WFR

2007-12-02 [xido]: WFR Guild Media has content and media.
Check out the continuing audio commentaries on WFR Guild Audio, if you get a chance.

Note: new audio commentary from [xido] on WFR Guild Audio (2007-12-2)

2007-12-17 xido: The WFR is now mentioned on a non-Elftown, non-Facebook page as informational, and because of this can be termed a relevant reference for concerns from Wikipedia. Because of this, this week will see continuing evolutions in the Guild's information on my Wikipedia user page, so we can send the article in for submission.

See Tubious: http://tubious.com/wiki-fiction-roleplay
-will

2007-12-20 [xido]: I believe you may be correct, so just in case, I had another plan:
http://xidoraven.googlepages.com/wfrguild
-will

2007-12-23 [xido]: Moved here:

2008-01-14 [xido]: All moderators need to be aware of the comments made by me on xidoraven studios. Please reply to me by email. If you don't know my email, please ask me for it by message.

Thanks,
-will

2008-01-16 [xido]: The Guild should sponsor a fund raiser for Guild funds and an Elftown donation this year. Next year (or when we get big), we can shoot to raise some additional funds to donate to D&D Wiki (http://www.dandwiki.com).

2008-01-16 [xido]: We are still transferring things:
new public info page: Wiki_Fiction_Roleplayers_Guild

That means this page is a quick-link (portal page for those who can't remember long URLs)

2008-01-28 Silverage Sentinel: hey xido its me from the babel con meeting.

2008-01-28 [xido]: Good to see you again. Check out the pages, and hit me an email if you're up for it. I will be posting the transcript for the meeting that I have currently recorded. It will then be posted on the WFR Guild Media pages. The recording was not that great of quality, so I will be typing it instead of posting the audio file.

Best wishes,
-will

2008-01-31 [xido]: Things are moving quickly. All WFR-oriented primary Open Gaming Areas / Open Gaming Area / OGA are being renovated, so that the creative company that [Torr-maat] and I are putting together can self-publish the Jashnia-focused material by, or prior to, Jan. 2009.

If you want to know more about the WFR's Jashnia-related material getting published independently, please see xidoraven studios.

With that said, even some of the internal structures of the WFR pages have been shifted about.

Here's my plan: I think that we have more than enough pages listed on this page right now, that we could use a minimal amount of pages (WFR, Members, Join/App, Library, Genres, Renovations/Updates = 'WFRGuild_News'), and it would be just fine. The Library can host the majority of content that doesn't fit with those other categories, like a catch-all resource center for Members and Guests (yes, guests - not spammers - thank the dehara).

Those are my thoughts. That gargantuan-titled list of pages, mods, etc. - that can all be copied to a better page title(short, and with underscores "_" as opposed to spaces "%20").

When a small list (4-7 primary pages) is put together, we can copy-paste and shift over, and we will send the last big batch private message the Guild will make.

We should ask all Knights and Mods if any of them would be completely opposed to joining Facebook if they have not already, and that we will moderate between there (where responsible mass-msgs can be sent), and a 'WFR Council' forum here. New Members will need to be thoroughly 'Critiqued' (reviewed for skill, integrity, and personality relations during application process and beyond) before we ever grant them access to the Guild Councils.

I chose this because I have operated open groups, and I have operated closed groups. Closed groups make better progress, while open groups get more people who join like they "window shop". The Guild will be open to members from the public, and we will have a closed internal decision-making unit.

Kim, you're in. Amanda, please be with us. Mich, I know you're busy, but you're my Knight dude. Maat... duh. Emily: if she's not in, I'm not in. Firous: .....  Well, I guess Scott can come to.... But he's got to push the limits, and prove his worth in the real world too. If Mathias were still around the town, he'd be in. I have his email address in my Guild account. [Phyn] is still acting like a jerk, to my knowledge. One never knows with that one. I'd ask [windowframe], but I think she thinks I'm an asshole right now.... That's never good. Angel is out of commission until further notice (*sigh*)... All cannot be well in the world without her right now.....

