So many foals...

[Obsidian]

4. Foals should not be played by same player as their father / mother once they become a real PCs

OK, WHY? Is there a specific reason for this? Because with no information it just seems silly.

[LennonFan]

4. Foals should not be played by same player as their father / mother once they become a real PCs

OK, WHY? Is there a specific reason for this? Because with no information it just seems silly.

I concur. Wouldn't logic suggest that the foals should and ought to be played by their parents' players?

[Starbuck]

I agree, I would like to hear the reasoning on this, as it just doesn't make much sense. If there is a good reason behind it, I'd gladly let it go.

[Oni_Sorasousha]

The reason for not having the mother/father play the same character is for the sake of building more _real_ community. It's easy to control your kid,if it is just you. But another real, living, and breathing person under control of that character, adds more depth, and makes the relationship more serious, and "real." it's also to emphasize that, having a child is not easy, and it _is_ a serious thing. Also, having it otherwise, would likely make it a little too easy for everypony to have a herd of kids running around, and we should try to keep things reasonable, and inclusive of OTHERS not just ourselves. It's a way to help reach out, and avoid falling into cliques via only self inclusive families. Get it?

[Starbuck]

I get it!

[Tek Croon]

OK. I'm game with all that jazz. And MojitoJoe is a cad but if he is, I'm just as bad. One of the mares is mine and one of the fathers of one of the others is too. And If I'd let him have his way, Bumpkin would be having Swifts foal too. ^^

6 months? Now I gotta go check to see when I announced Shadow Orchid realized she was with foal. Where are we on making a log search feature?

I recognize that having the foal played by another player is a community building thing n all but I have had experience with this that it's really tough for the parent figure in such a relationship if the player playing the foal isn't around a lot. It leaves you many times logging in, seeing your friend isn't logged in and then just logging back out frustrated because you feel your character shouldn't ever (as a responsible adult) not be supervising said foal. You can't even pretend the foal is there and pretend to have it do anything because you would have to check with the other player or at least inform them of what happened. Capital A-nnoying. On the foal side, you are at the whim of your parent so if I as the parent had to visit family out of town for a week, I just took the foal with me so that player doesn't have a character for a week and if I forget to tell them... And then if I don't log in and the foal wants to play... Yeah. Anyway, that's my two cents.

For moving forward I'd like to suggest that any player playing a parentless foal, approach one of the expectant mothers and offer to become their foal. Yes this would require a name change and for most of them backstory, but the personality can be the same.

[Tek Croon]

Also, let me lead the charge I just called.

I have a foal named Dew_Mist who has no parents. I am willing to port her personality to a new foal for some lucky parents! Whisper me in chat if you're interested.

EDIT: Hemlock/Lucian I am very interested in though!

[D-Rave]

Turbo and Rave are both under guardianship of Pallet and Mix Stelar. Pallet being Rave's older brother and both of their parents living outside Equestria.

There's pegasus filly I'm considering bringing in by the name of Aero Top but I'm still considering it

Starfire is currently being taken care of by Shaze, Platinum, Ryu and Kyubi but they need to go through the adoption phase but that might be sketchy considering she might still have a father somewhere.


Others that I know of in chat but might not have seen this forum yet

Shades
Oakely
Raimon
Robed filly / Raspberry
Snickers

[MojitoJoe]

Turbo and Rave are both under guardianship of Pallet and Mix Stelar. Pallet being Rave's older brother and both of their parents living outside Equestria.

There's pegasus filly I'm considering bringing in by the name of Aero Top but I'm still considering it

Starfire is currently being taken care of by Shaze, Platinum, Ryu and Kyubi but they need to go through the adoption phase but that might be sketchy considering she might still have a father somewhere.


Others that I know of in chat but might not have seen this forum yet

Shades
Oakely
Raimon
Robed filly / Raspberry
Snickers

As Merry Andrew's Player I had already said that his parents are the owners of the hobby shop in town. The very same one where Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash bought their prank kits at in the Griffon Brushoff Episode. If somone's want to RP as these parents I'm willing to work with them. Send me a PM.

[Apple Jack]

Shades and Oakely live with Klondike, mostly. He takes care of them when they need it. Of course this isn't shown too much in chat since Klondike isn't on too much.

[Mayday]

This is more of a discussion rather then a foal submission... we are just discussion what would be a better set of guideline... So let me sum up our conversation so far:

Currently we have two major thing in debate, I will try to note both side of the argument.

