At the Great Tree Center for Visitors and Newbies you can introduce yourself to the members of the Kingdom, and ask any questions that you may have, or present any problems that you are having while visiting the Plaza. The other Hobbits, as well as some of the frequent visitors in the Kingdom, will be more that glad to welcome you to the Kingdom, and do their best to help you out with whatever you need at the moment.

If you have any questions about the Kingdom policies, or would like to suggest anything, here is the place to do so. The Rulers make any Kingdom announcements in this thread, and they also answer issues that are posted. Please don't feel shy to contribute an idea you may have. The Rulers love hearing your suggestions. If you wish to contact the rulers privately about a matter please email them at shirerulers@yahoo.com

First, make sure you have carefully read the first post of the thread. Read, read, read. The first post of any thread has the rules and it sets the tone for that game, role-play, or contest. Failure to read the first post may be to your detriment. If you are new to role-play don't despair. We have Guidelines for Role-Play over Here

The Hobbits have formed an army with one sole purpose - to provide hobbit protection and guard the Shire from external threats. The HDS is broken into two main Troops, the Shire Defense which has the Archers and Swordsmen, and the Troops Abroad which has the Spies and Foreigners. HDS soldiers are allowed to participate in HDS RPGs, enhance their skills at archery, fencing, swimming, climbing, and pony riding. The Shire Defense focuses on keeping enemies out and keeps the hobbits safe. The Troops Abroad travel to distant places, enhance ties with other kingdoms, and spend more time in the wilderness. To join the HDS you must sign the oath in the HDS Sign-Up Hall. For more information check out the Official HDS Page

The Watch is the name given to the Shire's Shirriffs and Bounders. They maintain the peace and order within the Shire. They deal with noisy neighbors, thefts at the market, disorderly conduct in the pubs, and more. They are in a sense the Shire's policemen.

Houses were created to allow active members a place of their own. To be a House owner one must be at least a Rank 7 with 1280 points. Houses can be co-owned but the same requirements apply. House owners can run their houses very much like Rulers administer the Kingdoms. Plaza Administrators can access all Houses and perform all possible Administrator actions. Rulers have the same rights for all Houses inside their own Kingdom. Please *do not* ask for a house invitation. House owners only have a limited number of invitations. They will invite those with whom they share a common interest. Be active, participate, make friends and you will soon find yourself with an invitation to join a house. No one has to join a Plaza House to enjoy all that the Plaza has to offer. For more information on Plaza House read the Houses FAQ over Here.
Due to the recent transition to the New Plaza; plaza houses are not avaliable.

Please remember that we have members from all over the world. Not everyone will be on the same time as you. The Mayors try to check the Plaza several times a day but they too have families, jobs, and real life matters to attend to. Your patience is appreciated.

The Tribute Thread is the place where Rulers announce who gets how much points as reward for a job well done. The Rulers always have the improvement of the kingdom in mind and are allowed to give a certain number of points as reward for contributions made towards this goal. Members, however, are discouraged from whining or squabbling for points so as to prevent the spread of discontent within the Kingdom. Therefore, if a Hobbit wants more points, they do not ask the Rulers for some unless they feel that they really deserve it but work for them instead. Those who lead threads, win contests such as the caption contest, contribute wonderful new ideas to the kingdom, or write create detailed posts will be rewarded.

Rulers are usually outstanding regular members who distinguished themselves by contributions to their kingdom. As regular members, Rulers either lead threads, participated in a variety of kingdom activities or stood out in some other unique way. They are devoted and loyal to the Plaza and their chosen kingdom. New Rulers are chosen by existing Rulers and Adminstrators (RAs). You cannot ask to be a Ruler. If a Ruler steps down the RA team will discuss the matter and an offer will be made to a member of that kingdom. Be patient. If you remain loyal and active to your kingdom your turn may come. Suspensions and other bad conduct will make it difficult for a person to ever be chosen as Ruler or Administrator.

RPGs stand for Role Playing Games. Here there is a scenario where your posts are in character. These RPGs may be quests to find something, a rescue, or something of the sort.
IC stands for in-character. When you are in-character you are a Hobbit living in the Shire not a modern person with a telephone, car, or computer. You speak and act as a rural person from the Shire.
OOC stands for out-of-character. OOC posts are seldom allowed in serious role-playing threads. Post one only if you must. Any reference to modern matters such as "I'm sorry everyone my computer needs to be fixed so I won't be here" or "I have to go back to geology class now" would be considered OOC posts in an in-character thread. A Hobbit in the Shire wouldn't know what a computer is or what a geology class is.

We have an excellent Drill (Lore) Team that competes against other kingdoms in lore trivia tournaments. We also have a Debate Team for those who enjoy detailed and spirited discussions of lore. Please consider joining one or both teams. They always welcome new Hobbits.

If you started a brand new thread in the kingdom without permission from the Rulers most likely the thread was deleted. Rulers must approve all new threads that are posted in the kingdom. On the other hand, if you opened a new thread in another location most likely your thread moved to the second, third, fourth, or fifth page of that particular forum. Keep looking and you should find your thread unless it has been deleted. If you can't find your thread please contact an Admin in the Adminstrator Forum or the Mayors if the thread was in the Shire. Bump is a word used to move a thread up. Threads don't always remain on the first page. If no one posts a thread can move to the second page and beyond. By typing "bump" or "jab" or "poke" or any word at all a thread moves to the top of the first page.