Introduction
Welcome to Ardent!
Ardent is a play-by-post semi-realistic wolf (and other species) roleplaying forum set in a land where wolves rule the vast lands, and humans are no more than a bedtime story. Taking place on two interlocked continents with over 100 lands, Ardent is a vibrant world brimming with possibility. Here, your fate lies entirely in your paws, whether you were born and raised right here or came from a faraway region. Will you settle down in a pack or band of like-minded wolves? Embark in an epic adventure across the continent? Start a family, a cult... or a fire? Will you train to be a fighter, protecting your pack from raids or perhaps leading a raid yourself; a healer, caring for all those around you; or something else entirely?
Ardent is a semi-realistic wolf and other species play-by-post roleplaying forum. Our community has been running for over a decade, starting in 2012. We moved to our own host in 2015, and changed our name in 2016 to give us a fresh start to reflect our ever-changing and growing community.
Once a more strictly semi-realistic site, we have since evolved to allow more flexibility in our world. We do accept some unusual fur colors and markings, though some need to be purchased, unnatural eye colors, as well as sizes that differ vastly from wolves in the wild. Though we are not a full fantasy site, some unnatural mutations for characters and their companions are allowed, obtainable via. donating to fund the site and its growth, or through site events. Likewise, additional species, companions, and accessories may be purchased from our Gemstone store!
There are no magical or fantasy powers allowed on Ardent, though we are extremely flexible when it comes to your characters' belief systems. Likewise, we allow in-character crafting and hobbies of all sorts, as long as it is done creatively and within reason.
There is no overarching site-wide plot on Ardent. We allow our players to create their own plots, however small or large they may be. Many of the biggest site-wide plots have been fueled by character rivalries, family ties, and spars! We do often have site events that you can choose to participate in, but mostly we encourage our members to create their own plots so that nobody feels constrained or limited! Ardent is a world full of wolves from various cultures and upbringings, all coming together to create a unique world of its own. We do not restrict your characters' cultures or belief systems.
Site Features
LIQUID TIME — We operate on liquid time, meaning you can have multiple threads, in different areas and taking place at different times - as long as you understand your own timeline and you don't use it to bypass site rules!
GEMSTONES — Gemstones are the unique currency used here on Ardent! Posting in-character will automatically earn you 5 gem, and starting a new thread will earn you 8 gems. They can also be claimed for fulfilling art requests or selling art, and sometimes for participating in and/or winning site contests and events. Gemstones can be used to purchase items from the Gemstone store, and can also be transferred to other players for art, designs, etc.
Note: Sometimes Gemstone amounts will be automatically increased during events!
AWARDS — Awards are simply a fun way of showing off what you've completed in-game. Awards can be claimed here and are visible in the mini-profiles in threads.
SKILLS — Skills are an optional feature on Ardent. Each character can choose 2 Skills to level and eventually master, from the following: Fighting, Hunting, Healing, Navigation, and Intellect. Not only do Skills give your character more depth and something to work toward, but once your character reaches Master rank on a skill, they can choose a Specialty, which offer on-site bonuses!
Read more about Skills here.
SPECIALTIES — Specialties, which are only unlocked when your character reaches Master rank in a given Skill, unlock interesting on-site bonuses.
Ready more about Specialties here.