Some basic ground rules for the game--
1)  I will be compiling character actions into a single post on Wednesday
night and the weekend (probably sat night).  Try to read and reply at
least twice a week (once for each post).  Combat will probably go faster,
since I just need an action description from each of you-the combat
'round' will be posted once I have all of the replies.
2)  You can post private messages/conversations to other players, just be
sure to (obviously) send a copy to me as well.
3)  No "character of the week", please try to pick one and stay with it.

That pretty much covers that, the rest will sort itself out as the game
progresses.

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Character Creation--  There are four basic steps
1)  Have a concept.  This might require that you read up on races and
character classes, and have some idea of the backround for the game
world, so I don't expect you to have this ready immediately.  Hopefully
by thursday or so, after I've posted everything, you will all be able to
think of something.  Also try to have a character history and
personality, I'll write up some questions and stuff to help you with
this, and post it tomorrow or thursday.
2)  Prioritize your statistics.  I'll come up with a breakdown of exactly
what the numbers will mean an what the scale is later.  For now, just set
priorities on your statistics (ie high, medium, low), of course try to
keep it believable (say, for every high, have a low, etc.....).  I'll set
your specific stat levels after everyone has there character concept, so
I can decide what the base levels shoud be.  For now, consider the
statistics to be-- Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence,
Willpower, Charisma, and Magic (Magic is used primarily for mages, but
everyone has this stat, as it determines how well you can use materia-
more on this later.  For mages, it determines damage/effect, range, and
duration of magics, combined with level.)
3)  Select Race, Character Class, and "Special".  Race and Character
class are fairly obvious.  For those who do not know what a "Special" is,
it is something that sets the character aside-- be it a special
(typically magical) ability, an unusual backround or race (some of the
races require using your "Special", and some even require your Character
Class choice as well, those will be indicated), or anything else
relatively minor that sets your character aside.  The Races and Character
Classes are listed below.  If you have any questions, let me know.
4)  Select extras like weapons, skills, appearance (you guy determine how
good or bad your characters look).  Keep in mind that your character
classes will give you some standard skills, so just choose your hobbies,
other skills you know, etc.  Standard skills are Swimming, First Aid,
Survival (chose environment), Athletics (climbing, running, jumping,
etc), and 2 languages (Common, and Racial/homeland-you decide if your
character is literate or not.).  Keep in mind that the fighting character
classes get to specialize in a specific weapon, and get cool maneuvers
with that weapon, so try to pick something neat for a weapon.


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Character Races-- There are quite a few, so I'm just listing them, and
pointing out anything I think you should know.  If you find something
interesting and want more information, just let me know and I'll send you
a writeup.  Each category also lists extra costs for that category
("Special", Character Class, both).

Common Races (no extra cost)
	Humans		Elf (& Drow)
	Gnomes		Arcanes (magic specialists)
	Ogres (civilized ones, there are no confirmed reports of Baby eating for centuries)
	Halflings
Uncommon Races (cost your "Special")
	Mers (underwater race)	Beast-men (Minotaurs, Centaurs, Satyrs, etc)
	Xicticix (insectoids)	Were-races (primarily mammalian)
	Ariels (bird-people)	Sauroids (evolved dinosaurs)
	Vegans (plant-people)	Familiars (magically ehanced animals)
	Dwarves		        Fae (fairies, pixies, etc)
	Changelings		Half-breed (pick two other races)
Rare Races (cost "Special" and Character Class)
	Were-Dragons		Daemons (lower plain beings)
	Golems			Rashaka (shapeshifters)
	Naga			Greater Undead (includes Vampires)
	Angelans (Higher plain beings with living weapons and armor)

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Character Classes-- Most of these are fairly standard, most require no
real explanation, but feel free to ask.  If you can think of another one,
let me know and I'll add it in.

Fighting Classes--Most of these are variations on the basic theme,
distinctions being in weapon choices and secondary skills and abilities.
	Fighter/Warrior/Soldier- The basic class, bonuses to overall combat.
	Lancer- Specializes in longer range melee weapons, leaping ability.
	Knight- Mounted warriors.
	Archer- What do you think.
	Duelist- Excels at fighting single or small groups, weapons master.
	Monk- Martial arts and meditative skills.
	Ranger- Expert wilderness scout.
	Samurai- Good swordsmen, follow a code of honor.
	Barbarian- Tough fighters, bulletproof nudity.
	Beastrider- Barbarian who fights along side thier animal friend.
	Amazon- Female warriors and expert Breeders  (of animals and humaniods)
Rogue Classes--Decent fighters, but also specialize in noncombat
abilities and skills.
	Thief- No surprises here.
	Bard- They sing well to charm opponents and help their friends in
              combat.
	Ninja/Assasin- Sneaky fighters who specialize in backstabbing.
	Chemist- Bsically a combat Alchemist, can make nonmagical potions.
	Sage- Knows a lot of things, master of many skills.
Magic classes--These classes have spellcasting ability.
	Mage- Basic spellcaster.
	Druid- Nature-oriented spellcaster.
	Cleric- Granted spell abilities by their deity.
	Artificer- They make magical weapons and items, the magic equivalent of
                   a gadget pool.
	Summoner- Specialize in summoning monsters to fight for them.
	Alchemist- Create magical potions and scrolls.

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Materia--These are small (baseball-sized) gems or stones that contain
magical energy in several different forms, and can be created or can
occur naturally.  They can be used as is by mages and other spellcasters,
but generally require some sort of focus to be used by others, the most
common being  weapons and armor with 'slots' to accept the materia and
built-in patterns to allow the weilder to access the magic of the
materia.  There are more common materia called "tool' materia that can be
used by anyone without the need for a foci, and are basically minor
magical items ( a common one is the Compass Materia, which acts as a
compass, map, and traces the route the holder has taken).  Materia are
divided into several basic categories--Combat materia (offensive and
defensive magic), Command materia (which grants special skills to the
weilder), Support Materia (which enhances the effect of other materia
when linked to them), and Summon materia (Rare, are linked to a
creature-avatar and allow the weilder to summon the creature to attack
their enemies).  As you use materia, it increases in 'level', allowing
you to use it more often, and unlocking more powerful magics.
(These will be found throughout the game as some of the more common magic
items the group finds.....)