001. IC EVENT SYSTEM GUIDEBOOK

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[attr="class","twfpttitle"]IN-CHARACTER EVENTS [attr="class","twfptnotes"]a guidebook to help you get started [attr="class","twfptnotes"]ic event masterlist

[attr="class","twfptcontent"] [attr="class","twfpth1"]WHAT IS AN IC EVENT? [attr="class","twfpth2"]all you need to know An in-character event is a plot-driven, staff-organized opportunity for role-play. Events are part of the overarching site canon, and are always added to the official Warriors Forest IC Timeline. A single event is typically broken into several separate threads, each with their own specific goal, and often covers an extended period of in-character time (e.g. one week, six months, a year). There are various types of events, but events are almost always a multi-player RP experience, with anywhere from 4 members to the whole forum participating. Events are unique in that they have an established setting, plot, and goal, both for every thread and for the event as a whole. Unlike personal threads, they are also moderated by staff, whose posts are often summaries or progress reports to keep the thread on task. Taken together, events tell the larger story of the WF in-character universe, and are a key contributor to the ever-constant world-building here. Though events are a lot of fun to participate in, and a wonderful outlet for creativity and storytelling, they can also be complicated, confusing, and intimidating. The aim of this guide is to answer all your questions and address all your concerns, and help your participation in an event be as painless as possible. [attr="class","twfpth1"]IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT [attr="class","twfpth2"]reducing the number of events As of the 2023 relaunch, TWF is reducing the number and types of events held on the site. The only types of events held in the immediate future will be setting-based, open, or official Gatherings. We are doing this in order to prevent event burn-out and allow more chances for the community to develop personal plots with their characters. For the moment, we do not know if this change will be permanent or temporary; though we hope the latter, it will entirely depend on the way the site develops post-relaunch and the time commitments of the staff. Thank you for understanding! Please note that the rest of this guide has not been modified to reflect the change in how we are running events, and still gives an overview of the entire IC event system. As a result, some details may not be relevant or applicable to the forum at present; however, you may still find it interesting to read the entire guidebook! [attr="class","twfpth1"]TABLE OF CONTENTS [attr="class","twfpth3"]001. types of events [attr="class","twfpth3"]002. the basic event structure [attr="class","twfpth3"]003. joining an event [attr="class","twfpth3"]004. participating in an event [attr="class","twfpth3"]005. final notes and faq

[attr="class","twfptnotes"]neytirix [attr="class","twfptnotes"]© DELAWARE

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[attr="class","twfpttitle"]TYPES OF EVENTS [attr="class","twfptnotes"]overview ◀ [attr="class","twfptnotes"]types of events [attr="class","twfptnotes"]▶ basic event structure

