(Return to the [http://www.rivertwine.com River Twine Holt] website.)

Any questions about the rules? Contact the Council by emailing "council@rivertwine.com". (If you do not receive an acknowledgement of receipt of your email within a day, try emailing a council-member individually, or pinging a thread on the messageboard.)

The following rules and regulations are what all members, upon joining, have agreed to abide by:

== Basic Rules & Regulations ==

'''1. There are two types of membership to the River Twine Holt: Player-Members (PMs)''', who own and operate characters, and '''Reader-Members (RMs)''', who do not own characters but who have access to the website and the message boards, and who are encouraged to participate in the creative life of the Holt (RMs are also given a 1-week window to consider adoption of characters who become available NPCs, before they are offered publicly).

'''--1a). All PMs must support their character through the submission of one piece of art or one or more written submissions''' (totaling 500 words or more) '''per annual quarter.''' PMs who fail to participate for more than two quarters in a row may have their membership revoked. (See '''Participation Requirements''' below.)

'''--1b). All RMs must log into the website on a regular basis to prove their ongoing interest in the club.''' '' RMs are required to make at least 1 website comment per quarter in order to retain their RM membership, with a 1-month probation period for inactivity.

'''2. Your writing & artwork MUST be your own original work!''' Plagiarism of any form (tracing someone else’s artwork or claiming someone else’s writing for your own) is grounds for immediate cancellation of your membership. While drawing freehand from references is fine, tracing or mechanical copying of other artwork is not allowed (even if it is adapted). Art that is considered too much a copy of another existing artwork will not be posted (this determination will be made by the council, and it will be discussed with the artist). Please see the [[Submission Guidelines]] for more information.

'''2a. We also request that all art & story submissions be directly related to River Twine Holt'''; we won’t print stories and artwork about characters living with another tribe, or about canon EQ personalities. (NOTE: recycled artwork and stories may be accepted -- consult with the Council of Five -- council@rivertwine.com).

'''3. Get permission from a character's owner before using their character in a story or a piece of artwork.''' Approval is required for the use of all characters not your own, so be sure that your stories or art are approved by that other member before you submit them to River Twine Holt. Please see [[Submission Guidelines]] for what does and does not require approval; if you have any questions, please contact the Council of Five at the address listed above. ''Note:'' although Windburn is an NPC, he is considered to be 'owned' by the Council; they handle approvals for him. Any use of Windburn in a story or art should be sent to the Council for approval.

'''4. General site vs. adult site materials.''' In general, we have a PG-15 rating for our club, and members younger than 15 aren’t allowed to join. Any adult material must have a warning. Adult situations are fine if done appropriately. Nudity in art is acceptable if labeled. Sexual situations are fine if tastefully done. In short, porn or gore for gore’s own sake will not be tolerated. If you have questions or concerns, consult the Council of Five.

'''5. All members are required to join under their real identities;''' it's fine for members to participate under pseudonyms, but the Council needs to know a member's real name. Joining the club under false pretenses is grounds for immediate dismissal. Additionally, sockpuppeting a false membership is also grounds for immediate dismissal from the club.

'''QUESTIONS?''' All questions can be directed to either council@rivertwine.com or help@rivertwine.com.

== Message Board Guidelines ==

'''1. Board userids.''' We ask that members registering on the board for a Reader account use their first name (or a sensible nickname that does not sound like an EQ character name) for a userid. Those registering for a Player Member account are asked to use the name of their character for their userid. Not only does this make a member easier to contact, but it also helps the board admins differentiate between legitimate accounts and spam accounts.

'''2. Be courteous.''' No flaming, name calling, insults, naggings or otherwise tormenting other members will be tolerated. Any issues that arise on the board need to be handled in a calm, adult manner. Board Moderators will remove/lock threads that contain abusive material. Members who flame / continue flame-wars will be removed from the group.

'''3. Post in the right board.''' Please make sure that what you are posting is placed in the right board. Each board is clearly marked. If you are uncertain please contact a board moderator, or a council member for help. If a post is placed in the wrong board, Board Moderators will move the thread into the appropriate board.

'''4. Members-Only Board Access.''' The message boards are for members only. Do not share your password for non-members, or post for non-members on the board. Any non-members who wish to post something on the RTH board must contact the Council of Five at council@rivertwine.com. Any posts made from/for non-members will be immediately removed, and the member who gave out their password/posted for the non-member will be removed from the group. The exception is when non-members have been welcomed to participate in publicly offered contests, and will be free to participate on the Contests forum on our message board.

'''4. Message Board concerns?''' If you are having any issues with other members on the board, or feel that you are being unfairly treated, please contact Council Member Heidi at willow@rivertwine.com.

== Comment/Website Feedback Guidelines: ==

'''1. Be Courteous.''' Do not post hurtful or mean comments on stories or art. Critiques are fine, but do not simply say 'This Sucks!'. Any comment that is made of this nature will be removed and the member will be removed from the group.

'''2. Avoid Fluff Posts''' -- please try not to post 'fluff posts' to the website. These are posts that consist of less then one sentence. For example, "'Wow cool!" counts as a fluff post.

'''3. Feedback concerns?''' If you are having any issues comments, or feel that you are being abused or unfairly treated, please contact Joan at crackle@rivertwine.com.

== Participation Requirements ==

'''FOR PLAYER-MEMBERS:''' PMs are required to support their character/membership with 1 submission per quarter (1 piece of art, at least at sketch level; or 1 story of 500 words or more). Players who have not made a submission by the end of a quarter's second month will receive a reminder and 1-month heads-up. If a PM fails to support their character for a quarter, they will be given a warning and put on probation (probation period of one quarter). Making a normal submission during the probationary quarter is all that is required (players don't have to also "make up" the submission for the quarter they missed). But, if a PM fails to meet the participation requirements for the probationary quarter as well, they will lose their membership, and their character will become an NPC.

(Please also see the '''Communication Requirements''', outlined below.)

Most new members will join a quarter that is in-progress. New PMs must participate (meaning, submit art or writing) by the end of the first FULL quarter after they join. This acknowledges that the new PM may not have time to participate during the partial quarter in which they joined. A new PM will technically "go on probation" if they have not submitted by the end of that partial, joining quarter, which just means that they must submit material by the end of the following quarter. If you are a new member and you ever have a question about your membership status, please contact the Council for clarification (at council@rivertwine.com).

Player Members who are removed due to inactivity may be refused future membership to River Twine Holt on a case-by-case basis. PMs who lose their membership are always welcome to become Reader Members, or to rejoin immediately as Reader Members (if there has been a gap in communications). But, PMs who are removed due to inactivity are required to wait for the next full quarter before submitting any request to adopt a character. (As always, becoming a RM will ensure first crack at available NPCs when the time comes.) RTH works on a three-strikes system, and after defaulting on a third attempt at character ownership, a former member may be refused future adoptions.

(Also see '''Leaving the Club''' below.)

'''NOTE:''' The Council doesn’t want to suspend memberships for lack of activity, and will do what it can to meet the needs of each member, but some consistent communication between an inactive member and the Council is required. If a member requests it, a Leave of Absence from the group can be obtained from the Council, waiving one quarter's participation requirements. A longer LoA may be arranged in special circumstances. But it is the responsibility of the member to contact the Council to request a LoA.

'''FOR READER-MEMBERS:''' RMs are expected to leave at least one comment per quarter on stories or artwork on the website. (This is our only way of tracking whether RMs are still interested in following the group.) RMs may also submit artwork or stories, and if they do so, that will count as their quarter's participation. Failure to leave at least one comment will result in the RM being sent a "1 month left" email towards the end of a quarter. If the RM misses a quarter, they will be sent a probationary warning, and they must leave a comment sometime during the next 1 month. If a RM fails to comment during that probation period, they will lose their RM membership access to the club's website & message boards, and will be dropped off of any waiting list for character adoptions they may have been on.

Reader Members who are removed for inactivity are welcome to rejoin again as an RM without delay.

== Submission Requirement Types: ==

Submissions need not feature your own character to count for the participation requirement. Artwork and stories about other characters will earn credit toward support for a member’s own character. (On the flip side, however – approving the use of your character in another member’s story, or approving artwork, does not count toward your own quarterly requirement.)

The minimum requirement for Artwork is 1 submission of at least sketch complexity. ''Does Not Count:'' dolls (even on your own base); icons (except with special permission from the council).

The minimum requirement for Writing is 1 story submission of at least 500 words' length. ''Does Not Count:'' poetry.

Stories should be submitted to stories@rivertwine.com; artwork should be submitted to artwork@rivertwine.com. You are required to collect all of the necessary approvals for your art or your stories, prior to submission, and to indicate this when you submit.

== Communications Requirement ==

Part of RTH's participation rules consist of a communication requirement. Although we are not an RP group with frequent posting needs, we still need character owners to stay in touch, in order to keep up with character-approval requests and questions from writers and artists.

Player Members are expected to remain in consistent communication with the group and with the council. This is especially true regarding responding to other members who contact you to ask questions or for your permission for character-use. Members are expected to respond to others in a timely fashion -- unless they have posted to the AWOL thread on the MB, or notified the Council that they will be out of email contact for a period of time. Please use the AWOL thread in Dreamberry Chatter to let fellow members know when you will be unable to respond for some known period! (Let people know the dates you will be out of touch.)

"Timely" is usually defined as “a few days”, but no longer than a period of 2 weeks. In the case of approval of use of a character, the person asking for approval is expected to make 2 attempts to contact you, by all available means -- email and messageboard notification -- during that time; but at the end of 2 weeks from the date of the first attempt, approval will be considered to have been given by default. (In order to facilitate this, you are expected to keep your Member info on the board updated with the best email address to use for you -- and if you have a change, let the council know so that we can change the automatic-forwarding of your 'character@rivertwine.com' address.) We encourage you to turn on private-message notification-by-email from the mb even if you don't have other notifications turned on, so that you will be alerted when you receive them.

PMs are also expected to log in to the messageboard no less than once per month. A lot of important announcements and discussions take place on the mb, and you won't really have the information you need to participate in the group if you don't check in. Further, members often use mb private-messages to try to contact others, in case email is not working for some reason. We will not check up on this on a regular basis, but this may factor into our attempt to determine if you have "disappeared" from the group.

If the SAT is made aware that there has been no response to approval requests for your character for 2 weeks (with no known reason for your absence), the council will begin to try to make contact with you. It is at this time that we will check to see when you last logged into the messageboard. This process may also begin 1 month before the end of a quarter, if we see that you have not submitted anything during that quarter (everyone who hasn't done so is sent a "1 month left" message at that time); only if that is true will we check your mb log-in status.

* If you have logged into the mb within the past month, the council will continue to try to make contact with you by all available means for the next 1 month from the date on which we were alerted to a problem.

* If you have not logged into the mb in over a month, the council will continue to try to make contact with you by all available means for the next 2 weeks; or through the end of the quarter, if we are contacting you about quarterly participation.

* Making contact, in both cases, means giving you no fewer than 4 alerts by whatever contact information we have for you (PM, different email accounts). We don't need more than a minimal response, in case you are unable to give us more at the time - we don't want you to lose your characters because of Real Life problems, and will make efforts to accommodate and make allowances for members' needs. But in order to do that, we need some indication of your continued interest.

* if you are having Real Life issues, please talk to the council! We are happy in most cases to arrange for a Leave of Absence, waiving the requirements for at least one quarter, and making some provision to deal with character approvals. But we can’t do that if you don’t let us know you need it!

* If we are contacting you with a "the end of the quarter is approaching" reminder, we do expect that you will respond to us, even if you do not think you will be able to get a submission in by the end of the quarter. (In most cases, you will merely go on probation if you miss one quarter; see above under Participation Requirements.)

If you ever think that you are missing communications from someone, let a council member know as soon as possible!

Finally, if a council member is contacting you on group business (either because of the end of the quarter approaching, or for some other reason), we also ask that you respond in a timely manner. The above procedures WILL go into effect if you have failed to respond to a council inquiry, from any council member, even if you have in the meantime been in touch with other members of the group for other reasons. (2 weeks of non-response to a council member will result in our following the procedures above.)

If at the end of that time, we receive no reply from you to any of our alerts, your membership will be deactivated and your character will become NPC.

If you get back in touch with us after that happens, you will be welcome to re-join the group as an RM. But, you must wait for the start of the next quarter to apply to adopt a character (if one is available). We also have a three-strikes rule -- after three such incidents, we regret that we will not adopt a character to you again, although you are welcome to be an RM.

== Character Information Sheet Updates ==

All CISs should be kept current, as characters grow and change as they are played. A mandatory CIS update period is held every June: members have between the 1st and the 30th to log into the website, review their character’s CIS, and update it accordingly. The webbase will automatically track all updates, and the council member who heads up our Character Approval Team will receive automatic notification from the system of all changes to a CIS.

Failure to update the CIS during the mandatory time period will result in the member going on probation for the summer quarter (July-August-September) even if they have fulfilled their participation requirements for the previous quarter. If by September the CIS has not been updated, the member will lose the character. While this may seem harsh, it is the Council's belief that up-to-date CISes are important for immersion and conduct in the club and show an ongoing interest in the character.

The minimum change required to fulfill the mandatory update requirement is the adjustment of the character's age (the addition of a year). Further changes that reflect character growth are of course welcome. Additionally, CISs can be updated throughout the year, as a member feels motivated to do so..

If you have any questions, please contact Joan at crackle@rivertwine.com.

== Rewards System: ==

Because we believe that our members should be rewarded for contributing to River Twine Holt, the following rewards system is in place for all members:

Three awards will be given each season, in the categories of Art, Fiction, and Member.

Every quarter, the Council of Five will collectively decide which member should receive the Art and Fiction awards, based largely on who has earned the most points in that category during the quarter. The Member Award will go to a member who has actively participated throughout the quarter above and beyond the normal rate of activity. The Member Award is generally based upon the amount of points that a person receives in a quarter, but may also be based on other activity.

The awards will be given out 'seasonally' as follows:

• March 31: Winter Quarter (Jan-Feb-March)
• June 30: Spring Quarter (April-May-June)
• Sept. 30: Summer Quarter (July-Aug-Sept)
• Dec. 31: Autumn Quarter (Oct-Nov-Dec)

Once a member has received an Art, Fiction or Member award during the course of a year, that member cannot receive that same award again during that year.

The club’s administrative team, the Council of Five, keeps track of participation through a points system that works as described below. Points earned each quarter are tallied toward regular quarterly participation awards: (See “Rewards” in section bellow)

Additionally -- beginning in 2008, a new '''Chief's Choice Award''' was created. It is given to honor an exceptional effort in fiction, poetry, artwork, or group participation. The Chief's Choice Award may be given out quarterly, but is not a mandatory award -- the Council will give it only in circumstances where the Council believes it very well deserved, but the regular artist, member, or general participation awards (which are largely points-based achievements) are not applicable.

== Writing Points: ==

Written submissions are counted on a point-per-page basis, with 650 words equaling one page. Poetry is generally counted as .5 pts per poem, with some exceptions (see "Poetry Points" below). Artwork may be worth from .5 point to 2 points in value, depending on the individual effort. See “Art Points” below.

When multiple authors have participated in a collaborative stories, the story itself is worth only as many points as there are pages. Those points will be divided equally among the authors involved, unless the authors jointly indicate otherwise. Authors should indicate upon submission either how many words each contributed, or how the points should be divided.

== Art Points: ==

A single piece of art may take its creator as much time as an author takes to write a story. There is no true way to faithfully rate artwork in our point-per-page system, as each artist varies dramatically in style. The best we can accomplish is the following:

• Simple sketch = .5 point

• Finished piece (b&w or color) = 1 point

• Showcase effort = 2 points

A simple ''sketch'' is an unfinished piece of work or something that is clearly either incomplete or stated by the artist as being 'unfinished'. “Doll” art is always considered at “sketch” value.

A ''finished piece'' can be in black or white or in color; the artist has clearly finished with it; if you feel that a piece that you have done should be considered finished, though others may not, please indicate this in your e-mail.

In a ''showcase effort'', the artwork is rich in detail beyond the central figure; the background is very well developed, or a full story is told within the frame of the picture. Showcase efforts need not be in color. (The difference between a showcase piece and a finished piece is simply the amount of 'other' elements that have gone into the piece itself.)

NOTE: The submitting artist should inform the Art Director what category the artist believes a piece falls under. You will assign your own points because none of us are qualified to rate another’s effort. What takes one person a few minutes, could take another a few days. Just try to be honest with how you feel about your work. The Council of Five reserves the right to alter points if the system is being abused. If the submitting artist does not inform the Art Director how they think their piece should be awarded points, the Art Director reserves the right to award points as she sees fit.

'''Recycled art policy:''' River Twine Holt will gladly accept recycled art (art first created by the artist for a purpose other than RTH), but RTH reserves the right of how (or if) to apply it toward historical NPCs. Recycled art is always counted as .5 participation points, and recycled art cannot be applied toward the quarterly participation requirements. No more than eight pieces/four points of recycled art will be counted per quarter towards our seasonal participation awards.

== Poetry Points: ==

Poetry is generally considered to be worth .5 point per poem.

However, if a member believes their poem is longer than usual, a personal masterwork, or otherwise demonstrates more effort, they may request more points to reflect the overall effort. Final point distribution is decided by the Story Approval Team.

== Other Forms of Participation: ==

While posting on the messageboard and leaving comments via the website is not a requirement, and does not count for the quarterly support that members owe to the group, steady participation in those areas does factor into the council's consideration of the quarterly Member Award (given to the "most active" member).

(Generally speaking, we prefer that people using the messageboard and comments system not leave "fluff" posts: posts consisting of very short non-substantial comments, such as simply 'wow cool' or 'yeah' or "you rock" or 'just what I was thinking'. Non-fluff posts give some direct feedback regarding the work, something that can be of use to the author or artists. For example, "Wow I really like this, the eyes are great, the hair is beautiful and you've done a wonderful job with the shading." is much more useful to the artist than saying "Wow, I like this."')

== Leaving the Club: ==

If at any time a member wishes to leave River Twine Holt, please contact the Council of Five at council@rivertwine.com to discuss your options. It is not possible for the group to hold a character in reserve; characters will immediately be put up for adoption.

Members who leave the club are welcome to remain as Reader Members; but they must request this. It will not be done automatically.

When a member leaves, the control of their character defaults to the River Twine Council. The Council will be happy to help accommodate a departing members wises, within reason. But characters will generally not be automatically killed off, and stories and fic submitted to the club will not generally be removed from the website.

'''Returning members.''' Members who wish to return to River Twine Holt are usually welcomed back with open arms. Returning members will be treated the same as any other new member -- they will be welcome to adopt any of the available characters. (Previously-owned characters will not be removed from another member in order to be returned to a returning member.) All artwork and stories previously submitted will be relinked to a returning member. However, returning members are required to rejoin under their original name & identity. Sockpuppeting (operating an email account under false pretenses, or rejoining under false pretenses) will be grounds for immediate expulsion.

In some cases, a returning member may not be allowed to adopt a character -- for example, if they have owned a character 3 times previously already, and lost the character due to inactivity, inability to meet the quarterly requirements, or a decision to leave the group. Such members will usually be welcome to be a part of the group as a RM, and may still submit writing or artwork.

However, there may be other reasons, based on a former member's past relationship with the group, for denial of return-membership (at either the PM or RM level); the Council will determine this on a case-by-case basis.

Wolves of River Twine Holt

2011-12-27T19:17:12Z

Farscout: /* High-Ranked Wolves */

(Return to the [http://www.rivertwine.com River Twine Holt] website.)

''(article by Fey M., Holly H. & Whitney W. - first posted 04/10/07, updated 10/19/11)''

(Note: images below are taken from Monty Sloan's [http://www.wolfphotography.com/ Wolf Photography] website, and are used with permission; images from other sources are noted in the entry.)

The River Twine tribe's wolfpack is descended from wolves who came with Wolfsister when she led her group back to the area to settle. These wolves have at least some elf-blood in them, and although they are always primarily wolfish in outlook and behavior, the occasional "throwback" is born who is still wolf-shaped but who has a greater affinity for the elves than for the wolf-pack.

These partially elf-blooded wolves are more wolf than not, with the same appearance and behaviors as natural wolves. Their kinship and empathic bonds with the elves leads to a cooperative arrangement – but the wolves also tend to regard the elves as "odd" wolves. Elves are smaller and weaker, and have many strange un-wolflike behaviors. The wolves tolerate this and even respect and defer in some cases to the elves' behavioral choices; but in other cases the wolves simply treat the elves according to wolf norms.

[[Appearance & Characteristics]]

[[ Territorial Behavior ]]

[[ Breeding, Pack Size, and Mortality ]]

[[ The Pack's Genealogy ]]

[[ Bonding with elves, and Communication ]]

[[ In-Play Concerns, How to go about replacing wolf-friends ]]

== RTH 2509 Wolf Pack ==

(photos used by permission of Monty Sloan/[http://www.wolfphotography.com/ Wolf Park]; other photos as noted.)

The individual rankings of wolves within the pack is something that is in regular flux. A high ranking wolf will always lord it over a mid- or low-ranking wolf, but among high, mid, and low ranked wolves, it is often difficult for even the elves to tell what a linear hierarchy might be from day to day or week to week. What’s more important to understand are the roles played within the pack. The River Twine wolf pack usually numbers between 30 and 40 wolves at a time -- so not all of them will play the role of primary hunters. Some wolves perform more of a “guardian” role by ranging the territory, and the lowest play a “home guard/babysitter” role as the primary guardians of the Holt proper.

It is important for club members to understand that a wolf’s role within the pack does not always match their rider’s role within the tribe. Wolves do not exist at a rider’s beck and call. A wolf who is high-ranked, but who’s rider is not primarily a hunter, will generally be away hunting while his/her elf friend is back at the Holt fishing or crafting. Likewise, some of our tribe’s primary elven hunters can find themselves bonded with low-ranking wolves who are only grudgingly tolerated by their high ranked packmates. Elves who are bonded to mid-ranked wolves may find their wolf-friends off for days at a time, patrolling the woods and borders of the Holt’s territory with other mid-ranked wolves.

== Alpha Pair (the Chief and Chieftess-wolf) ==

The Alphas are the leading male and female of the pack. The Alphas are the only breeding pair in the pack. The current Alpha wolves of the pack are:

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
|-
|width="150pt"|[[Image:Thumb_wolfpix_wasp.jpg]]
|width="600pt"|'''Wasp''' (born RTH 2484/bonded to Blacksnake). Alpha male. Aggressive, crafty, a brawler when necessary (and smart enough not for it to be necessary). Littermate of Icemane..
|-
|width="150pt"|[[Image:Thumb_wolfpix_whirl.jpg]]
|width="600pt"|'''Whirl''' (born RTH 2489/bonded to Windburn). Alpha female. Pushy, opinionated, stubborn, thick-headed. An extremely fast wolf, she lives up to name often, dashing from place to place. Littermate of Longtooth, Mooncrier and Thief.
|}

== Beta Wolves ==

Beta wolves are the top ranked wolves within the Pack beneath the Alphas. These are individual wolves who are the likely heirs to the Alphas (but until the dust settles, don’t place your bets!)

Note: beta-ranked wolves listed in alphabetical order, not by hierarchal ranking

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
|-
|width="150pt"|[[Image:Thumb_wolfpix_halfmoon.jpg]]
|width="600pt"|'''Halfmoon''' (born RTH 2490/bonded to Evervale). Beta male Halfmoon has always been an ambitious and determined wolf. . As he matured, he challenged every wolf higher than him as soon as he felt he was strong enough. Relatively recently, killed Icestalker in another status fight, and is now the sole male in the beta position... but is aware of challenges from Beauty. Littermate of Bonetrail and Briarfoot.
|-
|width="150pt"|[[Image:Thumb_wolfpix_starlight.jpg]]
|width="600pt"|'''Starlight''' (RTH 2486/bonded to Kestrel). Beta female. A regal wolf, with a strong sense of self and of her place in the world. Benign as long as you show throat, but will wallop any lower-ranked wolf who shows a hint of challenge. Littermate of Bristlepelt.
|}

== High-Ranked Wolves ==

The high-ranked wolves are the primary hunters of the pack. They run at the front of the pack; after the Alphas and Betas they pick the choicest parts of a kill, and they are the most likely to become Alpha (after a previous Alpha's death, or through challenge). High ranked wolves are generally the most mature and intelligent hunters. Young wolves usually have some learning to do and must spend some time to spend in lower ranking positions before joining the high ranked hunters.

Note: high-ranked wolves listed in alphabetical order, not by hierarchal ranking

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
|-
|width="150pt"|[[Image:Thumb_wolfpix_beauty.jpg]]
|width="600pt"|'''Beauty''' (RTH 2491/bonded to Notch). High-ranked male. Grizzled, big, ugly and powerful animal. Very scarred from a number of close scrapes: has only a stub of a tail, no left eye (empty socket covered with eye patch), most of his right ear is ragged and missing; left ear has torn tendons and is floppy. Overgrown left incisor tooth. Roguish old cuss, with a taste for brawls and a love for chasing anything that moves. Beauty is a clever, cunning wolf; has an ugly temper and gets very vicious when pissed. Reckless, but good-natured otherwise. Friendly to most elves, but those he dislikes have scars to show for it. Has a special "relationship" with Quick Fang – where his rider adores teasing Quick Fang and getting her to chase him, Beauty simply sees her as another wolf, one who's a threat to his own place in the pack. Will routinely shove her around when the chance arises, equally quick to show his teeth and bite. Only the fact that Quick Fang's own wolf-friend is higher in rank and returns the animosity keeps any semblance of peace. Littermate of Duskgreeter.
|-
|width="150pt"|[[Image:Thumb_wolfpix_duskgreeter.jpg]]
|width="600pt"|'''Duskgreeter''' (RTH 2491/bonded to Farscout). High-ranked male. A keen hunter and clever fighter, tended to be friendly toward elven hunters and allowed them to ride him during a hunt, if their own wolf-friends were not present. Particularly friendly with True Edge, although it was not a true wolf-bond. Eventually bonded with Farscout, after Flea switched her bond to Farscout's daughter Copper. Littermate of Beauty.
|-
|width="150pt"|[[Image:Thumb_wolfpix_growler.jpg]]
|width="600pt"|'''Growler''' (RTH 2488/bonded to Quick Fang). High-ranked male. Growler lives up to his name – he vocalizes a lot, often in a deep-throated, guttural moan that he uses to get attention, than as an actual growl. Not overly serious, except when it comes to hunting; otherwise he's playful and thinks his elf-bond can be too serious. He hates bees, and slap-tails annoy him to no end. Because of Quick Fang's deep resentment towards quillrats, Growler has developed one for them too; he also growls whenever Chicory, Notch, or Starskimmer come within his vicinity. Littermate of Sleuth, Soot and Weasel.
|-
|width="150pt"|[[Image:Thumb_wolfpix_longtooth.jpg]]
|width="600pt"|'''Longtooth''' (RTH 2489/bonded to One-Leg). High-ranked male. An aggressive, temperamental and ambitious wolf who is always quick to chastise animals of lower rank as well as snatch opportunities to rise in the social order. He’s also generally willing to carry riders other than his own during a hunt – just so long as you ask respectfully. Littermate of Mooncrier, Thief and Whirl, and is still close to Mooncrier; has supported her remaining with the pack until she finally bonded with Honey.
|-
|width="150pt"|[[Image:Thumb_wolfpix_mooncrier.jpg]]
|width="600pt"|'''Mooncrier''' (RTH 2489/bonded to Honey). High-ranked female. A stubborn, determined creature, tends to be aloof, was reluctant for a long time to allow any elf to ride her. Surprised many when Honey's persistence paid off, and Mooncrier bonded with her. Closest to her littermate Longtooth, and used to depend in part on his support to remain with the River Twine pack; also littermate of Thief and Whirl.
|-
|width="150pt"|[[Image:Thumb_wolfpix_muddypaws.jpg]]
|width="600pt"|'''Muddypaws''' (RTH 2498/bonded to Crackle). High-ranked male. Muddypaws is canny and sophisticated, the kind of wolf who'd find a way to get the meat out without springing the trap, but he is usually too occupied with being either a worrying guardian or a long-suffering toy for that intelligence to show much. He hates baths almost as much as Crackle does. Littermate of Tenor.
|-
|width="150pt"|[[Image:Thumb_wolfpix_patchface.jpg]]
|width="600pt"|'''Patchface''' (RTH 2496/unbonded) High-ranked male. Named for the odd scattering of brown in his gray fur. Incredibly stupid and, to compensate, lightning-quick. Has grown massive upon reaching his full size, and is making up for past insults by bullying all his new underlings.
|-
|width="150pt"|[[Image:Thumb_wolfpix_silverbite.jpg]]
|width="600pt"|'''Silverbite''' (RTH 2492/bonded to Nightstorm) High-ranked female. Aloof but devoted to her elf-bond. A bit of a diva. Littermate of Charm and Lightjaw.
|-
|width="150pt"|[[Image:Thumb_wolfpix_thief.jpg]]
|width="600pt"|'''Thief''' (RTH 2489/bonded to Thornbow). High-ranked male. Thief is aggressive when it comes to moving in rank, loves stealing fish from the fisher traps, and fears the sound of storms. His wide-set eyes give him a permanently confused look that he uses to the best of his ability, notably more scheming and cunning than his bond. Littermates of Longtooth, Mooncrier and Whirl.
|}

=Mid-Ranked Wolves=

While they sometimes join the hunt, wolves of the middle rank tend to be guards of the territory. They also enjoy the company of gatherers, trappers and those that scout. To them it shows the tribe contributing to the protection of the territories (and the elves have protection while doing their duties).

