The Imaginarium is not a World Project in the conventional sense. Instead of one complete world that many people are to explore and enjoy, there will be many mini-worlds for single quests. These worlds will be as complete as possible so that, in the future, they can be revisited, perhaps in World Projects of their own. The Imagnarium is here to let the imagination soar, to let Moderator and Player work together to make a world for their own.
The Rules of the Imaginarium are rather different than for other World Projects. These rules shall be elaborated on later on in the thread, but for now, keep these things in mind:
1. The Imaginarium must always be fun for the Player and, whenever possible, for the Moderator as well. If someone's not having fun, something needs to be changed or fixed. If it cannot, the World should be abandoned for something better.
2. The Player is as much responsible for the creation of the World as the Moderator. They must help specify how the World will turn out, as well as what they want to be doing in it.
3. The Moderator is always the supreme authority in all situations. While they must know to bend to what the Player wants, they are responsible for the balance and maintenance of the World. The Player must know to bend to the Moderator's will when World balance is at stake.
4. A World can only be used in one Instance at a time. If another player wishes to use that World, they must wait until it is done being used.
5. While a World can be used by many different players, it must be run by the same Moderator each time to ensure continuity and pleasure to all Players. If the Moderator is not available, Players must wait.
A World is a place created specially for a Player in a joint effort by that Player and a Moderator. The World is there for the Player to explore and enjoy for as long as they see fit, exploring every nook and cranny, trying things out that they enjoy.
A World can be as large or as small as is needed. It can exist in any Genre, can include any amount of characters, and can include any amount of quests.
The World is created by both Player and Moderator. The Player, as they play, will create minor objects or events to give hints to the Moderator about what they want the World to become. Then the Moderator will create the continents, the planets, the races, the quests, and every other thing that is needed to make that World come to life. Thus, each World is created custom for the Player to be just what they wish to be.
Each World is unique. Not only are they created just for one Player, only one Player, or group of Players, can use it at once. While the World can be used again by someone else, they must wait their turn. Otherwise, the continuity of the World may be thrown out of whack.
Remember, what you do in the World does affect it. Some actions may not do much, while others may affect the very fabric of the World itself. You can destroy a World by your actions, just like you may become the king of the World through others.
A Player simply needs to put in a request in the Requests thread, containing the information specific to their World.
The information should always include a small blurb about the World itself. This should at least include a genre they wish to take part in, but can be as specific as the Player wishes to get. The more specific the information is, the more closely the World will conform to the Player's wants. However, more information means less surprise in the World, so the trade-off should be known.
There may also be a request for a specific Moderator, if wanted. Keep in mind, each Moderator has a maximum amount of Worlds they can and will run. You may have to wait you have a specific Moderator in mind.
This is all that's needed! A Player only needs to wait for their request to be filled and they will be off and running.
This depends entirely on if the World was just created, or if the player is enjoying a previously used World.
In a newly created World, the first character will always have amnesia of some severity. With no background information to work off of, the Player will be using a blank slate. The Moderator will give the character as much background information as they think is needed. They will also give the character some form of Guide.
The Guide can take many forms: it can be a book, a computer, or an actual person. The Guide is there to help introduce the World to the Player. The character can ask questions of the Guide (or look up said questions) for the Moderator to answer, thus creating that part of the World. Pointed questions can also be used to help direct and shape the World to their liking.
The character may then do just about anything they like in their World. Using the information gleaned from their Guide, any route is available to the character. Remember, however, that every action has consequences, so pick your actions wisely. The Moderator will do everything in their power to make sure your enjoyment of the World continues unabated, but certain actions may do irreparable damage to the World.
When playing in a previously-played World, a character can start with as much information as they need, using what is previously known about the World in question. They can then begin to explore and do what they may, taking the World's pre-made attributes into account. There may be occasions where a previous Player's character will be interacted with. Usually, the previous Player will be contacted in order to get a direction for this meeting. When this is not possible, the Moderator will play the character to the best of their ability.
Remember, you can do anything you like in your World. While you can break your World through bad actions, Worlds are remarkably resilient.