2. Six months in real time. No magical or unnatural acceleration please.

The purpose is to make sure that this is not some rash decision. Having a foal really should not be spontaneous, and while 6 month is a fairly long time. It is mean to build up all the excitement and drama that a real childhood would come in place. A real pregnancy is 11 months for horse, which, obviously would be too long (this site isn't even 11 months old yet)

So question here is: Does general consensus think 6 months is too long, too short? Just right? whatever?

4. Foals should not be played by same player as their father / mother once they become a real PCs

The purpose for this is to build a realistic relationship. Relationship with a foal is suppose to be difficult, special, and and adventure. And personally I don't believe role-playing with your own character can realistically portray such. If you just wanted to introduces another character, there are plenty of ways to introduces them beside playing your own foal. Having ponies as Guardian really isn't suppose to be a stiff requirement as there are no requirement for you to play with them. It would make sense that they interact, sure, but according to the show, filly kinda goes on their own unsupervised most of the time anyway. They would likely be held responsible in the event that their foal caused problem, but such is the issue with foals. Beside, if you can't find somepony, just NPC them is also an options.

So question here is: What would playing your own foal, as oppose to having somepony else play your foal, add?

I can already see a few trade off:
a) Difficulty of being on at the same time:
That kinda goes hand in hand with any relationship. Not just foal.
b) You might not like that player:
The point of FiM itself is to promote friendship and teach us how to be better friends and how to deal with each other. Do we really need to skip this part in the name of adding ease to roleplay?

Just some other words to promote more discussion. None of these rule are set in stone yet, but I think we need it ready before we can start allowing more foals into the site!

[Diamond Charm]

I think this is way too restrictive.

My first disagreement is on the length of time it takes to have a foal, and the reasoning behind it. When a foal misbehaves here, a player knows that all they have to do is either A) roll with it and enjoy it, or B) Click 'log out'. Besides, while yes, MLP is a slice of life universe, where we learn the challenges and perks of day to day living in Equestria, we're not here to learn parenting strategies from technicolor ponies with magical powers. Six months is a really long time to plan ahead on a plot point! A shorter amount of time should be fine.

My second beef with the new potential rules regards whether or not a player can play both parent and child. This restricts players' creative liberties, and while I think it's MORE fun to play with another player, not everypony would agree! Besides this, some may have plot points between parents and foals that they either can't play out with other players at the helm, or feel uncomfortable telling them that they need CERTAIN things to happen. Generally, if we can get by without infringing on the way others play their characters, I think we really, really, REALLY should.

My third concern is that foals require parents/guardians. We really don't know anything about the parentage of any of the characters except for one filly and her sister. The only two we know have consistent guardians are Sweetie Belle/Apple Bloom. No other child has any consistent guardian, so I don't see any reason it should be necessary for characters in the chat to need parents from the very beginning.

My Fourth objection (and thankfully last!) is that while Lauren DID say that childbirth happens 'the natural way', this is still a fantasy roleplay. everypony here knows full well that same-sex couples can't REALLY have children by themselves. I really don't see why we can't engage in the fantasy that they can here. I don't think it's even HAPPENED yet in game, but would it really hurt the immersion for everypony if they WERE to have their own children?

[Mayday]

I think this is way too restrictive.
My first disagreement is on the length of time it takes to have a foal, and the reasoning behind it. When a foal misbehaves here, a player knows that all they have to do is either A) roll with it and enjoy it, or B) Click 'log out'. Besides, while yes, MLP is a slice of life universe, where we learn the challenges and perks of day to day living in Equestria, we're not here to learn parenting strategies from technicolor ponies with magical powers. Six months is a really long time to plan ahead on a plot point! A shorter amount of time should be fine.

I would have to disagree. Saying "we're not here to learn parenting strategies from technicolor ponies with magical powers" is catchy and all. The point of the length initial wasn't about learning either, it was to give it an accurate sense of pregnancy. The show certainly show their work, unless it is meant to be humour or ease of plotting, they typically goes with realism. Since we are not limited to 22 minutes per Eps, I think ease of plotting shouldn't be an excuse, and humour probably shouldn't change the time dramatically. The point of six month is that it really is supposed to be a long time.

Perhaps somewhere in the middle, like 4 months, but I would not like to see this go to a time where you feel "oh it is happening already?".