[attr="class","twfptcontent"] [attr="class","twfpth1"]OVERVIEW There are several different types of events possible on WF. New formats will be added as they appear, but in general, these are the (very broad) types and categories that an event can fall into. We might not always announce what the type is for a thread or an event, but it should be pretty easy to determine after reading the outline. Events/RP threads can be a combination of different types. [attr="class","twfpth1"]TYPE 01 [attr="class","twfpth2"]setting-based A setting-based type event will offer only a SETTING or SCENE for the duration of its active period. Within this setting, it is assumed that all applicable threads, personal or otherwise, will take place against the background of the setting. Participation is usually mandatory, simply by virtue of being the overarching setting (much like a season is mandatory) for the site at the time. In this regard it is a very passive type of an event, and does not require extra participation beyond your usual personal threads. Setting-based events usually effect all Clans and affiliations. Examples of a setting-based event could be an extreme weather phenomenon (e.g. a blizzard or an earthquake), an external disruption (e.g. a campground of humans in the territories), or an atmospheric ideal (e.g. the Clans are preparing to fight one another). [attr="class","twfpth3"]Examples [attr="class","twfptsmtxt"]5.0 Can't See the Wolves for the Blizzard / 10.0 stage 1, Night Takes so Long [attr="class","twfpth1"]TYPE 02 [attr="class","twfpth2"]gatherings Gatherings are open to ALL active characters in the Clans, so participation is always high. There is no set post order, and double-posting is allowed due to members who have a lot of characters. Usually the staff will plan for some event to occur during the Gathering, to make it more exciting - a lunar eclipse, a fight or a death, or a visit by BloodClan are all plots we have used before. The start of a Gathering is usually determined by the four leaders, who must post to "lead" their Clans into Fourtrees before any cat from their Clan can post. The end of a Gathering is usually determined by one of the high-ranks, who will announce the official departure of the Clan from Fourtrees. Due to how long Gatherings take to complete (six months or so), WF runs this event infrequently. [attr="class","twfpth3"]Examples [attr="class","twfptsmtxt"]2.0 Whispers of Unrest / 6.0 These Stars in the Sky / 11.0 Press Play to Continue / 12.0 One Night on a Blood Moon [attr="class","twfpth1"]TYPE 03 [attr="class","twfpth2"]restricted/sign-up Restricted/sign-up events means that the number of participants is set at a certain number, or that only participants who fulfill a requirement can join. Restricted/sign-up events will be announced well in advance, so that you have time to sign-up, but they also require a high level of commitment and dedication in order to complete. This means that the staff's expectations are higher and that you have certain obligations to fulfill, as well as specific procedures that will be put in place if you cannot meet these obligations. These events are subsequently the most difficult to participate in and complete. Staff will only run restricted/sign-up events and threads if there is no alternative possible. Restricted/sign-up types usually revolve around a patrol or a smaller group of cats; there is no posting order. [attr="class","twfpth3"]Examples [attr="class","twfptsmtxt"]3.2 Falling Into Dreams / 7.2 Fair-Weather Friends / 7.3 You Just Laughed at Us / 8.1 Desperation Does Not Smile / 8.2 Is This All There Is [attr="class","twfpth1"]TYPE 04 [attr="class","twfpth2"]open Open type events are open to all participants (though that may be restricted to certain Clans, e.g. all members of RiverClan only, BloodClan only, and so on). Like Gatherings, anyone can post, there is no posting order, and participation can number well into 15+ characters. Though some members may have specific roles they need to play - for instance, an open-type thread can still have a leader who needs to make a decision, or a warrior who has to start a fight, or several selections that need to be made, etc. - all other participants are free to post when they can. Open type threads are the easiest to complete, but it is very important to read the moderator posts, given the high volume of participation. Most event threads on WF are open-type. [attr="class","twfpth3"]Examples [attr="class","twfptsmtxt"]3.1 A Hotbed of Discontent / 3.3 Nightmare Words and Claws / 4.1 And When it Falls Apart / 4.2 Neophobia / 7.1 Call Me a Doctor / 7.4 Lose My Mind / 8.3 We Stumble Into Faith / 9.1 Paint the Moon With Smoke / 9.2 The Earth Burned Clean [attr="class","twfpth1"]TYPE 05 [attr="class","twfpth2"]battle Battle type events are ones where an enemy needs to be defeated. Though the exact battle system may vary, past battle type events have used 'waves' of attacking enemies and a 'stats' system to give some structure to the enemy organization and the fight itself. These events can either also be open-type or restricted/sign-up, or a mix of both. Several, though not all, of the enemies are often RPed, either as an NPC character through a moderator post or by member volunteers, in order to give the event depth. There is always an established system for how enemies are attacked and defeated, in order for the event to stay organized. [attr="class","twfpth3"]Examples [attr="class","twfptsmtxt"]4.3 No Dawn in Sunsets / 10.1 The Wind Begins to Howl

[attr="class","twfptnotes"]neytirix [attr="class","twfptnotes"]© DELAWARE

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[attr="class","twfpttitle"]BASIC EVENT STRUCTURE [attr="class","twfptnotes"]types of events ◀ [attr="class","twfptnotes"]basic event structure [attr="class","twfptnotes"]▶ joining an event

