Roleplaying

Post Counts

At 'Souls, the forum automatically tallies any posts you make within the In Character lands -- that is, anywhere in the packlands or the neutral territories. Out of Character posts do not count toward your post count total. It is important to remember not to post OOCly in the IC lands. This increases your post count and an administrator will need to adjust your post count.

The reason for this is that most pack leaders use general activity as a basis for their rank updates; a leader tallies your post count from the beginning of your joining thread and keeps track of it throughout your membership. Monthly and bi-monthly evaluations are presently the most common schedule for the leaders. If your post count doesn't accurately reflect the number of IC posts you've made, leaders may have difficulty evaluating your activity.

Therefore, it is extremely important for you to report any double posts, wrong account posts, or other accidental OOC banter made in the IC lands to the Maintenance Thread. It's okay to make mistakes, and no one is going to smack you upside the head for messing up, but please be careful.

Thread Tags

You might notice that most threads have a letter or two accompanying its title. These are abbreviations, listed below, are used to indicate threads of a certain status.

• attn -- "attn" is an abbreviation for "attention." In use, threads are usually tagged "attn: character name" as a notice to certain characters that they might want to look at the thread. "attn" is different from "p" in that the character in question isn't necessarily required in the thread, but they've been invited to participate.
• aw -- "aw" stands for "all welcome." This indicates that the thread is not reserved for a particular person and that any character can join. Often, the player may stipulate in the thread itself that they're only looking for one or two other characters, so if the thread has already begun, you might want to ask before jumping in. Please note that "all welcomed" should not be confused with the pack AniWaya, whose abbreviation is also "AW." Usually it's very easy to tell what's meant by context -- people using "AW" in an OOC area probably mean AniWaya, whereas threads marked with "aw" probably mean "all welcomed."
• dnd -- "dnd" stands for "do not delete." If a thread has not been inactive a while, but its participants still intend to finish it, the thread title may be edited to include "dnd" so moderators and administrators don't go ahead and archive the thread. Inactive threads are usually archived a month after its last reply, so if one or more participants are on extended absence or something similar, it would good to include "dnd." The term is somewhat of a misnomer as we never actually delete IC threads, but it serves its purpose.
• j -- "j" is for "joining" and is used to mark joining threads, generally IC threads. Often, the full word is used rather than just the abbreviation.
• m -- "m" stands for "mature" and is used to mark mature or explicit threads. Some threads will be marked with the full word, rather than just the abbreviation. Remember that all mature threads must be marked as per the official guidelines.
• p -- "p" stands for "private" and is used to indicate threads meant for a specific character. Some threads will designate "p: character name" so the player will notice. Others will just have "p" and nothing more as the players involved have communicated via other means and both know the thread exists. Remember that it's inconsiderate to create private threads without asking the other player first!
• r -- "r" stands for "restricted" and is similar to "m." Its usage is derived from the MPAA's rating system for movies with mature content. Remember that all mature threads must be marked as per the official guidelines -- marking a thread M and R is fine, but R cannot be used as a substitute for M.

It is worth noting that if a thread is unmarked, most players will assume that it's private. So if you want someone to join your thread and haven't plotted anything out with anyone, be sure to mark it "all welcomed"! Also, don't be afraid to also announce the fact that you have an "aw" thread in the Thread Requests forum as that's the first place most people will go looking for threads.

Thread Types

LASKY

The LASKY forum is often a point of confusion. Posts made in LASKY do not count toward your post count total. Word of the Day does count in the LASKY forum; it is the pack leader's discretion as to whether points collected in the lasky Forum count toward the pack games.

AIM Threads

You can roleplay over Instant Messenger or private chat at 'Souls; these are useful for getting a plot-intensive or important thread done and over with quickly. Roleplays over Instant Messengers can be posted to the forum compiled in one (1) post. Each participant can receive a maximum of one (1) IC post for the entire thread. Participants who wish to claim their IC post can reply to request in the Maintenance thread.

Remember, if you use the 'Souls Chatroom to roleplay, it must be done in a private room. Roleplay in the public rooms is against the rules.

Read Only Threads

Members may make "read only" threads to advance a plot or for important character realizations. If you do, mark your thread as "read only" so no one replies! Note that you should not reply to your own thread or otherwise continue to roleplay in it; read only threads, once posted, are considered completed, single-post threads. When you have posted your read only thread, you may respond in the Maintenance Thread and ask for your Read Only to be locked.

