Welcome to the world of Fou Lu. Before you join us in the Storybook, we ask that you do one of two things beforehand. The first is the classic character application, which is pretty common for play-by-post forums. The second is a writing submission to show off your capabilities as a writer. It all just depends on which would make you feel more comfortable.
Character Application
1. Name - The name of your character, from Lamell Turunin to Mike Jones. Just don't give us Meriadoc Brandybuck.
2. Age - How old they are.
3. Element - This is a function of where he was born. It doesn't matter if his dad, his dad's dad, and his dad's dad's dad (and same for his mom) were all Fire magi - if he's born on the Water Continent (Andriath), he'll only be able to use water.
4. Occupation - Wanderer? Butcher? Story-teller? World Champion at Sitting Cross-Legged While Humming the National Anthem? Put what your character does for bread here.
5. Equipment - The odds and ends your character carries. Also, if he's got an ancient family relic passed down from father to son since the dawn of time, one that doesn't *seem* to have any magical powers but yet glows strangely when Our Hero places it on his scar - be a dear and detail exactly what that talisman does. Even if he doesn't know, we do. A history of the talisman would be good, too.
6. Appearance - How's your character look? Any distinguishing features? Is he dreamy? Is he downright hideous? How'd he get that remarkably shaped scar on his palm?
7. Personality - His hopes, his dreams, his fears. Exactly what makes your character tick?
8. Weaknesses - The physical things that can be used to exploit your hero. Loves the ale? Loves the ladies? Maybe he's crushingly terrified of water? Everyone's got something.
9. Special Ability - Nobody is good at everything, but everybody is good at something. Here's the spot for that neat little trick it seems only your character can do. Let your imagination run wild. It can be something as mundane as a knack for picking non-poisonous foods, or maybe he can create perfect replicas of things using only ice. Even if he's not a great mage, maybe he's got that little trick that's great at parties. If he's a soldier, maybe his swords are always somehow a little sharper than should be possible. Have a blast. Just be sure to tell us how he learned to do it.
10. Biography - Tell us the story of your character, from the cradle to now. This should be decently large. After all, how much could you write about your own life?
11. Random Extras - Anything you're *dying* to tell us, but you just couldn't find the right section for it.
Story Submission
You submit a piece of writing to us that proves you have read at least a part of the site and demonstrates your writing capability. The first step is to browse www.islandsofelements.com -look at the information we have on a city, or an era of history, or whatever else you would like. Then, take what you have learned about our world and write a short story about it. Length isn't everything, but try to make it at least a few pages. One paragraph isn't going to demonstrate that you have learned much.
This story will be judged by one of our reviewers on three categories:
Factual accuracy
Grammar/spelling/punctuation
Writing capability
Working with the reviewer to change the parts of your story that need changing is the best way to get this done. You may change your story several times or more before it is ready for approval. Arguing with the reviewer isn't going to get you much anywhere. However, if you do find that part of the site's information is inconsistent with what the reviewer is telling you, say so and it will be fixed.
The last part of this application requires that you realize that even though your story is ready for approval, you still have things to learn about our world. You will ask three questions about the world of Fou Lu and the reviewer will answer them to the best of their ability. After you have done this, and your story is accepted, you have been approved and will be allowed to write in the Storybook.
If you believe that you are ready to join us, please join the forums by clicking the image below. If you have any questions AT ALL, please do not hestitate to ask. The best way to ask questions is to join the forum.
