Rendezvous FAQ!

[xelliexell]

How does entry into the Linkshell work?

When you apply on this site, you will see a screen with some initial information about our guild. This information is for your benefit, so that you can know more about us before choosing to officially undergo the screening process. After applying, an officer will reach out to you to touch base and discuss things with you, to further determine whether or not we'd be a good fit for each other. They will be following up with you via your application, and you will have to check your email for the link to access said application! If you find that this LS is right for you (and vice versa), we will arrange an IC introductory scene for your character, wherein you will receive the linkpearl. If you are unreachable for one month during this process, the application will be dropped. Additionally, each new member will fall under a one-month trial period. 

 

Who are the leaders of the guild?

D'ranmaia Shenn - Founder and fluffy cat; most busy officer at any given time (so please don't get mad if she can't answer you right away or directs you to a different officer.)
Flora Valerian - The most long-standing officer; second most busy officer at any given time. 
Klynestyn Ketteram - Also an officer, and general event guru; he's seriously hyped about events. 
Xehn'a Hmyr - Officer who does a lot of PvE, and also programs nifty things for the site.
Khira Lhizahla - Extremely nice Australian officer who is not yet jaded by life. 

J'lyneth Khal - HR Admin with the most fabulous hats. Contact her with any guild-related problems or suggestions - she's here to help!
Piers Hayward - HR Admin who doesn't like sleeves. Contact him with any guild-related problems or suggestions - he's here to help!

What do the marks do for our characters, exactly? Do they give us special powers or something?

No special powers (unless something special is happening during a plot event, but that's strictly Storyteller-driven.) The marks are IC devices that are meant to connect our characters in a supernatural way. As mentioned in the intro text, your character feels extremely familiar with other people who have these marks. They have visions and dreams that pertain to the past (or present) experiences of their fellows, and may even compelled to protect them should their life be in danger. This doesn't mean that your character is forced to like them, however. The mark just gives you a very strong instinct and inclination, which can be tempered by a character's personality and will.

 

How does the Dreams & Visions forum work?

Generally speaking, characters can have dreams about the past or present experiences of other characters. If you post a story about your character in the "Dreams & Visions" forum, other people can use that as IC and OoC knowledge. The knowledge comes to them in a dream or vision (which works similarly to how the Echo is portrayed in game, where they see it while awake), as per player discretion. Not everyone has to be aware of every Dream that is posted there, but they can if they so choose.

 

Is there a limit on how many Stars we can take?

To ensure that everyone gets a Star who wants one, I'm limiting one Star per player. This does not restrict you from interacting with group members with your Alts on a natural basis, but they won't get a linkshell invite, or be ICly welcome at any Stars Plot events. That being said, we do have a LS set aside specifically for our alts, and our Calendar also has a category for "alt-friendly" events. If you'd like an invite to the "Rendezvous!Extra Cast" LS, just ask around and you'll get one for any of your alts or main. 

 

What if I want to retire one character from the LS and use another instead?

You can do this! However, the new character will not receive another custom IC intro from staff, due to manpower limitations. Since you'll already know how an intro works from your first character, the intro can either be assumed to happen "off screen," or, if you wish, you can contact another player that you know and trust to run the intro for your new character. We also request that, if you want to switch characters, to not continue to try to utilize your old character in the LS/Host Club/Stars events. You do not have to kill the character - just have them ride off into the sunset, or disconnect from the Stars in some IC way. Otherwise, it would become quickly confusing, and would kind of fly in the face of the lore behind the Stars. 

 

Additionally, staff will check the LS at the end of each month for unfamiliar names. We need to be made aware of any character switches so that we can keep the site accurate and updated, and we also need to re-ask question #3 from our screening process for any new character. It is the player's responsibility to contact staff regarding any character switches before we check the LS at the end of the month. If we are not contacted, the unfamiliar name will be removed from the LS.

 

If you retire your old character and bring in a new one, we also ask that you inform staff regarding who your old character was within the LS. It can help alleviate a lot of potential confusion, and it is also more fair to both staff and other players. (Applying as a "secret alt" increases officer/admin work in the following ways: running extra intros per player, going through the screening and check-in process all over again, adding an extra account on the site as opposed to reactivating the old one, etc.) Any lies or omission in this regard could lead to revocation of a character's screening and approval, per staff discretion. 

