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xaeyruudh
Master of Realmslore
USA
1853 Posts |
 Posted - 29 Jul 2012 : 22:51:00
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Edited for clarity:
Could we start a list of features which are being planned/considered for Candlekeep II? Such a list could serve as a reference for anyone wanting to make a suggestion, or simply see what's being kicked around as far as plans for uh... Candlekeep Next.
The stated reason for this list would be to (1) cut down on repeat requests by letting us know what's already being talked about, and (2) inspire potentially helpful feedback on any issues of interest to each reader, which they may not have thought about if they hadn't seen it on the list. The unstated reason is to nudge the mods every time they log on, toward actually implementing Candlekeep II. 
Ideally, such a list could include links to the post where each feature was suggested, and where discussion related to that feature can be found and contributed to.
Also, the status of the recommendations could be noted, perhaps putting it in terms we can all relate to. For example:
Celestia = "yes, the moderators are in agreement that this would be a great feature! not only that, but implementation is possible. this is definitely on the agenda."
Limbo = "we have mixed feelings about this, and you can read and respond to our concerns in this thread over here."
Baator = "this suggestion, while made with the best of intentions, will have ramifications which are tyrannical and probably destructive to the community."
Abyss = "we're willing to accept on faith that the person who made this suggestion is a good person. however, we feel that this idea is best banished to the furthest recesses of a hypothetical infinite place, like maybe Imelda Marcos' shoe closets. you may read the discussion regarding this fell recommendation, but do so at your own risk."
Sagespace = "regardless of the desirability of this suggested feature, the constraints of time and physics currently prevent it from being considered outside a theoretical discussion. we're watching developments regarding the Higgs boson for possible workarounds."
This is a quick & dirty version of what I was thinking of with this post, covering the first 11 pages of the What Do You Want To See thread that Sage references below. Ideally, this list would appear (and be updated in some timely fashion) at the head of that thread for easy reference rather than in a separate thread, but the moderators would have to be the ones to do that and checking/updating it would be another daily chore on their to-do list. Of course i'm not trying to stop them from taking the task if they want it  ; I'm just saying the next best thing to having this posted at the head of the other thread is a new linked list, updated by somebody in the community... which I guess would be me.
I can't really give a status on most of these ideas, which is a healthy part of the value in the list, but we can have a sort of table of contents of what's been thrown into the pot.
To clarify, I'm not trying to duplicate the thread that already exists, or take charge of it, or divert discussion away from that thread... I'm merely looking for a summary, which (I believe) wasn't available to the community prior to this post.
A chat function has been suggested in multiple posts, and the official stance seems to be "we'll see." We are all free to use separate messenger programs to establish real-time contact with those we want to talk to outside of the forums... so the need for an integrated chat function on the Candlekeep site is difficult to argue. On the other hand, there are a lot of chat programs out there and getting everyone to use a particular program is, let's face it, impossible.
An off-topic or "ooc" area has also been suggested multiple times, and it's basically shot down every time, except for the extent to which it's covered by The Candlekeep Inn and D&D Core Products. Regarding in-character/out-of-character, the Inn is an in-character area, while the rest of the forums is out-of-character. Non-FR products can be discussed in D&D Core Products, but Candlekeep is about the Realms and it wasn't conceived to encourage discussion of other settings, such as Eberron for example. The forum is currently "working as intended" with respect to this suggestion.
Put various articles/scrolls into a database
This wasn't a suggestion; it was stated as something being pondered as an improvement to the site. The wording suggested reducing the entire Hall of Heroes and Tethtoril's Bookshelf to "a single ASP page retrieving the information from a database" There seems to be no (public) follow-up to this idea, so far.
A more specific search function
Meaning a better search function which takes you directly to the particular post containing the words you searched for, instead of just giving the name of the overall scroll. This would be of obvious benefit when you're looking for something that's found in one (or more) of the Questions for Ed Greenwood scrolls and all you know is that you now have up to 100 or so pages to click through if you want to find the post. There is universal agreement that this would be a great improvement. It can't be done with the current forums software, but it's on the list of desired features for Candlekeep II.
