psymera here.

While I'd like to come up with a big, complete Terms of Service for the group, it's not quite large enough for that, and, to be honest, a maze of text doesn't help anyone. So, instead, I've thought out some guidelines; helpful Do and Don't tips to help make everyone's experience worthwhile.

1. Don't be a dick.

I've heard it said that people would rather work with someone polite than competent. There's some truth to that. To put it bluntly, if you can't manage to be civil and polite, people aren't going to want to talk with you. Or your characters.

Which isn't to say your character can't be a rancorous tool with a mean streak a mile long. (Granted, even that should be toned back. :P) It's a wrestling group, and we expect our fair share of heels and ne'erdowells, so we can beat them up and feel good about it. But when you're OOC, realize that you're sharing time with other people, and they'd like to actually have fun.

The reason I put this first and foremost is because an inconsolable bad mood just brings everyone else down, and it makes everyone waste their time. And, of all the "rules," this is most likely to get a person booted indefinitely.

DO: Be polite, courteous, and, I daresay, joyful. Be considerate of other players' schedule and preferences.

2. Understand the medium we work in.

That's my fancy way of saying that what we do is pure text. This is less a "rule" and more a request.

Begging, even. Please, PLEASE, use proper English and formatting.

Some people are looser about it, and in most cases, so am I, but if a person consistently pushes forward choppy ill-conceived text, it's not going to win anyone over, and eventually, it'll drive away participation for that player. If you're OOC, relaxed chat is fine. I emoticon and stuff all the time there. But in main chat and on public posts, I make sure everyone can understand what I'm writing.

I ask this in part because it's good storytelling technique. But, also, goddammit, I don't want to have to edit a log that's full of internet-speak. -_-# ...Ahem.

Also, there's the language of "try" to keep in mind. One of the common powergamer tropes is to just assume whatever he does will succeed. There are rare cases that this actually happens, but in most situations, use more assumptive terms like "tries to" or "aims for" in your actions during a match.

3. Focus on storytelling, and keep it in theme.

This is a little harder to define, and it's part #1 and part #2. I say part #1 because this kind of group can work only if people are willing to collaborate. Two people butting heads over who did what to whom or one person being a powergamer so he never loses a match just makes the whole affair terrible.

On powergaming: It's fine and natural to want to win, but the group maintains a realistic(ish) approach to wrestling. Think of it as a very "stiff" promotion, where, even freestyling, wrestlers maintain all the appropriate safety measures. And/or, somewhere in Wrestlingland, a drop on the noggin via piledriver isn't immediately fatal. Take your pick on that one. Either way, sell the damn move.
Some characters are very skilled. My own big boss, Zander, is one of them. This does not mean putting forward a counter for every move that comes along. Take your lumps, get tired, lose if the other character's earned it. Hell, lose to set up a rivalry and come back twice as hard. That's all a part of the theme.

As for silly things like magic, it's obvious that magic stays out of the ring. Otherwise, it's a fair and freeform RP tool. Just be aware that the player is the ultimate arbiter of what happens to his character. (That really should be its own item. Hm.) To put it a different way, magic is a way to make convenient things happen in an obvious way, or enhance something about the character. It is NOT a tool to annoy people and be untouchable.

4. Dial back the ultra-violence.

Not one I expect to deal with frequently, but I suppose it needs to be said. While players are free to run any kind of match they want, especially in private, this group will not post, or endure in chat, any match that is gore simply for gore's sake. Hardcore match with both characters masked in blood? ...eeeeh, but I'll allow it for the sake of a good rivalry story.

But claws, fangs, sharps, and pointy-bits stay sheathed at all times. There'd better be a damn good reason otherwise, with both players' consent and probably some fair warning OOC about a spot/promo/story being done, or I might have to come down hard.

5. Get talking and start something!

This is more of a DO than any kind of rule. Want to know why there are a few people who appear more in the AWF posts than others? They start a ruckus! They're eager to talk to people and get their characters into matches. Sure, schedules can kinda suck, but make plans with people, chit-chat, and do stuff in character.

Have some issue keeping you from joining? Or having some problem now that you're in the group? Take a glance here and see if it helps! If not, your local friendly moderator is always open to notes and questions.

>I've never RPed before, I'm scared I'll do it wrong!
Dont worry about that; if you're at the bottom then theres nowhere to go but up! Check out this guide of tips ( https://www.furaffinity.net/journal/5375179/ ), ask the people you're RPing with for tips, and keep an open mind. RPing is something that can take time to get used to and to get good at. We all make mistakes, and there will always be misunderstanding somt time or another. Just keep trying and ask for help (and listen to the help) when you need it.



>I can RP, but I dont know anything about fighting RPs, or any of the fighting styles!
This is something I can definately help with; I speak from experience.
For fighting RPs in general, try to visualize out the fight/moves to get an idea of what's going on. If you can, stand up and try throwing simplified versions of the moves yourslef (this will help you determine what's actually going on, how they'll look, how you'd react, etc. etc.).
For wrestling, wikiedia, youtube, google, and google images is your best freind. Wrestling games are great too; open up the "Create a Wrestler" options and go through the movesets. Any time something comes up that you don't know or havent heard of, ask the person you're RPing with about it, and/or google it, and/or try to find it in a wrestling game. This also helps when you're making actions yourself; I often have/had wikipedia pages on wrestling moves open along with skype. Eventually, you'll start learning moves and terminology yourself!



