Frequently Asked Questions

[Mimi]

Seemed like a good time to start this thread. Let's compile an FAQ for Saint Joe's. Once this gets rolling, I will start a mirror thread in "Announcements" as a sticky, so that guests can read and post on it.

So... what do people always ask you?

I will start if off with,

"Why are there restrictions on tech origin?"

We do not enroll most Tech Origin heroes because of the definition of Tech Origin: you have no powers of your own, but instead use technological devices or gadgets. That also means that you can put your devices in the basement and be a normal person for as long as you like. Saint Joe's is based around the premise that superpowered youth need help adjusting to the fact that they have supernormal abilities; quite simply, that they are different from everyone else.


So... add your own questions (if you have them), or the questions you always get asked... and I will craft official answers for them.

[Mimi]

Oh, here's another one I seem to get a lot...

"Can I form a coalition between my SG and Saint Joe's?"

Saint Joseph School is a supergroup based around the idea of roleplaying as much as we are about our theme. Although we we consider any offer to form a coalition, serious consideration will only be given to other supergroups that share our goals. If your SG is not a roleplaying group, chances are slim that we will be interested in forming a coalition.

[Mimi]

"Can I have alts in Saint Joseph School?"

Under our current rules, players may have alts in Saint Joseph School based on their highest rank in the supergroup. Each rank grants another alt slot. All characters are expected to comply in all ways with our code of conduct.

The numbers of characters allowed in the supergroup for each rank are:

• Freshman: One character
• Sophomore: Two characters
• Upperclassman: Three characters
• Student Council: Four characters

[Mimi]

"Why do you have prestige requirements for promotion? Isn't this a roleplay group?"

That's why the prestige requirements are only for promotions. We have set prestige requirements for those members of the group who are interested in gaining rank, which is a different issue entirely from playing their character. Unlike other groups, the prestige levels we have set will also flow naturally from meeting the other requirements for promotion.

[Mimi]

"What does it mean for Saint Joseph School to be a 'cooperative' group? How much can I really affect the SG? Isn't Mimi in charge?"

Screaming-Mimi is indeed the SG leader. But as a roleplay supergroup, SJS itself is shared communally by its' members. While administrative concerns are handled by Mimi and the Student Council, all SJS members have input and control over storylines, NPCs, the school environment and the day-to-day details that make Saint Joe's unique. Members are free to influence the supergroup as much or as little as they like. Ideas suggested by members will be discussed and modified by the community before they are implemented. We primarily use our forums for this purpose, and have several dedicated fourms to build and change the SJS environment.

[Mimi]

"What do the ranks mean? If I want to play a freshman, does it mean I have to turn down promotions? Similarly, what do I do if I wanted to play a senior?"

The SG ranks we use at SJS are flavorful and fun, but are only that: SG ranks. Your rank has no bearing whatsoever on your character or your ability to roleplay that character. You rank only affects your powers and responsibilities within the SG, such as administrative duties or the ability to recruit new members. You may have the rank of Upperclassman and still play a 14 year-old freshman at Saint Joe's.

[Mimi]

"Is there a villain group counterpart for Saint Joe's?"

Yes, there is, also on the Infinity Server. It is called the Bloodvine Academy and is an old rival school for Saint Joseph School. The Bloodvine Academy (BVA) is not a school for "evil" kids, however, and the two schools are not open enemies. While things in Siren's Call may sometimes get out of hand, the two schools do not make a habit of attacking each other. Think of it sortof like any high school rivalry, except that the kids all have super-powers.

[Mimi]

"Are you in the Top 100 Supergroups?"

Holy #$^%@, are we ever! We're number 38 and rising!

(okay, this is totally not a real FAQ subject. I just wanted to find a cute place to tell you how much we rock!)

[Mimi]

"How does SJS handle things like Summer Vacation?"

Because of the nature of the CoH game, we have decided that SJS is a year-round school. Many of our students follow a less than 'conventional' school schedule, breaking up what would normally be an eight-hour school day with patrols, missions, and recieving medals from City Hall. As such, these students must somehow meet the curriculum guidelines mandated by the educational system. SJS holds classes during all the standard school vacation times to allow these special students the opportunity to persue their lives as both students and heroes... and still graduate on time!

[Eric Copper]

To what extent are we allowed to RP another person's character? I've noticed that a lot of the writers in the forums ascribe actions and words to other people's characters at times. What's not clear is what goes on behind the scenes---or more pertinently, what should be going on behind the scenes. How should this type of stuff be approached?

What do you do if someone RPs your character in a way that you don't want, or RPs an event pertaining to your character that you don't want? The How to build a successful Storyline thread provides really good advice on avoiding such situations, but doesn't really explain how to resolve them if they do occur.

I know that the fundamental solution to both problems can be summed up in one word: communication. But some details would still be helpful.

[palilla]

To what extent are we allowed to RP another person's character? I've noticed that a lot of the writers in the forums ascribe actions and words to other people's characters at times. What's not clear is what goes on behind the scenes---or more pertinently, what should be going on behind the scenes. How should this type of stuff be approached?

What do you do if someone RPs your character in a way that you don't want, or RPs an event pertaining to your character that you don't want? The How to build a successful Storyline thread provides really good advice on avoiding such situations, but doesn't really explain how to resolve them if they do occur.

I know that the fundamental solution to both problems can be summed up in one word: communication. But some details would still be helpful.

