TFF's Official RPing Academy

[Zardoch]

Closed.

[T.G. Oskar]

Guess I should do a secondary post. Some examples seem to be missing, but that I presume I'll leave to Vicious to complete.

Might begin by addressing something in the area of min-maxing. Min-maxing belongs often to a certain group of RPers. These are comprised of the optimizers, the powergamers and the munchkins.

Forum RP is a free form style of writing, where you make a character and assume its "Role" to interact with a shared world. Most of the time, you seek to have more roleplay and less roleplay battle, where your character can truly show itself, where you can assume some positions that otherwise you wouldn't assume.

However, sometimes it's painful to see characters that have only a sentence of background and paragraphs of detailed description about their combat skills. For RPB, this is wonderful, but for RP, it's not so much. The min-maxers and their cousins (which are taken mostly from the cousin of forum roleplay, the pen and paper roleplay) often belong to this area.

Optimizers seek to make effective characters, seeking to be as most balanced as possible. While, say, having electricity powers can only take you so far (and maybe leave you with a rather punishing weakness), you can work around that aspect and acquire other aspects from that same set of skills. Fire can do more than burn, ice can do more than freeze water and shatter, and the like. An optimizer, in forum RP, seeks to do as much as it can with a small set of tools, giving good descriptions of what it can do with such tools. At times, they can do stuff that may look a bit out of place (like, using fire to produce steam and hence take out other fire users). Other times, they give so much importance to what they can do with their limited set of skills that they forget to take care of their weaknesses. But they are fast learners.

Min-maxers are pretty much self-explanatory: balance the best maxes with the lesser minimums. The problem lies in using loopholes: you can say you're a specialist in fire, but have a serious problem against water, and against the lack of oxygen. But if you seek to have a mastery over void, for example, and you deem the only weakness to be, say, love, then it makes for an odd weakness and hence the maximum becomes overpowered. It's not wrong to have weaknesses: working around severe weaknesses enhances character development. But using loopholes seems kinda stupid.

Powergamers get the tools to win. Simple as that, even in RPs. They get the Ultima Weapons, the Lances of Kain, the Adamamtium Alloy Armors, the infinite scrolls of Ultima, and the like. They get this urge for power, and care little for balance. And this is a no-no. No person likes a powergamer. Because powergamers see others as competition, and this ruins everyone's fun.

And then...comes the munchkin. A typical munchkin character looks like this:

Name: Irrelevant
Race: God
Class: Creator and Destroyer
Height: Irrelevant
Weight: Irrelevant

Background: He's God, can't you see?

Skills:
I WIN: I use it, I win the battle. Simple as that.

Munchkins are the bane of everyone, people. Worse than powergamers. A munchkin is the kind of person who violates all the other rules, since it has perfect powers of prediction, omnipresence (meaning they can be anywhere they want), infinite power, and the like. If you follow just a few of the examples of bad-roleplaying, it's a problem. If you follow them all, constantly, you might be a munchkin. Munchkins are the worst min-maxers, the ultimate powergamers.

Wanted to add the last three as an example of bad roleplaying, and the first one as an example of good character development. There is no problem on having an interesting character with a wide variety of skills and powers to its disposal: the free-form nature of forum roleplay allows it. But, since forum roleplay is based mostly on quality and not on quantity, it's more important to have quality character development than poor character development. And quality character development leads to a great character background, which is one of the key points of the Academy.

In summary: do not fall into the trap of min-maxing, or going the other ways of powergaming or become a bad munchkin. Optimize your character story to blend with what you've already got: explain how the powers were acquired, give them more meaning than just tools for battle.

[Sinister]

The greatest hindrance to an RP and our main enemy are those who establish themselves as main characters, do an excellent job but disappear/stop caring towards the conclusion of the RP.


Hello, by the way.

-Sin

[Zardoch]

Well yeah, those people who become main characters just lose interest like most people do. In just about any RP that starts getting good, things always seem to go downhill. The problem is that these kinds of people are the only ones doing anything in an RP with a determination to see it through. They feel like they're the ones with the whole RP on their backs as they watch everyone else 'mingle'' together without helping the RP whatsoever. In all honesty, the hindrance doesn't come from them, but the other role-players who sidetrack the RP with pointless actions and dialogue.