If you have multiple characters, you're welcome to have them meet, but try not to roleplay with yourself too often -- there are plenty of other roleplayers on the forum, and if you prefer writing with yourself, you may want to consider writing a novel. ;)

Liquid Time

Roleplaying at 'Souls mimicks real time. One In Character day is equal to one Out of Character day. That is, it is the present time, day, and year. If it is 2009 in real time, it is 2009 in 'Souls time. If it is October 24th in real time, it is October 24th in 'Souls time. If it is 10 PM at night your time, you may assume it is 10 PM at night on the board (but note that most players here don't pay close attention to hours and minutes).

Timing may be more important to some players than others. Although we are generally pretty fluid with the time of day, many players assume a thread occurs on the date it is started, unless specified otherwise. If you make a post at 10:30am on February 10, most players will assume the thread occurs on February 10th, but will not take the time of day as a given.

This flexible time scheme, often referred to as "liquid time," allows for members to roleplay their character in multiple threads at once as threads will be started on different days or specifically foredated or backdated. It's actually recommended that players have at least two or three simultaneous threads. As threads each go at their own pace, having concurrent threads means your activity won't drop while waiting on one person and you may have numerous reply options on any given day. On the flip side, as long as the flow of events is clear enough in your head, and as long as you can be active enough to manage all the threads at once, you can have as many simultaneous threads as you'd like!

Fore & Back -Dating

You may also forward-date ("foredate") or post-date ("backdate") a thread. Forward-dating a thread entails roleplaying a thread that occurs in the future, perhaps set two days ahead from the current date. Post-dating a thread is the opposite; the thread will occur on a date that has already passed. Note that post- or forward-dating threads should not exceed one month's time, ie, a thread should not be more than one month ahead or behind the current time. However, threads taking place before your character's time on 'Souls can be roleplayed in the LASKY forum.

Roleplaying Etiquette

As with any interactive activity, there are a number of unspoken "rules" that most seasoned players follow without thinking about it. However, we understand that these guidelines may not always be obvious to newcomers, so we've provided some of them below:

1. Bold your speech! It's good to differentiate what is speech and what is not. Regardless of whether you use a graphical table or not, you should always bold your speech. Thoughts should not be bolded -- either italicize them or leave them alone. Why? It makes it much easier for other roleplayers to be certain of what your character is saying and what they are thinking, and making your speech stand out from your post text is helpful to others. If you are using BBcode, the code to bold text is [b]Bolded text here.[/b] If you are using HTML, the code to bold text is <b>Bolded text here</b>. We also recommend you enclose your speech in apostrophes to reduce ambiguity even further.
2. Don't start private threads without planning it out with the other player. If you have a cool plot in mind and want to have a thread with a certain character, contact their player first! Make sure they have time for a new thread and that they're okay with whatever exciting thing you want to happen. Most people will be more than happy to accommodate such requests, but please give them a chance to schedule a different time if they're busy and work out any kinks in your plot in case their character wouldn't act in exactly the way you imagined. Also, don't be offended if they decline the request. You wouldn't want to be pressured a thread you weren't really interested in, would you?
3. Don't join threads that are already well under way. For "all welcomed" threads, many players will designate that they're only looking for one or two characters to join. Even if this isn't the case though, or even if the player says a max of two can join and only one has joined, if a thread has progressed to 5-6 replies, it's generally considered rude to jump in as it makes posting order more complicated and messes up the flow of the thread thus far.
4. Don't join private threads that aren't marked for you! This is something akin to wandering into a private party and expecting people to welcome you with open arms -- some players might be okay with the extra presence, but still other players may request a moderator delete your post. It will be PMed to you, and you may re-post it in another thread (if you make sure to edit it to suit that thread's premise), but this is dependent on the players in question.
5. Try to reply in a timely manner. While reply times vary from player to player, you should try to respond to threads at the same speed you would like others to respond. It's easy to lose inspiration for a thread if it's left sitting too long, so keep in mind that delayed responses affect both you and your partner(s). Don't be afraid to let other players know if you need to be scarce or absent though! Similarly, remember to give others a bit of leeway when they need to be away for a while. If a thread is lagging more than you'd like, you can send them a gentle reminder to see what's up. In some cases, it may be best to wrap up the thread with an OOC conclusion.
6. Remember that IC and OOC is separate. It's important to always remember that In Character interactions and Out of Character interactions are separate, and that the relationship between two characters does not necessarily reflect the relationship between two players. If someone's character is a jerk to yours, this is no reason to feel any ill will towards the other player. Similarly, if you don't like someone's player, don't take it out on their character -- if you don't like someone, just don't roleplay with them. Don't start drama. No one likes drama.