[attr="class","twfptcontent"] [attr="class","twfpth1"]OVERVIEW An IC event is broken into two distinct elements: the event outline, typically released a month or so in advance of the first thread's starting date, and the event threads, which are where the RPing actually occurs. (Occasionally a first post also works as an outline, as in 12.0.) The outline can be found in the Events Board, while threads take place in the appropriate role-play board. The outline remains available for viewing until the entire event is finished, while threads are locked and moved to the archives once they have been completed. [attr="class","twfpth3"]examples [attr="class","twfptsmtxt"]Outlines: Event 9.0 / Event 10.0, part 2 Threads: 4.3 No Dawn in Sunsets / 7.2 Fair-Weather Friends [attr="class","twfpth1"]when are events released? Events take a while to develop. Because of that, there is unfortunately no set "release schedule" for events, and you will not get advance warning about an event before the outline is posted. However, outlines will be released at least a month before any RP threads start. If possible, we also try to match the starting date of the first RP thread to the date takes place in the timeline. For example, 10.1 The Wind Begins to Howl started on January 1st, 2018 in real life and in the IC timeline. [attr="class","twfpth1"]what is the most important thing to read? All the information you will need to participate in an event is found in one place: the outline. If nothing else, read this; though the goal of the event might remain vague (to maintain the element of surprise), the outline will tell you everything you need to know about the setting, overall concept, and logistics of the event. From there you can decide whether or not you want to participate. If you decide you do want to participate, then make sure to read the first post of a thread and, if applicable, the moderator posts that will appear once the thread is underway. The first post will tell you everything you need to know in order to complete the thread, while the moderator posts are essentially 'checkpoints' that are meant to help keep you updated, and assist in the continued development of the thread. [attr="class","twfpth3"]examples [attr="class","twfptsmtxt"]First Post: 12.0 Gathering / 8.3 We Stumble into Faith Moderator Posts: from 12.0 / from 10.1 [attr="class","twfpth1"]do you need to sign up for an event? It depends on the threads necessary for the event. Some types of threads have a restricted number of participant slots available (e.g. 7.2, 8.1) while others are open to everyone / all RiverClanners / etc., which require a formal sign-up. Setting-based events (e.g. 5.0) have no official RP thread; it is up to you to create your own, if you decide to participate. For everything else, you can just show up to the thread with no prior notice. [attr="class","twfpth1"]are the goals of an event already pre-decided? Events are designed and written with the specific hope that members will have as much fun as possible completing them. Though a goal may be pre-set, or certain concepts envisioned (e.g. the moon being covered by clouds during a gathering), HOW that goal is accomplished, or that concept appears, is entirely dependent on the participants - and staff may also withhold specific details of events in order to make it more of a surprise. Basically instead of asking yourself "why bother to participate if the goal is already decided," you should be asking yourself, "what are all the creative ways this goal can be reached?" As a participant, you have full control over the "how" of an event - aka the story-telling! [attr="class","twfpth1"]what do the numbers before an event mean? The numbering system is way of organizing the events for ease of reference. Events are numbered according to when they were released. Events ending x.0 refer to the event as a whole, while events ending in a number, e.g. x.1, x.2, x.3, refer to specific threads in the event. Many members will just refer to an event by its number, but you can always check the Event List for clarification. The only exception to this are Gathering threads like 2.0, 6.0, 11.0, and 12.0. The x.0 system is used to refer to both the outline thread (if applicable) AND to the RP thread. [attr="class","twfpth1"]are there rewards for participation? Rewards are dependent on an event thread's completion, plus one or two other factors. Rewards are typically leaves, but can also be items from the shop, novelty badges, or novelty items. The first post of the thread will describe what rewards are available, along with their conditions. A common expectation is your post count: e.g. in order to receive the reward, you need to have posted [x] times total during the event. [attr="class","twfpth1"]how long do events take? For the most part, an event's run-time absolutely depends on the level of activity we have in threads and on the site. Low activity equals low participation and a longer running time, while the opposite is also true. Some types of events, such as setting-based events, are more likely to have a formal end date. In all cases, staff will do their best to encourage the completion of an event. [attr="class","twfpth1"]are events ever run simultaneously? Yes. If the staff thinks it can be pulled off, multiple events will be run at the same time. However, in order to prevent event burn-out, we will try to space out events in a reasonable manner. [attr="class","twfpth1"]how are events incorporated into the plot / IC timeline? Once a thread has completed, a short description of the thread will be added to the IC Timeline. If the timeline entry is also an event, the corresponding thread will be added in parenthesis for easy reference. For examples, see the entries in 2011. Other plot-related content on the forum and TWF Companion site will be updated to reflect any major changes resulting from event threads.

