Archon's Vault Guide

Althanas is a vibrant, ever changing world where it can be very helpful (both for your character and for your score) to be caught up on current events. However, it's no secret that it can difficult to find the time to read through hundreds of recently completed threads to keep up. That's why, we're introducing the Althanas Reporting & Chronicling System ("ARCHON"). The ARCHON, hereby referred to its IC moniker, Archon's Vault, is an IC tome in Raiaera chronicling the history of Althanas, and an OOC listing of all completed RP threads on Althanas. By utilizing a recently installed vB hack, you can easily search through completed threads by participant or keyword to read a short summary or a long summary of every submitted thread.

How do I access Archon's Vault?

Archon's Vault can be accessed by clicking on the "Lore" tab in the navbar and selecting the "Archon's Vault" link, as seen here:

http://www.althanas.com/world/images/archon1.png

Once inside, you can search through summaries by keyword, author or score much like you would when using Althanas' advanced search function.

How do I add a thread to Archon's Vault?

It's pretty easy. If you want to add a thread to the summary, simply click the associated check box on the Judging Submission Form as seen here:

http://www.althanas.com/world/images/archon2.png

An entry will then be created in the Archon's Vault subforum of the Writer's Workshop to solicit summaries. Once a short summary and a long summary have been chosen by the player, the thread will be added to the listing. If you want to add a previously completed thread to the vault, simply post in this thread with the name of the thread, the participants, and a link.

How do I add a summary?

This is the fun part and the dual nature of the system. Basically you don't. Once a completed thread has been submitted to Archon's Vault, a thread will be made in the Archon's Vault subforum to solicit a short and a long summary from other players. Non-participant players will then be given an opportunity to read the thread and write either a short summary, a long summary or both for the thread in exchange for rewards. Basically, they're completing a book report on your thread.

Types of Summaries:

Short summaries are brief, sustinct recounts of the major events of a thread. They must include the participants and ultimate outcome. The maximum number of words for a short summary is 200 (this is due to the fact the short summary will appear when you search the index in Archon's Vault).

Long summaries are more detailed in depth recounts of all events of a thread. They must include the participants and each major plot point. The minimum number of words for a short summary is 500 and the maximum is 1000 words (this is the full summary that will appear when you click the thread in the index in Archon's Vault).

Rewards for Submitting Summaries:

All participants who submit a short summary receive 5% of the EXP necessary to level up per given level.
All participants who submit a long summary receive 8% of the EXP necessary to level up per given level.
The chosen short summary is given an additional 8% of the EXP necessary to level up per given level, and 1 AP.
The chosen long summary is given an additional 10% of the EXP necessary to level up per given level, and 3 AP.

Note: Now that you've read the thread, why not earn additional rewards by providing feedback in a workshop, if applicable?

Choosing a Summary:

Summary threads are considered "active" for 14 days. At the completion of the 14 day period, the person who submitted the thread will choose their preferred short and long summary from those submitted. There are no specific criteria for this, but moderators will be watching for bias or certain trends related to the chosen summaries.

Summary threads that are not replied to in 14 days are considered "inactive". When threads are inactive, the first short summary and the first long summary that is submitted will be automatically chosen. This is to prevent threads from sitting too long when the original authors might not currently be active on the site. Note: Inactive summaries can be written by the author of the thread for no additional rewards if they want to chronicle their own exploits.

Note: Summaries must be written solidily. This means that the staff retains the right to deny a sloppy summary of any thread if it doesn't meet minimum Althanas standards of quality.

What are some examples of acceptable summaries?

This is an example of a short and long summary of Light's The Dance With Death (SOLO) completed by Rayleigh.

Short summary:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rayleigh

In this epic solo, Light tells the story of young Lilith Kaethar's adventures in the Red Forest. After a nearly fatal encounter with the local wildlife, the high elf is taken into the care of a handsome stranger named Damon Illhart. His quick wit and flirtatious nature are not enough to gain Lilith's trust, but she agrees to escort him in return for his saving her life. During their travels, Damon admits that he is a treasure hunter, and currently searching for an enchanted dagger. This weapon, called the Dagger of Last Rites, has the ability to kill any foe, and trap its soul within the blade. Lilith agrees to translate clues to the dagger's whereabouts, but after doing so, she abandons Damon; her desire to claim the dagger for her own, and use it to save her sister, takes precedence over all else. But as she watches her plan quickly fall apart, Lilith realizes that the cursed animals are not the only thing to fear in Lindequalmë. (168 words)

Long summary:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rayleigh

The Dance with Death opens on a high elf locked in combat with an enormous wolf. The elf, named Lilith Kaethar, circles the beast, readying her dagger to fight. She observes the wolf's fearless gaze, blood-stained teeth, and massive, barbed claws. It is intent on killing her, and she recognizes how slim her chance of survival truly is.

