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Post by S p e c t r a on Mar 2, 2008 16:38:03 GMT -5
Frequently Asked Questions
Note: Most browsers have a Ctrl+F function that allows you to search for a word. This can help you find the question/answer you're looking for more quickly.
I can't find the password in the rules. Is it there?
Yes. Read through them carefully, and don't skip any sections. It's not hidden in any way.
I can't find the joining form. Where is it?
The joining form isn't under the individual sub-boards for your character's type (Tartarus's Legions, The Captives, The Resistance, The Secret Keepers). It's under the main board that contains those four sub-boards: Join the Ranks. It's called Joining Form, and is the only topic in that board. Please use it and pay attention to it while creating your character application.
What breeds do you allow?
Any real breed of horse is allowed, just no mythicals. Ponies are allowed. Zebras aren't allowed because this isn't a savannah climate. No donkeys or mules either, unless you PM me for permission and I think you're ready to play one really well.
What if I don't have the time or muse to post 400 words?
It's not actually that much, I post over 800 words all the time. You just have to develop your character more, describe their surroundings, their appearance, their past. Sometimes it's just a case of sitting there long enough to put enough info down, but it helps us learn about your character and makes them more interesting. That way you will get detailed replies in return, and it'll make others want to RP with your character. So if you don't think you have the time to post 400 words, just save it on your computer and come back to finish it later. Or you can post it with "incomplete" boldly stated at the top or bottom. Next time you're on you can finish what you started! It'll be worth it, and it'll make you a better writer.
Do the Keepers have any special powers?
No. They're just special guardians of the Haven of Hesperides. The only thing that separates them from ordinary equines is that they feel no greed or hatred, and aren't overly emotional. They're very calm about everything, at least on the outside. Though playing an excitable Keeper that the others regard as a little strange would also be a good idea.
Can my character be in multiple threads at once?
Yes, of course! Just try not to confuse the continuity too much. Keep it straight in your mind which thread takes place first in the grand scheme of things, they cannot be simultaneous.
No one's joining my thread. What do I do?
Try adding some more detail to make sure it'll interest people more easily. If that's not the problem, maybe you just need to get out there! Some people are a bit wary about jumping into threads with members they're never encountered before, since they figure you might just vanish and leave them hanging, wasting the effort they put into replying to your post. Hang around, chat in the CBox and play some games in the Mingle board. And go ahead and bump your thread (within reason) to let people know you're still around and wanting replies. Adding [open] to your thread title also encourages random people to jump in. And, of course, a little self-promotion is always helpful. Post in the Join my Thread sub-board to point people to your thread!
Aren't the northerners basically darks and the southerners basically lights?
Not at all. Unlike your average equine RP (of which there are hundreds) The Secret isn't about Light vs Dark. You can have a northern draft who's a real softie, but he's going to have to pretend to be tough around the others because their society is based on strength. They conquer through violence. That may seem dark, but they aren't necessarily evil. The southern equines don't have to be light at all, they just tend to be a little happier than the Weaklanders because they're free and don't get beaten up all the time. Take Theseus as proof, though, that they aren't happy-go-lucky. He's a tortured soul, anti-social, awkward and unwelcoming. Sounds more neutral than anything. Really it's just about different shades of neutrality. Even Tartarus himself isn't truly evil, he's just mentally unbalanced and thinks that violence is the only way he can get through to others. He still tells himself he's trying to get the object for the greater good. He believes it too.
Are all northerners drafts?
Yes. Northern horses must have feathering (and therefore some draft blood) to withstand the cold climate. But you can also find strong stallions crossed with other breeds that were taken up north when they were colts to join Tartarus's army, and strong part-draft mares who either were claimed by northern stallions in the Windswept Plains or were taken up north when they were fillies. They are strong because the weak ones were left in the Weaklands or killed. Most of those taken up north from their youth are draft mixes, since they have been sired from the northern stallions that breed with the Weakland mares. They must have at least some feathering and a heavy build to withstand the harsh climate.
Tartarus and Adamanthea have no draft blood, but they survive by staying in the caves.
Does my character have to stay the category/alliance I created them as?
No. Weaklanders can escape to the South, Southern mares in the Windswept Plains can be dragged to the Weaklands. Northerners tend not to change because they are naturally strong and fierce, though they can make the Weaklands their home by choice.
Does my character have to stay in its area (North, Weaklands, South, Haven)?
