We Are Our Avatars FAQ

By the power of the moderators of TV Tropes, I, Supervisor of the Game, Defender of all Avatars, Holder of the Thread and Whackmaster Absolute Raidouthe21st declare this game...OPEEEEEEEN.

First, to clarify, THIS IS NOT A SIGNUPSHEET. This is only a basic primer on what to know about before you jump into the thread itself. We Are Our Avatars (full title ITT: We Are Our Avatars) is a Play By Post Forum Game on the TV Tropes Forum, open for all members. It was started in September 2009 and is still going strong. In fact, it has over 800,000 posts and growing. To partake, you roleplay the character in your forum avatars and have him, her or it interact with the other characters. While there is some continuity, there is no need to go on an Archive Binge before jumping in.

As casual a game as this is, it has been decided that there needs to be a couple of ground rules that should be made known after a few...incidents occured. Don't worry, the only "rules" that will be strictly enforced are the rules in bold. Especially the first one, as this is a PG-13 game and that sort of thing is not something to take lightly...Oh, and by the way, you HAVE to introduce yourself in the Discussion thread for when you first start this game or come back after not playing for a while. HAVE TO.

Recommendations on how to start the game

• Decide if this is the game for you. The main focus of this game is generally freeform character interaction. Combat is possible, but not emphasized, especially for newcomers that are starting out. Overarching plots are most often collaborative effort, and newcomers are generally encouraged to try and acclimate to the environment before starting anything big.
• Head to the Disscussion thread first to say hello and properly introduce yourself, get all the information on the current happenings, and ask everybody there for tips and information on what to keep in mind.
• If you are bringing in a new character, you need an avatar for him/it/her. This applies to every time you bring a new character in. When playing multiple characters at a time, it is okay to only have an avatar for one character up. But you should at least have uploaded the avatars of all the characters you are playing at present somewhere.
• There is no DM or equivalent to one, so if you are planning something, you must tell people in the discussion thread. Examples include bringing in new characters, trying to start your own plots/plot-hooks, etc.
• While not emphasized or enforced, it is highly recommended to newcomers that you start with a character that is capable of general social interaction. Mostly to see if the tone and pace of the game is right for you.

^note What to do if there is any issue regarding other people playing the same avatar as you:Any 'version' of a character or world is the explicit property of that player. That player has complete creative freedom within his/her chosen world or character expression- and can expand this as much as they feel. Forbidden are absolutes in most cases. Saying all X applies to Y is inherently flawed. There can be player collaboration, but it must be agreed to beforehand- no sudden intrusions into others canon without checking with that player (or players) before hand.
Any new 'version' created will have only as many links to other 'versions' as the players agree upon. Otherwise, the two 'versions' are separate entities. Again, no blanket statements will be allowed to apply unless agreed upon by all players using the canon- and should a new 'version' arise that is an exception to the absolution, that exception will be allowed. No questions asked.

Dah Guidelines/things you should keep in mind when playing

• DO NOT TELL OTHER PLAYERS HOW THEY SHOULD ROLEPLAY. They're not your characters, and you need to respect the decisions the other players make. Do not go lecturing your fellow players on the things they're doing wrong unless they ask for feedback, don't go demanding characters should be played at your leisure, and don't put pressure on the player if they don't feel like playing a character at a certain point. And especially don't demand others put pressure on the player who isn't playing that character that you like.
• NO FLAMING OF OTHER PLAYERS. Flaming your fellow players does not help this RP or its players in the long run at all. So don't do it.
• DO NOT GO RAILROADING CHARACTERS/PLAYERS INTO YOUR OWN PLOTS OR INTERACTING WITH THEM WITHOUT ASKING PERMISSION. It's rude, it can lead to massive confusion, and it smacks of recklessness. If you want to get somebody to join in a plot, make sure they are fully on board with your idea before you try to go forward with it. If you want your characters to do something with a certain character, make sure the player that plays that character has given you their full consent. Do not jump the gun under any circumstances. Also, do not integrate other player's characters into your character's backstory without permission given beforehand. It has a high probability of causing massive continuity issues, in addition to being...rude.
• EVEN IF IT SEEMS BE RELATED TO THIS GAME, WHAT HAPPENS OFFSITE IS CONSIDERED UNRELATED TO THIS GAME, AND STAYS OFF-SITE. Don't think anything more needs to be said.
• In a similar vein to the above rule, DO NOT BE DISRUPTIVE. To clarify what the difference between disruptive and railroading is, being "disruptive" is to perform start arcs/plots that does not follow the current arc/plot/story or contradict the rules of the current setting and/or make it hard for other players to interact. "Railroading" is forcing another player(s) to do something against their will.
• Godmodding is a no-no. It’s no fun for anybody, and it will just easily be countered. Only possible exception is goddmodders from their canon sources. Oh wait, not even then is it ever gonna be possible.
• Go to the Discussion thread to learn what’s going on and what you need to know of the current goings on. In fact, you should probably head over there right now after you finish reading this post.
• Read the atmosphere before introducing new characters. If there’s a major conflict or dramatic moment occurring, wait until there is a lull in activity.
• Don't play characters you don't have avatars for. It gets far too confusing trying to figure out who is talking to who, and it’s annoying. Possible exceptions are one-note or very minor characters.
• Listen to what the other players tell you, whether it’s simple advice or commands. For serious. It’s far less hassle for everybody involved.
• Go to the Text editing page and memorize as many of the formats as you can. Especially the spoiler function.
• Do not break the fourth wall on a constant basis. Tongue-in-cheek mentions are acceptable and even welcomed, but nothing blatant or forced. Possible exceptions are characters who already demonstrate this ability in their original work.
• Ask, ask, ask if you are unsure what is going on or what you need to do. Don't assume or ignore.
• Don’t edit your posts constantly. It’s extremely annoying trying to accommodate for all the changes.
• Post a link to the Avatar the first time you bring in a character, and if the character haven't been around for a while, try to post it when we bring them back as a good reminder. Otherwise, posting the name is good enough for us, as long as you actually have the avatar of the character you are playing, whether it is off-site or on-site, although on-site is preferable. (Note that recent site regulations make it a bannable/thread locking offense to post more then one forum avatar at a time, so keep this in mind.)
• Try to keep the roleplaying to the regular thread and not the discussion thread. A few one-time jokes are no big deal, but the moderators make it clear that the discussion thread is not to be treated as a second game entirely.
• Try not to double post. Use the edit function instead.
• Ignore the rules, and your characters die and gets ignored for eternity...or worse.

