One of the things I set out to do as PA is to make the application process smoother for the applicants. Currently what they need to know is spread out across many different resources. I want to combine all the existing materials into one single resource for applicants. What I'm going for is an easy read in a single page, with some hyperlinks to additional information (to such things as the server list, campaigns, dm's, etc.) should an applicant want it.
Thing is, I need some help. I've been spending quite allot of time on this but as much as I think this is a good idea, I really need to force every single line out. I've copied a good part, and jotted down the bits about "what does this mean" and "what can I expect from ALFA?"
ALFA Application Guide
Preface
‘A land far away—a magical term that gives rise to mental images of exotic lands and exciting adventures. A land far away—the setting of countless fairy-tales and myriad bed-time stories. A land far away—that special place that we all go to when we need to escape the pressures and vicissitudes of life—a land far away.’
Welcome to ALFA, A Land Far Away, a world where the vastness and wonder of the Dungeons & Dragons™ universe takes on a virtual life all its own. A place where like-minded role-players of all ages, races, cultures, and creeds gather together to experience the wonder and glory of a thousand shared imaginations. A place where the raconteur reigns supreme while holding others spellbound; a place where every decision has consequences; a place where the games unfold before your eyes.
Hail and Well Met, traveler, the roads of ALFA lie before you, their infinite destinations missing only the unique imprint of your footsteps. Enter—we await you inside.
Contents
What is ALFA?
What can I expect as member?
What is expected from me?
How do I join?
What will I need?
Anything else?
What is ALFA?
A Land Far Away (ALFA) is an online role-playing community founded in 2001. Our goal is to create a rich and rewarding D&D role-playing experience for our players using the Neverwinter Nights 1 & Neverwinter Nights 2 computer games and WotC's Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting.
The main emphasis of ALFA is on role playing. Our servers are designed primarily to enhance the role playing experience of our members. When playing in ALFA, players are expected to assume the part of their characters, acting in the world as they would, and remain in-character at all times. Our Dungeon Masters create both ad hoc plots and preplanned campaigns to help bring the world alive for our players. This often results in the creation of fantastic stories about which our player bards sing.
Our players, dungeon masters, and builders come from various backgrounds. While many of our members have a lot of pen and paper role-playing experience, we also have a significant number of players whose only experience with role-playing has been in other CRPGs or MMORPGs. We welcome both the seasoned D&D veteran and the novice gamer willing to learn about the Forgotten Realms and about role-playing.
What does this mean?
Death is permanent. Characters can be resurrected through in-character means but no out-of-character safety nets such as with NWN1 are available. Upon loosing all hit points, a character is knocked unconscious and begins to bleed to death. Characters can be stabilized through treatment or certain dice checks, after which they are able to move again and receive further treatment. If characters fail to be stabilized, death occurs and the player character is send to a isolated area called the Fugue. All his belongings remain upon a corpse in the play world and is free to be looted by passerby’s.
We maintain a single character rule, meaning you are only allowed to have one character per platform. New characters can be created if an existing one is retired or in case of death. Furthermore you are allowed one character per platform, meaning you can have on for NWN1 servers and one for NWN2.
All characters start at level 1. Experience is awarded through quests and interaction with DM’s. By simply being on-line and moving or talking, you will be awarded with experience points as well. Gaining the first few levels is relatively easy, but higher levels are more difficult to attain.
Availability of magical items is low. Small enhancements can be common place yet still costly. More powerful magic items are much rarer and difficult to acquire. These are not placed in the gameworld without consideration and are typically awarded by Dungeon Masters.
What can I expect from ALFA?
Thanks to the combined effort of our Dungeon Masters, builders, programmers, webmasters and many of our other creative talents, a number of NWN1 & NWN2 servers are available to our members. Each has their own dedicated team of dungeon masters and builders and covers a specific part of Faerun. Player characters can move freely between servers on the same platform.
Player groups populate our servers and provide ample opportunity for character development and plot creation. Membership of player groups is not at all mandatory but even a loose affiliation can be very rewarding. Much of the daily happenings and politics can be attributed to player groups.
Dungeon Masters also run campaigns. These can be trans-server and may involve different player groups, and individual characters of all kinds. These can spawn fairly short times or over the course of years, and servers will be developed and build in response to the happenings in the campaigns.
What is expected from me?
Common sense, open mind, listen to DM’s, the Code of Conduct, Player Handbook etc.
How can I join?
What will I need?
Anything else?