How to Contribute [OOC]

       The basis of any library is the knowledge that is held within it. The endless rows of books, novels, scrolls, tapestries, and grimoires that seem to stretch-out, spiraling out in every direction to unseen distances, each holding new opportunities, greater wisdom, and unknown intellect between its covers. An assortment of possible conclusions, arcane postulations, and esoteric knowledge that only the sages of time-since-passed were given the privilege to read.

       The Library is no different.

       The backbone of the Library is based upon the submissions of its users, participants, and frequent visitors. Each tome, each scrap of text, was written by a user and presented as text either written by a personal character of his or her own creation, or by some long-since-deceased character dwelling within the past of their plots and meta-plots. These often fragmented submissions, topics of which range from magical treatise, to historical accounts, and even to mathematical formulas, make-up the basis for the purpose of The Library forum. By far, even above the glory of the Hall of Artifacts within the University or the seemingly-benign conspiracies hatched by the Board of Proctors, without the books, without to pages, the Library is little more than an over-glorified social club.

       As such, this topic will pertain specifically to these submissions – this infinitely valued contributions – to the Library. Consider it a guide on how to properly organize submissions into their appropriate categories, sections, and classifications, as well as a way to better understand the environment of the Library and the Keep as a whole.

       Enjoy...

---

               · Non-Fiction and Fiction in a Fictional Setting
       Before we begin, I feel I should make a note on the usage of the words “non-fiction” and “fiction” in regards to submissions. Primarily, I should say, this is taking into account that the actual settings of the Library and the Keep are both fictional which, for some, could lead to an odd paradox as to whether certain submissions are “fictional” or not.

       So, in short, consider this: we all understand that the setting in which we roleplay – in which we write – is fictional and that, by extension, the Library is fictional. So, to begin, throw out the concept of this being a “fictional world.” Immerse yourself in the character you have chosen to “pen” your submission. That's, primarily, step one.

       Secondly, now that we understand that this world is entirely fictional and have chosen to willfully disregard that fact and immerse ourselves into our character, we are left with a choice, but the paradox is solved. Simply put, “Is what I am writing – from the perspective of my character – fiction or is it non-fiction?” Apply this in the same manner as it would be in reality. If it's a story – a piece of literature – it is obviously fiction; if it is a treatise on how to properly summon an eldritch abomination from planes of existence beyond thought or comprehension – it is obviously non-fiction.

       So, to end this minor note, simply look at what you are wishing to submit from the perspective of the character that wrote it – not your personal perspective. Once this is accomplished, the paradox of compiling a “non-fiction” submission in a fictional setting is resolved. It depends entirely upon the perspective of the character, not whether the character's creator believes a guide on how to summon Cthulhu would truly be “non-fiction.”


               · Order of Maintenance for Non-fictional Works
       So you have apparently decided that you are not going to submit a ballad of prose to a lover, but instead chose to write “Seducing Succubi for Idiots.” Obviously, this belongs in the Non-fiction Section. Of course, then you come to an immediate problem: “How I post do?”

       No doubt, immediately upon opening the Non-fiction Section, you have found yourself immersed in a field of odd titles, weird descriptions, and an endless string of bracketed identifiers that the Wyrd Sisters couldn't use to divine if Ragnarok was just around the bend – no matter how hard they attempted it. Do not fear, however, for it is a fairly simple process and isn't nearly as complicated as a spurious glance would have you believe. All it really takes is a bit of reading and some simple comprehension.

       In short, non-fiction works are titled according to a system similar to the Dewey Decimal System, but greatly simplified. As an example, a non-fiction title for a singular work may look something akin to this:

       D'angeli, Johanness: “On the Turning of the World” - [AST] [COS]
       A Treatise on the Revolutions and Rotations of the Planet

       Now, an immediate glance and a bit of logical deduction could tell you that “Johanness D'angeli” is the author of a treatise titled “On the Turning of the World”; in short, that would be a correct assumption to make. Of course, what are these two qualifiers added: [AST and [COS]? In short, they are a means of qualifying the contents of a thread without having to open it. They refer directly to a glossary of terms titled the Order of Maintenance. Though a complete list can be found below, in short, “AST” symbolizes “Astronomy,” and “COS” symbolizes “Cosmology.” As such, at a glance, we know this treatise deals with the fields of astronomy and cosmology.

