Let's start at the beginning...

Rainbow's End is an interactive novel, or a sort of group storytelling where every writer or player contributes by building upon the writing of others, thus collectively developing a plot. Each player chooses one (or more) characters to represent or control in an imagined environment, which is itself controlled by a GM or gamemaster. The player must then make decisions and perform actions that help him or her to complete a specified task or to explore the imagined environment.

Rainbow's End is run almost entirely via emailing list (s).

Unlike roleplaying systems such as Dungeons & Dragons, or any of the other traditional 'rpgs', Rainbow's End does not employ dice or charts to determine outcomes of specific events. The emphasis of the game is on creative storytelling and character development, rather than on "winning" - the posed task is actually more of a tool to further character interaction and development of the world itself.

Okay, first, you need a character. There is a form on the 'Recruit Desk' page for your convenience, but before you start, consider the following things....

1) Physical appearance - what does your character look like? Male or female? Hair color? Eye color? Build? Height? Sharp features? Buxom? Gawky? Walks with a limp? Be as creative and descriptive as you like. (But note that we receive a lot of "drop dead gorgeous/handsome" characters, so real looking people definitely score points.)

The only sentient (intelligent) species on Rainbow's End are humans and a few mythical beasts, which are only playable as companions to their human counterparts at this time. See details on the 'EXPLORE' page for more information on sentient and non sentient beings.

2) Personality - give us an inkling of what your character is like. (Depressed? A born leader? Creative? Boisterous?) This does not mean that your character cannot change over the course of the game; in fact he or she probably will. These are just starting perimeters. (Hint: We like realistic people with complex personalities, complete with flaws and eccentricities. Perfect, idealized characters are frowned upon. What fun is character development if your character has nowhere to develop?}

3) History - Where does he or she come from? Why are they doing what they are doing now? (see "types of characters") Why are they at the Academy? What major life experiences motivate them? You might want to check the 'EXPLORE' page under 'Geography' for more information on usable Rainbow's End places. (Be forewarned that we get a lot of orphans, high born children, and refugee Zadiagans...while we may accept a character of this kind if they are spectacular, parentless nobles from Zadiago get a lot of eye rolling from the staff.)

4) Talents - what does he or she do well? What does he or she not do well? Make your character unique!

At the moment, players have a choice of three different character classes or occupations:

THE UEN ROUG - The unicorn riders. (see the 'EXPLORE' page for more info on them.) Famed fighters and diplomats, bonded to telepathic unicorns trained at the Academy in Pallahade. All players start as unBonded students at the Academy in hopes of someday Bonding with a unicorn. (The only exception to this is if you would adopt a character from our list of 'Adoptables' - send a mail to mcnett@bright.net for details.)

Bonding to an Academy unicorn is a great honor, and is only earned by displaying initiative, creativity, and dedication in your roleplaying as a Uen Roug student. However, if you work hard enough to prove to the DM that you are ready for a unicorn, Bonding should happen rather quickly. (Consult the 'EXPLORE' page and view the 'HERD' for more details if the DM has already given you the go ahead to Bond.) Also, please
note that character's unicorns may use magic, but characters themselves may not use it unless "awarded" by completing a campaign. A young unicorn who reaches the peak of his Magic Cycle for the first time will never Bond with a magic wielding human, because his magic at this time is overflowing and seeks to enter a similar, yet magically empty being. Presence of magic in a human being actually repels the magic inside of the unicorn and halts the Bonding process. All mages are banned from contact with young unicorns on the brink of their first Magic Cycle, as contact may even prove fatal.

UEN ROUG WYN- The "Wyn" are a group of students at the Academy who will not Bond because of their magical talents, and have decided to pursue the life of a mage instead. This type of character can have certain advantages, especially since, unlike unicorns, they may have multiple powers upon graduation. Wyn enter the Academy with one natural talent and study further talents over the course of their education, progressing in power as they grow older and more experienced. Wyn may never Bond, except in extremely rare cases. (New players may not be both Wyn and Roug.) It is suggested that interested players read the
'MAGIC' page.

COMMONER - A child, a minstrel, pretty much anything. If you feel uncomfortable using magic and don't want a 'corn, perhaps this character type is more appealing.

If you wish your character to be one of the Uen Roug, he or she must go through the "Bonding" with a unicorn. There are two basic types of Bonding: First Bonding, which happens instantanously and allows the pair to "feel" each other's surface thoughts, and Y'cha Bonding, a formal ceremony performed by an Elder which binds the pair's souls together permanently and completely. Once the Bonding ceremony has taken place, you will be able to "play" your character's unicorn as if he/she was another PC. Until then, all unicorns are GM controlled.

Unicorns speak via mindspeech. Here are the following correct notations for mindspeech, human, corn, and otherwise:

<< >> unicorn, private channel (exclusive to one or more recipients)

{{ }} unicorn public (to everyone in chosen vicinity)

< > human private (non-telepaths use this to speak with their Bondeds only)

{ ) human public (telepaths only)

** ** gryphon speech

:: :: normal thoughts, any species

There are basically two types: constructive and destructive. Magic may not be used at whim, and is not a toy. Only Wyn characters may use magic, unless a player obtains special permission. Characters who use magic indiscriminately will be given a warning and will eventually be expelled from the game if they do not comply. [See the 'MAGIC' page for details.]

Sometimes, the GM's environment or controlled characters will conflict with player characters - this will happen - after all, what is a good story without conflict? However, as we do not use dice or charts, CHARACTERS MUST LEAVE  THEIR PLAYS OPEN ENDED! This allows for GM control, and gives other players a chance to interact with the situation.

For Example:

The GM writes: ...suddenly, the big beast whirls and attacks the group.

Player#1 does not write: Thoron leaps to his feet and brings his sword crashing down onto
the beast's head, killing it in one stroke.

Player#1 DOES write: Thoron leaps to his feet, swinging his sword at the beast.

This way, the DM can control how the beast reacts and what happens, and other players can also have a chance to react.

Just think of it this way: THE PLAYER CONTROLS THE CHARACTER, THE GM CONTROLS THE ENVIRONMENT. If you are controlling something other than your own character, you may be stepping on other people's toes. This goes for all situations. This does not mean, however, that certain liberties cannot be taken. If you have a great idea for a story or would like to use someone else's character - contact the GM or the other player, BY ALL MEANS! We want to foster your creativity, not restrict it, and a variety of influences on the game will help to make it a very rich and diverse experience for everyone. However,
please understand that the GM's word is final in these situations.

Post requirements are once per week. This is strictly enforced.

A maximum "R" rating will be observed in all posts. This means no blatantly sexual or vulgar material will be tolerated. When in doubt, *ask*!

The age limit for Rainbow's End players is fifteen, *unless* a younger player can prove to us, beyond a doubt, that he or she can handle the game.

Please do not spam the list with chain letters, unwarranted forwards, virus alerts (usually hoaxes), etc. Our players get enough mail without such nonsense!

Want to see what kinds of applications I throw right into my trash bin? Click here.

Well, I think that about wraps it up! If you have any questions, or if I left anything out, feel free to contact me, Amber at <rainbowsend@lightrelief.co.uk> or Dela at <dela@dela100.freeserveco.uk>