[Mithadan]

OK, we've got good news and bad news. Good news first. The RPG thread will be opened Monday, September 23, 2002 at around 10:00 am EDT. After it is opened, please wait for your mentor to make his or her first post before jumping in.

A word of warning. This is a large RPG. Lots of players going in different directions from different starting points. It may be hard to follow until you get used to it. A tip: focus on people within your own team. They are the ones you are interacting with (unless two or more teams hook up en route). DO NOT try to have a conversation with a dwarf from Erebor if you are a Hobbit from the Shire, etc.

Now the bad news: THERE ARE RULES FOR THIS RPG

1. Out of character comments belong in the discussion forum or in PMs. Do not make OOC comments in the RPG thread unless it is completely necessary and even then, delete them after they have served their purpose.

2. "Chat speak" is not allowed. There will be no: "I thought U were gone 4 good".

3. Chat style posts are not allowed. In other words, no one or two line posts unless they are completely appropriate under the circumstances.

4. Use paragraphs, commas, periods and question marks. If you are speaking to someone, use quotation marks or some other appropriate style (consult your mentor).

5. It is generally bad form to make successive (back to back) posts, unless you are operating more than one character (and if they are at the same place at the same time, there is no reason to use more than one post).

6. No flaming. Settle disputes through PMs or with your Mentor's help on the discussion board.

7. Stay in character and act within the scope of the game at all times. Generally, men, dwarves, elves and hobbits do not spin around in circles for the joy of it, use automatic weapons or fly.

Allow me to re-introduce myself. I am the semi-moderator of this RPG. I will throw in obstacles, wrinkles and problems when I feel like it. These may include fire, storms, floods, avalanches, earthquakes, plagues, assorted nasties and minor "character adjustments".

The latter means that if you violate any of the rules, your character may slip and fall face first into a mudpuddle, trip on a wagon rut and twist an ankle, lose fingers, eyes or limbs, or be eaten by whatever animal/nasty that may be available at the time. Stated otherwise, your character can be "killed out" for rule violations (repeated or bad ones).

Now that the unpleasantries are out of the way, this RPG has been a lot of work, particularly for the Mentors (let's give these guys a hand -- clap, clap), but we think that it will also be a lot of fun as well as a great learning experience (likely for all involved). Have a great time!