[center][h2][i][b][color=#442549]A[/color] [color=#462847]P[/color][color=#482A46]a[/color][color=#492C45]t[/color][color=#4B2D44]c[/color][color=#4C2F44]h[/color][color=#4E3143]w[/color][color=#4F3342]o[/color][color=#513441]r[/color][color=#523640]k[/color] [color=#553A3F]W[/color][color=#573B3E]o[/color][color=#583D3D]r[/color][color=#5A3F3C]l[/color][color=#5B413B]d[/color][/b][/i][/h2][hr][img]http://cgc-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/dreamscape/375979/1094/Dreamscape_1_piofoks.jpg[/img][hr][h3][b]Introduction[/b][/h3][hr][h3][sub]

A world which is to be brought into being by the great minds of many, Patchwork is a RP project wherein a group sets out to make a world. However, rather than craft a world and place it into the fold, the intent is instead to allow a space for this creation whilst also experiencing this fledgling verse as it manifests. As such certain guidelines must be established, lest it be chaos which results from collaboration, rather than a harmonic world, though surely not one bereft of conflict in its myriad forms.

This is to be a roleplay wherein a world is brought to bear by the inhabitants who dwell within it, whomever they may be. Its genres will be listed below, as well as some core themes as they are considered and finalized.

Central to this RP's mechanics will be a series of systems namely the Lore, Tier, Time, and Accountability systems--The LATs System, for short.

Join, feel free to express interest here in the OOC, though you will have to go through the Accountability system before joining in on the fun.

Regardless, welcome! Let your stay be a long one.[/sub][/h3][hr][h3][b]Thematics[/b][/h3][hr]
Science Fiction
Modern Fantasy
High Fantasy
Dark Fantasy

The above genres are likely to be central to Patchwork, though it is hard to say what other sorts of things will find their place in this fledgling world as it grows from its infancy as an idea to adulthood as a fully realized verse. Who knows what might happen.[hr][h3][b]LATS[/b][/h3][hr]
As mentioned earlier, LATS is a series of systems which will be utilized as guidelines for various elements of the RP. Specifically LATS will be utilized to organize (L)ore, player (A)ccountability, power (T)ier, and (S)etting. These will be addressed in order, starting with the Lore. Onwards![hr][h3][sub][b][i][u]Lore[/u][/i][/b][/sub][/h3][/center]
[hider][center]In short the Lore system will be a system to organize the submission of lore so as not to simply throw elements into the world that would not properly fit into whatever established framework it will come to possess. The first step is the concept stage, wherein an individual will approach one of the loremasters(GMs) with their ideas for the world, regardless of its nature. A conversation will be had and questions will be asked to further clarify said ideas. After this, the player will be directed to utilize a Lore Sheet in the interest of documenting their ideas in an organized fashion. This sheet is first sent to the GM for review. Once given the okay, it is posted in the OOC where any other parties may view it.

While players may comment and make known their opinion on the lore entry, and such will be considered before final review (followed by integration, revision, or dismissal of the entry in question) ultimately the decision is left to the Loremasters--though constructive criticism, questions, and general discourse are appreciated and encouraged.[/center]

[i][u]To review, the steps are as follows:[/u][/i]

[indent][indent][indent][indent]1.) Lore idea is presented to the Loremasters(GMs), discussed, then given the go ahead (or not).
2.) Lore Sheet is reviewed by the Loremasters(GMs). Entry is approved, denied, or revised.
3.) Lore Sheet is presented in the OOC for player reactions and feedback.
4.) Entry is reviewed once more by the Loremasters(GMs).
5.) Entry is finalized, then integrated into Patchwork's Lore Thread if applicable.[/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent]

[hider=Lore Sheets]Once you been cleared to fill out a sheet, contact the Loremasters. Conversely, we will give you a sheet upon approving a concept.

