This website was originally built around our RPG, which goes by the same name: Aztec Gold. It was originally founded on July 26, 2003. Who saw the movie and didn't want to be part of that type of epic fun? Our RPG strives to offer the same sort of adventure while mixing historical fact, and advanced RPing, with original characters, and original plots.
Following is the walkthrough of how to apply to become a member of AG. If you're already familiar with the typical process of applying for a freeform play by post RPG, then check out the following links, and then fill out an application.
When applying for a movie character--please do not register with that character's name! Just go with any account name and then once you are accepted you an administrator will edit/change your account name.
Getting Started For Landlubbers
Rules are one of the most important things to know and understand when roleplaying. There always tend to be basic rules such as 'be kind and courteous to fellow rpers,' 'no godmodding,' or 'keep IC and OOC things separate.' Always be familiar with the rules, and when in doubt about whether or not something is allowed or not, ask a moderator or administrator. They will not shoot you for asking a question-- they will be pleased that you asked first if there was any doubt. In our Code we also place maximum sizes on signatures and avatars, as well as put in a special code that must be added into the application in order for it to be considered. Below the Rules you can find a copy of our FAQ, which defines some of the terms used in the Code.
If you wish to play a movie character you must:
A.) check availability of the movie character you wish to play, B.) have seen the movie and be familiar with the character, C.) demonstrate in your application that you have what it takes to play the character.
The administration reserves the right to have a trial period during which you can play the character for two weeks. You must be active in order to play a movie character. At the end of the two weeks, if you have played the character well, and have been regularly active, then we will most likely give you the character for good.
Be familiar with our setting and background as well as different occupations that are available to have at Aztec Gold. If you want to do any historical research, despite the fact that PotC (due to various props and costume hints) takes place throughout a whole century or so, the dates we use for AG are 1750-1760 CE. Please note though, that the goal of AG is not to be a purely historically accurate board. We enjoy a higher level of historical accuracy than most other PotC boards, but we do sacrifice historical accuracy for plots and inconsistencies that were in the movie (not to mention it is impossible to be purely historically accurate). If you're looking for a board that places more of an emphasis on AG, then we're not the right board for you.
If you don't have any idea what occupation your character may have (despite being a pirate--be warned we will only accept the cream of the crop for them), check out the previous link for ideas and general information on each. If you are going to roleplay a woman, remember there are many occupations that are closed to women due to the times-- but you can always use that to your benefit to make your character more interesting.
On Applications
Everyone has to put in an application for a character and be accepted if they wish to participate in the RPG portion of Aztec Gold, however anyone is welcome to create an account and participate in our out of character discussion sections.
Since this section is intended for those with little to no experience in this form of RPGs, and its application process, this may have more details, and explain more than you actually need, so you can skim if you want, or bypass it completely.
Username: This is the username you currently have, or will be using for this character. This is necessary since I copy over applications/bios and repost them myself in the accepted area, and it won't show who posted it, except for me. Usernames preferably should have to do with the character, but they don't have to, and no profanity/vulgarity is allowed here. If you ever want your username changed, PM an admin and ask them to--but remember to send a reminder to Alia (Alia-Hildwyn) to update the bios.
How did you find out about AG: The primary purpose of this area is to help the admins figure out how they are recruiting most of their players. If you found an ad on a specific site, please tell which one--it helps us better in the long run by finding, using, and sticking with a better advertising strategy.
Given Name: Your character's first name. You can add in your own area if you wish to include middle names.
Surname: Character's last name. Please give their real one, if they received one, and under nickname list any aliases that they might go by.
A note on character names: AG is more historically focused than other PotC boards, so we would prefer that names accurately reflect the culture and the time period from which the character comes, or if they are not quite normal, that there is enough justification for why, say, and English character might have a French name.
Nickname: This is the place for whatever nicknames your character might go by, any aliases, etc. They don't have to be ones that your character uses, or even positive nicknames--it could be something they absolutely hate. For instance, if you look at the Norrington bio--one nickname listed is "Snorrington," *not* something he would like to be known as.
Age: Just their age, it is okay to give a range if the character is not sure of how old they are (which happens).
Sex: Next person who answers "yes, please" or "once a week, etc" will...probably have nothing happen to them, but please don't. It ticks off the administrators--we've only seen it hundreds of times.
Ethnicity: Apparently this is not quite as self explanatory as I would have thought. Your characters ethnicity is based off of where they are from or their race. For instance, and keeping with the Norrington theme, he should be listed as either being English, British, or Caucasian.
Country of Birth: Country, territory, colony, etc, any of those will work here.
Current Whereabouts: Where do you want your character to start off, once you are accepted. This should make sense with your history, and occupation. For instance you would not find the King of England in Tortuga. Or France. Well, possibly the second, but never the first. The most active area we have for characters, is definitely Port Royal, and Tortuga is a close second. Either of those cities are a great branching off point for going to other areas.
