Welcome to the Black Tower - READ FIRST

[Arath Faringal]

We rode on the winds of the rising storm,
We ran to the sounds of the thunder,
We danced among the lightning bolts,
and tore the world asunder.

Welcome to the Black Tower Division for the Dragon Reborn PSW.  I am the Division Leader for the Black Tower and I just wanted to set some rules and guidelines.  You can find all the information you need about the Black Tower on our website:

http://blacktowerdiv.wordpress.com/about/

Rules

Rule Number 1: HAVE FUN!!!

Rule Number 2: There are rules for reasons, please respect them.

Rule Number 3: Dragonmount is PG13. If you wouldn’t want your 13 year old child to read it, then don’t do it. If you’re unsure, don’t do it. In terms of language - remember that Robert Jordan doesn’t swear in common Western terms anyway, try something (you flaming goat-brained idiot) that might fit better in the books.

Rule Number 4: Be respectful of your fellow DMers. Debate is fine, but we ask that any heated argument be taken off the boards (or they will be removed). If there is a major issue with another member, bring it to the staff’s attention through email or icq. Disrespect and insolence, for staff or another member, are not tolerated.

Rule Number 5: Only join RPs that are labelled “Open to all” or that you have permission to join. It is considered rude to interrupt someone’s RP; people often have specific ideas and plans, so always ask permission to join if you are uncertain.

Rule Number 6: When your character is RPing with another player’s character, you should try to avoid dictating the actions of their character in your posts unless it is previously agreed on. You should always try to speak to your fellow RPers on instant messengers or by e-mail. Failing that you can post on the boards to discuss RPs at any time.

Rule Number 7: You cannot kill, injure or control someone else’s character unless they give express permission. Obviously this limits things a little bit, but I doubt you would want your character killed at random, either.

Rule Number 8: Use your RP scores as guidelines, that’s what they’re there for. For example, a trainee with a WS of 4 has moderate control over their blade but is still more likely to hurt themselves than cause damage to a trained warrior. A Warder of WS 17 can whoop someone with WS of 12. Similarly a soldier just beginning to learn the use of saidin would struggle to use the Power effectively against a seasoned channeler. “Godders” (someone who never gets hurt, always manages to escape unscathed and is generally best at everything) are not very much fun to RP with and are a general nuisance to everyone.

Rule Number 9: Read the posts that have already occurred to keep the continuity of a thread and to not “break” reality of the RP.

How to advance in rank

To progress your character through the ranks to Asha’man, there are certain roleplay requirements you need to play out. There is no set order for the RPs, and you can do as many or as few at once as you like. (given that soldiers do the soldier-dedicated RPs, and dedicated do the dedicated-asha’man RPs).  Civilian characters don’t need to train, as we currently have no ranks.  If a civilian wishes to advance Weapon Score however, they will need to complete weapon training RP's.  If you do not get staff approval first, you will not receive credit!

It is important to remember that you MUST update your progress thread in order to get credit for your advancement RP's.  Information on how to do this can be found here

Soldier to Dedicated:

Learning Saidin related Roleplay
Min 5 posts on your side, min post length 250 words

The content of this thread is to be Saidin. It can be a class, discovering you can channel, learning a weave, blowing something up by mistake…the options are open, so long as it is realistic. Does not have to be a formal class format.

Non-Channelling Learning Roleplay
Min 5 posts on your side, min post length 250 words

The options are limitless, so long as you are learning something. Physical/weapons training, reading/writing, cooking, trading, horseriding, dancing…what ever takes your fancy. Does not have to be a formal class format.

Free Roleplay
Two different threads, Min 4 posts per thread on your side, min post length 250 words

You can RP whatever you like, so long as it is not a class/learning RP. Get into a fight, go hunting, sweet talk a civilian…whatever you chose. Can be RPed with with BT members, or another division.

Dedicated to Ashaman:

Learning Related Roleplay
Two different threads, Min 5 posts per thread on your side, min post length 250 words

One MUST be Saidin related. The other can be saidin related or not, you can choose the content of this RP. Either can take the form of teaching someone else - teach a soldier a weave, teach a civilian to wield a weapon, etc - or learning from someone.

Using Saidin Roleplay
Min 5 posts on your side, min post length 250 words

By this time IC you have been channelling for a while. Show us what you can do. Do chores, bind someone with air, play a prank, mess up terribly…anything you want, but you must channel in the RP.

