The SweetWater Fan Club!

Persona Development

Characters from Books:

  1. We must stress that no one may use any of the characters or locations that have appeared in any WaRP publications. This also prohibits having a Pini character as an ancestor or descendent and from using their characters in fan fiction in any way.
  2. It is understood that all EQ fan clubs operate on Wendy and Richard Pini's sufferance. The WaRP World of Two Moons is protected by international copyright and trademark laws.
  3. All material must be original to the creator(s). By writing about the WoTM we are making use of a planet and society created by WaRP. Kindly make your submissions as original as possible within that "borrowed" frame work.
  4. We are guests in this fantasy realm, and we must have respect for our host, and tread lightly, as if we were in their home.

    Do' and Don'ts

    There is a lot to creating a persona. The best suggestion is to look at the characters that are in existence. All new members should start at the bottom, allow the character to grow up to the status you want. Give the character a chance to learn and grow with the talent that you choose. Build story ideas as you go along. Create a personality outline-why does the character do what they do?

    First off, you are responsible for a number of things that relate with the development of a persona. We strive for originality, protection of character originality clause. You are responsible for making a copy of the character sheet that you have developed to turn into the Tribe leader.

    Everyone is encouraged to make copies of the Persona Information Sheet. Contact a council Member if you need a new sheet.

    1. No Super-Elves: Wendy is allowed to have super-elves, that is her terrain. But check Tribe rules.
    2. No same names in holts: If Wendy can come up with a million original names, so can you.
    3. No totally unnatural appearances: This mostly refers to something that would be outside the tribe's standards.
    4. No Bondbeasts in Wrong Holts: No wolves in Cay Holt or dolphins in Ravenwater.
    5. No all super-high-ranking elves: Don't develop a chief hunter, chief fisher, best negotiator, oldest, wisest and the most powerful elf into the same persona. That does not work.
    6. In order to protect an existing member's character originality (you) may be asked to change a trait(s) by that PC's creator. If the trait(s) cannot be calmly settled, a Plaintiff/Defendant are brought before the Tribe and/or Council to find a beneficial settlement.
    7. Naming your elf: Don't use - Rain, Wood, Dew, Bow, Moon, Dawn, Night, Song, Black, Rock, White, Cloud, Wild, Fire, Brown, Magic, Sun, Stone, These are over used, and only senior/existing PC's are exempt from this rule.

      Persona Rights

      Once you have become a paying member then you have the right to create your very own character to interact with the rest of the Club. This character can be anything within the limits of that Tribe.

      Personal Personas are protected under the CoSwFC ( Constitution of Sweetwater Fan Club ). No one is allowed to directly use your character without your permission. If you do not like or don't agree with something that someone has written about your character, then you have every right to change it or ask it to be changed. This also works the opposite way. This is why we suggest you use NPC's ( Non-Player Characters ) , they are there for that purpose and outlines of their personalities and traits can be found under Tribe information in the Handbook.

      This may sound like a hassle but it's really quite simple. Most people will be delighted to have their character in a story. Send an outline or get together IRL. Any corrections needed will be done by that character's Owner / Creator. Both the phone and the computer are useful tools in this regard.

      If a person withdraws or lets their membership lapse 30 days past scheduled due date, then all PCs (Player Characters) and NPCs become the property of the characters tribe. If a character becomes an NPC then it is up for grabs in the Tribe. Responsible people in the past have written a "Will" to state how or what they want done with their character/s. A person can adopt a character as their own or it will remain an NPC of the tribe and anyone can kill/use it.

      For those persons who are running low on finances, this situation is highly understood. Therefor, a PC may go into Stasis. This is not an automatic procedure and must be brought up to Council. Any member may request a private meeting with the Council at a scheduled meeting. Stasis time can go up to but not exceed one year. Stasis request must be within the thirty day lapse period or all other rules apply.

      Step - by - Step

      Okay, this is the step by step instructions for filling out your Persona Information Sheet. Follow along and all your questions should be answered.