The story shift suddenly to two days prior. Lilith wakes from a nightmare that has plagued her for many months; one in which a woman named Amra is dragged into the fiery pits of Hell. Shaken from her dream, and still weak from a previous encounter with a bear-like creature, it takes all of her strength to continue through the Red Forest. Unfortunately for the young elf, she is soon attacked by yet another of Lindequalmë's twisted beasts. A long, dangerous battle ensues, during which Lilith realizes that this is the same monster that wounded her only the day before. By climbing a nearby tree, and peppering the beast with a volley of arrows, Lilith manages to escape once more.

Exhausted from the skirmish, the woman slips into a restless slumber. This time, her dreams are more pleasant. She sees a young girl, revealed to be the aforementioned Amra, splashing about in a pond. It is a picture of paradise, with a shining sun, lush, green grass, and the little one's laughter on the warm air. But soon, the dream warps into the familiar nightmare. The ground shakes, the grass burns, and the water runs crimson with blood. As Lilith tries to rescue her small charge, Amra accuses her of being a failure. Even amidst the high elf's pleas for forgiveness, Amra reminds Lilith that she is a disgrace, and that her blood will spilled for all eternity.

This time, when Lilith wakes from her nightmare, she finds herself in a cave. Her wounds have been tended to. The man who treated her while she was unconscious, a human named Damon Illhart, proves himself to be quite the charmer. He first begs to know her name, so that he can thank her with more than just her beautiful face. Once she divulges it, he thanks her for dealing with the bear. They briefly discuss their reasons for being in the Red Forest, though Lilith refuses to let her guard down. When he finally asks her to escort him to a fork in the road, as he would feel safer with her, she accepts for two reasons only. First, she feels it necessary to pay him back for saving her life. Second, he assures her that he will help her escape the cursed woods.

The following morning, the pair continues to discuss their personal lives. Damon confesses that he is a treasure hunter, and that he is searching for the Dagger of Last Rites. This powerful weapon, he explains, has the ability to kill any foe, and trap its soul within the blade. He plans to sell the blade to the highest bidder, but Lilith immediately sees it as a way to rescue her sister. As such, when she notices his collection of clues, she quickly volunteers to translate for him. Once Damon falls asleep, however, the elf betrays Damon by stealing the book and taking off into the night.

Day breaks once more. Though Lilith has put some distance between herself and the treasure hunter, Damon manages to find her. An enchanted blade pierces her thigh, nearly paralyzing her with a series of electric pulses. As he roughly drags her closer, she insists that she only stole from him in order to save Amra, her sister. He does not believe her, choosing instead to declare her a simple thief. Caressing his blade across her neck, he asks if he should kill her now, or leave her for the beasts.

In a sudden display brute force, Lilith manages to bury the cradle of her bow into Damon's nose, shattering the bone, and prompting him to release her. Now with an advantage over the human, she nocks an arrow and threatens to shoot him if he moves. Damon, however, sneers at her threat. He insists that she is a black widow, a seemingly innocent being who wants nothing more than to take advantage of others. Her sister being taken, he claims, is a direct result of the damage she does to those around her. Fueled by his words, the elf ends the human's life in a stunning use of her arcane magic.

Directly after, Lilith begins to question her actions, and whether or not she truly is a black widow. But the story's timeline has now caught up, and Lilith finds herself facing off against the monster from the story's opening scene. Though she does succeed in defeating the beast, she nearly loses her own life in the process. Physically and emotionally drained, Lilith's battered body lies motionless on the floor of the Red Forest. As the rain begins to fall upon her, she finds herself singing a final song, one that her sister dearly loved, before closing her eyes to await Death's arrival. (850 words)

Is there anything else I should know?

Sure. One important thing is that if you notice this image at the beginning of a summary: http://www.althanas.com/world/attach...1&d=1424927999 it means this thread was submitted and accepted as official Althanas canon!

I'll continue to expand this space based on your questions.

That's it. I hope you guys enjoy this database and I hope you guys enjoy reading each others threads!