A timezone setting in each user's profile.
This would result in the timestamps for each post in the forum being local to you. If you post something at 5pm, you see the timestamp as 5pm, instead of whatever GMT happens to be at that time. No disagreement that it's a good change. It can't be done with the current forums software, but it's (maybe?) on the list of desired features for Candlekeep II. On a related note, a clock was later mentioned -- some visible reminder of the difference between forum time and our time -- and Alaundo responded that a customizeable clock will be part of Candlekeep 2.
A Candlekeep newsletter
Containing release dates for WotC novels, Candlekeep site updates, concept art, and pictures. A version of this has already been implemented.
A spoiler tag
Another cool idea which comes up a couple of times, which can't be done with the current forums software. Alaundo mentioned maybe coding it into the existing site himself.
More smilies
Wooly suggested this in 2006 (with a reminder in 2007 ) and Alaundo agreed, so maybe we already have more now than we had back then. Personally I think maybe a thumbs-up would be cool; there may be other specific ideas to look for.
No more smilies
In contrast, someone else wants no more smilies.
A Trade Meet area of the forum for those who are selling FR products
This idea was rejected for a couple of reasons: (1) very few Candlekeepers are selling off their books at any given time, and (2) it would likely encourage undesirable elements to register on the site just for this area of the forums and thus invite abuse of the community. Better to just have an occasional sale thread in the General Chat area of the forum.
An RSS feed
This is somewhat addressed by the Active Topics link.
An overview of everything Candlekeep has to offer
Organization is an ever-growing issue, as the volume of material on the site grows. Alaundo liked this idea.
"Wooly's Realmsian Rant of the Month"
At the time, Wooly felt he didn't have enough to rant about. 
A new avatar picture, of a headstone, reflecting displeasure with the changes introduced in the Realms by 4e
This idea met with resistance from Sage, based on it being divisive and presenting an anti-4e image for all of Candlekeep, which wouldn't accurately reflect all members. The point of the community is to bring fans together, not to launch attacks on the setting.
A place for reviews of 3rd-party products
Alaundo responded to this one: it is (or was) under consideration, and a final decision hasn't been reached. Candlekeep is designed to focus on the Realms, so extensive discussion of non-FR and non-WotC products isn't something that the moderators want to encourage. For now, use the D&D Core section of the forums for commentary on such things.
Dump the frameset
Improve navigation by ditching the frames structure of the current forum
A new Candlekeep logo
Not specifically 4e, but something that has more of a "brand identity" than the current logo
Unified design for the forums and the main site
Which could allow people to jump back and forth between the forums and the main site more easily
Move links on the main site from the left side of the screen to navigation bars at the top/bottom of the page
This could improve navigation and free up space
Change the color scheme
Light text on a dark background makes it difficult to print things from the website; it's mentioned that the Candlekeep Compendium style is more attractive
A place in the forums for continued fan development of sub-settings abandoned by WotC
Specifically: Al-Qadim, Maztica, the Hordelands, and Kara-Tur, which are all part of the Realms but are unsupported by WotC
A place for conversions of FR monsters
Or at least a linked index of existing conversions. The point here is certainly not to plagiarize other peoples'/communities' work, but merely to make existing publicly available work more easily accessible to Candlekeep
A place to organize/conduct crossover projects between the Realms and Spelljammer/Planescape/Ravenloft and perhaps even other settings
Compete for ENnie awards
"Don't touch the torches"
A fan-fic section
Sage cited a couple of problems with this idea, including the difficulty of regulating/moderating and an overall lack of interest in such a section here on Candlekeep.
A small but useful change in how bulleted lists are inserted into our posts
Sage had already suggested this to Alaundo
A "mark as read" button for the forums
I think this may be an issue of cookies being deleted on your local machine... if the site doesn't find a cookie stating which messages you've read, then everything shows up as unread. Just my take on it, though... it would be handy to have a way to set everything as read with one click, especially since deleting cookies whenever you exit your web browser is generally a good thing to do.