> I cant decide stuff about my character!
Know the feels! It helps to find someone you can talk the ear off of...and then just talk. List out everything you know you want about the chraracter, and listen for suggestions. It may help to start with one big main idea (I knew when I made Trevino I wanted a big biker cat. Then wolfman6712 and I fine-tuned out details. Speaking of the dude, we often make tag team characters, or come to each other with ideas and plans. It really helps). I usually iron out fine details on-the-fly while RPing, so if you need a "dummy" to help you figure stuff out, poke me!



>So I have a character...What is a good bio?
Bios range and vary so much. They...are another thing I personally have trouble doing haha. So, the bare minimum requirement in a bio is:

Name
Species (It is the ANTHRO Wrestling Federation)
Height
Weight
Appearance

Other things that might be nice to have is a few facts about them, a short description of their personality, fighting style, yadda yadda yadda. Personally, I'm sticking to the basics and answering everything else in character.



>No one is ever around when I am!
None? With jobs, school, and other factors of life, we all cant be on 24/7...true. Send out some message whenever you're around, or even figure out times with people privately. Although things do come up, there is usually some free patches of time between people that coincide.



>One of the other members hates me!
In this world, not everyone will like you...but not everyone will hate you either. First, remember that there is "in character" and "RL" or "Out of character (OOC)" or "in person" The things a character does may not actually reflect what the person controlling them thinks. Often, Ry is major pissed...but I'm laughing my butt off.
If you've determined its actually the person hating you, try to privately message them and find out what's going on...or even message me (the current leader/moderator) to find out. Remember that this is a GROUP of people, and one person hating you shouldn't deter you from RPing with us. Things will evenyually work out...even if its to a frosty agreement of mutual dislike.



>I'm not actually a wrestler! But I want to join this "AWF!"
So? Theres actually one member already who doesn't wrestle. Then theres others who do nothing but wrestle. And still others that do it all. Anthro "WRESTLING" federation is a misleading name really, because most of us will box or fight MMA style. Don't worry about it!




>I CANT STAND this guy! His typing is much worse when I RP with him than it is in the logs!
Remeber that the logs uploaded to the page are aften edited. If I'm not too tired, I usually try to iron out most of the glaring typos. I miss some, sometimes I get lazy, but try not to get put off by it. This is all for fun; dont let such a little thing spoil it for you.



>This place is boring!
Allow me to quote one of the coolest lions I know:
"[10/15/2013 9:55:40 PM] Zander: Zander flats his ears. "Then do something interesting."
This group is really what you make of it. If its boring, challenge someone to a fight and make it not boring!

>I'm not in the member list on the page and I've been here and stuff! What gives?
Chances are it was a mistake. I did most of it from memory and glancing at the bios in the group gallery. Otherwise, I included people and their characters that are in the skype group. All because a match you was in was uploaded to the group doesn't nesicarrily mean you're a "member" By "member" I mean someone thats usually there (or in some cases, they have the will to be there but life doesnt let them). Case in point is that Vandred has some matches in the group gallery...but he left the group. In any case, note me and we'll work it out.



Thats all I can think of now! If theres something I should add or change, tell me!
~ Ryltohn

It seems that with the passing of the modding duties of the group comes a new wave of open challenges. Dont be shy aboout contacting people and asking for a matches, they asked to be put on here for a reason... So without further ado...


The red wolf Jesse is eager for matches. If interested, contact  wolfman6712
He'll fight on Skype ( whiterabidwolf ) , YIM ( jwevans12317[at]yahoo.com ), or kik ( Rabidwolf6712 ) .

Sentiel is also willing to take on anyone who'll face her. Accept her challenge by contacting  PandorasMusicBox , who uses Skype under the username( pandora.alkima ).

And last but not least, Ryltohn is always up for almost any match with anyone. Talk to  Ryltohn if you want a fight with him. He uses Skype with the name ( RyDragon1996 ) as well as FA notes.

Our newest member, Sentinel, is wasting no time in making her presense known, issuing an open challenge within minutes of joining! Are you brave enough to take her on?

If so, add her skype, pandora.alkima , and accept her challenge!

Ryltohn climbs a turnbuckle, cracking his knuckles. "I'm basically the king of this ring! And I doubt ANYONE has the guts to try and prove me wrong," he growls. "I'm here to throw a challenge. To anyone. Anytime. Anywhere.....Almost any match. I have a feeling that no one will take me up on this; I DARE you to prove me wrong!"

(The challenge is thrown; he'll take on anyone, no matter who they are. Note  ryltohn or add his Skype (RyDragon1996) if you're interested.)

Well folks, first off, thanks for the watches and participation, for the roughly 8 months we've been active. It's been a good run. It's not over, but things have gotten pretty quiet.

For now, the group's gone back to more of a network, as was originally intended. If there's a profile on board you like, give the player a poke, and maybe make something happen.

The Skype group isn't closed, just in a cooling period, so if there's a chance you want to be the fresh meat in the room, give one of the actives a nudge, and we'll see what happens. :3