Modly business - a few changes, mini-event and some other stuff I'm probably forgetting.
BEFORE I EVEN GET STARTED- JUST, FYI the second link is some really confusing TL;DR. It might be easier for some players to skip that part and read the quick explanation then go back to the long detailed crap, if they're confused. I wrote it two different ways because I know some people will process one easier than the other.
Edit: Notifications for this post aren't coming to my inbox, if I don't respond to your comments, feel free to poke me on AIM if you see me, just to give me the heads up.
For clarification on some matters, please make sure to read the comments. Your questions might already be answered there.
Any questions, ask. Now on to your regularly scheduled post.
Okay, guys. Uh, read this one entirely. Some of it might seem unimportant but don't skip the entry because I promise you'll regret it later.
First- this weekend there's going to be a freeze. Friday night, after midnight (Saturday morning) consider Purg below freezing. Guys, keep in mind that people can survive in below freezing temperatures. It's not pretty, and it's not easy - but it can be done. People live in those conditions in the real world, really. They do.
The Upper Level still has electricity, and blankets can be collected/made/whatever needs to be done to ensure survival. Wear layers, sleep in close quarters for warmth. Certain characters have powers that can be used to maintain comfortable temperature levels, and characters can house together for the sake of staying warm in smaller spaces than if they're all one person to a building. I know the realism on this matter has been questioned a few times, but it's just a game - if you can't think of a reason, or have issues assuming the magical land of Purgatorium would keep your character aliv in these conditions feel free to kill them, if you really want.
Worst case scenario, become Bowser's new best friend. You know nothing anywhere near him is staying cold for long.
Secondly, Valentine's (2/14) and White Day (3/14) are coming up. On these holidays your character will receive one letter, from either a canonmate or a previous member of Purg. If a character you have in mind is both, choose which version your letter will be from. You will be allowed one per holiday. If both characters are both canonmates and Purg characters, choose which one will be which.
Example: Kyo receives a letter from Miwako on Valentine's Day (Previous Purg character), and on White Day receives a letter from Tohru. Although there was a Tohru in Purg before, his letter would be from canon Tohru because a Purg member sent him a letter on Valentine's Day.
Ritsuka receives a letter on Valentine's Day from Yuiko, and a letter from Kio on White Day. If Kio is Purg-verse Kio, Yuiko has to be the canon version that never came to Purg. Or vice-versa.
Your letters do not have to be uplifting, positive things. If you'd like to mess with your character, feel free. Ed could receive a letter from Envy stating he's waiting for him to return, so he can finally kill him - content and tone are entirely up to you.
Remember guys, that second one's optional. Only participate if you really want to.
Second, Activity Check details.
Anyone that was removed due to inactivity has the entire weekend to reclaim their character. If by Monday they haven't posted they'll be removed permanently and need to re-app to get back in. This grace period will remain for a few more checks (or longer) while we finalize some other Activity related changes.
The Activity Check mentioned an upcoming change to stay in game. We're doing this for two reasons. One, some players or characters have an easier time remaining active via comments rather than posts. Two, we want characters to interact. The game isn't going to stay active if we all post every two weeks to stay off the check, and don't comment each other. Why be in a game at all, if you're only here to skate by?
All right, so - February 13th is the next check. For this check, you have the option of posting only once without penalty, no comments required - or you can get a head start on the new method, to be used to it by the time it becomes a requirement. The changes will be announced again and the following check (February 27th) will be when this change becomes permanent.
From then on we need everyone to do one of the following:
Option A:
If your character absolutely will not interact by commenting others, 2 posts are required within the two week period. These can be posted however you like. Character journal or log, with any amount of time between them.
An example:
Katie posts an entry in Viral's journal on the 17th and one on the 19th. Both in the same week. She is clear for the check on the 27th.
Rel posts an entry in Hyde's journal on the 15th, and then another on the 26th. One entry in each week. She is clear for the check on the 27th.
Say, I post Ed on the 12th and again on the 18th. These entries are within two weeks of each other, but Ed will still be on the check. Despite his post on the 18th, he needs another entry before the 27th, as the 12th was covered in the previous check, not the following one.
As long as it is within the two week period the check is covering, it counts. Keep in mind that posting on the Saturday of a check clears you for both checks, it always has and is the reason Katie clears as many as she does- *shot*. So if you post on the 13th, and want to post two entries you only need to post one more by the 27th to be covered. Meaning you can post on the 11th, the 13th and the 18th and clear both checks. 11 & 13 clear 1/30-2/13 and 13 & 18 clear 2/13-2/27.
