1. Go to the messageboard.
Check out our messageboard at www.steelsings.com/forum. If you already have a messageboard account, use that one to apply; you don't need a second account for your character (actually, we ask that you only have one account, period. It's less confusing that way). If you don't, then sign up (it's free). Again, your account doesn't need to be your character's name since the roleplay is chat-based, not forum-based. If you're under thirteen, we'll need your parents to e-mail us at steelsings@gmail.com with permission for you to participate on the site. Whatever age you are, make sure it shows in your profile so that we know you're old enough to join the game.
2. Go to the RP Hopefuls forum.
The RP Hopefuls forum is in the Roleplay section. Make sure you read the forum description and sticky topics. They'll tell you everything you need to know that wasn't already covered.
3. Make a new topic.
When viewing topics in the RP Hopefuls, click on the button that says "New Topic" on the top bar of all the threads.
4. Your subject heading:
The subject of your new topic is very specific, so please pay attention. It needs three things, in this order:
- The day of the week and day of the month you are applying
- Your character's first name
- Your e-mail address
This means that your subject heading should read like this:
Wednesday, June 31 - Jane - steelsings@gmail.com
We're very picky about this! It's because the subject headings are how we know who's in, who's out, who needs to be emailed, and who needs to be seen to. Putting 31/06/06 instead of Wednesday, June 31 really does make a hassle for us. Sometimes creativity is good- but in this instance, please do what we ask.
5. Put in your character profile.
You then put your character's profile into the big text box below that. If you really want to impress us, please make sure there's a double space between your paragraphs, and your fields are bolded using the [b] [/b] tags. Don't use ofther snazzy additions though - red glowing text or purple italics just make your profile hard to read and we will ask you to take them out. This is also a good point to double check all your spelling, grammar and punctuation using the spell check button.
6. Get feedback from the mentors and edit.
Mentors will then read your profile, make comments on errors or possible improvements, and vote. You can change your character while it is being voted on by clicking the "modify" button on your post's top-right-hand corner. It's quicker than reposting the whole profile and makes it easier for the mentors to follow the changes you're making. Every time you edit, make sure you reply to let us know, because it will bump your post to the top of the forum and leave your name as the last person to reply in the thread. This makes it easier for the mentors to tell which profiles are ready for more crit. Be aware though that all of the mentors have real lives so if it takes a few days for you to get more crit, try not to get impatiant or spam your thread with posts to get them to notice you.
A really important note: You can't reply to anyone else's profile! Only mentors can do that. This just keeps things neat and tidy, and less confusing. If you have anything to say about that person's profile, why not send them a private message instead?
7. Wait for the voting.
Every two weeks the mentors make up a list of the current hopefuls applications in the mentors forum and vote on the profiles. This usually happens on a Wednesday and voting is open for one week before the results are published. There is then one week before the next voting is open, so the whole cycle takes a two weeks.
There are three votes they can give: Yes, No, and occasionally Hold Over. The voting is open for a week and then the votes are counted and the results are posted on a thread in the Hopefuls forum.
Yes/Accepted – Congratulations if you receive this, it means you’re in! Expect to receive a PM and/or an email with the address of the roleplay chat and the information you’ll need to log in. Your application thread will be locked. No/Rejected – If you’re rejected you can reapply a second time with the same character, though it's not always recommended. It’s probably best to go away and work a bit on the profile before you do so. Try re-reading some tutorials and the crits you received before you try again. If your character is rejected a second time, you have to make a new one for your next application. There is no limit on how many times you can apply, though. Your application thread will be locked.
Hold Over – This means the mentors would like to see you work some more on your profile before they make a decision. You will only be held over for one voting period before a decision is made. You should continue to get crits on your profiles.
If you have any questions about the results, you can ask them in the voting results thread.
8. Enjoy playing!
If you've been accepted, you'll get a message from the mentors with the chat link in and some useful links and information.
Remember, you are only permitted to have two characters in your first six months. These may be Inn or Little Court characters, but one of these characters must be a rogue or rogue hopeful. (Remember: Little Court applications are currently closed.) For more information about the Rogue, see the Rogue tutorial. You can make a second character whenever you feel ready, but it’s probably best to wait a few months until you’re confident in playing your first character. When you do, you must show your second character’s profile to two mentors and have them approve your character before you can play it. Make a note of who says yes as you may be asked which mentors you showed your profile to.
Sound straight forward? That’s because it is! Good luck! Remember that any questions may be emailed to the Roleplay Heads at steelsings.roleplay@gmail.com.