Hello to you too, lol.

[Sinister]

Granted, but there are those who I think just become bored and leave the RP dead. I know, I've been one once. It's really hard when no one shows up and posts and the RP mutually extinguishes itself. Some may say it's because it was a bad RP, but I don't think that's always the case. When you start an RP you have to be devoted to finishing it as well. Or at least those are my thoughts on the subject.

-Sin

[Ghost]

Generally, I find that also happens when the plot-line for the RP is too in depth. If there is too much to it, it sometimes takes only the most devoted RPers to actually become interested in it. Sometimes this is due to a lack of understanding or a fear of commitment. That is why simply plotted RPs often have the most 'hits,' but with this pro there comes another con. If it is TOO simple, you will find the forum littered with newbs (and munchkins, as you put it). That is why it is best to have a semi-complex, semi-simple RP with a few guidelines and requirements for joining.
That's my opinion anyways.

...

Hey, I'm Ghost, Level 7 Student

[T.G. Oskar]

Alright gents, and all staff and students. This is important.

At any moment after this post is concluded, Fuzz may load into the forums the Roleplay Academy. This will all be nice and well, but there'll be a small problem, which is that Vicious will not be for some time. I speak of small because I expect to cover enough to start the operations underway.

The few things to know as of now are the following: there is a world constructed specifically for the Academy, so expect all missions and settings to take place in this world. Once the forum goes, I'll make up a few "missions", so to speak, detailing the nature of introductory posts. As well, I'll work around the nature of the world, and give a small description that will surely grow with time.

The Academy is expected to have a setting incarnation, to serve as the link between the members and the characters, and to add a bit more to the feel. The world will be somewhat based on Ivalice, and some of the three continents of such world will be there (namely, Ivalice, Ordallia and Rozarria), but the world WILL be significantly different. You'll see as I describe a bit more.

This part is a bit left to my discretion, so...since most of the works will be with shaping characters good enough to participate in actual RPs and RPBs, I'll be making a thread for Academy-only characters. Do not add powers, skills or descriptions, or anything at the matter, until the intro post mission is achieved. (In other words, consider the description of your character in the intro post as a mission, and take that as the reward for the mission. If you're succesful, that is)

Staff, once the forum is up, I'd like to have a small discussion via MSN, or PM if you feel comfortable with it, to discuss further missions and whether the char thread is a go or no-go. Also, discussing the world as it is, and explaining a bit the mechanics over it.

[DragonHeart]

When you start an RP you have to be devoted to finishing it as well.

Therein lies the heart of the problem. For the average poster, starting an RP always sounds like great fun, a way to pass the time on a slow afternoon or whatever. But then they make that first post, and another, and another, and then they realize they didn't think about the fact that an RP is a lengthy, involved process. Suddenly it seems more effort than it's worth, and that's why so many just fizzle out after a few pages.

Same with the TOA, for that matter. The first round or two goes smoothly, then half the people just seem to drop off the face of the planet, and before you know it there's three people left and the tournament's six months over the projected timeline.

This is why I'm toying with the idea for an RP equivalent of a short story. Something that isn't plotless but can still be wrapped up in say, 15-20 posts. I think the length is the key factor, so keeping it short and sweet should make things far more manageable. I'm planning on a test run once I get my computer back, or maybe sooner depending on how things work out.

~DragonHeart~

[T.G. Oskar]

Whew, finally!!

Alright, so the forums are up and running, and the first mission is already done. The rules are a bit odd, so I'll place the disclaimer here: these rules are preliminary. When Vicious returns, I'll discuss them with him, and I'll change as needed. So for the moment, all members will only post in the Intro Post thread, students in a compulsory (read: you must) way, and teachers as they are needed. Later, I'll make the Academy character thread, so that students have their representation, their "Avatar" within the Academy (and so do the teachers), once a few people pass the mission.