Change the operation of quote, bold/italic/underline, and coloring tags
Currently, the tags are added to the end of your forum post when you use these buttons. Proper operation would be putting the beginning tag before the cursor or highlighted text of your post, and the ending tag after the cursor or highlighted text. I'm adding smilies to this list; when added by clicking the buttons they always appear at the end of my posts too, which is 99% of the time not where I want them. Wooly points out that the tags are added correctly in IE. this means that this behavior is a browser issue. Firefox and Chrome have the problem described here.
Avatar preview
It's annoying to have to leave profile options before you can see the avatar.
Notification of whether someone is online, under/beside their avatar in the forums
The Members Online line at the bottom of the main forum page (accessible by clicking "All Forums" in the upper left corner) which lists who's online, but afaik there's no indication in individual scrolls whether any particular user is currently online
This summarizes the first 11 pages of this thread, which is where further suggestions and discussion should go. Replies to this thread should only concern the accuracy/desirability of this summary.
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Edited by - xaeyruudh on 12 Aug 2012 19:11:55
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31772 Posts |
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xaeyruudh
Master of Realmslore
USA
1853 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jul 2012 : 04:52:00
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
As for a FEATURES lists, ordinarily, most scribes post their requests in this scroll:
i saw that thread, and that would be ideal, since it's already here and contains a bunch of ideas, but it's 18 pages and there's no convenient summary at the beginning stating what's "on the table" or what the moderators' collective feeling might be on each one. just my two coppers: i think the summary would be a valuable addition; like a table of contents for discussion of things which can't currently be implemented but are being considered for the future.
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7989 Posts |
Posted - 31 Jul 2012 : 00:06:20
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I will not willingly derail this most excellent scroll - but Sagespace is an intriguing notion I wish to study further. It shall perhaps emerge as a demiplane floating throughout the ether somewhat adjacent to my Realms, a place outside of the normal rules of time and space, one which perhaps falls into brief alignment with other worlds. Perhaps great libraries, repositories of knowledge, and institutions of higher learning (such as Candlekeep, or really any place where sages and other erudite folk inexplicably and instinctively converge) could function as portals ... already I envision an infinitely-bounded campus filled with infinite bookshelves (covered in infinite dust) and their infinitely numbered tomes of sagely knowledge. Sage's infamous To-Do List might itself be an infinitely open-ended "unsolvable problem" which simultaneously overlaps any number of worlds and planes and dimensions, eternally incomplete, obeying the ever-changing laws of physics which define each other universe it intersects. It could be something which permeates and connects every point in every universe, like the Yggdrasil World Tree or the Mountains of Olympus, it could reflect (in an infinite variety of notations scribbled and typed in infinite "Common" languages) the sum of all knowledge in the cosmos. Perhaps there is a Law of Conservation of Stuff To-Do, wherein an eternal balance is maintained by one sage in one world crossing an item off the To-Do List while another elsewhere (or elsewhen?) simultaneously adds another new item ... perhaps Sage himself is the local avatar/manifestation of some sort of omnipresent cosmic entity or consciousness, a sort of self-networked distributed deity ... but I begin to digress on my own digressions.
Back to topic. Any new news about CK2? |
[/Ayrik] |
Edited by - Ayrik on 31 Jul 2012 00:10:44 |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2012 : 19:36:53
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I hate to sound like a jerk, but seriously, is this going to happen or not?
Having this rickity old-school site be the 'flagship' for FR fans isn't doing us any favors. Sorry, but someone had to say it.
I appreciate everything everyone here has put into it, but I really think that right now it needs a new shot-in-the-arm. Think about it - if the announcements at Gencon are even half what we are expecting them to be, this site is going to start getting flooded with new fans/interested parties.