Note: mid-ranked wolves listed in alphabetical order, not by hierarchal ranking.

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
|-
|width="150pt"|[[Image:Thumb_wolfpix_autumnleaf.jpg]]
|width="600pt"|'''Autumnleaf''' (RTH 2493/bonded to Fadestar) Mid-ranked female. A particularly reddish coat marks her out; beautiful, glossy and very sneaky, but a bit of a loner, thus not higher in rank. Despises fighting and for a long time had never been ridden, as she always escaped when anyone tried. Eventually sought out a bond with Fadestar.
|-
|width="150pt"|[[Image:Thumb_wolfpix_bonechase.jpg]]
|width="600pt"|'''Bonetrail''' (RTH 2490/bonded to Pathmark) Mid-ranked male. An average wolf – comfortable with his position in the pack and has just enough ambition to keep it for now, doesn't have the drive to rise any further. Likes his creature comforts – ample food, a good scratch on the butt, and a patch of warm sunlight to snooze in. Littermate of Brairfoot and Halfmoon.
|-
|width="150pt"|[[Image:Thumb_wolfpix_brairfoot.jpg]]
|width="600pt"|'''Briarfoot''' (RTH 2490/bonded to Foxtail) Mid-ranked female. Curious to a fault, Briarfoot always seems to be getting her snout into trouble! Any noise or smell is worth investigating! A fearless climber (into both trees and dens), and has an eternally puppyish attitude. Very socially involved, often jumps into elvish matters by adding her voice (in yips and yowls) to Foxtail's when her rider is arguing a point. Littermate of Bonetrail and Halfmoon.
|-
|width="150pt"|[[Image:Thumb_wolfpix_bristlepelt.jpg]]
|width="600pt"|'''Bristlepelt ''' (RTH 2486/bonded to Rainpace). Mid-ranked female. Bristlepelt is gray-white with a thick bushy tail giving her her name. Very mellow around elves, calmly authoritative in the wolf pack, and a devout howler at the moon. Littermate of Starlight.
|-
|width="150pt"|[[Image:Thumb_wolfpix_browncoat.jpg]]
|width="600pt"| '''Browncoat''' (RTH 2500/bonded to Newt). Mid-ranked male. Browncoat has matured into an average-sized wolf with obvious intelligence and cunning.
|-
|width="150pt"|[[Image:Thumb_wolfpix_icemane.jpg]]
|width="600pt"|'''Icemane''' (born RTH 2484/bonded to Suddendusk). Mid-ranked female. More cunning than she is strong, Icemane is constantly on the lookout for opportunities to advance her standing in the pack. Fully grown, however, she knows she is not going to get bigger or stronger, and is more or less content with her rank, but she still keeps her eyes out for weaknesses in others that she can exploit. She is good at stalking and harrying, but poor at outright attacking. She earned her name for her fur. Littermate of Wasp.
|-
|width="150pt"|[[Image:Thumb_wolfpix_murkfur.jpg]]
|width="600pt"|'''Murkfur''' (RTH 2499/unbonded) Mid-ranked male. Dark in coloring and spirit, a mean, runty thing who survived only because he would do literally anything for food. Feels incredibly self-important when ridden, and can prove to be a pest when trying to encourage a walking elf to get on his back.
|-
|width="150pt"|[[Image:Thumb_wolfpix_peakrunner.jpg]]
|width="600pt"|'''Peakrunner''' (RTH 2494/bonded to Goldspice) Mid-ranked male. Peakrunner is calm and well-tempered, but a very fast runner, also very vocal, even when he is sleeping.
|-
|width="150pt"|[[Image:Thumb_wolfpix_rambler.jpg]]
|width="600pt"|'''Rambler''' (RTH 2501/Lonshot) Mid-ranked female. A wolf born outside the pack, Rambler has worked her way in. She is a calm, calculating wolf, always on the look out for something that will give her an advantage. She fiercely guards her own place in the pack but is quick to submit to the higher ranks.
|-
|width="150pt"|[[Image:Thumb_wolfpix_redbrush.png]]
|width="600pt"| '''Redbrush''' (RTH 2501/bonded to Brightwood). Mid-ranked female. Littermate of Rooter. From the moments she opened her eyes, Redbrush has proven to be an aloof, self-confident, and determined young she-wolf who is likely to rise among the hierarchy of the pack as she matures. Named for her unusually reddish color. Bonded with Brightwood.
|-
|width="150pt"|[[Image:Thumb_wolfpix_sleuth.jpg]]
|width="600pt"|'''Sleuth''' (RTH 2488/bonded to Chicory). Mid-ranked female. Mischievous, clever, good runner, prefers to patrol the pack's territory, over spending time lazing by the ponds her elf-friend frequents; has learned not to snap up scurrying or hopping things because then her elf-friend will sulk. Loves to snap at and chase Preservers. Littermate of Growler, Soot and Weasel.
|-
|width="150pt"|[[Image:Thumb_wolfpix_slychase.jpg]]
|width="600pt"|'''Slychase''' (RTH 2497/bonded to Snowfall) Mid-ranked male. Slychase is a clever, sometimes overenthusiastic young wolf who is quickly distracted. He is determined to chase things – bugs, small game, weapons thrown/shot. As a result, the high-ranked wolves will not allow him to join his rider during pack hunts. Instead, he might make a place for himself someday in the ranks of the mid-ranked wolves. He enjoys his connection with Snowfall, but if he is not needed he can be away from his elf bond for several days without being missed. Littermate of Splash.
|-
|width="150pt"|[[Image:Thumb_wolfpix_splash.gif]]
|width="600pt"|'''Splash''' (RTH 2497/bonded to Otter). Mid-ranked female. Splash is a very playful wolf. She enjoys chasing small game, but not necessarily catching it. But she is a water-loving wolfie and is an excellent match for Otter. She has even learned to catch fish on her own in shallow waters by snatching them with her teeth. Splash likes to patrol the banks of the rivers and streams that Otter plays in but gets thoroughly annoyed by slap-tails because they scare the fish away, and antagonize her. Littermate of Slychase.
|}

= Low-Ranked Wolves =

Low ranked wolves are the guardians of the denning area and protectors of any young pups. These are the wolves who are the daily guardians of the Holt proper.

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
|-
|width="150pt"|[[Image:Thumb_wolfpix_crowsong.jpg]]
|width="600pt"| '''Crowsong''' (RTH 2504 out of Charm/bonded to Cloudfern) Low-ranked male. Litter mate of Thumper. An eager and determined wolf, Crowsong is always ready to get in the thick of things. If he can do it with an elf on his back, so much the better.
|-
|width="150pt"|[[Image:Thumb_wolfpix_flea.jpg]]
|width="600pt"| '''Flea''' (RTH 2500/bonded to Copper). Low-ranked female. Not gifted with the burden of intelligence, Flea is an easy-going creature who loves her comforts. What she lacks in brains she makes up for in speed and endurance. Started out bonded with Farscout, which many viewed as a mismatch. Growing up close with his daughter Copper, as her self-appointed protector, Flea eventually switched her bond to Copper (in 2509). Littermate of Browncoat and Flysnap.
|-
|width="150pt"|[[Image:Thumb_wolfpix_fumble.jpg]]
|width="600pt"|'''Fumble''' (RTH 2505/bonded to Dreamflight) Low-ranked female. (Picture (c) Oliver Matla, [http://www.lupinity.com Lupinity!], [http://lupinicious.deviantart.com/gallery/?catpath=/&offset=24#/d2qsaq0 Click here] to see original image; used with permission.)
|-
|width="150pt"|[[Image:Thumb_wolfpix_pounce.jpg]]
|width="600pt"|'''Pounce''' (RTH 2503/unbonded) Low-ranked female. Pounce is scrappy, happy, and eager. She loves to play rough-and-tumble with other wolves her rank. Very gentle with elf cubs.
|-
|width="150pt"|[[Image:New_sky_thumb.jpg]]
|width="600pt"|'''Sky''' (RTH 2483/bonded to Willow) Low-ranked female. Clever and almost contemplative, usually found sitting in shaded places and staring, thinking deep thoughts known only to her. A delicate mount, and happy to carry cubs just learning to ride.
|-
|width="150pt"|[[Image:Thumb_wolfpix_sunsoak.jpg]]
|width="600pt"|'''Sunsoak''' (RTH 2505/unbonded) Low-ranked male. Littermate of Fumble. Sunsoak is a sweet-tempered, lazy wolf who enjoys nothing better than a long snooze in the sun and a thorough scratching.
|-
|width="150pt"|[[Image:Thumb_wolfpix_tenor.jpg]]
|width="600pt"|'''Tenor'''(RTH 2498/bonded to Starskimmer). Low-ranked male. Particularly cowardly, likes to cubsit and is always eager to join in a howl. Littermate of Muddypaws.
|-
|width="150pt"|[[Image:Thumb_wolfpix_thumper.jpg]]
|width="600pt"|'''Thumper''' (RTH 2504 out of Charm/bonded to Windsong) Low-ranked female. Littermate of Crowsong. Thumper is an energetic wolf with a care-free, almost reckless attitude. She thumps the ground with her tail a lot, thus earning her name.
|-
|width="150pt"|[[Image:Thumb_wolfpix_windswift.jpg]]
|width="600pt"|'''Windswift''' (RTH 2506/unbonded) Low-ranked female. A fast runner, Windswift is a terror to the rabbits and other small animals. She will eat anything, including stray leathers left unattended. She is quite affectionate and is always looking for attention from the elves.
|}

= Omega Wolves =
The omega wolves are the lowest-ranked of the low. They are often the babysitters and are the ones who teach the pups skills and social behaviors. Because they are lowest ranked they eat last (or not at all during lean times) and have no rights. Since they rely on the goodwill of the pack, they also tend to initiate playing.

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
|-
|width="150pt"|[[Image:Thumb_wolfpix_charm.jpg]]
|width="600pt"|'''Charm''' (RTH 2492/bonded to True Edge). Omega-ranked female. Charm doesn’t mind being omega very much. Though she doesn't like being harassed by the rest of the pack, she seems to be undisturbed by it at most times. She acts more dainty then timid around other pack members. Like all wolves she likes her bond but generally only seeks him out besides the hunt, after having been put in her place and knowing it's probably better to stay away for a while. She's just a sweetheart who is just a little bit dense. In 2504, while out on a long-range scouting trip with True Edge, she managed to get bred by a stranger-wolf from outside the pack. This caused some strife within the tribe's pack -- Whirl harassed Charm, and when the litter was born, Whirl took it over. Littermate of Lightjaw and Silverbite.
|-
|width="150pt"|[[Image:Thumb_wolfpix_rooter.jpg]]
|width="600pt"| '''Rooter''' (RTH 2501/bonded to Beetle). Omega-ranked female. Littermate of Redbrush. A throwback, Rooter enjoys the company of elves more than other wolves, and has proven herself a sharper mind at wolf-sending than is common. Rooter's not fearless, but she is quick and active. She is also unusually clever and curious.
|-
|width="150pt"|[[Image:Thumb_wolfpix_weasel.jpg]]
|width="600pt"|'''Weasel''' (RTH 2488/bonded to Moss). Omega-ranked male. Named for his fondness of stoats as snack food as well as his sly, crafty temperament, Weasel is a throwback; greatly prefers the company of elves to that of the Pack. Not that it seems to bother him; he much prefers stealing dreamberries from Moss (or pretty much whatever he fancies from anyone else who isn't paying attention). Littermate of Growler, Sleuth and Soot.
|}

= Cubs, Yearlings, and Second Years =

Roly-poly pups are generally considered rankless, but after their first winter, they are considered yearlings – and begin to risk being chased out of the pack. Yearlings who fail to bond to an elf-friend by the beginning of their second winter seldom remain with the pack. Unless they prove unusually clever or remarkably good as a hunter, these young wolves are driven out of the Holt by their elders, and the ones who are the most ambitious leave on their own to carve their own way in the world, outside of the Holt’s territory.

[[Litters from 2500 - present]]

Go to the page above to see the numbers of cubs in each litter from 2500 to the present, along with any other notable information about cubs in those litters (some of which is repeated here). The few most-recent litters are listed below.

'''SECOND YEARS (2508 litter):'''

Low-ranking in general, these wolves are in transition. If they have survived their first year, but are still unbonded, this is the year in which they and the pack will determine whether they stay around, or are run off by the pack, or depart on their own to try to found a pack elsewhere.

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
|-
|width="150pt"|[[Image:Thumb_wolfpix_brindlefur.jpg]]
|width="600pt"|'''Brindlefur''' (RTH 2508, unbonded) Female second-year. Not a very assertive wolf so far, but keeps up with her peers. A very fast runner in straight lines, but hasn't yet become very maneuverable or agile.
|-
|width="150pt"|no picture
|width="600pt"|(RTH 2508) Female second-year. (Died in 2509.)
|-
|width="150pt"|[[Image:Thumb_wolfpix_frostback.jpg]]
|width="600pt"|'''Frostback''' (RTH 2508/reserved) Male second-year. Big, sturdy wolf with a very good nature. Tends to be friendly and social, playful and hard-working.
|-
|width="150pt"|no picture
|width="600pt"|(RTH 2508) Male second-year. (Died or run off in early 2510.)
|}

'''YEARLINGS (2509 litter):'''

Low-ranking in general, these still-maturing wolves may be old enough to be bonded to an elf and carry a rider, but they are still in the process of learning the ropes. They are expected to follow the social rules of the pack, and they learn a great deal from their pack elders about hunting and behavior. Wolves of this age who remain unbonded and who did not die in their first year are still at increased risk of mortality, because of their lack of experience.

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
|-
|width="150pt"|[[Image:Thumb_wolfpix_fireweed.jpg]]
|width="600pt"|'''Fireweed''' (RTH 2509, unbonded) Female yearling. Alert and eager, she shows a good aptitude for social cues and for hunting.
|-
|width="150pt"|[[Image:Thumb_wolfpix_softjoy.jpg]]
|width="600pt"|'''Softjoy''' (RTH 2509/bonded to Rill) Female yearling. Littermate of Longhowl. Soft Joy is very active and enjoys playing with anyone available. She is possessive toward Rill but may wander off when she thinks she isn't getting enough attention.
|-
|width="150pt"|[[Image:Thumb_wolfpix_longhowl.jpg]]
|width="600pt"|'''Longhowl''' (RTH 2509/bonded to Cinder) Male yearling. Littermate of Softjoy. A quiet pup, but playful and unafraid, Longhowl is much like his elf-friend. However, even as a young pup, Longhowl shows enough aggression to give the impression that, when the time comes, he's going to start moving his way up the pack.
|-
|}

'''CUBS (2510 litter):'''

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
|-
|width="150pt"|[[Image:Thumb_wolfpix_silversong.jpg]]
|width="600pt"|'''Silversong''' (RTH 2510/reserved) Female cub.
|-
|width="150pt"|no picture yet
|width="600pt"|(RTH 2510) Female cub.
|-
|width="150pt"|no picture yet
|width="600pt"|(RTH 2510) Female cub.
|-
|width="150pt"|no picture yet
|width="600pt"|(RTH 2510) Male cub.
|}

= Deceased Members of the Pack =

[[Deceased Members of the Pack]]

(Return to the [http://www.rivertwine.com River Twine Holt] website.)

File:Salalberries.jpg

2011-12-02T18:56:14Z

Farscout: uploaded a new version of "Image:Salalberries.jpg"

Flora of River Twine Holt

2011-12-02T18:46:23Z

Farscout: /* SHRUBS & SMALL PLANTS */

(Return to the [http://www.rivertwine.com River Twine Holt] website.)

''(article by Amy Chandler, with additional material from Mary Jo Jeffers, Cindy Pruitt, Rachel Vardys & Whitney Ware - posted 11/11/06, updated 02/14/08)''

The forest surrounding River Twine Holt is made up of many types of trees, including pine, cedar, fir, birch, ash, spruce, hickory, maple, sycamore, aspen, cottonwood, oak, willow, and redwood. The list is expansive and too numerous to list completely. There are many types of each of the trees listed above and they could be called generically by those names. Here are a few specifically named specimens that should be noted for their usefulness as well as several that should be avoided. Pictures of specimens, when available, are located below the entry.

Flora are listed by the name the elves use for a species; differing Earth names are listed in parenthesis. Species listed as "unique" are unique to the fictional world. Note -- authors can use an Earth term for a flora species in narrative, but in elf dialog, the elves' name for the plant should be used.

This article will be periodically updated with new materials as often as members wish to continue to submit new content. Please send all flora submissions to wiki@rivertwine.com.

== TREES ==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
|-
|width="200pt"|[[Image:pears.jpg]]
|width="600pt"|'''Brownfruit tree''' ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pear wild pear]): medium sized tree that bears brown bulbous fruit in the late summer and fall, grows near the edges of the forest.
|-
|[[Image:oak.jpg]]||'''Capnut tree''' ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oak oak tree]):has lobed leaves with jagged edges and capped, slightly bitter-tasting, nuts. Nuts and bark can be used as a tanning agent. Nuts can be eaten if tannin is leeched from them first.
|-
|[[Image:chokecherry.jpg]]||'''Chokecherry tree''' ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chokecherry chokecherry]): small tree/large shrub, has thin pointy leaves, in the spring has sprigs of tiny white flowers, late summer brings dark purple or black fruit, leaves and seeds are extremely poisonous, fruit is edible but unpalatable so therefore only eaten in extreme circumstances, aged fruit makes a green dye.
|-
|[[Image:sassafras.jpg]]||'''Handtree''' ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sassafras sassafras]): has leaves with 3 different shapes resembling hands. Leaves can be chewed as a stimulant or tea made from the roots.
|-
|[[Image:willow.jpg]]||'''Mourningtree''' ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weeping_willow weeping willow]): grows near riverbanks, has long thin leaves that droop downward, bark can be brewed as a tea for pain relief, limbs can be woven for baskets.
|-
|[[Image:elderberry.JPG]]||'''Pipetree''' ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elderberry elderberry]): small tree, has long fronds of compound leaves, white star shaped flowers, black berries, has many uses, twigs with pith removed make hollow tubes for musical instruments or blow guns, leaves and flowers are used in poultices for burns or wounds to fight infection, roots are made into a tea relieving respiratory symptoms, dried bark is a laxative, berries can be eaten.
|-
|[[Image:buckeye.jpg]] ||'''Puckernut tree''' ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aesculus buckeye]): has fan-shaped compound leaves, bears smooth dark brown nuts in fall, is very hardy and difficult to kill, but serves no use for the elves, wood is too soft to hold shaping well, bark has an unpleasant sour smell, leaves and nuts are poisonous.
|-
|[[Image:redbud.jpg]]||'''Redleaf tree''' ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redbud Redbud]): has large heart shaped leaves that turn bright red in the autumn, in the spring has bursts of tiny dark pink flowers, flowers can be eaten if necessary, roots can be used to make a red dye.
|-
|[[Image:autumn_leaves.jpg]]||'''Sugartree''' ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sugar_maple Sugar Maple]): leaves have 5 lobes, sap can be collected to make a thick sweet syrup that can be used to flavor food or quiet a cough temporarily
|-
|[[Image:wild_apple.jpg]]||'''Tartfruit tree''' ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malus wild apple]): medium sized tree that bears green or light red fruit in the late summer and fall, grows near the edges of the forest
|-
|[[Image:white_willow.jpg]]||'''Willow tree''' ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_willow white willow]): grows near riverbanks and marshes, has black bark, thin limbs, bright green lance-like leaves, roots can be boiled for medicinal uses such as a fever reducer, pain relief, and anti-inflammatory
|}

== VINES ==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
|-
|width="200pt"|[[Image:wild_muscadine.JPG]]
|width="600pt"|'''Berryvine''' '''([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muscadine Muscadine]):''' drapes on the limbs of trees deep into the forest, likes indirect sunlight, during the summer bears small clusters of greenish berries that can be eaten.
|-
|[[Image:lingonberry.jpg]]||'''Starvine ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaccinium_vitis-idaea Partridgeberry/lingonberry]):''' thin vine with small round leaves that grows around stumps and at the base of large trees, flowers are white and shaped like a 4 pointed star, bears red berries, berries can be eaten fresh or dried by expectant mothers to promote a quick and easy labor.
|-
|[[Image:morning_glory.jpg]]||'''Stonefruit vine ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morning_glory wild potato, aka morning glory])''': vine has dark green heart shaped leaves, wide conical spring flowers are white with a purplish red center, vine creeps along the forest floor or drapes over other small trees and bushes, root is very large (about the size of a newborn cub), the root is a tasty starch if roasted in the embers of a fire, in it's raw state root is a purgative, seeds have a narcotic effect similar to opium.
|-
|||'''Strangleweed:''' carnivorous vine with light green leaves found on the forest floor, this plant can and will kill small to medium sized animals and elves, the vine is able to move to constrict it its prey, the vine is thick and leathery making it difficult to cut, active spring through fall but dormant during the winter.
|-
|[[Image:honeysuckle.jpg]]||'''Sweetvine ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honeysuckle Honeysuckle]):''' Vine that grows rapidly in the spring at the edge of the forest, dark green leaves, pale yellow or white conical flowers, cubs love to suck the nectar out of the flowers, the vine can be woven into baskets when dried.
|}

== SHRUBS & SMALL PLANTS ==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
|-
|width="200pt"|[[Image:arrowhead.jpg]]
|width="600pt"|'''Arrowhead plant ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagittaria wapatoo]):''' grows in shallow water, has bright green arrow shaped leaves that sprout above the water, has small white flowers, the root is edible, can be eaten raw but tastes better boiled or baked, baked roots can be dried and saved for winter.
|-
|[[Image:blackberry.jpg]]||[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackberry '''Blackberry:'''] medium sized shrub with thorns, bears tiny cluster of red berries which ripen and turn black in the fall, berries can be eaten or used to make a purple dye.
|-
|[[Image:cranberry.jpg]]||'''Bloodberry ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cranberry cranberry]):''' small plant found in marshy areas near the rivers, leaves are small and grey-green or purple, bears a dark red fruit in late summer, fruit is edible, fruit can be used to treat infection or make a red dye.
|-
|||'''Dreamberry bush (unique):''' medium sized bush covered with dark green leaves, bears dark purple berries in the summer and fall, berries have hallucinogenic quality on elves.
|-
|[[Image:woad.jpg]]||'''Dyeweed ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woad dyer's woad]):''' grows 1 to 4 feet tall, stalk is a bluish-green, flowers are yellow and form into small clusters, leaves are short and pointed, seeds are winged and black, isn't poisonous but is unpalatable, only useful purpose is that the leaves can be fermented to produce a blue dye.
|-
|[[Image:poison_ivy.jpg]]||'''Itchleaf ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poison_ivy poison ivy]):''' small plant with clusters of three leaves, skin contact with the leaves can cause an outbreak of itchy red sore.
|-
[[Image:salalberries.jpg]]||'''Leather-leaf ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salal]):''' is named for its leathery, glossy dark green leaves. It is a shrubby understory plant that is commonly found in woodlands and forest margins (often alongside patches of itchleaf (poison oak)). In some areas along the coast, it can form deep, nearly impenetrable thickets. Leather-leaf flowers in the late spring through summer (May through August) as tiny, candy pink vase-shaped blossoms which turning paler to an almost white as they age. The heavy purple-to-black berries begin to ripen in late summer (August) and can remain on the plant until the following year, if not eaten first by birds or bears. Both the berries and the young leaves are edible, and can be used for appetite suppression. The berries are a significant food resource for bears to fatten up for the winter, and the elves eat them both fresh off the bush, or dried into cakes. Leather-leaf berries have a mild, sweet taste and can be used as a sweetner; they are also used to thicken salmon eggs. The leaves of the plant are also useful as flavoring in fish soup. Medicinally, leather-leaves have an astringent effect, making it an effective anti-inflammatory and anti-cramping herb. By preparing the leaves in a tea or tincture, the herb can be taken to safely to decrease internal inflammation such as bladder inflammation, stomach or duodenal ulcers, heartburn, indigestion, sinus inflammation, diarrhea, moderate fever, inflamed / irritated throat, and menstrual cramps. A leather-leaf poultice can be used externally to ease discomfort from insect bites and stings.
|-
|||'''Moonberry bush (unique, no photo):''' large shrub with waxy green leaves, grows in marshy areas near the river, has very large white moon-shaped berries, berries are edible but not tasty, crushed berries can be used to make a dark purple dye.
|-
|[[Image:wild_strawberry.jpg]]||'''Passionberry ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wild_strawberry wild strawberry]):''' small plant that grows at the base of trees, has jagged tri-lobed leaves, small white flowers in the spring, bright red heart shaped berries appear in the summer, considered to be an aphrodisiac.
|-
|[[Image:snowberry.jpg]]||'''Snowberry bush ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snowberry snowberry]):''' has dull grey green leaves, pink flowers in the spring bears white waxy berries in the summer and fall, berries crushed and rubbed on skin will block scent, however berries can be poisonous to cubs if ingested and would give adults stomach cramps.
|-
|[[Image:skunk_cabbage.jpg]]||'''Stinkleaf ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Skunk_Cabbage Western skunk cabbage]):''' grows in swamps and marshes, has very large leaves and a single yellow flower, leaves grow between 1 to 4 feet long and 1 to 2 feet wide, one of the first sprouts in spring, named for foul odor the plant exudes which gets worse if the leaves are bruised, bears eat the root as a laxative after hibernation, leaves are used in cooking particularly as a wrap in which to bake fish.
|}

== HERBS & GRASSES ==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
|-
|width="200pt"|[[Image:bluespear.jpg]]
|width="600pt"|'''Bluespear ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camassia camas]):''' grows 1 to 4 feet tall, has long thin leaves at base, blue flowers grow off tall central stalk, young shoots are boiled and eaten, mature bulbs are dug up in late fall and baked in pit ovens for 2 days, baked bulbs can be eaten immediately or dried for winter, baked bulb is very sweet and can be ground into flour for flat cakes.
|-
|[[Image:cattail.jpg]]||[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cattail '''Cattail:'''] grows along the shores of lakes and rivers or in marshes, grows 3 to 9 feet tall, consists of tall sword-like grass leaves, flower resembles a brown cylinder with a yellow spike on top, peeled stem can be eaten raw or cooked and tastes a bit like cucumber, flower can be baked and eaten or pounded into flour, grass portion is frequently used for weaving, fluffy seeds can be used as insulation in coats.
|-
|||'''Feverease (unique, no photo):''' a high meadow flowering plant, similar to peonies, has large fragrant blooms that are red-violet in color, has broad heart-shaped leaves, flowers are poisonous, leaves are gathered and dried in spring before the flower buds have bloomed then steeped or brewed into a strong analgesic, produces powerful fever-reducer, somewhat narcotic, can be used as a minor pain-reducer as well similar to laudanum but causes reduced motor-control and powerful dreams.
|-
|[[Image:fireweed.jpg]]||[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fireweed '''Fireweed:'''] grows in meadows or clearings especially in burned out areas, Grows 3 to 7 feet tall, has a long straight stalk with thin pointy leaves, flowers sprout along the top of the stalk and are bright pink in color, young shoots can be eaten but get bitter as they age, a peeled stalk can be placed on a cut or sore to draw out pus, honey produced from these flowers is exceptionally sweet.
|-
|[[Image:wild_onion.jpg]]||'''Oniongrass ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allium wild onion]):''' a bulb plant, has slender grass-like leaves, white flower blooms atop a thin central stalk, flower turns into a cluster of mini bulbs which fall to the ground and sprout anew, even the leaves carry a strong odor, bulb can be eaten raw or cooked, can be used to flavor food.
|-
|[[Image:wild_carrot.JPG]]||'''Rattlesnake root ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wild_carrot wild carrot]):''' has a cluster of stems with small heart shaped leaves with rough edges that show above ground, root is white and shaped like a rattlesnake tail, grows on dry ground, root is edible.
|-
|[[Image:marijuana.jpg]]||'''Smokeweed ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabis wild cannabis]):''' grows 1 to 2 feet tall, leaves are thin with jagged edges and grows in clusters of nine, breathing in smoke from burned flower buds or seeds causes feelings of relaxed euphoria and giddiness, can be used as appetite stimulant and mild pain reliever especially for migraine headaches.
|-
|||'''Whistling Leaves (unique, no photo):''' small plant found in marshy areas, has wide pointy leaves with slits in them, makes a whistling sound in the wind, chewed leaves cleanse the body of poisons and infections, causes vomiting.
|-
|[[Image:wild_mint.jpg]]||'''Wormgrass ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mentha_sylvestris wild mint]):''' small plant with spiky purple flowers and a square stem, has a pleasant odor when crushed, a strong tea can be made from the stem and leaves to expel intestinal parasites, a weak tea will settle an upset stomach.
|}

== MOSS & LICHEN ==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
|-
|width="200pt"|[[Image:lichen.jpg]]
|width="600pt"|'''Hairmoss ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lichen witches hair lichen]):''' a green grey moss that resembles hair hanging beneath tree branches, moss can be used to stop infections and control bleeding when packed in wounds.
|-
|||'''Moonmoss ( unique, no photo):''' a cave moss nurtured by the elves for the weak phosphoric blue glow it releases.
|}

----

(Unless otherwise noted, the images on this page were taken from [http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_Page Wikimedia Commons], a database of freely usable media files related to Wikipedia. Links in each entry to a Wikipedia article will take users to the page from which the image was obtained, where a full-size version of the image and file information is available.)