I need to know the opinion of a single character for the Academy from the other staff members. Anomaly has already expressed his support, and I also approve of the idea, but perhaps other people may have opinions. As well, discussions about the world of Terran Fas Fafner are officially open. I'll make later on a thread in the TFF World forum detailing what's so far on the world, but here's a small preview: the towns and cities so far in Ivalice:

Midland: Academy goes here. It's basically your small academy town, full of supply shops, a tavern (Aces, Deuces and Triads), two rival blacksmiths, and a small population. More than half of the town is comprised of the Academy; the town was made by the people that decided to live close by and benefit from the travel route to the Academy.

White Bay: Basically, one of the main port cities of Ivalice. The world is rather odd, since it's not a set of continents but a supercontinent divided by a massive crevasse in the land, making the landmasses. Also, the advent of airships have made sea travel a bit outdated. However, it is still a very important port for established sailors and merchant marines. It's a trade city, and one of the largest providers of foreign goods.

Babelot: Capital of Ivalice. The funds come mostly from this large metropolis, although the Academy is officially neutral.

[Zardoch]

Excellent. You've done great in starting this thing, Oskar. Luckily, I'll be coming home today so expect me to be stomping the pedal to really get this thing going.

I'd also like to apologize to some of the members for the lateness of finally opening this academy. A lot of people have been looking forward to doing this and the issues we've faced over the past couple of weeks have brought things down and decreased the amount of anxious waiting. As such, I'm going to be working double time to see that things get the jump start they need once I'm back home. Expect many more things to be added within the next few days.

[Furore]

I also support the idea of a single character.
It might mean more character development as the user would be pretty much forced to stick with his/her character.

As well, discussions about the world of Terran Fas Fafner are officially open.

Sweet. I'll look into typing up some ideas sooner rather than later, which I'll send to either you or Vicious via MSN. If you like any, feel free to use them. If you don't like them, that's cool too. Either way.

[Victoria]

I do not support the idea of a single character. You have to learn sooner or later to create different characters for different RPs. Although since this is in the same world, I suppose the same character would be alright.

[Anomaly]

I do not support the idea of a single character. You have to learn sooner or later to create different characters for different RPs. Although since this is in the same world, I suppose the same character would be alright.

I think you may misunderstand. Of course its important to learn how to create different characters, this is pivotal, especially where RP is concerned. However, the academy itself is meant for training and refinement. When you train with a weapon, you do not try to learn every facet of every weapon in that class...you would be overwhelmed. Rather you start with one set weapon...and you learn every inch of it...its weight, its speed, its durability, how to clean and maintain it. Once you've mastered, or at least become more adept at this one weapon, then that makes the learning process easier when you advance to another weapon in the same field. It is to advance the training itself that I think it best we begin with single set characters (possibly allowing a branching into secondary characters when a student has 'graduated' from the academy)

Furthermore, you have to consider that we're trying to build a world here. It cannot be populated by thirty characters being controlled by four or five people. It's all well and good when it comes to NPC's as that will not effect the narrative flow, but it would be confusing to have an unlimited amount of alt characters at the beginning of this endeavor...and I'm not talking about just for the students. Remember, the teachers have to have a clear idea of who their students are in order to evaluate them effectively...otherwise the entire system becomes something of a farce when names and faces cannot be matched to skills and abilities. It's as much for simplicities sake that I support single characters at this point in time.

However, I would like to hear from Vicious, LocoColt, and Dragonheart on this subject.

As well, discussions about the world of Terran Fas Fafner are officially open.

The most important question I feel I can ask at this time is this. I know this Ivalice is at one and the same time based off of the final fantasy concept of Ivalice and something wholly of our creation. The setting is somewhat steam-punk with magic and technology living side by side, though with tech not being the super science it often is represented in many final fantasy worlds. What boundaries are set on our creativity?

Oh, and also are floating islands present in this setting? I like floating islands.

[DragonHeart]

While I do understand Toph's concern, I also believe that maintaining a single character would be the most beneficial in this situation. While having a number of characters is great for flexibility, one of the most common problems I see with newer members is the inability to properly develop just one, never mind several. Starting out with one base character and building from the ground up will be a huge benefit to those with less experience. With most of us being long time role players, I think we tend to forget where we started from. Hell, I remember when asterisks were still in style. Thankfully that time is long gone.

