Due to the amount of queries on the subject, I shall attempt to establish some ground rules for "The Gathering Storm" :<BR><BR>1 - As asaris explained, one character may not kill or seriously maim another unless both posters have agreed to this beforehand in the OOC thread.<BR><BR>2 - It is ok to role-play another person's character BRIEFLY (again, permission should be sought) so long as there are no major deviations in established behaviour and such outside influences are kept to a minimum. I understand that some people cannot post as often as others, and thus in the interest of allowing the story to continue, a little prodding, or 'moving' of characters is unavoidable. Maybe if you won't be around for a while, you can either 'write' yourself out of the story temporarily or tell a buddy to watch over your character.<BR><BR>3- As stated before, this story ignores the events of "Elbren's Challenge" or any other story thread currently in progress here at the Pony. It is ok to bring your character in from another story, but remember that you are starting fresh. To be acquainted with others is ok, but please, no references to events from other story threads.<BR><BR>4 - As any good novel, I prefer a lot of plot and character development before major conflicts arise and matters come to a head. I realize there is a desire for characters to meet, but given the nature of this story and its opposing ideologies, this could have potentially disastrous circumstances if it happens too soon. So please, please, take your time and do not rush to force confontrations between characters. We will all get there eventually.<BR><BR>5 - New posters are always welcome, but if the story starts to get too fragmented because of too many ongoing subplots, we should moderate the amount of newcomers. Hopefully this won't be a problem as the story becomes more focused.<BR><BR>6 - Lastly, please avoid making assumptions and/or references to events, people, or places in ME in the Fourth Age that seem a little too far-fetched. One prime example of this is the assumption that the One Ring survived. Obviously this one is ok because that IS the central theme of the story, but similar belief-stretching things such as armies of Eldar that number in the thousands, or the Valar coming to Middle-Earth will be sorely misplaced here. Lets try and use some self-control and refrain from this sort of thing. The posts have been awesome in their believability so far. Lets keep it that way! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0><BR><BR>Please feel free to post your comments. If you would like to add anything or change anything, bring the matter up so that all may discuss its merits. If there is something in the points above you strongly disagree with, please also let me know.<BR><BR>Thanks again for your interest in "The Gathering Storm."