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Getting Started on Elysian Fields

So you've fallen into our trap decided to join us here on EF (yay!) but are having trouble figuring out exactly how to join up. This is either because you're new to roleplay sites in general, new to forum-based sites, or because our creator has seen fit to garble everything. ¬_¬

Whatever the reason, here's a handy guide to help you join with the least bit of confusion and nerves. :D

1.  Before You Begin

If you have questions or need help, you can also read our FAQ or contact an admin.

1.1  Essential Reading

• Rulebook
• Introduction
• About the Seven Races
• Application Template

1.2  Suggested Reading

• The Realm of Elysia - strongly recommended
• The Races of Elysia - strongly recommended
• Magic & Technology
• Registration Guide - strongly recommended
• Character Creation Guide - strongly recommended

1.3  Interesting Reading

• Elysian Currency
• History
• Karma
• Bestiary
• Herbarium
• Character Health
• Character Aging
• Articles on Roleplaying
• Roleplay Guide

2.  How to Join

Here's a step-by-step guide to show you how to join. :)

1. Prior to Joining
   • Make sure you've read all the essentials listed above, and try to read the suggested list too. The more you read about our world, the more you'll understand what we're about and the easier you'll find integrating yourself and your character. ;)
2. Character Creation
   • Copy the application template into a word processor (like Microsoft Word, Wordpad or Open Office) and fill it out to the best of your ability. We strongly recommend consulting our Character Creation Guide as you fill out the application to make things that bit easier.
3. Account Registration
   • Register an account. (Registration Guide)
4. Character Application
   • Post your application in the Characters board. You'll automationally receive ζ250 for doing so, which constitutes your start-up funds so try not to spend it all at once. ;)
   • Once you've posted your application, an admin will review it as soon as possible. We never reject applications but we do expect your character to conform to our world setting and we'll work with you to make sure that's the case if your profile needs to be edited.
   • Once you've made any necessary edits, contact the admin who's been dealing with your application by private message to let them know, and they'll review your character's profile again.
   • Please make sure you check your application for grammar and spelling mistakes as well as typos and other such errors. EF is open to roleplayers of all levels of experience, but we expect our members to do their best. We also expect posts, both in and out of character, to be legible and make sense. Also remember to give your character weaknesses and flaws. We don't accept Mary Sues or any other characters that are clearly too perfect or too powerful.
   • While you wait for your application to be approved, you can post in most of our out-of-character boards and the shoutbox, so you can get to know our members and maybe read a few of the recent threads to catch up on what's been going on. :)
   • Characters that haven't been established within a month of being approved are archived (by 'established' we mean characters that have never made an in-character post, or profiles that haven't been completed). You can still work on your application while it's there, but you'll need to PM an admin when your application is finished so they can move it back to the Characters board and review it for approval.
   • Characters that haven't been established within three months of being approved will be deleted, but the applications themselves are always kept so you can come back to them if you wish (though you'll need to recreate the character's account and repost the profile with it). However, if you leave too many unfinished, you may be barred from creating more.
5. Make Your Claims
   • Once your application has been approved, you'll need to make any claims and purchases as your application requires.
     • If you have a custom avatar, photo, signature or post layout, you can claim the model (eg. actor, artwork, singer, anime character, etc) that you've used to represent your character. You don't have to claim them, but know if you don't that other members are allowed to use the same model. Claims are on a first-come first-serve basis, so if they then make the claim before you, you'll be asked to use someone else. (Please refer to the graphics rules for more information.)
     • If in your application you said your character owns a residence, you'll need to purchase it from the Estate Agency. You don't have to say this is a new purchase for your character, though. As long as you buy it out-of-character, you can say they've had it for years if you like. :)
     • If you'd like your character to earn a regular income and have given them an occupation, you have the option of claiming a job at the Employment Agency. Salaries are only paid to active characters, and what you can claim depends on your post count so you may not be able to do this straight away, but it's an easy way to make sure your character doesn't go bankrupt.
6. Roleplay!
   • Now your account's been set up and your character's been approved, you can start to roleplay! :D We recommend trying to join existing threads at first, rather than creating your own, so you can get to know the other members and their characters and get comfortable with the kind of RP that goes on here. :)
   • If you're looking for threads to hop into, you have a couple of options.
     • You can post a thread in the Roleplay Directory to keep a track of your open threads. Members can post here to request threads with you, or you can post to others' threads if you'd like to roleplay with them.
     • You can also post a "roleplay wanted" ad in the Plotting Board, either requesting general RP with anyone who's interested, or help with a specific plot you'd like to RP. You can ask for people to help play NPCs in your threads, too, or advertise open threads.
     • If you want to roleplay with someone in particular, you can contact them by Private Message by clicking on the "Send Message" envelope under their avatar or in their mini profile (click the popup icon anywhere on the board).
     • Finally, and probably the best method for immediate plotting, is our shoutbox. :) It can get confusing in there if there's a lot of chatting going on, but it's brilliant for instant plottage. :D
   • If you'd like to start your own thread, you're very welcome to do so! First, though, I'd suggest reading The Mystery of Open Threads by dinn of RPG-D, and familiarising yourself with the other characters on EF so you can try to start a thread that others are more likely to join.

3.  Further Reading