       This is similar to the way all non-fiction works should be titled. Specifically, they should be titled according to the following template:

       TITLE: [Author's Last Name], [Author's First Name]: “[Title of Work]” - [Qualifier] [Qualifier] [Qualifier]
       DESCRIPTION: [Brief description of the work]

       This system is utilized in order to keep the aesthetics of the board as clean and appealing as possible. I understand – especially considering the act of roleplaying is, in effect, pure imagination – your desire to be creative; but, for the sake of the people who have to moderate and maintain these boards, please restrict your titles to this format. If you do not, you may sign-on and discover a moderator or administrator has done so for you. That is why it is best to do it yourself and avoid the possible hassle of having your works be “inappropriately qualified.” You may use as many qualifiers as you like, of course, just keep in mind that they should be attached in a descending order of relevance.


               · Order of Maintenance for Fictional Works
       So it is a ballad to your lover? Well, I suppose that will do; however, the Order of Maintenance for fictional works is slightly different from those of non-fictional works. The one thing that remains the same is the use of qualifiers, however; even so, these qualifiers deal less with content and more with what exactly the content of the submission or contribution is. For this reason, there are obviously fewer qualifiers and, in most instances, only one will apply to each submission you contribute.

       As an example:

       ”Herald Misbegotten Screams” by Frenceso Forenzi - [POE]
       A Song for Lovers Mourned

       Obviously the organization of the Order of Maintenance for fictional works is different. Even so, we can still, almost immediately, discern the title (“Herald Misbegotten Screams”) and author (Frenceso Forenzi) – as well as the description. Even so, the identifier is different and not the same as those in the non-fictional works Order of Maintenance. The meaning of this qualifier (“POE”) however becomes rather obvious: poetry.

       Much like those for non-fictional works, fictional works must be titled according to a pre-designed template for the sake of aesthetics and for maintaining an orderly board:

       TITLE: “[Title of Work]” by [Author's Name] – [Qualifier]
       DESCRIPTION: [Brief description of the work]

       Remember to check the Orders of Maintenance for fictional works (listed below) as they are not the same as those for non-fictional.


               · Order of Maintenance for Restricted Works
       Outside of the simple classifications of the fictional and non-fictional Orders of Maintenance, a third Order of Maintenance exists solely to classify the dangers of reading works submitted-to or assigned-to the Restricted Section. The Restricted Section is, as the name indicates, a section of the Library that the average student does not have access to In-Character. Out-of-Character, the users of “Students” may, of course, read at their will; this does not mean, however, that the characters they have created may check-out or otherwise have access to these works. Using Out-of-Character access to gain In-Character knowledge is classified as “metagaming” and will result in punishments as described within the “Forum Rules and Regulations” topic.

       Moving along...

       The Restricted Section is divided, much like the Library itself, into a “Non-fiction Section” and a “Fiction Section.” Due to this, the Orders of Maintenance as previously described do, in fact, still apply according to which section the work is submitted. However, due to the restricted nature of the works, further classifications are required.

       As an example:

       [ICOS] Vermilye, Aldabaran, and Azuhl'baizare: “The Apocryphon” - [MAJ] [ONT] [HIS]
       The Legendary Holy Book of the Vyrmitic Faith

       Though one can, once again, discern the authors (Aldabaran Vermilye and Azuh'baizare) and the title (“The Apocryphon”) fairly easily, as well as the non-fiction qualifiers of “Majick” (“MAJ”), “Ontology” (“ONT”), and “History” (“HIS”), a fourth qualifier is present before the complete title of the work itself: “ICOS.”

