The Guide to Joining RPGC
So, you've been lurking around RPGC for a while now. You've read OL and FARTS, you never fail to check the mailbag; and now you want to meet some of these bizarre people, but don't know how to break yourself in. Never fear! This guide will walk you though the basics of joining the RPGC message boards, and including creating your introductory thread, a short tour of the forums, and some basic all purpose tips to remember.
I. Signing up
Follow the main page link to the message boards and click the menu option new game. Fill out the required boxes. Take a few minutes to think up a good nick. If you are under the impression that it would be just hilarious to lie about your gender, don't. While RPGC does tend to treat females nicer, it is not so completely male dominated that everyone will bow at your feet, you'll probably be caught anyway. All the optional information can be changed at a later date so don't stress over it. Let's continue shall we?
II. Basic Tips
1. If you have some apprehensions about forever serving the dark mistress of the message boards, then turn back now. By the time you have completed the actions described in this guide the message board will own you forever.
2. Take it slow: RPGC is very welcoming to newcomers, but don't make a strong push for acceptance right away. Gradually ingratiate yourself until you learn the ropes. Keep your eyes and ears open until you learn the basics of what is acceptable. For example: Discussion of whether Delita was a hero or villain (Good topic) Sonic and Tails yaoi (Bad topic)
3. Contrary to popular theory RPGC DOES have a main page with a vast cornucopia of information. Some regulars may give you skeptical looks if you mention this, but it's true. RPGC is a hydra, composed of message boards, chat room, a main page, and subsites. For information on these see "The definitive guide to RPGC" (Expected completion date 2012)
4. Under NO circumstances should you ever mention catgirls. If the topic of catgirls ever takes hold it will never dislodge.
5. I am not sure how prudish you may be, but if you are easily offended by perversion you may want to be on your guard. Topics do not reach quite the disgusting level of bash.org, and members are generally considerate enough to mark lurid topics accordingly. Nonetheless you may find yourself wandering in on some bizarre conversations such as:
A) The sexiness of someone's avatar
B) The sexiness of a video game character
C) The sexiness of aquafina
D) Jiharn
6. While on the surface RPGC may appear to be a democracy, the dark lord Kagon rules all from the shadows. If you choose to join the "rebel scum" you run the risk of becoming a live sacrifice. (For tips on becoming a live sacrifice see "ClothHat's guide to becoming a live sacrifice")
7. References: If someone says something that seems totally out of place it is likely an inside joke or pop culture reference. Common topics include: BIG POWER, Star Wars, Klez, All your base, and The Simpsons. If someone says something you don't understand you may ask him or her what that means. They will of course respond with "It's a long story"
8. Don't hug, huggle, cuddle, snuggle, nuzzle, pet, or snoggle me in any way unless I invite you to do so first.
Note: There is some confusion as to what constitutes an invitation, note that: "Stop huggling me dammit" is not an invitation.
9. Use decent grammar: By no means do you have to be an expert write, but more people find net lingo such as u instead of you or r instead of are extremely annoying. Attempt to keep it to a minimum unless you are using it ironically, in which case it's hilarious!
10. You may run into some "Net celebrities" such as Macc, Spoonybard, or other creators of the humorous RPGC subsites. Be sure to fawn over them and mention recurring jokes (Offer Macc a lemon, call SB "You spoony bard"). Under no circumstances should you treat them as normal people, instead you should talk like a star struck teenybopper ask them when the next ______ is coming out, and beg for a cameo. This is the fastest way to becoming the most beloved visitor who was ever run out of town on a rail.
11. Have fun: The purpose of the agora is to have a good time, don't take things too seriously and don't worry, just be yourself.
III. Your Intro Thread
An introductory thread is a great way to introduce yourself, the main forum being the suggested spot. Simply click a new thread and introduce yourself, talk a little bit so anyone who responds might have a topic to work with, but don't turn it into a five page personal ad. You may have more luck introducing yourself if you do one of the following.
