Ch. 6 - Sample Post Guide

[Shinigami Kyra]

Sample Post Guide and FAQ

Within the application, you will find a section at the bottom indicated as Sample Post. As it reads, it should be an introduction of your character and include exactly how you will portray him or her. Basically, this will be the focus of how the staff will determine whether or not do accept, deny, or ask for modifications, as the rest of the information can be easily copied and pasted.

Because we have found that players are having some difficulty in coming up with proper sample posts, I have decided to break it down to the best of my ability.

First and foremost, we strongly recommend writing in third-person, past tense. It is the easiest format to both read and write with.

This sample post should be, at minimum, three paragraphs. As indicated, a full paragraph should include, at very minimum, five sentences.

Dialogue should either be placed at the start or at the end of each paragraph, or in some instances, it can be placed at both the beginning and the end. When a new speaker is indicated, then a new paragraph should be instated. You may add other characters into your sample post, though it is highly recommended that you keep the point of view through your character; do not switch to omniview, i.e., viewing the thoughts of a second (or more) character(s).

That being said, there may be contradictions; if you have a majority of dialogue, then your paragraphs may not be 3-5 sentences a piece. If that is the case, then we ask that you go a bit further, and instead of going 3 paragraphs, lengthen it to 5.

Many things can be stated within a sample post. What should be included is how you will be portraying your character. How he or she will act in certain situations, how he or she feels toward certain characters, or how he or she reacts to various environments; so on and so forth. There are many things you can do with your sample post, but we ask for canon characters that you try your best to stay true to their personality and how they are portrayed in the series. Personality is a big thing, and that's a good portion of what we'll be looking at as moderators in accepting a character.

Below are some samples of my own creation. Read them, learn from them, and if you have any questions, please feel free to ask any of the staff, as they would be more than willing to help.


1st Yoruichi Sample Post Example

The sound of another plate being placed rather harshly upon the over stacked pile on the table to her right seemed to be deafened by the chattering of chopsticks against a soup bowl. Despite her size, it seemed Yoruichi could eat for ten times the amount any other within the Urahara shop could hold. And, as the ninth serving of ramen was placed atop of a stack of seventeen or so dishes, she moved on to the next helping.

"Sheesh, you sure do eat al-"

A piercing gaze as her meal suddenly stopped forced Jinta to halt further discussion. The suddenly shocked and scared expression forced him to cower back a bit more against the wall. When that was settled, the violet haired woman continued on with the meal Urahara had set out for her.

"You know, if you ate while in your cat form, I would have to go to the grocery store before and after every visit of yours," a familiar, overly relaxed voice called out from behind and to the right. Yoruichi paused momentarily in her attempts to finish the meal in her fastest time yet, and her expression hardened when the dish was placed in front of her.

"I forgot how much energy I use up while in this form," the ex-Commander of the Secret Mobile Corps stated as she wiped her lips some. "Thanks for the meal."

"Don't mention it," Urahara stated with a wave of his fan as he took a seat to her right. "It's the least I could do considering I still owe you one."

Yoriuchi's head dropped a bit, as though in deep thought. After nearly a hundred years, Aizen had finally made his move. With a hand placed to her chin, she pondered exactly what would come next for not only them, but of Soul Society, and this world as well.

"Why the serious face?" Urahara asked. "We don't have to worry much until winter anyhow; we've got plenty of time to worry then."

"You're right," Yoruichi nodded, setting her worries to the back burner for the time being. "For now, though, I think I'm ready for desert; what's on the menu?"

At the sound of that, Urahara's face dropped.

Now, this sample post includes a lot of dialogue, but it still includes some action, though process, as well as some good character interaction. While it is allowed to NPC a character in order to develop your sample post more, I shall now give you an example with the absolute minimum of character interaction; minor reference to someone who is there with your character.

2nd Yoruichi Sample Post Example

"Getting intimate with the sakura leaves, I see..."

The dark skinned woman sank down from atop a tree branch, as if she had been there for hours, simply waiting for the most opportune moment to make her entrance. Those locks of violet were neatly tied up, with thick strands framing her face beautifully. That ever confident smirk was placed upon her features as she grinned in Soifon's direction, having caught her in a position she would more likely than not, have been seen in by any of her subordinates... or, anyone, for that matter.

It was something Yoruichi did quite often. Ever since she had taken the young one under her wing, she always seemed to catch her in her most embarrassing moments. It had become almost like a game to her, similar to how she had always played tag with Byakuya. The thing with that was, she was secretly training him. Though, to a point, it had become quite obvious to most, by now. She knew how prideful the kid was in his youth, and quite frankly, it had been more of a coincidence that it turned into a daily training routine. Yoruichi estimated this type of situation between her and Soifon were similar in a sense. To always keep ones self alert of their surroundings, and never drop their guard... that was the way of the Second Division, as well as the Special Forces.

Nevertheless, again it was simply by coincidence that such training had started to develop. Yoruichi simply loved catching Soifon in vulnerable situation where she would reveal her true self. She couldn't help but to chuckle at those cute rosy cheeks, those shock-filled eyes, and that trembling sensation that followed every embarrassing moment.

"Relax, Soifon," Yoruichi smiled, ruffling the girl's hair with her hand as she walked passed her and toward the cherry blossoms. She couldn't help always catching the girl in such acts. Perhaps it was due to the fact that she tried so hard to hide them? Perhaps it was similar to the reason why she had teased Byakuya so much; because he was so proud. With a grin, she slipped her arm up and plucked a single blossom from the tree and pressed it to her lips. It seemed they shared more habits, as Yoruichi allowed her lips to soften against the fresh petals. Her nose took in the sweet smelling scent, her eyes closing only briefly, before she let that breath out slowly. "You're always too tense... even when you were little."

Yoruichi really had no reason for being there. Well, in the sense of responsibility. It had just so happened that activity as of late had been lacking, which freed up the woman's time a bit. Considering all the food she ate at Kisuke's place recently, Yoruichi thought it'd be best if she crashed in Soul Society for a while. It seemed Yoruichi took a moment to really take in her surroundings. She had often, as of late, seen Soifon retreat to such a place. She knew this place well herself; it was where she had trained the woman. Those eyes reflected a bit of sadness, for but a moment... or rather, guilt. Still, that smirk was replaced as those feline features reflected her former apprentice. Golden yellow hues sparked the amount of pride she had for the Captain, despite never being one to actually express her words.

"It's rare that we have time to spend like this," Yoruichi spoke once again, allowing the silence to shatter for but a moment as she turned and headed back toward the Captain. "One should never take for granted the time war always seems to take away, right?"

See the difference? Both are certainly passable as Sample Posts.

Now, moving on, the last subject we would like to discuss are 'Fight Sample Posts.' These... are highly frowned upon. In fact, a sample post should not only be a sample of your Role Playing Skills as a writer, but also express the personality of your character as a whole. With Fighting posts, all it shows is that you like to write action. We don't want action-based-only players here, we want people who like to develop their characters through story. As such, we will no longer be accepting Fighting Sample Posts that do not express the personality of their character.

Again; if you have any questions at all regarding Sample Posts, please contact myself, or any of the other Moderation Staff.