CoF FAQ
1. What is CoF?
2. What is its basic theme?
3. What requirements do I have to fulfill to join?
4. How does it differ from and Harmony?
5. What class and races can join?
6. What does it mean that CoF is a peaceful clan?
7. What sort of rules are there for Clan members?
8. Are there any specific attendance requirements?
9. Why do you insist on the Character Backgrounds, Reputations
and Role Play Plans?
10. Why does my story keep getting rejected?
11. Would I really be outcast if it is not submitted in
two weeks?
12. What are the Circle's current relationships with other
clans? Are they in alliance with any clan?
13. How good at RP do I have to be to join?
14. What are the weekly Clan events/quests?
15. I have an idea relating to the Clan. What do I do?
16. I heard that CoF and the King of Arnath have a pact
or alliance or something?
Circle of Fire, also known as CoF, is a clan of Dragon's Exodus. It has been primarily designed as a brotherhood (or sisterhood) dedicated to keeping alight the flames of truth, virtue and individual freedom. Its alignment is chaotic good, which implies that we believe in freedom of thought and action, but are bound by the basic principles of goodness.
2. What is its basic theme?
The Clan has been envisaged as a group of like-minded individuals dedicated to keeping the flames of virtue burning in the midst of a dark, unforgiving world. Consequently, we believe in opposing evil in every shape and form. However, in doing so we don't impose our beliefs on others. Tolerance and patience are virtues in which we believe.
The clan has been designed to have a vaguely Celtic feel. Therefore, some knowledge of that culture would be an added asset. For the initiated, I am talking about the dark ages of Western Europe (primarily Sixth-Seventh Century Britain) after the collapse of the Roman Empire ? the period of the historical King Arthur.
3. What requirements do I have to fulfill to join?
Yes, technically you should be at least level 20, be good aligned, and preferably not belong to an evil class/race combination. You should also have an idea of the IC history of your person. Having a character description would be essential. Being a PKer/BHer would automatically disqualify you.
4. How does it differ from Harmony?
The Clan Harmony is a lawful good clan to our chaotic good. On a philosophical level, this means that they rely on the dictates of law to define virtue, whereas the Circle believes that the knowledge of what is good comes from within. The philosophy, mythology and theme of the Circle are different. Also, the Circle is just about the only Clan in Dragon's Exodus with an evolving IC history, that unfolds through regular clan events. If something is part of our history, it actually happened. These events are not purely immortal directed, but rather the result of continuous player interaction. The Circle offers many and varied opportunities for the RP inclined.
5. What class and races can join?
We are not racist and don't exclude anyone because of an accident of birth. However, don't be surprised if we are going to look with some suspicion at a Drow, Illithid, Shadow, Ghoul, Demon, Ogre or Lizard who wants to join us. After all, for him to do so would be against centuries of racial traditions. Similarly, a Necromancer or Vampire would also expect to have his history and motives come under close scrutiny.
At the same time, it would be much easier to RP within the Clan if you are of a race and class that fits our profile. Druids and Bards are welcome. Knowledge of Elven fantasy lore would be appreciated.
6. What does it mean that CoF is a peaceful clan?
The Circle doesn't admit either PKers or BHers. IC, there are more effective strategies of conflict resolution than slaughtering the opposition. Killing is something that is to be resorted to as the last resort, and then too reluctantly; for it goes against our philosophy of tolerance and patience.
At the same time OOCly, the personalities that lend themselves to success as a PK/BH'er require them to be mean, vindictive, and sneaky. Also in most cases, persons who lose a fight and are looted are (or feel) completely helpless and repeatedly expect their clan to recover a complete set of equipment for them and/or ask those who are not interested in PK to help them get revenge on those they fought. In short, inducting PKers has historically entailed a lot of highly avoidable trouble for the clan and its members. Besides, in an overwhelming majority of cases not an iota of RP surrounds the killing (which after all is the mud equivalent of murder).
Another implication is that the Circle will never be involved in a clan war. Members would be strongly recommended to avoid interaction (OOC and RP) that might be expected to result in inter-clan conflict.
7. What sort of rules are there for Clan members?
The question can be answered at two levels : IC and OOC.
ICly, you are expected to abide by the Ten Commandments and act in accordance with the Rights and Responsibilities of the Clan members. If you want to progress within the Clan, you would also be expected to undertake the additional tasks and responsibilities of that rank.