      Member Information

      Name: This is your name. What you wish to be called by or have printed in the fanzine.
      Phone: Your phone number if you wish to make it available to the group.
      Address: An address where notices, fliers, etc. can be sent so that you will be sure to receive them. Please be sure to note if you do not wish this address to be general information or printed.
      E-mail Address: Optional. If you have an Internet address you wish to share with the group.
      Birthday: Your Birthday.

      Character Information

      Character Is PC / NPC: A PC stands for your Primary Character in any given tribe. This is the Character you use the most in that tribe. An NPC is a Non-Player Character. It means a character you don't use as much as your Primary. How many characters you have is only restricted by what you do with them.
      Tribe: Which tribe does this character belong to?
      Name: The name of your character, whether it is a sound or object name. Consult the naming standards of each tribe for proper naming.
      Soul Name: A one or two syllable sound which embodies all that is private and personal in the elf's soul. Check to see if a soul name is applicable to each tribe.
      Vanity Title: Only fill this out if your elf has a vanity title, i.e. Hunt Leader, Chief, etc.
      Gender: Male, or female? Other ? ( Preserver or DeepHaven )
      Age: How old is your character? Check tribe terms. EX. Canopy, one year = a ring.
      Ht.: How tall is your character? Check the height and weight chart and compare it with the heights of the particular tribe to which the persona belongs.
      Wt.: How much does your character weigh? Once again, check the Height and Weight chart.
      Hair: Color, style, length and texture.
      Eyes: Color and shape. A comparison to any 'Pini' character from Graphic Novels 1-9 are excepted and helpful. (Example: Rainsong eyes- Dewshine face- body so-and-so etc.)
      Complexion: Their skin tone; pale, dark, tanned, etc. (Once again, check tribe motif)
      Distinguishing Marks: Scars, birthmarks, missing limbs, etc. (you could be asked at the "Howl" to tell about these marks as a story. Be ready!)
      Description: A general description with clothing styles, body type, jewelry, etc. This may be continued on the back of the sheet.
      Personality: Just the basic traits. It is permitted and even encouraged to let the nuances of a character's personality come out and develop in story writing.
      Magic: What is their magic talent if they have one? Always remember to check Tribe limitations.
      Skills/Hobbies: Things they like to do and/or are good at (i.e. tanning, hunting, etc.).
      Parents/Relatives: Who is your character related to? If you don't know yet, then leave it blank and come up with it as it is needed.
      Friends/Mates: Who is your character friends with or who are his/her mates? Do they have a Lifemate or Lovemate? Again, this may be left blank for development as needed.
      Fears/Hatreds: What scares or causes disgust, dislike, hatred in your character?
      Favored Weapons: What weapons do they use the most? What do they carry at all times?
      Pets/Bondbeasts: This is where you would list any pets or animals they hang with or a bondbeast. Be sure to check the tribe information to make sure the tribe has bondbeasts before choosing one.

      Bondbeast Information

      Species: What kind of animal is it? A wolf? A cat? A bird? A platypus?
      Name: This is where you put it's name.
      Gender: Again, male or female?
      Color: The color of his/her fur, feathers, etc.
      Approx.. Age: The approximate age of the bondbeast.
      Ht.: Only worry about the height if it is applicable (for example, don't worry about how tall your hawk is).
      Length: Same as height. For wolves, though, this would be nose tip to tail tip.
      Build: Mostly for large beasts. Are they lean, muscular or something else entirely?
      Distinguishing Marks: Once again, scars, missing limbs, etc.
      General Description: Basic of what your beast looks like as well as any outstanding features.

      Persona Background: A basic background of your character. It doesn't have to be very detailed if you want it to develop as you write about the persona. If you character has been written about you can use that as reference material. Please list Shade number and story title.

      Height and Weight Chart
      Height Weight
      Birth-1 yr 8"-1'6" 6-15lbs
      Cubs 1'7"-2'6" 15-30lbs
      2'7"-3'6" 30-45lbs
      Female 3'7"-4'4" 35-50lbs
      Male 3'7"-4'4" 40-65lbs
      Female 4'5"-4'8" 40-60lbs
      Male 4'5"-4'8" 50-75 lbs
      Female 4'9"-5'0" 60-80 lbs
      Male 4'9"-5'0" 75-90 lbs
      Female 5'1"-5'4" 70-90 lbs
      Male 5'1"-5'4" 80-100 lbs
      Female 5'5"-5'10" 85-100 lbs
      Male 5'5"-5'10" 85-115 lbs
      Female 5'11-6'1" 90-110 lbs
      Male 5'11-6'1" 110-125 lb

      Tribes

      Short Summaries

      Coming soon!