(Return to the [http://www.rivertwine.com River Twine Holt] website.)

File:Salalberries.jpg

2011-12-02T18:44:41Z

Farscout:

Flora of River Twine Holt

2011-12-02T18:43:33Z

Farscout: /* SHRUBS & SMALL PLANTS */

(Return to the [http://www.rivertwine.com River Twine Holt] website.)

''(article by Amy Chandler, with additional material from Mary Jo Jeffers, Cindy Pruitt, Rachel Vardys & Whitney Ware - posted 11/11/06, updated 02/14/08)''

The forest surrounding River Twine Holt is made up of many types of trees, including pine, cedar, fir, birch, ash, spruce, hickory, maple, sycamore, aspen, cottonwood, oak, willow, and redwood. The list is expansive and too numerous to list completely. There are many types of each of the trees listed above and they could be called generically by those names. Here are a few specifically named specimens that should be noted for their usefulness as well as several that should be avoided. Pictures of specimens, when available, are located below the entry.

Flora are listed by the name the elves use for a species; differing Earth names are listed in parenthesis. Species listed as "unique" are unique to the fictional world. Note -- authors can use an Earth term for a flora species in narrative, but in elf dialog, the elves' name for the plant should be used.

This article will be periodically updated with new materials as often as members wish to continue to submit new content. Please send all flora submissions to wiki@rivertwine.com.

== TREES ==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
|-
|width="200pt"|[[Image:pears.jpg]]
|width="600pt"|'''Brownfruit tree''' ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pear wild pear]): medium sized tree that bears brown bulbous fruit in the late summer and fall, grows near the edges of the forest.
|-
|[[Image:oak.jpg]]||'''Capnut tree''' ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oak oak tree]):has lobed leaves with jagged edges and capped, slightly bitter-tasting, nuts. Nuts and bark can be used as a tanning agent. Nuts can be eaten if tannin is leeched from them first.
|-
|[[Image:chokecherry.jpg]]||'''Chokecherry tree''' ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chokecherry chokecherry]): small tree/large shrub, has thin pointy leaves, in the spring has sprigs of tiny white flowers, late summer brings dark purple or black fruit, leaves and seeds are extremely poisonous, fruit is edible but unpalatable so therefore only eaten in extreme circumstances, aged fruit makes a green dye.
|-
|[[Image:sassafras.jpg]]||'''Handtree''' ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sassafras sassafras]): has leaves with 3 different shapes resembling hands. Leaves can be chewed as a stimulant or tea made from the roots.
|-
|[[Image:willow.jpg]]||'''Mourningtree''' ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weeping_willow weeping willow]): grows near riverbanks, has long thin leaves that droop downward, bark can be brewed as a tea for pain relief, limbs can be woven for baskets.
|-
|[[Image:elderberry.JPG]]||'''Pipetree''' ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elderberry elderberry]): small tree, has long fronds of compound leaves, white star shaped flowers, black berries, has many uses, twigs with pith removed make hollow tubes for musical instruments or blow guns, leaves and flowers are used in poultices for burns or wounds to fight infection, roots are made into a tea relieving respiratory symptoms, dried bark is a laxative, berries can be eaten.
|-
|[[Image:buckeye.jpg]] ||'''Puckernut tree''' ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aesculus buckeye]): has fan-shaped compound leaves, bears smooth dark brown nuts in fall, is very hardy and difficult to kill, but serves no use for the elves, wood is too soft to hold shaping well, bark has an unpleasant sour smell, leaves and nuts are poisonous.
|-
|[[Image:redbud.jpg]]||'''Redleaf tree''' ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redbud Redbud]): has large heart shaped leaves that turn bright red in the autumn, in the spring has bursts of tiny dark pink flowers, flowers can be eaten if necessary, roots can be used to make a red dye.
|-
|[[Image:autumn_leaves.jpg]]||'''Sugartree''' ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sugar_maple Sugar Maple]): leaves have 5 lobes, sap can be collected to make a thick sweet syrup that can be used to flavor food or quiet a cough temporarily
|-
|[[Image:wild_apple.jpg]]||'''Tartfruit tree''' ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malus wild apple]): medium sized tree that bears green or light red fruit in the late summer and fall, grows near the edges of the forest
|-
|[[Image:white_willow.jpg]]||'''Willow tree''' ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_willow white willow]): grows near riverbanks and marshes, has black bark, thin limbs, bright green lance-like leaves, roots can be boiled for medicinal uses such as a fever reducer, pain relief, and anti-inflammatory
|}

== VINES ==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
|-
|width="200pt"|[[Image:wild_muscadine.JPG]]
|width="600pt"|'''Berryvine''' '''([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muscadine Muscadine]):''' drapes on the limbs of trees deep into the forest, likes indirect sunlight, during the summer bears small clusters of greenish berries that can be eaten.
|-
|[[Image:lingonberry.jpg]]||'''Starvine ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaccinium_vitis-idaea Partridgeberry/lingonberry]):''' thin vine with small round leaves that grows around stumps and at the base of large trees, flowers are white and shaped like a 4 pointed star, bears red berries, berries can be eaten fresh or dried by expectant mothers to promote a quick and easy labor.
|-
|[[Image:morning_glory.jpg]]||'''Stonefruit vine ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morning_glory wild potato, aka morning glory])''': vine has dark green heart shaped leaves, wide conical spring flowers are white with a purplish red center, vine creeps along the forest floor or drapes over other small trees and bushes, root is very large (about the size of a newborn cub), the root is a tasty starch if roasted in the embers of a fire, in it's raw state root is a purgative, seeds have a narcotic effect similar to opium.
|-
|||'''Strangleweed:''' carnivorous vine with light green leaves found on the forest floor, this plant can and will kill small to medium sized animals and elves, the vine is able to move to constrict it its prey, the vine is thick and leathery making it difficult to cut, active spring through fall but dormant during the winter.
|-
|[[Image:honeysuckle.jpg]]||'''Sweetvine ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honeysuckle Honeysuckle]):''' Vine that grows rapidly in the spring at the edge of the forest, dark green leaves, pale yellow or white conical flowers, cubs love to suck the nectar out of the flowers, the vine can be woven into baskets when dried.
|}

== SHRUBS & SMALL PLANTS ==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
|-
|width="200pt"|[[Image:arrowhead.jpg]]
|width="600pt"|'''Arrowhead plant ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagittaria wapatoo]):''' grows in shallow water, has bright green arrow shaped leaves that sprout above the water, has small white flowers, the root is edible, can be eaten raw but tastes better boiled or baked, baked roots can be dried and saved for winter.
|-
|[[Image:blackberry.jpg]]||[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackberry '''Blackberry:'''] medium sized shrub with thorns, bears tiny cluster of red berries which ripen and turn black in the fall, berries can be eaten or used to make a purple dye.
|-
|[[Image:cranberry.jpg]]||'''Bloodberry ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cranberry cranberry]):''' small plant found in marshy areas near the rivers, leaves are small and grey-green or purple, bears a dark red fruit in late summer, fruit is edible, fruit can be used to treat infection or make a red dye.
|-
|||'''Dreamberry bush (unique):''' medium sized bush covered with dark green leaves, bears dark purple berries in the summer and fall, berries have hallucinogenic quality on elves.
|-
|[[Image:woad.jpg]]||'''Dyeweed ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woad dyer's woad]):''' grows 1 to 4 feet tall, stalk is a bluish-green, flowers are yellow and form into small clusters, leaves are short and pointed, seeds are winged and black, isn't poisonous but is unpalatable, only useful purpose is that the leaves can be fermented to produce a blue dye.
|-
|[[Image:poison_ivy.jpg]]||'''Itchleaf ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poison_ivy poison ivy]):''' small plant with clusters of three leaves, skin contact with the leaves can cause an outbreak of itchy red sore.

[[Image:salalberries.jpg]]'''Leather-leaf ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salal]:''' is named for its leathery, glossy dark green leaves. It is a shrubby understory plant that is commonly found in woodlands and forest margins (often alongside patches of itchleaf (poison oak)). In some areas along the coast, it can form deep, nearly impenetrable thickets. Leather-leaf flowers in the late spring through summer (May through August) as tiny, candy pink vase-shaped blossoms which turning paler to an almost white as they age. The heavy purple-to-black berries begin to ripen in late summer (August) and can remain on the plant until the following year, if not eaten first by birds or bears. Both the berries and the young leaves are edible, and can be used for appetite suppression. The berries are a significant food resource for bears to fatten up for the winter, and the elves eat them both fresh off the bush, or dried into cakes. Leather-leaf berries have a mild, sweet taste and can be used as a sweetner; they are also used to thicken salmon eggs. The leaves of the plant are also useful as flavoring in fish soup. Medicinally, leather-leaves have an astringent effect, making it an effective anti-inflammatory and anti-cramping herb. By preparing the leaves in a tea or tincture, the herb can be taken to safely to decrease internal inflammation such as bladder inflammation, stomach or duodenal ulcers, heartburn, indigestion, sinus inflammation, diarrhea, moderate fever, inflamed / irritated throat, and menstrual cramps. A leather-leaf poultice can be used externally to ease discomfort from insect bites and stings.
|-
|||'''Moonberry bush (unique, no photo):''' large shrub with waxy green leaves, grows in marshy areas near the river, has very large white moon-shaped berries, berries are edible but not tasty, crushed berries can be used to make a dark purple dye.
|-
|[[Image:wild_strawberry.jpg]]||'''Passionberry ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wild_strawberry wild strawberry]):''' small plant that grows at the base of trees, has jagged tri-lobed leaves, small white flowers in the spring, bright red heart shaped berries appear in the summer, considered to be an aphrodisiac.
|-
|[[Image:snowberry.jpg]]||'''Snowberry bush ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snowberry snowberry]):''' has dull grey green leaves, pink flowers in the spring bears white waxy berries in the summer and fall, berries crushed and rubbed on skin will block scent, however berries can be poisonous to cubs if ingested and would give adults stomach cramps.
|-
|[[Image:skunk_cabbage.jpg]]||'''Stinkleaf ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Skunk_Cabbage Western skunk cabbage]):''' grows in swamps and marshes, has very large leaves and a single yellow flower, leaves grow between 1 to 4 feet long and 1 to 2 feet wide, one of the first sprouts in spring, named for foul odor the plant exudes which gets worse if the leaves are bruised, bears eat the root as a laxative after hibernation, leaves are used in cooking particularly as a wrap in which to bake fish.
|}

== HERBS & GRASSES ==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
|-
|width="200pt"|[[Image:bluespear.jpg]]
|width="600pt"|'''Bluespear ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camassia camas]):''' grows 1 to 4 feet tall, has long thin leaves at base, blue flowers grow off tall central stalk, young shoots are boiled and eaten, mature bulbs are dug up in late fall and baked in pit ovens for 2 days, baked bulbs can be eaten immediately or dried for winter, baked bulb is very sweet and can be ground into flour for flat cakes.
|-
|[[Image:cattail.jpg]]||[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cattail '''Cattail:'''] grows along the shores of lakes and rivers or in marshes, grows 3 to 9 feet tall, consists of tall sword-like grass leaves, flower resembles a brown cylinder with a yellow spike on top, peeled stem can be eaten raw or cooked and tastes a bit like cucumber, flower can be baked and eaten or pounded into flour, grass portion is frequently used for weaving, fluffy seeds can be used as insulation in coats.
|-
|||'''Feverease (unique, no photo):''' a high meadow flowering plant, similar to peonies, has large fragrant blooms that are red-violet in color, has broad heart-shaped leaves, flowers are poisonous, leaves are gathered and dried in spring before the flower buds have bloomed then steeped or brewed into a strong analgesic, produces powerful fever-reducer, somewhat narcotic, can be used as a minor pain-reducer as well similar to laudanum but causes reduced motor-control and powerful dreams.
|-
|[[Image:fireweed.jpg]]||[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fireweed '''Fireweed:'''] grows in meadows or clearings especially in burned out areas, Grows 3 to 7 feet tall, has a long straight stalk with thin pointy leaves, flowers sprout along the top of the stalk and are bright pink in color, young shoots can be eaten but get bitter as they age, a peeled stalk can be placed on a cut or sore to draw out pus, honey produced from these flowers is exceptionally sweet.
|-
|[[Image:wild_onion.jpg]]||'''Oniongrass ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allium wild onion]):''' a bulb plant, has slender grass-like leaves, white flower blooms atop a thin central stalk, flower turns into a cluster of mini bulbs which fall to the ground and sprout anew, even the leaves carry a strong odor, bulb can be eaten raw or cooked, can be used to flavor food.
|-
|[[Image:wild_carrot.JPG]]||'''Rattlesnake root ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wild_carrot wild carrot]):''' has a cluster of stems with small heart shaped leaves with rough edges that show above ground, root is white and shaped like a rattlesnake tail, grows on dry ground, root is edible.
|-
|[[Image:marijuana.jpg]]||'''Smokeweed ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabis wild cannabis]):''' grows 1 to 2 feet tall, leaves are thin with jagged edges and grows in clusters of nine, breathing in smoke from burned flower buds or seeds causes feelings of relaxed euphoria and giddiness, can be used as appetite stimulant and mild pain reliever especially for migraine headaches.
|-
|||'''Whistling Leaves (unique, no photo):''' small plant found in marshy areas, has wide pointy leaves with slits in them, makes a whistling sound in the wind, chewed leaves cleanse the body of poisons and infections, causes vomiting.
|-
|[[Image:wild_mint.jpg]]||'''Wormgrass ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mentha_sylvestris wild mint]):''' small plant with spiky purple flowers and a square stem, has a pleasant odor when crushed, a strong tea can be made from the stem and leaves to expel intestinal parasites, a weak tea will settle an upset stomach.
|}

== MOSS & LICHEN ==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
|-
|width="200pt"|[[Image:lichen.jpg]]
|width="600pt"|'''Hairmoss ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lichen witches hair lichen]):''' a green grey moss that resembles hair hanging beneath tree branches, moss can be used to stop infections and control bleeding when packed in wounds.
|-
|||'''Moonmoss ( unique, no photo):''' a cave moss nurtured by the elves for the weak phosphoric blue glow it releases.
|}

----

(Unless otherwise noted, the images on this page were taken from [http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_Page Wikimedia Commons], a database of freely usable media files related to Wikipedia. Links in each entry to a Wikipedia article will take users to the page from which the image was obtained, where a full-size version of the image and file information is available.)

(Return to the [http://www.rivertwine.com River Twine Holt] website.)

River Twine Participation Awards

2010-10-09T23:24:45Z

Farscout:

Every quarter, the Council of Five will collectively decide which member should receive the Art and Fiction award for the season, based largely on who has earned the most points in that category during the quarter. The Member Award will go to a member who has actively participated throughout the quarter above and beyond the normal rate of activity. The Member Award is generally based upon the amount of points that a person receives in a quarter.

The awards are given out 'seasonally' as follows:

• March 31: Winter Quarter (Jan-Feb-March)

• June 30: Spring Quarter (April-May-June)

• Sept. 30: Summer Quarter (July-Aug-Sept)

• Dec. 31: Autumn Quarter (Oct-Nov-Dec)

Once a member has received an Art, Fiction or Member award during the course of a year, that member cannot receive that same award again during that year.

The '''Chief's Choice Award''' was introduced in 2008. It is given to honor an exceptional effort in fiction, poetry or artwork. The Chief's Choice Award may be given out quarterly, but is not a mandatory award -- the Council will give it only in circumstances where the Council believes it very well deserved, but the regular artist, member, or general participation awards (which are largely points-based achievements) are not applicable.

== 2010 Summer Participation Awards ==

''trophies pending''

== 2010 Spring Participation Awards ==

''trophies pending''

== 2010 Winter Participation Awards ==

''trophies pending''

== 2009 Autumn Participation Awards ==

''trophies pending''

== 2009 Summer Participation Awards ==

''trophies pending''

== 2009 Spring Participation Awards ==

[[Image:2009spring_artist.jpg]] [[Image:2009spring_writer.jpg]] [[Image:2009spring_member.jpg]] [[Image:2009spring_chiefschoice.jpg]]

== 2009 Winter Participation Awards ==

[[Image:rth-award-winter09-artist.jpg]] [[Image:rth-award-winter09-writer.jpg]] [[Image:rth-award-winter09-member.jpg]]

== 2008 Autumn Participation Awards ==

[[Image:2008autumn_artist.jpg]] [[Image:2008autumn_writer.jpg]] [[Image:2008autumn_member.jpg]]

== 2008 Summer Participation Awards ==

[[Image:2008summer_artist.jpg]] [[Image:2008summer_writer.jpg]] [[Image:2008summer_member.jpg]]

== 2008 Spring Participation Awards ==

[[Image:2008spring_artist.jpg]] [[Image:2008spring_writer.jpg]] [[Image:2008spring_member.jpg]]

== 2008 Winter Participation Awards ==

[[Image:2008winter_chiefs.jpg]] [[Image:2008winter_member.jpg]]

[[Image:2008winter_artist.jpg]] [[Image:2008winter_writer.jpg]]

== 2007 Autumn Participation Awards ==

[[Image:2007autumn_artist.jpg]] [[Image:2007autumn_writer.jpg]] [[Image:2007autumn_member.jpg]]

== 2007 Summer Participation Awards ==

[[Image:2007summer_artist.jpg]] [[Image:2007summer_writer.jpg]]
[[Image:2007summer_member.jpg]]

== 2007 Spring Participation Awards ==

[[Image:2007spring_artist.jpg]] [[Image:2007spring_writer.jpg]]
[[Image:2007spring_member.jpg]]

== 2007 Winter Participation Awards ==

[[Image:2007winter_artist.jpg]] [[Image:2007winter_author.jpg]]
[[Image:2007winter_member.jpg]]
''
Note: there was an administrative change between 2006 and 2007 in how quarters were titled/tracked. These awards were originally called the "Winter 2006" awards; normally authors are not awarded the same award twice in one year, but Sarah earned the Winter 2006 award before the administrative change went into affect, thus grandfathering in her two writer awards during 2007.''

== 2006 Autumn Participation Awards ==

[[Image:2006autumn_artist.jpg]] [[Image:2006autumn_writer.jpg]]
[[Image:2006autumn_member.jpg]]

== 2006 Summer Participation Awards ==

[[Image:2006summer_artist.jpg]] [[Image:2006summer_writer.jpg]]
[[Image:2006summer_member.jpg]]

Fisheries of River Twine Holt

2010-10-09T23:21:36Z

Farscout: /* TYPES OF FISH: */

(Return to the [http://www.rivertwine.com River Twine Holt] website.)

''(article by Cindy P. and Whitney W. - posted 10/25/07, updated 02/13/08)''

''Fishing key code: SJ = Spear/Javelin, N = Net, DN = Dip Net, FT = Fish Trap, FH = Fish Hook on a line.''

Fish are a year-around staple for the elves of the River Twine Holt. Seasonal runs of spawning salmon, trout and candlefish provide annual bounties which elves have learned to take full advantage of, while fishers ply the local rivers, lakes and streams year-around for freshly caught fish in a variety of sizes, types, and flavors. Many elves fish all year around, and there are also times when the entire tribe gathers to bring in the catch.

There are as many different ways to fish in the rivers and streams of the River Twine Holt as there are species of fish to be caught, or elves to catch them. The tribe uses a number of methods of fishing, from a simple baited hook at the end of a line suspended from a willow branch, to an elaborately stone weir in the Braided River near the Holt itself, a structure which has been maintained by rockshapers for centuries. The elves craft fishing spears out of wood and bone; build dip-nets and scoop-nets from supple branches and sinew, and a variety of basket traps out of wood and twine woven from Preserver silk.

== The Annual Salmon Catch ==

Of primary importance to the elves is the annual run of Elder Salmon (King Salmon and Chinook Salmon). There are actually five different runs of salmon migrating up the local rivers and streams, but the first to come each year are the Elder Salmon. These salmon are big (on average 10 to 15 pounds, but very rarely can get as large as 135 lbs – these extremely large ones are usually found very late in the season). The Elders hurl themselves upstream from the ocean through the Braided Rivers and the Holt River to spawn their eggs in the Brownbear, Snowcat and Clickdeer Rivers, north of the Holt. As they flow upstream from Eagle Bay past the Holt, the Elder Salmon are rich in oil, fat and full of energy. While the surging flow of fish can vary in number, they are always countless, and for days at a time, the Braided River is so thick with fish that young elves will dare one another to cross the river on their backs, taking each step without placing a foot on water.

This spawning cycle comes in the early spring, soon after ice has thawed and while game is still winter-lean. The annual return of the Elder Salmon is a cause for celebration for the elves, and the first few nights of the spawning cycle is spent feasting. Every hand is put to work during the annual salmon catch. Most of the adult members of the tribe take turns at the two primary chores -- hauling in fish by the netful, and cleaning the fish which have been caught. Each year, several tons of fish are caught and stored away for later use – not only are the elves caching this bounty for themselves against leaner months to come, but they must also store enough to share with their large pack of wolves. Half of the catch will be air-dried on along the stony beach close to the Holt, and it is often a task for the cubs to chase away ravens, fox, and other scavengers who seek to help themselves to the catch. The Preservers are put to work wrapping up the remainder of the already-cleaned fish, so that later in the year the salmon can be unwrapped and eaten, as fresh as it was the day it was caught. In years past, the elves also eagerly smoked a portion of their catch; however, in more recent decades since the arrival of the Ebea and the Burko-Baha, the elves rarely risk large-scale meat smoking efforts.

== The Stone Weir ==

A submerged stone weir was shaped by Clayshard in the early days of the Holt during a summer of drought, and it has been maintained and reshaped by his skill-heirs over the long centuries since, adding and removing sluiceways and fish ladders as time and the flow of the river has needed.. This overflow dam is less than a half-mile east of the Holt’s hometrees, and the wide pond it has created has long been a favored swimming hole and fishing spot for the Holt since the days of Chieftess Wolfsister. The weir is often shaped in advance of the important Elder Salmon spawning run, so that the high winter water is drained off enough for the elves to safely walk a net through the masses of salmon waiting their turn to leap up and over the stone weir;. The walkway along the top of the weir is a favored spot to stand and spearfish salmon, or later in the season, to use a scoopnet for gathering candlefish. It is also a safe ford across the Holt River. The curve of the river has left a long, rocky shore on the west side of the Holt River, where the elves regularly clean and dry their catches of salmon and candlefish.

== TYPES OF FISH: ==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
|-
|width="200pt"|[[Image:candlefish.jpg|border]]
|width="600pt"|'''Candlefish ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candlefish Eulachon]/Hooligan/[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smelt Smelt]) DN,N, FT'''

The candlefish is a small (at most 10 inch) fish with a blue-silver color that turns to gray-brown at spawning time. The candlefish spends its adult life in the sea, but returns to their the gravelly beaches of their freshwater birth-streams to spawn and die. The candlefish’s flesh is oily and high in fat; in fact, the candlefish is so fatty during spawning (with up to 15% of total body weight in fat) that a large portion of the catch each year is not eaten, but dried, strung on a wick, and then burned as a candle. The elves of the Holt not only use the candlefish for illumination, but the fish is also sometimes allowed to ferment and then rendered down for its rich oil, which is easily skimmed and preserved.