However, I do feel that the limitations of having a single character can also be addressed in a sensible way. I think that at certain points it would be prudent, and indeed maybe even necessary to allow character 'upgrades' so to speak. As each student improves in skill, they should be allowed to alter their character, but a full reinvention should probably be left until after they graduate from the Academy. This way they may develop their character as they learn, and also keeps them from becoming bored, should they decide their character isn't to their liking later on down the road.

Basically I'm just thinking out loud here, figuratively of course.

~DragonHeart~

[T.G. Oskar]

Being the one that spearheaded the idea, I'll have to give some thanks to Anomaly and Dragonheart for pointing the one single reason a single-character approach works for the moment: character development.

I do concur, the idea of roleplaying involves making a variety of characters and assume their roles, but it is better to start off small. One character per member will make the student think carefully what do they want their character to be, and where do they want to take it, in what direction. While the what is something that depends mostly on the setting of the roleplay, the where is what should be enforced. A good character development deserves another. Think of it as a need for focus: making many characters causes a loss in the proper mindset to assume a role. Otherwise, you would have multiple characters in a single setting, or in the case of PnP RPGs, two or more PC in a single scenario/campaign/chronicle, a nightmare for Gamemasters and Players to handle.

Academy-wise, that will be the best idea, but for the world itself, it will be well-advised to experiment with different ideas. The Academy and the World are superimposed, with some stories linking with others, but that does not mean everything has to be taken as canon. Eventually, the students will have to make another character, one fit for the setting rules, and they'll have to apply their acquired knowledge in the Academy, but following the setting feel.

Besides, try and watch the newer guys around. Have you noticed they tend to use the same character concepts? Rarely enough do they experiment with a different out-take. Even some older roleplayers (including myself) favor a character concept over the other (in my case, I favor the concept of Paladins and abilities related to radiance), but they manage to tweak it one way or another, and are still capable of making different characters.

I understand the concern of a possible endorsement of a "character mold" vision of character development, where the same character is reused in all RPs, but the Academy should work towards aiding to develop the students' skills in character development, and working with all tools from the very beginning can be staggering. Providing the tools piece by piece allow students to understand the process by which a succesful RP character is made, and by endorsing the understanding of the process (and a hefty dose of imagination), we could expect the formation of reasonable characters with which the players can feel comfortable.

You could say that we're doing it the tried and true way: step by step. (NKOTB reference comes to mind). But, teachers are recommended to have their own and unique way to tutor the students: if you want them to make fresh new characters every time you practice an exercise, even if they're just one-use characters, make it your way. We're just trying to make it easy for the students to understand the importance of proper character development in roleplaying (and reduce the chances of munchkinism and powergaming, hence returning the focus to proper roleplay)

[Psiko]

I've been meaning to do this. I'll make it short and sweet: I accept the offered position. I'll make more time tomorrow to do a bit more with this.

Sorry.

[Anomaly]

Also, random unrelated note, when can we expect students to begin posting their introductions? I was under the impression they could begin immediately, but I'm not sure if it's been made clear if this is allowed or not.

[T.G. Oskar]

Alright, that was a bit random Psiko. The best I can figure out is: A) he's been offered the position of teacher, or B) he's been offered the position of staff (which I believe is the correct one). Hope you can clarify that out.

Also, students can post their introductions at any moment since the thread was made. I know some of them have seen the introductory post mission, but perhaps the explanation is too complex. Making a lengthy intro may not have helped that much.

The student's introductory posts do not have to be better than mine. They can be done at any time. I did ask for a careful consideration about which character they would make, true. The description of the character would apply for the eventual character thread. That may also have scared the students a bit, but consider the following: all I ask for the mission so far is a name and a basic description. Most of the people may be scared of a lack of setting, given how raw and underdeveloped it is, but the introductory post is good enough to give ideas for the world. My character is from a foreign country, yet I managed to keep his story open enough for editing later on. You don't have to tell exactly where you're from: just choose one of the three continents, and that's it.

Another thing may be races. There are only 4 races, and three of them are from a recently discovered place, but here's a thing. As a rule of thumb, most characters are humans, the dominant race on this world. The small description of dwarves are enough to allow them as choices. Allowing any other race should be considered with care, given that sometimes such races are meant to be either very powerful or synchronous (meaning, made to depend or explain the relation with class A or weapon B or powers C,D, and E). Choosing a race over another may make one student have a slight advantage over their peers, and perhaps imply into trouble with the staff members as the race may be interpreted incorrectly.