       “ICOS” symbolizes the word “Icosahedron,” one of the five Platonic solids that are used to qualify restricted works (see below). This qualifier indicates a specific degree of danger present due to accessing, reading, or comprehending the selected work. Such qualifiers must be applied to any work submitted to the Restricted Section or an administrator or moderator will move it to another section outside of those restricted.

       Like other Orders of Maintenance, remember to follow the non-fictional or fictional templates, but simply add a “Danger Qualifier” before the title itself, identifying what degree of threat accessing the work involves.

---

• [ALC] – Alchemy — The study of matter, energy, thoughts, and forms; the utilization of natural components to create unnatural or preternatural effects.
  
  
• [ANI] – Animals — Dealing with animals of natural or planar origin not constructed artificially or due to mutagenic properties or interactions.
  
  
• [ANO] – Anomalous — Pertaining to certain environmental, physical, spiritual, or mental occurrences that can otherwise not be explained, comprehended, or fully understood at the present time.
  
  
• [ARC] – Archaeology — The study of society primarily through the analysis of historical artifacts of ancient material culture and environments.
  
  
• [ART] – Artifact — Concerning specific artifacts or constructs of personal, historical, preternatural, or supernatural significance; otherwise inanimate objects that have been granted or have otherwise obtained esoteric or occult properties.
  
  
• [ASR] – Astrology — The study of celestial objects in relation to living beings; divination and prophecy through the study of the stars or divination through use of the Zodiacs.
  
  
• [AST] – Astronomy — The study of celestial objects – such as stars, planets, comets, etc. - and the study of objects in space.
  
  
• [CAN] – Cannibalism — Dealing particularly with the conception of one's own species flesh and tissue; the process or act of consuming one's own being or a member of one's own species or race.
  
  
• [CHE] – Chemicals — Forms of matter that have a constant chemical composition and defined set of characteristics; the practice of formulating chemical compounds or recipes.
  
  
• [CLN] – Clan — An organization of individuals cooperating to complete a single goal or group of goals; a "fighting clan" akin to the Clan Wars of Old; an organization built solely for roleplay fighting.
  
  
• [CLT] – Cult — An organization based around a single collection of principles, usually religious in nature, or appearing religious in nature for the purpose of accumulating power or influence.
  
  
• [CON] – Constructs — Dealing with living entities that have been crafted, fabricated, and created by artificial or synthetic means utilizing – wholly or partially – inorganic components.
  
  
• [COS] – Cosmology — A discipline that deals with the origin, structure, and space-time relationships of the universe, multiverses, or omniverses, or a theory or doctrine describing the natural order of such.
  
  
• [CRE] – Creatures — Dealing with creatures that are artificial, synthetic, or of mutagenic origins not deemed “natural” to a given environment or plane.
  
  
• [CRT] – Creation — Pertaining to the act of creation or the mythological “creation”; pertaining to the manufacturing of life – whether artificial or otherwise – by unnatural means; dealing with the creation of artificial life by an entity other than a deity.
  
  
• [CRY] – Crystals — Objects of a repeating and orderly pattern; the utilization of crystals or quasi-crystals in preternatural, supernatural, or majickal effects.
  
  
• [DEI] – Deities — Dealing with deities or deified entities; pertaining to gods, goddesses, or demi-gods and their various forms.
  
  
• [DIM] – Dimensionality — Pertaining to dimensions or alternate dimensions; particularly qualities of space and time within reality; pertaining to other planes or parallel planes of existence.
  
  
• [DIV] – Divination — Any methods utilizing occult or esoteric rituals or practices to gain insight into the past or present; means of obtaining prophecy or clairvoyance.
  
  
• [DTH] – Death — Pertaining to death or the cessation of biological, mental, and spiritual faculties; dealing with aspects of the afterlife or the transition from the “living” to the “un-living.”
  
  
• [EDB] – Edibles — Dealing with food, fruit, beverages, or other edible items.
  