If you're unsure what dates a check will cover, or how the hell this is determined, feel free to ask for clarity. I do try to keep it as clear as possible, checks are always Saturday - Saturday, regardless of the day of the week they are posted.
Option B:
and the one we hope people will take advantage of the most- commenting.
To clear a check, characters can comment each other, for the sake of activity. Again, comments have to be between the dates of the check. i.e. January 30-February 13, or February 13-February 27. This might start to get confusing and complicated so pay close attention, and please, ask questions if you have them.
The number of comments required depends on the number of entries posted. Again, 2 entries means that your character does not have to comment anyone. They still can, if you wish, but as far as the check goes? You're clear.
One entry: If your character posts one entry within the two week period, they must make at least 7 comments, in at least two separate threads. As in, no one thread counts for more than 4 comments. Count only your own character's comments, not total comments in the thread. There is no minimum per post, you can comment 2 comments in four different posts, if you'd prefer.
No entry: This method is only allowed if you met the requirements of the last check with one entry and 7 comments, or 2 entries. If you do not post a single entry in the two week period you can still be safe if you have at least 15 comments. Again, only count your own comments, and only count up to 4 comments per thread.
For right now, comments in your own journal count, this may be changing in the future. Keep in mind you can only use one thread per entry.
Examples:
Sylar makes one entry on February 20th. Ed comments and they have a conversation that lasts 23 comments, total. Sylar has made one entry, meaning that he needs 7 comments to clear the check. His conversation with Ed grants him 4 comments, even though he has more than that, and the thread takes place in his own journal.
Sylar then comments Elle, and their conversation lasts for 6 comments. They may both count those 3 comments each for their total, giving Sylar the 7 comments he needs to meet the new requirements for the AC. If Elle counts this thread she will only have 3 comments, meaning she will need an additional four in a separate post.
For this example, we'll say that Ed did not post any entries for this check. Not uncommon. He also comments Elle's journal, and they have a thread that lasts 12 comments. He has 6 comments in Elle's post, but can only use 4 from this thread to clear the check.
This gives Ed a total of 8 comments. Elle can not count the thread with Sylar, because Ed's comments were counted in that entry towards her total. (Well she can, if she really wants to, but Sylar would only get her 3, where she'd get 4 with Ed.)
Say, Bowser is being loud as usual. Ed and Elle both decide to tell him to shut up, resulting in threads that go for another 10-12 comments with each of them. Bowser can count 4 of those comments from either thread towards his total, Ed and Elle can count comments from their own threads. Giving Bowser 4 comments, Elle the 7 she needs to clear the check (4 from Ed, 3 from Bowser. 4 from Bowser, 3 from Sylar. However she wants to do it, because she has a choice in this example.) and Ed a total of 12 comments.
Ed needs to make at least 3 more comments before the check in order to clear it. A character can post 1 comment in each post until they reach 7 or 15 comments. There is no minimum per thread, just a maximum.
Say from there, Ed posts 2 comments to Miles and 1 to Yuuri. That gets him a total of 15 comments, and he's cleared for the next check. (Keeping in mind that for the following check, he must make at least one entry, and 7 comments.)
It's not recommended not to post a single entry, because you're depriving yourself and fellow players a place to allow for higher comment totals.
These entries can be journal or log, it doesn't matter.
So, in short.
An activity check is two weeks. We'll use February 13-27th as our example.
Two posts between these two dates (log or journal) clears you for the check.
Posts made on the 13th or 27th count towards both checks that date covers.
Meaning you can post on the 11th, the 13th and the 18th and clear both checks.
11 & 13 clear 1/30-2/13 and 13 & 18 clear 2/13-2/27.
One post between those two dates (log or journal) requires an additional 7 comments to clear the check.
Only your own character's comments count, and only four comments per thread count.
You can only count one thread per entry.
Zero posts between those two dates require 15 comments total to clear the check.
Only your own character's comments count, and only four comments per thread count.
You can only count one thread per entry.
This can only be done if this character cleared the last check using one of the previous methods.
For the check covering February 13-27, the mods will account for all activity. You only need to comment if an error is made that needs correcting. If this proves too difficult/time consuming for one person to do, it will become up to players to link their own threads in following checks.