[attr="class","twfptnotes"]neytirix [attr="class","twfptnotes"]© DELAWARE

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[attr="class","twfpttitle"]JOINING AN EVENT [attr="class","twfptnotes"]basic event structure ◀ [attr="class","twfptnotes"]joining an event [attr="class","twfptnotes"]▶ participating in an event

[attr="class","twfptcontent"] [attr="class","twfpth1"]OVERVIEW Joining an event might feel like jumping headfirst off a cliff into the ocean - it's overwhelming, there are often a ton of participants, and a lot of people have already made the jump before you and are now happily swimming around. It's intimidating to begin participating, especially if you come to a thread late or have never participated in one before, but don't be alarmed - it's not as difficult as it looks. [attr="class","twfpth1"]where do I start? Start by reading the outline of the event you're thinking about joining. The outline has everything you need to know about the event, and once you finish reading it, you can decide whether or not you want to participate. It's also the place to sign-up (if applicable) or to ask questions (always). [attr="class","twfpth1"]I've signed up! what now? Wait for the first RP thread to be posted. Included in the outline should be a general approximation or actual date for when the thread will begin. Once a thread has been posted, it will become an announcement, so it should be easy to find. In fact, once a thread has been posted, the hardest thing becomes not to find it - but to miss it! [attr="class","twfpth1"]how can I join an ongoing thread? Read the first post and then read the moderator/staff posts. This should tell you everything you need to know about where the thread is setting-wise and in terms of completing its goal. You do not have to read all the character posts in order to join a thread! Reading a 5 page thread is SUPER daunting and takes forever - don't do it unless you want to. Once you've read the first post and the mod posts, you're ready to make your own post. Remember - your character doesn't have to interact with anyone to start with, if this is your concern. Just having them enter the scene is enough. Members and characters who have already joined will start interacting with your character, I promise. And you're never going to lose out by just throwing yourself into the action! [attr="class","twfpth1"]do i need to participate in all the RP threads? Not at all. Some members participate in all of them, some only participate one. It is absolutely dependent on what you think you can handle. [attr="class","twfpth1"]how active do you need to be? Please see the next post. [attr="class","twfpth1"]help! the thread's going too fast. i'm lost! Events can move extremely quickly on WF - in 10.1, we reached over 3 pages (30 posts) in a single day. Or maybe you haven't been able to log on in a while, and when you do, you find that the event has moved on and left you 4 pages behind. Either way, don't panic! There are a few things you can do to catch up again. First, some advice: it is always less complicated than it appears. In those 4 pages of new content, there are probably 1-2 posts that actually involve your character. Go back and look for them (you'll often be tagged, but Ctrl+F your character's name works too), and then read only them. Assuming no one else has interacted with you, the rest of those 4 pages are mostly extraneous material (though worth skimming). Pretty easy, right? Event threads are really multiple one-on-one interactions all playing out in the same thread at the same time. Most of the time, you're really only replying to one other person; you're just on a bigger stage than normal. Secondly, read the moderator posts. Like I've said before, they are there to help you, not hurt you. They can help you catch up on what everyone else is doing, while you are busy with your one-on-one interaction. If the moderator posts are just confusing you more, however, even after a couple read-throughs, PM DELAWARE for clarification, or ask around in the chat. [attr="class","twfpth1"]post misreading / power-playing Misreading: If someone has misread your post, go with the flow as best you can. There's not much point in asking someone to edit something, so you have three choices as the next poster: a) go back and edit your old post to fit the "problem" post; b) go ahead with what you were planning anyways and politely let the other poster know; or c) go with the flow and just let the misread be. Misreads are typically accidents, and the thread moves too quickly to linger on small mistakes. Power-playing: Power-playing is not allowed in events. If someone is power-playing your character in any way, politely let them know. If the situation escalates, involve a staff member. [attr="class","twfpth1"]the thread was closed before i could post again! See the next post for more, but generally paraphrased: you will be given at least a week's warning before the event thread closes. Once the warning is given, it is YOUR responsibility to wrap up your character's interactions and side-plots before the event is locked. We do not hold open or extend threads for anyone; once the epilogue post is written and posted, the thread is over. If you want to continue your interactions with another character post-event, use personal threads. The best way to avoid the problem of an unfinished side-plot is to just check in on the event thread at least once a week, and keep an eye out for a closing date. You will also be tagged in the mod post that announces the closing date. [attr="class","twfpth1"]the thread's finished! what now? Thank you for your participation! Make sure you read the epilogue post of the event thread. Though it is not mandatory, it will summarize the thread's ending, and if the event is continuing, set the stage for the next thread. The epilogue post is the final post of the thread. Once it is posted, the thread will be locked and moved to the IC archives. Your reward for the thread, if you met the requirements, can be claimed in the Check-Out Counter. If there is another thread in the event, keep an eye on the Event Outline for its announcement, especially if you want to participate. Otherwise (and perhaps even if), bask in the glowing, fantastic feeling of a job well-done! Finishing an event thread is a huge accomplishment. I know that WF makes it seem like a pretty ordinary thing to do, but trust me - threads that involve +10 members, regularly go +5 pages, average around +300 words a post, and manage to achieve a site-wide plot goal, are the rarest and most extraordinary of things. I mean, think about it this way. Event 10.1 The Wind Begins to Howl clocked in at over 70,000 words, not including anything vaguely OOC (even names at the start of posts, etc.). A NaNoWriMo Novel is 50,000 words. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone has 76,944 words. Pretty damn awesome, huh?