Depends. Northern equines can freely roam the north and Weaklands. Weaklanders cannot leave the Weaklands unless they manage to escape to the south, which isn't super-common. Groups of horses have a better chance of overcoming whoever tries to stop them. Southern equines can go where they please, but returning from the Weaklands isn't the easiest task, they can't survive in the north, and hanging around outside the Haven isn't the most fun. Keepers are also allowed to go where they please, though they prefer the safety of home. Also, they don't go north cause it horrifies them. Any equines may go to the Windswept Plains and Ancient Ruins, but captive Weaklanders' travels outside the Weaklands are very limited. Exceptions can be made for awesome sub-plots.
What kinds of equines can claim/be claimed in the Windswept Plains?
Weaklanders:
can claim: no. They are of low rank and can have a love in the Weaklands, but ultimately they have no claim over them. If they're lucky, the draft stallions will leave them alone in breeding season, but only if they have bred.
claimable: yes. A northern stallion can force a submissive or weaker stallion to go to the Weaklands. They can resist, but will likely get beaten up. Mares can try to resist, but if no one comes to save them from the draft tyrant trying to claim them then they must go to the Weaklands.
Keepers[/u]
can claim: no They seldom take mates and live in equality under the guidance of the Elders. They have no material possessions.
claimable: no Just no. If you want to create drama with a stallion trying to claim a Keeper mare, go ahead, but get admin approval for your idea first.
Southern Equines[/u]
can claim: yes Southern stallions can come to the Windswept Plains to "rescue" mares and bring them into the free south, as well as claiming mares that are already in the South.
claimable: yes Southern mares can be claimed in the Windswept Plains or within the southern lands.
Northern Equines[/u]
can claim: yes Weakland mares can be taken to the Weaklands by northern stallions. Northern mares can be claimed on the Plains as well, but they are strong and unruly and probably won't agree to follow any other but a strong northern stallion.
claimable: yes Northern mares can be claimed in the Windswept Plains or within the northern lands.
I'm waiting on people to reply and it's taking them a long time. What do I do?
There's nothing you can really do to speed them up; they're probably really busy or low on muse. Read over your last post. Is it exciting? Is there some sort of reaction or interaction the other character can do? If not, you haven't given them much to refer to in their reply. That could be what takes them longer. In my case, it's usually because I want to put enough effort in to give a long enough reply with enough information in it. In the meantime, you can create another character and RP with other members (once the character is approved). Or you can create another thread, maybe in another location, with the same character. Playing OOC games in the Mingle board is also fun while you're waiting for a chance to post.
What season is it?
There isn't a set/changing season here. You can breed whenever, foal as soon as you've waited long enough (and got your foal stats), and you can make up the weather in each individual thread. In general, though, it's cold in the north and warm in the south. The Weaklands tend to get a bit chilly at night but isn't too bad during the day. I'm giving you free reign with this, so go ahead, have a hurricane in one of your topics. Just keep it within reason. If you're not sure what's reasonable, PM me and ask.
How does my stallion claim land?
If he's not a southern stallion, he can't. The north doesn't really have any "prime real estate", so none of them bother staking out particular areas as their own. They just go where they please, and their herd goes with them. Weaklands stallions can't claim anything, not even mares. They'd get killed for trying. Southern stallions have to challenge land-owning stallions to try to get their land. Be sure to check out which players haven't logged on recently and haven't posted an away notice in the Vacations board (under Mingle), your stallion could win their land by default if they don't respond to your challenge post.
My mare's stallion has gone inactive. What do I do?
Well, unfortunately sometimes people go inactive without telling us. It sucks, but it happens. Try to be patient and focus on your other characters, and even play your mare as if she's looking for her stallion (who has disappeared) and can't find him. Then, if the stallion's player hasn't been on in, say, a month or something, then your mare can head back to the Windswept Plains and find a new stallion.
At what age will my character die?
I figure people will choose to let their characters die when it makes sense. You can have them be killed in a fight with another character, die of some illness, or just pass away peacefully in their sleep. Most horses don't live much longer than their early twenties, but Keepers live a very stress-free life and don't fight, so they tend to live longer. I have no set aging scheme because I find those tiresome (like set season changes and all that).
If a mare is bred, does she have to get pregnant?
Yes. A mare usually foals after she is bred, though on occasion failed pregnancies and stillbirths can occur. If you don't want a foal, don't breed. Or find someone else to play the foal (more below).
Do foals count towards the 5-character limit?
The foal, since it will grow up to be a full-blown character, counts towards the character count of whoever ends up playing it. You can ask if there are any players interested in playing your foal. You can also ask for permission to have more than 5, if you can keep them active.
What do I put in an audition PM?
Read up on the character you're trying out for (auditions details can be found in the Need to Know board, open auditions are made announcements). Then PM me a post in that character that's around your usual posting length (I check everyone to see what their usual is).
Any more questions? Ask away, that's what this board is for!