      Style Guide

      This guide is here to help you write your stories for your Sweetwater characters. Please bear in mind that Tribes (Cay, Canopy, etc.) may use other rules, so please consult the proper people if in doubt.

      First, names and titles. While no reminder is probably needed to capitalize the names of people and places, look out for names with more than one word, such as Shadows Whisper or World of Two Moons. Vanity titles, like Chief Hunter, Chief/tess, or Whipping Boy, also use titles. The name of a magic ability is capitalized, like Healing, but the use of the name of a magic, for it being used or just having it, is not. Significant events, such as Summer Tag or Recognition, should also be capitalized.

      Correct use of elf jargon is very important. While the list of terms has a very comprehensive outline, here is a short example of reminders.

      We don't say weeks or months, it's eight-of-days and moons. The seasons are Newleaf (Spring), Greenleaf (Summer), Leaffall (Autumn), and Whitecold (Winter) {What, no leaf in it? =)}.

      Humans are usually called five-fingers by the elves, and the elves are called demons by the humans. Our elves are called Wolflings due to their wolf blood. They call their bond wolves wolf friends, bond brothers, or bond mates, while the wolves generally call the elves elf-friends.

      Finally, certain terms use special punctuation, like quotes as in "The Way", or hyphens like in eight-of-days. Once again, I ask you to check the list of terms for a more comprehensive listing.

      Finally, a reminder that not everyone who reads your stories will be as clear as you are on what's going on. Try to use names when it might be confusing otherwise, and don't be afraid to use a few sentences to describe the setting a little more completely. Above all, have fun writing.