I think that covers my bases, right? Anybody else that has a bug up there ass to do something cool in the Guild once more? It's 2008, and time for us to shine, my friends.

Oh, and we need some cool quotes, too. You think we need a page/contest for that?

Contests will be big in this summer. xidoraven studios is going to try to provide incentives, at any and all possible costs.

Best wishes to all of you in all you do,
-will (xido, the Madraven)

2008-02-01 [NamelessMerc]: Actually, I was thinking about asking on here for some help. I have a lot of unfinished wiki pages in my RP, Blood of Creation and was wondering whether any of the WFR would be interested in trying to integrate it/ help me finish? The guys I was working with never have the time any more.
I know it's small-fry compared to everyone else's plans, but the attention to detail placed in that RP is huge, and I'm loathe to see it fall into idleness.

2008-02-01 [Kim_Lundin]: I may take a look on it if I get time from/when I finishes the WFR Library. A quick description of what needs be done would be nice.

2008-02-02 [NamelessMerc]: Hm... Well the bare bones are done. We have races, a map, a rough story and classes.

However, I need help with the following:
Spells.
Abilities.
Class skills.
Trimming the fat.

2008-02-03 [xido]: Merc, if I ever get some time, I will comment on your page about my input.

In the meantime, here's a link:
http://www.rpglaboratory.com/role_playing_101

Your best bet is focusing on setting. Wiki-rps are best suitable for describing a setting or scenario, with optional image hosting. The most effective way to set up a page is to have all the 'summary' info on the main page, with a link to your other info pages. Open Gaming Areas can be established by figuring out locations that need no Moderator in order to RP, and Campaign Gaming Areas can be more closely-monitored pages with more options chosen about how people interact, such as whether to play-by-post in the wiki itself, or in the comments section of that area. The best thing is to consider the mechanics of your game in a campaign, and the setting elements in a more open area. I typically make my first page the main page, link everything from there, and host an Open Gaming Area in the Comments section, where each player and web viewers can post their entries. This method does not allow viewers from the web to edit their posts once they make them, and I believe they only see the last ten comments or so in plain site. I'm not sure if a login is required for that, however. That is how I personally would set up any gaming page. Info is good, but can get in the way of a player actually finding one's game settings. Even from the web, this can be a little difficult with segmented pages like yours currently is set up.

I am being being nitpicky now, so tell me when to stop. If you are looking for more players, I would start setting up games to be viewable and commentable from the web (exported), and do a little formatting with keywords and stuff to get it seen. Otherwise, you are waiting on the shy and sometimes slow Elftown RP community to jump in and get dirty.

That's the thing with our wiki. You have to format it just right, so it is able to be messed within. If you want web viewers (as well as spammers in some instances), exporting is the key. Aside from that, I could only give organizational advice at this point. Campaign concept is a more long-term educational goal of mine at the moment. I swear, if I can get a digital video recorder.....  ;) It's on!
-will

2008-02-05 [NamelessMerc]: Hah, all wounds good Will.
I'm going for a basic d20 setup, GM monitored and party-play. The page has in-depth information in sub-pages with a general overview on the main page with links to sub-pages from that. Currently, all I need to do is work on the detailed pieces like spells etc. to work out likely damages. I can GM myself, when the d20 system is set up, but the guy I was working with on it doesn't have the time any more 'cause he's studying law at Leeds University.
- Scott.

2008-02-09 [xido]: That is story of our lives, Scott. I wish I could tell you differently. There's people that stick around, and others that don't. Can't take offense to it, because that is the way life goes.

We need to define RPG. I am sponsoring the information posted to that page. Wikipedia says: Role-playing_game.

d20 is also a page that could use some work as well. I would like to be informational, such as about the d20 mechanics and branding from Wizards.com. All WFR-related d20 mechanics stats that you would like published in WFR material need to be formatted and added to http://www.dandwiki.com - and if you find the WFR page on there, you may add it to that list as well. After adding anything d20 mechanics, either message me with the URL link, post it here or the WFR Application Page, or all three. WFR Mods will make sure it gets put on a submission list.

