Well, judging by your sense of humor and lack of netspeak, I think you ought to fit in quite nicely here. As a matter of fact, the thought crossed my mind that you're one of my friends who are very experienced on the site, just throwing me a bone with an alias. A fleeting thought, but it was there. So go you, you ought to have no problem meshing with the rest of us oddballs here on TORC. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0> And don't worry, I won't turn you into anythin' unnatural. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif"border=0> <BR><BR>Fora=plural of forum. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0> <BR><BR>As to your questions...<BR><BR>You can select your alliance, whether your a Premiere Member or taking the free ride, either way. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0> For the first couple of months of my time here, I was allied to the Grey Havens, then I switched to Earendil. More recently, when I joined the Mithril Knights as a Knight in Training, my character is descended of the line of Beren, so I chose Beren as my alliance. Right now I am allied with Saruman (which I know is funky, considering my username) because of a spoiler that many of us found out is forthcoming in ROTK. So's ya know, if you're trying to remain without blemish, as opposed to myself who is spoilericious, be very careful where you go in the Movies: Lord of the Rings forum. Also known as the m00bies forum. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif"border=0> <BR><BR>You are listed as a "Petitioner to the Council" <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif"border=0> because you have less than twenty posts. The swords and shields and One Rings you see under usernames are also relevant to posts. Here's a breakdown. <BR><BR>Titles <BR>Petitioner to the Council: posts 1-20<BR>Citizen of Imladris: posts 21-100<BR>Shield Bearer: posts 101-499<BR>Rider of the Mark: posts 500-999<BR>Ranger of the North: posts 1000-4999<BR>Mariner: posts 5000-9999<BR>Ringbearer: posts 10,000 and above<BR><BR>Icons<BR>Sword-every 10 posts<BR>Diamond-every 50 posts<BR>Red shield-every 100 posts<BR>Rohan shield or Horsey shield-every 500 posts<BR>Shield of Gondor-every 1,000 posts<BR>Mariner's Compass (blue spikey thing I have)-every 5,000 posts<BR>The One Ring-every 10,000 posts. <BR><BR>Now you may notice that some members' names are red, and their titles may not fall into the list I gave you a bit ago. This is due to Premiere Membership. As a Premiere Member you not only get a signature area with a place for a picture of your choice (must be approved by the site admin), but you may submit a title of your choosing to Jon and Ted (site creators and admin), and they will either approve or deny your title. If they approve, it goes live immediately. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0> <BR><BR>Just because you're not a brain surgeon doesn't mean you can't enjoy the Literature fora, but I'd read a lot before you post a lot, if you know what I mean. Which you're obviously doing better than some (with a post count of only three so far, many people end their first day with over forty or so...), so I'm not too awful worried anyway. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0> <BR><BR>And yes, I'm glad you stumbled in here as well. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif"border=0> Start feeling the place out, and let me know if I can be of any assistance along the way. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0> <BR><BR>Bright blessings, <BR>Stormy ><><BR><BR><BR><BR>Hey Arve, didn't see ya there. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif"border=0> Yes Jilbo, I look eerily like Anthony Edwards (Dr. Mark Green in ER and Goose in Top Gun). LOL I'll put a side-by-side up in my sig sometime. <img src="http://www.tolkienonline.com/mb/i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif"border=0> <BR>