Was that enough crap to read for everyone? I think I covered everything... and now instead of going to bed like I planned, I'm off to work.
Oh, life.
Edit: Notifications for this post aren't coming to my inbox, if I don't respond to your comments, feel free to poke me on AIM if you see me, just to give me the heads up.
For clarification on some matters, please make sure to read the comments. Your questions might already be answered there.
Any questions, ask. Now on to your regularly scheduled post.
Okay, guys. Uh, read this one entirely. Some of it might seem unimportant but don't skip the entry because I promise you'll regret it later.
First- this weekend there's going to be a freeze. Friday night, after midnight (Saturday morning) consider Purg below freezing. Guys, keep in mind that people can survive in below freezing temperatures. It's not pretty, and it's not easy - but it can be done. People live in those conditions in the real world, really. They do.
The Upper Level still has electricity, and blankets can be collected/made/whatever needs to be done to ensure survival. Wear layers, sleep in close quarters for warmth. Certain characters have powers that can be used to maintain comfortable temperature levels, and characters can house together for the sake of staying warm in smaller spaces than if they're all one person to a building. I know the realism on this matter has been questioned a few times, but it's just a game - if you can't think of a reason, or have issues assuming the magical land of Purgatorium would keep your character aliv in these conditions feel free to kill them, if you really want.
Worst case scenario, become Bowser's new best friend. You know nothing anywhere near him is staying cold for long.
Secondly, Valentine's (2/14) and White Day (3/14) are coming up. On these holidays your character will receive one letter, from either a canonmate or a previous member of Purg. If a character you have in mind is both, choose which version your letter will be from. You will be allowed one per holiday. If both characters are both canonmates and Purg characters, choose which one will be which.
Example: Kyo receives a letter from Miwako on Valentine's Day (Previous Purg character), and on White Day receives a letter from Tohru. Although there was a Tohru in Purg before, his letter would be from canon Tohru because a Purg member sent him a letter on Valentine's Day.
Ritsuka receives a letter on Valentine's Day from Yuiko, and a letter from Kio on White Day. If Kio is Purg-verse Kio, Yuiko has to be the canon version that never came to Purg. Or vice-versa.
Your letters do not have to be uplifting, positive things. If you'd like to mess with your character, feel free. Ed could receive a letter from Envy stating he's waiting for him to return, so he can finally kill him - content and tone are entirely up to you.
Remember guys, that second one's optional. Only participate if you really want to.
Second, Activity Check details.
Anyone that was removed due to inactivity has the entire weekend to reclaim their character. If by Monday they haven't posted they'll be removed permanently and need to re-app to get back in. This grace period will remain for a few more checks (or longer) while we finalize some other Activity related changes.
The Activity Check mentioned an upcoming change to stay in game. We're doing this for two reasons. One, some players or characters have an easier time remaining active via comments rather than posts. Two, we want characters to interact. The game isn't going to stay active if we all post every two weeks to stay off the check, and don't comment each other. Why be in a game at all, if you're only here to skate by?
All right, so - February 13th is the next check. For this check, you have the option of posting only once without penalty, no comments required - or you can get a head start on the new method, to be used to it by the time it becomes a requirement. The changes will be announced again and the following check (February 27th) will be when this change becomes permanent.
From then on we need everyone to do one of the following:
Option A:
If your character absolutely will not interact by commenting others, 2 posts are required within the two week period. These can be posted however you like. Character journal or log, with any amount of time between them.
An example:
Katie posts an entry in Viral's journal on the 17th and one on the 19th. Both in the same week. She is clear for the check on the 27th.
Rel posts an entry in Hyde's journal on the 15th, and then another on the 26th. One entry in each week. She is clear for the check on the 27th.
Say, I post Ed on the 12th and again on the 18th. These entries are within two weeks of each other, but Ed will still be on the check. Despite his post on the 18th, he needs another entry before the 27th, as the 12th was covered in the previous check, not the following one.
As long as it is within the two week period the check is covering, it counts. Keep in mind that posting on the Saturday of a check clears you for both checks, it always has and is the reason Katie clears as many as she does- *shot*. So if you post on the 13th, and want to post two entries you only need to post one more by the 27th to be covered. Meaning you can post on the 11th, the 13th and the 18th and clear both checks. 11 & 13 clear 1/30-2/13 and 13 & 18 clear 2/13-2/27.
