Thread FAQ

How many threads can I be in at once?

As many as you can handle. Moderators may step in and ask you to limit yourself if you're found to be abandoning too many, and you have a responsibility to make sure you're not keeping your roleplay partners waiting by being in more threads than you can realistically post to, but it's your responsibility. ;)

What is Limbo?

Limbo is a special Archives forum for unfinished threads you plan to complete at a later date. It's useful if you or your roleplay partner(s) can't finish the plot or storyline for whatever reason (for instance, one of the participants goes on holiday or loses their muse). Threads in limbo can be back-dated, allowing you to temporarily ignore events until a plot or storyline is complete (this is especially helpful if a storyline will have a major impact on your character but you aren't sure how it will play out), giving you a chance to continue roleplaying the character as normal until the plot is completed.

What threads can be moved to Limbo?

If you know or suspect the thread won't be finished (for example, the other participants have left Elysian Fields altogether), then we prefer you write your character out of the thread and finish it that way.

Otherwise, any unfinished threads you hope to complete at a later date can be moved immediately to Limbo if all the other participants agree, or after a month of inactivity if the other participants are away.

How can I move a thread to Limbo?

If you want to have a thread moved to Limbo, you'll need to post as much on the moderator requests thread. Please make sure you provide a link to the thread so the moderators can find it. ;)

If all participants in a thread agree to have it put on hold, you can make the request at any time. However, if you're making the request because a character has gone missing or been retired, you'll need to wait a month from the date of the last post in the thread before making your request.

The moderators will wait one week after the request has been posted before moving the thread. During this time, any of the participants can reject the request but must revive the thread in question before doing so.

How can I retrieve a thread from Limbo?

Post another request on the moderator requests thread asking for it to be moved back to its original forum. Make sure you provide a link to the thread so the moderators can find it. ;)

When are threads archived?

Threads are normally moved to the Public Library at the moderators' whim, or upon request. We prefer to leave threads unarchived for a couple of months so they're easily found if people want to catch up (and so the forums don't look too empty), but if your thread is finished and you want it archived straight away, you can ask a moderator to do so.

Unfinished threads are eventually archived after several months but can be retrieved upon request.

How can I get a thread archived?

If you've finished a thread and would like it moved to the archives, you can post in the moderator requests thread. Make sure you provide a link to the thread so it's easy to find. ;)

Can I get a thread unarchived?

Yes, just post a moderator request and remember to provide a link. :)

Do finished threads count towards my thread total?

No. Once a thread is finished (by which we mean that your character has left the thread), whether it's been archived or not, it no longer counts towards your thread total.

Do unfinished threads count towards my thread total?

Yes, unfinished threads count towards your total as long as they remain in the in-character forums. Once it's been archived, however, it can be removed from your thread total.

Do Limbo threads count towards my thread total?

No, threads in Limbo don't count towards your thread total (which is partly what Limbo is for). However, they will count towards your total again once they're retrieved from Limbo.

What's this business about "thread totals"?

Originally, we had a limit on how many threads a character could be in at once, so your "thread total" - how many threads you were currently in - was a big deal. Now, the only limitation is how many threads you can manage at once, so your thread total isn't as important. However, moderators might restrict you if you're found to be abandoning too many threads or taking too long to post in others, so we haven't done away with it completely (which is why the FAQ still exists for it).

For chronology purposes, we strongly recommend keeping track of your threads anyway. You'll find it much easier to remember what your character did when if there's a record of it. :)

What are "thread tags"?

Thread tags are short-hand out-of-character notes inserted into the title of a thread to let you know certain things about that roleplay at a glance, such as "This shop is open" or "This thread contains mature content".

We have some post icons for the most commonly used thread tags, but, sadly, the forums no longer utilise post icons in a way that's visible or useful for these purposes, so they should be used in addition to the text tags if at all.

If you need to give a thread multiple tags, you can do so with commas or strokes, eg. "[M/S] Thread Title".

Text Tag	Image Tag	Meaning
[M]		Threads with mature content suitable for anyone aged over 16.
[R]		Threads with mature content not suitable for anyone under the age of 18.
[O]		Used in shops that are open to new customers, as well as roleplay threads that are welcoming and seeking all characters.
[S]		Used in shops that are semi-open (eg. the owner is slow and would prefer you contact them before creating a new shop thread), as well as roleplay threads that are open but require the posting of a specific character first (this/these characters should be named in the topic description). It's usually best to contact the topic starter to ask if you can join before doing so.
[C] [P]		Used in shops that are closed for some reason, as well as roleplay threads that are for private plotting between specific characters and that aren't open to anyone else.

Do you allow threads over private or instant message, or by email?

Yes and no.

Yes, because we don't allow cybering even in the Mature Threads forum so if you want to roleplay sex scenes and graphic violence, you'll need to do so privately (preferably off the forums).

And no, because we're a play-by-post site that relies on significant events in a character's life being visible.

What is Godmodding?

Actually, there are a couple of different definitions for the term "godmodding" (and a couple of different versions of the word "godmod" itself), but for our purposes, we use this definition from Urban Dictionary:

Examples include:

• "He flew at her before she could react, grabbing her hand and whipping her around to face him."
• "She threw her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek."
• "The idiot punched her, but she dodged it easily. In a counter-attack, she grabbed him and threw him against a wall. When he flew at her, she darted behind him and slashed his back with her sword."

Some people allow certain levels of godmodding for their own characters, but you should always check their Player Limits (a link to which should be in their sidebar under OOC information) before you do so and respect their wishes.

What is Powerplaying?

This is often mixed up with the various definitions for godmodding, and a single in-character action can actually be both godmodding and powerplaying at the same time, so there's room for confusion and interpretation. However, for our purposes, the definition of powerplaying is:

Such a character doesn't need to be "invincible" to qualify as powerplaying; it can include any character played as being stronger than he/she rightfully should be according to the rules of the game.

Examples include:

• Making a character acrobatic on a par with the Prince of Persia when you've never purchased the Combat upgrades necessary to do that.
• Giving a character more areas of knowledge than they could realistically have learned in the time they've been alive (keeping in mind that even though certain species are long-lived, that just means they take longer to grow up).
• Saying a character, who has a lower level in Combat (for instance) and less experience, can easily beat a character who has a higher level and more experience.