The categories are as follows:

[i][b]Locations
Flora and Fauna
Sentient Races
Realms
Organizations
Magics
History
Deities and Primordial Forces
Religions and Cults
Technology[/b][/i][/hider]
[center][u][b]Lore Post Denotation[/b][/u][/center]
In the spirit of organization, below are detailed a series of tags which should be utilized when denoting lore while in character that one wishes such to be defined. The idea is to allow for small and subtle pieces of lore to be created or alluded to by Exploration-type players whilst in character, thus giving prompts to those who would world build to flesh out and give further depth to a given situation and the world at large.

The tags are as follows:

[indent][indent][indent][indent][GM] GameMaster. Tags used to denote that the GM team should define something.
[A1] Anyone. A tag to denote that any player can define the lore in question.
[COM] Community. A tag to denote that the player would like to collaborate with others.
[IP] Personal: A tag denoting that the player will define the lore.[/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent]

At the end of an in character post in which a player mentions lore that has yet to be defined a hider must be created. Within this hider any undefined terms and potential lore should be mentioned and labeled with their appropriate tags.

[hider=Examples]As Denaria crept through what the stranger had called Calethane's Respite, she noted the strange glow that emanated from a series of holes in the cavern's ceiling. Perhaps they were some sort of exotic plant that lived in the cave.
[hr]Deeper within Calethane's Respite, Denaria found herself staring down into a chasm whose bottom she could not see. Yet, while she knew not its depth, she did know that whatever one might find at the bottom of the chasm was a beast of terrible vastness for twas from the chasm that a deep hum resounded, interrupted only by the shuddering breaths of [i]something[/i]. Yet, she found herself far more disturbed by the shifting of the walls that surrounded her, which appeared as if covered by some sort of writhing mass. Whether it was an energy or a living thing she did not know and frankly had no wish to discover.

With this thought in mind she turned her back to the scene and began her trek back. Hopefully it would be as uneventful as her way in had been.

[hider][IP] Calethane's Respite.
[A1] Exotic plant.
[GM] Beast.
[COM] Writhing mass.[/hider][/hider][/hider]
[hr][center][h3][sub][b][i][u]Player Accountability[/u][/i][/b][/sub][/h3][/center]
[hider][center]A relatively simple system so as to keep account of characters as well as the quality of lore, the Accountability system is twofold. Its first important duty is related to those who wish to join. In essence, one must simply present interest in the OOC, at which point they will be contacted by the GMs and requested to fill out the a Player Profile, found below.[/center]
[hider=Player Profile][code][hider=INSERT USERNAME HERE'S Profile][u][b]Nicknames:[/b][/u] (Optional, but enjoyable :P)
[u][b]RP Timeline:[/b][/u] (How long have you been RPing)
[u][b]Preferred Pronouns:[/b][/u] (Optional)
[u][b]Preferred Genres:[/b][/u] (What sorts of RPs and literature do you prefer to read, create, and write in?)
[u][b]Participation Type:[/b][/u] Essentially, there are four types of participation. These include the following:
[i][u][b]Lore Creation(1):[/b][/u][/i] A type describing an individual who wishes to assist in the creation of lore to flesh out the world.
[i][u][b]World Exploration(2):[/b][/u][/i] A type categorizing an individual who wants to write characters experiencing the world.
[i][u][b]Organization(3):[/b][/u][/i] A type categorizing an individual who is willing to assist in the organization of lore and, perhaps, plot. This category is off limits at the beginning, but may open up, or be a reward for continued participation.
[i][u][b]Unbound:[/b][/u][/i] A category including two or more of the above categories. If one falls into this category, list the relevant numbers next to it in parentheses.

[u][b]Roleplay Sample:[/b][/u] (At least two paragraphs. Mind grammar, punctuation and spelling. Typos are alright, as long as they are not glaring and/or consistent)[/hider][/code][/hider]
[center]Once the Player Profile is filled out, reviewed and acceptance is given, the player may move to the second portion of the Accountability system. Unlike the first portion of the system, the second is not strictly necessary unless one wishes to participate in [i]World Explanation,[/i] as described in the Player Profile. However, if one does and thus wishes to enter a character to explore the verse, they must contact the Loremasters via PM so as to submit a character concept.

