PLOT UPDATE: In order to move forward, we're setting a date for the next round of plot-related group threads. If the current Crossroads/Frostbacks threads are not done by either Wednesday, 1/27, or Friday, 1/29, we would like to post two major starters: one for Alistair's group (this includes Noble/Bard/Crow, as well as the dwarves and their companions) to reach the edges of the Brecilian Forest and recruit arandil & tahal; and one will be for the Team Circle/Chantry arrival at Vigil's Keep. If anyone would like to volunteer to start these threads, please let us know, otherwise the mods will post. The only thing to know ahead of time is that the date will be Summerday.

If the current threads are not completed by then, they will NOT be closed -- you are still allowed to reply and wrap them up. However, these threads and anything that takes place between then and Summerday will be considered backscenes, as it will no longer be the IC "present date". If anything about this doesn't make sense, just ask, and we'll try to clarify.

As we draw closer to events at Amaranthine and eventually splitting up, we will let you know more about our plans for groups. If you are playing a COMPANION and have not yet replied to this post to let us know/confirm where you think your character will be, please do so.

A Note on Courtesy: While we appreciate enthusiasm, it has come to our attention that certain behaviors have come across as less than respectful and it is making people, including us, uncomfortable. A reminder about replying can be helpful if someone hasn't responded in over a week and may have forgotten, but asking on a daily or more frequent basis can get annoying, frustrating, and be a turn off in the creative process. Waiting can be difficult, but patience will often be rewarded in a higher quality response and a happier partner. That being said, if you are feeling overwhelmed, don't feel bad about saying "no" to someone's request for interaction -- it's not beneficial to take on more than you can handle. Prioritize what you need to write, and let others know where you're at. If it is an important group thread that ties into the main plot, we can try to work around your character so that nothing gets held up. As always, if you're having a problem, just drop us a note in the mod journal and one of us will get back to you ASAP.

Thanks all and have a good evening.

Tonight being a night for adds, please update your f-lists and welcome our new characters! We have a whopping population of over 30 characters, and over 50 entries in our main comm, so way to go, guys! And on that note, we bring you all to a couple of srs topics.

ACTIVITY CHECK - While most of you have been impressively active over the last few weeks (nearing a month) since opening, we just want to make sure that everything is still progressing as it should be. That said, we are giving everyone a warning about an upcoming activity check:

With the exception of characters that have been added within the last week, if you have NOT either a) posted a thread/narrative/scene, and/or b) commented to one after January 1st, you MUST post or comment to an entry in thedas by JANUARY 13TH, 2010, or risk removal from the game due to inactivity.

Please note that posting to partybanter DOES NOT count as IC activity; but backscenes and narratives, basically any form of writing, count just as much as present day entries. Those who we know are on hiatus are exempt from this check.

We are very lax on posting rules and hope not to have to regulate things, because we fully understand that RL is a priority, but we would like to be able to keep things moving forward. It is important to us that everyone who is in this game wants to be here, and wants to contribute. This is a collaborative effort -- while we may do a lot of things as mods, the two of us alone cannot micromanage or personally motivate all of our players to take initiative on activity. Everything we provide is just a rough outline; we want your input, participation, and feedback/ideas about where to take the overall storyline. Also, we really appreciate the effort that has gone into networking with one another and developing independent side plots. If anyone is having trouble finding something to do with their characters, we are certain that your fellow players will be open to brainstorming, so don't be shy about contacting them. That said, if you are still short on ideas and feel that you cannot make the deadline, please comment to us and we will try to help.

PLOT PROGRESSION - We are finally reaching our goals as outlined in our previous timeline. The dwarves (and their new bodyguards) are assembling on the surface, and shortly thereafter, Alistair and his party of a noble, bard and Crow should be arriving to meet them -- our present date is now set for the THIRD WEEK OF ELUVIESTA. This means that after we get closer to completing this important group thread, we can start to move on in time. We will then be able to jump ahead to the SUMMERDAY FESTIVAL (a notable holiday in Ferelden, as transcribed by utheriel), and by then, the Circle party will have just reached the Warden's Keep in Amaranthine. Simultaneously, Alistair's growing numbers will have gone south, passing Redcliffe, and entering the outskirts of the Brecilian Forest -- just in time to Conscript a couple of elves. In real world time, we hope to get to this point and be ready for the Joining at least by the beginning of February, if not within the next two weeks. Then the real fun begins.

The tl;dr of it: if you haven't been participating regularly in IC activity since before the year started, please do so, or you risk getting kicked; if you need help finding something to do, either ask us or ask another player; and finally, we are getting close to moving on in the next phase of our plot. There will be Grey Wardens! Hooray!