 

What is a Host Club? How is it different from a bar or tavern?

Guests who arrive at a Host Club select a Host/Hostess, who will serve them food and drinks, much like a waiter or waitress. The difference between a Host Club and a tavern, however, is that the Host/Hostess then sits with the guests and offers pleasant (?) conversation, or light entertainment, or even just a sympathetic ear throughout their stay. It is somewhat like how a good host would behave while entertaining guests in their home. Hosts and Hostesses also tend to adopt pseudonyms while on the job, sometimes even taking on alternate personalities while hosting (largely to protect their street identity.) 

 

Does my character have to be involved in both the Stars concept as well as the Host Club?

The Host Club aspect is not mandatory. If you wish, your character may only be involved in the Stars plot/concept, and not the Host Club. They cannot be involved in the Host Club without being a Star, however, as everyone in the guild is considered marked by destiny -- that is our core concept. 

 

My character can't read, so how can they interact with the IC bulletin board?

The short answer is: Tancred. We have a 'floating NPC butler' who is always conveniently around and willing to read the bulletin aloud to any given character, and he's also perfectly able to write on their behalf. If a character wants to RP in the locked Archives room, Tancred can also loan them a key for the scene. He's basically an NPC SuperButler who ensures that IC hurdles do not OoCly inhibit anyone's ability to get involved with the amenities of our LS. He's very professional and doesn't say much, so feel free to use him for all of your convenient character needs!

 

What happens if I have to leave the game or Linkshell?

Just as mysteriously as it had appeared, the mark will vanish and the supernatural link will be broken.

 

Does your LS have a minimum activity policy?

Yes. Due to frequent member feedback regarding the limited nature of Stars, and said Stars being taken by seemingly inactive members, we have devised an activity policy. It can be found [here]. 

Do you use any chat or VOIP systems out of game?

Yes, although it is not mandatory. We primarily use Skype as our non-game, non-website point of contact. If you'd like an invite to our OoC Skype room, just let us know and we'll get you in there! We also have a Discord chat, but please note that it is managed as a courtesy by your fellow players, and not staff. It is not monitored by staff, nor is it "officially" endorsed -- if problems or drama occur in Discord, we may formally disassociate the Discord chat from our guild. Again, our Discord is run by your fellow players (Arblis/Kyrrlana) as a courtesy to Discord-only people, so please treat them kindly and respect the room.  

 

What do I do if someone I'm RPing with is metagaming/godmoding/etc?

First, make a polite attempt at discussing it OoC with the person. We're all adults here. Just a quick OoC message along the lines of "Can we say that your character attempted to take my character's hand? My character is a bit standoffish so I'm not sure that she would allow it." could be sufficient to clear up any misunderstanding. Have patience with one another, as we all come from different RP backgrounds and may be used to different things. If the problem persists despite OoC attempts at clearing it up, take a screenshot (or log, if on Skype) and submit it via the 🌼 Concern Submission Form 🌼 and we will address it. (Note: The submission box may not load immediately, so please wait a few seconds before thinking it's a technical issue.) If you do not have access to an image hosting site, have the screenshot/log ready for any followup contact from staff. This can extend to any social conflict resolution that requires official handling, but, again, always remember to provide a screenshot of the behavior in question so that we have the appropriate tools to address the issue.

 

If it is a matter of personal discomfort that must be addressed quickly, please bring the issue to one of our HR Admins for review and extended discussion. They are on reserve for exactly this purpose, and will be able to respond to you much sooner than an officer would (as officers are often busy with running all other aspects of the guild.) 

 

*Note: The Concerns Box can also be used for general concerns or suggestions, if a player isn't comfortable contacting an HR Admin directly.

 

Why does the list of Stars not really make any sense?

The list of stars is a purposeful hodgepodge between Chinese (from the novel Water Margins), Japanese kanji, and Suikoden. I didn't want to directly borrow from any of the three, so I created the Star chart as an amalgam. 

 

Do you have any consolidated resources that can help a new member find their footing?

Absolutely! We've got a list of links on the Thread for New People, and we've got an Amenity Guidebook to inform everyone of the RP hooks we offer. Any Sticked/Pinned post is good to poke at, really, if you're not quite sure where to start.