Althanas 3.0

[Max Dirks]

I'll be using this thread to keep you abreast of the final Althanas 3.0 changes. Be sure to check for edits regularly. As content is finalized I'll add it here. I'll be keeping this thread closed though. If you would like to discuss something, please create a separate thread in the Your Word forum.

Thanks.

[Max Dirks]

JUDGING CHANGES

Rubric:

A new rubric has been finalized. Contrary to popular belief, it was not Sighter Tnailog that championed a switch from a largely RP based rubric to a largely writing based rubric. The responsible party was Santhalas. Over the long term, this has significantly increased the writing quality of Althanas at the cost of a significant flow of new younger role-players. Althanas 3.0 is all about finding new ways to bring in new players without losing touch with the foundation of the game. What we've done is taken both writing and role-play elements and combined them into 10 categories. This rubric focuses roughly 70% on the writing side and 30% on the role-play side of Althanas.

Story: This combines the former story based elements from our second major rubric change. They are Introduction, Rising Actions, Climax and Conclusion. Not every story will follow this precise model, but stories (or parts to a story) must be complete. This includes current rubric categories of continuity and pacing. Please note this is continuity as described in the present rule set, not in the updated one.

Setting: Current definition.

Continuity: Continuity refers to how well the story is integrated into Althanas. It is somewhat related to canon. For example, did you take current Althanas events into account in the thread? If not, why? It is moreso related to how it integrates with out systems. Does your setting match up to Althanas? Was it unique to Althanas, or ported from another medium? Did you address system based limitations? For example, did you consider the affects of a titanium sword versus an aluminum one? Did you use your limitless skills in a way that is realistic to Althanas and fair?

Creativity: Was your thread creative? Did it capture the reader's attention and captivate him throughout? Don't think this means that only the most obscure, never been written stories will score well. Even a mundane, cliche "walk into the Citadel, monks lead to a room" battle can be creative if written properly. Does the writer use proper writing motifs, or styling? Think of creativity as a mix of pacing, action, and style of old.

Character: Same definition (I happen to think this this the most important category on Althanas)

Interaction: This judges how well the characters interact with the story around them. It primarily encompasses dialogue and physical character actions, but also touches on the new definition of continuity. Key word to remember here is interacts with the story. Now players won't feel forced to add crappy dialogue into a story to run up the score (which usually ends up hurting it). Being silent, if appropriate to the character and the story, can run up the score too. It'll also be a pretty major gauge for bunnying.

Strategy: The same definition as action currently. We changed the name as not to create any confusion with the new category "Interaction."

Mechanics: Spelling, grammar, and usage only. We removed the category technique for two reasons. One, it can be easily fit into the story and creativity sections of our current rubric. Obviously foreshadowing will help build the story whereas metaphors add to the creative flavor of the thread. What we wanted to avoid was punishing unique styles that some writers have made for themselves. If they prefer to write in third-person, omniscient like JRR Tolkien, so be it. Our judges will work to be able to pick out the style and judge based on it rather than on some non-existent Althanas writing style standard or their personal preference.

Clarity: Same as current definition.

Wildcard: Same as current definition. Wildcard scores will be an average of the other scores in the thread unless a) power-gaming occurs (points lost), b) a particular condition isn't met (e.g. timely posting in a tournament), or c) the moderator likes something about your thread.

All are worth 10 points. Each score, 1-10, will be detailed for each category upon the final January release.

Two notes: The staff got caught up on Continuity and Wildcard.

Continuity stayed as a term, but changed largely in terms of definition. At it's very basic level it is how the thread is integrated into Althanas. More specifically though, it's power-gaming as a category. We've done a poor job on the staff of enforcing power-gaming, and now that it's clearly embodied into the judging system it will be constantly monitored. We can make the game fair for everyone, particularly in light of ROG changes.

Wildcard was not popular (nor was it in Anglekos' thread), but it has to stay for conditional requirements. Taking points out of interaction because a person posted an hour late in the Cell isn't fair and doesn't accurately reflect the quality of the writing. Sorry, but Wildcard is a mainstay. The judges have to have some discretion, particularly when running events.

Judging Methods

You'll keep your options: Either Full Rubric/Full Commentary, Full Rubric/Low Commentary, Condensed Rubric or Workshop. The time required shall be approximately 2 weeks for full rubric/full commentary to five days for the condensed rubric. I obviously can't make promises here, as schedules change frequently, but I can say this is what we hope to maintain.