Thanks, all.

On another note, I would like any WFR Guild Member, Mod, or Storyteller/GM who would like their campaign setting information published to contact me ASAP, and no later than June 15th, 2008!!! If you know another of the WFR Guild Members, let them know this, so xidoraven studios can have it in front of us when we do our formatting and typesetting for the first .pdf. This submission list may include informational text, d20 mechanics, artwork, media, etc.

Best wishes to you and yours. I hope to go get arrested now for speaking openly in public. Wish me luck. ;)
-will

2008-02-12 [xido]: In case anyone would like to learn other pseudo-html formats, in order to better post on sites like D&D Wiki & Wikipedia, please see:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:How_to_edit_a_page
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Wikitext_examples

Also, if you ever want to have something published to a book or the web:
http://www.dandwiki.com
http://en.wikipedia.org
-will

2008-02-18 [xido]: For information that I will be discussing at our first WFR / RPGA Baton Rouge Local Chapter meeting or panel:
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/playdnd/parents
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/playdnd/press
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/playdnd/teachers
http://www.mahalo.com/Dungeons_and_Dragons
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/drrep/20070928
WFR Guild Media

2008-02-21 that guy: http://www.montecook.com/workshops.html

2008-02-21 [xido]:

the-roleplay-initiative is taken under the WFR's wing and content, after the RP Council concept failed.

ORP = Summary and list of:
Open RP Areas of Elftown (ET Only!)

OGA = Summary and List of:
Open Gaming Areas ==> re-directs to Open Gaming Area (info about OGAs)

CGA = Summary and list of:
Campaign Gaming Areas ==> re-directs to: Campaign Gaming Area (info about CGAs)

WFR Guild Secret Society = Guild Setting Secrets ==> Horns of Torrant

Jashnia
Jashnia-info
d20 = http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/Jashnia_%28DnD_Campaign_Setting%29

Jashnian_Cosmos
Jashnian_Cosmos-info (from the realms of existence)
d20 = http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/Jashnia_%28DnD_Campaign_Setting%29

Selenar_System
Selenar_System-info
d20 = ...

Jeriah_Galaxy
Jeriah_Galaxy-info
d20 = ...
M-101 re-directs to Jeriah_Galaxy

Inath & the Epicene
Cabala_Inata-info
Epicene-info
d20 = http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/Inath_%28DnD_Variant_Rule%29, ...

Book-of-Words
Grammaticum Primeaval
d20 = ...

Fantasy Languages & software concept

WFR Member d20 Content

Creature_List
WFR_Beastiary
WFR Player Races ==> WFR_Lineage

Niberuan
Niberuan-info
Tiamatian-info
d20 = ...
The Tiamat Chronicles

Milky_Way
Milky_Way-info
d20 info = ...

Terra_Firma:
  - M-101 ==> Jeriah_Galaxy
  - Other Galaxies...
Terra_Quanta
Terranium_Cosmos-info
d20 Modern/Future Earth Realm = http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/MSRD:Modern_System_Reference_Document

Land of the Mists OR The Land of the Mists - new: Land_of_the_Mists
Thillian_Cosmology

2008-02-25 [xido]: Wow:
http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=994651
http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=683655

2008-03-01 [xido]: 5-year anniversary graphic for later this year (the WFR was born by [Maedilynn] on 2003-04-03, at 02:26:33, named the Wiki Fantasy Roleplay... If you don't believe me, see version 1 of that page.):
http://elftown.eu/stuff/wfr_guild_5-year.png

2008-03-11 [xido]: Important update for me:
I joined AccessDenied.net. Pretty cool site for RPGers and Gamers:
http://www.accessdenied.net/cgi-bin/profile?621