I can do this to solve a bit of the problem and allow for the mission to begin in earnest. If any of the students has an idea they want to use, or have a question, please PM me or any of the staff members (and teachers and staff can PM me as well), and we'll determine if it's a go or no go, or answer the question.

I usually use big words, but oddly enough, I feel comfortable writing (and speaking) that way. Don't feel scared of all that load of words, if that's the problem.

[Victoria]

I think the problem is that it feels too overly complex and scary. What needs to happen is for someone else to write everything from scratch again in very simple, easy to understand terms.

Oskar's writing is too complex and scary for newbs to understand. Someone else needs to do it. Plain and simple.

That, and Oskar has poor grammar/spelling. I noticed a lot of words that didn't need to be there, and some that were misspelled.

[T.G. Oskar]

What needs to happen is for someone else to write everything from scratch again in very simple, easy to understand terms.

...or have a teacher translate that. Or wait for Vicious to remake the thread once again.

I understand my writing scares people (though I'm far from eloquent...you had to point me out the little flaw I did on the entire post), but that's no reason to remake it again. If any of the teachers wishes to do it, I'll accept their offer, sure. But if it ends as complex as mine, or more?

Someone had to do the mission, after all, and Vicious is in extended leave soon to return, so I was left with the task. And I tried to be as concise and simple as I could, but I had to write everything from scratch. But even the more eloquent students seem to have trouble writing their intros. Heck, even the teachers seem to have troubles writing them (those who have an intention of making introductory posts, I have to clear out) I know this is mostly for the students, but I wanted this to be an experience anyone could enjoy, even the teachers and staff. Having teachers give their examples in one or two occasions can aid students.

Still...I can't find myself writing in simple and easy to understand words. It's the inverse situation of the usual. Anyone wishing to help on the matter of the mission (leave my writing alone, please)?

[Victoria]

No, I won't leave your writing alone. This is a club that teaches spelling/grammar and all things writing. If you want your writing to be left alone, then why are you even a part of the club? >_>; Honestly.

I don't mean to step on any toes here, but yeah.. I don't really plan on making an intro post because it's not my place to do it.

But yeah, just because we're teachers, doesn't mean we're immune to have our writing critiqued and edited. It doesn't mean we're perfect. If you find your writing has errors, fix them. It's not that difficult.

Edit: Honestly I'm kind of tempted to just drop out of this. I get too strict and intense and end up being a complete bitch to people. It'll end up just like Demonia/Writer's Academy if I stay here...

[T.G. Oskar]

It's a matter of balance, Toph.

I ain't the ultimate writer, but I seek to make things interesting. I was to leave that one little flaw you and Xeim pointed out, but I changed it because you made me realize that, despite being one extra letter, it altered the entire meaning, and killed the flow a bit.

Same in here. Being strict is good, I can say. Sometimes being strict is what people need. But, there must be someone that balances that rigidity and intensity. I may not have a great degree of patience, but I can try working with that.

That's why there isn't just one teacher, but multiple teachers. Teachers aren't absolute in their ruling, one may debate with the other. And the result of that debate should end up in something good for the student.

Nobody's perfect. ESL here: sometimes Spanish bleeds in my writing. Same there: sometimes your demeanor bleeds in your work.

[Sinister]

As far as making another post, I think that would be irresponsible. You're setting an example by making the first post. Dumbing it down, or even worse, making it simple is only going to hurt the student's attempt.

The only thing you've got to do is make sure that each student knows exactly what to include in their posts. Then they make their attempt. Whether they're too scared to, need more time or whatever, you shouldn't change your post.

You can't expect them all too make attempts the very second you open the forums. Many have unfortunate schedules. Many are still working on it. Many want to put lots of effort into it and they need a little time.

Let's just wait and see what happens before we start second guessing ourselves.

