitled to your
character and her history, of course. However, 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.
The Queen reserves the right to
edit any writing you submit to Themiscyra. This includes what
you post in the
forums. We do our utmost to remain true to the character and
stories you create, but find an occasional need to correct
spelling, punctuation, grammar and plot.
Read before you
write.
Please read as many previous posts as possible before your
first post. Knowing where everyone is, what time of day it is,
and what kind of things are going on are essential to
role-playing. It will also give you insight into your sisters
and their lives, making it easier to interact with them.
In fact, if you meet or read someone you'd like to role-play
with, try sending them an email. Most of our sisters are more
than happy to share the spotlight. They're encouraging and
helpful, patient and kind. They might even buddy up
on a few posts to get you started.
You can also post in our "Nara'te" (Idea) forum and
ask for ideas, suggestions, or someone to play out an idea of
yours with you. We feed off each other's ideas and stories, so
don't be afraid to speak up if you have a great one.
A great place to read a lot of our past stories 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.
What
now?
Once you've read some posts, you're probably
thinking you're ready to introduce your character to the tribe.
Great! Here are some things to remember.
Here's how posting works in the forum. There is
a main subject/topic. This can be posted by anyone, so it
changes 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.
The Queen reserves the right to move your post to the proper place if
it's posted incorrectly. This includes during the archive
process.
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
When you attempt your first post, be sure you
are in the right place. Don't hesitate to ask if you don't
understand.
Click here to view some unedited
sample postings from the forum.
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."
Remember
that you are the main character in your own post. You can write
from the point of view of someone else who figures in your
story, but it should still be third person. (Example: Artemis
looked down at Deoris. Ah, she thought, my plan is going well.)
Please take a few minutes
before you hit enter to put your post into any spell-checker. This will go a long way to keeping the forum easy to read for
everyone. You can also visit http://www.dictionary.com
to look for those impossible to spell words. There's a link
there to http://www.thesaurus.com
which will offer you new and different words to replace your
current choice.
You can also download the Google
Toolbar for free. This now 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.
We also ask that
you post in the RPF using only the default font and no
larger than size "3". 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 are the personal banners which could be
part of your "tag" line.
Read your own work. If
you can't understand it, nobody else can either. Make sure
things make sense. Your post should flow from one action to
another, not jump around. It should be clear what your character
is doing. Try to look at it from someone else's point of view.
Remember that EVERYONE will be reading this. Make sure what you
wanted to say is what you actually said. Re-reading can catch a
lot of simple mistakes.
Do not kill off anyone in
the forums, unless you created a character or an enemy
specifically for your character to kill. NPC's can be very dear
to those who made them, so please ask the creator before you use
them for anything big. If you just need someone to carry water,
no problem. If you need someone to challenge the Queen and die
in the attempt, ask.
When you use another
Amazon in your post, do not have her saying or doing
something that she would not be saying or doing. You won't find
Bryseis washing dishes on an average day. You might find her in a tribal
council, working on battle strategies, or defeating an enemy. If
you do post something that seems wrong, respect that Amazon
enough to take that into consideration and edit it yourself or
find a compromise.
If someone has posted something that is against
your character, send that Amazon a polite private message or
email. Most are happy to correct any error they wrote. Most
don't realize that they've done anything wrong. If you do come
across a situation where they won't change it, email the Queen.
She will settle the matter.
Do not contradict
something someone else has said in a previous post. If
you have a problem with something someone has said, send a
message to the poster or to the Queen. Writing publicly in the
forum and correcting someone can feel like a flogging. Try to
remember that behind each post is a person.
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!"
Use quotes around spoken
dialog. 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]
Leave room for the
next poster.
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.
Examples: Jadea is having a talk with Deoris
in the Queen's hut. The conversation didn't go well, and Deoris
is leaving.
Refer to the last post. This
means you should in some way continue the story from the
previous person. If Jadea is in the med hut, she shouldn't be in
your hut all the sudden. If Kou is on the training ground,
perhaps you should talk to her before you leave the area.
You can do simple
references like: "While Jadea was in conversation
with Deoris, (your name) was busy in the stable."
You can do continuations
like: (Your name) slammed
into Deoris as she left the Queen's hut. "Sorry!"