      Terms

      age-mate:
      A friend about the same age.
      Ancients:
      Sweetwater term for an elf over 2000 yrs old; not to be confused with Firstcomer: which is the term for a High One. See Firstcomers.
      bag frog:
      a large frog with an air pouch at its throat.
      Big moon:
      The large of the two moons that orbit the world; has a period of roughly sixteen days; also called the Greater moon or Mother Moon.
      bond brother:
      Sweetwater term for wolf-friend. see pack -mate.
      bond mate:
      The Sweetwater elves term for their wolven companions: see bond brother and hunt mate.
      Bond:
      The ability of the Sweetwater wolves to "choose" a huntmate (elf) as their companion; hunting partner.
      Bonding:
      The magic ability to have a mental and emotional connection to animals other than wolves.
      bow-harp:
      A musical instrument based on the hunting bow but with more than one string.
      branch-horn:
      A deerlike animal with spreading antlers.
      bright-metal:
      Light , silvery, troll-made metal.
      borrowers:
      The original chimpanzee-like creatures that evolved into the trolls.
      cave slug:
      A worm like creature found in troll caverns. Considered quite the delicacy.
      challenge:
      A battle of wills between two elves / wolves. The battle consists of a shared lock-sending between the two combatants, in the result of who's will is stronger in that situation. The winner of the dispute is given the dominance and respect over that situation. The loser may not agree still with the other challenger, but according to "the Way", the loser must show throat/submission
      chase you tail:
      Term for 'go away'
      Chief/tess:
      Leader of the Sweetwater Elves
      Chief Hunter:
      Vanity Title
      Child Moon:
      The smaller of the two moons that orbit the world; also called Lesser Moon or Little Moon.
      Council:
      A advisory group made up mostly of Elders that council the Chief; also called Council Member.
      council:
      A formal meeting, usually called by the Chief, to consider a major decision; called tribe-council in Sweetwater.
      cub:
      An affectionate name for a Wolfling child or pack pup.
      cubling:
      name for a very young Wolfling or pup.
      Crystal-Sense:
      Sweetwater adapted magic.
      demon beast:
      a human term for a elves bond mate.
      demon rider:
      a human term for an elf
      demons:
      a human term for elves
      den-hide:
      An all tribe hide which call for complete silence on command.
      double-shell nuts:
      A edible nut whose meat is enclosed in two tough shells.
      dreamberry:
      A berry that causes intoxication in elves when eaten fresh. Used n Sweetwater to bring the tribe together for a story telling or add in tapping into Memory Pool Magic.
      eight-of-days:
      Elfin unit of time, their equivalent of a week.
      Elder:
      An elf that is over 2000 years old in Sweetwater.
      Elf-friend:
      Term referred to by a wolf to refer to his chosen partner: see bond-brother, hunt mate.
      Emotional Empathy:
      An Adapted Magic in Sweetwater.
      Empathy:
      An Adapted Magic in Sweetwater.
      Fever Dream:
      A delirium.
      firemaker:
      One who's magic talent is starting fires; also firestarter.
      Firerstater:
      A Firstcomer magic.
      Firestones:
      Chosen term of Sweetwater for Firstcomers.
      Firstcomers:
      Sweetwater term for a High One.
      five fingers:
      An elfin term for humans.
      gatherer:
      Someone who searches the forest for edible roots, plants and berries.
      Gather Tree:
      Sweetwater term for the Father Tree. Many elves reside in it's trunks, roots and branches.
      given name:
      the name you are given at birth is a cub name, the name you are given on a adult/hunt day or a name gifted to you from a fellow tribe member.
      Greater Moon:
      See Big Moon
      Greenleaf:
      Sweetwater term for summer.
      Greywolf:
      first elf-wolf in Sweetwater, recognized Kenny, and incorporated the Wolflings into our tribe.
      ground-shake:
      an earthquake.
      Guard Leader:
      Vanity Title
      Hardstone:
      4 Th. Chief of the Wolflings
      Healer:
      Magic of Sweetwater
      herbalist:
      Someone who knows the properties of, and the uses for, various Herb's.
      Holt:
      A term used for a glen or campsite to explain a Tribe home.
      Howl:
      A Wolfling ritual; a gathering of the tribe to celebrate or mourn a person/event. There may be a Storytelling or simply a howl to the sky after a good hunt
      hummer:
      A bird similar to a humming bird.
      joining:
      The physical act of lovemaking.
      juiceberries:
      Succulently sweet berries that grow in the forest.
      Keney:
      The 3 rd Chief of Sweetwater.
      Leaffall:
      The Sweetwater term for autumn.
      Lesser Moon:
      See Child Moon
      life-mate:
      Commitment to another to bond for life in a pairing equivalent to marriage. See Lovemate.
      link:
      Given Magic in Sweetwater
      Little Moon:
      See Child Moon
      lock-sending:
      A kind of telepathic communication that is closed to all but the sender and chosen recipient/s. In Sweetwater the Adapted magic of Sending may be able to hear or feel such a conversation.