My second beef with the new potential rules regards whether or not a player can play both parent and child. This restricts players' creative liberties, and while I think it's MORE fun to play with another player, not everypony would agree! Besides this, some may have plot points between parents and foals that they either can't play out with other players at the helm, or feel uncomfortable telling them that they need CERTAIN things to happen. Generally, if we can get by without infringing on the way others play their characters, I think we really, really, REALLY should.

Firstly, if somepony is not here to play with other player... why are they here?
Secondly, that is the whole point. Dealing with a child is not supposed to be easy. The whole part where you can see in the mind of a child just seem unrealistic to me. Many examples in the show can show that ponies have communication problem. Taking that part out of the roleplay and replace it with strictly artificial drama just doesn't seem to cut it for me.
I do see the point about getting by without infringing the way though. Then again, this restriction seem more of a on/off switch restriction. One can't really tone anything down.

My third concern is that foals require parents/guardians. We really don't know anything about the parentage of any of the characters except for one filly and her sister. The only two we know have consistent guardians are Sweetie Belle/Apple Bloom. No other child has any consistent guardian, so I don't see any reason it should be necessary for characters in the chat to need parents from the very beginning.

Firstly, I don't mean they requires parent right from the start. I mean they requires to have this arrange ahead of time. While it is entirely possible that foals can show up, without parents. Not have that planned ahead of time just seem like a lack of foresight.

Secondly, child do have consistent guardian in the show. Out of the three repeating character that are foals, two of them are confirmed to have actual guardian and one of them simply haven't been explained. Not ruled out. Beside, it seem unreasonable to think a foal can live in Ponyville on their own without any kinda of guardianship. As we know from the show, the are currency, things are not free, and foals are not good worker.

My Fourth objection (and thankfully last!) is that while Lauren DID say that childbirth happens 'the natural way', this is still a fantasy roleplay. everypony here knows full well that same-sex couples can't REALLY have children by themselves. I really don't see why we can't engage in the fantasy that they can here. I don't think it's even HAPPENED yet in game, but would it really hurt the immersion for everypony if they WERE to have their own children?

I don't think we should, this is a touchy subject but if I have to make a decision one way or another, it will always be respecting the spirit of the show and abide to realism. Rather then making something up myself. We know it will most certainly not happen in the show, that should be enough reason for us to not have it happen here. Making things that certainly won't happen in the show happen regularly in ours isn't going to help immersion.

[Divinity Dust]

I am going to admit it here... The idea of "realistic" pony pregnancies squicks me out beyond all belief, because it implies pony sex is happening behind the scenes (I'm even uncomfortable with the romantic couples that do more than a fluffy nuzzle and peck here and there). If it was just a magical thing that just happened and ponies sometimes just were magically pregnant and didn't depend on there being another pony involved I think I'd be more okay with it, but... this is one of the things I'm really against realism for.

Not that I'm demanding change- I just want to clarify my thoughts on the issue.

[Mayday]

I am going to admit it here... The idea of "realistic" pony pregnancies squicks me out beyond all belief, because it implies pony sex is happening behind the scenes (I'm even uncomfortable with the romantic couples that do more than a fluffy nuzzle and peck here and there).

The implication is certainly there, Just going with what Word of God say. That is the safest thing we can do when it come to doing things outside of the show. She specified ponies reproduces the natural way. There isn't really any say for us when we have something to reference from.

Of course, while the implication might be there, we are not going to allow anything beyond mere implication to this point. They should not makes reference to, or imply any part of those. currently, we don't allow anything beside fluffy nuzzle and peck here and there. We are unlikely to allow more then those. But that would be a different discussion.

[Klondike Starflier]

The reason for not having the mother/father play the same character is for the sake of building more _real_ community. It's easy to control your kid,if it is just you. But another real, living, and breathing person under control of that character, adds more depth, and makes the relationship more serious, and "real." it's also to emphasize that, having a child is not easy, and it _is_ a serious thing. Also, having it otherwise, would likely make it a little too easy for everypony to have a herd of kids running around, and we should try to keep things reasonable, and inclusive of OTHERS not just ourselves. It's a way to help reach out, and avoid falling into cliques via only self inclusive families. Get it?

I follow this, but what I don't get is why can't players offer their foal/filly/parental pony character by their own free will. Why do we have to make this show more "Down to earth," when the show is rather zany and more fantasy based? Furthermore, the depth of a character(s) depend on the player themselves. I'm pretty sure there are folks on here who are capable of playing the role of a rebellious child and a mother who is trying to get control of her filly, as a small example.

