Zy
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Hell hath no fury like a dragon scorned.
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Joined: Mar 2007
Gender: Male 
Posts: 229
Location: IN the lake.
Karma: 5 |  | The Guide
« Thread Started on Nov 30, 2007, 9:55pm » | |
Guide to Getting Started (Version 1.2)
First of all, thank you for considering our site! All of us get really excited to see new people viewing our dragon RP forum. We hope that you will join us in creating an adventure that will be memorable for all.
Now, down to business. Let's get the general topics listed out first. If you want to jump to a specific section, just click on it.
1- What is Dragon's Eye?
2- Are there any requirements to join?
3- Okay, I've registered, what now?
4- HELP!! I can't decide how to make my character!!
5- What's this about posting guidelines?
6- Do I HAVE to join a clan?
7- Anything else I should know?
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1- What is Dragon's Eye?
Dragon's Eye is a Role-Playing (RP) Forum. Basically, you act as a character of your own creation, in events and stories that you and/or others create. It's one very large story. And everyone here has a part in it. Sounds intimidating, right? Don't worry, we all are here to help.
In here, there aren't any elves, wizards, orcs, faeries, or even humans. It's all about dragons. Those big, scaly, flying lizards of destruction. Or at least, destructive if YOU decide to make them. That's the beauty of RP Forums. They let you decide how you want your dragons to act. Your dragon could be kind and generous, an example of power that benefits all. Or perhaps you want to make a dragon that fears no other and challenges all who stands in his way. The sky is the limit (literally, I can't imagine a dragon surviving in space). So, get your imagination in gear, wake up your muse, and welcome to Dragon's Eye!
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2- Are there any requirements to join?
Beyond the usual registration, nope. Dragon's Eye, or DE for short, is welcome to all. Whether you are new to the role-playing experience, or have years of imaginative stories told, you are welcome here. We won't ask to see a resume or call any references that you have, nor make you go through an interview with an Admin. If you get any messages about it, they aren't from us.
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3- Okay, I've registered, what now?
Now is where you're at the beginning of a grand adventure. Now you can get started on that dragon that exists in your mind, or you can start chatting with others to see how they are and learn more about us. A good rule of thumb is to read over the rules a few times before getting too far. The rules aren't created to restrict your creative thoughts, but to help explain expectations across the forum.
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4- HELP!! I can't decide how to make my character!!
Relax....take a deep breath....in....out...repeat. Don't stress out about making the perfect dragon. The perfect dragon doesn't come straight out from your mind. Like humans, dragons have weaknesses and character flaws. The best way to get these figured out is to just create a dragon that you want to role-play, then after approval, get started in a thread or two. As you role-play, the flaws and personality of your dragon will become more defined and may surprise you.
Just to give an example, my first dragon character, Zyre, was going to be just a dragon that what wanted to help his clan prosper and be a mentor to the younger dragons (he was the oldest dragon at the time of creation in the clan). But, as I've role-played him, he's developed into Lead Hunter for his clan, a leader to others, and included a bit of a troubling past with his family. It wasn't where I imagined him going, but I really am glad he became who he is.
The only thing that you may find some trouble over is coming up with a good description of your dragon's appearance and personality. For appearance, start with something simple, like what color is your dragon? How large are the scales? Do your scales overlap each other, or do they connect at the seems? What color eyes does your dragon have? Does your dragon have horns, and if so, where? One good way to get an idea is to just do a Google search for dragon images.
Personality traits can be tricky, but a helpful method would be to consider how your dragon would act in certain situations. How would your dragon act in battle? Or when meeting an Alpha of a clan? What would your dragon do when stressed or angry? Does your dragon like to be a recluse? Imagine up a few situations to help your description come along.
Don't forget to include a history that may explain why your dragon acts the way they do or appear the way they are. This can go under profile history. Use this as an opportunity to start role-playing your dragon. As you write it, please remember a few things:
*No dragon is old enough to remember the council, nor the split of the dragon race. He/She would only know about it from studying history.
*Not all dragons have to be orphans, emos, or angsty. While they are allowed, don't overuse them.