      Lonecub:
      Cub name for Lonewolf.
      Lonewolf :
      9 Th. Chief of the Wolflings
      longtooth:
      A large, wild cat resembling a sabertooth.
      Lovemate:
      Joining with another for the shared pleasure with no commitment involved.
      magic:
      General term used to describe various elfin abilities: Firstcomers, Adapted or Given.
      Magic Feeling:
      A adapted magic that has a heightened sense that allows an elf to feel when magic is being done, by whom, or where.
      magic felling:
      Elfin ability to sense that a nearby object or place has been created by magic.
      Magic Link:
      An adapted magic in Sweetwater.
      Marsh piper:
      A singing bird.
      Memory Pool:
      An adapted magic in Sweetwater.
      mid-wife:
      Someone, not a healer that helps with elfin births.
      moons:
      Units of time equivalent to months, four eight-of-days = one moon.
      mud rat:
      A small animal that hibernates.
      mump:
      Troll name for children or youngsters.
      Newleaf:
      A Sweetwater term for Spring.
      Nightsky:
      The 6th Chief of the Wolflings.
      Now of wolf thought:
      The state of mind that exists in a perpetual present.
      nut-mash:
      Weakened to the point of uselessness.
      owl pellet:
      General curse or insult, derived from the result of an owl's regurgitation.
      pack, the:
      (1) the early Wolfing term for offspring born in wolves form. (2) Any elf with very strong wolfin characteristics.
      Pack:
      First wolf with elf blood born in Wolfling form, twin to SilverRay.
      pack-mate:
      Elfin term for a wolfs family or litter-mate
      Plantshaping:
      Firstcomer magic.
      punkin:
      A type of gourd.
      Quill pig:
      A type of porcupine.
      Recognition:
      A mental and genetic imperative that produces an irresistible mating urge between genetically compatible elves with superior qualities.
      Rock-shaping:
      An elfin Firstcomer magic that enables the possessor to mold or shape rock.
      round-ears:
      Elfin term for humans.
      Scout Leader:
      Vanity Title.
      sending; Telepathic communication given magic in Sweetwater.
      Sending:
      Adapted magic higher than normal.
      Shade and Sweetwater:
      Common greeting among Sweetwater elves.
      Shadow beast:
      Human term for wolf. see Demon beast.
      Sharpwit:
      12 th Chief. Blood of seven chiefs
      showing throat:
      Wolfling expression for backing down in a confrontation derived from wolf pack challenges.
      SilverRay:
      4th Chief. First Chief of Sweetwater with wolf-blood
      Softpetal:
      8th Chief.
      soulname:
      A word/sound/concept that embodies all that an elf is mentally and spiritually. A sacred thing among the Wolflings from far back in their lineage.
      Starship:
      Sweetwater term for the palace of the High Ones.
      strangle weed:
      A dangerous vine which twines rapidly among anything it touches. Also an elfin curse.
      Suetan:
      The first chief of Sweetwater.
      Summer Tag:
      A Sweetwater activity or event.
      sun-comes-up:
      Term for the East.
      sun-goes-down:
      Term for the West.
      squirrel droppings:
      Slang for "oh shit".
      sucks rocks:
      A derogatory comment reflecting dis-satisfaction with a situation.
      Taal:
      An elfin game that hones hunting and tracking skills.
      taal stick:
      A wand used to tag each other, each touch counting as a point in the game.
      tanner:
      Someone who prepares the hides of animals for the making of clothing.
      Thazars blood:
      (1) Term used by the Firstcomer or firstborn to distinguish Wolflings.
      Thazar Greywolf:
      Elf-wolf woman who entered the Glen with two other wolves and Recognized Keney.
      Threefingers:
      10th chief.
      three-mating:
      A menage-a-trios where three elves Lifemate and choose to live together.
      treehorn:
      An animal with antlers similar to a deer.
      Tree-shaper:
      Firstcomer magic.
      tribe name:
      Generally, the public name by which an elf is known and which can be changed, as opposed to the soul name which is eternal and private. Also a given name.
      troll:
      beings who have evolved from small, ape-like, burrowing creatures.
      Vine:
      11th Chief.
      Warrior:
      Vanity Title.
      Watch, the:
      Vanity Title.
      Way, the:
      A Wolfing philosophy, tradition, and codes of behavior, derived from wolf pack law and incorporated into Elfin lifestyle over the course of many turns.
      whistling leaves:
      A plant with medicinal properties.
      Whitecold:
      Seasonal term for Winter.
      whitestripe:
      An animal similar to a skunk..
      wolf demon:
      Human term for Sweetwater elves.
      Wolflings:
      Our fan club term for wolf-blooded elves. Mortal due to the mingling of wolf blood.
      wolf brother:
      Term for bond wolf.
      wolf-send:
      A method of communicating telepathically with a bondmate.
      wolfsong:
      A state of mind without past or future; see Now of wolf thought.
      World of Two Moons:
      (WoTM) The planet on which the Starship crashed leaving the Firstcomers stranded.