If you're unsure what dates a check will cover, or how the hell this is determined, feel free to ask for clarity. I do try to keep it as clear as possible, checks are always Saturday - Saturday, regardless of the day of the week they are posted.
Option B:
and the one we hope people will take advantage of the most- commenting.
To clear a check, characters can comment each other, for the sake of activity. Again, comments have to be between the dates of the check. i.e. January 30-February 13, or February 13-February 27. This might start to get confusing and complicated so pay close attention, and please, ask questions if you have them.
The number of comments required depends on the number of entries posted. Again, 2 entries means that your character does not have to comment anyone. They still can, if you wish, but as far as the check goes? You're clear.
One entry: If your character posts one entry within the two week period, they must make at least 7 comments, in at least two separate threads. As in, no one thread counts for more than 4 comments. Count only your own character's comments, not total comments in the thread. There is no minimum per post, you can comment 2 comments in four different posts, if you'd prefer.
No entry: This method is only allowed if you met the requirements of the last check with one entry and 7 comments, or 2 entries. If you do not post a single entry in the two week period you can still be safe if you have at least 15 comments. Again, only count your own comments, and only count up to 4 comments per thread.
For right now, comments in your own journal count, this may be changing in the future. Keep in mind you can only use one thread per entry.
Examples:
Sylar makes one entry on February 20th. Ed comments and they have a conversation that lasts 23 comments, total. Sylar has made one entry, meaning that he needs 7 comments to clear the check. His conversation with Ed grants him 4 comments, even though he has more than that, and the thread takes place in his own journal.
Sylar then comments Elle, and their conversation lasts for 6 comments. They may both count those 3 comments each for their total, giving Sylar the 7 comments he needs to meet the new requirements for the AC. If Elle counts this thread she will only have 3 comments, meaning she will need an additional four in a separate post.
For this example, we'll say that Ed did not post any entries for this check. Not uncommon. He also comments Elle's journal, and they have a thread that lasts 12 comments. He has 6 comments in Elle's post, but can only use 4 from this thread to clear the check.
This gives Ed a total of 8 comments. Elle can not count the thread with Sylar, because Ed's comments were counted in that entry towards her total. (Well she can, if she really wants to, but Sylar would only get her 3, where she'd get 4 with Ed.)
Say, Bowser is being loud as usual. Ed and Elle both decide to tell him to shut up, resulting in threads that go for another 10-12 comments with each of them. Bowser can count 4 of those comments from either thread towards his total, Ed and Elle can count comments from their own threads. Giving Bowser 4 comments, Elle the 7 she needs to clear the check (4 from Ed, 3 from Bowser. 4 from Bowser, 3 from Sylar. However she wants to do it, because she has a choice in this example.) and Ed a total of 12 comments.
Ed needs to make at least 3 more comments before the check in order to clear it. A character can post 1 comment in each post until they reach 7 or 15 comments. There is no minimum per thread, just a maximum.
Say from there, Ed posts 2 comments to Miles and 1 to Yuuri. That gets him a total of 15 comments, and he's cleared for the next check. (Keeping in mind that for the following check, he must make at least one entry, and 7 comments.)
It's not recommended not to post a single entry, because you're depriving yourself and fellow players a place to allow for higher comment totals.
These entries can be journal or log, it doesn't matter.
So, in short.
An activity check is two weeks. We'll use February 13-27th as our example.
Two posts between these two dates (log or journal) clears you for the check.
Posts made on the 13th or 27th count towards both checks that date covers.
Meaning you can post on the 11th, the 13th and the 18th and clear both checks.
11 & 13 clear 1/30-2/13 and 13 & 18 clear 2/13-2/27.
One post between those two dates (log or journal) requires an additional 7 comments to clear the check.
Only your own character's comments count, and only four comments per thread count.
You can only count one thread per entry.
Zero posts between those two dates require 15 comments total to clear the check.
Only your own character's comments count, and only four comments per thread count.
You can only count one thread per entry.
This can only be done if this character cleared the last check using one of the previous methods.
For the check covering February 13-27, the mods will account for all activity. You only need to comment if an error is made that needs correcting. If this proves too difficult/time consuming for one person to do, it will become up to players to link their own threads in following checks.
Was that enough crap to read for everyone? I think I covered everything... and now instead of going to bed like I planned, I'm off to work.
Oh, life.