Essentially a Character Concept is a paragraph or more description of a character, outlining their history, equipment, and abilities (as well as any particularly noteworthy personality traits). This is to prevent Mary sues/Gary Stus, maintain player accountability, and most importantly to stimulate interactions between characters. How, one might ask, well this is due to the fact that once the CC is accepted it is posted in the character thread by the player in question. This allows other players to see the sheet and decide if they would be interested in interacting.

It should be noted that while we do not strictly [i]require[/i] any sort of full character sheet, they are nonetheless appreciated as additional effort put into a Character Concept allows us to ascertain more of the character's nature and thus perhaps facilitate plot where wanted or necessary.

Additionally, it should be noted that should one submit a fully fledged character sheet, it will be graded as such.[/center][/hider]
[center][hr][h3][sub][b][i][u]Tiers[/u][/i][/b][/sub][/h3][/center]
[hider][center]While this system is still a work in progress and will be expanded on, one really must only take away a few things in regards to understanding it. Namely that the Tier system is to properly categorize a given character's strengths and weaknesses from a combat perspective. While currently we have simply devised the base form of what we have termed the "General Tier System," it should be noted that later on categories will be created to further assist in the accurate gauging of a given character's abilities.

No character, at current time, may start out stronger than T5 in regards to combat capability.

The Tier System can be found below:
[url=https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rrbHEeGV6bfyZ_mS_yYI1ZcDq32AnVXL9A6MNRi1x5A/edit?usp=sharing]Link[/url]

When the system is updated, it will be an announcement in the OOC.[/center][/hider]
[center][hr][h3][sub][b][i][u]Setting[/u][/i][/b][/sub][/h3][/center]
[hider][center]Our final stop, Setting is less a system and more a method with which to keep track of characters and interactions ICly. This "system's" core purpose is to allow players to have their characters be in essentially any given location and within any given time period--though the time period is somewhat limited, thus bringing me to our next point.

While I will endorse using linear time, I am going to allow what I call Semi-liquid time, wherein a given timeframe is open, allowing players to post anywhere within that time frame so long as the general time stamp is in their post as according to the rules of the setting system.[/center]

[hider=Setting System]While within the same city as other player characters, all posts may be made within a 3 day period ICly. This means that one could post anywhere between Monday and Tuesday on a general calendar. One must date their posts so that characters who are not working within the same timeline do not interact across time in a paradoxical fashion. When beyond a distance of several hundred miles, say on another continent, in another realm, or in several days travel (via horseback, not car) distance from another character, your may be within a week's period, rather than just 3 days of a given realm's beginning timeframe. Flashbacks are a unique instance in this regard, as past a week backwards in time, [i]any[/i] event may be played out.[/hider]
[center][u][b]Time Denotation[/b][/u][/center]
Now, perhaps just as important as understanding the timeframes wherein one may post, is how one denotes their time and location in a post.

The minimal format is as follows:

[code][center][u][b]Character Name[/b][/u]
[i]Realm--Continent--Vicinity(city, town, landmark)[/i]
Day/time of day(midday, night, midnight, evening, morning, etc)[/center][/code]

Additionally make sure that it is noted if a post is a flashback, by titling it with "Flashback," above the character name. You may add additional things such as alias and you may even denote that your character is moving from one location to another. If someone is moving from the ghettos of a city, to the upper class district, feel free to specify this, it is helpful for other players to find you. Movement from one location to another is denoted by an arrow [-->] with the starting location on the left side and the destination on the right.[/hider][hr][center][sub][url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/92186-a-patchwork-world-worldbuilding-roleplaying-in-a-void/ooc]Interest Check[/url]
[url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/92193-a-patchwork-tome/ooc]The Patch Tome[/url][/sub][/center]