      Magics

      General term used to describe various elfin abilities or powers; not a supernatural power, but rather a form of energy that can be used and stored, and refers to powers of the mind such as telekinesis, telepathy, and pyrokinesis, and so on ...

      Highones : Firstcomers A magic that had thrived on the WoTM through a Tribe's lineage.
      Extra : Adapted Magic Magics that time and place have adapted to a Tribe's surroundings and has insured their continued survival.
      Given : Hereditary Any elf, of a designated Tribe can choose, or not choose, to have a given magic offered by that tribe.

      List of available Magics in the Core tribe:

      Questions & Answers

      Wolves

      Bondbeasts / Pets
      The wolves of Sweetwater came to be incorporated into our history early on in the Timeline with PACK, one of the first to be born with elf blood and the first to be born in wolf form. For a long time there was no outside breeding until WOLFWAY brought a bitch into the pack. Our Bondmates are longer lived, the ones with blue eyes living the longest.

      They are also larger than the average Alaskan Snow Wolf. They have smaller litters due to the early incorporation of elf blood. No pure white or black wolves have ever been born into the Pack. This could change if we come across the gene on our future travels.

      In Bonding, the wolves choose us. Our history seems to indicate that only those born with the Bonding Magic seem to survive. This has become a constant in Sweetwater, explaining the dormant gene of bonders themselves. In elves the Bond Magic is very rare.

      The Sweetwater elves of Newfounders'Holt is the only Tribe in our Fan Club that Bonds with wolves.

      What is the Bonding age for a wolf pup?
      Bonding age for a cub seems to be at about 4 to 5 passes of the Big Moon (8-10 weeks)

      Is there an age limit for an elf cub to be Chosen?
      A PC must be at least 5 - 10 full turns of the seasons old before they have reached a bonding age. A Member can choose to have their Character bond at a greater age or not to bond at all. A elf can have many Huntmates over the course of their lives, it is left up the development /growth of that PC and the creator or operators choice of progress.

      Can I have more than one wolf-friend?
      No. Wolves are a basically possessive species and would not willingly share their 'territory'. Many changes have come about over the years in regard to our brothers, but this would remain a constant unless explained in a fictional correct manner. Besides it has been done before on the WoTM in the BoTC novels and our Club strives to be original.

      How many cubs born in a litter?
      Generally there are only 2-3 cubs born in a litter. This is explained by the fact that little to no outside breeding has been done within our Pack for 6,000 years. Our bondmates or pack-brothers only mate once a year and take up to a year before birth.

      Must I have a bond-brother?
      No. Some of our past characters and even some of our present characters do not have bond-brothers. If a story idea, for reasons as to a character not being able or not wanting to bond, is presented to Writers' Conclave, it may be supported. Stay tuned for an example of such in a later Shade of the Tree.

      How big are the bond-mates of the Sweetwater elves?
       The wolves of Sweetwater are about the size of Alaskan Snow Wolves. Measuring from the tip of the tail to the nose, they can be anywhere between 4 and a half feet to 5 and a half feet long, making them anywhere between 3 and a half feet to 4 and a half feet high from foot to head.

      Can I bond with a wolf outside of the pack?
      No. The bonding magic consistent with the elf-blooded wolves of the Pack is needed for a true bond.

      What color can my wolf be?
      The most common colors for the Pack wolves are shades of grays, browns, and black. No entire black or brown wolves can be made at this time. Some of the wolves have been, and are, unusual colors such as red and gold. Discretion is the main concern here, as the rules of wolf shades are not over limiting, and as long as unusual colors are mixed with average shades, then the elf blood in the wolves allows for colors resembling the elves' hair color and such.

      Recognition "Who Me?"
      A little about the Cone Heads:
      Long ago, as astral beings, reproduction was nolonger necessary for an immortal soul. But forced to stay in one solid shaped form, the Firstcomers learned just how far their Magic would Adapt to insure their continued survival.

      Recognition became that genetic imperative which triggers fertility, and conception: An involuntary cry formed from flesh and spirit to insure strong and surviving offspring.

      Fictional continuity demands that these rules are followed. However, Persona Rights (PR) guarantee that you can choose whether of not your Character is Recognized. The Sweetwater Fan Club uses a system through Writer's Conclave (WC) that allows members to incorporate the element of surprise into the involuntary pull of Recognition. For every different story: All willing Members, with their chosen PC's, are thrown into a hat and picked in a random manner.

      Random choosing from a variety of volunteers allows for the element of surprise that fictionally mirrors the uncontrollable urge between two unsuspecting elves to mate.

      All volunteers must be willing to work with writers toward the goal of "in character" storytelling.