NPCs

NPC stands for Non-Player Character -- as opposed to a PC, Player Character. PCs include all characters you have an account for and actively play. They are your "main" characters, so to speak. NPC status can also extend over characters you currently play but you'd like to take a break as.

NPC Status

If you feel as if you need to take some serious resting time, you may of course put your character on Non-Player Character Status. NPC status is like a prolonged absence for you—the details of your NPC status must be worked out with your leader, and this option is not available for Loners or Creatures. For more information, please see the Procedures information topic.

NPC status is entirely up to the leader's discretion. NPC status should not be abused. If you think you only need four weeks to recuperate, put yourself on the Absentee List. We actually suggest you try a shorter break rather than try NPC status immediately. You can NPC one or all of your characters, so if you feel that a particular character is killing your writing muse altogether, you can always NPC that character and continue to roleplay as your other characters.

These NPCs are assumed to be hanging around packlands and proceeding with business as usual, and it's fine to say your character ran into them or saw them around, but any more specific interaction will require clearance with the character's player.

NPC Characters

Recurring

NPCs are like side characters you can interact with and include in your writing, but that you don't actually play consistently. All members are free to have interactions with NPC characters -- it's fine to assume there are quite a few non-player lone wolves running around 'Souls. Your character can interact with these at will, and you can use them for plot purposes, too.

Companions

Players are limited to one recurring NPC canine per player as per the procedural guidelines, but you may have semi-regular NPC canine characters so long as they aren't attached to your character. For example, if your character often encounters a coyote trader on the outskirts of 'Souls, that's fine.

Puppy NPCs

Puppy NPCs are unplayed puppies under two months of age. NPC puppies are usually attached to their parents and interaction with them should be limited to threads including the parents or with the parents' permission. Puppy NPCs are the only instance where a player may have more than one NPC companion attachment.

Pack

Packs are able to establish five unattached NPCs initially. For each ten members the pack adds, they can then add one more NPC -- so a pack just starting out with 5 members can have 5 NPCs, a pack with 15 members can have 6 NPCs, a pack with 25 members can have 7 NPCs, etc. Obviously, the restriction on the number of NPCs a pack can carry only applies to these "unattached" NPCs, companion NPCs of the entire pack. Absentee NPCs or individual companion NPCs do not count toward the total.

These NPC characters can be used for any purpose the leadership desires -- e.g., if the leadership wished to fill the Omega role within their pack permanently, they could do so. These NPCs are generally allowed to be controlled by any member of that particular pack. For example, if the SuperAwesome pack has created a NPC character called Turkey, all members of the SuperAwesome pack would then be free to have Turkey appear in their characters' posts interacting with them.

Pack NPCs are at the complete jurisdiction of that pack's particular leader. Some leaders may not allow their pack to carry NPCs at all; other leaders may be open to allowing members to create Pack NPCs for everyone to use. Check with your leader for more information.

Preybot

What is Preybot?

Preybot is a 'Souls account originally created for the purpose of roleplaying prey animals' perspectives in hunting threads. It has since become a general account for roleplaying as prey or as a one-time-use, member-controlled NPC character. This can make playing these sorts of threads more interesting, realistic, and less confusing for other members, as your character's actions and the prey character's actions are clearly separate.

'Souls members wishing to use the Preybot should Private Message their pack leader for permission to use the Preybot. Non-pack characters (i.e. loners and creatures) can private message the 'Souls Assemblage for permission.

Preybot Rules

1. A player may only play one instance of the Preybot at time. Multiple players can use the Preybot account concurrently, but each player is allowed only one thread with the Preybot account at any given time.
2. The same character may not be played in multiple instances of the Preybot account. For example, if you play a deer in one hunt thread, even if that deer escapes and lives, you are never permitted to play that particular deer again. This is to prevent anyone attempting to circumvent the auxiliary characters rules of 'Souls.
3. Generally, players should use the Preybot account for prey animals (e.g., deer, rabbits, moose, elk). Occasionally, we may allow the Preybot to be rented for canine/predator use, but these plots may not be approved so readily.

Preybot Request Form

1. Player name:
2. Character name: (One of your permanent characters should be participating in the thread)
3. Plotted use for Preybot:
4. Names of other characters/pack involved, if known: