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The A to Z of Frequently Asked Questions!
Amendments to Character Requirements 3/17/08 Amendments to Character Requirements 3/17/08Summary: Amendments to Character Requirements 3/17/08 Arolos BoD Guide to approvable charactersSummary: A discussion of some of the most frequent things that we have to ask people to change about their character sheets, in the vain hope people will read it and save themselves time in getting their character into play! Article: Now, you are going to have to trust us on this. We really really want to approve your persona; we really want you out there on list having fun and getting to know other writers and having a damn good time. But the odds are when you submit a persona you will get a response back asking you to change something. Arolos Candidates Initial Interview FAQSummary: Candidate Writers please read the following carefully, especially if you've not played your Candidate going through the Initial Interview. The following is all the stuff you would have been talked to about, so play your Candidate accordingly. Article: Initial Interview - things you will be asked and expected to answer- if your Candidate has any emotional, physical, or mental problems please note they WILL not be allowed to Stand and you MUST tell the Candidate Master's writer. These are experienced adults and they would notice any unusual behavior. Please play accordingly. Thanks! Arolos Hatching FAQSummary: How Arolos Hatchings work and what goes on! Article: If you are new to Arolos you may not know that we try and make an Arolos Hatching a big deal. It starts with a Clutch, with lots of Shiny Eggs, each one unique and with a descriptions - The Eggs are on the Sand, the Weyr is gathering to stare at them and the BoD is gearing up for two months or so of being grumpy (What? WHAT? Is true!) Bi-Bronze Riders?Summary: At Arolos Weyr we've not adhered to the canon sexuality side of things (because we've had bi bronzers and bi goldriders and straight others), but we have to personality type. Can I have a wher?Summary: Not a metallic, same rules apply for them as firelizards and dragons. Most "pet" whers will be Callamere ( what we call decaf) whers which are smaller, more manageable and less likely to rip a random childs arm off and run round the weyr with it in their mouth. Can I have a white dragon (or red, or, black, or silver or . . .) ?Summary: No. Them's the rules for Approved games. Gold, bronze, brown, blue, and green are all we’re allowed to have. Also, please note that Pernese dragons possess the power of flight, teleportation (via between), firebreathing (after chewing firestone), telepathy, and empathy. Pernese Dragons cannot breath ice, or perform nuclear attacks, or turn people to stone. Can my character have a Callamere White horse?Summary: Only by approval of the BoD, but we are relatively easy to convince! Can my character Hear All Dragons [HAD]?Summary: No. The Weyr has a resident HAD and more than that is statistically unlikely. We will allow a dragon to choose to speak to whomever they want, and in special circumstances your character might be able to make himself heard by another’s dragon – for example, a non-rider able to speak to a weyrmate’s dragon-- but evidence of unapproved HAD will be stamped on. Can my dragon Time it?Summary: We would prefer if you asked and to be honest we avoid it if possible. We had a spate of people wanting to Time it and it became somewhat unbelievable. Timing is essentially unknown as a common possibility in this time frame. Can my firelizard have a flight? and clutch?Summary: Your flits can have flights when you want -- you don't need to ask. Can you make someone write with me?Summary: We can't FORCE people to write with anyone, but we try to provide opportunities for people to write and encourage plots to be discussed on our Out-of-Character [OOC] list. Take a look at our list of suggestions for ways to get hooked into the story threads. Character pictures rulesSummary: As you may have noticed on the Whizzy Thing - the character database - there is now the option to upload a picture in to be put into your character sheet. Do I need permission for my own plots?Summary: Only if they are likely to affect the Weyr as a whole. You do not have standing permission to tamper radically with the weather, for example. You can have a small squall come up if you wish (just as long as we're not in the middle of a drought!), but a hurricane needs permission. Anything which affects only your own character, be it romancing, maiming, driving slowly insane . . . you may run as you wish. Flit Clutches and Egg Pictures InformationSummary: Gold and green firelizards are about as different as chalk and cheese. The same tends to go for their clutches. Below are a few guidelines that cover what is expected and accepted when it comes to asking for and playing out these clutches. Article: Gold/Queen flits: At the very most, gold flits can have around 12 eggs in their clutches. Occasionally you might get a bronze in there though, as with most clutches, the bulk of the number would be made up of greens and blues. The metallic shades are as rare in flits as they are in their larger counterparts. Very rarely, a gold flit will lay a gold egg. However, note that these are only obtained through special permission from the BOD and are very, very rarely permitted. A note about flit gestation: Considering their vast size difference to their draconic cousins, it is approximated that a flit will gestate their eggs for about 2 weeks and then incubate for 1 week. Pictures: We realise, that some of you may want to create pictures for your flit clutches, more specifically the eggs. However, there are a few guidelines that you are required to follow when it comes to these images. The biggest stipulation is that image HAS to show the egg in a size ratio where it is automatically identified as a flit egg (clutch) and not possibly as a dragon or wher egg. (See image below)  Ideally, the pictures will show the egg in a container of some sort such as a pot or in a bowl on a table. Another factor is that it could be shown in comparison to the size of something else like a cat, or a mug. However, it is preferred that it be shown in a container of some sort.  The same goes for ‘clutch’ pictures. Whilst yes, some flits lay their eggs out in the sand, it is preferable that they be shown in an environment where they can be once again, automatically identified as flit eggs. To ensure that this is done, we ask that you send us in an image for ‘approval’ so that we can say whether we think it meets the specifications. Use an uploader like Photobucket (www.photobucket.com) to upload the image and then send us the link through the Contact the BOD link. If you use software such as Bryce to create your egg pictures and would like help, Lynn is always willing to be poked or you can ask on OOC to see if you can get the help you need. Alternatively, Daz3D (www.daz3d.com) offers Bryce tutorial pages if you are looking for a certain ‘effect’ or ‘technique’. Links: Photobucket Flit speech at ArolosSummary: Firelizards do not actually 'speak' in words even in rapport. Their primary form of communication is through images and emotion. They might be able to represent one of two words but that's it. Help! Someone is nagging me to write, wont leave me alone, phones me up constantly, stopping me from sleeping and visit me giving me the plague leaving me half dead!Summary: Ah, either your name is Vicky, or you have met Laura. Scary, isn't it? How can I adopt a character in Arolos?Summary: Sometimes it is easier to adopt a character rather than build one from scratch. Frequently they have connections with other characters that have been built into their character sheets that can help a writer get into the game. How do I complain about something or make a formal complaint?Summary: First check our guidelines on complaint procedures on the site and ensure you have grounds to complain, and that you understand the implications. Then send an email to the BoD through the How do I contact the Arolos BoD?Summary: The best way is to put in a new question at Ask the BoD as this will get to us more reliabley. If you are having wizzy problems then you can also contact us at ArolosOOC-owner@yahoogroups.com email address. Informally we are also on OOC, and we are usually amenable to chatting, but please remember we are volunteers and we respond better to civil inquiries than rants. And don't be offended if we say we are busy right now! How do I get a Weyrleader, Healer, Harper, Headwoman, etc. to respond?Summary: Write a post with "Attn: whoever" in the subject line AND put yourself in an RP position that allows the requested ranker to find you. There is no point standing in the wilderness and calling for one of them, unless you are inventive in the way you contact them! How do I participate in major plots?Summary: The Major Evil plots are designed to allow everyone to participate. There will be warning of roughly what is pending, and often encouragement to create Temporarily Active NPCs such as villains. Places and opportunities are provided, where possible, to let people jump in. How do I participate in Minor plots?Summary: Find a thread and as long as it is not jumping on peoples' toes . . . get in there and get involved! How does Fuzzy Time work? (Concurrent Posting)Summary: Damned if we know! How does my character get Searched?Summary: You have a couple of options when it comes to getting your character Searched. How does the Calender /Timeline work?Summary: Well Arolos and Fort have an interactive Timeline now. What does this mean? It means that players will be able to add their own significant events to the Timeline and keep it updated and decided where to fix them in Fuzzy Time. This can be very important with regard to things like risings and pregnancy and it goes without saying, Clutches and Hatchings. How long should you wait before reposting? And how often should you repost before dropping a thread?Summary: Give people 24 hours at least. We have this timezone thing going on where people need sleep. Shocking really, I mean, they should be sitting there at the computer awaiting your post! No, really, a day or so before reposting, and then as much time as you feel it needs before kicking. How to Extract Your Character From a Dormant RelationshipSummary: So your characters are young and in love, they are