Secondly, and update for others:
If you have not already joined the RPGA, I am inviting you to do so under the premise that it is an established organization that we can cooperatively work with in order to best affect the role-playing, gaming, fiction literature, and fiction fan communities at large. I do not make claims of its corporate ethical policies, receptivity to our Guild structure and/or organization, nor to its continuing/lasting effect on the Guild's activites and operations. I am merely seeking a professional affiliation before I hand the Guild over to another person in leadership.
http://www.wizards.com/rpga

This idea of joining the RPGA is NOT a required action for every Elftown Guild Member to take. It requires a sincere and thoughtful decision, and if you are a minor (under 18 years old), you will be required to provide a parent's signature. It is very easy to do by email or snail mail, and is completely free to join.

Being a member of Elftown eliminates the need for that, since we have Elftown Guards here for the Community and houses, and Guild Guards and Knights to protect the sanctity of the Multinational Earth and Elftown publics. The Guid Knights are all made to swear an Oath of the Sword in order to protect Elftown, the Guild, and the People of our world, Earth, from any and all dangers, including members of our own race of Earth humanity. This is not something that we take up lightly, for it is a solid oath to protect what is right, and what is just.

Through joining the RPGA, you are assuming a more credible and talented position in the RPG community at large, and creating a good reputation for the presnt, past, and future WFR Guild Members of our own home.

With the passing of a dear and great legend, E. Gary Gygax, I have asked Kim to prepare a small written piece to signify the meaning of this Great Journeyer to the Guild, and to the planet Earth (whom I call Tiamat).

Kim's post will come when it is ready, as we are all very busy with many great things.

Please join me now as I say that the time is ripe for the Guild to show its true colors and be involved in the world, and in the name of the hobbies, passion, communities, and more that we hold so dear.

Best wishes to all of you and your loved ones,
-will thompson, xido and Madraven

2008-03-17 [xido]: Beginning the template process for WFR pages:
Template Guide
WFR_template

Also, any publication of Guild content will be accomplished in the final stages (InDesign and .pdf compilations) by the xsnet segment, the Krewe of Harpocrates. This is one portion of the xidoraven studios network. All volunteers who wish to be involved in the project must comment on the Krewe's page to be involved.

2008-03-19 [xido]: The Elftown Academy class on role-play has been invited to help work on a group-created definition of the term for our own pages. Their class page is an official Elftown page, but the info page could be a great way for Guild Members to get involved in helping shape up Elftown's wiki once more.

I also added the Facebook group here, as well as our info page that I made on D&D Wiki. I will be composing a page about them and their projects on D&D Wiki.

I am hoping to have the Guild sponsor some contests this year to celebrate our five-year anniversary on April 3rd. I will post updates here as I make time to work on them.

2008-04-03 [xido]: Everyone needs to be aware of something, and begin an open discussion here on this page to say what we feel the Guild is all about, and what we want to say and know, and have talked about at BabelCon this year.

http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?p=15513627

This is a Wizards.com forum post in the RPGA community discussion boards, relating to the RPG Association, of which I am a member and Herald GM. I am hosting a discussion this July on the Guild, the RPGA, and how roleplaying is crucial to a creative and productive society.

What is the Guild about you? What do you know? What do you want to know more about?

We have two-six hours of time that we can host some great Q&A sessions with viewers and convention participants. Chances are that your questions could lead to bigger questions, which then lead to even bigger things still (if you can believe it)... So, what is on your mind?

All people need to be aware of this message if they are a Guild Member. Mods, I need at least one bit of input from each of you.

Thanks and best wishes,
-will

(Happy birthday today, Guild. Five years around the earth-sun. I still only speak English and Spanish... I think that means I'm behind the ball on being international... :/)

2008-04-06 [NamelessMerc]: Geh >.<; that made my brain hurt.
So complex...

(Does that count as input? XD)

2008-04-09 xidoraven: Kind of, but not really. I know I'm confusing.