Also, it is highly advised you try to use Script or Story format in your posts. ^note Clicky:Script format is a simple stating of what each character is saying, post by post, with little to no mention of said characters' actions, whereas Story format requires that the character's actions be mentioned, including the surroundings and a general description of what is going on.]] It is not required, but highly recommended, especially if you are playing a new character and/or playing multiple characters at the same time. And it is also highly, highly, highly advised that you remember to check the Discussion thread regularly so that you're aware of upcoming plots and new characters, and so you can discuss your own plot ideas in the Discussion thread before starting them in order to properly co-ordinate with your fellow players on how to make your plot the best it can be.

Any other information will be added by the other current players or can be checked up on the trope page for We Are Our Avatars. Good luck, and most importantly have fun!

edited 1st Nov '15 7:17:33 AM by Raidouthe21st

Also provided is a list of current players in the thread. A link to the character sheet will also be provided. You can contact any of these fine folk if you have any questions.

List of currently active players as of this posting

• arcadiarika
• Caped Luigis Yoshi
• Chilifro
• Etheru
• Fokias The Jester
• gameboy3
• Hilarity Ensues
• Josh6243
• Le Chuck 4
• Lemurian
• Mr Kirb
• Quarterman/NeonMoon
• Ozbourne
• Raidouthe21st: Supervisor/Mediator of We Are Our Avatars
• Rhyme Beat
• Shining Knight
• sunova/Imca
• thestonedog78
• The Real Wren

edited 16th Apr '14 2:47:48 PM by Raidouthe21st

Thanx.

What about avatars that aren't from any particular source material? Like... 90% of mine?

You can play them as OCs, Original Characters. Make up a backstory for them, and play them as you want/like.

Yeah, most of the characters I play are original characters I've made based on pictures I created in dollmaker sites.

You can go ahead and remove me from the list.

May I be added to the list?

What is it you are doing?

You jump into the game as your Avatar, and you interact with other characters. Other than that, you can explore the scenery, fight against foes, whatever the situation calls for.

You might want to jump in when there's a lull in activity, though.

It also helps to check the Discussion thread and find out where the group is currently located.

Also keep in mind during Prime Time the thread moves faster than any RP here. While it often has slow points, don't be suprised if you go do something else and come back to find 5 pages have appeared.

Might I suggest that linking the avatar you're posting as in the post would be a good idea, especially for those who switch avatars — keep in mind that when you change your avatar, it changes on all of your previous posts as well.

We post the Avatar the first time we bring in a character, and if they haven't been around for a while, we post it when we bring them back.

Otherwise, posting the name is good enough for us. And as long as you actually have the avatar of the character you are playing.

Raidou, could you add that to the list of rules, please? It makes reading up on the events of the day easier.

...Right. Man, how long has it been since I've seen this thread? I'm so damn lazy...

Neccessary edits have been done, I believe. Probably missed something, but ah, what can ya do? Besides tell me what I missed because I'm an idiot who needs a good kick in the pants sometimes to get shit done?

edited 13th Oct '10 2:14:48 PM by Raidouthe21st

I'm not on the list... I feel so left out...

edited 12th Nov '10 10:26:25 AM by RevolverZen

Guess who's on the list now? :D

Midna, for whatever reason.

Nonsense. There was clearly never any "Midna" on said list. You are being delusional and nonsensical, referring to Tropers that have never been on said list. I recommend you have your mind scanned for any potential alterations or damages done to it to make you say such ridiculous things.

edited 13th Nov '10 6:40:32 AM by Raidouthe21st

-twirls revolvers- YAY! On the list!... Wait, am I on a hit list!?

Potentially you are...but not at the moment.

I know that it's called We Are Our Avatars, but some characters I want to play don't have any pictures of them.

Go find pictures~ That is what I do~ Is it that hard to go get a picture, then make them Avatar size~?

Here's the thing, pictures of them simply don't exist.