[attr="class","twfptnotes"]neytirix [attr="class","twfptnotes"]© DELAWARE

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[attr="class","twfpttitle"]PARTICIPATING IN AN EVENT [attr="class","twfptnotes"]joining an event ◀ [attr="class","twfptnotes"]participating in an event [attr="class","twfptnotes"]▶ final notes & faq

[attr="class","twfptcontent"] [attr="class","twfpth1"]OVERVIEW Generally speaking, participating in an event is a commitment: by signing up, particularly for restricted-type events, you are essentially promising to be active and responsible for the duration of the thread. However, don't let this commitment deter you from participating. As you keep reading, you'll see that there are a lot of ways we try to work with you. [attr="class","twfpth1"]so what am i committing myself to? For open-type threads: It's up to you. Your participation is what you make of it. Whether that means you post with one character ten times or six characters just once, it doesn't matter. Your commitment to the thread is present insofar as common RP courtesy dictates it: if you start interacting with another character, it's bad form for you to never reply to their posts. However, we have no expectations or requirements. For restricted-type threads: You have committed to being active and a participant throughout the entirety of the thread. This means that going inactive or losing muse has the potential to slow the event in its tracks, even with a moderator present. From experience, this is stressful for other members and staff to deal with, and we would prefer to mitigate it as best we can. If you go inactive during a restricted thread, a variety of measures may be taken by the moderator to prevent the thread from falling behind. [attr="class","twfpth1"]what kind of measures? Essentially, the moderator can RP or dictate your character's actions at their discretion. In the past, this has ranged from outright posting for the character to simply power-playing them during a mod post. We will do our best to excuse the character from the scene, therefore minimizing the amount of power-play we have to do, but in situations where this is not possible, we may play your character until the event's conclusion. [attr="class","twfpth1"]i don't like that. is that the only option? We will never jump straight to power-playing your character. It makes us uncomfortable too, and it requires a lot of extra work from the moderator, who will read biographies, threads, and plots so any post with your character will be as faithful an adaptation as possible. Before this, we will also do everything in our power to contact you. If we are particularly worried about an event, we may also send out a PM before the start, so you can arrange beforehand what you would like to happen to your character should you go unexpectedly inactive. You can also PM us if you have any reservations about signing up for a certain role. [attr="class","twfpth1"]so an arrangement beforehand will prevent power-play? For the most part, yes. However, please understand that our priority is to finish the thread no matter what. By signing up for a restricted event, or agreeing to play a certain role during an open event, you have shown us that you understand and agree with this goal. If it is possible during the event, we will absolutely remove or replace your character according to your wishes. But if, for example, you are part of a four-cat patrol and we cannot find a replacement, and the success of the thread hinges on your character's presence? You may be out of luck. [attr="class","twfpth1"]what if i go inactive, then return? You may not be able to return to your previous role, particularly if you have been replaced. For most sign-up events, we make sure to build in multiple fail-safes in case someone goes inactive (for example, in 10.2, a 'Reserve Patrol' was formed that consisted of characters that could essentially replace