MDV Guide 2.0

[danigurl]

Welcome to HMO’s very own RPG, Moon Drop Valley! The following is a step by step guide explaining what the RPG is, how to become a member, what to do once you’ve become a member, and other rules, tips, and tricks of the trade.

The current RPG moderators are Sgt. Frog and Danigurl, both of which are very willing to answer any questions or concerns you may have regarding anything related to the RPG. Feel free to send either one a PM or visitor message!

Table of Contents:
I want in!
I’m in! What now?
What can I get in trouble for?
Have any tips?
I still have questions!

[danigurl]

I want in!

What does RPG stand for?

RPG stands for Role Playing Game. In Moon Drop Valley YOU create a character, and interact with other members’ characters. Your character can find love, work towards making money, or enjoy the simple things in life, the possibilities are endless!

Why should I join?

To have fun! Roleplaying is not only a great way to make friends on the forum, but it is also an excellent outlet for creativity. There are also special perks such as a Roleplayer badge, and for active members of the RPG (explained in more detail HERE), there are special shortcut buttons that become available as well as a larger signature size limit.

Where do I begin?

All roleplaying occurs on an invisible board that you can only have access to by gaining entrance into the RPG. In order to become a member of the RPG you must submit a character profile via PM to the RPG staff. The character profile outline can be found HERE and a sample profile HERE. Any questions or concerns regarding creating a profile can be directed to RPG staff, or you can create a thread in the RPG Discussion.

Are there any special requirements to become a member?

Yes. You must have a minimum of 100 posts before submitting your character profile via PM to the RPG staff. While this may seem unfair, keep in mind that it is a waste of everyone’s time if you create a profile and are approved but only stay active on the forums for a short while.

What if I am not a good writer?

Everyone eventually gets accepted into the RPG as long as they are willing to be persistent. The staff will work towards helping you to revise and expand your profile to what they see as being the best of your ability. This process is also useful in helping you to learn the sort of quality that is expected in the RPG.

[danigurl]

I’m in! What now?

What’s the first thing from here?

When you have been accepted into the RPG you should begin by posting your Character's Profile as a new thread HERE. Once that is done you will have to make your first post as your character by having them physically arrive to the Valley. The preferred method is via a post at THE JETTY.

Where will my character live?

Obviously, the next order of business is for your character to seek out shelter. More often than not people begin by getting a room by checking in with Cyrus (an NPC) at the FRONT DESK of the INN. Once you have checked in you create a thread with a random room number and your characters name.

When the time comes to purchase a home, you may go to the MDV REALTY where you will exchange with the NPC Anna. Before you make a thread for your home in the MDV RESIDENCES, you must fill out a HOUSE PROFILE. The MDV Reality is also where you will go to purchase a plot of farm land. Once you have purchased a plot of farm land you will post a thread in the Outskirts of MDV FIELDS.

How will my character earn money?

A list of current shops and businesses can be found HERE. Your character cannot own or take over any business until you have been considerably active in the RPG for at least 3 months. Again, this may seem unfair, but it is to prevent inactive shops. You character can, however, apply to work at somebody else’s business. They can also answer want ads on the BULLETIN BOARD, or post their own search for a job as well. If you have any ideas for possible jobs around town you can PM the RPG Staff.

Once you feel you are ready to create or take over a business you must fill out a BUSINESS PROFILE and PM it to RPG Staff for approval.

How do I interact with other members?

In order to initiate a roleplay with another member you should post HERE. Most likely someone will answer your request to roleplay by responding in that thread or sending you a message. You then create a thread in a location of your choice, or visit a thread already in existence, and allow your character to interact. Once you have finished your RP, you can decide where to rate someone on your character’s heart rate scale. You may do this simply by editing your character’s profile and adding the name of a character you RPed with next to the fitting heart rate level. You are allowed to choose how fast your relationships with people will progress but we won't be having you meet each other, get married, and have babies all in the same day. Try to use common sense when you are moving people on it. You also may want to take into consideration their personality. Pictures for heart rates can be found HERE.

What other things should I know about my character’s role in the RPG?

You should make a thread for your character’s mailbox in the MDV MAILBOXES section. You can also create a journal for your character to keep track of their thoughts, feelings, and daily life in the JOURNALS section.

[danigurl]

What can I get in trouble for?

Your Character(s)

Now although there isn't a limit to how many characters you can have, or how many NPCs each of them can have, we would recommend trying to keep it to one or two main characters and 3 NPCs a piece because anymore would be hard to keep track of.