infatuated, you write them together with their significant other swearing that they will be together for eternity and will raise Arolos the Next Generation all on their own....and then... How to start playing at Arolos Weyr.Web link: Where to start at Arolos Summary: Some general guidelines to starting out play at Arolos. General writers ettiquette, hints and tips to ensure you have a good time and get into the action. Article: Guidelines to Posting at Arolos Links: Where the posts are Individual living quarter weyrs.Summary: The personal weyr is where anyone in Arolos Weyr lives, dragonrider or crafter or weyrfolk alike. Is it okay to kill characters in plots?Summary: Only if they are yours or NPCs, or you have permission from the writers, and you are prepared to accept the consequences ICly. We have had murders at the Weyr but so far justice has prevailed! Is there anyway to guarantee a character will Impress a dragon?Summary: Yes and no. We do not guarantee Impression on the first or second try, for the simple reason that we hatch an average of twenty-something eggs every few months, and we often have over a hundred Candidates for those few eggs (for More on that see the Hatching FAQ). Additionally, our hatchlings come with character sheets of their own, and we try to match Candidates to dragons the way that dragons would choose a good match themselves. There have been many times when we've very much wanted to Impress a particular character but not had a hatchling that was compatible with him or her. However, if you are persistent, active, and not a constant headache for the BoD or other players, you can be sure that you'll Impress at least one Candidate after a clutch or two. The best advice is really to write them. We try to make Candidacy an interesting experience in and of itself, so that all your fun doesn't hinge on Impressing. A lot of players request that their Candidates not Impress the first time they're eligible, so that the writer can get a better grasp on the character and have fun as a Candidate. May I have a Female Brownrider?Summary: No, nor a female bronzerider nor male goldrider. Women may ride golds, blues, and greens. Men may ride bronzes, browns, blues, and greens. Sexuality is not taken into account. Despite female brownriders being once again allowed in fandom, it is well-established in our timeline that there are no female brownriders. The BoD is going to review this position in the future, but currently we are not accepting them. May I have a gold/bronze dragon/firelizard/wher?Summary: If you are new to the list, no. As everyone fancies the ranking colours, we would end up with a metallics-only Weyr! What we do is encourage Candidates to be played well so that they may Impress a metallic at an Arolos Hatching. May I have a Harper/Healer/Crafter?Summary: Yes, though you are unlikely to get a Master rank on your first persona submission. Official Rules for playing at Arolos WeyrSummary: Disciplinary Procedure Posting Requirements for Arolos WeyrSummary: Posting Requirements The 2012 Fort Plot FAQWeb link: Arolos Fort Summary: A quick guide to what will be happening to bring ex-Fort characters over, and what to expect! Article: This is the night where the dragons began to keen and never stopped. These are the people who thought they knew what they wanted until they finally got it. This is the Weyr where the Resistance won. Links: Arolos OOC The wizzy will not let me in, and thinks I am someone else!Summary: Are you getting an authentication error that looks a bit like this?
This is because your web browser has not refreshed your page properly from when you last logged into the wizzy. In order to fix it you need to do the following: In Internet Explorer1) On the menus open the option under Tools called Internet Options. 2) On the general tab, which is the first displayed you will have three sections. The middle one called Temporary Internet Files has a Settings button. Press it.  3) In the settings window that pops up make sure that you select to check for newer versions of web pages Every visit to the page.  4) When this is done click on OK. In FireFox1) On the menus open the option under Tools called Options. 2) Click on the Privacy icon and then on the tab for Cache 3) Towards the bottom of the tab you have a button that say's "Clear Cache Now" - press it. Then set the disc space for the cache to be 0 (as in zero)  4) When this is done click OK. Specific instructions are not currently available for other web browsers, however, the principle is that you will need to ensure that the browser is not storing the dynamic page information in the cache. Once these settings are in place, close all web windows before trying to log into the wizzy again. Weyrlings- What Happens Immediately After ImpressionSummary: Immediately after Impression: What about the OTHER abilities for Dragons and Whers in the books?Summary: The psychokinesis of Skies of Pern, the betweening of Whers of Dragon Kin and the whole 'ghost dragon' thing of Beyond Between are NOT part of Arolos Canon. What are the age-appropriateness ratings of the mailing lists?Summary: ArolosOOC and ArolosPG are considered appropriate for all ages, though we recommend that concerned parents look