-Sin

[Xeim]

Well, it's time I make a post. Grading the students is all well and good, but how exactly do you want us to do that? Some direction might be nice. "The usual" isn't going to cut it, as different people might interpret that differently. We need consistency. It brings about simplicity....which seems to be a popular subject. ^^;

And I agree that simplicity is needed. While Oskar's intro post should undoubtedly be left the same (as it reflects his writing style), the world info post should not. It is not a creative RP post. It is an informative post. As a club that is supposed to appeal to all levels of RPers, we need to have information that also does so. Truthfully, I haven't been able to get through what is there. And if I'm a teacher, what kind of troubles are others having?

Well, there's my opinion. Make of it what you wish. I really do need what you want your grading criteria to be, though. I don't want to be grading people on how well they can do a backflip only to find out that wasn't part of what you wanted.

--Xeim--

[T.G. Oskar]

Bit of a update, so to say.

The TFF World "Campaign Setting" thread (as I tend to refer to it) is still on the making, and I had to do a bit of effort to make sense of what little I had there. I know it's not necessarily an RP post, true, but the information there is very, very limited. What I refer to is the document Vicious gave me detailing what was so far in the setting.

I'll also admit, I was half asleep writing that. Not much of an excuse, since I managed to write a helluva lot being "half-asleep", but people asked for the world data, and I added bits and pieces for a more descriptive feeling. So yeah, it feels a bit like an RP post in the way it's described. And it's gonna have some errors in grammar and spelling, given the lack of a proper mindset.

Though I also have to blame Wizards of the Coast on that. Or, to be precise, their campaign setting books. Most of them are heavy on description, VERY heavy on description, and usually leave some pieces open to interpretation, so it uses a language that would be akin to actual roleplaying.

Honestly, I could use some help in there. Making a world isn't a very easy deal, I have experience in that. In fact, making a world takes nearly 50-100 writers, each adding pieces and bits to the world. Two people aren't going to do very much. Even more when the setting is meant to be open, so that everyone has a chance of making the world, and to feel like they have contributed to it.

There are some keys to it, though. Ivalice is much like Athens, if you want a reference, but with a construction style between the Late Middle Ages and Early Renaissance (a very short time period in history, actually). Ordallia would be akin to Sparta surviving until the Industrial Revolution: you could say the continent is a gigantic, totalitarian state, but it would be better to keep it as a small bunch of totalitarian city-states, all united by a single council whose power is as much as the Queen of England has now. Rozarria is even weirder, but it's the clearest of the continents.

Note: we're speaking of continents here. Not states. Continents. Each easily the size of Africa or any of the Americas. The entire world is comprised of one supercontinent, with the main division being a massive crevasse. If you've played Grandia 2 (the only reference coming to mind as of now), the crevasse is as huge as the Granacliffs. No sea, no lake, no waterway: just a big, big, BIG hole.

I'll give you ideas on what to post via PM, for one reason. Some of the people in here have their own criteria of evaluation, and that criteria should be reinforced. One may focus on the grammar and on the punctuation, other on the flow and ease of reading, other on how the rules were followed. All having their own means of evaluation. If I focus on one single set of rules, and force teachers to follow it, it may be beneficial, but in the end harmful to the student. And, well...I assume most of the teachers in here will follow some common evaluation criteria, only paying attention to one criterion over the others.

[Xeim]

Well, if you're going to let the criteria vary, you best make all the teachers grade all the students, as well. Otherwise, they won't get the best of everything. If someone focuses on flow, and that's where the student has trouble, but the three who end up grading him or her focus on grammar, spelling, and description repectively, then...what happens to the student? I want to say "they get screwed over," but that's sounding far too blunt. Perhaps, "they do not get to improve" sounds better.

That's my problem with letting everyone do "their usual." If everyone ends up having the same grading methods, great. But I seriously doubt everyone's going to be the same.

Let me repeat myself for a moment here: Consistency leads to simplicity, and simplicity's definitely good. Let methods of grading vary from teacher to teacher when it comes to one on one turoting...but not on things like these "missions." It'll end up becoming a jumbled, chaotic mess like Demonia and Writer's Academy. I really don't want that to happen.

As for building the world, feel free to approach me whenever I'm on MSN. I'd be more than happy to help out.