Inter-divisional Roleplay
Min 8 posts on your side, min post length 250 words

Roleplay must take place OUTSIDE of the tower, and must involve a member of at least one other divison. Content is entirely open. (Side note, feel free to contact staff members if you require assistance setting this RP up and finding another division to be involved)

Duel an Asha’man
Min 4 posts on your side, min post length 250 words

This should be set close to your raising to Asha’man. You will duel a fully ranked Asha’man, using Saidin and weapon. This is a demonstration of what you have learnt, and how good a weapon you have become. Winning or losing is irrelevant, and weapons (non-saidin) are optional.

If you have any questions please feel free to email us at BTStaff@hotmail.com

[Arath Faringal]

If you are a new member, or an old friend returning to us, you will need to submit a character biography before you can get started.  Bio's must be sent to BTBios@gmail.com

Bio's need to be submitted in this format:

DM Handle:  (Your Dragonmount user name) *If this is not included, your bio will NOT be approved, no matter how good it is*
Contact Info: (Your email)
Character Count: (Number of character you currently have in the BT division)

Character Name:
Nationality:
Age:
Physical Characteristic: (Eye/Hair color, Height, Weight etc...)

Physical Description: A basic description of the character.  Add any distinguishing marks or features.

Personal History:  The fun part.  Invent a history for your character (but keep it realistic please).  Try to refrain from mentioning your channelers strength or ability if he is a wilder, because your One Power scores have not yet been assigned.  Similarly, do not assume that your character is a blademaster, since all BT initiates start off with a weapon score of 1.  Your character MUST be from the mainland (no Seanchan/Sharan/Sea Folk).  We may be willing to accept an Aiel, but he would have to be very well written.

Remember that the taint affects all men sooner or later.  Usually sooner.  Do not assume that you've been channeling for decades.  You will most likely be mad, dead, or some combination of the two before reaching the BT.

Also remember that all ties to your former life are severed upon joining the BT.  This includes nobility or royalty.



After your bio is submitted and approved, it will need to be crosschecked (this does not apply to returning members who resubmit their old bio).  A member of another division will check over the bio and give it their stamp of approval.

Once this is done, you are ready to recieve your OP scores and begin the RP!

Edit:  Sometimes, despite our best efforts, the spam filter on the email eat the bio.  If you have not been responded to in a reasonable amount of time, feel free to PM the bio to me.

[Tai'Dashan]

*pokes his head in*

Also, for all you new guys...

I am in charge of the meet and greet around here, if you post an arrival thread and are not responded to within 24 hours, feel free to PM me or send me an IM via my MSN contact info!

Can't wait to RP with you guys! 

[Arath Faringal]

As an incentive to get people to RP more, we have revamped the requirements for earning bonus strength points for the Asha'man.  You will now be able to earn 'buy points' from different sources upon reaching Dedicated rank (you will only be able to spend them as an Asha'man though).  There are a total of 3 STR points available for everyone who meets requirements.  Listed below are the ways in which you can earn them.

   -Mentoring a Soldier up to Dedicated rank, participating in at least half of his RP's. (1 bp)

   -Mentoring a Dedicated up to Asha'man rank, paricipating in at least half of his RP's. (1 bp)

   -Significant activity in an approved interdiv RP (2 bp)

   -Taking an important or leading position in an approved interdiv RP (3 bp)

   -Significant activity in an important BT RP (We'll let you know about these)(1 bp)

   -Fulfilling an OOC assignment from Staff (1-2 bp depending on assignment)

   -Serving actively as staff. (1 bp) 

   -Getting a friend to start playing at the BT (2 bp) The new person would have to remain active for at least 2-3 months before this point will be assigned, just so we don't get flooded by very 'temporary' players so people can get their points.  The new player would have to make some mention of the existing member in their application/bio.

After earning your bp (buy points), they can then be spent to purchase your additional strength points on a scaling system.

STR pt 1 = 4 bp
STR pt 2 = 6 bp
STR pt 3 = 8 bp

So 18 bp will get you all over your bonus points.  If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.

[Arath Faringal]

http://aliciawilkerson.com/dev/opweaves.php

This is a useful tool for figuring out at a glance which weaves your character is capable of.  Simply plug in your OP scores and take a look.

Just remember, the strength score you need to enter is your original SBA.  The score you recieved BEFORE you did the elemental breakdown.  It also doesn't take into account bonus strength points, on the off chance that you have one.