Dwarven FAQ
(Frequently Asked Questions)

I just joined - What should I do first?
Introduce yourself in the Dwarven Welcome Centre in the Khazad-dûm main forum. We have a dedicated team ready to greet you or to answer questions you might have. Then head to the Link Directory thread to see a list of activities that you might want to get involved in. We'd particularly recommend one of KD's clans, the army of Khazad-dûm (known as the Anghâk), or one of our inter-kingdom teams. Also, please familiarise yourself with the main Plaza FAQ - most general plaza questions will be answered there.

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Who are the Rulers of Khazad-dûm and how can I contact them?
The rulers are TMM and Norin, the Queens of Durin's Folk. They are the moderators of the KD forum and are our representatives in Valinor. Basically, they make all major kingdom decisions: they decide which threads belong in the kingdom, make and update the kingdom pages, and keep the forum spam-free. They have the power to award tribute points, to delete and edit all posts and threads in KD, and they have access to Valinor - the private forum of the administrative team of the plaza. You can e-mail them at khazad-dum@lotrplaza.com if you have any concerns or wish to put forward an idea.

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I posted a message to someone but they haven't replied. Why am I being ignored?
You're not being ignored. No one can be online 24/7 and many people on the plaza are from different time zones. Please be patient and you will usually receive a reply. If you feel however that you are due a reply (as it has been several days) and that the threadrunner is shirking their duties, then send your concerns to the rulers.

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I started a new topic but now it seems to have disappeared. Why is this?
The rulers must approve all new topics BEFORE they are opened. If you start a thread without first receiving permission, it will be deleted. If you have an idea for a thread, please post it in Tashid Hall or email it to the rulers.

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Some of my posts are missing. What happened to them?
In accordance with the rules of the plaza and KD, rulers can delete or edit any message that they feel is inappropriate to the thread’s subject manner, uses unsuitable language or  has an unsuitable tone. Please read the main Plaza FAQ for details on what is considered spam on the plaza.

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How do I edit my posts?
Unfortunately, the edit button can be used to gain points unfairly, so it is not available to the majority of regular plaza members. It is occasionally awarded to members who have proved their trustworthiness and have frequently contributed to the plaza or kingdom. To earn one, the best policy is NOT to ask. Instead, simply work hard in your kingdom - you will probably be gifted one when you least expect it.

If you make a mistake in your post you have a few choices. You can delete your post completely (which means you’ll lose 2 points even in a non-point forum). You can delete your post and repost a revised version (but be quick or others may post while you’re correcting and make your post lose relevance!). If your post is over 200 characters you’ll get your points back this way. You can post an explanation and a revised version without deleting the original post. Or you can just leave it as is. Nobody is perfect, after all.

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What are RPGs and how do I join one?
'RPG' stands for Role Playing Game. In an RPG you must post as if you are a character living in Middle-earth. RPGs are usually story-like threads where each person/character writes their own part within the larger tale. Subjects and storylines for RPGs can vary widely. Almost all threads in KD are RPGs to a certain extent. The pubs, for instance, aren’t entire adventure-story RPGs but you are still expected to post as your character (same is the case in the throne room, clan threads, organisations, etc, etc). Some RPGs have sign up threads in advance but in others you just read what's going on and work yourself into the story. Either way, it's important to read what's going on and make sure your post makes sense!

RPGs are IC (in-character) threads. You are expected to have your own character that would make sense in Tolkien's world. Members of KD usually RP (role-play) as dwarven characters, but this is not compulsory. It is also acceptable to role-play as an Elf or a Man living in KD.

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What are the clans? How do I join?
The clan system is a unique feature of Khazad-dûm. Each clan is responsible for a different aspect of dwarven life. They are small communities where people role-play in their clan halls taking part in clan activities that relate to their theme. You may belong to as many as you have the time for. To join, make an in-character post in the main clan thread asking the clan leader to join.