Candlefish runs are considered extremely valuable, as they arrive at the end of winter when other food resources are scarce. A small portion of each catch is dried and smoked for eating -– as high in fat as candlefish are, they make an excellent wintertime food. The candlefish run is concentrated on the Braided River, where the tides run strong from the sea. Their migration lasts one or two weeks, and male fish usually preceed the females. Most candlefish fishing is done by net -- a single large net handled by two to four elves can catch hundreds of these small fish at a time.
|-
|[[Image:catfish.jpg]]||[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catfish '''Catfish] SJ, N, FH, FT'''

There is a variety of types of catfish in the waters of the Holt, all of which are identified by the whisker-like barbells around their jaws. Most catfish inhabit shallow, running water (some even inhabit caves – unbeknownst to the elves, this strain of catfish is an important staple for the local trolls).
|-
|[[Image:trout_cutthroat.jpg]]||[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cutthroat_trout '''Cutthroat trout] (Sea run cutthroat) SJ, DN, N, FT, FH'''

While some variations of cutthroat trout are found in the lakes and streams of the Holt year-around, the largest cutthroat species matures at sea and follow salmon runs upriver to spawn and to feed up salmon eggs. These migrating cut-throat can weigh up to 10 lbs., and like all cutthroat, can be identified by the vivid red slash marks under their jaw. Cutthroat trout are aggressive feeders and will hit on almost any type of lure, spinner or fly.
|-
|[[Image:eel.jpg|border]]||[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_eel '''Freshwater Eels]: SJ, N, FH, FT'''

Eels have snake-like bodies and small, sharply pointed heads; they have brown, soft-scaled bodies that shade to yellow along the belly, and often feel slimy to the touch. Eels live in freshwater, but migrate out to sea to breed. They are carnivorous, and subsist on a diet of snails, insect larvae, amphibians, and smaller fish. Eels prefer to hunt at night, and hide in the day among the rocks, mud, or gravel of the river bottom. They are a remarkably hardy fish, able to adapt to low-water conditions, extreme ranges in water temperature, and low oxygen conditions. They have a rubbery consistence, but are prized by some elves as a delicacy. They must be cooked, however; raw eel blood is mildly toxic to elves & wolves (the toxic protein is broken down when cooked or boiled.) Basket traps are a favorite method of catching eel, exploiting the fact that eels like to find hidey holes in which to spend their daylight hours.
|-
|[[Image:bass_striped.jpg]]||
|-
|[[Image:bass_largemouth.jpg]]||'''Panfish ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bass_%28fish%29 Bass]/[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perch Perch]) SJ, N, FH, FT'''

There are a number of freshwater and saltwater bass in the waters of the Holt. Freshwater species include the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Striped_bass striped panfish], white panfish, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Largemouth_bass largemouth panfish], smallmouth panfish, spotted panfish, and rock panfish. Among the elves’ favored panfish are the largemouth panfish, which can usually be found in local streams and lakes, close to large submerged logs or rocks. Largemouth panfish can get as big as 20 lbs and are fierce predators who will attack just about anything that moves and which they can get their big mouths around -- they’ve even been known to eat baby ducklings.
|-
|[[Image:perch.jpg]]||
|-
|[[Image:quillback.jpg|border]]||'''Quillback ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quillback Quillback Carp]) SJ, N, FH, FT'''

The quillback is a freshwater fish that can resemble the catfish, but has no “whiskers”. They are generally about two feet in size (65 cm) and silvery in color, with large scales and “quill-like” filaments that extend back from its dorsal fin. Quillback prefer to eat insect larvae and other tidbits in the sediment of creeks, rivers and clear lakes; they rarely will bite on baited hooks and are better caught by net or fishing weir.
|-
|[[Image:grayling.jpg|border]]||'''Sailbacks ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grayling_%28genus%29 Graylings]) SJ, N, FH'''

The sailback is a fish similar in many ways to trout; like the trout, the sailback has a number of subspecies resident in the rivers and streams of the River Twine Holt, but unlike all trout, sailbacks all have a large sail-like dorsal fin. Sailbacks are commonly small fish, but some subspecies have gotten as large as 3 foot in length. They prefer cold running rivers and moderate currents.
|-
|[[Image:sturgeon2.jpg|border]]||'''Stoneback Fish ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sturgeon Sturgeon]) SJ, FH'''

A long-lived species who can live for decades, stonebacks are rarely fished for by the elves, but when they are, they make for a team effort, as adult stonebacks can range from 7 -12 feet in length The stoneback is a bottom-feeding fish, which stirs up the sediment of rivers or lakes with its wedge-shaped snout. They are toothless, have sensitive barbels, and eat a variety of foods, including small fish and crustaceans. The roe (eggs) of the female stoneback is considered to be a particular delicacy.
|-
|[[Image:salmon-chinook.jpeg]]||[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salmon '''Salmon] – SJ, DN, N, FT, FH'''

There are five “runs” of salmon each year. All salmon have 300 degree vision – they can see in all directions, except for directly behind them. ''Elder Salmon'' ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinook_salmon chinook salmon]) are the largest and most numerous of the salmon, and their pink flesh is soft and considered the best eating of all fish, and their roe is savored by the elves as well. Elder Salmon have the first spring spawning run, and are the central staple fish of the elves’ diet.
|-
|[[Image:salmon-sockeye.jpg]]||The next salmon run to follow after the Elder are the ''Blood ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sockeye_salmon Sockeye/Red]) Salmon''. This run is mostly concentrated on the Rushwater River, and moves up to spawning grounds on the Bounty River. These fish average from 5 to 8 pounds, and sometimes get as large as 15 pounds. Their skin turns a vivid blood red during their spawning run, which is during the late spring and can run through the late summer (they’re also notable for their bulging eyes during this time). This fish’s flesh is a deep red hue, and is less oily than the Elder Salmon. Considered by the elves to be excellent for smoking.
|-
|[[Image:salmon-humpback.jpg|border]]||''Humpbacks ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pink_salmon Pink Salmon])'' have their spawning run during the summer months. They are generally 5 to 12 pounds in size, and both male and females develop pronounced humps when spawning. They travel up the Holt River and on up the Bounty River for their spawning grounds.
|-
|[[Image:salmon-coho.jpg]]||''Silver Salmon ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coho_salmon Coho/Silver])'' are not as big as Elder Salmon, but their meat is of the next-best quality. They range in size from an average of 6 to 12 lbs., and rare individuals can weigh in at over 30 pounds. Silver salmon and are distinguished by their silvery skin. They run in the late summer and early fall, and unlike the Elder Salmon, spawn locally in the coastal streams and creeks.off of the Braided River, rather than surging upstream for northern spawning grounds.
|-
|[[Image:salmon-chum.jpg]]||''Chums ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chum_salmon Dog/Chum Salmon])'' are the last of the five types of salmon to make their spawning runs, and are found in the autumn. They are the least preferred type for eating, and are often used as bait. Chum average from 10 to 15 pounds in size, have a very light-colored flesh, and very little oil. Male chum develop very large teeth during spawning, which somewhat resemble canine teeth. They are commonly found both in the Braided Rivers and the Holt River during their run.
|-
|[[Image:pike.JPG]]||'''Sawtooth ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esox Pike]) SJ, N, FH'''

Also called “pike”, the sawtooth fish has an elongated body and head, with a broat flat snout that is shaped somewhat like a duck bill. The jaws, roof of the mouth, tongue, and gillrakers are armed with numerous sharp teeth which are being constantly replaced. The sawtooth are large fish, who can grow as big as 6 feet and 70+ lbs. They are voracious hunters that will strike at almost anything. The meat is very tasty but is littered with thousands of tiny bones, so this fish must be carefully de-boned before eating. The bones are so thin that they aren’t much use for anything other than a toothpick or threading needle.
|-
|[[Image:trout_brook.jpg]]||
|-
|[[Image:trout_rainbow.jpg|border]]||[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trout '''Trout] SJ, N, FH'''

There are a variety of trout subspecies in the rivers, streams, and lakes of the River Twine Holt. These subspecies include silver trout, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainbow_trout rainbow trout], foxred trout, lake trout, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cutthroat_trout cutthroat trout], stream trout, yellowtail trout, and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_trout brown trout]. All of these subspecies vary in size and coloration, but as a general rule, trout run between (x) and (x) in size. Trout have no spines in their fins and while they are considered very tasty, they’re also very boney, and care must be taken to remove those bones before eating. When fished with a hook and line, trout can put up quite a fight. While they are fished year-around, some species of trout, such as a cutthroat, do have seasonal spawning runs similar to salmon.
|-
|[[Image:trout_brown.jpg]]||
|-
|[[Image:whitefish.jpg]]||[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_whitefish '''Whitefish] SJ, DN, N, FT, FH'''

Whitefish are a freshwater fish similar in size and appearance to salmon. They are generally olive green to blue-black with silvery sides, with a small mouth below a rounded snout, and a deeply forked tail. The meat of a whitefish is white and very flavourful. Whitefish are found in lakes, as they prefer deep, cool water.
|}

== NOTEWORTHY NON-FISHIES: ==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
|-
|width="200pt"|[[Image:clams.jpg]]
|width="600pt"|
|-
|[[Image:mussels.jpg|border]]||[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clam '''Clams] and Longclams ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mussel Mussels])'''

Although technically differing species, the elves call all freshwater and saltwater bivalve clams the same thing – “clams.” They call all freshwater and marine mussels “longclams.” There are freshwater clams and longclams inhabiting all of the local lakes, rivers and creeks. Many of these species live attached to rocks, but others are more mobile. Clams and longclams can be eaten raw, or smoked, boiled, or steamed; freshwater clams and longclams are generally bland; marine varieties are much preferred and are more flavorful. Freshwater varieties of both clams and longclams sometimes produce pearls, although finding a freshwater pearl is a rare event, and rarely of a size to be crafted into jewelry.
|-
|[[Image:mussel_zebra.jpg]]||
|-
|[[Image:crayfish.jpg]]||'''Crawfish ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crayfish Crayfish])'''

The crawfish (or sometimes “scooter” or “mudbug”) is a freshwater crustacean that resembles a very small lobster. They are found in bodies of freshwater that does not freeze to the bottom during winter, usually brooks and streams that always run fresh and which offer enough shelter from predators. .They are scavengers who delight in carrion, and they moult their exoskeleton throughout their life cycle. Only a small portion of the crawfish is edible, but they are quite tasty, either raw or boiled.
|}

----

(Unless otherwise noted, the images on this page were taken from [http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_Page Wikimedia Commons], a database of freely usable media files related to Wikipedia. Links in each entry to a Wikipedia article will take users to the page from which the image was obtained, where a full-size version of the image and file information is available.)

(Return to the [http://www.rivertwine.com River Twine Holt] website.)

Fisheries of River Twine Holt

2010-10-09T23:20:26Z

Farscout: /* TYPES OF FISH: */

(Return to the [http://www.rivertwine.com River Twine Holt] website.)

''(article by Cindy P. and Whitney W. - posted 10/25/07, updated 02/13/08)''

''Fishing key code: SJ = Spear/Javelin, N = Net, DN = Dip Net, FT = Fish Trap, FH = Fish Hook on a line.''

Fish are a year-around staple for the elves of the River Twine Holt. Seasonal runs of spawning salmon, trout and candlefish provide annual bounties which elves have learned to take full advantage of, while fishers ply the local rivers, lakes and streams year-around for freshly caught fish in a variety of sizes, types, and flavors. Many elves fish all year around, and there are also times when the entire tribe gathers to bring in the catch.

There are as many different ways to fish in the rivers and streams of the River Twine Holt as there are species of fish to be caught, or elves to catch them. The tribe uses a number of methods of fishing, from a simple baited hook at the end of a line suspended from a willow branch, to an elaborately stone weir in the Braided River near the Holt itself, a structure which has been maintained by rockshapers for centuries. The elves craft fishing spears out of wood and bone; build dip-nets and scoop-nets from supple branches and sinew, and a variety of basket traps out of wood and twine woven from Preserver silk.

== The Annual Salmon Catch ==

Of primary importance to the elves is the annual run of Elder Salmon (King Salmon and Chinook Salmon). There are actually five different runs of salmon migrating up the local rivers and streams, but the first to come each year are the Elder Salmon. These salmon are big (on average 10 to 15 pounds, but very rarely can get as large as 135 lbs – these extremely large ones are usually found very late in the season). The Elders hurl themselves upstream from the ocean through the Braided Rivers and the Holt River to spawn their eggs in the Brownbear, Snowcat and Clickdeer Rivers, north of the Holt. As they flow upstream from Eagle Bay past the Holt, the Elder Salmon are rich in oil, fat and full of energy. While the surging flow of fish can vary in number, they are always countless, and for days at a time, the Braided River is so thick with fish that young elves will dare one another to cross the river on their backs, taking each step without placing a foot on water.

This spawning cycle comes in the early spring, soon after ice has thawed and while game is still winter-lean. The annual return of the Elder Salmon is a cause for celebration for the elves, and the first few nights of the spawning cycle is spent feasting. Every hand is put to work during the annual salmon catch. Most of the adult members of the tribe take turns at the two primary chores -- hauling in fish by the netful, and cleaning the fish which have been caught. Each year, several tons of fish are caught and stored away for later use – not only are the elves caching this bounty for themselves against leaner months to come, but they must also store enough to share with their large pack of wolves. Half of the catch will be air-dried on along the stony beach close to the Holt, and it is often a task for the cubs to chase away ravens, fox, and other scavengers who seek to help themselves to the catch. The Preservers are put to work wrapping up the remainder of the already-cleaned fish, so that later in the year the salmon can be unwrapped and eaten, as fresh as it was the day it was caught. In years past, the elves also eagerly smoked a portion of their catch; however, in more recent decades since the arrival of the Ebea and the Burko-Baha, the elves rarely risk large-scale meat smoking efforts.

== The Stone Weir ==

A submerged stone weir was shaped by Clayshard in the early days of the Holt during a summer of drought, and it has been maintained and reshaped by his skill-heirs over the long centuries since, adding and removing sluiceways and fish ladders as time and the flow of the river has needed.. This overflow dam is less than a half-mile east of the Holt’s hometrees, and the wide pond it has created has long been a favored swimming hole and fishing spot for the Holt since the days of Chieftess Wolfsister. The weir is often shaped in advance of the important Elder Salmon spawning run, so that the high winter water is drained off enough for the elves to safely walk a net through the masses of salmon waiting their turn to leap up and over the stone weir;. The walkway along the top of the weir is a favored spot to stand and spearfish salmon, or later in the season, to use a scoopnet for gathering candlefish. It is also a safe ford across the Holt River. The curve of the river has left a long, rocky shore on the west side of the Holt River, where the elves regularly clean and dry their catches of salmon and candlefish.

== TYPES OF FISH: ==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
|-
|width="200pt"|[[Image:candlefish.jpg|border]]
|width="600pt"|'''Candlefish ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candlefish Eulachon]/Hooligan/[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smelt Smelt]) DN,N, FT'''

The candlefish is a small (at most 10 inch) fish with a blue-silver color that turns to gray-brown at spawning time. The candlefish spends its adult life in the sea, but returns to their the gravelly beaches of their freshwater birth-streams to spawn and die. The candlefish’s flesh is oily and high in fat; in fact, the candlefish is so fatty during spawning (with up to 15% of total body weight in fat) that a large portion of the catch each year is not eaten, but dried, strung on a wick, and then burned as a candle. The elves of the Holt not only use the candlefish for illumination, but the fish is also sometimes allowed to ferment and then rendered down for its rich oil, which is easily skimmed and preserved.

Candlefish runs are considered extremely valuable, as they arrive at the end of winter when other food resources are scarce. A small portion of each catch is dried and smoked for eating -– as high in fat as candlefish are, they make an excellent wintertime food. The candlefish run is concentrated on the Braided River, where the tides run strong from the sea. Their migration lasts one or two weeks, and female fish usually preceed the males. Most candlefish fishing is done by net -- a single large net handled by two to four elves can catch hundreds of these small fish at a time.
|-
|[[Image:catfish.jpg]]||[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catfish '''Catfish] SJ, N, FH, FT'''

There is a variety of types of catfish in the waters of the Holt, all of which are identified by the whisker-like barbells around their jaws. Most catfish inhabit shallow, running water (some even inhabit caves – unbeknownst to the elves, this strain of catfish is an important staple for the local trolls).
|-
|[[Image:trout_cutthroat.jpg]]||[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cutthroat_trout '''Cutthroat trout] (Sea run cutthroat) SJ, DN, N, FT, FH'''

While some variations of cutthroat trout are found in the lakes and streams of the Holt year-around, the largest cutthroat species matures at sea and follow salmon runs upriver to spawn and to feed up salmon eggs. These migrating cut-throat can weigh up to 10 lbs., and like all cutthroat, can be identified by the vivid red slash marks under their jaw. Cutthroat trout are aggressive feeders and will hit on almost any type of lure, spinner or fly.
|-
|[[Image:eel.jpg|border]]||[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_eel '''Freshwater Eels]: SJ, N, FH, FT'''

Eels have snake-like bodies and small, sharply pointed heads; they have brown, soft-scaled bodies that shade to yellow along the belly, and often feel slimy to the touch. Eels live in freshwater, but migrate out to sea to breed. They are carnivorous, and subsist on a diet of snails, insect larvae, amphibians, and smaller fish. Eels prefer to hunt at night, and hide in the day among the rocks, mud, or gravel of the river bottom. They are a remarkably hardy fish, able to adapt to low-water conditions, extreme ranges in water temperature, and low oxygen conditions. They have a rubbery consistence, but are prized by some elves as a delicacy. They must be cooked, however; raw eel blood is mildly toxic to elves & wolves (the toxic protein is broken down when cooked or boiled.) Basket traps are a favorite method of catching eel, exploiting the fact that eels like to find hidey holes in which to spend their daylight hours.
|-
|[[Image:bass_striped.jpg]]||
|-
|[[Image:bass_largemouth.jpg]]||'''Panfish ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bass_%28fish%29 Bass]/[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perch Perch]) SJ, N, FH, FT'''

There are a number of freshwater and saltwater bass in the waters of the Holt. Freshwater species include the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Striped_bass striped panfish], white panfish, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Largemouth_bass largemouth panfish], smallmouth panfish, spotted panfish, and rock panfish. Among the elves’ favored panfish are the largemouth panfish, which can usually be found in local streams and lakes, close to large submerged logs or rocks. Largemouth panfish can get as big as 20 lbs and are fierce predators who will attack just about anything that moves and which they can get their big mouths around -- they’ve even been known to eat baby ducklings.
|-
|[[Image:perch.jpg]]||
|-
|[[Image:quillback.jpg|border]]||'''Quillback ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quillback Quillback Carp]) SJ, N, FH, FT'''

The quillback is a freshwater fish that can resemble the catfish, but has no “whiskers”. They are generally about two feet in size (65 cm) and silvery in color, with large scales and “quill-like” filaments that extend back from its dorsal fin. Quillback prefer to eat insect larvae and other tidbits in the sediment of creeks, rivers and clear lakes; they rarely will bite on baited hooks and are better caught by net or fishing weir.
|-
|[[Image:grayling.jpg|border]]||'''Sailbacks ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grayling_%28genus%29 Graylings]) SJ, N, FH'''

The sailback is a fish similar in many ways to trout; like the trout, the sailback has a number of subspecies resident in the rivers and streams of the River Twine Holt, but unlike all trout, sailbacks all have a large sail-like dorsal fin. Sailbacks are commonly small fish, but some subspecies have gotten as large as 3 foot in length. They prefer cold running rivers and moderate currents.
|-
|[[Image:sturgeon2.jpg|border]]||'''Stoneback Fish ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sturgeon Sturgeon]) SJ, FH'''

A long-lived species who can live for decades, stonebacks are rarely fished for by the elves, but when they are, they make for a team effort, as adult stonebacks can range from 7 -12 feet in length The stoneback is a bottom-feeding fish, which stirs up the sediment of rivers or lakes with its wedge-shaped snout. They are toothless, have sensitive barbels, and eat a variety of foods, including small fish and crustaceans. The roe (eggs) of the female stoneback is considered to be a particular delicacy.
|-
|[[Image:salmon-chinook.jpeg]]||[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salmon '''Salmon] – SJ, DN, N, FT, FH'''

There are five “runs” of salmon each year. All salmon have 300 degree vision – they can see in all directions, except for directly behind them. ''Elder Salmon'' ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinook_salmon chinook salmon]) are the largest and most numerous of the salmon, and their pink flesh is soft and considered the best eating of all fish, and their roe is savored by the elves as well. Elder Salmon have the first spring spawning run, and are the central staple fish of the elves’ diet.
|-
|[[Image:salmon-sockeye.jpg]]||The next salmon run to follow after the Elder are the ''Blood ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sockeye_salmon Sockeye/Red]) Salmon''. This run is mostly concentrated on the Rushwater River, and moves up to spawning grounds on the Bounty River. These fish average from 5 to 8 pounds, and sometimes get as large as 15 pounds. Their skin turns a vivid blood red during their spawning run, which is during the late spring and can run through the late summer (they’re also notable for their bulging eyes during this time). This fish’s flesh is a deep red hue, and is less oily than the Elder Salmon. Considered by the elves to be excellent for smoking.
|-
|[[Image:salmon-humpback.jpg|border]]||''Humpbacks ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pink_salmon Pink Salmon])'' have their spawning run during the summer months. They are generally 5 to 12 pounds in size, and both male and females develop pronounced humps when spawning. They travel up the Holt River and on up the Bounty River for their spawning grounds.
|-
|[[Image:salmon-coho.jpg]]||''Silver Salmon ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coho_salmon Coho/Silver])'' are not as big as Elder Salmon, but their meat is of the next-best quality. They range in size from an average of 6 to 12 lbs., and rare individuals can weigh in at over 30 pounds. Silver salmon and are distinguished by their silvery skin. They run in the late summer and early fall, and unlike the Elder Salmon, spawn locally in the coastal streams and creeks.off of the Braided River, rather than surging upstream for northern spawning grounds.
|-
|[[Image:salmon-chum.jpg]]||''Chums ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chum_salmon Dog/Chum Salmon])'' are the last of the five types of salmon to make their spawning runs, and are found in the autumn. They are the least preferred type for eating, and are often used as bait. Chum average from 10 to 15 pounds in size, have a very light-colored flesh, and very little oil. Male chum develop very large teeth during spawning, which somewhat resemble canine teeth. They are commonly found both in the Braided Rivers and the Holt River during their run.
|-
|[[Image:pike.JPG]]||'''Sawtooth ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esox Pike]) SJ, N, FH'''

Also called “pike”, the sawtooth fish has an elongated body and head, with a broat flat snout that is shaped somewhat like a duck bill. The jaws, roof of the mouth, tongue, and gillrakers are armed with numerous sharp teeth which are being constantly replaced. The sawtooth are large fish, who can grow as big as 6 feet and 70+ lbs. They are voracious hunters that will strike at almost anything. The meat is very tasty but is littered with thousands of tiny bones, so this fish must be carefully de-boned before eating. The bones are so thin that they aren’t much use for anything other than a toothpick or threading needle.
|-
|[[Image:trout_brook.jpg]]||
|-
|[[Image:trout_rainbow.jpg|border]]||[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trout '''Trout] SJ, N, FH'''

There are a variety of trout subspecies in the rivers, streams, and lakes of the River Twine Holt. These subspecies include silver trout, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainbow_trout rainbow trout], foxred trout, lake trout, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cutthroat_trout cutthroat trout], stream trout, yellowtail trout, and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_trout brown trout]. All of these subspecies vary in size and coloration, but as a general rule, trout run between (x) and (x) in size. Trout have no spines in their fins and while they are considered very tasty, they’re also very boney, and care must be taken to remove those bones before eating. When fished with a hook and line, trout can put up quite a fight. While they are fished year-around, some species of trout, such as a cutthroat, do have seasonal spawning runs similar to salmon.
|-
|[[Image:trout_brown.jpg]]||
|-
|[[Image:whitefish.jpg]]||[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_whitefish '''Whitefish] SJ, DN, N, FT, FH'''

Whitefish are a freshwater fish similar in size and appearance to salmon. They are generally olive green to blue-black with silvery sides, with a small mouth below a rounded snout, and a deeply forked tail. The meat of a whitefish is white and very flavourful. Whitefish are found in lakes, as they prefer deep, cool water.
|}

== NOTEWORTHY NON-FISHIES: ==

{| border="0" cellpadding="2"
|-
|width="200pt"|[[Image:clams.jpg]]
|width="600pt"|
|-
|[[Image:mussels.jpg|border]]||[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clam '''Clams] and Longclams ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mussel Mussels])'''

Although technically differing species, the elves call all freshwater and saltwater bivalve clams the same thing – “clams.” They call all freshwater and marine mussels “longclams.” There are freshwater clams and longclams inhabiting all of the local lakes, rivers and creeks. Many of these species live attached to rocks, but others are more mobile. Clams and longclams can be eaten raw, or smoked, boiled, or steamed; freshwater clams and longclams are generally bland; marine varieties are much preferred and are more flavorful. Freshwater varieties of both clams and longclams sometimes produce pearls, although finding a freshwater pearl is a rare event, and rarely of a size to be crafted into jewelry.
|-
|[[Image:mussel_zebra.jpg]]||
|-
|[[Image:crayfish.jpg]]||'''Crawfish ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crayfish Crayfish])'''

The crawfish (or sometimes “scooter” or “mudbug”) is a freshwater crustacean that resembles a very small lobster. They are found in bodies of freshwater that does not freeze to the bottom during winter, usually brooks and streams that always run fresh and which offer enough shelter from predators. .They are scavengers who delight in carrion, and they moult their exoskeleton throughout their life cycle. Only a small portion of the crawfish is edible, but they are quite tasty, either raw or boiled.
|}

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(Unless otherwise noted, the images on this page were taken from [http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_Page Wikimedia Commons], a database of freely usable media files related to Wikipedia. Links in each entry to a Wikipedia article will take users to the page from which the image was obtained, where a full-size version of the image and file information is available.)

(Return to the [http://www.rivertwine.com River Twine Holt] website.)

World-Building FAQ

2009-12-20T16:07:43Z

Farscout: /* Concerning Recognition */

WORLD-BUILDING FAQ:

== Is this the world of Abode/Two-Moons? ==

The River Twine Holt is based on an alternative version of the ElfQuest universe. While the world of River Twine is orbited by two moons, it is not the same universe/same planet as featured in the ElfQuest comic book.

== Are there other tribes/can I create & introduce a wanderer character? ==

While it is very likely that there are other tribes of elves existing on the world, the elves of River Twine Holt have never encountered other elves since Wolfsister and her cpm[anions split from their band of High Ones and first-generation offspring, a little more than two thousand years ago. No "wandering elves" or "sole survivors of their destroyed tribe" elves can be introduced into the River Twine Holt.

(In early 2006, the Council was asked to consider the introduction of tribe of sea elves and a tribe of gliders. At that time, the Council declined to pursue the development of any additional elf tribes, as doing so would prove a huge investment of time and creative energy, and distract members from the existing world-building that was still ongoing. This is a decision that can be revisited someday in the future, if a time comes when the Council finds that expanding the club's creative focus won't prove distracting from the existing tribe and characters.)

== Concerning the Palace and Preservers ==

The Palace of the High Ones exists -- and, unknown to our tribe, was reassembled from shards by the trolls and is currently somewhere deep underground beneath the Holt. The seven Preservers who are part of our tribe know *about* the Palace, and can feel that the Palace is in the vicinity of the Holt, but they don't really know how to adequately explain to the elves that what their 'here' means. As any elf will tell you, those yammering goo-bugs don’t make sense on the best of days, the silly pests. **grin**

== Concerning Recognition ==

River Twine Holt's policy for Recognition is that Recognition is a reproductive function -- only sexually mature elves who are healthy will be capable of Recognition. In play, Recognitions are very rare events, and as such, future Recognitions will be made by arrangement of the Council, with several factors taken into account (such as when the last Recognition took place for the tribe, which characters have or have not yet reproduced, what bloodlines within the tribe most need new representation, and of course, the activity level of the members owning the possible Recognized characters).

Soul sibling weirdness/non-reproductive Recognitions: it would be extraordinarily rare for two elves to experience a non-reproductive Recognition that forces them to become soul siblings. Soul siblings happen by choice 99.999999999999999996% of of the time. (In-play terms: at RTH, two elves will choose to share souls; it isn't a random event they are forced to deal with, and players are asked to justify how their characters become soul sibs for in-character reasons.)

== How does Recognition work? ==

Recognitions in River Twine Holt are determined by the Council, both in terms of scheduling, and who is affected. We consider a number of factors: we don't want Recognition as a plot device to become too common, so we try to make sure they are spaced out; and we also take into account overall plot needs, the age and distribution of child characters, the availability of adoptables, and so on.

Once a Recognition is decided upon, the Council picks the elves who would Recognize via the good old dice rolling method. The names of all characters (sans adoptables, characters under 18 years old and any character whose owner asked to be exempt from the roll) are lined up, and dice are rolled to determine three lucky potential couples. We use a three-strikes system in order to allow for some "weighting" by in-character factors, such as age and number of past Recognitions; but of course, this isn't a guarantee (for example: last Recognition around, Suddendusk, having two kids already, was "weighted" as -1, and he turned out lucky anyway.)

Once the elves are rolled up, both players of lucky couple #1 get a private note informing them that their characters have Recognized. Both have a choice of whether to accept or decline; if one player declines, the Recognition defaults to elf of the same gender in lucky couple #2. If both decline, lucky couple #2 is up. If one or both of lucky couple #2 decline, lucky couple #3 is up. If everyone declines, we scratch our heads and re-roll three new couples. Oh well.

Once the lucky couple is finally decided upon, the Council will talk to both players and negotiate a date for the Recognition. This will take place no sooner than 2 months from the selection date, although a window of opportunity may be presented to the players for them to choose from. We very much want to see stories or art related to the Recognition be prepared in time to be posted as close to that date as possible, so that is the reason for the lead-time given to the participants. Players must communicate their Recognition plot to the Council for approval -- Recognitions are inherently high drama moments in the lives of the characters involved, but the Council may need to mediate some particular plot elements out of respect to prior Recognition stories, and overall group plotting needs. The Council can also help network with other involved parties, ensuring that the Recognition's ripples are fully felt by the tribe.

If you have any questions, or if we can provide any clarification, please do ask!

== Concerning Baby Elves ==

The Council determines all Recognitions, as well as the gender and possible future magics of any child born into the tribe. Members who own the parent-characters will be given the freedom to determine the infant's hair and color eyes, as well as the child's first cub-name. The new character will be adopted out when the child becomes old enough to be a playable character, around the age of two; priority in adoption will be given to existing members, and if there are multiple interested parties, a selection process based on submitted character proposals may be used by the Council in their final determination. If there's no interested existing member wanting to adopt the baby, the character will be open to adoption by a new member.

'''Twin births at RTH:''' there have been no past twin births at RTH, and the birth of future twins is unlikely. OOC, any twins birth decision will be dependent on multiple factors, including IC storyline needs, member support, club growth needs, genealogical bloodlines, etc.

