Bah!

There's few people as is that raise Ladantine when he IS needed. A mess of times, I've raised him (with only 2 out of the 10+ people around to help, and usually either the 'elite' or the younger non-sheep) and found out that the battle was close and we have no seawolves. Besides, unless we do have a full set, raising him IS useful most of the time.

Honestly, I shake my head a little at comments like "We ALWAYS have to do it" and "It's so hard to do!". Ladantine raising is NOT that difficult to do, even alone if you plan it properly (though the latter IS tricky). What TRULY is annoying is when you cry out for the city to help and NO ONE answers.

I think Achaean essays were kind of like a last resort because there wasn't really that much to do in the way of getting involved and helping out there. Here there's less NEED for them.

I think if someone can't be buggered to write a one paragraph essay that they shouldn't hold any position.

A guild leader needs to be well versed and so on needs to show a little intelligence. Reading a short essay of an applicant might assist in judging that. Also it is customary that when someone contests a guild leader they write a post explaining why, what they will do for the guild, and any future plans.

Guild leaders may have to do a lot of writing a lot of posting. There is nothing wrong with having novices write short little essays in order to prepare them for the future.

The difference here is want and required. It should never be required of someone but it should always be an option for those who want to. Just like it shouldnt be required to spar people, but it should be an option.

Ok, I'm not following the use of the word "essay" very well. An essay isn't a paragraph.

Yea but it just sounds stupid in game saying I want you to write about three lines about a tree compare to write a essay on your ideas about a tree.

Well I always ask for people to write a paragraph. It is win-win

Personally, I can see the point of requiring the novice prove they've done some studies when in a guild dedicated to knowledge. Writings, however, are just one way of handling it.

Perhaps offer more than one way of displaying this knowledge: A one on one talk about the topic for example. In fact, a discussion has the advantage of interaction between the two members, which helps bolster unity. A writing, meanwhile, is more convienent for some (and easier on the shy folks). I bet there are other methods as well that someone may want to do.

So make a requirement for the novice to know the subject and prove their knowledge. However, be open with HOW that knowledge is shown.

Edit: Also, a 'Writing' might do for a name, rather than 'essay' (which can give college students nightmares). Wording in a text game is extremely important, after all.

In the Shadowdancers we require novices to research Glomdoring and other areas of the Basin, and they can then choose to share that knoweldge either by writing an essay, or thorugh an interview.

No essay required, but it is an option. And the knowledge is learned either way

A ritual for the rock lovers! No writing and all around fun.

Personally, if you can't come up with one freaking paragraph, you shouldn't be playing a text based game. It's not like people are asking for a 20 page research paper with citations and crap like that. When I was a novice aide in Achaea, I didn't even bother reading the paragraphs half the time, as long as it didn't look like you randomly picked words with a d20 or something.

I'm of a simple opinion that it shouldn't be required (optional is perfectly fine of course) for a novice. Obviously, for a scholar path, it might be necessary but nobody has to choose such a path.

Preach it brother.

You would hate me then. I haven't produced one "required" essay for any single character on any IRE game in six years. It was then, it is now, it will always be to require an essay to prove your "scholarliness".

EDIT: Watch your language. ~Shiri~

.... it's RP for god's sake...

You mean I wrote that long, thought out essay for nothing?

Its a game... not school

Your point? Just because it's not school you shouldn't have to do anything in it that remotely reminds you of school?

You shouldnt be required to.. no.