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The event "The Assault on Taekir" is beginning in 1 day, 3 hours.

Background entry now available

 
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Abandoned Realms



Joined: 23 Jan 2004
Posts: 346

PostPosted: Thu Dec 01, 2005 7:34 pm    Post subject: Background entry now available

With the blessing of the Herald's Hall of Archives, we have granted the
gift of "backgrounds" to Thera's multitude of unfamiliar faces. We shall
allow you to reveal your background, and no doubt my followers shall harass
you to tell them it before the Reaper claims you and reveals all.. If
you're important enough.

See: HELP BACKGROUND
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Sebryn



Joined: 16 Jan 2004
Posts: 1185

PostPosted: Thu Dec 01, 2005 7:38 pm    Post subject:

*BEFORE YOU ALL START GOING NUTS WITH THE BACKGROUNDS:::*

Please, please, please do yourselves (and the imm staff) a huge favor and actually *READ* the helpfile. And try to understand it...

Backgrounds that don't follow the guidelines in the helpfile won't get approved, and thus they won't be reflected in the Graveyard when your character dies/deletes. Save yourself that frustration and follow the guidelines.

Thanks,
- Vhrael
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Davairus
Implementor


Joined: 16 Jan 2004
Posts: 10344
Location: 0x0000

PostPosted: Thu Dec 01, 2005 7:38 pm    Post subject:

Code:
'BACKGROUND'
Syntax:
  background          - view your background
  background + <line> - add a line to extend your background
  background - <line> - remove a line from existing background
  background format   - word-wrap background to 80 characters per line
  background edit     - edit background in the text editor
 
A background provides an opportunity to define the early-life experiences
that have helped shape a character into what it is in the present day.  It
is a recollection of significant events, people, and/or places that hold
great meaning to a character, perhaps enough to affect the aspirations that
he holds.  For example, a background may state that the character was born
into poverty in farmlands to ordinary parents, and the yearly visits of a
rich travelling circus persuaded him to leave the farms behind and travel the
world performing as a bard.  Another example may be the character entered
into slavery at birth, eventually rescued, and sworn himself to become a
paladin to save others who suffer at the hands of evil men.
 
Backgrounds should end at the time your character emerges in the realms for
the first time.  There is no need to stick purely to childhood and teenage
experiences for backgrounds, but once the character is roaming the realms
in plain sight of other people, those events are no longer in the background.
Neither is there a need to try to establish a character as a great hero
or villian - the events that occur in game will have the final say on that.
It is a device best used as a declaration of intent in this respect.
 
Backgrounds are viewable by Immortals and are also published on the
graveyard when a character is deleted.  The latter only occurs if an
Immortal has read the background and locked it so that it can no longer
be changed.  A background is a good way to communicate to the Immortals
that your kills match up with what you are roleplaying.  A background
is required to be eligible for roleplaying rewards such as cabals, con
quests, custom titles, hyphenated last names, tattoos, and so on. Please
do not confuse "eligible" with "entitled" here.


Basically.. if you want to be able to get in a cabal, or eventually be able to get yourself a special title, condition quests... etc.. write a background and get an imm to approve it. You still have to earn those things,. the background is a requirement to fill. Also, backgrounds get posted on the graveyard if you have gotten it approved of.
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theobserver
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PostPosted: Thu Dec 01, 2005 11:58 pm    Post subject:

Davairus wrote:
Backgrounds should end at the time your character emerges in the realms for the first time.


Some people are asking how they are suppose to write a background for their character who was just born.

When you first create a character, its age begins at 17 and is newly accepted into its choosen guild (level 1). Before this point your character was guildless and pottering around Thera - this is your background.
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Trillian



Joined: 05 Nov 2004
Posts: 324
Location: 127.0.0.1

PostPosted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 12:09 am    Post subject:

Are histories supposed to be in third person or first?.. Or does it not matter? Is there a length that should be aimed for?..
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Sebryn



Joined: 16 Jan 2004
Posts: 1185

PostPosted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 12:25 am    Post subject:

Perspective: Treat it like a description.

Bob was always picked on as a youth, so now when he gets angry he tries to take it out on whoever he sees he has the biggest advantage over.