OOCly, the Mortal Guidelines Section of the Codex and the Disciplinary System Link of the Website provide an indication of what is expected of you. Also, there are OOC prerequisites that will need to be completed before each promotion.
8. Are there any specific attendance requirements?
Yes, an Auxiliary inactive for two weeks (without notice) will expect to be outcast. A person ranking Tribesman and above who is inactive for a month will expect the same. In addition, consistent (unexplained) poor attendance may constitute a strike offence. If you intend to go on a vacation or are about to hit a particularly busy patch IRL, I would suggest noting/emailing the High Council, and especially the Deity (who after all is the one who is going to do the actual outcasting).
9. Why do you insist on the Character Backgrounds, Reputations and Role Play Plans?
These form the basis on which you are going to RP your character. The background story describes the origins of the person, the reputation provides an idea of how you want him to be perceived, and the RP Plan sets down the direction and manner how you will go about RPing him. Putting it all in writing helps to concretize things; sharing it with another person helps to put it in perspective and improve it.
10. Why does my story keep getting rejected?
There are two aspects that are considered when reviewing a story; content (the plot, realism, details etc) and language (grammar, typos, general style of writing). The final product should explain who you are, where you come from and in which general direction you are heading. The stories go to the Website and into the Book of Lives. Therefore, they have to undergo extra scrutiny to ensure that they are publishable. Reasons for rejection differ; sometimes, a story is rejected because it is plain poor on either (or both) of the two aspects: sometimes, because the story shows great potential and may with modifications eventually win the Story of the Month Contest. Either way, most stories go through at least one rewrite. If you are looking for ideas on how to develop your story, I would suggest reading the Story Writing Guide on this Website.
11. Would I really be outcast if it is not submitted in two weeks?
Most definitely, yes.
So, the Story and the Rep have been cleared. Now what?
You send it to CoF Website at altrac_skateboard@yahoo.ca. Therefore, save a copy of your story after you send it to Kleothera. (Only stories that have been received at the Website are shortlisted for the Story Contest).
12. What are the Circle's current relationships with other clans? Are they in alliance with any clan?
The Circle is chaotic and, therefore, does not enter into formal binding alliances. However, we do have an informal understanding with Harmony based on our common opposition to the forces of evil (and OOCly the fact that they have been RPing with our members a lot). This is why clans such as Misanthropy, are considered as our However, we are not actively at war with them (or will be). Undertaking crusades against evil is not our style.
13. How good at RP do I have to be to join?
Reasonably so. If you are not into RP, you might be inducted but you will find yourself not promoted, yelled at and generally left feeling not welcome. Certain amount of interest in RP would be essential to ensure that that the clan channel remains IC, your life stories are accepted and you are able to participate in RP events. Therefore, if you overwhelmingly prefer hack-and-slash to RP, apply elsewhere. It would however not be realistic to expect perfect RP from all our people. What is important is a willingness to learn and a desire to participate in the Clan's activities.
14. What are the weekly Clan events/quests?
The Circle holds regular RP/IC events which together contribute to form an evolving Clan History- check the Section on Clan Chronicles on this Website. A continuous plot or chain of events unfolds over the preceding week culminating in a RP scenario being enacted live over the weekend. It offers an opportunity for a sizable section of the Clan to be online at the same time, interact with each other and generally have fun.
In addition, senior clan members and clan immortals occasionally organize OOC quests for our member. The best life story submitted over the period of a month is eligible for the "Story of the Month Award".
15. I have an idea relating to the Clan. What do I do?
Email Kleothera at kleothera@dragonsexodus.com and note the High Council. Most ideas (except those that involve complex coding or change in clan equipment) could potentially be accepted. If you have an idea, but are not sure about its feasibility, tell us about it anyway; there may be another way of implementing it. Some of the best ideas in the Clan have come from relative new comers who offer a fresh perspective on things.
16. I heard that CoF and the King of Arnath have a pact or alliance or something?
Yes. The Clan Hall is located just north of the City. Therefore, we have a history of coming to the help of its residents when the need arose. Our aid has been sought on several occasions in the past. Similarly, after the Ogre Invasions the Circle has a pact of mutual non-aggression with the Princess of the Elven Borderlands.