  
• [ELM] – Elements — Singular portions of matter that are pure and wholly homogenous; natural properties of nature and the natural universe that cannot further be devolved into constituent components.
  
  
• [EMO] – Emotion — Dealing with the sapient range of emotional responses; showing a personal connection to emotions or pertaining to esoteric arts connected to emotion.
  
  
• [ESO] – Esoteric — Pertaining to “esoteric” or mystical knowledge; the particularly sublime complexities of certain preternatural or occult studies.
  
  
• [EXT] – Extraterrestrial — Pertaining to life from beyond the terrestrial plant; relating to life from beyond the planet of the Keep; detailing certain forms of extraterrestrial or otherwise “alien” life.
  
  
• [GEO] – Geography — The study of the land, features, inhabitants, and phenomena of the planet; dealing with locations or specific regions.
  
  
• [GLD] – Guild — An organization of professionals of a given trade or related trades working for the mutual benefit of its individual members; another term for a clan.
  
  
• [GOD] – God/Goddess — Dealing with divine entities of the status of “god/goddess” or higher.
  
  
• [HED] – Hedonsism — The philosophical current that states that pleasure is the only intrinsically “good” moral code to which one should abide; detailing particularly extravagance in an obsession or fascination with pleasure or pleasurable acts.
  
  
• [HIS] – History — The discovery, organization, presentation, and study of past events.
  
  
• [HTN] – Heathenism — Dealing with heathenism, idolatry, or the worship of “false gods”; pertaining to barbarism or so-called “paganism.”
  
  
• [ITL] – Intelligence/Intellect — Pertaining to intelligence or the application of knowledgeable principles by an individual or a collection of individuals.
  
  
• [JNL] – Journal — Dealing with the activities of a singular individual or group of individuals in a journalistic or “diary” format; a record of events detailing from a personal or emotional perspective.
  
  
• [LIB] – Library — Pertaining to or in-consideration-of the Library itself, procedures, floors, rooms, locations, or other contents detailing certain aspects of the Library, its staff, or the contents of its floors and sections.
  
  
• [LOV] – Love — Pertaining to the aspects of the sapient emotion of “love”; the act of sexual intercourse.
  
  
• [MAG] – Magic — Pertaining to the art of sleight of hand or illusions without the use of preternatural or supernatural forms; “stage magic.”
  
  
• [MAJ] – Majick/Majic — Dealing with the art of manipulating supernatural or preternatural forms to gain a specific effect within the physical universe or existence.
  
  
• [MET] – Metallurgy — Pertaining to the crafting of metals; crafting of metallic armor, weaponry, or other metal or metalloid inanimate objects.
  
  
• [MPH] – Metaphysics — Fundamental branch of philosophy concerning the the nature of Being and the world; particularly supernatural or preternatural forms of cosmogony; majick considered “beyond” the utilization of natural, environmental regents.
  
  
• [MTA] – Martial Arts — Pertaining to martial arts or the art of combat - both Eastern and Western schools; forms of combat or particular use of hand-to-hand combat or melee weaponry; certain aspects of weapon use or swordsmanship.
  
  
• [MTH] – Mathematics — Pertaining to mathematics or the quantification of reality through numerical measurement and mathematical qualification; pertaining to esoteric or occult formulas within mathematics or connected to mathematics.
  
  
• [MUL] – Multiverse — Pertaining to the concept of a multiverse or tangental universes united by minute details within a singular sphere of influence or macro-verse; the Keep or the Nexxus.
  
  
• [MUR] – Murder — Dealing with the violent act of murder, slaughter, or the cessation of biological, mental, and spiritual functions.
  
  
• [NEX] – The Nexxus — Pertaining to the multiverse of the Nexxus.
  
  
• [NCR] – Necromancy — The art of resurrection or reanimation of the dead and their manipulation; pertaining to divination or prophesy through ghosts, spirits, or deceased, ethereal forms; connected to undeath or the manipulation of the energies of the deceased.
  
