FAQ
Jul 4, 2019 0:21:33 GMT -5
Post by DENNY on Jul 4, 2019 0:21:33 GMT -5
GENERAL FAQ
No. Proboards has a ‘switch account’ toggle in the lower right hand corner of the screen. If you wish to make a second account or switch accounts, all you need to do is click the little person and register an account as prompted with the same email address. If you would like an OOC account however, you are free to make one.
- Do I have to use a real person for a face claim?
No. Most members are likely using an actor/model for a faceclaim, but you are more than welcome to use art, an aesthetic image that represents your character, or nothing at all.
- Is there a minimum word count for posts? Am I required to use a post template?
There is no minimum word count. Just communicate with your partner so you’re both comfortable writing. No post template is required but you are welcome to use one if you wish.
- Can my character die?
Only if you, as the author, wish them to do so. Godmoding/Powerplaying is not allowed.
- What does Tolkien/AU mean?
The world of Men of the West is based on Tolkien’s writings and implications, Peter Jackson’s movies, and fan lore that’s come up over the years. That means that the things that happened in the Silmarillion, The Lord of the Rings, and the Hobbit, are site canon. We are however set 120 years after the downfall of Sauron, which has very little canon writing, leaving us open to take our own path.
- What about Diversity?
MotW does not discriminate against writers of any race/gender/sexuality.
- Can I play a child character?
Yes. You may play a child character if you wish, or NPC them from the parent account, we only ask that you do not use photographs of a child actor/model on the site. This includes aesthetic boards/albums. Faceclaim photos should be 18+, so if for example, you are writing a 16 year old and wish to use an actor’s face that’s fine as long as the actor is 18+ in the photo. If you want to write a younger child you may use an aesthetic image (scenery, landscape, etc.) or artwork to represent the character. (Keep in mind, age of majority differs between races.)
- Can I write mature threads?
No. The site rating is 2-1-2, PG13. Scenes depicting graphic language, violence, and sex are not permitted. It is acceptable to infer that certain things have happened with little detail, but in text they must be glazed over in artistic way, or fade to black.
- Can I play a canon character from Silmarillion/LotR/The Hobbit?
Yes, you are more than welcome to play a canon character if they still exist in the setting. We are 120 years after the War of the Ring, so there are very few canons from the Lord of the Rings who still exist on Middle Earth.
- Can I play a descendant of a canon?
Yes. You are more than welcome to play a descendant of a LotR era character if they were likely to have descendants. Please mention it to the staff if you have a concept idea for a canon-descendant, only so we can make sure it fits in with the existing character storylines. We also have some “site canon” who are descendants and available for play. Also keep in mind the lifespan of characters and how many generations may have passed. If you need help with the math, feel free to ask the staff.
- Can I write a Shadow of War based character?
Maybe. Please discuss the idea with staff. We’ve found there are some concepts from the game that work for characters, and other concepts that don’t exactly align with the rest of the lore.
- Can I play a shapeshifter?
Yes. There was little known of the Beornings, the mountain dwelling shapeshifters mentioned in the Hobbit and briefly in LotR. The Silmarillion also mentioned bat and wolf shifters. Since there seems to be some variety here, you may play a shapeshifter of any animal type which may have been discovered over the past century, keeping in mind that their people have been reclusive up to a point. Maybe they’ve integrated into society by this point?
- Can I play a creature?
Yes.While humans, elves, half elves, dwarves, and hobbits, and other humanoid characters may make up the most of gameplay, if it’s your jive to play a sentient creature, feel free! Tolkien had quite a few sentient creatures in his writings including talking eagles, bears, foxes, an otter, huorns and ents, giant spiders, crebain, thrushes, ravens, trolls. Some of these characters may be better served as NPC, but if you want to go ahead and write one as a main character, go for it.
- Can I play a Valar or Maiar?
Valar. No. Those may be NPCed by request via the staff if need be, mostly in the Valinor section of the board as most of them no longer have much sway or interest in the realms of men.
Maiar. Yes. We would like to steer clear of Maiar who are as powerful as Sauron, Saruman, and Gandalf were, but there are opportunities for lesser Maiar, of good, evil, or grey areas to come into play. Please discuss with staff if you have a Maiar concept you’d love to play.
- Can my character use magic / have a magical item?
Yes and no. The magic in Middle Earth is subtle, and fading more as the years go on. It plays a very limited part in the everyday life of most characters, and most ‘sorcery’ is attributed to evil. Please see the reference specifically on Magic in Middle Earth.
- What is the current setting and time period?
Autumn, Year 120 of the Fourth Age.
- How does in-game time move here?
In game time is free flowing. Take as little or as log as you need to in one season, just keep I mind that other characters may move on and leave you behind. We may bump the season every so many undetermined months as we see fit just so new members coming in know where most people are in the story and where to start.
- How long do canon reserves last?
Reserves are for two weeks, then the character may be opened up for someone else to claim.
- Can my character have a subboard for their residence/business?
Yes, after you have made 20 in character posts feel free to ask admin for a board for the characters business/residence. You will have to provide a small 2-3 sentence description of the place, and the location within the board. Boards that are unused after a time may be removed, so please use it once you have it!
- I have a character who I used to play on a LotR site. Can I use them here?
Yes, as long as you make the necessary changes in their history to fit our setting, you are more than welcome to use one of your own characters from a previous ‘Middle Earth Life’.