Realms Are Open!

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So, what’s the point of all this?

You’ve probably noticed that the site is getting gigantically huge, with over 13,000 members. It’s hard to feel close to other members on a site this big, so the idea is that by creating Realms, people with similar interests can find each other, and help build closely knit communities.

But…what do you actually do?

Because the Realms are so new, we don’t have a lot planned yet for some of the Realms. But, each Realm has its own forum where they can discuss anything they want (while still abiding by site rules, of course). Online group activities, such as Skrabble, Pictionary, chat times, and other fun stuff, will probably be planned by your Realm Head. Some Realms are already starting on special projects just for their Realms to be involved in. And of course, once you join a Realm, you can submit any activity suggestions you can think of to your Realm Head & Leaders.

I want to help my Realm!

That’s what we like to hear 🙂 Each Realm has a Head (appointed from with the admin or mod staff), but there are also two Realm Leader positions for each Realm, taken from the general membership of the site. One Realm Leader is appointed by the Head, and the other is voted for by that Realm’s members. Both serve 3-month terms, and may not serve more than two terms. If you prove yourself a valuable asset to your Realm, it’s possible you may become a Realm Leader.

Why’d you choose the Valar for the Realms?

We wanted to find something that would be interesting, but not divisive. Going with something like races of Elves, Hobbits, & Men might have promoted name calling and rudeness, and one group would have gotten the majority of members 😉 Other ideas were floated around, but we finally chose the Valar because each of them had unique and interesting characteristics that members could identify with, without being divisive. In addition, we hoped to introduce people to an aspect of Tolkien’s world that a lot of people aren’t that familiar with!

Why so many rules in the charters?

The Realms are supposed to be something to bring people together, not tear them apart or cause problems. That means, we don’t want people saying stuff like “My Realm is better than yours!” or “Those people in ______ are ____” or anything else that could be construed as factious. Any such behavior will be swiftly and harshly dealt with, so be warned!

What are Realm points?

Every a time a site member is given user points, if they are a member of a Realm, their Realm will be given Realm points as well. Every month or so, we will award Ilúvatar’s Sceptre to the Realm with the highest number of points, and clear the point totals.

How do I know which Realm to join?

Read up on all the different Realms by visiting their pages in the Realms section. You can take the Valar quiz, too, to see which ones are the closest fit for you (though you’re not obliged to pick the one that the quiz says is best for you!) If you know any members within that Realm, you can contact them and ask them how they like their Realm, too.

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Rivka

33 responses to “Realms Are Open!”

  3. Very cool. I’ve been curious about this for a while, and finally the mystery is solved!

    I just joined Yavanna’s after careful deliberation, aided by that wonderful quiz.

  4. Argh! Now I am torn between Aulë, Yavanna, and Vairë! The quiz did not help me much…it was pretty much a three way tie. I write, I make art, I make music, I garden…I even weave!

    Once again….aaaaaaaaaaahhhhh!

  5. Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’ve been wondering what Realms were for a loooooooooooong time now… but I’m in the realm of Nienna now. 😀 My overdramatic and slighty-sorrowful side got the best of me. 😉 Hugs to all leaders of the realms and anyone else involved in making them!!! 😀

  7. All right! This is really exciting! Its been open for about two days and I’ve already PMed my realm-mates (From Ulmo!) and I feel like Ive gotten to know some people I wouldnt have otherwise! Good thinking, Rivka & crew!

  18. Aranel caladiel and Faelil : same here. It looks like some of the links are crosses (if that’s even possible) because I clicked one to go to the charter and ended up here….

  32. Suilad! (Is that proper? Should it be “Suila”?) I am quite confused… First of all, I have no idea where the charter I’m constantly being directed to is. When I click on the link to it, I am sent to this page, which as far as I can see has none of the promised extra information on the Realms. Also, I honestly can’t choose, but the quiz doesn’t seem to exist! Please help…

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