Writing Standards and Conventions

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Fallen Leaves's Purpose
First of all, a definition of what Fallen Leaves is. Some people would dismiss Fallen Leaves as just a role playing game, but I think that does it a disservice. There are many role playing games out there, where the idea is to take a character and play around, where one uses dice or a crack plot device to create elements of randomness. Where the process is more important than the product.

Fallen Leaves is not just a game. It is more like improvisational theatre in that we are acting in roles. And it is very much a collaborative writing project. At Fallen Leaves, the writers are chosen for their writing ability. We each take and write for specific characters, but the emphasis is on crafting something almost like a novel told from multiple perspectives. It is designed to be read again, and by others, not simply as a playground.

At Fallen Leaves, the process is important, but the product—excellent writing and storytelling—is the goal.

Fallen Leaves's Theme
Fallen Leaves's theme as stated on our info page is this:

The story of Fallen Leaves centers around Konoha's Special Assassination and Tactical Squad, ANBU -- its people, its premises, and its missions. ANBU are the bogeymen of Konoha, the 'spooks' who perform the dirtiest jobs that no one wants to touch but that nonetheless need to be done. The people of Konohagakure both admire and fear their mysterious protectors; it's no surprise that, when appearing in uniform, they get as many terrified glances as they do smiles and waves. Even more than most shinobi they spend their time hidden in the shadows; and though the job pays well, few ANBU members last more than a few years under the onslaught of the sorts of missions they are asked to perform. The high turnover rate means that the Squad frequently needs new blood -- ANBU is, in a way, a cross-section of the young and the restless in Konoha's current generation.

Fallen Leaves is here to explore the reality of life in ANBU. This is a mature collaborative writing community. This story contains sexual content, harsh language, emotional/psychological issues, violence, gore, and all around creepy-ass disturbing shit; you name it, it might appear in Fallen Leaves, so if you're squeamish or have moral concerns, please turn back now. This is a universe where things like little boys killing hundreds of their peers in cold blood are known to happen, and we are here to explore the reality of such a world. The Naruto world is not all goodness, light, and happy 12-year-old Genin, and the ANBU know it better than anyone.

There is room for humor and light-heartedness in Fallen Leaves, but that humor serves a purpose. We see our characters being human in an inhumane world.

Thematically, exploring the reality of what it means to be a ninja is critical to making Fallen Leaves what it is.

Fallen Leaves's Characters
Another point that is important to Fallen Leaves's success is the realness of the characters we create here. Our application asks for details about the proposed character's background, their likes and dislikes, the elements that make them more than just a stereotypical ice-princess with a heart of gold, emo boy who hates his life, sex-on-a-stick pretty boy, or sociopath who loves to hurt others. Original character or canon character, it makes no difference. Whether the reader likes the character as a person makes no difference. Some of our least likable characters are the most interesting. What is important is that the character be well-rounded, not one-dimensional, not a simple stereotype, and that what is written about the character has dramatic tension.

Fallen Leaves's characters are real people, not cartoons or stereotypes. Depth of character is critical.

Fallen Leaves's Narrative
The most important thing in Fallen Leaves is the storytelling. What makes a good story? Above all else, there is one thing that is absolutely crucial: conflict. Often the conflict is built in by circumstance, for example a thread about a character's capture and escape on a mission. When the conflict isn't obvious, though, then the writers must find it in order to make a compelling story. This is something we as writers must pay attention to. We must identify the narrative tension and conflict, the goals and the obstacles to those goals, for every thread.

All threads must contain dramatic tension. There must be something happening, something moving, something changing within and between the characters in the thread.

Fallen Leaves's Writers
A final and important point is about the writers who make up Fallen Leaves. We are all highly skilled writers, and we are also all still developing writers. Fallen Leaves is a place where we can hone our craft in a spirit of community.

Criticism is hard to give and it's hard to hear. But as a writer it's important to remember that criticism of your writing is not criticism of you as a person. If someone offers it, usually they have been sitting on it for a long time, hesitating to bring it up for fear of hurting feelings. So when it does come up, often it comes out sounding strong, because it's been building and building to the point where the person offering the criticism simply couldn't contain it any longer.

We must be honest with each other. We must keep in mind that the goal here is not our individual writing, but the collaboration. When I start a thread, my character's development and goals are important, but equally important are the goals and character development of the other characters in the thread.

