The Multiple Character System (MCS) is an addition to the Hidden Realms forum which allows one account to utilize multiple characters, as opposed to the previous one account-one character setup. Ideally this system will streamline the Role-Playing process by eliminating unnecessary steps and aspects of forum use.
Since late last year, I took on this project as merely something that may one day be used on HR. It’s been revamped several dozen times and I finally was able to make it more ideal to myself and fellow users. So after countless boxes of cigarettes, bottles of scotch and cups of coffee, I present to you the MCS.
At first glance, there may be a feeling of discouragement, but I promise, the system isn’t quite as complicated as it may appear to the inexperienced ‘net surfer.
To begin viewing the changes, you can view your profile. On the left navigational bar, there will be some new links (you can also access them from the new drop-down menu, as well).
Profile Setup
- Create Character - To create a new character click on the "Create a Character" link and fill out the fields necessary. This may be helpful for you to get started and get a feel of the system.
- View/Edit Characters - When you go to this page, you may notice there's already a character created, this would be your account's default character. It'll contain all of your previous profile information from before the last upgrade and whatnot. Continuing on, it's from this page that you can do the following: View, Modify, and Submit * (and update, if you have a previous application – more on that later) your Character Sheet as an Application to the Character Applications board, and edit various preferences to suit your forum interface the way you would like to.
- Merge Existing Accounts - Exactly what it sounds like. Most members of HR have multiple accounts due to our current system, so I decided to change that. It's a very simple process and secure, too. You login with your secondary accounts and you can merge both accounts together. The account you're logged in with will be your primary account and the account you login with on the Merge page, will be your secondary. Your secondary account will be turned into a character, but all of it's previous stats, messages, pms, etc will be combined with your main account's.
Posting and Logging In
To make a post and for it to show up under your character's name, you must be logged in first. To do so, you need to go to the Character Login Page. You can find this link on the drop down menu under the profile button. To short-cut it, a side-menu appears on the right, in which you can click your character’s name and it will log you in. But, if you want to use the Char. Login page, you can select a character on the right side of the page, you can either double- click their name or single-click and then press the submit button.
Sending PMs to Characters
I tried to look at this long term and figured that with all the different character names popping up everywhere, it may be difficult for people to remember player's account name's to send a PM. So, I've modified so you can send a player a PM by using one of their character's name and not just their account name. It'll still show up in their account, normally, like always. Also, if you're logged in with a character at the time, the PM you send will be shown under that character's profile.
Character Applications Tab
Most players will be tempted to submit applications the old fashioned way, but I promise you this is more efficient. From the View/Edit Characters page, you can edit your whole application, not just one post at a time, but all posts. Right now, I have a limit set to 3 posts maximum for each character. But if you’d like, your post limit can be raised by admins. I have it setup so that instead of copying/pasting everything from your profile into other textboxes, you can use simple tags, such as: [alignment] will display your character's alignment. You can edit it anyway that you wish and without the hassle of having piles of text in one textbox. Also, and probably the most beneficial thing to this system, is that when you change your character's profile (and assuming you have already submitted an application), you can click "Save & Update Character Application" and it will update all of your posts in your application thread. However, if you already have an application submitted and approved, admins can set it up to let you use your application in the system.
Modifying Character Tab
On the View/Edit Character's page, you can choose between two different layouts to edit your character with. There's the beginner's template (recommended) and then the advanced. You can switch between these two on your Interface Preferences tab. The advanced template is recommended only for users with express forum coding experience.
There may be some extra information that you would like to add to your character that’s not listed, if so, please read the following:
Beginner’s Template: Under the header “Miscellaneous Development”, there’s a link that says “Click here for more fields.”, click this link and fill out the title in the smaller textbox on the left and the mass information into the larger text box on the right. You also have an option of showing it on your character’s profile. 
Advanced Template: Type in the following: [field=name,0]data[/field]. “Name” indicates the title, the 0 indicates if you want it shown on your profile (0 = no, 1 = yes), and “data” indicates the mass information.
Character's in Guilds
Guilds can be joined by using a character. Each character that's created has the chance to be inside of a different guild. This can only be done with permission from both guild leaders, of course. To access the guild that your character is in, you must be logged in with it at the time.
List of Admin Functions Available For You
Admins can do the following:
Unmerge Accounts, Transfer Characters to a different account, Restore deleted characters, and if you have an application for your character posted before the upgrade, we can set it up for you to edit using the new MCS. To request assistance, simply post in the MCS Requests thread.
I apologize for the long down time, but it was necessary. In fact, I’m not even finished. The Merge system is being lulzy, so I’ve taken it down temporarily until tonight. So, yes, I will be doing more maintenance tonight. The only reason why I didn’t finish it earlier was because I’m sleep deprived and it’s too dangerous. :|
Also, not really related to the MCS, but I was unable to fix the recurring errors that we’re getting while viewing the forum. I talked to SMF support, they suggested asking our host to change some settings and then our host said that they wouldn’t. ;X I’m going to do what I can to fix the errors though.
Anyway, enjoy the new system. For any bugs and whatnot, post them in the Technical Support forum, not here. I do expect there to be some that I may have overlooked, but like I said, I’m doing maintenance again tonight and I plan on taking care of the rest of them then.
EDIT
I will be posting an FAQ later today. :|
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Upgrades