over the messages and decide for yourselves if these lists are appropriate for your own children. ArolosXXX is, as the title suggests, intended for adults age 18 or over in the US, 16 and over in the UK, or whatever the age of majority is in the player's particular country. Basically, if you can't legally view movies containing graphic sex or violence, you may not join ArolosXXX. All other Arolos mailing lists are considered appropriate for all ages 13 and up. What BoD Look For At Hatchings -And What They Do Not Look ForSummary: What BoD Look For At Hatchings (And What They Don't!) Article: Before and after every Hatching there tends to be a bombardment of questions to the BoD about what they're looking for in Impression. While the BoD can certainly understand curiosity in the matter, Hatching tends to be exhausting enough for them without having to answers 50 questioners at once. Thus, we're providing this easy guide to lay it all out for you. What if I break one of these rules? Will I be thrown off the list?Summary: No, not unless you KEEP doing it after you have been asked nicely (and then not so nicely) to stop. Arolos is a big place, and the BoD have other people to consider. If you notice someone consistently breaking the rules or harassing you, please report it privately to the BoD. Only one person has ever been summarily removed from Arolos without warning, and that was because of harassment of an underaged player that came close to necessitating a call to law enforcement. What is the Whizzy Thing?Summary: You mean you've got this far and don't know what the Whizzy Thing is? *gasp* When a post has the subject line Attn: with peoples names in it, is it off limits to others?Summary: Not necessarily. If the characters are in a public place then they have to take their chances! If people really don't want company the post will normally be complete or take place in private. Please read and try and judge whether it would be like barging in on a private conversation, or simply walking up to someone in public. When in doubt, ask privately. Most people are more than happy to let others in on the fun, unless they have something specific planned. When can I have my dragon rise to mate (or chase) and what do I do?Summary: Well lets see ... as long as your dragon is over 9 months old (and we're talking about in the game here, not that you have to play them for nine months), it boils down to whenever you want! On average, green dragons rise around 12 months but if the rider were older (more mature), 9 months is the earliest. Some greens even wait until 18 months! When do Weyrlings get their own weyrs?Summary: Usually at the end of the 8th month of Weyrling training - however if the rider is young when they Impress they may well stay in the Barracks until they are considered mature enough to cope. When is my Weyrling allowed to have an "adult relationship"?Summary: If the character had relationship with someone PRIOR to Impression, he or she may apply to the Weyrlingmaster for permission to resume the relationship when the Weyrling dragon is a minimum of 4 months old. The Weyrlingmaster will consult with the Weyrwoman to judge the maturity of dragon and human before rendering a verdict. The request may be refused. Once a Weyrling pair has taken its first approved trip between, usually at 10 months of age, the general restriction is lifted. Count yourself lucky . . . it used to be until the dragons were graduated! When should I contact the BoD?Summary: You can contact us whenever you want to. If you have a problem for whatever reason catch one of us on mail or IM - we will probably ask you to send an email to the main address however. We try to deal with issues off list if it at all possible so if you have any concerns contact us. Likewise, if you are feeling lost, need help getting into a plot, would like to do a plot but aren't sure about it..have a question about anything, just ask. We can't help if we don't know you need help, and we would much rather hear about concerns when they happen and have a chance to deal with them then than later. When two people answer the same post, how is it decided which one gets to play?Summary: With a little bit of negotiation. Attempts are made to incorporate both, or someone will write his or herself out. It's pretty much like real life, when two people jump in on a conversation at once. Where do we play?Summary: Your persona's under review and your looking to read the Threads. But where are they? Will I be in trouble if I criticise the BoD?Summary: No. Please do it to our faces and nicely. Constructive criticism is welcomed, destructive criticism will get you 5 minutes alone with Lauren and her Shiny Knives or Laura with this rather unpleasant coathanger. We are human (well, at least 75% of us) and if we are not aware there is a problem then we can't deal with it All references to worlds and characters based on Anne McCaffrey's fiction are copyright© Anne McCaffrey 1967,2005, all rights reserved, and used by permission of the author. The Dragonriders of Pern® is registered U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, by Anne McCaffrey, used here with permission. Use or reproduction without a license is strictly prohibited. |