'''Births outside of Recognition at RTH:''' Births outside of Recognition were not unusual during the settling generation of River Twine, when Healer Feverease helped her tribeswomen 'spark' several pregnancies in the tribe's early efforts to increase their numbers. In the centuries that followed, however, births outside of Recognition is a rare and unusual event. There are only three elves known to have been born of natural causes outside of Recognition: Streak (RTH 0478), Newt (RTH 1409), and Otter (RTH 1988). By co-incidence, all three were boys. In RTH 1245, in the wake of the terrible winter plague that resulted in the death of 17 of the 54 members of the tribe (including five children), Healer Owl forcibly impregnated Beesting with a son, Raven (born RTH 1947).

== Concerning Soul Names ==

Our club's standard operating procedures regarding soul names:

1) You Recognize someone, you know their soul name.

2) Mothers always know a child's soul name.

3) Fathers will always know a child's soul name, if the child is the result of Recognition. (Fathers of children born outside of Recognition will only know a child's soul name if the child's mother decides to share.)

4) Some intuitive children know their own soul names from birth or from very early childhood. Alternately, some may know it from having had their mothers send it to them while in the womb/while infants. Therefore, it is not unusual for young elves to know their soul names from a tender age.

== Concerning characters in wrapstuff ==

As of summer 2006, all NPCs in wrapstuff have been created and approved. The determination of which of these characters may survive future storylines and become available for adoption as new persona characters has yet to be made. Some might live. Some might die. The club'll cross that storyline bridge when we get there. [Updated: as of 12/08, the Council has begun to take adoption requests for the wrapstuff characters, with the intention of beginning to wake them up and adopt them out during the summer of 2009.]

== Concerning characters & magic abilties ==

All elves are capable of sending, to various degrees of skill and ability; less common is the ability to weild an additional magic (such as rockshaping, plantshaping, gliding, healing, etc.). Magic abilities within the tribe appear to follow specific bloodlines and are not likely to randomly manifest.

Sending Strength: in a CIS, when a character is described as a "strong", "weak" or "average" sender, the default assumption is that a character's raw, basic ability to send is being referenced, not a character's skill at sending. As with physical skills, it's assumed that the older and more experienced an elf becomes, the more skilled they are at sending, but that the range and strength of their sendings is based on their base, raw sending talent.

It's not uncommon for young cublings to send in their sleep (this would be similar to sleep-talking, except that due to the nature of sending, feelings and images get passed along too). Locksending is a skill that must be learned; the strength of sending talent that would allow an elf to eavesdrop on a locksend is currently unknown to the tribe.

== Can my elf have a pet (besides his or her wolf-friend?) ==

Over the course of the tribe's history, it has not been uncommon for individual elves to take in orphaned animals and raise them as pets. Within reason, pets can happen -- with the understanding that the wolfpack can't be trained or restrained from eating prey-species like deer, elk, and rabbits, and will not live in harmony with other big predator species like snow leopards or bears. In OCC terms -- current elves can have pets only so long as it is supported IC as a storyline, and that the pet shows up consistently in future stories (until its natural death or another resolution...)

== Can my elf have two wolf-friends at once? ==

An elf bonding more than one wolf at once happens very very rarely, and will be allowed at River Twine Holt only under special circumstances.

== Concerning Spirits & the Spirit World ==

Spirit Communications: With the shards of the Palace literally under the roots of the Holt, the deceased spirits of the River Twine tribe are never far from their living kin. The living members of the River Twine tribe acknowledge that the spirits of the deceased still exist. Communication between the living and the deceased is rare, however, and very limited in scope. Spirits can interact with the living only through vague impressions or subtle clues: a healthy living elf in possession of his or her healthy mind will never see a full-body apparition, and the spirits of the deceased will never manifest themselves to behave in poltergeist-y fashion. However, in very rare situations, living elves may interpret vivid dreams about their deceased family or friends as spirit visitations. The "truth" of this interpretation is generally accepted on face value by other living members of the tribe.

== Concerning Wild Magic ==

tbd

Membership FAQ

2009-11-12T14:28:58Z

Farscout: /* How do the Art and Fiction Contests work? */

(Return to the [http://www.rivertwine.com River Twine Holt] website.)

== Glossary of Important Terms ==

* CIS: character information sheet
* IC: in-character
* MB: message board
* NPC: non-player character -- generally an adoptable waiting to be adopted.
* PC: persona character
* PM: Player-Member
* OOC: out-of-character
* RM: Reader-Member
* RP: role-playing
* RTH: River Twine Holt

== Import Club Email Addresses ==
* council@rivertwine.com
* help@rivertwine.com
* wiki@rivertwine.com
* stories@rivertwine.com
* artwork@rivertwine.com
* contests@rivertwine.com
* characters@rivertwine.com
* cisadmin@rivertwine.com
* joining@rivertwine.com

Additionally, all current members have email aliases determined by the persona they own and operate (i.e.: farscout@rivertwine.com, willow@rivertwine.com).

== Important Club Dates ==
* Winter Quarter: January 1 through March 31
* Spring Quarter: April 1 through June 30
* Summer Quarter: July 1 through Sept. 30
* Autumn Quarter: October 1 through December 31
* Annual CIS updates: required between June 1 and June 30.
* Annual Secret Santa holiday gift program: sign-up deadline in October; submissions due by December 23.
* Regular art trades and fic trades are opt-in, and run on a two-month cycle.

== OOC History of River Twine Holt ==

River Twine Holt was created in May of 2006 by former members of Rushwater Holt, who lamented the loss of the story- and art-based 'zine-style club. Hopes of reviving Rushwater turned to the opportunity of creating a new Holt, with new characters and a new traditional wolfrider setting. A chief was declared, a council of five members was selected to serve as the chief's advisers, a messageboard was set up, a webpage was crafted, and RTH was off to the races.

The Council's first trial by fire was to enforce the participation and communication agreements decided on by the group as a whole, which resulted the dismissal of the chief himself for lack of participation. The chief character became a council-supported NPC, to be run and approved by agreement of the council.

The primary focus during the first six months of the club was the creation of the existing cast of characters, including NPCs. Different members volunteered to oversee the development of different arenas of world building, including: flora (Amy), fauna (Cindy), human tribes (Joan), Preservers (Trena), tribal genealogy (Whitney), tribal history (Holly & Whitney), trolls (Heidi & Vicki), and wolves (Fey, Holly & Whitney). Ellen Million was responsible for the creation of the message boards and website, with input from Whitney's husband, Ron Swartzendruber.

== Some RTH Firsts ==

The first piece of art submitted was Vicki Stephanson's portrait of Evervale (June 2006); the first story submitted was "Ghosts" by Whitney Ware (June 2006). Our club's website went live in July 2006.

== How does the Council operate? ==

A Holt run by a single "chief" survives upon the dedication and motivation of a single member. A Holt operated by a board of directors can harness the shared dedication and motivation of multiple members, providing the entire organization with a safety net in terms of long-term survivability.

The first five members of the Council were selected in May 2006 by Chief Tommy Jeffers. There is currently no term limits policy for Council members; in practice, council members serve until they choose to resign, and new Council members are selected by vote of the existing Council from candidates who have volunteered for the duty. Members of the Council expect to be held accountable for club decisions by the membership, and Council members rely on club members to raise issues, concerns,and questions to the Council.

== What is expected of Council members? ==

The Council hopes to meet the following communication standards:

* Members who ask for Council feedback will receive an immediate response assuring them that their question has been received, and promising a timely response. Questions directed at the Council via the message boards will have a post made notifying members that the Council is taking up the item for discussion.

* The Council will attempt to resolve questions within a 5-day turnaround -- of course this is not always possible, but it's a goal we will strive to meet. When more than five days are necessary to bring a matter to a resolution, the Council will send the asking member a courtesy note to let them know the matter hasn't dropped into limbo.

* When issues are resolved, the individual who asked the question will receive a personal note from a Council member regarding the decision; likewise, when an issue is raised via the message boards, public notes will be left on mb threads indicating the Council's decision. Decisions made by the Council will be recorded in the Decisions Log thread, and when appropriated, added to the wikisite as well.

* If the Council makes a public promise, that promise must be kept! If there are delays regarding a self-imposed deadline, then recognition of those delays should be made publicly; council members who need help should ask for help to meet that deadline as soon as possible. Council members have the responsibility to help one another meet these public promises.

Additionally, Chief Windburn is currently under the ownership of the Council. For as long as the Council owns & operates this NPC, each Council member will be responsible for at least one submission of their choice per year for Windburn (this can include art or fic trades).

Council members who are team leaders of a specific team (such as character approvals team or story approvals team) are expected to be proactive and involved members of that team, shouldering a fair share of the team workload. Council members who are mods for specific discussion threads on the message boards are expected to cycle out old discussion threads to the general archives in a timely way, such as once every month for the heaviest traffic parts of the board.

== Past Council Members ==
* Trena Driessen (August 2006 to March 2007)
* Mary Jo Jeffers (August 2006 to April 2007)
* Ellen Million (April 2007 to December 2007)
* Leonie Jonk (August 2006 to January 2009)

== Current Council Members ==
* Heidi Henderson (August 2006 to present)
* Holly Hutchison (January 2008 to present)
* Leonie Jonk (August 2006 to present)
* Joan Milligan (August 2006 to present)
* Whitney Ware (March 2007 to present)
* Amy Chandler (February 2009 to present)

== Founding Members of River Twine Holt ==

The following members all joined within the first few weeks of the club and are responsible for the creation of the first player-character owned elves.

* Linda Aarts (Snowfall)
* Amy Chandler (Longshot)
* Trena Driessen (Whispersilk)
* Sarah Clawfoot (Suddendusk)
* Wendy Fowler (Nightstorm)
* Kim Gaeble (Kestrel)
* Gills (Windsong)
* Jaci Heinen (Foxtail)
* Heidi Henderson (Willow)
* Mary Jo Jeffers (Chicory)
* Tommy Jeffers (Chief Far Cry)
* Leonie Jonk (Dreamflight)
* Stacy Lucas (Moss)
* Fey McKercher (Rainpace)
* Joan Milligan (Crackle)
* Ellen Million (Greenweave)
* Cindy Pruitt (Quick Fang)
* Vicki Stephenson (Evervale)
* Rachel Vardys (Cloudfern)
* Whitney Ware (Farscout)
* Christina Westgate (Goldspice)
* Matt (Thornbow)

== What happens when a new member asks to join? ==

When new members join River Twine Holt, their request automatically goes to the River Twine Council. Reader-Memberships are generally approved immediately, unless the Council has just cause to deny the request. Player-Memberships, which involve the adoption of a character, are a more involved process. The Council immediately gives the prospective PM a friendly interview, both to ensure a new PM's happy transition into the club, and to make sure that the new PM is adopting a character they will prove compatible with. PMs who find they've adopted the wrong character will be welcome at any time to trade in their character for another available NPC. Again, the Council does reserve the right to deny PM requests or adoption requests, when the Council feels it has just cause to do so.

Once new members join, they are given a website account, a RTH alias email, and are asked to create a MB account. The website and the MB are two different systems, and members do have to apply for their account to the MB, whereas the website account is created automatically.

All members are required to join under their real identities; it's fine for members to participate under pseudonyms, but the Council needs to know a member's real name. Joining the club under false pretenses is grounds for immediate dismissal. Additionally, sockpuppeting a false membership is also grounds for immediate dismissal from the club.

== What will my participation requirements be when I first join? ==

Acknowledging that new members join while a quarter is in progress, the council has clarified what the expectations are for new member participation. New Player-Members must participate (meaning, submit art or writing) by the end of the first *full* quarter after they join. While we would of course like to see a new member begin participating as soon as possible, they may not have time to do so in the partial quarter in which they join. But, if a new member has not submitted anything by the end of the next (full) quarter, they will be deactivated. A new Reader-Member must post at least one comment on art or stories to the website by the end of the first *partial* quarter that they have joined.

If a new member joins very late in the quarter, or finds it difficult to meet the participation requirements, they are welcome to contact the Council before the quarterly deadline, and the Council would be glad to help.

== What are the differences between a Player-Member and a Reader-Member? ==

A Player-Member (PM) owns and operates a character at River Twine Holt. As such, they have increased quarterly participation requirements, and are required to update their character's CIS once a year during June. In return, they have full message board priviledges and website access.

A Reader-Member (RM) does not own or operate a character at River Twine Holt, and is required only to comment on art or stories on the website during the course of a quarter in order to retain their status as a Reader-Member. Reader-Members have full website access, partial access to the message boards (including some limitations on voting in certain types of polls), and the opportunity to be first in line to adopt characters when they become available. RMs are encouraged to create art or fic when they please, and to participate in the quarterly contests; they are expected to participate by all of the regular submission rules & regs, including obtaining permissions from PMs for the art or fic they create.

== What is RTH's policy for returning members? ==

Former members who wish to return to River Twine Holt are welcomed back with open arms. Returning members will be treated the same as any other new member -- they will be welcome to adopt any of the available characters. (Previously owned personas will not be removed from another member in order to be returned to a returning member.) All artwork and stories previously submitted will be relinked to a returning member. However, returning members are required to rejoin under their original name & identity.

Note: Sockpuppeting (operating an email account under false pretenses) will be grounds for immediate expulsion. '''Please remember: honesty is always the best policy!'''

== How does the art approval process work? ==

All art to the club is submitted to artwork@rivertwine.com. Artists are expected to have received approval for art featuring other members' characters before a piece is submitted. Once art is submitted, it is thumbnailed and uploaded into the website's database, where it is then linked to all appropriate gallery categories. The club's first Art Director was Trena Driessen; the current Art Director is Whitney Ware.

'''Value of "doll" art''': Doll art is always awarded at "sketch" level (.5). Doll art is only accepted for existing developed personas; doll art is not being accepted to represent ancestors, unless existing ancestor art for that individual already appears on the club website.

'''Recycled art''': We're happy to accept recycled art (art created originally for another club), so long as the artwork is art is equally representative of the RTH tribe or environment. Regardless of whether a showcase, sketch, or finished piece, will only earn a certain amount of points (.5). Recycled art cannot be applied toward the quarterly participation requirements. No more than eight pieces/four points of recycled art will be counted per quarter towards our seasonal participation awards.

'''Copying, References, and Plagiarism:''' Plagiarism of any form (tracing someone else’s artwork or claiming someone else’s writing for your own) is grounds for immediate cancellation of your membership. While drawing freehand from references is fine, tracing or mechanical copying of other artwork is not allowed (even if it is adapted). Art that is considered too much a copy of another existing artwork will not be posted (this determination will be made by the council, and it will be discussed with the artist). Plagiarism (trying to pass others' work off as your own, including close copies of others' work) is grounds for loss of membership.

== How does the story approval process work? ==

'''Review Process''': Members are expected to receive all necessary approvals for a story before it is submitted to the Story Approval Team for review; members are also expected to run a spell check on their submission, perform basic line editing for punctuation, grammar, and date the story for placement on the timeline. Stories are submitted to stories@rivertwine.com. Once submitted, stories are posted to the Story Review Team on the message boards, where members of the team review the story. The team goal is to return reviews within a seven day turnaround, when possible. Once the story reviews are made, then a single individual (called the "handler") compiles those comments into a single constructive review, which is returned to the member for revisions. Some stories may take more than one revision before they are cleared to be posted on the website, and some stories are cleared to be posted without any revision requests at all.

The Story Approval Team has a sometimes-tricky task of trying to balance the individual needs of the writer with overall club continuity. They keep an eye on the use of NPCs and ensure that NPCs remain consistent to character, try to ensure that group continuity remains consistent with the world of River Twine Holt, etc. The current Story Approval Team members are Heidi Henderson (Team Leader), Amy Chandler, Holly Hutchison, Joan Milligan, and Whitney Ware. Interested volunteers for the team should contact Heidi at willow@rivertwine.com.

Some storylines will by necessity require approval of the Council: any encounter with humans, any encounter with trolls, any encounter with wild magic. Additionally, any storyline which has a wide impact on the tribe (for example: an elf child goes missing for several days) should be consulted with the Council, to help determine what the Chief's response will be.

'''Value of Fic''': Stories are counted on the basis of 650 words = 1 page = 1 point.

'''Value of Poetry''': Poetry is generally considered to be worth .5 points. However, if a member believes their poem is longer than usual, a personal masterwork, or otherwise demonstrates more effort, they may request more points, to a maximum of 2. Final point distribution is decided by the story approval team.

''Token "No Elf Is An Island" Reminder'': In such a small and interwoven community like the River Twine tribe, no elf is an island and that events are rarely isolated to affecting only one character. There is no character of the tribe who does not have close relatives or close friends, and part of the fun (and the challenge!) of a club like River Twine is seeing how events and story threads weave unexpected from one author's work to the next. So never hesitate to ask yourself "How does the events in this story affect my elf?" and follow the ripples from their source!

== How does the character approvals process work? ==

All CISes (character information sheets) went through an approval process with the CIS Approval Team. Characters are expected to be written/drawn in a way that reflects what is in their CIS. Owners should continue to update the CIS with new information (such as new life developments, or things reflected in stories) Proposals for significant changes to a CIS, and thus to the character, should be submitted to the CIS Approval Team. In general, notable changes to a character will also require some in-character support such as a story or art submission, in order to "show" the rest of the club that character's development in a new direction. Additionally, owners may want to post to the MB whenever they update their character's CIS with things like hairstyle, costume, hobby, or weapon-mastery changes, so that other writers and artist will be sure to notice the update.

== Can I create a wanderer character? ==

While it is very likely that there are other tribes of elves existing on the world, the elves of River Twine Holt have never encountered other elves since Wolfsister and her band split from their band of High Ones and first-generation offspring, a little more than two thousand years ago. No "wandering elves" or "sole survivors of their destroyed tribe" elves can be introduced into the River Twine Holt.

In early 2006, the Council was asked to consider the introduction of tribe of sea elves and a tribe of gliders. At that time, the Council declined to pursue the development of any additional elf tribes, as doing so would prove a huge investment of time and creative energy, and distract members from the existing world-building that was still ongoing. This is a decision that can be revisited someday in the future, if a time comes when the Council finds that expanding the club's creative focus won't prove distracting from the existing tribe and characters.

== Can I play two elves at once? ==

No. Player-Members can only own one elf persona at a time. However -- all members are always welcome and encouraged to create art and fic about NPCs or about other member-owned characters; if you have ideas you wish to pursue about other characters, please approach that character's owner or (in the case of NPCs) the Council.

== Can I own and operate an ancestor character? ==

At this time, PMs can only own and operate one elf (living) persona at a time. Ancestor characters can be further developed by individual members, but creative control of all ancestors reverts to the club's Council. (Tip: if you're particularly enamored with an ancestor elf, be sure to write up a detailed CIS, as the CIS is what the Council uses to determine whether or not NPC usage is kept in-character!)

== Can I own a troll character, or one of the Ebea or Bukno-Baha humans? ==

Possibly. That's a bridge we haven't crossed yet, but may consider in the future.

== When I join and adopt a character, how much freedom do I have to alter that character to my liking? ==

Great question -- and one that takes a little consideration first. In many clubs, characters are temporary elements that cycle in and out as membership fluctuates. At River Twine Holt, the entire club is structured around a stable population of elves. New elves will be born and existing characters will die in the cycle of life in their fictional world, but characters won't disappear on command with changes in membership, and strange new elves won't just suddenly appear on the horizon. After the last of the existing elves of the tribe were created and approved in December of 2006, new members to the club are required to adopt existing NPCs. These characters come with established histories and established "looks" which may or may not completely appeal to their new owners.

The club's baseline for adopted characters is that a newly adopted character cannot be significantly altered from what's already "in print" -- by that, we mean approved in a character sheet or posted in existing art or fiction. Once a character fact goes into the club's continuity, that character fact needs to be respected and left unaltered. However, this still gives a perceptive new member some wriggle-room. Most of the elves in the tribe have been alive for decades, or even hundreds of years. That means there is a *lot* of opportunity for new stories to be told about those as-yet-unexplored life experiences. Likewise, new storylines can be developed to show a character's personality developing in new ways. And a character's physical appearance can always be altered -- within reason. Hair color and eye color won't change, but clothing can always be retailored (and again -- especially for characters who've been around for decades or centuries, there's always room to explore and detail a character's previous fashion history). Any really dramatic change in a character's appearance (new clothing, change in hairstyle, etc.) will require some in-character explanation... but that just means you've got great possibility for new storylines in your hands, and if as a new member you can't think of a why to explain a new fall fashion for your newly adopted character, then please post a note to the message boards and recruit a collaborator to tell that tale!

== What if I find I'm tired of my current character? ==

If that happens, you're welcome to trade in your existing elf in favor of one of the current NPCs. Or contact the Council and put your name on a waiting list, in order to get first dibs on adoption when babies get born, or current characters turn NPC.

== My elf’s wolf-friend is dead – how do I get another? ==

Although the wolves of the River Twine pack are significantly more long-lived than their natural cousins, they do have a lifespan of 25 to 30 years. Life for wolves is a dangerous thing, and wolves can die at any age from injury, starvation or illness. Most elves can expect to have *at least* four wolf-friends each century. In-play, this means that it won’t be unusual for characters to lose wolf-friends, and then have to forge new bonds.

The passing of a wolf-friend is an event due some respect, as is the experience of a new bonding. (And we hope you’ll memorialize both the loss and the new bond for your elf with fic or art!) Members who own characters with elderly wolves may also find themselves asked by the Council to have an old wolf pass on, in order to keep some balance in the pack.

To select a new wolf-friend for your elf, you have three choices:

a) select one of the currently available pups (pups are available on a first-come/first-serve basis)

b) select one of the available unbonded adult wolves described on the wolves section of the River Twine Wiki (note – when considering the adult wolf of your choice, consider why the mature wolf would be attracted to your elf as a bond-friend – many of these mature wolves are personalities in their own right, and a bond relationship is a two-way street!)

c) if there are no currently available pups, and none of the existing unbonded adults appeal to you, then put your name on a waiting list for the pick of next year’s litter!

Mature wolves will have some limited personality & physical description already determined for them, but members are free to create the personalities and descriptions for new pups, within the following guidelines:

* Pups can be bonded with at any point once they’ve physically begun to be weaned by the alpha female of the pack (pups are approximately six weeks of age at this point). Breeding season for the alpha male & female is normally late in the first month of the year; pups are born approximately 63 days later, early in the fourth month; pups would then be beginning to be weaned in mid-month of the fifth month. Additionally, wolves take at least a year to become full-grown; elf children might sneak rides on their wolf-bonds before a wolf is a full year of age, but this is frowned on, as it can cause damage to a wolf’s joints, causing future disability.

* We expect wolves to be “normal” looking: natural grey-wolf coloring is preferred with its natural range of color phasing allowed. Some allowance made for EQ-comics-style coloring (i.e. more solid coat colors). Please no wacky coloring/patterns. Albino wolves are extremely rare (no more than one at a time in the pack) and will be expected to have associated health issues: bonded albinos will always be omegas within the pack, and unless bonded as pups will be chased out of the pack at an early age.

* Wolves don't have the same range of eye colors as the elves. Eyes will be in a yellow/amber range, except for albino blue or pink. (While cubs, wolf eye colors will sometimes go through subtle color variations while the eyes change from the baby blue-grey color to adult gold.)

* You can submit drawn or painted artwork to represent your wolf. Otherwise, wolf photo portraits will be used to represent each wolf-friend. Please choose a snapshot from Monty Sloan's site (we have his permission to use his photos on our website as representational of our fictional pack). Please don't submit reference photos or art from anywhere else, without written permission of the photographer or artist. (If you have another reference pic you prefer, talk to one of our artists about creating a piece of art from it.)

* Throwback wolves are very rare, and will be limited to only two in-play within the pack at any time. (Our current throwbacks are Moss’s Weasel and Beetle’s Rooter.)

If at any time you intend to replace your character’s wolf-friend with a new one, email your wishes to the Council. (Understand that we do hope you’ll be creating fic or art to represent this important time of passage in your character’s life!) Additionally, every year in-play, the Council will look at the existing wolf pack and, taking into account the individual ages and temperaments of pack members, will shift the hierarchy accordingly. If you have any particular wishes for your character’s wolf-friend in term of increasing or deceasing their pack rank, please communicate this with the Council!

Additionally: once you determine you will replace an existing wolf-friend with a new one, you are asked to update your elf's CIS form with relevant information ASAP; please keep information regarding the old wolf under the "additional wolves" section of the CIS, for continuity purposes. We would also recommend posting a note to the message board regarding the new wolf friend, alerting other artists and authors to the date of the planned change.

== What happens when I decide I need to leave the club? ==

The continuity of River Twine Holt is built upon the existing characters, and all of the artwork and stories created in support of those characters. As a result, River Twine Holt refuses to ever "disappear" a character owned and operated by a departing member, and we are reluctant to remove from our archives and website any artwork or stories created in support of a character. Each departing member's requests will be handled on a case-by-case basis, and the Council will do it's best to juggle the individual's needs versus the continuity needs of the entire group. If you have specific requests or requires upon your departure, please discussion them with the Council, and we will work with you to find an end-result that best respects your needs, and the needs of the club as a whole.

As a matter of standard practice, the MB forum handles of departing members will be changed if the member had been operating under the name of a tribal character (i.e. Farscout, Greenweave, Longshot). Likewise, email accounts featuring the character's name (i.e. farscout@rivertwine.com) will be deactived until the character has been readopted by new ownership.

== What is the mentor program, and how does it work? ==

It always helps new members who join to have a friendly mentor who's willing to help answer questions and welcome a new member to the club. At River Twine Holt, mentors are volunteers who are ready and willing to to assist the Council by performing the following tasks when they've been assigned a new member:

* Mentors are asked to make early friendly contact with new members and give them a warm welcome to the club.
* Mentors are asked to help a new member "learn the ropes" as much as the new member needs. This means asking to answer any questions a new member has, and if necessary, direct the new member to the admin who can answer it.
* Mentors are asked to remain in close contact with a new member during their first few weeks in the club.
* Mentors should be aware that some new members will be "self starters" and some will need more mentoring than others. Mentors are asked to take some initiative in helping a new member get jump-started in the club -- this could include one or more of the following: offering to participate with a new member with their first collab, hosting a story-building RP for a new member, helping brainstorm with a new member regarding possible storylines, etc.

Any member who wishes to volunteer to be a mentor for River Twine Holt is welcome to volunteer by emailing cisadmin@rivertwine.com, or simply council@rivertwine.com.

== How do the Art and Fiction Contests work? ==

Fic or Art Contests are generally scheduled to run every Winter, Spring, & Summer quarter, although the schedule can vary (we generally don't hold Autumn quarter contests, both out of respect for the general timecrunch of the holiday season for our members, as well as using that time period as a chance for members to catch up with any other overdue materials they may have before year's end.). Each contest will have a theme, and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prize award icons will be given to the winners chosen by vote on the message boards; additional bonus prizes may be offered as well by contest sponsors. Participants can contribute as many entries as they desire; however, if there are multiple participants, each individual may only receive one award. Individual members are welcome to host their own private contests as well, with prior approval from the Council.

All contest art and fiction must feature River Twine Holt characters and the River Twine Holt setting (unless specifically stated otherwise in the contest description). All contest entries must receive member approvals where necessary; the Council will help non-member participants in obtaining any necessary approvals.

'''Public Participation in Fic or Art Contests''': Non-members will be invited at times to participate in the regularly scheduled River Twine art & fic contests. Non-members will be eligible for participation under the same rules as members, and will be granted prizes (1st, 2nd, and 3rd prize award icons, with winners chosen by public vote on the River Twine message boards. Participants can contribute as many entries as they desire; however, if there are multiple participants, each individual may only receive one award. Unless otherwise noted in the description for each contest, all contest art should be generally PG13 in rating.

Non-member contest participation does NOT equate membership to River Twine Holt. Non-member contest participants are entitled to receive all comments on their work and any awards won, but no other members-only benefits such as persona ownership or full access to the message boards. By participating, non-members agree to their work being displayed on the River Twine website; River Twine Holt guarantees the work being credited to its creator.

A contests@rivertwine.com account exists for members to submit their contest entries too.