  
• [OCL] – Occult/Occultism — Relating to practices of "hidden arts" such as alchemy, esoteric mysticism, majick, astrology, divination, or other forms of supernatural or paranormal study; the pursuit or study of hidden knowledge or secret wisdom.
  
  
• [OMN] – Omniverse — Pertaining to the concept of an “omniverse,” or a reality that unites all possible combinations of reality in an infinite sphere of influence or “verse.”
  
  
• [ONT] – Ontology — The philosophical study of the nature of being, existence or reality as such, as well as the basic categories of being and their relations.
  
  
• [PLN] – Planar — Considering the qualities of other planes of existence or pertaining to certain occult, supernatural, preternatural, or scientific qualities or effects derived from alternate planes; also referred to as “planar majick” or “planar effects.”
  
  
• [PHI] – Philosophy — The study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language.
  
  
• [PHY] – Physics — The study of the material universe, matter, energy, and the transitive state of such compounds; pertaining to physical laws of the universe.
  
  
• [POL] – Politics — The process by which collective decisions are made in groups; concerns primarily governments, alliances, guilds, or other organizations of a political nature.
  
  
• [PRT] – Preternatural — Pertaining to particular occurrences that are “beyond natural” but can be understood as a natural occurrence that adheres to certain physical – if but unknown – laws of reality; the disavowing of the “supernatural.”
  
  
• [PSI] – Psionics — Pertaining to mental or psionic faculties of the mind that excludes majickal properties or functions.
  
  
• [PSL] – Psychology — The science of behavior and mental processes.
  
  
• [PSY] – Psychic — Detailing particular aspects of “beyond base” mental faculties to include the use of extra-sensory perception, telepathy, and other forms of psychic anomalies.
  
  
• [REL] – Religion — Concerning the qualities of religions or religious institutions, religious practices and rituals, religious sects, churches, or other institutions relating to religions.
  
  
• [RES] – Resurrection — Pertaining to the act of returning a deceased entity to life while maintaining or returning all physical, mental, and spiritual faculties.
  
  
• [RNA] – Reanimation — Pertaining to the animation of an entity, object, or being that has lost its animate nature; or pertaining to the act of returning a deceased entity to life with complete or partial loss of physical, mental, or spiritual faculties.
  
  
• [SCI] – Science — A systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe(s), multiverse, omniverse, or reality/existence itself..
  
  
• [SEX] – Sex/Sexual Intercourse — Pertaining to the biological act of reproduction; dealing with the pleasures or hedonistic pursuits of sex; or relating to the philosophical, emotional, and physical act of “making love.”
  
  
• [SOS] – Social Science — A field of study pertaining to the scientific analysis of societal interactions such as economics, sociology, urban planning, criminology, and education.
  
  
• [TKP] – The Keep — Pertaining to the planet of the Keep or the multiverse of the Keep.
  
  
• [TME] – Time — Pertaining to time or the passage of time; detailing particularly qualities or characteristics of time and its flow; the cycles or helices of time; the dimension of time.
  
  
• [TRT] – Treatise — A formal and systematic document or discourse meant to explain, extrapolate, or define a given study or subject of study.
  
  
• [TRY] – Treaty — An official agreement between two or more parties that have chosen to enter into a covenant, pact, or agreement with a defined purpose, set of goal
  
  
• [UND] – Undeath — Detailing certain aspects of “undeath” or the “undead”; pertaining to entities that persist as if alive, though they do not live; related to necromancy, reanimation, and resurrection.
  
  
• [VAM] – Vampirism — Relating to the affliction known as “vampirism”; pertains and details aspects, symptoms, and effects of certain forms of vampirism; does not relate to a “vampire” species.
  
  
• [WAR] – War — Pertaining to or detailing specific historical examples of war, conflict, or strife, particularly singular battles or extensive historical accounts of single wars or antagonistic circumstances.

• [DRM] – Drama/Playwright — A form of literature expressed as a drama or “play”; written as a playwright and in such a way as could be performed by actors on a stage or other equitable environment.
  