Magic

There is no under any circumstances magic in this RPG. If you would like an act of "Divine Intervention" run it by one of the RPG staff and we will decide whether or not it is going to happen.

Sex

You are not to graphically type out your character having sexual intercourse. Post in a suggestive manner if you feel the need to display that your character is indeed “getting lucky”. Keep it PG.

Powerplaying

Powerplaying is forcing other players’ characters to do something against their will. Unless you have been granted permission refrain from doing so as this is considered a breach of etiquette.

Godmodding

Essentially, “godmodding” is making your character invincible or untouchable. Be realistic, if your character is in an altercation with another, do not suddenly make them super human.

Smileys/emotes

These will not be tolerated. This is a game but have some sort of seriousness, this isn’t a chatroom.

Keep it PG

To reiterate, no excessive amounts of violence, sex, and cursing.

Third-person roleplaying

Basically you are role playing someone else. Not you. So you would say “Charles danced liked an idiot much to the amusement of Sharon.”

Not: “Sharon looked amused when I began to dance like an idiot.”

No doubling up

Don’t be in two roleplays at once, unless you have two different characters. This is unacceptable, just as in real life you can’t be in two places at once, neither can your character. If someone you are RPing with goes inactive for a couple days and you're stuck, simply post (double post if you must) an excuse as to why your character suddenly has to leave.

Grammar and spelling

You do not have to be perfect, no one is, but at least put forth a noticeable effort. It doesn’t take a lot to press the shift key or hit the period button every once and a while. Please also keep in mind that this RPG is semi-professional. That also means no one liners. You don’t have to write paragraphs of detail/dialogue, but short posts don't do much to move the storyline along and don't give the person you're RPing with much to work with. The reason not just anyone is allowed in the RPG is because we want to be sure the members are people who can be detailed and don't mind writing to the best of their ability.

Pace yourself

Part of the fun of this RPG is slowly working your way into friendships, relationships, and building up your career. Don’t try to rush into something to have your character be rich and married with children. On that note, Be sure to read posts carefully and thoroughly when you are RPing with someone. It looks rather silly if your character completely ignores a question/action because you quickly skimmed through a post. This is even more difficult in RP's between more than two people. With that being said, if someone makes a post that to you seems inappropriate or against the rules, PLEASE ignore it and contact the RPG staff so they may deal with it accordingly.

Roleplayer Etiquette

It is polite RPG etiquette to first PM/message a person if you wish to join their RP. While realistically anybody can show up to a location and join others RP, it isn’t polite to butt in without warning.

Please keep in mind that all other normal forum rules apply. Warnings will be given to those that don’t seem to understand the rules. Continuous warnings will result in being kicked out of the RPG, and depending on the severity of the infractions, forgiveness is unlikely.

[danigurl]

Have any tips?

• Other than the above advice regarding some general rules, regulations, and etiquette, remember to have fun with it! If you have any questions or concerns feel free to PM the RPG staff or any other active member.
  
• Perhaps before posting in the RPG, read a few different threads to get a feel for how you should be posting. Always think before hitting the submit button, and don’t be afraid to run your post through spell check if you aren’t the best speller in the world.
  
• And remember to take your time, most members are pretty patient and would rather have to wait for a well thought out post then a rushed, sloppy one.
  
• Also, for everyone's convenience, it is helpful to post a link to your character's profile in your signature.

[danigurl]

I still have questions!

Below are some frequently asked questions. If you still have questions feel free to PM the RPG staff or post in the MDV QUICK QUESTIONS thread.

What does NPC stand for?

NPC stands for non-playable character. In other words they are not a primary character. In the case of certain NPCs running shops, you temporarily "control" them in order to conduct your business (ie. purchasing a room at the Inn or a house at the Real Estate Agency).

What season is it?

The seasons operate on a month to month basis with real time. For example, if January=Spring, February=Summer, March=Fall, April=Winter, and May=Spring. The cycle repeats. Every 4 months of real time then, your character should age a year. Usually the current season can be found in the RPG NEWS or by looking at the weather on the BULLETIN BOARD.

Where can I find a list of festivals?

Festivals can be found HERE, but this is only a limited list. New festivals are created all the time, and major town events also occur outside these festivals. Usually one main festival occurs per month and the date is decided on in a poll.

What are some sample prices of how much things cost in MDV?

General rules of thumb regarding prices and money can be found HERE. From there, just use your common sense.

What if someone I am RPing with goes MIA?

Do NOT timeline/double-up. If you are the last one that posted, either edit your previous post to make an excuse for your character to suddenly leave, or even double post.