A) Introduce yourself during a drought: New members tend to come in waves, so if you go to the main board and find half the threads are "Hi I'm new" this may not be the best time, people will just have a hard time telling you apart from all the other new members.
Once your thread is up the members will begin to craft unique responses, each one carefully tailored toward your needs as a new member.
IV. A Tour of the Forums
It's unlikely you will post regularly in every forum, take some time to look around and you will find the ones you like best.
1. The Main Forum: This is the hub of RPGC; it has the most posts, the most new topics and is likely where you will spend most of your time here. Basically if a thread doesn't fit one of the other specialized forums it goes here.
2. The RPGC Media Forum: This is the place for fan made material. If you want to display your creation or peruse others this is the place to go. Be sure to give comments if you frequent this forum, everyone likes having their ego stroked.
3. PC Games: Go here to talk about PC games. That's pretty much it.
4. The Anime Forum: This isn't really my cup of tea, and given that my guides are based more on whatever I can make up rather than research. I can't tell you much about this forum. If you're interested in anime go here.
5. The polling forum: Go here to vote or poll people. Please note that polls such as: What is your favorite RPG/FF game have been made a hundred times. You should also note that posts made here do not increase your total post count.
6. The FF Compendium Forum: If you are at RPGC classics you have most likely played the Final Fantasy series. This is the place to go for all discussion FF related
7. Realm of the Dragons Forum: (See the anime forum) If you're interested in DnD go here.
8. The Tower of Babel: This is the spam forum, go here if you want to post nonsense. Note you post count will not increase from posts here. This is also the wasteland that disruptive threads are banished to.
9. Free Role-playing Forum: Just what it sounds like, hop in and start role-playing, above all be imaginative.
10. The translation HTI forum: Not the most active forum around, go here if you are interested in video game translation. Keep in mind that rom requests are not tolerated.
11. Foreign Languages Web board: I'm beginning to think this entire board is a cruel joke, and if translated would read as: Haha Cloth thinks we're actually talking, what a chump.
12. RPGC Sprite HQ Board: Go here to request a sprite or show off your handiwork
13. Message board help and testing: If you are having any problems with the message board post it here and people will tell you to read the forum help rules which answers your question. I occasionally use this board as an all-purpose tech support forum occasionally.
14. The Chat room forum: Go here if you are having problems with the chat, a sticky thread has been designated for posting high-larious quotes from the chat.
15. Gaming Help Forum: If you have any question on a game post it here, people will respond by saying, "We have a shrine on that game, go check it dummy". If a shrine does not exist your question will be likely be eagerly answered.
16. The Homework Board: Like the gaming help forum, but not fun.
17. Saga Maniac Community: This is an orphan forum that found it's way here; this is the place for discussion of all things SaGa.
18. Online Life: Another refugee forum, this one based on Spoony Bard's recently resurrected Online Life.
19. Rendezvous: A forum for discussion of Faetan's RPGC fanfic of the same name, as of now it is being held hostage by Igatona.
20. The Staff Board: This can only be accessed if you are staff; this is where the staff dons their illuminati roles and debates how better to carve up the net among them. Also has more XHTML topics than you can shake a stick at.
21. The Staff TOB: This is the lost Atlantis of the agora, some claim it doesn't exist some claim it does, you must search for it yourself for staff tob lore is scattered in hints and riddles.
22.-? The Staff Forums: Forums hidden from the public eye. A low level drone such as myself has access to only a handful so I cannot give you any more information. Besides, if I did the rest of the staff would bump me off.
More to come!
Common topics include: Video games, politics, welcome threads, flash, where can I find _____?, but pretty much any topic can appear here.
Common topics include: Fan fiction, fan music, fan art, and anything creative the members have produced
Common topics include: PC Games
Common topics include: Anime
Common topics include: What is your favorite _____, which character is better, who would win in a fight between blank and blank
Common topics include: Blahblahblah, cookie monster, dark, and I like swords
Note: The Tower is currently closed for renovations.