What are your thoughts on the Guild? Ideas, critiques? Questions, concerns for new players? Ideas for things that continuing members can do?

Also, a link to completely uninvolved content:
http://www.sryth.com/index.php

2008-04-10 [NamelessMerc]: To be honest I knid of like the guild as it is. Enforced participation would be nice though. I know so many roleplays where people start out posting several times a week, if not a day, but after a while it slowly starts to dry up. In my opinion, members should be whipped into posting on a guild-sponsored rp once a week, if possible, or risk having their characters taken out of the game.

<.<; >.>; I'm an rp nazi, deal with it. *Big smile*

*Edit*: The participation thing is, of course, not limited to roleplays. That was just a convenient example, seeing as I've just posted in one.

2008-04-11 [xido]: Enforced participation based on a standard requirement in Campaign Gaming Areas / CGA would be fine as a standard, with each storyline group being able to set its own required slot/posts.

Enforced access on Elftown would not be very effective. Elftown Members pay no dues, and Local Chapter Members and Guests would likely either not take kindly to enforced logins, especially those Local Chapter Members (who pay dues), or feel less inclined to post as a Guest in Open Gaming Areas / OGA.

RP Nazism in moderated quantities is okay sometimes. I think a storyteller or GM who sees a genuine lack in player participation from someone for a large sum of time can creatively work the character out until the player returns to creatively work back in. Chances are if the person isn't that great, the group will notice and simply have a more difficult time accepting them seriously. This could be both beneficial and dangerously clique-like, so I think we should maintain moderation on that particular subject and try to focus on making people feel welcome on the site until they start doing stupid crap.

Also, on the Local Chapter Member dues subject, what - in your opinion - would be an adequate price to put in for dues to be an offline Member of a Local Chapter (non-Elftowner)?

Keep in mind that we have no current expenses, and that we are not really focused on any singular goal except to give the Guild the platform it needs to best serve the online community and its Local Members. In local terms, this could translate into a Meetup.com group, table/chairs, food, paper/ink, supplies/media, and technology for the groups.

All current and future transactions made in the Guild's name will be recorded and archived on WFR_Treasury. Would you feel like being a Treasurer with [Yralin] and one-two others?

What would make the video recorded meeting interesting aside from insane wackiness? What insane wackiness would you want to see?

2008-04-13 [NamelessMerc]: The Treasury? Hm, sounds like a good idea to me. I'll need to look into the whole thing, but I'm always looking for a more active role.

For insane wackiness, I think you really just need to take it to an extreme visually. Everyone makes jokes, pre-scripted witty banter etc., but not many people have the guts to, I don't know, dress as embodiments and be recorded doing so. Especially not in an interview.

2008-04-20 [xido]: Ooh, an embodiment would be fun, but I am on a tight budget. I'll ask around for costume effects. That really should make for a good panel, especially since I am also running the gaming room at the convention... Either I will have the costume prepared to put on right before the discussion, or I will simply wear it all day that day. Either way, it should end up being quite amusing, I'm sure (providing I can pull it off). Good idea, Scott. ;)

Yes, the Treasury will surely become important in the eventual sales of characters, which should become commonplace. We also need someone in the Guild who is a designated person to chage ownership of pages once bought/sold between members. Dinaari will be the official Guild currency, and the currency of Elftown's Open Market. ;)

I want to hold a design contest for the Dinaari (both sides of a gold coin). That way, Elftowners and Elfwoodians have a chance to put in on our new ideas, instead of us all sitting by, trying to come up with the ideas ourselves.

I do know what I want to put into the publication, and what kind of imagery we'll need. I want to hold a huge series of contests this year for designs and illustrations.

See the Elftown ivy on the left-side of the page? I want to hold an official ET Contest to re-design a repeating image for that as well, and utilize a new and longer ivy image in the publication to correlate to the book's design.

Any input for who I should dress as, or simply something in genre of fantasy/SF?
-will

2008-04-20 [xido]: I asked my buddy who is running the anime track at the convention if he knew anyone for costumes. We'll see if that happens.