Here is what I suggest you do to avoid such an issue:

1) Contact the person/people, and arrange for IM, email, or PM interaction.

2) RP the action

3) Condense the entries into one posting

4) submit the condensed post to the other person/people, for their approval

5) Upon approval, post to the forums

I personally do not like people putting words in the mouth of my characters, and I try to stay away from doing the same to them for one simple fact:

Each character in the SG, or on these forums, is someone's work to make a roleplaying identity. I have no right to pretend I know how Mis is going to react to anything I do. Just like Sapphire Angel can in no way know what I would do in any given situation. It is always best to let other people portray their own characters, which is why I suggested the method above.

[Mimi]

To what extent are we allowed to RP another person's character? I've noticed that a lot of the writers in the forums ascribe actions and words to other people's characters at times. What's not clear is what goes on behind the scenes---or more pertinently, what should be going on behind the scenes. How should this type of stuff be approached?

There are two ways to go about this.

First, you can talk to the other people involved. Just shoot them a PM, or run into them in-game, and say, "hey, I was hoping to write a thng with you involved. Is it okay if <blank>?" Normally, most of us seem to be cool with that, and will offer suggestions, things they might say, or possibly even come right out and say "I would never do that." If they go that last route, then your next question should be "well, what would you do?"

The other way to handle the situation is more intuitive. If someone posts often, hopefully you have a grasp on their character. Character consistency is important on this front. It's a little dangerous, but if you know someone (or, for instance, you want to write about Biff or any NPC) then you just make your best guess and go for it. You might be right or wrong, and it is a risk: but sometimes risks are worth taking.

Finally, if you have an ongoing relationship with writing for someone, permission can become less and less necessary. If I write a piece with November in it, I tend not even to ask anymore. She and I have had a good writing relationship so far, so she trusts that I will not go too far, and I try to respect that trust.

What do you do if someone RPs your character in a way that you don't want, or RPs an event pertaining to your character that you don't want? The How to build a successful Storyline thread provides really good advice on avoiding such situations, but doesn't really explain how to resolve them if they do occur.

Ahh, this is a tricky one. Again, my response is two-fold. There are things you would not do and things you never imagined yourself doing.

With things you simply would not do, you need to be direct and say so. Don't be mad. The person did not mean to violate your character. They may have needed someone to do or say something, and you seemed a good choice. They just happened to be wrong. So, talk it out. They may have to find someone else to use, or handle the situation differently. If they are not communicative, you may even post on their thread ((Sorry, I simply would never do this. You have me eating a steak and I have been quite clear I am a vegetarian.)) or whatever.

Then there are things you never imagined yourself doing. They are shocking and sometimes also lead to anger. But in these situations, it is best to ask yourself "what would have made me do this?"

As an example, look at Bells, Books, and Candles. Francis, in her original post, set up a situation where Floribunda comes onto the SJS campus and defiles the Wingra Memorial Tree. Now if you weren't around at the time, I took great offense to this. I simply had no reason in my head for Flori to come and hurt this tree. She's a plant dom, for crying out loud, with a deep respect for trees.

So initially, I posted and said "no way. Absolutely not. How dare you use my character like this?" And Francis replied "sorry, sorry. I will change it, or delete it." And I thought, well, wait a sec. Is there a reason Flori would do this, and I just haven't thought about it? So I replied and said "hold on. Let me think a sec before you edit." And I did.

And I realized that maybe there was a reason. Maybe what Francis interpreted as defilement was really something else. And I ran with that. The Wingra Tree is more important than any SJS'er knows. Flori and her mother, Lady Bloodvine, see something in that tree that calls to them. So Flori did not come to kill the tree: she came to take it. And Francis interrupted.

That led to a whole other story, With NPCs I created to help Flori with the "prank" (as they thought it was). It actually turned out great.

So, my advice would be this: is it really something you wouldn't do? Or is it something that needs a lot of thought, and possibly a different angle, to explain?

[Mimi]

To what extent are we allowed to RP another person's character? I've noticed that a lot of the writers in the forums ascribe actions and words to other people's characters at times. What's not clear is what goes on behind the scenes---or more pertinently, what should be going on behind the scenes. How should this type of stuff be approached?

What do you do if someone RPs your character in a way that you don't want, or RPs an event pertaining to your character that you don't want? The How to build a successful Storyline thread provides really good advice on avoiding such situations, but doesn't really explain how to resolve them if they do occur.

I know that the fundamental solution to both problems can be summed up in one word: communication. But some details would still be helpful.

Here is what I suggest you do to avoid such an issue:

1) Contact the person/people, and arrange for IM, email, or PM interaction.

2) RP the action

3) Condense the entries into one posting

4) submit the condensed post to the other person/people, for their approval

5) Upon approval, post to the forums

This is also a great method. It allows for the least chance of misunderstanding. If you log chat, then you can also use that to help with dialog.

[Eric Copper]

Open, Closed, and unspecified. I've noticed that some story threads are marked "Open" while others are marked "Closed". I asked a while back in-game and several people gave helpful explanations: "Open" means anyone can join in the thread, while "Closed" means that you shouldn't post without the author's permission. What if a thread doesn't specify? Are threads open or closed by default?

(BTW thanks for the helpful answers to my previous questions! )

[palilla]

My advice, when unspecified, is to ask the author, and to also let them know that they left it unspecified, so they may correct it. Many times they may have had the intent to make a post open, but put nothing there.