== Message Board Etiquette ==

* All members are asked to create Message Board accounts using their character name. Character names are reserved for use by the ''current'' owner of a character.
* Message board access is limited to members-only.
* MB threads are NOT to be erased. All old threads are to be transferred into the appropriate archive, so they will be available for future reference.
* Threads asking for volunteers or concerning volunteer assignments should not be archived until those assignments/commitments are either turned in, or the member indicates they are unable or unwilling to complete their tasks.
* Signatures have been enabled at the boards, however, there will be restrictions on them. First, no graphics (i.e. banners) are allowed. Second, you get three lines of standard sized text or 500 characters, whichever comes first. It should include your real name (or whatever it is you are called as a person), and your elfname if it is not already your username. Violations will be edited by the forum mods.

== Annual required CIS updates ==

All CISs should be kept current, as characters grow and change as they are played. A mandatory CIS update period is held every June: members have between the 1st and the 30th to log into the website, review their character’s CIS, and update it accordingly. The webbase will automatically track all updates, and the council member who heads up our Character Approval Team will receive automatic notification from the system of all changes to a CIS. Failure to update the CIS during the mandatory time period will result in the member going on probation for the summer quarter (July-August-Septemer) even if they have fulfilled their participation requirements for the previous quarter. If by September the CIS has not been updated, the member will lose the character. While this may seem harsh, it is the Council's belief that up-to-date CISes are important for immersion and conduct in the club and show an ongoing interest in the character.

The minimum change required to fulfill the mandatory update requirement is the adjustment of the character's age (the addition of a year). Further changes that reflect character growth are of course welcome. Additionally, CISs can be updated throughout the year, as a member feels motivated to do so.

Suggestions to keep in mind when updating the CIS:
* changes in a character's relationships
* any change in status of wolf-friend
* any new possessions of note?
* any change in skills or hobbies worth note?
* take a moment to review the artwork and stories in which your character has participate in the past year. Anything there to inspire you to update in the CIS?

== What are the membership requirements again for keeping my RTH character? ==

All members must support their character through the submission of one piece of art or one or more written submissions (totaling 500 words or more) per annual quarter. Members who fail to participate for more than two quarters in a row may have their membership revoked. Submission requirements need not necessarily feature your own character to meeting this requirement: for example, an art trade picture you've created of another member's elf satisfies our quarterly submission requirement.

== What happens if I fail to meet my submission requirements for a quarter? ==

A member who fails to participate during a quarter gets put on probationary status. Probationary members can return to non-probationary status simply by participating during the successive quarter (and of course, by completing any fic or art commitments they may be overdue on, particularly art trade or fic trade commitments). Probationary members MUST meet the participation requirements for the second quarter; while it's appreciated if they can retroactively meet the missed participation requirements, this is not required (a probationary member is not in a hole they must dig themselves out of). However, if a probationary member fails to meet the participation requirements for the successive quarter, their membership is revoked and their character becomes an NPC. (Rest assured -- this decision never takes place without ample communication from the Council first.)

== Can I repost my RTH art or stories elsewhere? ==

Individual members have the right to repost their own art and stories as they see fit. We especially appreciate it when a plug is made for River Twine (we've got banners available), and/or if you mention the names of the owners who approved the use of their art/characters in your.

== How does the art trade/fic trade system work? ==

The Art Trade and Fic Trade program runs regularly throughout the year. In general, each time members are asked to sign up if they wish to participate. Participants are then given character assignments based on which other members are participating for that particular trade session, and are given a two-month deadline to create art or fic for character they've been assigned.

Art Trade: runs on a two-month schedule. Artists sign up to portray another artist’s character; in return, they’ll be receiving artwork featuring their character.

Fic Trade: runs on a two-month schedule. Writers sign up to write a story or poem featuring another writer’s character; in return, they’ll be receiving a story or poetry featuring their character.

George (Art/Fic) Trade: runs on a three-month schedule. Artist and writer members are paired off to trade their respective skills, featuring one another’s characters. Partnered members determine for themselves how independent or collaborative their respective efforts will be.

It's not unusual for artists or authors to find they need more time to finish an assignment; some overlapping assignments will be allowed, but once a member has there or more overdue assignments, they cannot participate in future art or fic trades (or Secret Santa assignments) until the overdue assignments have been completed.

All art or George trade artwork should be submitted to artwork@rivertwine.com; all fic trade stories should be submitted to stories@rivertwine.com. Character approvals for art & stories must be obtained (where necessary) before submission are made.

== I signed up for the art trade/fic trade, but failed to produce my trade by deadline. What happens to me now? ==

It's understood that when a member signs up for an art trade or fic trade, that they will make good on their commitment, especially since they are receiving someone else's efforts in trade. It's also understood that sometimes, finishing a project may take longer than expected. Members who are overdue on three or more trade commitments will be cut off from further participation until all of their overdue commitments have been completed.[/b]

== What if I've got a great idea about doing something differently? ==

Write to the Council and give them a detailed proposal of what it is you want to do! The world of River Twine Holt is a shared creative effort, and everyone is encouraged to make their own creative stamp.

== Where do I find the RP? ==

We understand that most ElfQuest clubs out there today are based on RP (role playing), either through message boards or by email. River Twine Holt is different: we're role playing the old school way, through the creation of stories and artwork. As a result, we do not have organized RP.

We do have a section on the message boards where individual members can host a public or private RP (some of our authors enjoy generating stories in this fashion). And of course, individual members are welcome to hold private email RPs with one another (again, another method of story writing that some of our authors enjoy). But by and large, our RP opportunities are very limited, and if you really want to RP, expect to host the opportunity for yourself through recruiting other members on the MB or via email.

Additionally, nothing that happens in an RP is included in club canon: it's not "real" until you turn it into a story or put it in art.

== What's the plan for the characters now in wrapstuff? Can I adopt one? ==

As of December 2008, adoption requests are being considered from members or prospective members who are interested in adopting characters currently in wrapstuff. Interested parties are requested to contact the Council at any time prior to these characters being made available for adoption, by writing to the Council at council@rivertwine.com. At the time the character is removed from wrapstuff, if there is more than one individual interested in adopting a particular character, the Council will further interview qualified adopters and make their decision based on a variety of factors, including member participation history and expressed character development plans.

The Council does not expect to see wrapstuff characters beginning to come out of their cocoons until early summer 2009 at the soonest; characters will be released from wrapstuff on a staggered schedule, and the Council retains the option of having one or more wrapstuff characters fail to survive the awakening-process. Adoption options are simply being discussed now in order to help members plan ahead for the Big Event(s)!

Members who are chosen to adopt a wrapstuff character must, by necessity, give up their existing character ownership.

== What is the Quarterly Commenting Contest, and how does it work? ==

RTH sponsors a quarterly contest to encourage all members leave comments on the art & stories posted to the website. Participants enter the contest by leaving meaningful comments on 50% or more of the art and fiction posted on the website during that quarter. Each qualifying participant is automatically entered into the contest, with a single winner drawn by random from that quarter's pool of participants. Winners will receive a gift of fic or art donated by a volunteering artist or writer, featuring the River Twine Holt character of the winner's choice.

Comments may be left on either newly posted art and fic, or on any older piece that a member has not yet commented on (editing previous comments does not qualify). Participating members may comment on their own work as well, if they want to share some insight regarding a submission! (Note: by definition, when the Council calls a comment "meaningful", we mean a comment that has more substance to it that "Oh, that's good, I like that!" or "Very pretty!" If you like something, please say why; additionally, positively worded constructive criticism is welcome as well, and often is more helpful to the recipient than delicious praise alone!)

Winners are selected by “raffle” style drawing from a pool of all comments made by participants who have met the criteria of leaving comments on 50% or more of the submissions posted that quarter; every comment a participating member leave is a raffle entry, so the more a member leaves, the greater a member's chances of winning! Additionally, members can win the contest more than once in a row, so long as they leave enough comments to qualify in successive quarters.

Membership FAQ

2009-11-12T14:27:35Z

Farscout: /* How do the Art and Fiction Contests work? */

(Return to the [http://www.rivertwine.com River Twine Holt] website.)

== Glossary of Important Terms ==

* CIS: character information sheet
* IC: in-character
* MB: message board
* NPC: non-player character -- generally an adoptable waiting to be adopted.
* PC: persona character
* PM: Player-Member
* OOC: out-of-character
* RM: Reader-Member
* RP: role-playing
* RTH: River Twine Holt

== Import Club Email Addresses ==
* council@rivertwine.com
* help@rivertwine.com
* wiki@rivertwine.com
* stories@rivertwine.com
* artwork@rivertwine.com
* contests@rivertwine.com
* characters@rivertwine.com
* cisadmin@rivertwine.com
* joining@rivertwine.com

Additionally, all current members have email aliases determined by the persona they own and operate (i.e.: farscout@rivertwine.com, willow@rivertwine.com).

== Important Club Dates ==
* Winter Quarter: January 1 through March 31
* Spring Quarter: April 1 through June 30
* Summer Quarter: July 1 through Sept. 30
* Autumn Quarter: October 1 through December 31
* Annual CIS updates: required between June 1 and June 30.
* Annual Secret Santa holiday gift program: sign-up deadline in October; submissions due by December 23.
* Regular art trades and fic trades are opt-in, and run on a two-month cycle.

== OOC History of River Twine Holt ==

River Twine Holt was created in May of 2006 by former members of Rushwater Holt, who lamented the loss of the story- and art-based 'zine-style club. Hopes of reviving Rushwater turned to the opportunity of creating a new Holt, with new characters and a new traditional wolfrider setting. A chief was declared, a council of five members was selected to serve as the chief's advisers, a messageboard was set up, a webpage was crafted, and RTH was off to the races.

The Council's first trial by fire was to enforce the participation and communication agreements decided on by the group as a whole, which resulted the dismissal of the chief himself for lack of participation. The chief character became a council-supported NPC, to be run and approved by agreement of the council.

The primary focus during the first six months of the club was the creation of the existing cast of characters, including NPCs. Different members volunteered to oversee the development of different arenas of world building, including: flora (Amy), fauna (Cindy), human tribes (Joan), Preservers (Trena), tribal genealogy (Whitney), tribal history (Holly & Whitney), trolls (Heidi & Vicki), and wolves (Fey, Holly & Whitney). Ellen Million was responsible for the creation of the message boards and website, with input from Whitney's husband, Ron Swartzendruber.

== Some RTH Firsts ==

The first piece of art submitted was Vicki Stephanson's portrait of Evervale (June 2006); the first story submitted was "Ghosts" by Whitney Ware (June 2006). Our club's website went live in July 2006.

== How does the Council operate? ==

A Holt run by a single "chief" survives upon the dedication and motivation of a single member. A Holt operated by a board of directors can harness the shared dedication and motivation of multiple members, providing the entire organization with a safety net in terms of long-term survivability.

The first five members of the Council were selected in May 2006 by Chief Tommy Jeffers. There is currently no term limits policy for Council members; in practice, council members serve until they choose to resign, and new Council members are selected by vote of the existing Council from candidates who have volunteered for the duty. Members of the Council expect to be held accountable for club decisions by the membership, and Council members rely on club members to raise issues, concerns,and questions to the Council.

== What is expected of Council members? ==

The Council hopes to meet the following communication standards:

* Members who ask for Council feedback will receive an immediate response assuring them that their question has been received, and promising a timely response. Questions directed at the Council via the message boards will have a post made notifying members that the Council is taking up the item for discussion.

* The Council will attempt to resolve questions within a 5-day turnaround -- of course this is not always possible, but it's a goal we will strive to meet. When more than five days are necessary to bring a matter to a resolution, the Council will send the asking member a courtesy note to let them know the matter hasn't dropped into limbo.

* When issues are resolved, the individual who asked the question will receive a personal note from a Council member regarding the decision; likewise, when an issue is raised via the message boards, public notes will be left on mb threads indicating the Council's decision. Decisions made by the Council will be recorded in the Decisions Log thread, and when appropriated, added to the wikisite as well.

* If the Council makes a public promise, that promise must be kept! If there are delays regarding a self-imposed deadline, then recognition of those delays should be made publicly; council members who need help should ask for help to meet that deadline as soon as possible. Council members have the responsibility to help one another meet these public promises.

Additionally, Chief Windburn is currently under the ownership of the Council. For as long as the Council owns & operates this NPC, each Council member will be responsible for at least one submission of their choice per year for Windburn (this can include art or fic trades).

Council members who are team leaders of a specific team (such as character approvals team or story approvals team) are expected to be proactive and involved members of that team, shouldering a fair share of the team workload. Council members who are mods for specific discussion threads on the message boards are expected to cycle out old discussion threads to the general archives in a timely way, such as once every month for the heaviest traffic parts of the board.

== Past Council Members ==
* Trena Driessen (August 2006 to March 2007)
* Mary Jo Jeffers (August 2006 to April 2007)
* Ellen Million (April 2007 to December 2007)
* Leonie Jonk (August 2006 to January 2009)

== Current Council Members ==
* Heidi Henderson (August 2006 to present)
* Holly Hutchison (January 2008 to present)
* Leonie Jonk (August 2006 to present)
* Joan Milligan (August 2006 to present)
* Whitney Ware (March 2007 to present)
* Amy Chandler (February 2009 to present)

== Founding Members of River Twine Holt ==

The following members all joined within the first few weeks of the club and are responsible for the creation of the first player-character owned elves.

* Linda Aarts (Snowfall)
* Amy Chandler (Longshot)
* Trena Driessen (Whispersilk)
* Sarah Clawfoot (Suddendusk)
* Wendy Fowler (Nightstorm)
* Kim Gaeble (Kestrel)
* Gills (Windsong)
* Jaci Heinen (Foxtail)
* Heidi Henderson (Willow)
* Mary Jo Jeffers (Chicory)
* Tommy Jeffers (Chief Far Cry)
* Leonie Jonk (Dreamflight)
* Stacy Lucas (Moss)
* Fey McKercher (Rainpace)
* Joan Milligan (Crackle)
* Ellen Million (Greenweave)
* Cindy Pruitt (Quick Fang)
* Vicki Stephenson (Evervale)
* Rachel Vardys (Cloudfern)
* Whitney Ware (Farscout)
* Christina Westgate (Goldspice)
* Matt (Thornbow)

== What happens when a new member asks to join? ==

When new members join River Twine Holt, their request automatically goes to the River Twine Council. Reader-Memberships are generally approved immediately, unless the Council has just cause to deny the request. Player-Memberships, which involve the adoption of a character, are a more involved process. The Council immediately gives the prospective PM a friendly interview, both to ensure a new PM's happy transition into the club, and to make sure that the new PM is adopting a character they will prove compatible with. PMs who find they've adopted the wrong character will be welcome at any time to trade in their character for another available NPC. Again, the Council does reserve the right to deny PM requests or adoption requests, when the Council feels it has just cause to do so.

Once new members join, they are given a website account, a RTH alias email, and are asked to create a MB account. The website and the MB are two different systems, and members do have to apply for their account to the MB, whereas the website account is created automatically.

All members are required to join under their real identities; it's fine for members to participate under pseudonyms, but the Council needs to know a member's real name. Joining the club under false pretenses is grounds for immediate dismissal. Additionally, sockpuppeting a false membership is also grounds for immediate dismissal from the club.

== What will my participation requirements be when I first join? ==

Acknowledging that new members join while a quarter is in progress, the council has clarified what the expectations are for new member participation. New Player-Members must participate (meaning, submit art or writing) by the end of the first *full* quarter after they join. While we would of course like to see a new member begin participating as soon as possible, they may not have time to do so in the partial quarter in which they join. But, if a new member has not submitted anything by the end of the next (full) quarter, they will be deactivated. A new Reader-Member must post at least one comment on art or stories to the website by the end of the first *partial* quarter that they have joined.

If a new member joins very late in the quarter, or finds it difficult to meet the participation requirements, they are welcome to contact the Council before the quarterly deadline, and the Council would be glad to help.

== What are the differences between a Player-Member and a Reader-Member? ==

A Player-Member (PM) owns and operates a character at River Twine Holt. As such, they have increased quarterly participation requirements, and are required to update their character's CIS once a year during June. In return, they have full message board priviledges and website access.

A Reader-Member (RM) does not own or operate a character at River Twine Holt, and is required only to comment on art or stories on the website during the course of a quarter in order to retain their status as a Reader-Member. Reader-Members have full website access, partial access to the message boards (including some limitations on voting in certain types of polls), and the opportunity to be first in line to adopt characters when they become available. RMs are encouraged to create art or fic when they please, and to participate in the quarterly contests; they are expected to participate by all of the regular submission rules & regs, including obtaining permissions from PMs for the art or fic they create.

== What is RTH's policy for returning members? ==

Former members who wish to return to River Twine Holt are welcomed back with open arms. Returning members will be treated the same as any other new member -- they will be welcome to adopt any of the available characters. (Previously owned personas will not be removed from another member in order to be returned to a returning member.) All artwork and stories previously submitted will be relinked to a returning member. However, returning members are required to rejoin under their original name & identity.

Note: Sockpuppeting (operating an email account under false pretenses) will be grounds for immediate expulsion. '''Please remember: honesty is always the best policy!'''

== How does the art approval process work? ==

All art to the club is submitted to artwork@rivertwine.com. Artists are expected to have received approval for art featuring other members' characters before a piece is submitted. Once art is submitted, it is thumbnailed and uploaded into the website's database, where it is then linked to all appropriate gallery categories. The club's first Art Director was Trena Driessen; the current Art Director is Whitney Ware.

'''Value of "doll" art''': Doll art is always awarded at "sketch" level (.5). Doll art is only accepted for existing developed personas; doll art is not being accepted to represent ancestors, unless existing ancestor art for that individual already appears on the club website.

'''Recycled art''': We're happy to accept recycled art (art created originally for another club), so long as the artwork is art is equally representative of the RTH tribe or environment. Regardless of whether a showcase, sketch, or finished piece, will only earn a certain amount of points (.5). Recycled art cannot be applied toward the quarterly participation requirements. No more than eight pieces/four points of recycled art will be counted per quarter towards our seasonal participation awards.

'''Copying, References, and Plagiarism:''' Plagiarism of any form (tracing someone else’s artwork or claiming someone else’s writing for your own) is grounds for immediate cancellation of your membership. While drawing freehand from references is fine, tracing or mechanical copying of other artwork is not allowed (even if it is adapted). Art that is considered too much a copy of another existing artwork will not be posted (this determination will be made by the council, and it will be discussed with the artist). Plagiarism (trying to pass others' work off as your own, including close copies of others' work) is grounds for loss of membership.

== How does the story approval process work? ==

'''Review Process''': Members are expected to receive all necessary approvals for a story before it is submitted to the Story Approval Team for review; members are also expected to run a spell check on their submission, perform basic line editing for punctuation, grammar, and date the story for placement on the timeline. Stories are submitted to stories@rivertwine.com. Once submitted, stories are posted to the Story Review Team on the message boards, where members of the team review the story. The team goal is to return reviews within a seven day turnaround, when possible. Once the story reviews are made, then a single individual (called the "handler") compiles those comments into a single constructive review, which is returned to the member for revisions. Some stories may take more than one revision before they are cleared to be posted on the website, and some stories are cleared to be posted without any revision requests at all.

The Story Approval Team has a sometimes-tricky task of trying to balance the individual needs of the writer with overall club continuity. They keep an eye on the use of NPCs and ensure that NPCs remain consistent to character, try to ensure that group continuity remains consistent with the world of River Twine Holt, etc. The current Story Approval Team members are Heidi Henderson (Team Leader), Amy Chandler, Holly Hutchison, Joan Milligan, and Whitney Ware. Interested volunteers for the team should contact Heidi at willow@rivertwine.com.

Some storylines will by necessity require approval of the Council: any encounter with humans, any encounter with trolls, any encounter with wild magic. Additionally, any storyline which has a wide impact on the tribe (for example: an elf child goes missing for several days) should be consulted with the Council, to help determine what the Chief's response will be.

'''Value of Fic''': Stories are counted on the basis of 650 words = 1 page = 1 point.

'''Value of Poetry''': Poetry is generally considered to be worth .5 points. However, if a member believes their poem is longer than usual, a personal masterwork, or otherwise demonstrates more effort, they may request more points, to a maximum of 2. Final point distribution is decided by the story approval team.

''Token "No Elf Is An Island" Reminder'': In such a small and interwoven community like the River Twine tribe, no elf is an island and that events are rarely isolated to affecting only one character. There is no character of the tribe who does not have close relatives or close friends, and part of the fun (and the challenge!) of a club like River Twine is seeing how events and story threads weave unexpected from one author's work to the next. So never hesitate to ask yourself "How does the events in this story affect my elf?" and follow the ripples from their source!

== How does the character approvals process work? ==

All CISes (character information sheets) went through an approval process with the CIS Approval Team. Characters are expected to be written/drawn in a way that reflects what is in their CIS. Owners should continue to update the CIS with new information (such as new life developments, or things reflected in stories) Proposals for significant changes to a CIS, and thus to the character, should be submitted to the CIS Approval Team. In general, notable changes to a character will also require some in-character support such as a story or art submission, in order to "show" the rest of the club that character's development in a new direction. Additionally, owners may want to post to the MB whenever they update their character's CIS with things like hairstyle, costume, hobby, or weapon-mastery changes, so that other writers and artist will be sure to notice the update.

== Can I create a wanderer character? ==

While it is very likely that there are other tribes of elves existing on the world, the elves of River Twine Holt have never encountered other elves since Wolfsister and her band split from their band of High Ones and first-generation offspring, a little more than two thousand years ago. No "wandering elves" or "sole survivors of their destroyed tribe" elves can be introduced into the River Twine Holt.

In early 2006, the Council was asked to consider the introduction of tribe of sea elves and a tribe of gliders. At that time, the Council declined to pursue the development of any additional elf tribes, as doing so would prove a huge investment of time and creative energy, and distract members from the existing world-building that was still ongoing. This is a decision that can be revisited someday in the future, if a time comes when the Council finds that expanding the club's creative focus won't prove distracting from the existing tribe and characters.

== Can I play two elves at once? ==

No. Player-Members can only own one elf persona at a time. However -- all members are always welcome and encouraged to create art and fic about NPCs or about other member-owned characters; if you have ideas you wish to pursue about other characters, please approach that character's owner or (in the case of NPCs) the Council.

== Can I own and operate an ancestor character? ==

At this time, PMs can only own and operate one elf (living) persona at a time. Ancestor characters can be further developed by individual members, but creative control of all ancestors reverts to the club's Council. (Tip: if you're particularly enamored with an ancestor elf, be sure to write up a detailed CIS, as the CIS is what the Council uses to determine whether or not NPC usage is kept in-character!)

== Can I own a troll character, or one of the Ebea or Bukno-Baha humans? ==

Possibly. That's a bridge we haven't crossed yet, but may consider in the future.

== When I join and adopt a character, how much freedom do I have to alter that character to my liking? ==

Great question -- and one that takes a little consideration first. In many clubs, characters are temporary elements that cycle in and out as membership fluctuates. At River Twine Holt, the entire club is structured around a stable population of elves. New elves will be born and existing characters will die in the cycle of life in their fictional world, but characters won't disappear on command with changes in membership, and strange new elves won't just suddenly appear on the horizon. After the last of the existing elves of the tribe were created and approved in December of 2006, new members to the club are required to adopt existing NPCs. These characters come with established histories and established "looks" which may or may not completely appeal to their new owners.

The club's baseline for adopted characters is that a newly adopted character cannot be significantly altered from what's already "in print" -- by that, we mean approved in a character sheet or posted in existing art or fiction. Once a character fact goes into the club's continuity, that character fact needs to be respected and left unaltered. However, this still gives a perceptive new member some wriggle-room. Most of the elves in the tribe have been alive for decades, or even hundreds of years. That means there is a *lot* of opportunity for new stories to be told about those as-yet-unexplored life experiences. Likewise, new storylines can be developed to show a character's personality developing in new ways. And a character's physical appearance can always be altered -- within reason. Hair color and eye color won't change, but clothing can always be retailored (and again -- especially for characters who've been around for decades or centuries, there's always room to explore and detail a character's previous fashion history). Any really dramatic change in a character's appearance (new clothing, change in hairstyle, etc.) will require some in-character explanation... but that just means you've got great possibility for new storylines in your hands, and if as a new member you can't think of a why to explain a new fall fashion for your newly adopted character, then please post a note to the message boards and recruit a collaborator to tell that tale!

== What if I find I'm tired of my current character? ==

If that happens, you're welcome to trade in your existing elf in favor of one of the current NPCs. Or contact the Council and put your name on a waiting list, in order to get first dibs on adoption when babies get born, or current characters turn NPC.

== My elf’s wolf-friend is dead – how do I get another? ==

Although the wolves of the River Twine pack are significantly more long-lived than their natural cousins, they do have a lifespan of 25 to 30 years. Life for wolves is a dangerous thing, and wolves can die at any age from injury, starvation or illness. Most elves can expect to have *at least* four wolf-friends each century. In-play, this means that it won’t be unusual for characters to lose wolf-friends, and then have to forge new bonds.

The passing of a wolf-friend is an event due some respect, as is the experience of a new bonding. (And we hope you’ll memorialize both the loss and the new bond for your elf with fic or art!) Members who own characters with elderly wolves may also find themselves asked by the Council to have an old wolf pass on, in order to keep some balance in the pack.

To select a new wolf-friend for your elf, you have three choices:

a) select one of the currently available pups (pups are available on a first-come/first-serve basis)

b) select one of the available unbonded adult wolves described on the wolves section of the River Twine Wiki (note – when considering the adult wolf of your choice, consider why the mature wolf would be attracted to your elf as a bond-friend – many of these mature wolves are personalities in their own right, and a bond relationship is a two-way street!)

c) if there are no currently available pups, and none of the existing unbonded adults appeal to you, then put your name on a waiting list for the pick of next year’s litter!

Mature wolves will have some limited personality & physical description already determined for them, but members are free to create the personalities and descriptions for new pups, within the following guidelines:

* Pups can be bonded with at any point once they’ve physically begun to be weaned by the alpha female of the pack (pups are approximately six weeks of age at this point). Breeding season for the alpha male & female is normally late in the first month of the year; pups are born approximately 63 days later, early in the fourth month; pups would then be beginning to be weaned in mid-month of the fifth month. Additionally, wolves take at least a year to become full-grown; elf children might sneak rides on their wolf-bonds before a wolf is a full year of age, but this is frowned on, as it can cause damage to a wolf’s joints, causing future disability.

* We expect wolves to be “normal” looking: natural grey-wolf coloring is preferred with its natural range of color phasing allowed. Some allowance made for EQ-comics-style coloring (i.e. more solid coat colors). Please no wacky coloring/patterns. Albino wolves are extremely rare (no more than one at a time in the pack) and will be expected to have associated health issues: bonded albinos will always be omegas within the pack, and unless bonded as pups will be chased out of the pack at an early age.

* Wolves don't have the same range of eye colors as the elves. Eyes will be in a yellow/amber range, except for albino blue or pink. (While cubs, wolf eye colors will sometimes go through subtle color variations while the eyes change from the baby blue-grey color to adult gold.)

* You can submit drawn or painted artwork to represent your wolf. Otherwise, wolf photo portraits will be used to represent each wolf-friend. Please choose a snapshot from Monty Sloan's site (we have his permission to use his photos on our website as representational of our fictional pack). Please don't submit reference photos or art from anywhere else, without written permission of the photographer or artist. (If you have another reference pic you prefer, talk to one of our artists about creating a piece of art from it.)

* Throwback wolves are very rare, and will be limited to only two in-play within the pack at any time. (Our current throwbacks are Moss’s Weasel and Beetle’s Rooter.)

If at any time you intend to replace your character’s wolf-friend with a new one, email your wishes to the Council. (Understand that we do hope you’ll be creating fic or art to represent this important time of passage in your character’s life!) Additionally, every year in-play, the Council will look at the existing wolf pack and, taking into account the individual ages and temperaments of pack members, will shift the hierarchy accordingly. If you have any particular wishes for your character’s wolf-friend in term of increasing or deceasing their pack rank, please communicate this with the Council!

Additionally: once you determine you will replace an existing wolf-friend with a new one, you are asked to update your elf's CIS form with relevant information ASAP; please keep information regarding the old wolf under the "additional wolves" section of the CIS, for continuity purposes. We would also recommend posting a note to the message board regarding the new wolf friend, alerting other artists and authors to the date of the planned change.