  
• [NOV] – Novel — An extensive piece of literature comprised of a detailed and extravagant plot spanning multiple chapters and including numerous characters and character relationships. Must consist of over 35,000 words.
  
  
• [NVL] – Novella — An extensive piece of literature comprised of a detailed and extravagant plot spanning several chapters and including several characters and character relationships. Must consist of over 12,000 words.
  
  
• [POE] – Poetry/Poem — A piece of literature or a form of literary art in which language is used for its aesthetic and evocative qualities in addition to, or in lieu of, its apparent meaning.
  
  
• [SHS] – Short Story — A piece of literature that is comprised of a detailed plot containing one or more characters and character relationships, but fewer than a novella or a novel. Must consist of over 1,000 words.

• [TETRA] – Tetrahedron – RESTRICTED FIFTH CLASS — Works labeled “TETRA” are determined to be restricted administratively for particular reasons of their own. Reading of “TETRA” class restricted works will not cause physical, mental, or spiritual harm, but have been classified as “restricted” simply due to certain facets of the knowledge they contain being considered “dangerous in the hands of the incompetent or ill-equipped.” Certain fictional works are considered “TETRA” class due to their socially, morally, or ethically objectionable content or due to bans placed on their possession in certain geographic regions or political regimes.
  
  
• [HEXA] – Hexahedron – RESTRICTED FOURTH CLASS — Works labeled “HEXA” are determined to be restricted due to the fact that the knowledge contained within and, more importantly, its utilization may cause physical or mental harm to the incompetent, ill-equipped, or untrained. Fictional works of “HEXA” classification are determined as such due to their exceedingly obscene, objectionable, or due to bans imposed in certain geographic regions or political regimes.
  
  
• [OCTA] – Octahedron – RESTRICTED THIRD CLASS — Works labeled “OCTA” are determined to be restricted due to the fact that the knowledge contained within has a high likelihood of causing physical, mental, or spiritual harm when utilized in the hands of ill-equipped or under-studied persons not having reached a great degree of aptitude and understanding in the field of concern. Fictional works of the “OCTA” classification are determined as such due to their egregiously obscene, objectionable, or mind-altering properties upon comprehending the prose or witnessing the prose portrayed by actors or other beings, or because of its classification as “illegal” in a large portion of the civilized world.
  
  
• [ICOS] – Icosahedron – RESTRICTED SECOND CLASS — Works labeled “ICOS” are determined to be restricted due to the fact that the knowledge contained within will cause physical, mental, and/or spiritual harm regardless of the degree of aptitude of the reader or adept. Full utilization of “ICOS” class, restricted works – if done improperly – may also result in death. Fictional works classified as “ICOS” are determined as such due to the psychotropic, psychosomatic, or mental destabilization that will likely occur upon reading, witnessing, or comprehending its prose or performance.
  
  
• [DODE] – Dodecahedron – RESTRICTED FIRST CLASS — Works labeled “DODE” are determined to be restricted due to the fact that the knowledge contained within is largely memetic and may cause physical harm, mental harm, spiritual harm, or death, regardless if the work is read, comprehended, or utilized and may result in attempts to spread such works depending on the qualities of the work itself. “DODE” classified works are also worthy of note due to the possibility of inciting homicidal or suicidal fervor in the reader. Fictional works of the “DODE” classification are determined to be such due to their contents often inciting homicidal or suicidal tendencies, acute (and chronic) rage, as well as persistent mental instability, insanity, and total dissolution of previous mental and psychological faculties. Upon reading a “DODE” class work, one has willingly put themselves at risk.

---

Thank you for reading this guide. Hopefully it will help you in choosing what you desire to contribute to the Library and, more importantly, how you wish to contribute it. If you have any questions, comments, or believe a qualifier needs to be added or some definition needs further clarification, please do not hesitate in commenting in this topic.

Once again, enjoy!


— The Board of Proctors