This section covers some details on how RP (roleplay) and TP (tinyplots) are run in the Lórien culture. Also, some information on in-game travel and the combat system damage is listed here.
RP (Roleplay) | TP (Tinyplot) | IC Distances | IC Travel Times | Combat System Damage
RP
Taken from +EHELP RP
Both new and old players can be overwhelmed with the options for role-play in an environment such as Elendor. Unlike a MUD where everyone has a clear objective, a MUSH is open-ended, with nothing set except the storyline as background. Upon that background, it's our task, as players, to contribute some scenery, some depth in the form of RP events. Some of those events stretch into multi-day things which require some OOC coordination: we call those events TinyPlots, or TPs.
A question that often comes up, then, is "Who starts these TPs?". In a way, this question is just an extension of "Who starts the RP?". And that's really the most important question you can ask about role-playing on Elendor! Let me be perfectly clear with my opinion on this one: YOU DO. Anyone can connect to Elendor, ask on >Lorien< "Is there any RP?", and and get involved when someone answers. That's all well and good. But what can make Lorien GREAT is if *you* are the player to go IC first, get together with another IC person, and start something.
Please try to not let any initial perception of "complexity" around here dissuade you from contributing. There are many policies and ways of doing things, sure, but NOTHING is more important than RP creation. If you have an idea, an inkling, or the germ of inspiration, talk to an LA, or +mail us, or do whatever it takes to bring it to our attention. I assure you of nothing but a lot of support. Remember: Iluvatar smiles upon the well-intended RPer!
A Guide to RP
Taken from +EHELP RP GUIDE
- Don't hesitate to ask for RP! We're all here to roleplay after all. Ask for RP on >Lorien<, or ask someone by page. However, don't take it personally if the answer is "no": for whatever reason, now may not be a good time.
- When possible, make sure to respond to others' RP requests, even if it's just to say, "Sorry, I can't right now."
- Always keep IC (in-character) and OOC (out-of-character) separate. If another character gets mad at your character, please realize that this is purely IC and does not mean the player behind the character is mad at you. Also, keep in mind that you as a player probably know a lot that your character wouldn't. Be sure to RP your character as knowing only what he/she could ICly know.
- If you find an RP scene in progress and wish to join or watch it, ask the players in it for permission first: the scene may be private, and/or the players may not want an OOC "audience". Asking before posing in also allows others to fill you in on what's happening in the scene. For example, if the scene takes place on a rainy night, you don't want to unknowingly pose yourself in as walking down the path on a sunny afternoon.
- When a player does enter a scene, wait for them to pose in before posing about their presence.
- During RP, please wait for the person you pose to to respond to your pose before posing to them again.
- Pose only the actions and reactions of your own character (and/or NPCs you control), never those of others. Also, in posing actions that involve another character, pose only your character's attempt and let the player on the receiving end pose the outcome. For example, you can pose running up to another elf in attempt to embrace them, but it's up to the potential embracee whether you succeed or whether they step aside in time to avoid you.
- Always pose out before leaving a scene. While this isn't always possible-- connections do fail, and emergencies do arise-- even a quick "He suddenly nods farewell and runs away into the woods" is infinitely better than leaving other players hanging.
- Feel free to page a +trainer, +teacher, or +healer if you seek their services-- they wouldn't have their jobs if they didn't enjoy them!-- but be aware that they are not obligated to drop everything when they receive such a request. Realize as well that +training, +teaching, and +healing scenes are IC experiences that require RP, and that all such coded commands are merely a supplement to RP, not an end in themselves.
- While Lorien's higher-ups do their best to create RP opportunities, it's ultimately up to each individual Galadhrim to make their own fun. Don't wait for RP to be handed to you; go forth and seize it! Every "normal, everyday" scene has the potential to be intriguing and memorable if you make it so.
TP
Taken from +EHELP TP.
Tiny Plots (TPs) are preplanned events of varying sizes intended to build or create role-playing or to achieve a specific goal. While the events are planned, the outcomes are based on the Role Play that take place within the events. These are events that require coordination and planning that is greater than normal spontaneous role-playing. TPs can be planned by all players in all guilds, and can involve any number of personal characters or culture wide objectives. The following will help you in planning and submitting a TP:
The Start: All TPs start with an idea. This idea can be to create fun IC activity or to achieve a specific goal for either a player or the culture as a whole. This idea can be a tournament, festival, a trip outside the culture, or something that occurs inside the culture.