[/size]
Note: Most browsers have a Ctrl+F function that allows you to search for a word. This can help you find the question/answer you're looking for more quickly.
I can't find the password in the rules. Is it there?
Yes. Read through them carefully, and don't skip any sections. It's not hidden in any way.
I can't find the joining form. Where is it?
The joining form isn't under the individual sub-boards for your character's type (Tartarus's Legions, The Captives, The Resistance, The Secret Keepers). It's under the main board that contains those four sub-boards: Join the Ranks. It's called Joining Form, and is the only topic in that board. Please use it and pay attention to it while creating your character application.
What breeds do you allow?
Any real breed of horse is allowed, just no mythicals. Ponies are allowed. Zebras aren't allowed because this isn't a savannah climate. No donkeys or mules either, unless you PM me for permission and I think you're ready to play one really well.
What if I don't have the time or muse to post 400 words?
It's not actually that much, I post over 800 words all the time. You just have to develop your character more, describe their surroundings, their appearance, their past. Sometimes it's just a case of sitting there long enough to put enough info down, but it helps us learn about your character and makes them more interesting. That way you will get detailed replies in return, and it'll make others want to RP with your character. So if you don't think you have the time to post 400 words, just save it on your computer and come back to finish it later. Or you can post it with "incomplete" boldly stated at the top or bottom. Next time you're on you can finish what you started! It'll be worth it, and it'll make you a better writer.
Do the Keepers have any special powers?
No. They're just special guardians of the Haven of Hesperides. The only thing that separates them from ordinary equines is that they feel no greed or hatred, and aren't overly emotional. They're very calm about everything, at least on the outside. Though playing an excitable Keeper that the others regard as a little strange would also be a good idea.
Can my character be in multiple threads at once?
Yes, of course! Just try not to confuse the continuity too much. Keep it straight in your mind which thread takes place first in the grand scheme of things, they cannot be simultaneous.
No one's joining my thread. What do I do?
Try adding some more detail to make sure it'll interest people more easily. If that's not the problem, maybe you just need to get out there! Some people are a bit wary about jumping into threads with members they're never encountered before, since they figure you might just vanish and leave them hanging, wasting the effort they put into replying to your post. Hang around, chat in the CBox and play some games in the Mingle board. And go ahead and bump your thread (within reason) to let people know you're still around and wanting replies. Adding [open] to your thread title also encourages random people to jump in. And, of course, a little self-promotion is always helpful. Post in the Join my Thread sub-board to point people to your thread!
Aren't the northerners basically darks and the southerners basically lights?
Not at all. Unlike your average equine RP (of which there are hundreds) The Secret isn't about Light vs Dark. You can have a northern draft who's a real softie, but he's going to have to pretend to be tough around the others because their society is based on strength. They conquer through violence. That may seem dark, but they aren't necessarily evil. The southern equines don't have to be light at all, they just tend to be a little happier than the Weaklanders because they're free and don't get beaten up all the time. Take Theseus as proof, though, that they aren't happy-go-lucky. He's a tortured soul, anti-social, awkward and unwelcoming. Sounds more neutral than anything. Really it's just about different shades of neutrality. Even Tartarus himself isn't truly evil, he's just mentally unbalanced and thinks that violence is the only way he can get through to others. He still tells himself he's trying to get the object for the greater good. He believes it too.
Are all northerners drafts?
Yes. Northern horses must have feathering (and therefore some draft blood) to withstand the cold climate. But you can also find strong stallions crossed with other breeds that were taken up north when they were colts to join Tartarus's army, and strong part-draft mares who either were claimed by northern stallions in the Windswept Plains or were taken up north when they were fillies. They are strong because the weak ones were left in the Weaklands or killed. Most of those taken up north from their youth are draft mixes, since they have been sired from the northern stallions that breed with the Weakland mares. They must have at least some feathering and a heavy build to withstand the harsh climate.
Tartarus and Adamanthea have no draft blood, but they survive by staying in the caves.
Does my character have to stay the category/alliance I created them as?
No. Weaklanders can escape to the South, Southern mares in the Windswept Plains can be dragged to the Weaklands. Northerners tend not to change because they are naturally strong and fierce, though they can make the Weaklands their home by choice.
Does my character have to stay in its area (North, Weaklands, South, Haven)?
Depends. Northern equines can freely roam the north and Weaklands. Weaklanders cannot leave the Weaklands unless they manage to escape to the south, which isn't super-common. Groups of horses have a better chance of overcoming whoever tries to stop them. Southern equines can go where they please, but returning from the Weaklands isn't the easiest task, they can't survive in the north, and hanging around outside the Haven isn't the most fun. Keepers are also allowed to go where they please, though they prefer the safety of home. Also, they don't go north cause it horrifies them. Any equines may go to the Windswept Plains and Ancient Ruins, but captive Weaklanders' travels outside the Weaklands are very limited. Exceptions can be made for awesome sub-plots.