[Tek Croon]

Perhaps a respectable compromise would be for parents to have the _ account for their own foal so if they want to have a family outing and the player who has the foal isn't online, they aren't stuck making excuses for why the went to the zoo without one of their foals.

E.G. If I'm a foal for a couple named Dew_Mist, one of parents players makes Dew_Mist_ so they can play her when I'm not around.

As far as same sex couples, I have to take Maydays side. We have word they reproduce normally and tha precludes the argument. If LF had said they were brought by storks or made with a special magic spell then I'd be totally for it. That said, I'm open to the idea of alternative means of conception within the limits of reason e.g. It still at some point requires the contribution of a mare and a stallion.

[Oni_Sorasousha]

Perhaps a respectable compromise would be for parents to have the _ account for their own foal so if they want to have a family outing and the player who has the foal isn't online, they aren't stuck making excuses for why the went to the zoo without one of their foals.

E.G. If I'm a foal for a couple named Dew_Mist, one of parents players makes Dew_Mist_ so they can play her when I'm not around.

As far as same sex couples, I have to take Maydays side. We have word they reproduce normally and tha precludes the argument. If LF had said they were brought by storks or made with a special magic spell then I'd be totally for it. That said, I'm open to the idea of alternative means of conception within the limits of reason e.g. It still at some point requires the contribution of a mare and a stallion.

I also didn't expect same sex couples to be as popular on this site as they ended up, and I expected them to be played rather low key. It's probably a topic for another thread but the appropriateness in the context of this chat is somewhat off putting for me since a) I intended this place to be potentially child friendly if it has to be b) I have a fear of the "soccer moms" and c) My parents come here occasionally since I run the place. I'd rather not they see something that ends up causing family drama.

[Mayday]

There have been a delay with the finalizing of this issue because new issue came up along with it... so we are addressing all of these at once.


Introducing new birth
1. One Stallion and one Mare couple.
2. Three months in real time. If you prefers longer, that is fine, but no shorter.
3. Until school age, they need to be NPCs. Which is to 1 month after or longer

Introducing foal character
1. They should do A or B before starting roleplaying
A. Have guardianship /parentship arranged before introduced to roleplay.
B. Be submitted for adoption
2. Adoptions need to be approved by town/city, couple or individual will need to be able to support them to adopt them.

Same sex relationshop
1. Ponyville are not going to recognizes them as legal couple.

If you want us to recognizes same sex relationship on a 13+ site, sorry, no can't do. Not that we are not willing to try, but it is that that we can't. As soon as we recognizes them we will have to be ready to argue with 13 years old on this issue without being their parents. Do you really think we should put ourself into that position? Perhaps somepony would want to volunteer themselves on this, but I don't even trust myself for a position like this, and until we have people we can trust to put in that position, it will remains as an impossibility on a site like this.

2. They are not disallowed.

Having said that, doesn't mean we are disallowing it, but if you are looking for the front tier in revolution of social development, you won't find it on a site based on a show aiming for 5 years old girls. On top of that, the site owner is not comfortable with it, so please keep this type of relationship the low key side.

I'm sorry for high-jacking a foal thread into including this last bit, but since it is pretty much one and the same issue linked together, I felt that it is appropriately, this will be going on front page soon. As usual, criticism, discussion, suggestion, all welcome. We are happy to try please everypony, but we are not going to change the site principle on Keeping it like the show.

[AppleTart]

While I can understand not depicting a F/F relationship as legal to avoid any sort of drama even if I disagree with it fully (though I fear this will only bring drama) I have to ask, how does this affect the adoption of a foal? Just because it's two female characters they won't be able to have a foal to call there own and have that recognized? And even more, does this mean we are to keep 'straight' relationships low key too? It just doesn't seem exactly fair if one is addressed but the other isn't whatsoever. And to be completely honest, It's my opinion that what we have now works perfectly, there shouldn't be a blanket rule and should be addressed solely on a case to case basis.

Edit: "does this mean we are to keep 'straight' relationships low key too?"
Is pretty much asking if we are to keep f/f relationships at the same level that we are allowing relationships to run in general here.