== What happens when I decide I need to leave the club? ==

The continuity of River Twine Holt is built upon the existing characters, and all of the artwork and stories created in support of those characters. As a result, River Twine Holt refuses to ever "disappear" a character owned and operated by a departing member, and we are reluctant to remove from our archives and website any artwork or stories created in support of a character. Each departing member's requests will be handled on a case-by-case basis, and the Council will do it's best to juggle the individual's needs versus the continuity needs of the entire group. If you have specific requests or requires upon your departure, please discussion them with the Council, and we will work with you to find an end-result that best respects your needs, and the needs of the club as a whole.

As a matter of standard practice, the MB forum handles of departing members will be changed if the member had been operating under the name of a tribal character (i.e. Farscout, Greenweave, Longshot). Likewise, email accounts featuring the character's name (i.e. farscout@rivertwine.com) will be deactived until the character has been readopted by new ownership.

== What is the mentor program, and how does it work? ==

It always helps new members who join to have a friendly mentor who's willing to help answer questions and welcome a new member to the club. At River Twine Holt, mentors are volunteers who are ready and willing to to assist the Council by performing the following tasks when they've been assigned a new member:

* Mentors are asked to make early friendly contact with new members and give them a warm welcome to the club.
* Mentors are asked to help a new member "learn the ropes" as much as the new member needs. This means asking to answer any questions a new member has, and if necessary, direct the new member to the admin who can answer it.
* Mentors are asked to remain in close contact with a new member during their first few weeks in the club.
* Mentors should be aware that some new members will be "self starters" and some will need more mentoring than others. Mentors are asked to take some initiative in helping a new member get jump-started in the club -- this could include one or more of the following: offering to participate with a new member with their first collab, hosting a story-building RP for a new member, helping brainstorm with a new member regarding possible storylines, etc.

Any member who wishes to volunteer to be a mentor for River Twine Holt is welcome to volunteer by emailing cisadmin@rivertwine.com, or simply council@rivertwine.com.

== How do the Art and Fiction Contests work? ==

Fic or Art Contests are generally scheduled to run every Spring, Summer & Autumn quarter, although the schedule can vary (we generally don't hold Winter quarter contests, both out of respect for the general timecrunch of the holiday season for our members, as well as using that time period as a chance for members to catch up with any other overdue materials they may have before year's end.). Each contest will have a theme, and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prize award icons will be given to the winners chosen by vote on the message boards; additional bonus prizes may be offered as well by contest sponsors. Participants can contribute as many entries as they desire; however, if there are multiple participants, each individual may only receive one award. Individual members are welcome to host their own private contests as well, with prior approval from the Council.

All contest art and fiction must feature River Twine Holt characters and the River Twine Holt setting (unless specifically stated otherwise in the contest description). All contest entries must receive member approvals where necessary; the Council will help non-member participants in obtaining any necessary approvals.

'''Public Participation in Fic or Art Contests''': Non-members will be invited at times to participate in the regularly scheduled River Twine art & fic contests. Non-members will be eligible for participation under the same rules as members, and will be granted prizes (1st, 2nd, and 3rd prize award icons, with winners chosen by public vote on the River Twine message boards. Participants can contribute as many entries as they desire; however, if there are multiple participants, each individual may only receive one award. Unless otherwise noted in the description for each contest, all contest art should be generally PG13 in rating.

Non-member contest participation does NOT equate membership to River Twine Holt. Non-member contest participants are entitled to receive all comments on their work and any awards won, but no other members-only benefits such as persona ownership or full access to the message boards. By participating, non-members agree to their work being displayed on the River Twine website; River Twine Holt guarantees the work being credited to its creator.

A contests@rivertwine.com account exists for members to submit their contest entries too.

== Message Board Etiquette ==

* All members are asked to create Message Board accounts using their character name. Character names are reserved for use by the ''current'' owner of a character.
* Message board access is limited to members-only.
* MB threads are NOT to be erased. All old threads are to be transferred into the appropriate archive, so they will be available for future reference.
* Threads asking for volunteers or concerning volunteer assignments should not be archived until those assignments/commitments are either turned in, or the member indicates they are unable or unwilling to complete their tasks.
* Signatures have been enabled at the boards, however, there will be restrictions on them. First, no graphics (i.e. banners) are allowed. Second, you get three lines of standard sized text or 500 characters, whichever comes first. It should include your real name (or whatever it is you are called as a person), and your elfname if it is not already your username. Violations will be edited by the forum mods.

== Annual required CIS updates ==

All CISs should be kept current, as characters grow and change as they are played. A mandatory CIS update period is held every June: members have between the 1st and the 30th to log into the website, review their character’s CIS, and update it accordingly. The webbase will automatically track all updates, and the council member who heads up our Character Approval Team will receive automatic notification from the system of all changes to a CIS. Failure to update the CIS during the mandatory time period will result in the member going on probation for the summer quarter (July-August-Septemer) even if they have fulfilled their participation requirements for the previous quarter. If by September the CIS has not been updated, the member will lose the character. While this may seem harsh, it is the Council's belief that up-to-date CISes are important for immersion and conduct in the club and show an ongoing interest in the character.

The minimum change required to fulfill the mandatory update requirement is the adjustment of the character's age (the addition of a year). Further changes that reflect character growth are of course welcome. Additionally, CISs can be updated throughout the year, as a member feels motivated to do so.

Suggestions to keep in mind when updating the CIS:
* changes in a character's relationships
* any change in status of wolf-friend
* any new possessions of note?
* any change in skills or hobbies worth note?
* take a moment to review the artwork and stories in which your character has participate in the past year. Anything there to inspire you to update in the CIS?

== What are the membership requirements again for keeping my RTH character? ==

All members must support their character through the submission of one piece of art or one or more written submissions (totaling 500 words or more) per annual quarter. Members who fail to participate for more than two quarters in a row may have their membership revoked. Submission requirements need not necessarily feature your own character to meeting this requirement: for example, an art trade picture you've created of another member's elf satisfies our quarterly submission requirement.

== What happens if I fail to meet my submission requirements for a quarter? ==

A member who fails to participate during a quarter gets put on probationary status. Probationary members can return to non-probationary status simply by participating during the successive quarter (and of course, by completing any fic or art commitments they may be overdue on, particularly art trade or fic trade commitments). Probationary members MUST meet the participation requirements for the second quarter; while it's appreciated if they can retroactively meet the missed participation requirements, this is not required (a probationary member is not in a hole they must dig themselves out of). However, if a probationary member fails to meet the participation requirements for the successive quarter, their membership is revoked and their character becomes an NPC. (Rest assured -- this decision never takes place without ample communication from the Council first.)

== Can I repost my RTH art or stories elsewhere? ==

Individual members have the right to repost their own art and stories as they see fit. We especially appreciate it when a plug is made for River Twine (we've got banners available), and/or if you mention the names of the owners who approved the use of their art/characters in your.

== How does the art trade/fic trade system work? ==

The Art Trade and Fic Trade program runs regularly throughout the year. In general, each time members are asked to sign up if they wish to participate. Participants are then given character assignments based on which other members are participating for that particular trade session, and are given a two-month deadline to create art or fic for character they've been assigned.

Art Trade: runs on a two-month schedule. Artists sign up to portray another artist’s character; in return, they’ll be receiving artwork featuring their character.

Fic Trade: runs on a two-month schedule. Writers sign up to write a story or poem featuring another writer’s character; in return, they’ll be receiving a story or poetry featuring their character.

George (Art/Fic) Trade: runs on a three-month schedule. Artist and writer members are paired off to trade their respective skills, featuring one another’s characters. Partnered members determine for themselves how independent or collaborative their respective efforts will be.

It's not unusual for artists or authors to find they need more time to finish an assignment; some overlapping assignments will be allowed, but once a member has there or more overdue assignments, they cannot participate in future art or fic trades (or Secret Santa assignments) until the overdue assignments have been completed.

All art or George trade artwork should be submitted to artwork@rivertwine.com; all fic trade stories should be submitted to stories@rivertwine.com. Character approvals for art & stories must be obtained (where necessary) before submission are made.

== I signed up for the art trade/fic trade, but failed to produce my trade by deadline. What happens to me now? ==

It's understood that when a member signs up for an art trade or fic trade, that they will make good on their commitment, especially since they are receiving someone else's efforts in trade. It's also understood that sometimes, finishing a project may take longer than expected. Members who are overdue on three or more trade commitments will be cut off from further participation until all of their overdue commitments have been completed.[/b]

== What if I've got a great idea about doing something differently? ==

Write to the Council and give them a detailed proposal of what it is you want to do! The world of River Twine Holt is a shared creative effort, and everyone is encouraged to make their own creative stamp.

== Where do I find the RP? ==

We understand that most ElfQuest clubs out there today are based on RP (role playing), either through message boards or by email. River Twine Holt is different: we're role playing the old school way, through the creation of stories and artwork. As a result, we do not have organized RP.

We do have a section on the message boards where individual members can host a public or private RP (some of our authors enjoy generating stories in this fashion). And of course, individual members are welcome to hold private email RPs with one another (again, another method of story writing that some of our authors enjoy). But by and large, our RP opportunities are very limited, and if you really want to RP, expect to host the opportunity for yourself through recruiting other members on the MB or via email.

Additionally, nothing that happens in an RP is included in club canon: it's not "real" until you turn it into a story or put it in art.

== What's the plan for the characters now in wrapstuff? Can I adopt one? ==

As of December 2008, adoption requests are being considered from members or prospective members who are interested in adopting characters currently in wrapstuff. Interested parties are requested to contact the Council at any time prior to these characters being made available for adoption, by writing to the Council at council@rivertwine.com. At the time the character is removed from wrapstuff, if there is more than one individual interested in adopting a particular character, the Council will further interview qualified adopters and make their decision based on a variety of factors, including member participation history and expressed character development plans.

The Council does not expect to see wrapstuff characters beginning to come out of their cocoons until early summer 2009 at the soonest; characters will be released from wrapstuff on a staggered schedule, and the Council retains the option of having one or more wrapstuff characters fail to survive the awakening-process. Adoption options are simply being discussed now in order to help members plan ahead for the Big Event(s)!

Members who are chosen to adopt a wrapstuff character must, by necessity, give up their existing character ownership.

== What is the Quarterly Commenting Contest, and how does it work? ==

RTH sponsors a quarterly contest to encourage all members leave comments on the art & stories posted to the website. Participants enter the contest by leaving meaningful comments on 50% or more of the art and fiction posted on the website during that quarter. Each qualifying participant is automatically entered into the contest, with a single winner drawn by random from that quarter's pool of participants. Winners will receive a gift of fic or art donated by a volunteering artist or writer, featuring the River Twine Holt character of the winner's choice.

Comments may be left on either newly posted art and fic, or on any older piece that a member has not yet commented on (editing previous comments does not qualify). Participating members may comment on their own work as well, if they want to share some insight regarding a submission! (Note: by definition, when the Council calls a comment "meaningful", we mean a comment that has more substance to it that "Oh, that's good, I like that!" or "Very pretty!" If you like something, please say why; additionally, positively worded constructive criticism is welcome as well, and often is more helpful to the recipient than delicious praise alone!)

Winners are selected by “raffle” style drawing from a pool of all comments made by participants who have met the criteria of leaving comments on 50% or more of the submissions posted that quarter; every comment a participating member leave is a raffle entry, so the more a member leaves, the greater a member's chances of winning! Additionally, members can win the contest more than once in a row, so long as they leave enough comments to qualify in successive quarters.

River Twine Contest & Game Awards

2009-10-19T21:48:47Z

Farscout:

The following are awards giving to winners of River Twine's art contest, fiction contests, and competition events.

Each contest is hosted with a theme, and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prize award icons will be given to the winners chosen by vote on the message boards; when items are tied, multiple awards are given. Non-members are often invited to participate in the regular River Twine art & fic contests, with a "People's Choice" award voted upon by non-members at the ElfQuest.com Scroll of Many Colors site.

Competition events such as Treasure Hunts and Taal are held for members-only, and on average take place once a year.

The Quarterly Commenting contest began in January 2009, and the winner is selected at random from a pool of all comments placed by club members during a quarter.

== 2009 Summer Quarter Commenting Contest ==

''trophy pending''

== 2009 First Love Fiction Contest ==

''trophies pending''

== 2009 First Love Art Contest ==

''trophies pending''

== 2009 Taal Tourney ==

[[Image:2009taal_teamwork.png]] [[Image:2009taal_traveler.png]] [[Image:2009taal_roleplay.png]] [[Image:2009taal_champion.png]]

== 2009 Spring Quarter Commenting Contest ==

[[Image:2009spring_comments.png]]

== 2009 Life Cycles Fiction Contest ==

[[Image:rth-springfic09-first.jpg]] [[Image:rth-springfic09-second.jpg]] [[Image:rth-springfic09-third-amy.jpg]] [[Image:rth-springfic09-third-lyn.jpg]] [[Image:rth-springfic09-third-meg.jpg]]

== 2009 Seen It On The Telly AU Art Contest ==

[[Image:rth-springart09-first.jpg]] [[Image:rth-springart09-second.jpg]] [[Image:rth-springart09-third.jpg]]

== 2009 Winter Quarter Commenting Contest ==

[[Image:2009winter_comments.png]]

== 2009 A Thousand Words Fiction Contest ==

[[Image:rth-winterfic09-first.jpg]] [[Image:rth-winterfic09-second.jpg]] [[Image:rth-winterfic09-third.jpg]]

== 2009 A Thousand Words Art Contest ==

[[Image:rth-winterart09-first.jpg]] [[Image:rth-winterart09-first.jpg]]

== 2008 Reaction Shots Art Contest ==

''trophies pending''

== 2008 Blood of Chiefs Fiction Contest ==

[[Image:Rth-springfic08-award-first.jpg]] [[Image:Rth-springfic08-award-sec.jpg]]

== 2008 Myths, Legends & Fairy Tales Art Contest ==

[[Image:Rthspringart08award1ni2.jpg]] [[Image:Rthspringart08award2yj2.jpg]] [[Image:Rthspringart08award3jq7.jpg]] [[Image:Rthspringart08awardchoikn5.jpg]]

== 2008 Taal Tournament ==

[[Image:Taal2008_champion.png]]
[[Image:Taal2008_traveler.png]] [[Image:Taal2008_perseverence.png]] [[Image:Taal2008_roleplay.png]]

== 2007 Changes Fiction Contest ==

[[Image:2007changes_award1.jpg]] [[Image:2007changes_award2.jpg]] [[Image:2007changes_award3.jpg]] [[Image:2007changes_choice.jpg]]

== 2007 Treasure Hunt ==

[[Image:2007treasure_hunt_award1.gif]] [[Image:2007treasure_hunt_award2.gif]]
[[Image:2007treasure_hunt_award3.gif]]

== 2007 Summer Fun Art Contest ==

[[Image:2007summerfun_award1.jpg]] [[Image:2007summerfun_award2.jpg]]

== 2007 Games Elves Play Fiction Contest ==

[[Image:2007games_award1.jpg]] [[Image:2007games_award2b.jpg]] [[Image:2007games_award2a.jpg]]

[[Image:2007games_award3.jpg]] [[Image:2007games_award_choice.jpg]]

== 2007 Celebrating Our NPCs Art Contest ==

[[Image:2007npcs-award1a.jpg]] [[Image:2007npcs-award1b.jpg]]

[[Image:2007npcs_award2a.jpg]] [[Image:2007npcs_award2b.jpg]]
[[Image:2007npcs_award2c.jpg]]

[[Image:2007npcs_award3.jpg]] [[Image:2007npcs-award_choice.jpg]]

== 2007 Eclipse Fiction Contest ==

[[Image:2007eclipse_award1.jpg]] [[Image:2007_eclipse_award2.jpg]]

== 2006 Holiday Art Contest ==

[[Image:2006xmas_award1.jpg]] [[Image:2006xmas_award2.jpg]]

== 2006 You Ought To Be In Pictures Art Contest ==

[[Image:2006movie_award01.jpg]] [[Image:2006movie_award02.jpg]] [[Image:2006movie_award03.jpg]]

== 2006 Time Period Costume Art Contest ==

[[Image:2006timeperiod_award1.gif]] [[Image:2006timeperiod_award2.jpg]]
[[Image:2006timeperiod_award3.jpg]]

== 2006 Taal Tournament ==

[[Image:2006taal_champ.gif]] [[Image:2006taal_comeback.gif]]
[[Image:2006taal_traveler.gif]]

== Quarterly Commenting Contest ==

[[Image:comments_winter2009.png]]

River Twine Contest & Game Awards

2009-10-19T21:46:53Z

Farscout: /* 2008 Thousand Words Art Contest */

The following are awards giving to winners of River Twine's art contest, fiction contests, and competition events.

Each contest is hosted with a theme, and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prize award icons will be given to the winners chosen by vote on the message boards; when items are tied, multiple awards are given. Non-members are often invited to participate in the regular River Twine art & fic contests, with a "People's Choice" award voted upon by non-members at the ElfQuest.com Scroll of Many Colors site.

Competition events such as Treasure Hunts and Taal are held for members-only, and on average take place once a year.

The Quarterly Commenting contest began in January 2009, and the winner is selected at random from a pool of all comments placed by club members during a quarter.

== 2009 Summer Quarter Commenting Contest ==

''trophy pending''

== 2009 First Love Fiction Contest ==

''trophies pending''

== 2009 First Love Art Contest ==

''trophies pending''

== 2009 Taal Tourney ==

[[Image:2009taal_teamwork.png]] [[Image:2009taal_traveler.png]] [[Image:2009taal_roleplay.png]] [[Image:2009taal_champion.png]]

== 2009 Spring Quarter Commenting Contest ==

[[Image:2009spring_comments.png]]

== 2009 Life Cycles Fiction Contest ==

[[Image:rth-springfic09-first.jpg]] [[Image:rth-springfic09-second.jpg]] [[Image:rth-springfic09-third-amy.jpg]] [[Image:rth-springfic09-third-lyn.jpg]] [[Image:rth-springfic09-third-meg.jpg]]

== 2009 Seen It On The Telly AU Art Contest ==

[[Image:rth-springart09-first.jpg]] [[Image:rth-springart09-second.jpg]] [[Image:rth-springart09-third.jpg]]

== 2009 Winter Quarter Commenting Contest ==

[[Image:2009winter_comments.png]]

== 2009 A Thousand Words Fiction Contest ==

[[Image:rth-winterfic09-first.jpg]] [[Image:rth-winterfic09-second.jpg]] [[Image:rth-winterfic09-third.jpg]]

== 2008 Reaction Shots Art Contest ==

''trophies pending''

== 2008 Blood of Chiefs Fiction Contest ==

[[Image:Rth-springfic08-award-first.jpg]] [[Image:Rth-springfic08-award-sec.jpg]]

== 2008 Myths, Legends & Fairy Tales Art Contest ==

[[Image:Rthspringart08award1ni2.jpg]] [[Image:Rthspringart08award2yj2.jpg]] [[Image:Rthspringart08award3jq7.jpg]] [[Image:Rthspringart08awardchoikn5.jpg]]

== 2008 Taal Tournament ==

[[Image:Taal2008_champion.png]]
[[Image:Taal2008_traveler.png]] [[Image:Taal2008_perseverence.png]] [[Image:Taal2008_roleplay.png]]

== 2007 Changes Fiction Contest ==

[[Image:2007changes_award1.jpg]] [[Image:2007changes_award2.jpg]] [[Image:2007changes_award3.jpg]] [[Image:2007changes_choice.jpg]]

== 2007 Treasure Hunt ==

[[Image:2007treasure_hunt_award1.gif]] [[Image:2007treasure_hunt_award2.gif]]
[[Image:2007treasure_hunt_award3.gif]]

== 2007 Summer Fun Art Contest ==

[[Image:2007summerfun_award1.jpg]] [[Image:2007summerfun_award2.jpg]]

== 2007 Games Elves Play Fiction Contest ==

[[Image:2007games_award1.jpg]] [[Image:2007games_award2b.jpg]] [[Image:2007games_award2a.jpg]]

[[Image:2007games_award3.jpg]] [[Image:2007games_award_choice.jpg]]

== 2007 Celebrating Our NPCs Art Contest ==

[[Image:2007npcs-award1a.jpg]] [[Image:2007npcs-award1b.jpg]]

[[Image:2007npcs_award2a.jpg]] [[Image:2007npcs_award2b.jpg]]
[[Image:2007npcs_award2c.jpg]]

[[Image:2007npcs_award3.jpg]] [[Image:2007npcs-award_choice.jpg]]

== 2007 Eclipse Fiction Contest ==

[[Image:2007eclipse_award1.jpg]] [[Image:2007_eclipse_award2.jpg]]

== 2006 Holiday Art Contest ==

[[Image:2006xmas_award1.jpg]] [[Image:2006xmas_award2.jpg]]

== 2006 You Ought To Be In Pictures Art Contest ==

[[Image:2006movie_award01.jpg]] [[Image:2006movie_award02.jpg]] [[Image:2006movie_award03.jpg]]

== 2006 Time Period Costume Art Contest ==

[[Image:2006timeperiod_award1.gif]] [[Image:2006timeperiod_award2.jpg]]
[[Image:2006timeperiod_award3.jpg]]

== 2006 Taal Tournament ==

[[Image:2006taal_champ.gif]] [[Image:2006taal_comeback.gif]]
[[Image:2006taal_traveler.gif]]

== Quarterly Commenting Contest ==

[[Image:comments_winter2009.png]]

River Twine Contest & Game Awards

2009-10-19T21:45:26Z

Farscout: /* 2009 A Thousand Words Fiction Contest */

The following are awards giving to winners of River Twine's art contest, fiction contests, and competition events.

Each contest is hosted with a theme, and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prize award icons will be given to the winners chosen by vote on the message boards; when items are tied, multiple awards are given. Non-members are often invited to participate in the regular River Twine art & fic contests, with a "People's Choice" award voted upon by non-members at the ElfQuest.com Scroll of Many Colors site.

Competition events such as Treasure Hunts and Taal are held for members-only, and on average take place once a year.

The Quarterly Commenting contest began in January 2009, and the winner is selected at random from a pool of all comments placed by club members during a quarter.

== 2009 Summer Quarter Commenting Contest ==

''trophy pending''

== 2009 First Love Fiction Contest ==

''trophies pending''

== 2009 First Love Art Contest ==

''trophies pending''

== 2009 Taal Tourney ==

[[Image:2009taal_teamwork.png]] [[Image:2009taal_traveler.png]] [[Image:2009taal_roleplay.png]] [[Image:2009taal_champion.png]]

== 2009 Spring Quarter Commenting Contest ==

[[Image:2009spring_comments.png]]

== 2009 Life Cycles Fiction Contest ==

[[Image:rth-springfic09-first.jpg]] [[Image:rth-springfic09-second.jpg]] [[Image:rth-springfic09-third-amy.jpg]] [[Image:rth-springfic09-third-lyn.jpg]] [[Image:rth-springfic09-third-meg.jpg]]

== 2009 Seen It On The Telly AU Art Contest ==

[[Image:rth-springart09-first.jpg]] [[Image:rth-springart09-second.jpg]] [[Image:rth-springart09-third.jpg]]

== 2009 Winter Quarter Commenting Contest ==

[[Image:2009winter_comments.png]]

== 2009 A Thousand Words Fiction Contest ==

[[Image:rth-winterfic09-first.jpg]] [[Image:rth-winterfic09-second.jpg]] [[Image:rth-winterfic09-third.jpg]]

== 2009 Thousand Words Art Contest ==

''trophies pending''

== 2008 Blood of Chiefs Fiction Contest ==

[[Image:Rth-springfic08-award-first.jpg]] [[Image:Rth-springfic08-award-sec.jpg]]

== 2008 Myths, Legends & Fairy Tales Art Contest ==

[[Image:Rthspringart08award1ni2.jpg]] [[Image:Rthspringart08award2yj2.jpg]] [[Image:Rthspringart08award3jq7.jpg]] [[Image:Rthspringart08awardchoikn5.jpg]]

== 2008 Taal Tournament ==

[[Image:Taal2008_champion.png]]
[[Image:Taal2008_traveler.png]] [[Image:Taal2008_perseverence.png]] [[Image:Taal2008_roleplay.png]]

== 2007 Changes Fiction Contest ==

[[Image:2007changes_award1.jpg]] [[Image:2007changes_award2.jpg]] [[Image:2007changes_award3.jpg]] [[Image:2007changes_choice.jpg]]

== 2007 Treasure Hunt ==

[[Image:2007treasure_hunt_award1.gif]] [[Image:2007treasure_hunt_award2.gif]]
[[Image:2007treasure_hunt_award3.gif]]

== 2007 Summer Fun Art Contest ==

[[Image:2007summerfun_award1.jpg]] [[Image:2007summerfun_award2.jpg]]

== 2007 Games Elves Play Fiction Contest ==

[[Image:2007games_award1.jpg]] [[Image:2007games_award2b.jpg]] [[Image:2007games_award2a.jpg]]

[[Image:2007games_award3.jpg]] [[Image:2007games_award_choice.jpg]]

== 2007 Celebrating Our NPCs Art Contest ==

[[Image:2007npcs-award1a.jpg]] [[Image:2007npcs-award1b.jpg]]

[[Image:2007npcs_award2a.jpg]] [[Image:2007npcs_award2b.jpg]]
[[Image:2007npcs_award2c.jpg]]

[[Image:2007npcs_award3.jpg]] [[Image:2007npcs-award_choice.jpg]]

== 2007 Eclipse Fiction Contest ==

[[Image:2007eclipse_award1.jpg]] [[Image:2007_eclipse_award2.jpg]]

== 2006 Holiday Art Contest ==

[[Image:2006xmas_award1.jpg]] [[Image:2006xmas_award2.jpg]]

== 2006 You Ought To Be In Pictures Art Contest ==

[[Image:2006movie_award01.jpg]] [[Image:2006movie_award02.jpg]] [[Image:2006movie_award03.jpg]]

== 2006 Time Period Costume Art Contest ==

[[Image:2006timeperiod_award1.gif]] [[Image:2006timeperiod_award2.jpg]]
[[Image:2006timeperiod_award3.jpg]]

== 2006 Taal Tournament ==

[[Image:2006taal_champ.gif]] [[Image:2006taal_comeback.gif]]
[[Image:2006taal_traveler.gif]]

== Quarterly Commenting Contest ==

[[Image:comments_winter2009.png]]

River Twine Contest & Game Awards

2009-10-19T21:44:41Z

Farscout: /* 2009 Thousand Words Fiction Contest */

The following are awards giving to winners of River Twine's art contest, fiction contests, and competition events.

Each contest is hosted with a theme, and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prize award icons will be given to the winners chosen by vote on the message boards; when items are tied, multiple awards are given. Non-members are often invited to participate in the regular River Twine art & fic contests, with a "People's Choice" award voted upon by non-members at the ElfQuest.com Scroll of Many Colors site.

Competition events such as Treasure Hunts and Taal are held for members-only, and on average take place once a year.

The Quarterly Commenting contest began in January 2009, and the winner is selected at random from a pool of all comments placed by club members during a quarter.

