Adapted from the original Fictionpress FAQ by Evil Minion Number 2.
Q: Why isn't anyone serving me drinks/getting me food?
A: That's Martes' job. He's a character who can be controlled by anyone at any time, as long as he remains in the Tavern.
Q: I blew up the Tavern/had a herd of buffalo come rampaging through/killed someone! Why doesn't any notice there's a huge floor in the roof from 10 pages back?
A: Because blowing up the place is sadly a common occurrence, so the tavern self repairs. That's the in-character story. Out of character, it's because it wouldn't be reasonable to make new players go back and read the entire tavern thread and know everything that's happened so far.
Q: What time of year is it outside?
A: It's whatever time of year you feel like it is, in whatever weather.
Q: Where IS the tavern?
A: The tavern is situated in a nondescript city that may or may not have a dock, may or may not be under a corrupt government, and may or may not be on the edge of a forest. The Tavern exists on multiple planes of existence at once and is everywhere and nowhere. It reacts to both dramatic timing and irony in order to appear where ever it's needed most. Basically, it's a plot device created as a place for characters to meet up.
Q: Can I bring in a cat/wolf/griffin/dragon/Cthulhu?
A: You may have any sort of character you like so long as they do not break any rules by godmoding, are original characters, and generally fit into a D&D fantasy tavern setting. We accept characters who don't, but we highly frown upon space marines and anything with too advanced technology. We prefer to call it magic.
Q: I want to play as the bartender/cook/other official staff!
A: No. Martes only hires on a temporary, freelance, limited basis. He has no need for a cook or bartender because he's already got them. He can be seen hiring entertainers, bounty hunters, and other people who are not expected to stick around when Quest threads start, but never permanent staff. The NPCs are a convenience to keep people from having to spend 3 replies getting their drinks and food; having a real person taking an NPC job makes life more difficult for people who want to get on with interacting with other characters.
Q: Can I have a pet/familiar?
A: Yes, as long as they fit through the door. Otherwise, they're going to have to stay in the stables/on the street. They do, however, count towards the 3-character limit.
Q: Why are they called Non-Playable Characters when everyone can play them? Why call the story teller a Dungeon Master?
A: Because we used the terms once when getting the idea across and they stuck. We're geeks, it happens. In this forum some NPCs can be played by anyone who comes along while others are reserved by different DMs to run the plots of quests. The latter follow the traditional meaning of the term, but they're silly for making it harder to describe. A DM is someone whose job is to make situations for characters to react to in order to tell a complete story. They control the world, the citizens and pretty much everything except what the characters do.
Q: Do I have to wait for my character to get approved?
A: Nope. Just have them walk right on into the tavern. If the mods think your character is inappropriate or over-powered they will comment, even if it takes a while for them to get around to it thanks to the inconvenience known as life.
Q: Can I break the fourth wall?
A: Yes, but only in mild amounts. Don't use fourth wall breaking as your personal soapbox as a player. Treat crossing the fourth wall like you'd treat pepper: Don't make it anywhere near a major ingredient in your dish and don't rub it in people's eyes.
Q: Can I make a gag character?
A: Gag characters are not strictly against the rules, but they tend not to work well for anything beyond a few minutes of interaction.
Q: Why are the Mods being so mean?
A: 1) Because you didn't read the rules and you don't follow them. 2) Because you're ruining the happy fun time games for others. 3) Your character has no logic to it and we're calling you out for it. 4) YOU CANNOT BE NEO.
Q: The mods know things and can say what the others are thinking with out even saying anything in the OOC area. How do they do this!?
A: Many of the long term members have ESP. Or was that IM clients? I always get those confused.";
Q: Why isn't anyone serving me drinks/getting me food?
A: That's Martes' job. He's a character who can be controlled by anyone at any time, as long as he remains in the Tavern.
Q: I blew up the Tavern/had a herd of buffalo come rampaging through/killed someone! Why doesn't any notice there's a huge floor in the roof from 10 pages back?
A: Because blowing up the place is sadly a common occurrence, so the tavern self repairs. That's the in-character story. Out of character, it's because it wouldn't be reasonable to make new players go back and read the entire tavern thread and know everything that's happened so far.
Q: What time of year is it outside?
A: It's whatever time of year you feel like it is, in whatever weather.
Q: Where IS the tavern?
A: The tavern is situated in a nondescript city that may or may not have a dock, may or may not be under a corrupt government, and may or may not be on the edge of a forest. The Tavern exists on multiple planes of existence at once and is everywhere and nowhere. It reacts to both dramatic timing and irony in order to appear where ever it's needed most. Basically, it's a plot device created as a place for characters to meet up.
Q: Can I bring in a cat/wolf/griffin/dragon/Cthulhu?
A: You may have any sort of character you like so long as they do not break any rules by godmoding, are original characters, and generally fit into a D&D fantasy tavern setting. We accept characters who don't, but we highly frown upon space marines and anything with too advanced technology. We prefer to call it magic.
Q: I want to play as the bartender/cook/other official staff!
A: No. Martes only hires on a temporary, freelance, limited basis. He has no need for a cook or bartender because he's already got them. He can be seen hiring entertainers, bounty hunters, and other people who are not expected to stick around when Quest threads start, but never permanent staff. The NPCs are a convenience to keep people from having to spend 3 replies getting their drinks and food; having a real person taking an NPC job makes life more difficult for people who want to get on with interacting with other characters.
Q: Can I have a pet/familiar?
A: Yes, as long as they fit through the door. Otherwise, they're going to have to stay in the stables/on the street. They do, however, count towards the 3-character limit.
Q: Why are they called Non-Playable Characters when everyone can play them? Why call the story teller a Dungeon Master?
A: Because we used the terms once when getting the idea across and they stuck. We're geeks, it happens. In this forum some NPCs can be played by anyone who comes along while others are reserved by different DMs to run the plots of quests. The latter follow the traditional meaning of the term, but they're silly for making it harder to describe. A DM is someone whose job is to make situations for characters to react to in order to tell a complete story. They control the world, the citizens and pretty much everything except what the characters do.
Q: Do I have to wait for my character to get approved?
A: Nope. Just have them walk right on into the tavern. If the mods think your character is inappropriate or over-powered they will comment, even if it takes a while for them to get around to it thanks to the inconvenience known as life.
Q: Can I break the fourth wall?
A: Yes, but only in mild amounts. Don't use fourth wall breaking as your personal soapbox as a player. Treat crossing the fourth wall like you'd treat pepper: Don't make it anywhere near a major ingredient in your dish and don't rub it in people's eyes.
Q: Can I make a gag character?
A: Gag characters are not strictly against the rules, but they tend not to work well for anything beyond a few minutes of interaction.
Q: Why are the Mods being so mean?
A: 1) Because you didn't read the rules and you don't follow them. 2) Because you're ruining the happy fun time games for others. 3) Your character has no logic to it and we're calling you out for it. 4) YOU CANNOT BE NEO.
Q: The mods know things and can say what the others are thinking with out even saying anything in the OOC area. How do they do this!?
A: Many of the long term members have ESP. Or was that IM clients? I always get those confused.";