[T.G. Oskar]

Guess you're speaking from experience as well. Toph mentioned the exact same thing via MSN: a lack of unified criteria seems to be a dangerous problem. I did mentioned a set of examples as I wrote my earlier post (grammar, flow), but I meant to keep it open so that each teacher had its own method.

But, if the problem is being too relaxed in the evaluation, then I can figure out a general set of points to consider:

--Grammar: it's the one that usually comes to mind, even though to a certain extent it is only considered in extreme cases. Setting a standard of grammar will definitely cause troubles, so while I place it as a criterion, it is one I actually fear actually enforcing as it can cause some trouble.
--Flow: how the post correlates with time in the readers' minds. The flow can be fluid (the action runs smoothly, and despite the description you really feel like something is actually happening), fast (when the reader interprets a string of actions as happening in a very short amount of "time"), slow (the inverse of the fast flow, where an action that would normally take a second extends too much) or interrupted (where your mind interprets holes within actions, where the intermediate steps seem to disappear)
--Following the rules: does it fit the story? Does it fit the established rules? The post suddenly refers to something unrelated to the storyline?

These are three good criteria for evaluation. Those are my interpretations, but I expect the explanations to be easy to understand. Of course, you may think of others that right now I might not be remembering. You can evaluate by means of how entertaining the post is, but that's a relative and difficult criterion of evaluation, given how different people's tastes are.

Which is the problem I found within a rigid set of rules. Finding the right guideline to improve the objectivity of an evaluation causes a problem by itself. What one person may consider important may be irrelevant to the other. And, in the end, trying to be objective may end in some bias slipping out. I don't say always, but eventually it will bleed out. It may happen that the slip of bias within the evaluation may spark a conflict between teachers who definitely think in different ways. It may seem like an event that seems too difficult for it to happen, but it usually sparks really bad conflicts.

But I do thank you for pointing out your past experiences with Demonia and Writers' Academy. The mission is still rather new, so things like these differences in opinion are bound to happen. I don't want to feel like I'm forcing you people to do things my way: you might have noticed that I'm lax at being strict (...painfully pointed out, by the way). But I don't want to be too rigid you'll feel uncomfortable. And I know myself: I can be uncomfortably rigid sometimes.

[Zardoch]

Jesus, I finally just got back online and even then I'm only working on direct internet (parents don't have any, lol). Looks like we're going to need a new modem. Until then, I should be able to be online more often to get back into this shit. Apparently, lightning struck our house and our phone adapter melted to hell and screwed up some electronics, including my ethernet, forcing me to install an ehternet card.

Anyway, I'm online now and should be able to stay online for the time being. Need to get my ass back into the groove and jump back into this. Now, is there any questions anyone has for me?

[Anomaly]

I think we all need to sit back and take this thing a little more casually.

(ok thats just the jist of what I'm wanting to say. I'm going to ramble now because there's a lot of stuff to cover)

Oskar's intro is fine, its just long. I speed read most of Oskar's posts and always have. He's a great writer and gives a lot more substance than most people around here, and I think he did a fine job. Grammar and spelling wise, sometimes we forget to use spell check, thats an excusable crime, especially at the outset. If we start holding people to the standard of 'perfect' a lot of people are going to drop out of this FAST...because nobody is and no one likes RPing with someone that overly obsesses with that kind of thing. We all know what the acceptable limitations are when it comes to this...so long as you generally understand what the persons trying to get at, its okay here at the start.

The description of the world. I'd like to see more of it, but from what I understand we're meant to build the world as well...we're meant, all of us, to contribute to this process. It's going to be chaotic at first as there's a lot of foundation that needs to be layed before we can start building, but this is not like a regular RP. If we're not thorough it could lead to the over all setting having a weak foundation, and thus crumbling in on itself. At the same time don't expect a brand new world to be born over night. Rome was not built in a day, but each tile, each pillar was still painstakingly assembled bit by bit. If you're having trouble reading through what we already have set down, find a slot of time you're not doing anything else with, brew a cup of coffee, sit down and read. I covered it all in about an hour, without speed reading, and its pretty rudimentary at this stage...just wordy. I do sincerely hope that later on we can go back and simplify what we have once we're further established.

