(Again, ripped off from t'vic, with minimal editing)
So you've just been given a link to Clockwork Lullabye. The place is a little baffling! What are we supposed to do here, where to begin, you may ask? Well, first of all, take a look around. Please be aware that the place is in a near-constant state of improvement; and like most houses still under construction, you may find our tools laying about the place and beams left showing. Please forgive us for this.
However, there's a lot of information, just look for it! Read some character sheets and peruse the out of character boards. Decide if you like what you see. Check out the Settings page, which list all current and in-the-works settings for this board. There are a wide array of them, both in the Clockwork Lullabye timeline and out, so you will surely find something that suits your fancy!
If you like what you see, start to think about a character. Because of the wide array of games and time periods and settings, almost any concept you can imagine will work! Two things to keep in mind: This is a board for original creations only. There will be no playing of celebrities or canon characters from books, television, comix, what-have-you. Ever. Also, adapted characters (those created for another game or freestyle rp) may not be brought over without Staff approval. This is because we want you to make someone new, and because we have a general adoption policy when it comes to dropped characters. However, if you have a character you think would *really* work, talk to a mod and see.
Go ahead and register you OOC account! Every player is required to have an OOC account in addition to any character accounts, to please choose a short, simple name, and keep it lower-care. (this distinguishes it from Character accounts.) You are welcome to peruse and comment on the OOC boards, even if you don't have a character. It's a good way to learn about the games and meet people! One that's done, please introduce yourself int eh Introductions thread - it helps the staff know you're not a spammer so you don't get deleted!
If you're ready to register your character account, do so – this can be changed if and as your concept changes. Someone on Staff should nearly always be available to tell you what we need and suggest some ideas to tie your character with others, as connexions betwixt characters are very important on this board. We have a list of some rough archetypes we always need more of for most settings, and any concept can usually be worked on until it fits excellently. Please be advised that these are not your only options, this is just to get you started! If a Staff member lets you know that your character isn't really going to work, don't be discouraged! Be willing and eager to work with the Staff, and they will help you iron out any issues and you will likely end up with something even more exciting than you started out with!
If you don’t immediately have a clear idea for a character, please contact one of the Staff. There are about a bagillion characters just waiting to be adopted! If any of these characters strikes your fancy, please let one of the mods know. We’ll get you in touch with the person who first built the character, if you like, and let you know any secrets or history the character might possess. (Many, many characters have secret backgrounds; a database is kept of all these.) Orphaned characters make a wonderful first character, because you can learn the game and world without worrying about forming a personality and history from the ground up.
And that's all you need to know! If you decide to adopt, simply send a writing sample to a Staff member, and they will contact you for an interview and trial scene. If you make you own character, just post up their sheet in the appropriate section, and someone will get in touch with you! Although you may (obviously) not post in character until your character is ratified, feel free to read the out of character boards, post on them, and get in touch with other players for ideas. People here are very friend, anti-drama, and always willing to plot and talk about ideas you may have.
About Character Applications:
- your sig line must contain a link to your character sheet
- please make sure you have an aim sn or at least a dependable e-mail, and put them into your profile information and on your sheet so that Staff members can contact you. This will get you accepted much more speedily.
- although you may not play on the boards until your character is ratified, anyone who has a character sheet posted (or who's concept has been submitted to a staff member) may post on the OOC boards.
- Character sheets are what other players see. The 'truth', if markedly different, is for Staff eyes *only*.
- The types of characters that need staff approval of the concept are supernaturals, Agents, any Peerage higher than a Viscount, most mad scientist types, and anyone with an alter-ego or secret life that dramatically differs from their public life. Mundane characters may simply be posted.
Some Things to Remember:
- Each character comes into game with links to at least two others. Staff awill help you figure out your connexions. No-one comes into game with no-one at all to interact with.
- That said, you will likely have more fun if you make a character that can and will interact often with others.
- Not all characters will be accepted. Don't take it personally.
- The staff are busy people. Please be patient with us. If asked to make changes to your character, be cooperative. This will speed ratification.
- The staff are here to help you. Don't be afraid to contact them. Don't be afraid to ask for ideas and suggestions.
- Want to have a place in the over-reaching plot arc of your game? It's rewarding and fun! There are a great many ways you can make a character to figure in The Plot, if you wish to. Just pm staff and say so!