anyone who went inactive). However, the ability to return does vary on an event-by-event basis, so if you would like to rejoin an event after going inactive, please PM DELAWARE. We design events to maximize the possibility of accommodating a returning character, so often there will be a way to make it work. [attr="class","twfpth1"]do some events require higher activity than others? Yes, but again, in most events the amount you participate is dependent upon what you can personally contribute. If you want to get an idea of the level of participation that will be expected from you, I recommend looking at past, similar or same-type events to see what other members have done. [attr="class","twfpth1"]a member i was interacting with went inactive! If it seems like your fellow RP partner has gone inactive or is simply taking forever to post, and you want to free up your character for other interactions, go ahead and do just that. You can always interact again. Make your character be distracted by something or someone, remember a problem they need to address, or suddenly get stomach pains - there are plenty of ways to move out of one interaction and into another! [attr="class","twfpth1"]which characters should i participate with? Who you bring to an event is up to you, but if you are truly lost, here are a few things that might help. Events are excellent for quick character development, or for getting a handle on characters you don't know that well yet (or haven't RPed in a while). Events typically have 'lower stakes' than personal threads, since in an event, the site plot is front and center and your character is secondary - versus a personal thread, where your character is center stage. Therefore, there is a lot of space in an event to try out different things with different characters, or to get a firmer idea of your character and their personality. I recommend looking at the event outline and seeing which character of yours would benefit the most from a) more roleplay and b) the situation/goal that is described, and then decide based on that. [attr="class","twfpth1"]events don't sound too bad after all. They truly aren't. As long as you know your own limits, and are realistic about what you can commit to, you'll never run into problems. And though some of the stuff above might seem pretty intense, please know that we implement such measures as a last-resort only. Communicate with the event moderators and your fellow RP partners, and you're never going to feel unheard. Events are supposed to be fun, rewarding events for everyone involved, and we will do our best to make sure that is true for you.

[attr="class","twfptnotes"]neytirix [attr="class","twfptnotes"]© DELAWARE

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[attr="class","twfpttitle"]FINAL NOTES & FAQ [attr="class","twfptnotes"]participating in an event ◀ [attr="class","twfptnotes"]final notes & faq [attr="class","twfptnotes"]▶ back to overview

[attr="class","twfptcontent"] [attr="class","twfpth1"]THANK YOU FOR READING! Events are, truly, what you make of them. Some people throw in all their characters; some add in only one; some just want to read along. All three can be rewarding. It might take a little time to figure out what level of participation works for you, but that's part of the fun. Ultimately, you are in control of your event involvement, and that freedom of choice is never going to change. The staff's only goal is to offer up fun, exciting, non-standard RP opportunities for you, where you feel safe and welcome to let your creativity fly. <3 [attr="class","twfpth1"]FEEDBACK? QUESTIONS? Please post in our site feedback thread or PM DELAWARE directly. [attr="class","twfpth1"]ADDITIONAL FAQ [attr="class","twfpth3"]do you accept event suggestions? [attr="class","twfptsmtxt"]We are currently not formally accepting event suggestions.

[attr="class","twfptnotes"]neytirix [attr="class","twfptnotes"]© DELAWARE