Getting It Together/Planning: Now that you have an idea, look though associated help files, talk to the +ruler, local admins, or senior players, to see if this idea fits in with the general theme of the culture or if something similar has occurred before. This is a chance to brainstorm and develop the idea into a more solid concept of who, what, why, and where, when, how, of the idea.
Addressing Issues: At this point, your plan is going to be relatively developed into a solid idea and you should have input from experienced players. You'll know if there are any potential problems that need to be considered or asked about when you submit your plan for approval. Research and prepare responses or solutions to any potential problems.
Prepare and submit your plan: Provide a TP proposal containing the elements listed below and submit it to your +ruler and LAs:
- Is there a background related to the TP that would explain the goal or plan that you are trying to achieve?
- What is the goal of the TP (Note that this may or may not come to pass, depending on the RP — TPs are not scripted!)
- What cultures and players (estimate) are expected to participate in the TP?
- Where will the TP take place? If the TP will happen outside the culture, list your points/locations of contact, or identify that you'll need help finding an appropriate point of contact.
- When will the TP take place? Is this to be a flash-back (FB), a flash-forward (FF), or will it be in the current timeframe? Normally this is listed in a time schedule or an itinerary of the TP.
- Identify if you'll need any assistance. Provide details.
Note: Not all TPs are approved, and the OOC administrators within the culture evaluate each plan for acceptability in terms of theme, realism, and achievability. Sometimes they will try to work with you and offer suggestions to adapt your plan to better suit the needs of the culture. If your TP is not approved, don't take it personally. All ideas are good ideas, but the overall needs and future plans of the culture need to be considered each time a TP is considered.
IC Distances
Taken from +EHELP INFO DISTANCES and +EHELP THEME GEOGRAPHY2.
Approximate walking distances from the northern (except where noted) edge of the Lorien forest:
Moria (Dimrill Gate) 35 miles Distance from NW edge of Lorien forest. N. Edge of Fangorn 65 miles Distance from S edge of Lorien forest. Gladden River 130 miles Old Ford 240 miles The Carrock 265 miles Beorn's House 275 miles E. End of High Pass 245 miles The High Pass is approximately 40 miles W. End of High Pass 285 miles of mountainous terrain. Imladris 330 miles W. Edge of Mirkwood (at Old Forest Rd.) 265 miles Dol Guldur 510+ miles Route along W. edge of Mirkwood: 510 miles. Amon Thranduil 400+ miles Winding route; very rough estimate.
Under ideal conditions, expect about 25-45 miles per IC day. Elves can travel day and night without rest, but would stop to eat and sing when possible. Rough terrain can slow travel (though not nearly as much as for humans), as can a large party, injuries, and heavy burdens. Horsed travel, very rare among Galadhrim, is faster for short distances (perhaps 55+ miles per IC day), but slower in the long-term as horses need to stop and sleep.
Approximate walking distances from the Gates of Caras Galadhon:
Location Distance Room Name
Confluence of Celebrant and Anduin 9 miles Long Lawn
Cerin Amroth 15 miles Cerin Amroth
West End of Northern Border 47 miles Northern Fences
Celebrant River Crossing 55 miles Riverside, Naith of
Lorien
Confluence of Celebrant and Nimrodel 60 miles Bridge of Nimrodel
Center of Southern Forest Border 105 miles* Riverside Pathway
along the Celebrant
*Assumes travel from the Celebrant crossing at the Riverside. Distance decreases drastically if overhead talan/rope system is used.
Other Approximate Distances:
Diameter of CG (excluding fosse) 3250 feet Length of White Road around CG 2+ miles North/South distance across Lorien forest 45 miles (at widest point) East/West distance across Lorien forest 75 miles (at widest point)
IC Travel Times
Taken from +EHELP TRAVEL TIMES
Galadhrim primarily travel on foot. Please take these travel speeds into account when planning trips, and remember that three IC days correspond to one real-time day. Please also remember travel times when going throughout Lórien.