Ankixogs - The Arts
Kagam Khazads - Lore
Merikhansar - Food and Drink
Mojac Ashayezogs - Magic
Morogs - Miners
Yukogs - Crafting

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Can members of other kingdoms join the clans?
Yes, members of other races can also join clans just like a member of KD could - but they cannot rise to clan leadership.

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What are pubs and restaurants?
Pubs and restaurants are loose RPGs (which means you still must post in-character but you can act however you like (within the rules of the plaza and KD)). These are great places to meet people, make friends, and practice your role-playing in a friendly, less-strict environment than most of the other kingdom threads. You don’t have to be a part of a specific clan or group to enter a pub; they’re open to all, and you’re not expected to do anything there except order food and drink and generally enjoy yourself. Some may have stricter themes than others. They are typically run by the Merikhansar clan.

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May I post messages about my real-life in the KD forum?
A: It’s not a good idea to post very much about your real-life self online but if you want to post something about your day or find more people who live in your country, for instance, Out of Middle Earth is the place for it. In most threads in KD it is best to stay in character - however, there are threads that will be exceptions, such as the Get to Know Your Fellow Dwarves series where members of KD are able to be more laid-back than usual and can get to know each other better.

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What is god-moding?
God-moding means controlling another member's actions or responses in your posts (saying that you hit someone and they fell down dead, for instance). It's your opponent's right to decide what happens to his/her own character, just as it's your right to determine what happens to yours. You cannot say that you hit someone - you can only say that you try and hit someone. It is up to them if you succeed or not. It is sometimes acceptable to god-mode if you have obtained permission first from the person you are interacting with.

 Posting unrealistically can also be considered god-moding (it's your first battle but you single-handedly slay 500 orcs with your trusty pocket dagger, and walk away without a scratch?! Not likely.). These kinds of posts are strongly discouraged and are usually deleted.

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What are some guidelines for making a good in-character (IC) post?
Most threads should read like a story. This means that your posts should be consistent with everything that has happened previously in the thread. The only way to make sure you do this is to READ the posts that come before yours. You posts should also add something to the story. They should be enjoyable for others to read. Try to include, description (of your character, the surroundings, etc), action and dialog. Just remember that you are a character living in Middle-earth… and post accordingly. That and follow the rules and you can’t go wrong. Experienced members will often provide tips if they spot you making a mistake.

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How do I post out of character messages?
There will be times when you see something like this (ooc: insert important message here) This is a white-out. To reveal the message underneath just take you mouse and left click at the beginning of the white out and, holding the left button down, drag your cursor over the "empty" space to select it. This will reveal the letters underneath. Practice on the ooc above if you want. Some whited-out messages are meant to be private, so if you see one meant only for a specific person (other than yourself) you probably shouldn't read it! If you would like to post a message that is out of character but is in an in-character thread, this is usually a good technique.

If the thread has its own special OOC thread however, you should use this. There will usually be a link in the opening post. To attract the attention of the person you would like to read your comment, post an '@' sign in the thread, followed by their name, and they will know to read your message.

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Why isn't my signature allowed in some threads?
You may have noticed that some threads have rules against signatures. This rule helps keep loading time to a minimum. It also makes the threads easier to follow and less cluttered. Some signatures have pictures that can make a full thread take an unreasonable amount of time to load, but even signatures without pictures can make a thread even longer and more confusing. KD is mostly 'siggy-friendly' but it is best to turn them off in RPG threads. It is usually polite to turn them off if you post multiple times in the same thread - it is not fun to read your signature lots of times in the same thread!

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Should I still read the main plaza FAQ?
Definitely! It is essential that all users of the Plaza familiarise themselves with the Plaza FAQ. This FAQ is designed to answer specific questions about the Khazad-dûm kingdom. The main FAQ outlines general plaza policy and is even more important. Find it HERE.

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I have questions that weren't addressed in this FAQ. Where can I ask them?
That’s exactly what the Dwarven Welcome Centre is for. You can introduce yourself there and ask any questions you might still have. If you have a question specifically for the rulers, you can e-mail them at khazad-dum@lotrplaza.com

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