*Some dragons have it easy. Their history may be sweet and simple, without any harsh memories or conflicts. A dragon will not be rejected because it never got into a fight nor has a shaded past.
Remember, dragons here are just as diverse and strange as we are in the real world.
If all else fails, the Admins and Mods are all here to help. You can just Private Message (PM) one of them and they can help you.
Most importantly, if your dragon doesn't get accepted, DON'T GIVE UP! You will be given a specific reason why your dragon was rejected and possibly a suggestion on how to change it. Very rarely has a dragon been rejected multiple times, but if it does happen to you, don't be discouraged. We all had problems at one point or another.
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5- What's this about posting guidelines?
To help tell the stories better and to make this site a better place for all, guidelines have been posted. They may seem intimidating at first, but given enough time, I hope you'll be able to see how good they are. One of these guidelines that tends to be frowned on is the urge to post at least 100 words in each entry (only in the RPs, of course). This isn't meant to be a form of forced labor, but is to help you tell your story better and help others so they can do more with their characters as well.
For example, which one of these is easier to post after?
"Drake got a drink of water."
or
"The small green dragon flew downwards effortlessly to the edge of the lake. It was fairly warm weather and the other Hunters were just as worn out as he felt. Thankfully, the lake was always a refreshing sight to behold after a long day. Drake landed nearby a large red and gratefully plunged his head into the cool water. After a second, he pulled his head out and shook it, spraying water nearby.
The lake's water had always been clear and cool to drink, and today was no exception. Drake gratefully drank his fill. The water could be felt as it flowed down his throat. It sent a slight shiver throughout his body at first, but that feeling was replaced by the relief of his aching muscles. This, for the moment, was heaven to him.
But as with all good things, they must soon end. Surely enough, Drake's stomach grumbled with emptiness. He needed to get his share of the hunt, but he would have to wait. Usually the Alphas would get their share first, then it would go down the ranks. There had never been a want for food, and the Hunters always did a great job in finding enough food for all, so Drake wasn't worried. I hope that we get to eat soon. he mentioned casually to those around him."
The second post works better because the writer left several openings for interaction. Just to point out a couple, if your character is the large red mentioned, then perhaps he/she felt some of the water droplets that Drake shook off of his head. Perhaps your dragon was close enough to hear his stomach rumble.
Some of the best stories made in forums such as this one are brought about because each writer reacts to the poster above him/her, then creates actions that require reactions from the others that will post after. Posting one liners like the example above are difficult to follow because there is no need for reaction.
There are several other guidelines that can be written about here, but these are perhaps the most notable ones. If you can understand these, then the rest should be a cinch.
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6- Do I HAVE to join a clan?
For now, YES. If you didn't have a clan, your dragon will not be allowed into most of the clan areas without a very good reason why. The different clans sometimes will be at odds with one another, and at such times will not usually trust those who have no clan of their own. Most loners would wind up dead shortly after entering the clans' lands.
What if you want to start your own clan? The jury is out on that one. For the time being, the only clans that exist are Arkin, Dektra, and Neron. Is it possible that one day you could start your own clan? Maybe. Give the site time to grow and perhaps one day you can.
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7- Anything else I should know?
The Admins and Moderators are your friends. They aren't here to punish. They are human just like you (unless you're from space, then they're bipedal, fleshy beings that live here on Earth). They are here to make new friends and have fun as well. They just have the responsibility to keep the site presentable for others. You can ask them any question, and they will answer it to the best of their abilities.
New ideas and suggestions are always welcome. They may not always be used, but they are read, considered, and will be responded to.
Sometimes on the threads' titles you will see the name of a dragon or two. This means that those dragons are being specifically asked to participate. Usually these people have been asked ahead of time if they wish to join.
Also, if they have names, if usually means that the thread is only for those characters. If there is no names next to the thread title, or if it has (open) next to it, then anyone can join in.
Lastly, HAVE FUN!!! Once you've registered, get started by introducing yourself, creating a dragon, and join a couple of threads. That'll get you started on telling the world the story of your dragon.
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Zyre ~ Genkai |
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