The Condensed Rubric will be: Story, Character, Writing and Wildcard. Story, character and writing will be out of 30 points, wildcard will be out of 10. This is the same as it currently is.

Judging Submissions

Here is how judging is done behind the scenes. After you submit your thread for judging, it comes into a queue we have in the moderator area. Sei, or the current Head Judge assigns the thread to a judge. He assigns based on a number of different things including judging availability, judging tier (an internal training system), player preference, and number of threads in each judge's queue. The moderator then acknowledges the assignment. I'm going to set this up using our "favorites" system built into Vbulletin. That should send you a PM when the judge "accepts" your judgment. Judges will post updates in the thread as they see fit. These will automatically be routed to you as PMs.

Judge Training System

Forthcoming.

[Max Dirks]

RoG changes

The new RoG guide hasn't been completed yet but we've pretty much finalized the materials. Here's what you're looking at: A cap at level 15. We'll have a way for your to purchase 5 extra levels (called level breaking) by utilizing your Althanas Points. Skills related specifically to knowledge are not moderated in the RoG (swordsmanship, etc.). Instead, they will be moderated by the judges using the powergaming rules. On the other hand, abilities or anything that can have a direct physical affect on another character in combat will be moderated in the RoG. This includes anything from speed, agility, to magic and racial traits. Character power levels will be determined by an ability progression chart. Each ability submitted will be assigned a power level using the following chart:

1) Weak
2) Below Average
3) Average
4) Above Average
5) Somewhat Strong
6) Strong
7) Very Strong
8) Super Strong
9) Strongest
10) Innate

Expect more details on the final release. Each level, from 1 to 15 has been assigned an average power level. Average power levels are on a bell curve that favor lower leveled characters over higher leveled characters (i.e. you gain more going from level 1 to 2 than 14 to 15). Submitted abilities will be averaged and as long as they fall at or below the average power level, they will be allowed. New characters will allowed to start with up to 5 "average" abilities. At level 15, characters will be allowed 20 "innate" abilities. Some abilities may not be allowed on Althanas at all, or may be allowed if the character decreases the number of abilities it has total in special circumstances.

Retiring characters

You'll get some perks if you retire your character. Retire means we remove the account's posting access in the RP area of the forum. You can retire any time after you reach level 15 whether you level break or not. Perks are: Advanced "Reincarnation" - We've modified the reincarnation rule. If you reincarnate any character, you'll receive 25% of the original character's EXP amount. If you reincarnate a retired character you'll receive 50% of the original's EXP. Special access to an OOC forum with looser content restrictions. You'll also receive special access to the Lornius forum, which will hold events for Althanas' elite characters. A "legendary items" submission. With the help of our new CMs, the characters items will be made into legendary items. The player can decide if he or she wants the items to be passed onto later generations or become revered like the "one ring" in the Tolkien books. A moderator written wiki entry. All players will be able to make entries onto the wiki but they will all be editable. Moderator entries will not be editable and will remain permanently as a part of Althanas' canon. The character's exploits will be immortalized in the official Althanas timeline. The player will gain all AP awards except the level breaks. This includes custom titles, larger PM boxes (on a new account if desired), an @althanas.com email, glowing names, titles, larger avatars, and Althanas webspace (some content prohibited).

[Max Dirks]

EXP

We'll be keeping the same EXP level progression:

Level 1: 2,000
Level 2: 5,000
Level 3: 9,000
Level 4: 14,000
Level 5: 20,000
Level 6: 27,000
Level 7: 35,000
Level 8: 44,000
Level 9: 54,000
Level 10: 65,000
Level 11: 77,000
Level 12: 90,000
Level 13: 104,000
Level 14: 119,000
Level 15: 135,000
---LEVEL BREAK---
Level 16: 152,000
Level 17: 170,000
Level 18: 189,000
Level 19: 209,000
Level 20: 230,000

For those of you that don't know, EXP is determined by equations. There is an equation for battles and one for quests. These equations will remain a secret so that moderators can still add and lower EXP at their discretion. Both equations have been changed. In general, it is now easier to level up. If you receive an 80 in an average length quest at level 1, you'll receive about 60% of the EXP needed to level up. If you receive an 80 in an average length quest at level 14, you'll gain about 20% of the EXP needed to level up. We basically wanted to make it easier for new characters to get in the mix by making it easier to level right off the bat.