Page Last Updated: September 8, 2007
Obviously, the first step to building a home for your dragon is having a website! Your website cannot be password protected or require someone to log in before viewing it. You cannot use a web page affiliated with a gaming site, such as NeoPets, or that is a profile page on another website. You also cannot use a personal journal. I suppose if you wanted to make your dragon or character its own journal, I could not object. Just sticking your dragon in a post somewhere, however, would not be acceptable.
If you have no experience at all with web pages, you should take some time to learn how to build them before you even consider applying here at Bishen Realm. Yahoo!Geocities is one of the most popular places to get a free website. Doing a search on Google can help you find more. Before you apply here, you should know how to build pages, link between them and to outside websites, upload images from your computer and put them on your web pages, and add text to your web page. To be honest, I really recommend learning about HTML rather than using page building utilities. HTML isn't for everyone, though, and some people have applied for dragons using pages built with online builder programs. Most people eventually find, however, that learning HTML helps them build better web pages. Anyway, the point is that you are able to build a coherent website on which your dragon will live.
You must have an information and stats page for your dragon. The page should include all relevant information for your dragon, maybe some extra added by you about history, personality, etc., and a link back to Bishen Realm. There should also be a link back to Bishen Realm on your site's front page (this is the base page that I will link to from the Records). Usually, people find it best of have a separate dragon information/stat page and other pages linked from that page that include the stories and supporting material. Your dragon should be easily found from your main page, if not on the main page itself.
Your pages must have content! I can't stress this enough. There must be a description of the place where your dragon is going to live (and I mean more than, "This is a pond."). Other things to include could be a description of your character (if you have one to bond with or take care of your dragon), stories about your character or setting, background information, why your character wants to adopt, etc. I do NOT like it when people cut and paste information straight from this website! Use this as a chance to be creative!
If you've browsed the records, you will have realized that most people write stories with coherent plots that include the dragons, but you can have a collection of shorter material that supports your dragon application. You can also put more effort into your layout or web graphics to help describe the setting more fully. So long as there is something there that shows me that you respect the dragon as an entity that needs activity, a safe place to live, and care from its owner. Obviously, if you do not yet have a dragon, you cannot write much about it, but you should have at least a setting fully developed before sending in an application, if not a few side characters as well. ;) You will be adding more later, as your dragon grows.
Here I will pause to make some notes about page content. I will accept pretty much anything, but if your page and material has anything that would fall over a "PG" rating (think 11-year-old kid safe), you really need to put a clear warning on your front page that describes what people might find offensive and perhaps even assign a rating or age limit. The front page should not include anything offensive, since this is what people will see before they get to read your warning. On pages other than the front page, your writing can be any rating. I have a very clear understanding of the difference between you and your characters, so I won't be blaming you for anything they do. >_> Your images and layout should not get disgustingly vivid. Think artistic interpretation, please. Anything that makes my stomach turn and prevents me from reading is a bad thing. Finally, I will not accept pages that promote pornography, racism, hate, or anything illegal. Again, yes, I understand the difference between characters doing illegal things and you actually promoting those things. If you have any questions about what might be appropriate, feel free to contact me, as that is the easiest way for me to decide if something is acceptable. Both young adult writers and adult writers are present at Bishen Realm, and I would like to make sure the atmosphere is kept safe for everyone.
Once you have built your page and prepared it, you can submit an application when there are dragons available. If you are not chosen your first time, don't be discouraged! Sometimes, people must apply a few times to get an egg. It's all about learning and becoming a better writer and caretaker. No matter what you think, I do not hate you. -_- Please keep in mind that these dragons are pieces of artwork that I invest part of my soul into. Would you give part of your soul to just anyone? ^_- I didn't think so. Please, keep trying! I am always in search of new adopters, but you must be properly trained before you are ready for a dragon, especially if you are new to this type of web adoption. We here at Bishen Realm love supporting fellow artists and writers, so just give us a chance!
Thank you for reading these page guidelines. Hopefully, they have helped you understand your mission a bit more clearly. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.