You can follow the
characters a little like: Alexandra, angered by the Queen's
response to her question, stormed into the Mess hall. She looked
around, fire in her eyes. "You!" she pointed.
"ME?" *your name* said, gulping.
You can also add a
surprise or two: Deoris watched Alexandra go. Too bad she'd
had to be so tough with the blacksmith. But the woman needed
toughening if she was going to withstand the pressures coming
her way. The Queen returned to her scroll. (This hints that
something is coming that the Queen is preparing Deoris for.)
Leave an opening for more
action to follow. In this example, you don't know what
the Queen is doing or thinking, or where Deoris might be headed.
It might look like: Alexandra glared at
Deoris. "Fine!"
she snarled. "I'll just do that!" She whirled and went
out the door, leaving the Queen to her task.
Leave at an exciting
moment. In this example, the poster trailed off, giving
someone else the opportunity to invent an ending for her. She
had no clear of idea of what would happen, but hoped someone
else had a good idea. Perhaps someone was outside the door,
waiting to come in? Perhaps Deoris fell down the stairs? Or
maybe Jadea had something else to say before she let the
Regent go? Who knows - the person posting after this. It would
look like: Alexandra glared at Deoris. "Fine!" she
snarled. "I'll just do that!" She whirled,
yanked the door open and . . .
Leave a mystery behind
you. In this example, Jadea knows she is leaving on a
journey and will leave Deoris in charge. She hasn't told the
rest of the tribe, however, and wants to give a hint of what is
to come. She mentions it in passing like: Jadea watched Deoris
go, shaking her head. The Ti'Sa didn't understand. The Queen
looked down at the dispatch from her sister. She would be
leaving soon . . .
Write In Time
A big issue in the role-playing forums right now is the issue
of TIME. It's hard to know what time it was, what time it should
be, and what time you can make it. We have a whole forum called
"Nara'te" (Story) where we post questions like this,
asking if we can move time forward or what time it is, which
really helps. You won't be jeered at for asking this simple
question - it's really hard to know!
Here are a few ideas and
suggestions to make it easier.
Don't back up.
Even if you feel your character got "left
behind" in someone else's post, move forward, not back. In
other words, don't start your post with, "This should go
before Latrina posted." Just work with the fact that you
missed that opportunity to jump into that exact spot. This is
actually pretty important. It confuses everyone when you hop in
and out of the timeline.
What you can do is 'flashback'. You comment on
the current state of time, then think back to what happened
earlier, as in this example: Alexandra
played with her food and paid no attention to the others eating
lunch around her. Her mind was still on the fight she'd had with
Deoris. You start a new
paragraph, possibly in italic, and play out the scene. At the
end, you return to your lunchtime.
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.
Watch where you've been.
If you do use another Amazon, or yourself, make certain
that the last issue they had is FULLY resolved before moving
them. For example, if Jadea was in the training ground in the
middle of a fight with Deoris, you should not move Jadea or
Deoris until those two resolve the fight FULLY. You should also
NOT move the time of day until the fight is completed.
Make time work for you.
If you
do need time to move, but there is a situation going on that
isn't resolving, perhaps you need to solve it. This is really
tricky, and not recommended, but if you can make a sensible
ending or even a temporary solution (like Deoris storms off,
Jadea is called away by an athelfi, a commotion happens in the
courtyard) you can do that. However, the best idea is still to
just wait a day or two.
Time information is also posted in Nara'te
forum. 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.
Tell time. Include little 'time
triggers' in your post. Things like "ate lunch" or
"after breakfast" or mentioning how high the sun or
moon are will give clues to the next author. If you aren't sure
what time it was last, make an educated guess and then write
about it. If you don't feel comfortable mentioning the time, or
your post can happen at any time of the day, you don't need to
mention time at all.
If you don't know the time, ask.
As I mentioned, post in the Nara'te forum or send a private message or email to Deoris ask if she knows what time it was last. Express that you're lost
about it and ask for help. Remember that
the only stupid question is the question you DON'T
ask.
I have an idea!
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.
We prefer that you and your character play off the other
stories currently happening in the world of Themiscyra. 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.
NPC's
NPC's are 'non-player characters', or 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 something
new, look for something that's already there. You might be
surprised at what you find.
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'.
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.
You are creatively entitled to your character
and her history, of course. However, 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.
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