Length: I'd think that depends on your preference. If it's a very RP-intensive character with wacky emotes and whatnot, then it'll probably need more explanation so that people don't think you're just an ass that can't pull off decent RP.

Remember, these are only going to be seen by A) the Immortals, and B) the forum readers when you die/delete (same rules as being opted in: you've gotta be at/above rank 36). Put in there what you'd like people to know about the character, why he/she acts the way they do, what makes 'em tick, et cetera.
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Resatimm
Takes the Cake


Joined: 23 Jan 2004
Posts: 980

PostPosted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 2:19 am    Post subject:

So am I the only sicko who is thinking background entry = rear entry?
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Xazappith
Immortal


Joined: 03 Aug 2005
Posts: 169

PostPosted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 2:55 am    Post subject:

How do we know if its approved?
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theobserver
Guest





PostPosted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 3:13 am    Post subject:

Same way you know that your description was approved - A imm won't pester you over it Smile
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Ronus
Immortal


Joined: 17 Nov 2004
Posts: 56

PostPosted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 5:13 am    Post subject:

You'll only get pestered if you're in a cabal. If you want to be in a cabal, you'll be required to write one before you're inducted. You'll know because you'll see a message: "Your background has been commended, and can no longer be changed". So once you ask an Immortal to review it, make sure its what you want because thats it. So make sure to use spellcheck, or we'll all laugh at you like we laugh at Ramod's description of his first ranger char!!!
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Davairus
Implementor


Joined: 16 Jan 2004
Posts: 10344
Location: 0x0000

PostPosted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 5:37 am    Post subject:

This is not the same as descriptions.. it is NOT required except for people who want to get special stuff, because I want to encourage you to create a more significant character for those things. In the event that you need it approved, you CAN harass a level 51 to mark it so that you can get your access. Any level 51 can approve any background.

The important concept to take from the background approval is just this - once approved, you cannot change the background anymore. It is permanent. So you can't keep altering it like a new set of underpants. You need to put care into this, because you're stuck with it for better or worse once you decide to finalize it.
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Trillian



Joined: 05 Nov 2004
Posts: 324
Location: 127.0.0.1

PostPosted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 12:28 pm    Post subject:

.. there's a limit to background description. I've readed that limit and I'm barely at age 3... Sad Any way you could increase limit... or get rid of it altogether? I figure the gimp's would love to read a 10 page double spaced narrative..
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Sebryn



Joined: 16 Jan 2004
Posts: 1185

PostPosted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 4:20 pm    Post subject:

Trillian wrote:
.. there's a limit to background description ... I figure the gimp's would love to read a 10 page double spaced narrative..

With regard to the limit:

It's obvious that some of the more in-depth writers (and those madly in love with their characters, or that just need to explain some of the deep-seated issues by detailing past events, etc.) will burn through the line limit on the backgrounds fairly quickly.

That being said, keep in mind that this is a computer-based game. There are realities such as memory, bandwidth, spamming lines of text (trust me...) and the like. Until something changes within those boundaries, I'd like to offer a few pointers for those of you that might be running into obstacles with the limited background:

- As stated previously, the only times your background will be seen are by the Immortals, and when you get a Graveyard post on the forum (condeath, delete, rage delete, deny, etc. at or past rank 36). Anything you can't fit into your background in-game you can always save in a .txt file and post into that Graveyard thread later.

- Try to stick with key events that explain large portions of your RP or motives. Mentioning that you once had a pet named "Rex" might be a nice touch, but with a line limit I'd be reluctant to include it unless your character believes that "Rex" told him to murder his parents while they slept or something.

- If it helps, write out an outline first: highlight major events in your character's early development, then add detail as needed.

- You can always reveal more of your background in-character. Hell, isn't that what everybody's had to RP until now? Having others learn about your character's past through interaction?

- Find a Herald. If you really think people should know more about you, pay a Herald for an interview, then have them send a note or write an article for the Mystique.

If the issue of line limit ever gets addressed (don't hold your breath), then it'll be a different story. For now, I'd focus on getting across the main focal points, then add more detail when your character bites the big one.
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