And I just don't think it can cut it in today's market. It needs a facelift desperately. If we start getting the numbers I am hoping for, it will probably become a crash-fest. I am no code-monkey, but I would help in any way I could (which I realize isn't much, without some server-ended comp skills).
lets be part of the 'snowball', and not get run-over by it. |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Edited by - Markustay on 11 Aug 2012 19:37:25 |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31772 Posts |
Posted - 12 Aug 2012 : 02:48:46
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| Ultimately, it's Alaundo's baby. And he's a busy man these days, so, really, it just comes down to him [and to a lesser extent, folk like Wooly and myself] finding the time to fully flesh out the new site. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Aryalómë
Senior Scribe
USA
666 Posts |
Posted - 12 Aug 2012 : 04:15:34
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| It could use an updated theme, but overall, it really doesn't bother me that much. I actually don't really care for all of these "hi-end" forums. For some reason, I they don't keep my interest as much. I prefer a simple, yet stylish layout/theme. Is it possible to archive all o the posts on here and transfer them to another forum? If so, vBulletin is a very good forum server/host thing. |
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xaeyruudh
Master of Realmslore
USA
1853 Posts |
Posted - 12 Aug 2012 : 19:22:42
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Ultimately, it's Alaundo's baby. And he's a busy man these days, so, really, it just comes down to him [and to a lesser extent, folk like Wooly and myself] finding the time to fully flesh out the new site.
And that's completely understandable. I'm not trying to be impatient. I'd just like to have a clear picture of what's in the works, with more participation in the discussion of what we're looking forward to, how to work around the obstacles to making neat-but-impractical things happen, etc.
Also, I agree with Markus that we're about to see an influx of more people... but I also agree with Erendriel that there's nuthin wrong with old school! I love the "scroll" theme of Candlekeep, and even though it evokes imagery of age and dust I think it's appropriate... and unique. We're not just another glossy glitzy gimmicky online forum. We have identity and character... and this is where the cool kids hang out. 
Oh dear, I just called Markus one of the cool kids.  |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 12 Aug 2012 : 21:38:14
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LMAO 
I AM 'one of the cool kids', but like the Emperor's New clothes, you have to BE COOL to notice.
I didn't say there was anything wrong with the current Candlekeep - I (as in ME, PERSONALLY) am fine with it just the ways it is, gremlins and all. But I am not 'the internet' or 'the gaming community' (I'm not that massive yet). Unfortunately, a LOT of success these days is dependent upon appearances, and if we want new blood we need a little 'glitz'.
I don't want it - FR NEEDS IT.
Also, I would not have even brought this up if CK2 hasn't been 'in the works' already (whatever that actually means). All I am saying is that we have to 'strike while the iron is hot'. We all saw what not having the VTT ready at the onset of 4e did to it. How much more could CK be if we were to reveal a brand-new (modern) looking site when 5e came out? Obviously we won't be ready by this Thursday, but we COULD be ready by the time 5eFR is officially released.
Timing is crucial in these things - they can make or break a product line. FR needs our support, and if CK2 is going to happen, it needs to happen soon. 4e fell victim to the "too little, too late" paradigm. Lets not follow suit. This is a golden opportunity - we can ride the wave, or get swamped by it. |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Edited by - Markustay on 12 Aug 2012 21:40:14 |
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xaeyruudh
Master of Realmslore
USA
1853 Posts |
Posted - 12 Aug 2012 : 23:55:22
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I hear ya... I'd like to see Candlekeep be the place for *real* Realms discussion, while the WotC forums can have the Drizzt-versus-Elminster-cagematch kids.
If Candlekeep II can happen by the time 5e hits the shelves, that would definitely be ideal. But assuming that 5e Realms is not just a repackaged 4e Realms (I admit/state we have no reason to believe that it will be; hence the assumption) then the fans/customers won't go away.
I don't know anything about the hardware supporting Candlekeep. I don't know whether that's going to be an issue even if the userbase doubles or triples. I'm definitely looking forward to some of the improvements recommended in the other thread... but even if we don't get a new forum in place by Happy Day (also to be known as Yay I'm Broke for the Foreseeable Future Cuz I Ordered Everything Day) I think Candlekeep will be A-Okay.
The influx of users, if it arrives before a new forums, will certainly be additional motivation to "get crackin" on the new forums.