Here's the flyer for the convention:
http://www.dancebackwards.com/files/BabelCon2008-Flyer.pdf

2008-04-23 [xido]: Okay, just to repeat myself, in case anyone is just now catching this conversation:

I made a post that can be read on Wizards' forums for the RPG Association (with mildly distasteful response thus far) about the ideas I was considering for this July's BabelCon video-recorded panel discussion on the WFR Guild and the RPGA organizations.
http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?p=15513627

I also spoke with a friend who is a fellow organizer for the BabelCon group's anime track, and aside from us talking about anime-oriented RPG topics, he had some other highly relevant topics for us to cover, even if only to re-state what some of us might think is familiar information, or which I may not have covered previously:

- Online Chapters/sites: (Elftown, D&D Wiki, Facebook, Other)  Any specific questions or ideas for outsiders and guests of the convention?

- Local Chapters: fees, time of meetings, ethical and mature behavior at events/meetings/games

- Both: games/genres played/covered, help with becoming a roleplayer or Guild Member/wikier (assistance for noobs), laws/regs & organizational methods, guards & knights on Elftown, input (suggestions/renovations)

I thought all of these were great topics for me to bring up and discuss, and there will be a heavy Q&A session with those participating in the panel's audience. I thought I might cover the typical problems associated with stereotypical negative social aspects in any gaming community, and particularly online: Mythos Lords, Rules Nazis, and War-Torn Veterans.

I also need to figure out how many countries of the world we have Guild Members within (until now)...

At some point shortly, I may be able to pull off putting up some documents that I have in my head too, like a printable application and Member Local Chapter documentation that Mods and Facilitators can use later if/when other groups begin to form locally elsewhere. I will be talking a little about the Guild and RPGA at our first local roleplayers meetup group in Baton Rouge this Saturday, but I do not expect to hop on board very quickly except my friend Robbie, who will be attending with me. I most likely will not have the opportunity to record the session audibly, unless I pull off something wickedly fast and nearly miraculous.

Any more input from anyone?
-will

2008-04-27 [xido]: Hello again, everyone! I wanted to give an update on what is happening on the Local Chapter idea I had been playing around with for quite a while now...

The local roleplayers meetup group that met yesterday for this first time was a big success, and seemed genuinely interested in what I had to say about the Guild and our methods. I got a little input from them, including the facilitator, Naiomi:

"The page was interesting but I was confused as to what to do or where to go. I don't know what to do on the page. I have never used a Wiki before."

These are genuine and revelant concerns, and something this page should address. I would be willing to do some edits here with input.

The big things that we need to make clear to newcomers are:
how to join (Application & Process - players, storytellers/GMs)
our members (Member List)
where are the games? (Games List)
how to use a wiki to play with others (we still need this part)

To answer those questions:
WFR Application Page
WFR Guild Members
WFR Games
Upcoming Info & Rules pages

Please do not watch these pages permanently, as their titles may change as we progress. At some point we will have a good master list that does not need editing anymore....

I can easily say that this Guild is going somewhere if we all can simply come together to discuss on a single page and/or topic. The potential for the Local Chapter, and the Discussion this July are going to be two big steps forward for the group, and if nothing else we will serve as a new worldwide gaming organization that focuses on facets of gaming that few other groups do (like the RPG Association, who only focuses on the playing of games themselves instead of the creative aspects of the hobby and fiction genres).

In case anyone would like to see which meetup is being talked about when I say that my local group meets:
http://roleplayers.meetup.com/484/

More to come on these fronts! ;)
Best wishes,
-will

2008-10-16 Romansage: Hm...this whole Guild thing sounds and looks interesting so far. I found this by chance, but it looks like something worth trying. *Continues looking around*

2008-12-28 [xido]: Yes, well, it could all use a good cattle prodding by a hopeful and motivated member... ;)
-will