Grading criteria-wise, Grammer, Flow, and rules are the mainstays. The rest is up to opinion, and believe it or not that what a lot of people pass or fail on in real schools. Standardized testing can only get you so far and only get you so-so results. You should bare in mind this is just an introduction...I doubt ANYONE is going to fail this outright unless they introduce themselves with only one sentence and that consisting of 'a man who looked like Sesshomaru appeared and ate fritos...'
At this stage perfection is not required. Also, not every teacher need grade a student...the rule of three is being applied because its likely one or two of the teachers will judge harshly...but thats good, they're opinions will still matter and still be voiced and it will give the kind of constructive criticism that the students can use to grow.

Toph, you don't need to drop out at the beginning. I know this really isn't shaping up to be a pleasant environment for you to exist in with your sensibilities, but there's no sense in aborting the project at this point and time. Your refined senses will be greatly desired when we get to the more advanced stages of this project and start dealing with graduation level material. You have to expect a little sloppiness at the conception.

Vicious...the only question I have for you at this time is are there anymore set pieces/races/back story you want to add to the world before people start populating it with the products of their own minds. Oh, and will you be introducing your own character in the students introductory post thread?

(gah...thats it for now)

Anyways...long story short...everyone chill. All to often RP and RPB turns into a chore instead of the exciting escape its meant to be. Lets not let this thing drown in petulance, stringency, and doubt...just do what you always do and have fun with it. Just because its about learning doesn't mean we have to make it as shitty an environment as most conventional schools.

[Zardoch]

Well, the thing is I hadn't really explained Oskar the details into how the mission/exercise system was going to work, thus him writing a rather long post. Since this is the beginning, what I was leaning towards was the simple basics of learning how to write and role-play. Introductions might be apart of that, but it's something only people who know the basics of writing can begin learning about. That said, I'll probably be putting up exercises myself based on missions that will not affect the TFF world itself. At least, not directly. Furthermore, each exercise will be given a certain level of difficulty. Let me explain.

Let's say there is a mission that is based on grammar. The exercise would have an explanation of what is needed and the rules, just like Oskar's first mission. The difference is that the skill levels would be set to look something like this.

Skill Level 1-3: Can only write one paragraph or two writing this or that.
Skill Level 4-6: Can write up to four paragraphs or more, but may only make (x) amount of mistakes.
Skill Level 7-10: Must write more than five paragraphs with near-perfect grammar with only (x) amount of mistakes.

This refers to the student level system. Depending on the level of the student will determine which difficulty and limits they have.

Now, as for the world itself. Currently, we're just creating the basics of the world and then going to allow everyone else to build it on their own. Since this is a world for TFF, it's going to be built by TFF members. Of course, along the way, I do suspect to add premade storylines or elements to help enhance the current plot. For now, mostly we'll just be working on the cities and places within Ivalice.

Onto another subject, I also intend to create a Character Profile thread. It will be added as an exercise and there will be again be limits depending on what leve the student is on what weapons, armor, and abilities they may have. Teachers and staff members won't have such limits. Either way, instead of introducing yourself, a character profile will suffice.

As for how teachers will grade the students, no student is really going to "fail" an exercise. With each mission, a student will post to the best of their ability and then be graded depending on what the mission was about. If the mission was about grammar, they will be graded on their grammar and given the appropriate amount of gil for how well they did. Tips and opinions besides the certain grading can be openly said if it will help the student. Other than that, grammar, flow, and how well they stayed within the rules will play apart of the grading overall in any exercise. There will be a certain level of strictness, but not something over-the-top.

In the end, I want to make things as simple and organized as possible so that it will be newb-friendly, but also difficult enough to allow experienced writer's or fighters the chance to improve themselves. We want to teach people the fun of role-playing and writing, not something that becomes, like it was said, more of a chore.

P.S. - Concerning my own character, I haven't begun working on it yet, lol. I probably will soon enough.

Anything else anyone wants to ask?

EDIT: I almost forgot, since I just returned and the forums were created a few days ago, students and teachers alike should know the academy has yet to start. It's semi-open and students can still train with teachers, but until more exercises are created (which should be tomorrow), things will still be "under construction" so to speak.