Anyway... I agree that we should work (somebody get Alaundo some bacon cheeseburgers, stat!) toward the goal of being ready for the 5e players... but I think we'll survive even if we don't. In case I'm wrong, and we're going to get swamped, I'm climbing that spindly tower whatchamacallit they put in what used to be Mulhorand. That should be a good high point to jump off of to ride the wave. |
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Portella
Learned Scribe
United Kingdom
247 Posts |
Posted - 13 Aug 2012 : 01:49:44
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| i have volunteer to help as I have been a developer for 10+ anything I am help to help on my spare time |
Purple you say?!
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Jeremy Grenemyer
Great Reader
USA
2717 Posts |
Posted - 13 Aug 2012 : 05:36:09
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FWIW I try to put links into the stuff I write on the WotC forums that point people to Candlekeep.
Oh, and Candlekeep is way overdue for some kind of ENnie award. Even if it's a new one made up for the occasion. Candlekeep is awesome like that. |
Look for me and my content at EN World (user name: sanishiver). |
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Kno
Senior Scribe
452 Posts |
Posted - 15 Aug 2012 : 13:07:37
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| you forgot my suggestion of hiding the threads |
z455t |
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xaeyruudh
Master of Realmslore
USA
1853 Posts |
Posted - 15 Aug 2012 : 19:22:22
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quote:
Originally posted by Kno
you forgot my suggestion of hiding the threads
Sorry about that... I'm not seeing it; could you direct me to this post? |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36803 Posts |
Posted - 15 Aug 2012 : 22:35:11
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quote:
Originally posted by Kno
you forgot my suggestion of hiding the threads
Shhh... It was hidden. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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xaeyruudh
Master of Realmslore
USA
1853 Posts |
Posted - 16 Aug 2012 : 02:20:47
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
Shhh... It was hidden.
Good thing I wasn't drinking anything at this particular moment. That was quite a snort. |
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Kno
Senior Scribe
452 Posts |
Posted - 16 Aug 2012 : 10:19:05
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 now I can't find it, plus someone else had almost the same suggestion
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z455t |
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Alaundo
Head Moderator
United Kingdom
5695 Posts |
Posted - 17 Aug 2012 : 08:57:58
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Well met
Thank ye all for the comments and suggestions.
Could I ask though for suggestions on site content and functionality. I know some may not visit the site itself, and instead stick to the forums, but rest assured the forum will be vastly improved and contain many rich features. This won't be developed from the ground up, so we will have limited influence on what will be included, but it will satisfy most of the comments we've had from forum members over the years.
The main focus and hard work is on converting the current clunky old HTML site into a dynamic database driven site, which will further allow for additional features. |
Alaundo
Candlekeep Forums Head Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
An Introduction to Candlekeep - by Ed Greenwood
The Candlekeep Compendium - Tomes of Realmslore penned by Scribes of Candlekeep
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Matt James
Forgotten Realms Game Designer
USA
918 Posts |
Posted - 31 Aug 2012 : 12:14:52
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| I could help converting the forum's database out of Snitz to phpBB. From there, it can be more easily converted to anything else php-based. vBulletin has a great CMS function that would work great for Candlekeep. |
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coach
Senior Scribe
USA
479 Posts |
Posted - 03 Sep 2012 : 15:26:49
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two things i must ask ASAP, then i will think of more (sorry if i am repeating something already covered)
1) PLEASE archive these forums when we move to the new ones (i know posts can be moved because my favorite fantasy football forums drastically updated their site forums and ALL of the old threads were instantly moved to the new so it can be done)
2) PLEASE add a chat function |
Bloodstone Lands Sage |
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coach
Senior Scribe
USA
479 Posts |
Posted - 03 Sep 2012 : 15:29:28
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quote:
Originally posted by coach
two things i must ask ASAP, then i will think of more (sorry if i am repeating something already covered)
1) PLEASE archive these forums when we move to the new ones (i know posts can be moved because my favorite fantasy football forums drastically updated their site forums and ALL of the old threads were instantly moved to the new so it can be done)
2) PLEASE add a chat function
and lemme add that i have extensive phpBB experience and can help in any way needed in a forum total makeover |
Bloodstone Lands Sage |
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Topic |
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Candlekeep II features list?
