The Methos Harem Tent

1. What is the Methos Harem?

2. Is it anything like a fan club?

3. Who's in the Methos Harem?

4. What does the Harem do?

5. How big is the Methos Harem?

6. Do I have to be a writer or Web designer to be in the Harem?

7. Are there any restrictions on what I can write, say or do?

8. Who makes sure people follow the rules? Who’s in charge?

9. What’s this I hear about abduction stories?

10. Where can I find more Harem stories to read?

11. What's the Castle?

12. How do I join?

13. In the first question of the Harem Application you say a would-be-Harem sister should’ve loved Highlander and Methos for a long time. What do you mean by a long time?

14. Why do you want someone to be at least a semi-regular poster on the Rysher Forum or one of the other big Highlander lists (Application Question 4)?

15. I’m a member of a clan on the Rysher Forum and an official fan clubs. How will belonging to the Harem affect my membership in a clan or fan club and vice versa?

16. In the Technicalities section of the Harem Application, you say that my posts on the Rysher Forum or the other lists may be "subject to scrutiny." Why? I thought the Harem was a pretty easy-going group.

17. The Technicalities section of the Harem Application says my membership will lapse if I don’t actively participate in the Harem. Does this mean I’ll get kicked out if I suddenly don’t have a lot of computer time because of real life problems?

1. What is the Methos Harem?

The Methos Harem is a diverse group of women who are dedicated to the world of Highlander, its characters (with special emphasis on Methos), and more importantly, each other. Formed in February 1997 by patches, the Harem has grown into a tightly knit sisterhood focused on computer arts, writing and other expressions of personal creativity.

2. Is it anything like a fan club?

Although we love Highlander and greatly appreciate the talented people who bring its characters so vividly to life, we are not a fan club. We exist to highlight our members, promote creativity; provide an outlet for artistic efforts and to support each other.

3. Who’s in the Methos Harem?

Click here for our current member list.

4. What does the Harem do?

We use our cyber-lives in the Harem to enhance our real lives. We communicate daily about our world, our lives, Highlander in general, and Methos in particular via three e-mail lists, a bulletin board style forum and a chat room. A number of us write stories, including round robin stories where many sisters add to a single big story built around a central theme. Others build Web sites. But you don’t have to do either to have a good time. We also like to get together and party at conventions, especially those focusing on Highlander, or whenever the occasion arises to meet cyber-friends in real life.

5. How big is the Methos Harem?

To keep the family atmosphere we’ve grown to enjoy, the Harem voted to limit membership to 68.

6. Do I have to be a writer or Web designer to be in the Harem?

No, but we strongly encourage participation in at least one aspect of the Harem--the forum or e-mail lists, for example. Participation can be as simple as joining in a discussion on one of the lists or wishing someone a happy birthday in the Harem Forum. However, some of us have found the Harem to be an open and receptive place to try our hands at writing. You don’t have to write, but if you want to, by all means go ahead!

7. Are there any restrictions on what I can write, say or do?

Yes, there are a few: no flames, no rude or objectionable language to other members of the group, no personal attacks, etc.--standard Netiquette stuff. But beyond that, we encourage debate on all aspects of Highlander or anything else that interests you: book and movie reviews, frus, even cyber-pie fights.

8. Who makes sure people follow the rules? Who’s in charge?

Methos, of course. ;-) Seriously, the Harem functions as a democracy. Through discussions and votes, all harem members have a say in how the Castle functions, who’s approved for membership, new sections for the Harem home page, etc. However, routine operations, such as maintaining the home page, updating the member lists and story links, and arranging Harem votes are handled by an Administrating Group elected by the Harem.

9. What’s this I hear about abduction stories?

Most of us have written abduction--actually, induction stories--relating just how we ended up in the Harem. To see some examples of induction stories, go to the public Chronicles page. And no, you’re not forced to write one, although they can be great fun to read and write.

10. Where can I find more Harem stories to read?

http://geocities.datacellar.net/Hollywood/Location/4321/lovely.html

11. What’s the Castle?

The Castle is the Harem’s cyber-headquarters. It exists in our stories and in our imaginations. However, it’s also a convenient way to refer to all the virtual spaces--lists, bulletin boards, Web pages, etc.--occupied by the Harem.

12. How do I join?

First off, go to the application page and read the requirements and technicalities. Then send us an e-mail at methosharem@yahoo.com answering the questions posed on the application. Have fun!

13. In the first question of the Harem Application you say a would-be-Harem sister should’ve loved Highlander and Methos for a long time. What do you mean by a long time?

Long enough to decide that Highlander and Methos are going to form an important part of your life for a long time to come. Different people reach this decision at different times, but it usually takes several months.

14. Why do you want someone to be at least a semi-regular poster on the Rysher Forum or one of the other big Highlander lists (Application Question 4)?

The Rysher Forum and Highlander lists are good preparation for the intense Highlander discussions and the good, old-fashioned silliness you’re going to encounter on our lists and Harem Forum. We want you to enjoy yourself here. If you enjoy yourself on the Rysher Forum or on one of the lists, there’s a better chance you’ll enjoy yourself in the Castle.

15. I’m a member of a clan on the Rysher Forum and an official fan clubs. How will belonging to the Harem affect my membership in a clan or fan club and vice versa?

It shouldn’t affect clan or fan club membership at all. The Harem isn’t a clan or fan club, so questions of who can belong to what and how many never arise. Since we have no mandatory duties or activities--no team sports, no catalogues, no regular meetings--there’s no conflict if you choose to participate in such fan club events. For example, several of our members are also members in the Peter Wingfield Fan Club, PEACE and the Jim Byrnes Fan Club. Others are charter members of the Clans MacStar, MacFru and MacTroll. Nor does your fan activity need to be restricted to Highlander. Several members are active La Femme Nikita fans, and at least one belongs to the Forever Knight loop.

16. In the Technicalities section of the Harem Application, you say that my posts on the Rysher Forum or the other lists may be "subject to scrutiny." Why? I thought the Harem was a pretty easy-going group.

We are pretty easy-going, but we’re also intensely curious. We want to get to know potential members as quickly and thoroughly as we can so we can make an informed decision about asking them to join. Reading an applicant’s public posts allows to get a better idea of where that person’s interests lie or if there’s something that might make it hard to participate in the Harem. For example, if you’re always posting to your mail list that your e-mail box has overflowed again, could the group cut down its chatter, you may find the 50-100 messages posted to the Harem mail lists each day a bit hard to take. Both the Harem and you need to know that right up front. If, on the other hand, you’re complaining because it’s too quiet, you may feel right at home in the Castle.

17. The Technicalities section of the Harem Application says my membership will lapse if I don’t actively participate in the Harem. Does this mean I’ll get kicked out if I suddenly don’t have a lot of computer time because of real life problems?

No way, Jose! You’ll still be in, but please let us know (preferably in advance), so we don’t think you’ve been abducted by aliens or something. If you let us know, we can make special arrangements to keep you updated on major happenings in the Harem. However, if you have been abducted by aliens, we will expect a complete report. *veg*

Note: The rights to Methos and the television series, Highlander, are reserved by Davis Panzer Productions and Rysher Entertainment. We are borrowing them without express permission, not for profit, but for our own personal joy.