If you wish to help make Worlds for other Players, or perhaps to make one for a fellow Moderator, the process is actually rather simple. Simply post the following information into the Moderator Archives for Players and other Moderators to use.
Name: What you prefer to be called.
Genres: Which Genres you prefer to run. Please be as detailed as possible.
Moderating style: Describe your moderating style to the best of your ability, giving the Players information they need. Information should include how much detail you prefer to give, if you like to guide players along, and how long you're willing to moderate a World.
Available Times: Give, to the best of your knowledge, times you are available for playing. This can be used by Players to find times to do posting sessions.
Contact Information: If you don't have this information in your profile, think about giving contact information to Players so they can let you know when they post, or work out World information with you. Let them know when you are, and when you are not, available for contact. Lack of information is always acceptable, but may make moderation harder.
Number of Worlds Moderated: This information tells Players how many Worlds you are willing to moderate at one time. Please also include how many Worlds you are currently moderating, so the know if you're available.
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Please remember that being a Imaginarium Moderator does not mean you are a World Project Leader, and signing up as the former is not signing up as the latter.
For those of that wish to moderate a World, the task of creating a new World for every player can be a daunting one. These hints may help keep the sessions fun for all people involved.
Always keep in mind the Genre that you are playing in. The Player is going to expect certain conventions depending on the Genre, so constantly breaking these conventions may make the World unstable or unfun.
Prepare the general information beforehand. Information such as currency, magical or technological level, government, geography, general history, and races are always needed. Vague information on them may help prepare for sessions later.
Keep the World open for future changes. A World's government may need to change, so make sure that the government can change if needed. Make sure that the World does not hinge on one key piece that may be changed or removed in the future. Try to be specific only on details the Player specifically asks about, as vagueness can leave more room to maneuver later.
Watch the Player's requests of their Guide and their actions to stay one step ahead. The requests of a Player often hints on what they wish to do in the World later on. This may also help when preparing parts of the World they have not explored yet.
Be ready to provide plot hooks at every turn. When describing places, give them plenty of more places in sight to explore. Every location should have something to do, even if it isn't obvious. Each person should lead to something else.
Follow the Player's lead when they have nothing else to do. They'll help decide when they need a small quest, when they need a large storyline, or when they need a larger arc.
Only hold the Player's hand when they ask for it. Let them explore their World on their own, while giving them plot hooks for them to enjoy. Don't push them in any direction, let them find their own. Give them a hint or an NPC to follow when they need help, but let them discover their own way otherwise. They'll enjoy their time more if their own solutions get them where they need to go.
My helpdesk should you need me.
1. The Imaginarium must always be fun for the Player and, whenever possible, for the Moderator as well. If someone's not having fun, something needs to be changed or fixed. If it cannot, the World should be abandoned for something better.
2. The Player is as much responsible for the creation of the World as the Moderator. They must help specify how the World will turn out, as well as what they want to be doing in it.
3. The Moderator is always the supreme authority in all situations. While they must know to bend to what the Player wants, they are responsible for the balance and maintenance of the World. The Player must know to bend to the Moderator's will when World balance is at stake.
4. A World can only be used in one Instance at a time. If another player wishes to use that World, they must wait until it is done being used.
5. While a World can be used by many different players, it must be run by the same Moderator each time to ensure continuity and pleasure to all Players. If the Moderator is not available, Players must wait.
My helpdesk should you need me.
A World can be as large or as small as is needed. It can exist in any Genre, can include any amount of characters, and can include any amount of quests.
The World is created by both Player and Moderator. The Player, as they play, will create minor objects or events to give hints to the Moderator about what they want the World to become. Then the Moderator will create the continents, the planets, the races, the quests, and every other thing that is needed to make that World come to life. Thus, each World is created custom for the Player to be just what they wish to be.
Each World is unique. Not only are they created just for one Player, only one Player, or group of Players, can use it at once. While the World can be used again by someone else, they must wait their turn. Otherwise, the continuity of the World may be thrown out of whack.
Remember, what you do in the World does affect it. Some actions may not do much, while others may affect the very fabric of the World itself. You can destroy a World by your actions, just like you may become the king of the World through others.
