IMO, the best application process (and the one I've used many a time and wrote into the charter of Mysterium when I set it up) is a two step one with a couple of particular exceptions. The first step is an application on a web site. The reason why this is important is that it establishes some basic OOC information about the character and player, such as a statement that they've read and agree to the charter, and that their character actually fits thematically with the group. The second step is an IC interview with an officer. This is important because it actually introduces the character to the organization ICly and lets an officer get a read on how the player actually RPs in game. Generally speaking, I like that to be the end of it, short of a probationary period where any officer can remove the player if they prove to be disruptive. I've run groups where the next step was a probationary period with a vote of all members at the end, but that has, in my experience, caused all sorts of logistical problems (do you vote if you've never met the person? How is the vote executed? How long does it run? etc.). The "web site app + IC interview" process is what Mysterium uses, and the usual delay is getting together a plausible pretext for the IC interview and working around schedules. We've had people app one day and get interviewed and invited the next, and we've had some whose apps die before the IC interview because we simply can't get in touch with the player.
The exceptions to the process outlined above that I personally like are for "known players" and alts. "Known players" would be anyone who's RPed with the group regularly and shown themselves to be a solid player. If you RP into the group, I typically like to waive the application process since you've shown yourself to be a solid player in game. Alts, of course, warrant a shorter application process (typically just an IC interview) because the player behind them is already a known quantity.
The reason for the application process (and I doubt you'll find many RP groups more streamlined that way than what Sastra described -- it's lighter than the Mysterium one, even) is to ensure that players and characters entering the group are, at their face, a good fit. Dropping a character from an RP group is harder than from, say, a PvE group, as that character will have worked itself into stories. For that character to suddenly "vanish" due to lack of interest, bad behavior, or simply clashing RP styles can wreak havoc on others' stories, so it makes sense that RP groups would want to get to know you before they invite you.
The exceptions to the process outlined above that I personally like are for "known players" and alts. "Known players" would be anyone who's RPed with the group regularly and shown themselves to be a solid player. If you RP into the group, I typically like to waive the application process since you've shown yourself to be a solid player in game. Alts, of course, warrant a shorter application process (typically just an IC interview) because the player behind them is already a known quantity.
The reason for the application process (and I doubt you'll find many RP groups more streamlined that way than what Sastra described -- it's lighter than the Mysterium one, even) is to ensure that players and characters entering the group are, at their face, a good fit. Dropping a character from an RP group is harder than from, say, a PvE group, as that character will have worked itself into stories. For that character to suddenly "vanish" due to lack of interest, bad behavior, or simply clashing RP styles can wreak havoc on others' stories, so it makes sense that RP groups would want to get to know you before they invite you.
The Freelance Wizard
Quality RP at low, low prices!
((about me | about L'yhta Mahre | L'yhta's desk | about Mysterium, the Ivory Tower: a heavy RP society of mages))
Quality RP at low, low prices!
((about me | about L'yhta Mahre | L'yhta's desk | about Mysterium, the Ivory Tower: a heavy RP society of mages))
