We've been getting a lot of applications that don't follow the requested format, so I wanted to make things more prominent for people.

First, please read the guidelines on the website with the format. http://www.escapefromunderdark.com/applications.html

2nd, here is our thread on apps. https://efupw.com/efu1-forum/topic/73/73/application-process/index.html

Third, I'm cutting and pasting the Application FAQ here for easy reference. This is also on the 2nd link, but I don't think many people are reading the second link.

Applicatoin FAQ:

I. Why does EfU require apps for some races, factions, and prestige classes?

Applications allow us to maintain consistancy in the world. For example, if we get too many drow, it will ruin the feel and special quality of the race. If we get too many prestige classes, they lose their prestige. If we get too many people just joining a faction, the factions will lose focus, as inappriate characters affect them. The application process is not there for a power trip for the DM's, as a way to punish players, or as a way to gives stuff to "friends of DM's". The app process if very important to keep a cohesive server, and make things more fun for the player base as a whole. We feel it is a worthwhile sacrifice for both the DM's and the players.

II. How do I write an app? Applications are emails sent to escapefromunderdark@gmail.com. Soon we hope to have an online form to make this process easier for our players. The application process is on the website, but I'm going to go through each section here in a little more detail, to hopefully answer some common questions.

1. Account name and times you can be reached (playtime/timezone) This should be the easy part of the application. I doubt we will have questions here.

2. Your character name; details including a bio (not too long please) This is an area that is usually the first mistake in app writing. We only need enough information to understand the concept of your character. We don't need a life history. Save that for a journal entry where we can go get it if we want. Keep this brief, and focus your efforts on other parts of the app. This section is not likely to make or break your app, unless you are making a character that is completely wrong for what you are applying for.

3. Details about him/her/it (please include alignment, deity, race, and class) This should be another very short section. We are looking for the four specific details listed, but we also look at any other short details here that tell us about your concept, that we wouldn't get from the bio. Once again, keep this short.

4. What you're applying for. Another really easy question. If you can't answer this one, you aren't likely going to get anything.

5. What you plan to do with it, and why it will be fun for you and others. Now, this is the meat of the application. It is far more important than the rest. There are several things we are looking for here. - Does your character have goals? (We look at both long and short term goals.) - Do you have a plan of how to achieve these goals? - Do these goals give us potential for good stories? - Do these goals include other players/character? - can the player work on some of the things for these goals along with other players without a DM?

This is the section that makes the app. If we know we are going to get good storylines by approving someone, instead of someone who's just going to take up space, then we are much more likely to like the app.

III. How does the DM staff approve apps? The DM's have a voting process where we accept/reject apps. Whether we vote yes or no on applications generally depends on more than just the app however. We can divide applications into two groups, and each of these groups has slightly different criteria.

1. Asking for something to start a character. The most common examples of this are applying for a special race (drow, duergar, etc.) and special concepts (some specialized background). With these apps, we have to approve it before the character is ever played. We try to be quick returning these to the players with a yes/no vote, telling them in IRC, email, in game via tells, or some other out of character mechanism. There are two main things considered in these applications. The app itself is the obvious one, but the second, is that we look at what you have done on past characters. If you have told good stories and involved people in the past, then there is an expectation that you will do so again in the future, so we will give your application more consideration. To quote the subrace section of the application page on the website, "Due to the volume of sub-race applications received, we will tend to approve sub-race concepts as a perk to reward players who have already played a previous successful character with a non-approval race." This means that applying for a sub-race immediately is less likely to get approved. It's better to get some history behind you first.

2. Asking for something mid-character. The common examples of this are factions and PrC's. We generally don't let characters start out with either of these items, although there are a few exceptions with factions. Once again, the application is only part of what determines approval. Past characters will factor into these applications as well, but the most important part is what your current character does to deserve the faction or PrC. We do not tell people OOC whether they are accepted for these applications generally. They are all handled in game. An approved application does not mean you get the perk. If you are approved for the watch, but you never go to the watch looking for employment, you will never get in. They don't come to you just because you approved. The in game part of this is so important in fact, that on numerous occasions, the DM's initially rejected an application, but reversed their decisions due ot the player making an effort to get into a faction. On the other hand, we have many applications that were approved, where the player never got into the faction, since they never took the necessary steps in game to get in.

IV. What can I do to get my app approved? 1) Make sure you have goals that include other players, and that have steps on how to accomplish them. 2) Work towards earning your application in character. 3) Make sure you have goals that include other players, and that have steps on how to accomplish them. 4) Format and spellcheck your app. If it's easier for us to read, it's easier for us to understand what you are going for. 5) Have I mentioned that goals a big deal? 6) Discuss your app with people before submitting it. The DM's and many players are happy to help with the application process. 7) If you have problems figuring out goals, see #6. Many times you have goals, but just don't know how to talk about them. We can help with that too!

V. Can I get a special race, major faction, or prestige class without doing an application? In short, no. There may be situations where we may see a good fit for something and will ask you for an application. There are also some minor factions that currently don't require an applicatoin (although they have less benefits as well.) However, for races, major factoins, and PrC's, we will require the player to go through the application process. This avoids any appearances of favoratism, as well as helping the Dm staff keep good records on the approvals that have happened.

VI. I submitted an app, now how do I hear if I got it? For race/concept apps, please give us 3 days. We have an internal goal to turn apps around in that time. It's not always possible, both due to time constraints, real life getting in the way, or discussions needed around certain apps. You are welcome to ask us at the end of that time however for an update. For faction/PrC app, we are unlikely to tell you whether you got in or not. Work towards it in game, and you will find out at the same as your character does. You can both be surprised together. ((Note: for PrC's, you will likely receive a tell IG from a DM saying the PrC is available for you, usually connected to some in game initiation or action.))