MAXIMUM TRAVEL SPEEDS
SPECIES Miles per day SPECIES Miles per day
Elf on foot Hobbit on foot
Rested, unburdened 45 In a serious hurry 30*
In a group, traveling light 35-40 Errands, supper waiting 10-20
Burdened, large group 25-35 Normal business 5-10
March, with armor 15-25 Above with pub in the way 2-3
Elf, mounted Khazad on foot***
Fresh mount, unburdened 60*-120** Pressing or dire need 30-40
Laden, winded mount 40-80* Burdened alone 20-30
Large company or weary mount 25-50 Group, forced march 20-30
Man on foot Vehicles
Rested, unburdened 35-40 Pony, light rider 30-45
In a group, traveling light 25-35 Pony trap 25-35
Burdened, large group 20 Horse trap, carriage 30-40
March, with armor 10-20 Wagon, light wain (team) 15-25
Man, mounted Heavy wain, horse or mule 5-15****
Fresh mount, unburdened 40-80* Heavy wain, oxen 5
Laden, winded mount 35-50 Siege engine 1-5
Large company or weary mount 20-35
Young Hobbit. Can smell fried mushrooms and fresh blackberry pie >75 MPH
*Extreme effort. **Extraodrinary circumstances.
***Khazad do not suffer undue penalty from exhaustion or large groups.
****Cannot maintain speed. 1 day only at maximum
Dunedain fit under the classification of Elf in this table.
Credits: Arhuine
Combat System Damage
Taken from +EHELP INFO DAMAGE
The following chart provides guidelines for RPing the results of individual CS attacks inflicted on a non-feature elven character. Please first note the following:
- The following HP loss values do NOT reflect cumulative battle damage! The purpose of this chart is to help you react to each individual blow.
- Elves heal "rapidly and completely" from wounds that would kill a human, though cannot regenerate severed body parts. If your elf receives an injury that would require four weeks to heal in real life, she or he might recover in as swiftly as two IC weeks, providing his HP is back to its maximum by that time. It's NOT acceptable for him to recover from the same wound in two IC days, even if autoheal (see HELP HEALING) has already restored him to full HP. Even elves can't heal broken bones overnight!
- These are guidelines, not hard and fast rules: exceptions may arise, especially in terms of wound type. A 20 HP club hit creates a different kind of wound than a 20 HP arrow hit, though the wounds are of the same severity.
If you've got any questions as to what is or is not an appropriate way to RP your injuries, contact an LA.
| HP Lost from a Single Attack | Damage Guidelines |
| 1-6 HP | A minor cut, a glancing blow. Any HP loss is a wound, but this one's not bad. |
| 6-10 HP | A moderate wound. Nothing that would keep you from fighting back, though your wound would be large enough to cause noticable pain and be immediately obvious to others. |
| 10-15 HP | A large wound — about seven or eight hits like this would kill you outright. The wound hurts a lot, and really should be looked at by a healer ASAP. Fighting back, while very possible, begins to become more difficult. |
| 15-20 HP | A very significant, lasting wound that requires medical attention. You can still fight back, though the degree of pain and injury will surely hinder your abilities. |
| 20-25 HP | A very damaging hit. If the hit is absorbed by a single part of your body, consider the possibility of broken bones. You may be knocked down, and might require a large amount of time to recover from the blow before attacking again (you may need to PASS on your next turn). |
| 25-30 HP | A debilitating hit. In almost any situation, this would knock you down and break bones. You will almost certainly need to PASS on your next turn, and might not be in good enough shape to continue fighting afterwards. At least partial loss of consciousness is likely. |
| 30-36 HP | Almost certain unconsciousness. It would be extremely unusual if you were able to fight back. Broken bones, possibly crushed bones. A severed extremity is possible as well depending on where and how the blow is absorbed. PASS! |
| 36-40 HP | A crushing, life-threatening blow. Complete unconsciousness for a few rounds at least; no hope of rejoining the battle. If this hits a single bodypart, that part would be rendered completely useless (shattered, crushed, or severed). |
| 40-45 HP | An utterly devastating blow; the hardest a non-feature elf can be hit via the CS. You are quite literally half-dead as a result of this single attack. While you may survive, it should come as an IC shock to everyone that you do. |