<span class="bbc_u"><strong>Gaming/Posting Protocols</strong></span><br/><br/>When writing on the plot list, please write as if you’re writing a book to be read.  With that being said, please take note of the following constructions:<br/><br/>1.   Anything said by your character out loud should be placed in quotation marks.  Thus, if you wanted to tell an NPC (non-player character) or a PC (player’s character) something it would look something like this: Drake took a long look at Carmen and told her, “Get bent, Bimbo.”<br/><br/>2.   If your character is thinking something (and therefore cannot be known by others in-character unless they have the ability to read minds), the thoughts should be placed in italics.  For example, a character could say one thing and think another, like this: Barbara told Michelle, “It is so great to see you!  I’m so glad that we both made the varsity cheerleading team.”<em>God, I can’t stand that bitch!  She would not have been on this team if she had not blackmailed me with that micro-recorder.</em><br/><br/>3.   Thoughts that are transmitted by telepathy (if that occurs) should be placed between asterisks.  An example might look like: Jason was minding his own business, heading to class, without a care in the world when a voice rang within his head, *You’re a dead man, pretty boy.*<br/><br/>4.     Words spoken through a radio, telephone or other electronic device should be placed between tildas.  An example might look like this: Katie told Allie, "Hang on a minute, I'm on the phone with Jessie." ~Say, Jess, I really need to get going now.  Catch you at school tomorrow.~<br/><br/>Characters should not determine actions that happen to other characters.  Therefore, it is OK to say that you take a swing at PC but the PC that is the subject of the swing gets to determine if it hits or not.  Similarly, “main” NPCs or villains should not have reactions pre-determined by you/your character.  You will recognize these NPCs/villains in time.  Conversely, NPCs of your own creation (such as your PC’s family members, unless you pass off their control to me (Stuart)/the GM or AGM (if one exists)), or who are minor can be affected in any way that you like.  If you have a question about whether a NPC is major or minor, merely ask me (Stuart) and I will give you an answer.<br/><br/>In this game, we use non-linear posting.  In other words, someone can write part of the story on August 24, 2009 and another person write part of the story the next day in real life but have it be part of the story on August 21, 2009.  That means that players need to pay attention to times and dates and read ALL posts to make sure that no actions conflict.  I will always let you know the date ranges open for posting on the OOC list, such as stating, "Please do not post past September 15, 2012."  To help keep everyone straight on days and times, subject headings to posts on the game list should look like this:<br/>(Character Name/Character Name 2 (if more than one involved in the post)) – Day, Date, Time – (Optional Title of the Post)<br/><br/>An example of this might look like:<br/>(Michelle/Barbara) – Monday, August 3, 2009, 5:00 pm – Cheerleading Tryouts, Cattiness Commences<br/><br/>There are several ways to interact with other PCs (or if you need me for something, major NPCs):<br/><br/>1.   Set a scene and leave the word “tag” somewhere within it.  The word “tag” is the cue for another player to pick up the story/respond to your post.  An example might look like this: Dorothy walked into the cafeteria, nervous about her first day.  After all, if she sat at the wrong table, she might be ostracized for the rest of her time at high school.  She hesitated as she tried to make her first all important decision when she felt jostled by someone trying to get by her.<br/>Tag<br/><br/>(The word tag can also be embedded within the scene, so after the tag, you could continue the narrative by saying something like: Dorothy did not like being jostled but she determined that she would give this person a chance to explain.  Tag)<br/><br/>2.   Rather than just giving an open tag, you can make a tag to a specific person (this is how many conversations occur when joint posts do not occur).  An example of a specific tag might look like this: Dorothy walked into the cafeteria, nervous about her first day.  She prayed that the sweet girl, Millie, she met in first hour shared her lunch period.  Sure enough, Dorothy spied her at a table of chattering girls.  She sat beside her and happily chimed, “Hey, Millie!”<br/>Tag – Millie<br/><br/>(Again, these can be embedded in larger posts, presupposing non-essential actions.)<br/><br/>3.   Joint posts with one or more than one person:<br/>A.   Joint posts with one other person can be done over any internet messenger system.  The method of doing these posts is as follows: One person starts the scene and then once that person is done typing, that person should type “tag” to indicate that his/her turn is done.  The other person should follow the same procedure.  This procedure continues until both parties feel that the post has ended.  (Typing “end?” usually is a clue that the other person has no idea what more can occur in the scene.)  One person then must take the entire log, edit it and post it on list so that everyone can enjoy your creation.  Of course, doing it over email or PM works just as well.<br/>B.   Joint posts with more than one person need to occur over yahoo messenger in a chat room.  The procedure is similar to the one on one joint posts.  However, because in this case there are more than one person in the room, there is a method for determining turns after a tag.  That is done by typing “!” to indicate that you wish to go next.  Whoever types “!” first goes first.  Whoever has it second, goes second and so on.  Like one on one joint posts, at the end, someone gets to edit the entire log and post it on list to see the entire post on list in a polished, finished product for everyone to enjoy.<br/><br/>If any time you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask me or anyone else who is experienced in the game or game style.   Despite all of these stylistic concerns, the only point of this game is to have fun and enjoy your character’s experiences.  Please enjoy!  I’m looking forward to creating many stories with all of you.<br/>