My helpdesk should you need me.
The information should always include a small blurb about the World itself. This should at least include a genre they wish to take part in, but can be as specific as the Player wishes to get. The more specific the information is, the more closely the World will conform to the Player's wants. However, more information means less surprise in the World, so the trade-off should be known.
There may also be a request for a specific Moderator, if wanted. Keep in mind, each Moderator has a maximum amount of Worlds they can and will run. You may have to wait you have a specific Moderator in mind.
This is all that's needed! A Player only needs to wait for their request to be filled and they will be off and running.
My helpdesk should you need me.
In a newly created World, the first character will always have amnesia of some severity. With no background information to work off of, the Player will be using a blank slate. The Moderator will give the character as much background information as they think is needed. They will also give the character some form of Guide.
The Guide can take many forms: it can be a book, a computer, or an actual person. The Guide is there to help introduce the World to the Player. The character can ask questions of the Guide (or look up said questions) for the Moderator to answer, thus creating that part of the World. Pointed questions can also be used to help direct and shape the World to their liking.
The character may then do just about anything they like in their World. Using the information gleaned from their Guide, any route is available to the character. Remember, however, that every action has consequences, so pick your actions wisely. The Moderator will do everything in their power to make sure your enjoyment of the World continues unabated, but certain actions may do irreparable damage to the World.
When playing in a previously-played World, a character can start with as much information as they need, using what is previously known about the World in question. They can then begin to explore and do what they may, taking the World's pre-made attributes into account. There may be occasions where a previous Player's character will be interacted with. Usually, the previous Player will be contacted in order to get a direction for this meeting. When this is not possible, the Moderator will play the character to the best of their ability.
Remember, you can do anything you like in your World. While you can break your World through bad actions, Worlds are remarkably resilient.
My helpdesk should you need me.
Name: What you prefer to be called.
Genres: Which Genres you prefer to run. Please be as detailed as possible.
Moderating style: Describe your moderating style to the best of your ability, giving the Players information they need. Information should include how much detail you prefer to give, if you like to guide players along, and how long you're willing to moderate a World.
Available Times: Give, to the best of your knowledge, times you are available for playing. This can be used by Players to find times to do posting sessions.
Contact Information: If you don't have this information in your profile, think about giving contact information to Players so they can let you know when they post, or work out World information with you. Let them know when you are, and when you are not, available for contact. Lack of information is always acceptable, but may make moderation harder.
Number of Worlds Moderated: This information tells Players how many Worlds you are willing to moderate at one time. Please also include how many Worlds you are currently moderating, so the know if you're available.
-----
Please remember that being a Imaginarium Moderator does not mean you are a World Project Leader, and signing up as the former is not signing up as the latter.
My helpdesk should you need me.
Always keep in mind the Genre that you are playing in. The Player is going to expect certain conventions depending on the Genre, so constantly breaking these conventions may make the World unstable or unfun.
Prepare the general information beforehand. Information such as currency, magical or technological level, government, geography, general history, and races are always needed. Vague information on them may help prepare for sessions later.
Keep the World open for future changes. A World's government may need to change, so make sure that the government can change if needed. Make sure that the World does not hinge on one key piece that may be changed or removed in the future. Try to be specific only on details the Player specifically asks about, as vagueness can leave more room to maneuver later.
Watch the Player's requests of their Guide and their actions to stay one step ahead. The requests of a Player often hints on what they wish to do in the World later on. This may also help when preparing parts of the World they have not explored yet.
Be ready to provide plot hooks at every turn. When describing places, give them plenty of more places in sight to explore. Every location should have something to do, even if it isn't obvious. Each person should lead to something else.
Follow the Player's lead when they have nothing else to do. They'll help decide when they need a small quest, when they need a large storyline, or when they need a larger arc.
Only hold the Player's hand when they ask for it. Let them explore their World on their own, while giving them plot hooks for them to enjoy. Don't push them in any direction, let them find their own. Give them a hint or an NPC to follow when they need help, but let them discover their own way otherwise. They'll enjoy their time more if their own solutions get them where they need to go.
My helpdesk should you need me.