Also, a note on pace and timing. Some people write quickly, some write slowly. But our emphasis at Fallen Leaves must remain on quality, not quantity. Attempts to force people into regular posting have only resulted in lackluster writing, and some of the more prolific writers get overwhelmed, or post what seem to be make-work threads with no point, simply because they want to be active. For now, we will address issues with low involvement on a case-by-case basis. But just as it is incumbent on low-volume posters to maintain activity, it is equally a requirement that more active writers adhere to the quality guidelines we've set forth above.

As writers we must respect each other, even when we disagree with one another. And we must remember that Fallen Leaves is not a place for us as individuals but as a group.

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Specific Writing Conventions for Fallen Leaves

Ranks and Organization

• The Hokage is presumably a Jounin, and head ninja for the village.
  
• Jounin is the highest rank. Jounin are expected to have strength in all major areas, and to be able to operate both independently and lead a team.
  
• Special Jounin is a sub-class of Jounin--a jounin specialist who has an area of particular expertise. For example, Morino Ibiki is a Special Jounin, with his specialty being Torture and Interrogation. A Special Jounin is not expected to be as much of a generalist as a Jounin, but leadership responsibilities are the same.
  
• Chuunin is the first rank in which leadership is expected. Chuunin are expected to be able to operate independently and to be able to lead a team of genin. They are not expected to have as much leadership experience or to be as skilled as Jounin and Special Jounin.
  
• Genin are the lowest ranked ninja. They are not expected to be able to operate independently or take on leadership roles.
  
• Cadets are students still at the ninja academy who have not yet graduated to Genin status.
  

For the purposes of Fallen Leaves, only ninja of rank Chuunin or higher are admitted to ANBU.

ANBU is not a rank. It is a special forces operation within the military structure, much like US Navy SEALS, or Army Commandos or Rangers.

Konohagakure also has a village council, which is a governmental advisory board. The village council and the hokage work together to form the leadership of Konoha.

Character Journals
Character journals are places where characters can record their thoughts. They should be first-person postings. Anything a character says in a journal is potentially visible to other characters unless it is marked as private. To mark an entry as private, simply put the [private] above the section that is not for other characters to know. Characters can also mark journal entries, or parts of journal entries as private to only another character. So Genma could write a note that had a section marked [private to Raidoui] which only Raidou would be able to "see".

When replying to posts in a character journal, writers should reply in first person from their character's point of view. Actions are not spelled out, but implied. Conversations that take place in character journals, could be considered to be hallway conversations, notes exchanged, or similar.

Mission Ranks and Agent Pay
ANBU-ranked ninja perform mostly B, A and S ranked missions. Almost all of these missions involve a high risk of death or severe injury, for very little pay. ANBU receive a base salary, with an additional mission bonus based on the rank of the missions they perform. They also receive other benefits, such as free health care, uniforms, and regulation weaponry, and reduced costs for food and housing. The rest of the money paid by the client funds village operations in other areas, such as training, medical care, defense, and infrastructure.

If a mission rank changes based on shifting circumstances--such as the appearance of new enemies or the discovery of new information necessitating a rank change--the agents' mission bonus will adjust accordingly.

ANBU Mission Rankings and Cost Scale

• S rank missions cost the client 1,000,000 ryou +
  
  These missions involve vital matters of national security and are only given to ANBU members or top-rated jounin. They may involve assassination of important persons, transporting or retrieving classified materials, or other missions involving affairs between nations. Combat may not be guaranteed, but failure could mean national disaster.


• A rank missions cost the client 500,000 - 1,000,000 ryou
  
  A rank missions are the most dangerous and usually involve an almost certain risk of death or severe injury. They are assigned only to jounin and ANBU, though if circumstances are particularly bad a Kage or a shinobi of lower rank may participate. A rank missions may involve vital missions between nations, escorting VIPs, assassinations, and maneuvers against offensive ninja forces.


• B rank missions cost the client 80,000 - 200,0000 ryou
  
  B rank missions are difficult, but open battle with offensive ninja forces is not usually involved. Jounin, special jounin, chuunin, and occasionally ANBU will perform these missions, which may include retrieving important documents, protective escort, gathering foreign intelligence, and killing lower-ranked ninja.

Note: 1 ryou is about equivalent to 10 yen, and 10 ryou equal 1 US dollar.

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