All About "Twinks"

In online chats where Persona Play is popular, you may hear the word "twink" thrown around. Sometimes somebody whose behavior screams out "I'm a newbie!" may get branded a twink but this word comes from the roleplaying MUD ("multi-user dungeons") communities, and it doesn't mean "ignorant".


A twink is somebody who is trying to get attention by deliberately breaking the rules or being highly inconsiderate of others. They are broadcasting their insecurity, their immaturity, their loneliness, and their boredom. They're usually unaware of the respect Persona Players accord those who are sensitive to the needs and feelings of others.


Twinkiness is especially irritating to game staff because it recurs. The same dumb thing gets done by someone else and the staffer sees it again and again and again. (Ironically, the twink may be doing it because they think it's "original" and amuses others.)


Sometimes the word "twink" is used to denigrate anybody whose play style is very different from one's own. This can be a sign that maybe that furre needs to find a Dream with rules that fit his or her preferences better.


Sometimes those who prefer peaceful interaction call those who want to play out violent scenes "twinks". Sometimes those who prefer violent interaction call the peaceful players "twinks" because they apparently can't stand harsher storylines.


Sometimes those who prefer negotiated outcomes (freeform) call those who want it decided by dice "twinks" because it looks like they are trying to force their way on their IC opponent. And sometimes, those who prefer dice call the freeformers "twinks" because they aren't as willing to leave an element of chance at the critical moments, and are thus seen as less brave.


Sometimes "twink" is misused (and overused) to insult `somebody who wants to play out a power fantasy.' In Persona Play, there's often no rule against having a powerful character, so you'll see everything from cosmic space gods to invulnerable superheroes. Perhaps a more accurate term here is "powergamer" (which, in most online communities, is also a pejorative).


I've noticed there's one more kind of twink, and that is, the one who hopes to force others to play their way by incessant namecalling.


The mature veteran realizes that, in Persona Play, expecting others to play by your personal standards is expecting too much. Higher standards will require more rules-- and somebody empowered to enforce them.


In Persona Play, the "right" way to play is the way that allows /all/ the players to feel comfortable.


Furcadia is a freeform let's-pretend game without an established power limit for characters. If you're simply out in public and not in the Dragonlands RP area or in a private Dream where the Dream's owner decrees otherwise, you can play any power level you wish.


Please don't call anybody a "powergamer". That word is offensive because it implies that there's only one way to play right. There isn't-- but there *is* such a thing as "twinkiness" and you should understand why other players don't appreciate it.

1. The Vamp Wannabe. A lord or lady of some forsaken kingdom, with every superpower in the book. Goes to the bar and orders blood or something bloodlike, oblivious to how unrealistic it is that a bartender would stock such a thing.

In Persona Play, you can make up new character classes as you please.
Please bear in mind, though, that the Furcadia game has an official definition of the powers, origin, etc. of vampyre/vampire furres, and there's a web page with suggestions on what they are like. Please be considerate of those who are using "canon" Dragonlands Continuity. Although you don't have to play that way, it is Furcadia's official default, and will be what many furres expect.
If you play a vampire type, keeping your vampiric nature SECRET is more credible. The inhabitants of the Dragonlands don't accept undead walking around amongst them; they are very much like medieval hyoomans. If they get wind of something that sucks blood, they're likely to rise up, an ugly rampaging mob complete with pitchforks-- Never forget that mages have, for centuries, effectively wiped out most of your ilk!
Writing something like [vampire] in your description is fine for Persona Play. Roleplayers would much rather find out in the course of IC interaction.
Note there are already thousands of vampires in Furcadia. By being discreet, you avoid being stereotyped as one of "the trendy masses". Remember "The Masquerade". Having a dark secret is part of the fun!

2. The Jerk. Attempts to attack people at random. Sits in a bar being surly, provoking others into a verbal fight with them. Yells or tries to swear. Imagines that others don't respond because Jerk is so impressive. Acts as if the other things moving on the screen are computer-generated drones.

Well, Jerk, those aren't drones, they're other players Ignoring you. You're just not believable or interesting or fun to interact with. In fact, if your behavior interrupts the natural flow of conversation and play for others, you'll be Ejected, or Booted.


In Persona Play, expect other players to "pull Consent" and ignore your actions (usually because you really don't seem like much fun to play with).
IC, taverns and bars have bouncers as well as servers and bartenders and cooks. In Roleplay, the consequences of combat are taken more seriously; they will avoid fighting because those who make trouble would not be allowed back into the bar. Roleplayers realize that the FIRST responsibility for keeping the storyline believable rests with players, not referees or other authorities. The Roleplayer would rather not see Continuity violated by ridiculous actions, and a bar where deadly battles are permitted to take place every day is ridiculous.

3. The Two-bit Jezebel. Has a rude and/or tacky description that includes references to breasts, waist, and hips. They may try to pose or say things that go against the PG rating of the public areas. Tends to include LOTS of over-used words like `sultry', `gorgeous', `sensuous', `pert', and `hot'.

Some descriptions immediately make many others suspicious that you're a male player out to get your jollies by embarassing other male players, or that you're a hideously unattractive girl in real life. Many furres interpret an extremely sexual descriptions as a poor attempt to manipulate them.

You might be comfortable with your sexuality, but your desc will be interpreted as saying the opposite.

On occasion, the Two-bit Jezebel really *is* a female player. Sometimes other players just won't believe them when they say so.

4. Mr./Ms. Lag. After a few amazing sessions of RP, Mr./Ms. Lag seems to be stuck in slow-motion. The poses and speeches come at three to four minute intervals, and when they do, they're purely re-active. Has some evil robot replaced your wonderful new friend?!

Mr./Ms. Lag is probably Mr./Ms. Multi-worlder. He/She is playing other characters at the same time, not realizing that other players *can* tell. Lag is like halitosis, chronic bad breath. Other players must take the matter in hand, and page Mr./Ms. Lag that there is a problem, that the scene should be postponed and Mr./Ms. Lag should kindly show some respect and stop multi-worlding.

This list could go on and on... Usually Twinkiness isn't serious, but a Guardian should be notified if a player is disruptive. If someone else's behaviour makes you very uncomfortable, please talk to someone on staff about it. We're here for you. :)

Remember: Please Respect Others.

• This document isn't rules, it's just good advice. Please read it; please think about it. Remember that the best treatment of a Twink is to try to tactfully explain to them what they're doing that isn't appreciated, but the next best is to use Ignore.
  
  

• Every player is free to play as they please in their own Dream. The Roleplaying rules are for those who *want* rules.
  
  

• There's no rule that a character has to somehow be "valid" by the standards of any other player than their creator. Furcadia is for living out your dreams, and different players want different levels of challenge and complexity.
  
  
  However, if there is a question of whether or not your speech was "disruptive" because it seemed OOC, you can be held to staying in the "medieval fantasy" genre. If there's a judgment call involved here, Guardians will always err on the side of leniency, and will have a talk with you first to try to clarify.
  
  

• You can insist that those who enter your Dream play by your rules if you use Dragonspeak to make sure that wanderers can't accidentally come by and disrupt your play. Also, you *should* make sure that your "House Rules" are posted somewhere on a web site.
  
  

• No matter how goofy another character may sound to you, please respect their imagination. Be tactful, and keep your opinion private rather than public.

-Talzhemir