Occupation: If you haven't already, I'd recommend reading about some of the occupations here, it will give all the relevant information (or should). Any questions, etc--PM or email Alia, and she'll be glad to help.
Former Occupation(s): If your character has switched their occupation at all, otherwise you may simply list "N/A."
Parents: Name your character's parents, adopted, birth, if they are alive or not, if it is relevant to your character, or if you character doesn't know them, what their occupations might have been. Please, list both their parents, (if one is unknown, tell us that), don't just give us one and let us believe it was some sort of immaculate conception.
Siblings: if any
Children: if any
As a note: birth control, while it was practiced by some at this time, and there were methods of contraceptives...the appropriate ages to give birth are much different then than out standards today.
Avatar: This avatar bit is who you will use in signatures and avatars, if at all--typically a celebrity avatar, but it does not have to be. Only one celebrity may be used per character, unless they look radically different from the one being used. You can find a quasi complete list of who is being used here.
Description: I want at least two paragraphs of info here, and each paragraph being about 6 sentences long, if possible. This isn't an impossible task--you can talk about a lot here--I made sure since I am terrible myself at physical descriptions. Some of what you can include here (and by all means, you don't have to limit it to just what I list here) can be eye color, hair color and style, facial features, manner of dress, body build, unique markings, usual facial expressions, personality, etc.
As a Note: If you wish to write a greater detail on your character's personality, you are allowed to split that off and create your own section for it.
Strengths & Weaknesses: I want three strengths and three weaknesses, but more important that just listing them is telling me how they are a weakness or strength--and it is okay if someone's strength is also their weakness. For example--someone can be very stubborn--a positive side of this is that they may persevere where others may not, a negative aspect--they may hold on to something even when it is clear they should not. This is a very important section of the application, as this can often make a character more believable, and we will pay a great attention of detail to this section.
History: All I ask for here is at least five paragraphs of history. If you're at a loss of what to write here, here are some suggestions--tell what kind of family a character was born into, if they were, what was their childhood like--how did it shape them? What notable events occurred that got them into their current occupation? That made them who they are today? What brought them to where they are now? Why are they here now? What are their goals? Unless your character is a child, this should really be one of the easiest areas (or at least is for me), and is your opportunity to go wild in how much you can write.
If this still isn't helping you, and you need more asssistence, you may feel free to ask us for help--you may contact a staff member, myself, or you may even ask for opinions or help on the shoutbox. If you've got a partial history, and want/need more information in it you may PM or email it to me (Alia), and I can read it over and offer you suggestions or questions that can help guide you on writing more.
Sample/Past Roleplay: This may be either a sample rp for the character for whom you are applying, or a past roleplay from another board (not necessarily a PotC rpg) of another character. Please include dialogue and other conventions that would normally be included in a standard roleplay. No links to rps here, I want a copy of it. If you already have an accepted character here, you may skip this section. You may also post in a portion of a fanfiction you may have written if you wish.
Code: (check the rules for details on this section!)
Answer here if you give permission for a link to exist on the website to your bio: I like to post links to our character on the main webpage. If you do not wish for it the link to be here, that is fine, I will not link it, but if you do not mind, please say yes. Since this is your bio, I don't want to be linking to it from anywhere without your permission.
--Start a new thread when posting your application, in the Applications forum. It is all right to start a thread, and not fill it out completely, so long as you intend on finishing the application soon. Within a day, an admin or mod will post a reply in the forum, either accepting the character, denying it (and pointing out areas of improvement or that need work), or responding to say that the application is under consideration. If the last one is the case, you will receive word within a three days if your app has been accepted. Please note that if you are applying for a movie character, the administration reserves the right to put you on a trial period of two weeks before you are formally accepted.
Now that I've given you an idea of what an application should contain, here is what it absolutely should not be like. Even if you know what it shouldn't look like, I'd recommend taking a look here--this was written by Finally Forgotten, it is called a "Bad App" or "How not to do an App," and it's absolutely brilliant, in an "I'm glad that wasn't a real application way." Very humorous.
Once You Are Accepted
Congratulations! Once your character is accepted there are many things to do. You can go hit the taverns and pubs for a drink, you may land at the docks and take a stroll, you can visit a friend in the estates, or you can go and hit the high seas and pillage your measly black guts out. There is no limit to what you can do! Try an RP by yourself, or find a new friend and RP together (the best!). Interact, interact, interact! Go wild! Have fun!
If you're looking to rp with someone but don't know anyone yet, or haven't planned anything, head on over to the Captain's Table, our very own section for RP discussions and IC announcements. Want to find out what celebrities are already chosen as avatars? Read the Taken Avatar List. Looking for fanfic, art, games, polls and other fun things? Head over to the Treasure Cave and discover what creative pieces our members have there.
