A Lord of the Rings RPG
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How to Join - Step by Step

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How to Join - Step by Step Empty How to Join - Step by Step

Post by Faramir Tue May 28, 2019 6:18 pm

Welcome, guest. Let me be your guide ...


1. Read Who We Are and What This Is.
If you are curious, but especially if you are new to this.

2. Read Rules and Writing Guidelines.
Even if you consider yourself a rpg-veteran. Each forum has their tiny specifics.

3. Register
Please use the name of the character that you wish to write as username. You do not have to fill out character specific details now, but remember to do it after your character sheet has been accepted.

4. Introduce yourself in Introduction; ask questions (if any) in Help and Questions, Chat-Topic, the chat-Box (at the foot of the forum homepage) or via PM to any admin/moderator.
It would be nice to get to know the writer behind the character a little: How did you find us? What made you interested in Tolkien's work or rpgs? Do you have any experience with the latter? What are you looking forward to here, what are your hopes or wishes? etc. But you do not have to share any personal information. Using a nickname to introduce yourself and keeping everything else to yourself is perfectly fine.

5. Copy the code for the Character Sheet Template into a writing program of your choice.
It is best to draft all of your longer and more important posts in a program like that before actually posting them on the forum. This way you have a backup copy and you can use spell-check.

6. Fill out the character sheet.
Take your time with this and don't let it scare you if this is the first time you are creating something like it. It is a great opportunity to introduce us to your character and to create a map for yourself that will make writing them in the roleplay a lot easier.
Perhaps take a look at Characters We Need to see if there are currently any characters that we are looking for a little more urgently. Decide if you want to create your own original character from scratch or if you want to present your own version of an already known canon character. In case of the latter take a look at the Accepted Characters and make sure that your desired character is not already taken by someone else. The character sheet that you need to fill out is the same in both cases.

Here are some tips:

Name
When naming your character, consider the people who have given them that name. A hobbit will have a different name than a Gondorian. (Exceptions are possible, aren't they, Pippin? But there should be a good reason for them.) In general, pick a name that fits the setting.

Race and Nationality
Try to pick the one you know best or are interested in most. The more you know about your character's people and home, the more believable that character will be. It will also make it more comfortable for you writing them. All Races and People can be chosen.

Gender
You do not have to pick your own biological gender as that of your character. However, for beginners it might be easier to relate to and convincingly write about something that they know.

Occupation
Keep your character's nationality and current home in mind when picking their occupation. A hobbit from the Shire is very unlikely to be soldier. There are many useful and interesting occupations in Middle Earth, aside of soldiers or healers. If you base your pick on what you yourself know a lot about, your character will be easier to write and more believable. If you picked a canon character, please use the occupation that we know them to have (from the books or movies).

Physical Appearance
Describe your character the way you want others picture them. What is their figure like? What their coloring or their favorite hairstyle? What clothes do they like to wear? What small or bigger details about them stand out? etc. You do not have do describe every tiny detail about them, but your description should make them recognizable. Also, keep in mind that the different races of Middle Earth do each have some very distinct features. Hobbits, for example, are smaller than humans, elves have pointy ears, etc. If you are describing an original character, don't be afraid to make them imperfect and keep in mind details like their age or life-situation. If you are describing a canon character, base their looks on what we know about them, either from the books or the movies.

Abilities and Talents
No-one is perfect at everything, not even an elf. In fact, it is the things that a character does not know that make them compelling and give them reasons to set out and learn or be frustrated. It shapes who they are and who they want to become, or if they can. A character's abilities should fit their upbringing, nationality, physical appearance and their occupation. Not everyone can be a talented archer or master singer. Canon characters tend to have at least some abilities and talents that are already known.

Personality
Usually not all personality traits are positive. However, be aware that other characters will react to how yours behaves or that their behavior might get them out of or into trouble. Try to pick more than four aspects of their personality and describe them to us in such a way that we get an idea of who that character is. How do they tend to behave? What emotional patterns are typical for them? What do they like or dislike? What do they fear or hope for? How do they view the world, themselves and others?, etc. Later, do not forget to actually write your character like this!

Life History
What has your character experienced so far? What made them into the person they are? Where do they come from and how did they end up where they are? Who are the family and friends, enemies and rivals, teachers and students which they met or lost along the way? Where do their abilities come from and what shaped their personality? There are many questions that can be asked and answered here. They will make it easier for us to imagine your character and easier for you to write them. You do not have to write a novel here, but this part should not be the shortest. Some parts about a canon character's life tend to be known already, please incorporate them.

Important Changes Compared to Canon
This is important for canon characters. You do not have to write your version of a canon character exactly like Tolkien did or like the movies portrayed them, but please discuss important changes with us beforehand and put them into your character sheet so we can keep track of them.

Avatar and Signature
Please add the source of the images used in both cases and remember the Rules.

Writer
A nickname as identifier is enough. This way we can keep track of who writes who.

In General
Fill out the whole character sheet and pay attention to grammar and spelling. Writers of canon and original characters need to fill out the same character sheet. It is possible to write multiple characters. Each needs a filled out character sheet and their own account. (See here for how to register a second account: Writing Guidelines.)


7. Post your filled out character sheet in Join
Please use your character's name as title.

8. Wait for admin/moderator approval and change your character sheet if necessary
We will read your character sheet and decide if your character fits our roleplay or if maybe something needs to be changed. Do not worry. You will always get the chance to discuss things that we don't like with us and we will help you with your character sheet if necessary. If we do not accept your character the first time, it is not the end.
Once we have read your character sheet we will inform you via PM. If we accepted your character we will move the sheet to Accepted Characters. If we do not, it will remain where it is. We will highlight and briefly comment on what we object to in the character sheet itself.

9. After your character is approved, figure out where and when best to start writing and join us in Planning and Plotting to decide the fate of our Middle Earth.
Ask those who are already actively writing if and when your character can best join them. If they happen to be in a location different from where your character would logically be, make sure to include your character's reason to end up there in your first post. Another possibility is for them to find and include a reason for their characters to travel.

10. Write your first roleplay post
Make your first post count. This is the first time we all truly meet your character and see your writing skills outside of the character sheet. Also, please write "#1" at the top, so we know where your character's journey starts. As far as narrative mode, format, length, etc. are concerned, see Writing Guidelines for all the information you need.
Faramir
Faramir
Assistant Loremaster

Posts : 646
Join date : 2019-05-25
Race : Half-Human
Nationality : Gondorian
Occupation : Soldier, Kennel-warden
Age : 35

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