What kinds of equines can claim/be claimed in the Windswept Plains?
Weaklanders:
can claim: no. They are of low rank and can have a love in the Weaklands, but ultimately they have no claim over them. If they're lucky, the draft stallions will leave them alone in breeding season, but only if they have bred.
claimable: yes. A northern stallion can force a submissive or weaker stallion to go to the Weaklands. They can resist, but will likely get beaten up. Mares can try to resist, but if no one comes to save them from the draft tyrant trying to claim them then they must go to the Weaklands.
Keepers[/u]
can claim: no They seldom take mates and live in equality under the guidance of the Elders. They have no material possessions.
claimable: no Just no. If you want to create drama with a stallion trying to claim a Keeper mare, go ahead, but get admin approval for your idea first.
Southern Equines[/u]
can claim: yes Southern stallions can come to the Windswept Plains to "rescue" mares and bring them into the free south, as well as claiming mares that are already in the South.
claimable: yes Southern mares can be claimed in the Windswept Plains or within the southern lands.
Northern Equines[/u]
can claim: yes Weakland mares can be taken to the Weaklands by northern stallions. Northern mares can be claimed on the Plains as well, but they are strong and unruly and probably won't agree to follow any other but a strong northern stallion.
claimable: yes Northern mares can be claimed in the Windswept Plains or within the northern lands.
I'm waiting on people to reply and it's taking them a long time. What do I do?
There's nothing you can really do to speed them up; they're probably really busy or low on muse. Read over your last post. Is it exciting? Is there some sort of reaction or interaction the other character can do? If not, you haven't given them much to refer to in their reply. That could be what takes them longer. In my case, it's usually because I want to put enough effort in to give a long enough reply with enough information in it. In the meantime, you can create another character and RP with other members (once the character is approved). Or you can create another thread, maybe in another location, with the same character. Playing OOC games in the Mingle board is also fun while you're waiting for a chance to post.
What season is it?
There isn't a set/changing season here. You can breed whenever, foal as soon as you've waited long enough (and got your foal stats), and you can make up the weather in each individual thread. In general, though, it's cold in the north and warm in the south. The Weaklands tend to get a bit chilly at night but isn't too bad during the day. I'm giving you free reign with this, so go ahead, have a hurricane in one of your topics. Just keep it within reason. If you're not sure what's reasonable, PM me and ask.
How does my stallion claim land?
If he's not a southern stallion, he can't. The north doesn't really have any "prime real estate", so none of them bother staking out particular areas as their own. They just go where they please, and their herd goes with them. Weaklands stallions can't claim anything, not even mares. They'd get killed for trying. Southern stallions have to challenge land-owning stallions to try to get their land. Be sure to check out which players haven't logged on recently and haven't posted an away notice in the Vacations board (under Mingle), your stallion could win their land by default if they don't respond to your challenge post.
My mare's stallion has gone inactive. What do I do?
Well, unfortunately sometimes people go inactive without telling us. It sucks, but it happens. Try to be patient and focus on your other characters, and even play your mare as if she's looking for her stallion (who has disappeared) and can't find him. Then, if the stallion's player hasn't been on in, say, a month or something, then your mare can head back to the Windswept Plains and find a new stallion.
At what age will my character die?
I figure people will choose to let their characters die when it makes sense. You can have them be killed in a fight with another character, die of some illness, or just pass away peacefully in their sleep. Most horses don't live much longer than their early twenties, but Keepers live a very stress-free life and don't fight, so they tend to live longer. I have no set aging scheme because I find those tiresome (like set season changes and all that).
If a mare is bred, does she have to get pregnant?
Yes. A mare usually foals after she is bred, though on occasion failed pregnancies and stillbirths can occur. If you don't want a foal, don't breed. Or find someone else to play the foal (more below).
Do foals count towards the 5-character limit?
The foal, since it will grow up to be a full-blown character, counts towards the character count of whoever ends up playing it. You can ask if there are any players interested in playing your foal. You can also ask for permission to have more than 5, if you can keep them active.
What do I put in an audition PM?
Read up on the character you're trying out for (auditions details can be found in the Need to Know board, open auditions are made announcements). Then PM me a post in that character that's around your usual posting length (I check everyone to see what their usual is).
Any more questions? Ask away, that's what this board is for!
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This is a question deserving to be put in the FAQ, since ive had it asked 3 times within the month 
