General Information
What is a TCG?
A TCG is simply a Trading Card Game, like Pokemon, however it's online. So, no buying card packs are needed in order to play this ^-^. The first online TCG was created by Calico. Basically... if she didn't create hers, I don't think online TCGs would exist. Maple Inn is a TCG solely for the anime/manga Elfen Lied. Many already know how to play online TCGs, but if you're new, then (hopefully) this section will help you out, but if you have any questions still you can e-mail me (alchemyrikku[@]gmail.com).
Ranking
Like all other TCGs there are rankings or levels. Your level is based on your card count.→ Level 01: 0 - 50
→ Level 02: 51 - 100
→ Level 03: 101 - 200
→ Level 04: 201 - 300
→ Level 05: 301 - 400
→ Level 06: 401 - 500
→ Level 07: 501 - 600
→ Level 08: 601 - 700
→ Level 09: 701 - 800
→ Level 10: 801 +
How To Earn Cards
Unlike real life TCGs, you don't need to buy packs to gain cards (as mentioned above). Here are the many ways you can gain the cards.
Joining: Yes, by just joining you receive 6 cards total; 2 cards from the deck you're collecting, 4 random cards, 1 report & 150Shells.
Games: The main area of which you can earn cards by answering (correctly) the tasks. There will be games where you'll have to wait for a staffer to e-mail you your cards though. DO NO CHEAT, it's not fair to other members who work hard at getting their cards.
Leveling Up: By simply leveling up, you'll receive 2 choice cards, 3 random cards, 1 report & 100Shells.
Mastery: Just by Mastering a deck you'll receive 1 choice card, 2 random cards, 1 report & 50Shells. However, once you've mastered a deck, you cannot trade those cards (otherwise the deck wouldn't be mastered). If you master a special deck you'll receive 2 choice cards, 2 random cards, 1 report & 50Shells.
Donating: Depending on what you donate, you'll receive cards see packages for further details about the amounts of cards.
Referrals: For every person that puts you down as their referral you'll receive 2 random cards, 1 report and 25Shells.
Birthday: When your birthday rolls around you'll receive 1 Special card, 2 reports, 2 random cards, and 100Shells.
Freebies: These are site freebies (or even freebies when a member quits), as long as the freebies are still on the main page you can still take them. There are usually instructions that go along with the freebies (ie: if there are 10 new decks you can take 5 choice cards from different decks).
Trading
The biggest thing about TCGs, where members can trade cards amongest themselves. All you have to do is go to the Members list and head over to each member's site. Take some time to go browse through their cards until you see what you are looking for. Once you do that, check your own cards to see if you have anything to offer them for the exchange. Many use trade forms, but if they don't have one you can simply e-mail them and offer the exchange. Once that is done though, you must remove the cards that you offered for the exchange because they are no longer your cards and add your brand new cards that you've received from the exchange. Of course, update your trading logs regarding the trade. One thing though, be nice about the trade, if they don't want to trade then don't be pissy over it u.u
Trading Log
This is a requirment on ever TCG (I think), for all members to keep a trading log. Everything should be accounted for (starter pack, freebies, games, masteries, trades, etc.). Example of a trading log:
11/27/06: Traded card01 for card04 [member]. Won game blah received card02, card08, coupon_choice.
11/26/06: Leveled up to Level 02 received choice02, card05, card01, coupon_random.
TCG Sites
I really have no preference for this, however, I won't be accepting Deviantart or online forums. If you would like to use an online journal such as livejournal then that's fine, just make sure that the TCG entry is open to the public.
Reports & Currency
Each TCG has something special where you can earn more cards without playing games (although you win them playing the games...). This is no different. All you do is trade the reports in to get the cards whether you get to choose the cards or are given random cards. After the trade-in of the passes have been done though, that pass card is no longer yours, so that means, you have to remove whatever pass cards you've traded in. Examples of the passes are below, Do not take them.
On top of those above, there are two other passes that won't be given out as frequently. Any Choice and Choice Special. Any choice allows you to choose any card on the site, while Choice Special allows you to choose any of the Special cards.
The currency for Maple Inn happens to be sea shells (e.e I couldn't think of anything else besides yen). I'm still trying to decide whether or not to open a shop for Maple Inn in the future or to use them for buying cards. Do not take the examples below!
Staff Pay
Instead of doing this through a randomizer, I've set up a Staff Pay section. If Maple Inn gains more members as time goes on, then I will be hiring staffers, and that is where they'll go for their pay for their work.
Being that I can't play most of the games (with the exception of the games that don't require passwords ;x), I will be getting the highest amount of the pay. It's almost equivalent to winning each of the weekly games (it's a little less than the weekly games). If you feel that the pay is unfair, then let me know and we'll discuss it.
Games Alchemy can play
x Mayu's Puzzle
x Card Mess
x Lucy's Memory
x Kouta's Freebies
x Mariko's Puzzle
x Nana's Frustration
x Slot Machine!
x Swapping Center