== 2009 Summer Quarter Commenting Contest ==

''trophy pending''

== 2009 First Love Fiction Contest ==

''trophies pending''

== 2009 First Love Art Contest ==

''trophies pending''

== 2009 Taal Tourney ==

[[Image:2009taal_teamwork.png]] [[Image:2009taal_traveler.png]] [[Image:2009taal_roleplay.png]] [[Image:2009taal_champion.png]]

== 2009 Spring Quarter Commenting Contest ==

[[Image:2009spring_comments.png]]

== 2009 Life Cycles Fiction Contest ==

[[Image:rth-springfic09-first.jpg]] [[Image:rth-springfic09-second.jpg]] [[Image:rth-springfic09-third-amy.jpg]] [[Image:rth-springfic09-third-lyn.jpg]] [[Image:rth-springfic09-third-meg.jpg]]

== 2009 Seen It On The Telly AU Art Contest ==

[[Image:rth-springart09-first.jpg]] [[Image:rth-springart09-second.jpg]] [[Image:rth-springart09-third.jpg]]

== 2009 Winter Quarter Commenting Contest ==

[[Image:2009winter_comments.png]]

== 2009 A Thousand Words Fiction Contest ==

[[Image:rth-award-winter09-first.jpg]]

== 2009 Thousand Words Art Contest ==

''trophies pending''

== 2008 Blood of Chiefs Fiction Contest ==

[[Image:Rth-springfic08-award-first.jpg]] [[Image:Rth-springfic08-award-sec.jpg]]

== 2008 Myths, Legends & Fairy Tales Art Contest ==

[[Image:Rthspringart08award1ni2.jpg]] [[Image:Rthspringart08award2yj2.jpg]] [[Image:Rthspringart08award3jq7.jpg]] [[Image:Rthspringart08awardchoikn5.jpg]]

== 2008 Taal Tournament ==

[[Image:Taal2008_champion.png]]
[[Image:Taal2008_traveler.png]] [[Image:Taal2008_perseverence.png]] [[Image:Taal2008_roleplay.png]]

== 2007 Changes Fiction Contest ==

[[Image:2007changes_award1.jpg]] [[Image:2007changes_award2.jpg]] [[Image:2007changes_award3.jpg]] [[Image:2007changes_choice.jpg]]

== 2007 Treasure Hunt ==

[[Image:2007treasure_hunt_award1.gif]] [[Image:2007treasure_hunt_award2.gif]]
[[Image:2007treasure_hunt_award3.gif]]

== 2007 Summer Fun Art Contest ==

[[Image:2007summerfun_award1.jpg]] [[Image:2007summerfun_award2.jpg]]

== 2007 Games Elves Play Fiction Contest ==

[[Image:2007games_award1.jpg]] [[Image:2007games_award2b.jpg]] [[Image:2007games_award2a.jpg]]

[[Image:2007games_award3.jpg]] [[Image:2007games_award_choice.jpg]]

== 2007 Celebrating Our NPCs Art Contest ==

[[Image:2007npcs-award1a.jpg]] [[Image:2007npcs-award1b.jpg]]

[[Image:2007npcs_award2a.jpg]] [[Image:2007npcs_award2b.jpg]]
[[Image:2007npcs_award2c.jpg]]

[[Image:2007npcs_award3.jpg]] [[Image:2007npcs-award_choice.jpg]]

== 2007 Eclipse Fiction Contest ==

[[Image:2007eclipse_award1.jpg]] [[Image:2007_eclipse_award2.jpg]]

== 2006 Holiday Art Contest ==

[[Image:2006xmas_award1.jpg]] [[Image:2006xmas_award2.jpg]]

== 2006 You Ought To Be In Pictures Art Contest ==

[[Image:2006movie_award01.jpg]] [[Image:2006movie_award02.jpg]] [[Image:2006movie_award03.jpg]]

== 2006 Time Period Costume Art Contest ==

[[Image:2006timeperiod_award1.gif]] [[Image:2006timeperiod_award2.jpg]]
[[Image:2006timeperiod_award3.jpg]]

== 2006 Taal Tournament ==

[[Image:2006taal_champ.gif]] [[Image:2006taal_comeback.gif]]
[[Image:2006taal_traveler.gif]]

== Quarterly Commenting Contest ==

[[Image:comments_winter2009.png]]

River Twine Participation Awards

2009-10-19T21:42:46Z

Farscout: /* 2009 Winter Participation Awards */

Every quarter, the Council of Five will collectively decide which member should receive the Art and Fiction award for the season, based largely on who has earned the most points in that category during the quarter. The Member Award will go to a member who has actively participated throughout the quarter above and beyond the normal rate of activity. The Member Award is generally based upon the amount of points that a person receives in a quarter.

The awards are given out 'seasonally' as follows:

• March 31: Winter Quarter (Jan-Feb-March)

• June 30: Spring Quarter (April-May-June)

• Sept. 30: Summer Quarter (July-Aug-Sept)

• Dec. 31: Autumn Quarter (Oct-Nov-Dec)

Once a member has received an Art, Fiction or Member award during the course of a year, that member cannot receive that same award again during that year.

The '''Chief's Choice Award''' was introduced in 2008. It is given to honor an exceptional effort in fiction, poetry or artwork. The Chief's Choice Award may be given out quarterly, but is not a mandatory award -- the Council will give it only in circumstances where the Council believes it very well deserved, but the regular artist, member, or general participation awards (which are largely points-based achievements) are not applicable.

== 2009 Summer Participation Awards ==

''trophies pending''

== 2009 Spring Participation Awards ==

[[Image:2009spring_artist.jpg]] [[Image:2009spring_writer.jpg]] [[Image:2009spring_member.jpg]] [[Image:2009spring_chiefschoice.jpg]]

== 2009 Winter Participation Awards ==

[[Image:rth-award-winter09-artist.jpg]] [[Image:rth-award-winter09-writer.jpg]] [[Image:rth-award-winter09-member.jpg]]

== 2008 Autumn Participation Awards ==

[[Image:2008autumn_artist.jpg]] [[Image:2008autumn_writer.jpg]] [[Image:2008autumn_member.jpg]]

== 2008 Summer Participation Awards ==

[[Image:2008summer_artist.jpg]] [[Image:2008summer_writer.jpg]] [[Image:2008summer_member.jpg]]

== 2008 Spring Participation Awards ==

[[Image:2008spring_artist.jpg]] [[Image:2008spring_writer.jpg]] [[Image:2008spring_member.jpg]]

== 2008 Winter Participation Awards ==

[[Image:2008winter_chiefs.jpg]] [[Image:2008winter_member.jpg]]

[[Image:2008winter_artist.jpg]] [[Image:2008winter_writer.jpg]]

== 2007 Autumn Participation Awards ==

[[Image:2007autumn_artist.jpg]] [[Image:2007autumn_writer.jpg]] [[Image:2007autumn_member.jpg]]

== 2007 Summer Participation Awards ==

[[Image:2007summer_artist.jpg]] [[Image:2007summer_writer.jpg]]
[[Image:2007summer_member.jpg]]

== 2007 Spring Participation Awards ==

[[Image:2007spring_artist.jpg]] [[Image:2007spring_writer.jpg]]
[[Image:2007spring_member.jpg]]

== 2007 Winter Participation Awards ==

[[Image:2007winter_artist.jpg]] [[Image:2007winter_author.jpg]]
[[Image:2007winter_member.jpg]]
''
Note: there was an administrative change between 2006 and 2007 in how quarters were titled/tracked. These awards were originally called the "Winter 2006" awards; normally authors are not awarded the same award twice in one year, but Sarah earned the Winter 2006 award before the administrative change went into affect, thus grandfathering in her two writer awards during 2007.''

== 2006 Autumn Participation Awards ==

[[Image:2006autumn_artist.jpg]] [[Image:2006autumn_writer.jpg]]
[[Image:2006autumn_member.jpg]]

== 2006 Summer Participation Awards ==

[[Image:2006summer_artist.jpg]] [[Image:2006summer_writer.jpg]]
[[Image:2006summer_member.jpg]]

River Twine Participation Awards

2009-10-19T21:41:37Z

2009-10-19T20:18:44Z

Farscout: /* 2009 Thousand Words Art Contest */

The following are awards giving to winners of River Twine's art contest, fiction contests, and competition events.

Each contest is hosted with a theme, and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prize award icons will be given to the winners chosen by vote on the message boards; when items are tied, multiple awards are given. Non-members are often invited to participate in the regular River Twine art & fic contests, with a "People's Choice" award voted upon by non-members at the ElfQuest.com Scroll of Many Colors site.

Competition events such as Treasure Hunts and Taal are held for members-only, and on average take place once a year.

The Quarterly Commenting contest began in January 2009, and the winner is selected at random from a pool of all comments placed by club members during a quarter.

== 2009 Summer Quarter Commenting Contest ==

''trophy pending''

== 2009 First Love Fiction Contest ==

''trophies pending''

== 2009 First Love Art Contest ==

''trophies pending''

== 2009 Taal Tourney ==

[[Image:2009taal_teamwork.png]] [[Image:2009taal_traveler.png]] [[Image:2009taal_roleplay.png]] [[Image:2009taal_champion.png]]

== 2009 Spring Quarter Commenting Contest ==

[[Image:2009spring_comments.png]]

== 2009 Life Cycles Fiction Contest ==

[[Image:rth-springfic09-first.jpg]] [[Image:rth-springfic09-second.jpg]] [[Image:rth-springfic09-third-amy.jpg]] [[Image:rth-springfic09-third-lyn.jpg]] [[Image:rth-springfic09-third-meg.jpg]]

== 2009 Seen It On The Telly AU Art Contest ==

[[Image:rth-springart09-first.jpg]] [[Image:rth-springart09-second.jpg]] [[Image:rth-springart09-third.jpg]]

== 2009 Winter Quarter Commenting Contest ==

[[Image:2009winter_comments.png]]

== 2009 Thousand Words Fiction Contest ==

''trophies pending''

== 2009 Thousand Words Art Contest ==

''trophies pending''

== 2008 Blood of Chiefs Fiction Contest ==

[[Image:Rth-springfic08-award-first.jpg]] [[Image:Rth-springfic08-award-sec.jpg]]

== 2008 Myths, Legends & Fairy Tales Art Contest ==

[[Image:Rthspringart08award1ni2.jpg]] [[Image:Rthspringart08award2yj2.jpg]] [[Image:Rthspringart08award3jq7.jpg]] [[Image:Rthspringart08awardchoikn5.jpg]]

== 2008 Taal Tournament ==

[[Image:Taal2008_champion.png]]
[[Image:Taal2008_traveler.png]] [[Image:Taal2008_perseverence.png]] [[Image:Taal2008_roleplay.png]]

== 2007 Changes Fiction Contest ==

[[Image:2007changes_award1.jpg]] [[Image:2007changes_award2.jpg]] [[Image:2007changes_award3.jpg]] [[Image:2007changes_choice.jpg]]

== 2007 Treasure Hunt ==

[[Image:2007treasure_hunt_award1.gif]] [[Image:2007treasure_hunt_award2.gif]]
[[Image:2007treasure_hunt_award3.gif]]

== 2007 Summer Fun Art Contest ==

[[Image:2007summerfun_award1.jpg]] [[Image:2007summerfun_award2.jpg]]

== 2007 Games Elves Play Fiction Contest ==

[[Image:2007games_award1.jpg]] [[Image:2007games_award2b.jpg]] [[Image:2007games_award2a.jpg]]

[[Image:2007games_award3.jpg]] [[Image:2007games_award_choice.jpg]]

== 2007 Celebrating Our NPCs Art Contest ==

[[Image:2007npcs-award1a.jpg]] [[Image:2007npcs-award1b.jpg]]

[[Image:2007npcs_award2a.jpg]] [[Image:2007npcs_award2b.jpg]]
[[Image:2007npcs_award2c.jpg]]

[[Image:2007npcs_award3.jpg]] [[Image:2007npcs-award_choice.jpg]]

== 2007 Eclipse Fiction Contest ==

[[Image:2007eclipse_award1.jpg]] [[Image:2007_eclipse_award2.jpg]]

== 2006 Holiday Art Contest ==

[[Image:2006xmas_award1.jpg]] [[Image:2006xmas_award2.jpg]]

== 2006 You Ought To Be In Pictures Art Contest ==

[[Image:2006movie_award01.jpg]] [[Image:2006movie_award02.jpg]] [[Image:2006movie_award03.jpg]]

== 2006 Time Period Costume Art Contest ==

[[Image:2006timeperiod_award1.gif]] [[Image:2006timeperiod_award2.jpg]]
[[Image:2006timeperiod_award3.jpg]]

== 2006 Taal Tournament ==

[[Image:2006taal_champ.gif]] [[Image:2006taal_comeback.gif]]
[[Image:2006taal_traveler.gif]]

== Quarterly Commenting Contest ==

[[Image:comments_winter2009.png]]

River Twine Contest & Game Awards

2009-10-19T20:18:20Z

Farscout: /* 2009 Thousand Words Fiction Contest */

The following are awards giving to winners of River Twine's art contest, fiction contests, and competition events.

Each contest is hosted with a theme, and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prize award icons will be given to the winners chosen by vote on the message boards; when items are tied, multiple awards are given. Non-members are often invited to participate in the regular River Twine art & fic contests, with a "People's Choice" award voted upon by non-members at the ElfQuest.com Scroll of Many Colors site.

Competition events such as Treasure Hunts and Taal are held for members-only, and on average take place once a year.

The Quarterly Commenting contest began in January 2009, and the winner is selected at random from a pool of all comments placed by club members during a quarter.

== 2009 Summer Quarter Commenting Contest ==

''trophy pending''

== 2009 First Love Fiction Contest ==

''trophies pending''

== 2009 First Love Art Contest ==

''trophies pending''

== 2009 Taal Tourney ==

[[Image:2009taal_teamwork.png]] [[Image:2009taal_traveler.png]] [[Image:2009taal_roleplay.png]] [[Image:2009taal_champion.png]]

== 2009 Spring Quarter Commenting Contest ==

[[Image:2009spring_comments.png]]

== 2009 Life Cycles Fiction Contest ==

[[Image:rth-springfic09-first.jpg]] [[Image:rth-springfic09-second.jpg]] [[Image:rth-springfic09-third-amy.jpg]] [[Image:rth-springfic09-third-lyn.jpg]] [[Image:rth-springfic09-third-meg.jpg]]

== 2009 Seen It On The Telly AU Art Contest ==

[[Image:rth-springart09-first.jpg]] [[Image:rth-springart09-second.jpg]] [[Image:rth-springart09-third.jpg]]

== 2009 Winter Quarter Commenting Contest ==

[[Image:2009winter_comments.png]]

== 2009 Thousand Words Fiction Contest ==

''trophies pending''

== 2009 Thousand Words Art Contest ==

== 2008 Blood of Chiefs Fiction Contest ==

[[Image:Rth-springfic08-award-first.jpg]] [[Image:Rth-springfic08-award-sec.jpg]]

== 2008 Myths, Legends & Fairy Tales Art Contest ==

[[Image:Rthspringart08award1ni2.jpg]] [[Image:Rthspringart08award2yj2.jpg]] [[Image:Rthspringart08award3jq7.jpg]] [[Image:Rthspringart08awardchoikn5.jpg]]

== 2008 Taal Tournament ==

[[Image:Taal2008_champion.png]]
[[Image:Taal2008_traveler.png]] [[Image:Taal2008_perseverence.png]] [[Image:Taal2008_roleplay.png]]

== 2007 Changes Fiction Contest ==

[[Image:2007changes_award1.jpg]] [[Image:2007changes_award2.jpg]] [[Image:2007changes_award3.jpg]] [[Image:2007changes_choice.jpg]]

== 2007 Treasure Hunt ==

[[Image:2007treasure_hunt_award1.gif]] [[Image:2007treasure_hunt_award2.gif]]
[[Image:2007treasure_hunt_award3.gif]]

== 2007 Summer Fun Art Contest ==

[[Image:2007summerfun_award1.jpg]] [[Image:2007summerfun_award2.jpg]]

== 2007 Games Elves Play Fiction Contest ==

[[Image:2007games_award1.jpg]] [[Image:2007games_award2b.jpg]] [[Image:2007games_award2a.jpg]]

[[Image:2007games_award3.jpg]] [[Image:2007games_award_choice.jpg]]

== 2007 Celebrating Our NPCs Art Contest ==

[[Image:2007npcs-award1a.jpg]] [[Image:2007npcs-award1b.jpg]]

[[Image:2007npcs_award2a.jpg]] [[Image:2007npcs_award2b.jpg]]
[[Image:2007npcs_award2c.jpg]]

[[Image:2007npcs_award3.jpg]] [[Image:2007npcs-award_choice.jpg]]

== 2007 Eclipse Fiction Contest ==

[[Image:2007eclipse_award1.jpg]] [[Image:2007_eclipse_award2.jpg]]

== 2006 Holiday Art Contest ==

[[Image:2006xmas_award1.jpg]] [[Image:2006xmas_award2.jpg]]

== 2006 You Ought To Be In Pictures Art Contest ==

[[Image:2006movie_award01.jpg]] [[Image:2006movie_award02.jpg]] [[Image:2006movie_award03.jpg]]

== 2006 Time Period Costume Art Contest ==

[[Image:2006timeperiod_award1.gif]] [[Image:2006timeperiod_award2.jpg]]
[[Image:2006timeperiod_award3.jpg]]

== 2006 Taal Tournament ==

[[Image:2006taal_champ.gif]] [[Image:2006taal_comeback.gif]]
[[Image:2006taal_traveler.gif]]

== Quarterly Commenting Contest ==

[[Image:comments_winter2009.png]]

River Twine Contest & Game Awards

2009-10-19T20:18:03Z

Farscout: /* 2009 Thousand Words Fiction Contest */

The following are awards giving to winners of River Twine's art contest, fiction contests, and competition events.

Each contest is hosted with a theme, and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prize award icons will be given to the winners chosen by vote on the message boards; when items are tied, multiple awards are given. Non-members are often invited to participate in the regular River Twine art & fic contests, with a "People's Choice" award voted upon by non-members at the ElfQuest.com Scroll of Many Colors site.

Competition events such as Treasure Hunts and Taal are held for members-only, and on average take place once a year.

The Quarterly Commenting contest began in January 2009, and the winner is selected at random from a pool of all comments placed by club members during a quarter.

== 2009 Summer Quarter Commenting Contest ==

''trophy pending''

== 2009 First Love Fiction Contest ==

''trophies pending''

== 2009 First Love Art Contest ==

''trophies pending''

== 2009 Taal Tourney ==

[[Image:2009taal_teamwork.png]] [[Image:2009taal_traveler.png]] [[Image:2009taal_roleplay.png]] [[Image:2009taal_champion.png]]

== 2009 Spring Quarter Commenting Contest ==

[[Image:2009spring_comments.png]]

== 2009 Life Cycles Fiction Contest ==

[[Image:rth-springfic09-first.jpg]] [[Image:rth-springfic09-second.jpg]] [[Image:rth-springfic09-third-amy.jpg]] [[Image:rth-springfic09-third-lyn.jpg]] [[Image:rth-springfic09-third-meg.jpg]]

== 2009 Seen It On The Telly AU Art Contest ==

[[Image:rth-springart09-first.jpg]] [[Image:rth-springart09-second.jpg]] [[Image:rth-springart09-third.jpg]]

== 2009 Winter Quarter Commenting Contest ==

[[Image:2009winter_comments.png]]

== 2009 Thousand Words Fiction Contest ==

"trophies pending"

== 2009 Thousand Words Art Contest ==

== 2008 Blood of Chiefs Fiction Contest ==

[[Image:Rth-springfic08-award-first.jpg]] [[Image:Rth-springfic08-award-sec.jpg]]

== 2008 Myths, Legends & Fairy Tales Art Contest ==

[[Image:Rthspringart08award1ni2.jpg]] [[Image:Rthspringart08award2yj2.jpg]] [[Image:Rthspringart08award3jq7.jpg]] [[Image:Rthspringart08awardchoikn5.jpg]]

== 2008 Taal Tournament ==

[[Image:Taal2008_champion.png]]
[[Image:Taal2008_traveler.png]] [[Image:Taal2008_perseverence.png]] [[Image:Taal2008_roleplay.png]]

== 2007 Changes Fiction Contest ==

[[Image:2007changes_award1.jpg]] [[Image:2007changes_award2.jpg]] [[Image:2007changes_award3.jpg]] [[Image:2007changes_choice.jpg]]

== 2007 Treasure Hunt ==

[[Image:2007treasure_hunt_award1.gif]] [[Image:2007treasure_hunt_award2.gif]]
[[Image:2007treasure_hunt_award3.gif]]

== 2007 Summer Fun Art Contest ==

[[Image:2007summerfun_award1.jpg]] [[Image:2007summerfun_award2.jpg]]

== 2007 Games Elves Play Fiction Contest ==

[[Image:2007games_award1.jpg]] [[Image:2007games_award2b.jpg]] [[Image:2007games_award2a.jpg]]

[[Image:2007games_award3.jpg]] [[Image:2007games_award_choice.jpg]]

== 2007 Celebrating Our NPCs Art Contest ==

[[Image:2007npcs-award1a.jpg]] [[Image:2007npcs-award1b.jpg]]

[[Image:2007npcs_award2a.jpg]] [[Image:2007npcs_award2b.jpg]]
[[Image:2007npcs_award2c.jpg]]

[[Image:2007npcs_award3.jpg]] [[Image:2007npcs-award_choice.jpg]]

== 2007 Eclipse Fiction Contest ==

[[Image:2007eclipse_award1.jpg]] [[Image:2007_eclipse_award2.jpg]]

== 2006 Holiday Art Contest ==

[[Image:2006xmas_award1.jpg]] [[Image:2006xmas_award2.jpg]]

== 2006 You Ought To Be In Pictures Art Contest ==

[[Image:2006movie_award01.jpg]] [[Image:2006movie_award02.jpg]] [[Image:2006movie_award03.jpg]]

== 2006 Time Period Costume Art Contest ==

[[Image:2006timeperiod_award1.gif]] [[Image:2006timeperiod_award2.jpg]]
[[Image:2006timeperiod_award3.jpg]]

== 2006 Taal Tournament ==

[[Image:2006taal_champ.gif]] [[Image:2006taal_comeback.gif]]
[[Image:2006taal_traveler.gif]]

== Quarterly Commenting Contest ==

[[Image:comments_winter2009.png]]

River Twine Participation Awards

2009-10-19T20:17:23Z

Farscout: /* 2009 Spring Participation Awards */

Every quarter, the Council of Five will collectively decide which member should receive the Art and Fiction award for the season, based largely on who has earned the most points in that category during the quarter. The Member Award will go to a member who has actively participated throughout the quarter above and beyond the normal rate of activity. The Member Award is generally based upon the amount of points that a person receives in a quarter.

The awards are given out 'seasonally' as follows:

• March 31: Winter Quarter (Jan-Feb-March)

• June 30: Spring Quarter (April-May-June)

• Sept. 30: Summer Quarter (July-Aug-Sept)

• Dec. 31: Autumn Quarter (Oct-Nov-Dec)

Once a member has received an Art, Fiction or Member award during the course of a year, that member cannot receive that same award again during that year.

The '''Chief's Choice Award''' was introduced in 2008. It is given to honor an exceptional effort in fiction, poetry or artwork. The Chief's Choice Award may be given out quarterly, but is not a mandatory award -- the Council will give it only in circumstances where the Council believes it very well deserved, but the regular artist, member, or general participation awards (which are largely points-based achievements) are not applicable.

== 2009 Summer Participation Awards ==

"trophies pending"

== 2009 Spring Participation Awards ==

[[Image:2009spring_artist.jpg]] [[Image:2009spring_writer.jpg]] [[Image:2009spring_member.jpg]] [[Image:2009spring_chiefschoice.jpg]]

== 2009 Winter Participation Awards ==

''trophies pending''

== 2008 Autumn Participation Awards ==

[[Image:2008autumn_artist.jpg]] [[Image:2008autumn_writer.jpg]] [[Image:2008autumn_member.jpg]]

== 2008 Summer Participation Awards ==

[[Image:2008summer_artist.jpg]] [[Image:2008summer_writer.jpg]] [[Image:2008summer_member.jpg]]

== 2008 Spring Participation Awards ==

[[Image:2008spring_artist.jpg]] [[Image:2008spring_writer.jpg]] [[Image:2008spring_member.jpg]]

== 2008 Winter Participation Awards ==

[[Image:2008winter_chiefs.jpg]] [[Image:2008winter_member.jpg]]

[[Image:2008winter_artist.jpg]] [[Image:2008winter_writer.jpg]]

== 2007 Autumn Participation Awards ==

[[Image:2007autumn_artist.jpg]] [[Image:2007autumn_writer.jpg]] [[Image:2007autumn_member.jpg]]

== 2007 Summer Participation Awards ==

[[Image:2007summer_artist.jpg]] [[Image:2007summer_writer.jpg]]
[[Image:2007summer_member.jpg]]

== 2007 Spring Participation Awards ==

[[Image:2007spring_artist.jpg]] [[Image:2007spring_writer.jpg]]
[[Image:2007spring_member.jpg]]

== 2007 Winter Participation Awards ==

[[Image:2007winter_artist.jpg]] [[Image:2007winter_author.jpg]]
[[Image:2007winter_member.jpg]]
''
Note: there was an administrative change between 2006 and 2007 in how quarters were titled/tracked. These awards were originally called the "Winter 2006" awards; normally authors are not awarded the same award twice in one year, but Sarah earned the Winter 2006 award before the administrative change went into affect, thus grandfathering in her two writer awards during 2007.''

== 2006 Autumn Participation Awards ==

[[Image:2006autumn_artist.jpg]] [[Image:2006autumn_writer.jpg]]
[[Image:2006autumn_member.jpg]]

== 2006 Summer Participation Awards ==

[[Image:2006summer_artist.jpg]] [[Image:2006summer_writer.jpg]]
[[Image:2006summer_member.jpg]]

River Twine Participation Awards

2009-10-19T20:17:08Z

Farscout:

Every quarter, the Council of Five will collectively decide which member should receive the Art and Fiction award for the season, based largely on who has earned the most points in that category during the quarter. The Member Award will go to a member who has actively participated throughout the quarter above and beyond the normal rate of activity. The Member Award is generally based upon the amount of points that a person receives in a quarter.

The awards are given out 'seasonally' as follows:

• March 31: Winter Quarter (Jan-Feb-March)

• June 30: Spring Quarter (April-May-June)

• Sept. 30: Summer Quarter (July-Aug-Sept)

• Dec. 31: Autumn Quarter (Oct-Nov-Dec)

Once a member has received an Art, Fiction or Member award during the course of a year, that member cannot receive that same award again during that year.

The '''Chief's Choice Award''' was introduced in 2008. It is given to honor an exceptional effort in fiction, poetry or artwork. The Chief's Choice Award may be given out quarterly, but is not a mandatory award -- the Council will give it only in circumstances where the Council believes it very well deserved, but the regular artist, member, or general participation awards (which are largely points-based achievements) are not applicable.

== 2009 Summer Participation Awards ==

"trophies pending"

== 2009 Spring Participation Awards ==

[[Image:2009spring_artist.jpg]] [[Image:2009spring_writer.jpg]] [[Image:2009spring_member.jpg]] [[Image:2009spring_chiefschoice.jpg]]

[[Image:2009spring_comments.png]]

== 2009 Winter Participation Awards ==

''trophies pending''

== 2008 Autumn Participation Awards ==

[[Image:2008autumn_artist.jpg]] [[Image:2008autumn_writer.jpg]] [[Image:2008autumn_member.jpg]]

== 2008 Summer Participation Awards ==

[[Image:2008summer_artist.jpg]] [[Image:2008summer_writer.jpg]] [[Image:2008summer_member.jpg]]

== 2008 Spring Participation Awards ==

[[Image:2008spring_artist.jpg]] [[Image:2008spring_writer.jpg]] [[Image:2008spring_member.jpg]]

== 2008 Winter Participation Awards ==

[[Image:2008winter_chiefs.jpg]] [[Image:2008winter_member.jpg]]

[[Image:2008winter_artist.jpg]] [[Image:2008winter_writer.jpg]]

== 2007 Autumn Participation Awards ==

[[Image:2007autumn_artist.jpg]] [[Image:2007autumn_writer.jpg]] [[Image:2007autumn_member.jpg]]

== 2007 Summer Participation Awards ==

[[Image:2007summer_artist.jpg]] [[Image:2007summer_writer.jpg]]
[[Image:2007summer_member.jpg]]

== 2007 Spring Participation Awards ==

[[Image:2007spring_artist.jpg]] [[Image:2007spring_writer.jpg]]
[[Image:2007spring_member.jpg]]

== 2007 Winter Participation Awards ==

[[Image:2007winter_artist.jpg]] [[Image:2007winter_author.jpg]]
[[Image:2007winter_member.jpg]]
''
Note: there was an administrative change between 2006 and 2007 in how quarters were titled/tracked. These awards were originally called the "Winter 2006" awards; normally authors are not awarded the same award twice in one year, but Sarah earned the Winter 2006 award before the administrative change went into affect, thus grandfathering in her two writer awards during 2007.''

== 2006 Autumn Participation Awards ==

[[Image:2006autumn_artist.jpg]] [[Image:2006autumn_writer.jpg]]
[[Image:2006autumn_member.jpg]]

== 2006 Summer Participation Awards ==

[[Image:2006summer_artist.jpg]] [[Image:2006summer_writer.jpg]]
[[Image:2006summer_member.jpg]]