How To:

[Illyasviel von Einzbern]

This is primarily a little handy guide for anything that needs a bit of processing. I'll start with the most critical, taking it step-by-step.

Important note: When viewing example pictures, please pay attention to the category tree i.e. the thing on top of th posts that say "Fate/Nuovo Guerra :: Grail Codes :: Participant Updates :: Preview Message" or something. They can keep you from getting lost.

How To Start a Thread

I understand that some of our members are having difficulty with starting a thread. No worries, that's what this thing is for! Any questions are to be PMed to me.

[blue]STEP 0[/blue] - Make an RP Request
It's Step 0, because it's an optional step. If you don't have any pre-determined plans to RP with specific people, and want to have your thread populated by a certain type of character, this is the best thing to do. That way, you can at least describe what you want.

This step is easy: proceed to the RP Request Board here and follow the guidelines here.

An example request:




[blue]Step 1[/blue] - Choose a Day
The Holy Grail War will start on the first day of February, 2027. In short, Day 1 will be Feb 1 to make it really simple. To make it even simpler, that day is a Monday. In mathematical terms:

Day 1 = Feb 1 = Monday. All of these are interchangeable.

The calendar is flexible, and allows for what we call 'Fluid Time', which can get confusing if you're not used to it. For simplicity's sake, if you don't want to get confused, then [red]skip Step 1 and start your first thread on Day 1[/red]. That's the equivalent of starting a new game of Fate/Stay Night.


[blue]Step 2[/blue] - Choose a Time of Day
Threads usually take place within a matter of minutes, or at the most, a couple of hours. So it's a no-brainer to just choose what time of the day your thread will be set in. Dawn? Pre-Dawn? Noon? Afternoon? Morning?

A list of periods of the day and their equivalent on a clock is available in the Calendar thread, here.


[blue]Step 3[/blue] - Make Your Thread
This is self-explanatory. Find a location in the city where you want to RP your thread, and then post it.

It can be [red]Private[/red], where only certain people are invited to participate, or [red]Public[/red], where any random person is free to join.

An example post:


[blue]Step 4[/blue] - Register Your Thread
Go to the Calendar Registry thread here, and input the requested information. The Registration process has no effect on the thread. It is only a means to catalogue and archive the thread, so that the list of threads can be organised into the timeline.

Once you fill out the form and register, feel free to forget about it.

An example registration:


[blue]Step 5[/blue] - Have Fun and RP
I would just say to wait for somebody to post a reply, then reply to that. Unless you're crazy and want to RP with yourself, which is boring.


IN A NUTSHELL:

[blue]Step 0[/blue]: Request an RP Partner, if you want to
[blue]Step 1[/blue]: Choose a Day for the thread to be set on. When in doubt, CHOOSE DAY 1!
[blue]Step 2[/blue]: Choose a Time for the thread to be set in
[blue]Step 3[/blue]: Make Your Thread
[blue]Step 4[/blue]: Register your thread for archiving and organisation purposes
[blue]Step 5[/blue]: Just go and RP!


Again, as a reminder, for any clarifications, just PM me!

~Ilya

[Illyasviel von Einzbern]

How To Create A Character

Some times, things can get really confusing when it comes to characters, with rules and regulations going everywhere. I think it's time I distilled it down to a to-the-point step-by-step process.

[blue]Step 1[/blue] - Read the Character Rules and Guidelines
First and foremost, you have to know the do's and don'ts of character creation. You can find the rules here, and the guidelines here.

[blue]Step 2[/blue] - Choose a Character Type
There are three types of characters here:

Servant - Your heroic spirits, who fight in the Holy Grail War. This is probably the biggest appeal of Fate.

Magus - There are two types of magi here: Masters, and non-Masters. Masters, of course, get Servants. non-Masters are just magi, who aren't participating in the Grail War as Masters. Or, they want to, and would rather steal somebody's Servant. Your call, really.

Other - Neither Servant nor Magus. Generally, this means 'normal' people.

Pick one according to your liking.


[blue]Step 3[/blue] - Create Your Profile
Copy the profile template corresponding to your chosen Character Type from here, go to the Profiles forum here, and start a thread for your character profile.

You don't have to finish it in one sitting, but if you can, then knock yourself out. When making the title of your profile thread, make sure to indicate, in parentheses, whether it is still a work in progress (WIP). Once your profile is completed, make sure to change the indication to what type of character it is, whether Magus, Servant, or Other.

Posting a reply in the thread stating that you are ready for approval is also optional and a helpful signal to tell the administration that yes, you're done.

While making your profile, feel free to ask the mods any questions if you need help.

[blue]Step 4[/blue] - Undertake the Approval and Evaluation Process
Once your profile is complete, and you have announced your readiness to get approved, an admin will come and check to see if your character is acceptable. If the admin has some issues with your character, s/he will make them known, and ask you to deal with them.

Generally, admins will give recommendations on how to fix those issues, but if their suggestions are too vague and you don't know if your edit will fix it, feel free to ask for help.

Once you finish editing, reply to the admin's post saying so.

Rinse and repeat until you get two approvals.

If an admin does not immediately start evaluating your character, give them three days allowance before you start PMing them. Chances are, somebody will evaluate your profile within three days.

[blue]Step 5[/blue] - Take Your Character Out for a Spin
Once approval is complete, and your profile is locked, enjoy the RP.


IN A NUTSHELL:
[blue]Step 1[/blue]: Read the Character Rules and Guidelines. Know the do's and don'ts to minimise the issues admins will have with your characters during approval.
[blue]Step 2[/blue]: Choose your character type: Magus, Servant, or Other
[blue]Step 3[/blue]: Create your character profile. You don't have to rush yourself.
[blue]Step 4[/blue]: Inform the admins that you're ready for evaluation, and fix any issues that they find with your character.
[blue]Step 5[/blue]: You're approved. What are you waiting for? Start RPing!