[Mayday]

While I can understand not depicting a F/F relationship as legal to avoid any sort of drama even if I disagree with it fully (though I fear this will only bring drama) I have to ask, how does this affect the adoption of a foal?

It doesn't. Individual can still adopts. Just not as couples.

Just because it's two female characters they won't be able to have a foal to call there own and have that recognized?

They can adopt as individual.

And even more, does this mean we are to keep 'straight' relationships low key too?

It just doesn't seem exactly fair if one is addressed but the other isn't whatsoever.

It was bought up in this exact thread, that is why it is being addressed in this thread... but what you are asking, is, like Oni said, probably more suitable in another thread.

And to be completely honest, It's my opinion that what we have now works perfectly, there shouldn't be a blanket rule and should be addressed solely on a case to case basis.

Actually, a few people have voiced their concern about this specific issue and that is why we are making something official. For the most part.

[milesmizugiwa]

This is so incredibly offensive on just such an unbelievable level.

[Sunset Dream]

Don't care about thread derailment, had issue. <3

'Kay, so...lemme get this straight. Because this is a 13+ site, we don't want SAME-SEX RELATIONSHIPS to be officially recognized... Two mares or two stallions cannot adopt... But straight relationships are fine.

Hello, wall! Let me introduce you to my head. Repeatedly. =D

First off, with kids growing up faster and faster, if you're going to restrict or disallow ANYTHING, it should be *relationships in general*...not just the ones society might find "icky". Otherwise, it could be "promoting kids to get into relationships before they're really ready", and this sort of thing "promotes teen pregnancy"!

Second off, as a parent of two small children, I don't have a problem at all with them being exposed to same-sex relationships. In point of fact, the earlier they're exposed to such things, the more "normal" they'll be seen by the next generation, and the closer we'll be to having total acceptance!

But, y'know, nah. Let's just restrict them. It's easier than promoting awareness and acceptance. Who needs Twilight's "I'm gonna love and tolerate the s#@! out of this", anyway?

Don't get me started on the religious ramifications of homosexuality. I could go on for hours, mostly because--THERE ARE NONE. But I've always felt that religion doesn't really have much place in the MLP-verse, so I won't go into that, right now. Suffice to say that anypony who tells you "it's a sin" is way off-mark, and I would be more than happy to be the spokespony who disillusions them. I won't even resort to violence. <3 Rainbows, maybe, but not violence.

Okay, fine, if you want me to post something on-topic to this thread, then here: I disagree with the whole "parents can't rp their own kids" rule, too! If a parent--adopted, natural, "straight", or otherwise--wants to rp their own foal, then why not let them? If they're a good role-player, then it shouldn't really be that much of an issue. If they're a good role-player, their foals WILL interact with other ponies, and they WILL role-play difficulties with parenting. What's more, what if somepony were to agree to play your foal, and then drop off the face of the planet several months later? What then, you have to put your foal back up for player-adoption, before they can be played? That's just unfair all around.

That said, have a wonderful, lovely and fantastic day! <3

[Iona]

I also didn't expect same sex couples to be as popular on this site as they ended up, and I expected them to be played rather low key.

I decided to take this up as a challenge and here are my findings: There are 27 or more heterosexual pony couples here, and 5 or more same-gender ones.

The heterosexual:
MojitoJoe/Shadow_Orchid
Solitaire/Adobe_Cannon
Orion/Raven
Kite/Bumpkin
Skyblaze/Jester
Andromeda/Tek
Gem/Gregory
DulcetRose/West_Facade
Eris/Skar
Fyrelight/Enigma
Inkdrop/Inque (crush)
Hemlock/Lucian
Zane/Jupiter_Storm
Razzmatazz/ShimmeringBlush
Lotta/Moonshade
Lemon_Drop/Klondike
Moon_Star/Starbuck
Shinula/Marl
Mr. and Mrs. Cake
Mix_Stelar/Pallet
Noland/Thorn
Obsidian/Scarlet
Sunset_Skye/SapphireNight
SleepyMix/Star_Light
Seabreeze/Scraggly
Tempest/Sunbeam_Moondust
Sandy_Rivers/Hans

The same-gender:
Ace/Greasehoof
Iona/Mayday
Chell/TigerHeart
Neikos/Skyflys
SmokyBlues/Licorice_Truffle

[Sunset Dream]

My bad. Didn't realize there was already a new topic. Check it out over here:

http://fillydelphia.com/phpbbforum/view ... 6642#p6642