This doesn't apply to anyone who has trouble activating their *RPGA* cards via RPGA forms, so if you're trying to do that, skip this post.
If you are a new player and you want to play RPGA events and gain rewards cards and points, this is the easiest way I have found to do so.
Background:
Those RPGA Sign - Up cards that you get are collected (manually) by the venue/TO/store/con organizer that you have and are mailed to the RPGA headquarters where, as far as I can tell (since cards I've sent in in May haven't yet been processed) they are used as kindling. It is likely because they are backlogged, but if you really want to get started you really should do it this way instead:
1) Get a *DCI* membership card, not an RPGA one.
2) Scratch off the silver bit underneath the card, which provides you with a code you can use to activate your account online.
3) Activate your account by going to the DCI webpage link to do so (http:www.thedci.com/activate)
4) Check your email. You should have an email called "DCI Information" from the DCI Auto Emailer.
5) Copy that password from your email. Don't bother clicking on the link in it, because it won't work.
6) Go to http://www.wizards.com/dci
7) Sign in using your password.
8) Change your password to something you want it to be using the Change Password link.
9) Go to the RPGA main site (go to http://www.wizards.com; click on D&D; click on the RPGA sidebar button on the left).
10) In the middle of the screen, next to the graphic, under Programs, click on D&D Rewards.
11) Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click the link that says "Sign up now."
12) Log in to your DCI account.
13) Click D&D Player Rewards.
14) Click Sign Up at the bottom of that page.
15) Enter your info and personal info again.
16) Click Continue.
17) Check your email for the email that says "Please confirm your email address" from Memberhsip Info (could be in your Spam or Junk folder).
18) Play in an RPGA event.
When your RPGA event is reported, you will get credit for it in the Rewards program for your character. (So far as I can tell, this won't happen if you haven't signed up for Rewards *before* your event is reported.)
You can then manage your characters in Living Forgotten Realms, etc.
The wonders of modern technology revealed at last!
If the game is reported before you activate your card you will still get credit for playing. It will show up under character number 1 and the name will be given as default character.
I think what is happening is that people's dci account are not showing a rewards tab to check your total rewards...
If you to to My Events and search your D&D events you will see your games reported.
Select that link and make sure your reward point is listed there which it should be.
Okay...
This doesn't apply to anyone who has trouble activating their *RPGA* cards via RPGA forms, so if you're trying to do that, skip this post.
If you are a new player and you want to play RPGA events and gain rewards cards and points, this is the easiest way I have found to do so.
Background:
Those RPGA Sign - Up cards that you get are collected (manually) by the venue/TO/store/con organizer that you have and are mailed to the RPGA headquarters where, as far as I can tell (since cards I've sent in in May haven't yet been processed) they are used as kindling. It is likely because they are backlogged, but if you really want to get started you really should do it this way instead:
1) Get a *DCI* membership card, not an RPGA one.
2) Scratch off the silver bit underneath the card, which provides you with a code you can use to activate your account online.
3) Activate your account by going to the DCI webpage link to do so (http:www.thedci.com/activate)
4) Check your email. You should have an email called "DCI Information" from the DCI Auto Emailer.
5) Copy that password from your email. Don't bother clicking on the link in it, because it won't work.
6) Go to http://www.wizards.com/dci
7) Sign in using your password.
8) Change your password to something you want it to be using the Change Password link.
9) Go to the RPGA main site (go to http://www.wizards.com; click on D&D; click on the RPGA sidebar button on the left).
10) In the middle of the screen, next to the graphic, under Programs, click on D&D Rewards.
11) Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click the link that says "Sign up now."
12) Log in to your DCI account.
13) Click D&D Player Rewards.
14) Click Sign Up at the bottom of that page.
15) Enter your info and personal info again.
16) Click Continue.
17) Check your email for the email that says "Please confirm your email address" from Memberhsip Info (could be in your Spam or Junk folder).
18) Play in an RPGA event.
When your RPGA event is reported, you will get credit for it in the Rewards program for your character. (So far as I can tell, this won't happen if you haven't signed up for Rewards *before* your event is reported.)
You can then manage your characters in Living Forgotten Realms, etc.
The wonders of modern technology revealed at last!
You would think that WotC and RPGA would want to more quickly process everyone's memberships. This would lead to folks enjoying more of their experience and thus also lead to increased interest and possible buying of material (such as books and memberships for DDI). I guess new revenue is not one of their goals.
The fact that you are probably right and that they are using the membership applications as kindling only speaks volumes about their business and marketing acumen.
1) No matter what you use (RPGA card or DCI card), if you report properly your character *is* recorded along with his or her adventures; BUT
2) You don't get rewards points until you sign up for the Rewards program, which has to be done online; this is not, as far as I have determined thus far, done retroactively.
So I think the above system is the best way of ensuring things.
You can have an old RPGA number (or one which hasn't been entered "officially") linked to an existing DCI account by contacting customer service (I've had it done).
Those RPGA Sign - Up cards that you get are collected (manually) by the venue/TO/store/con organizer that you have and are mailed to the RPGA headquarters where, as far as I can tell (since cards I've sent in in May haven't yet been processed) they are used as kindling. It is likely because they are backlogged, but if you really want to get started you really should do it this way instead:
While it *did* appear that the RPGA membership cards were "dissappearing" when they arrived at the RPGA previously, since the update of the database into the DCI system, there have been numerous reports here in the forums that people have to have their RPGA membership forms mailed in. Failure to do so seems to result in the problem where, even after a "new member" is reported for an event, they still have to have their first and last name added as if they were new for each subsequent event they're added to.
That said, I'm contemplating copy/pasting your step-by-step directions into my FAQ, assuming you've no objections.
Feel free to do so, but I'd put in a disclaimer that this works as of 10/11/08, mostly because the rapidity with which Wizards changes its website layout and link structure and what links work etcetera may change the procedure. Plus, they might make it easier at some point
I may add that sort of disclaimer to my lead-in post just for good measure.
I'll try to update all this tonight (don't be afraid to poke me if I don't get it done).
I've also requested a pack of DCI cards; I'm going to run games myself, and I need the cards to register the people I'm going to be playing with, but I'm also going to bring them along to Game Days I attend so new players have the option.
I feel so, so much better now that I have a fully functioning account, number, everything.
I gave up and "dropped" my RPGA number for a DCI number. I'm prepared to lose my events, rewards, and character if that's what happens, but I am going to file appeals in an attempt to keep them. Thankfully, it's only two events.
I've also requested a pack of DCI cards; I'm going to run games myself, and I need the cards to register the people I'm going to be playing with, but I'm also going to bring them along to Game Days I attend so new players have the option.
I feel so, so much better now that I have a fully functioning account, number, everything.
Rather than an appeal - contact Customer Service.
Give them your RPGA# and your new DCI# and ask them to merge your accounts.
You'll be able to use either number from that point on, and your new number will pull up your old results. Customer service is at http://wizards.custhelp.com.
I am glad that my instructions helped folks! If there are problems PLEASE let me know, especially if they change how it's done; this is the stuff I tell everyone that plays at my store to do.
Can they still link my numbers if my RPGA account doesn't yet exist?
If your GM reported the event using your RPGA number, then the answer should be yes. If he hasn't reported yet, you might be able to contact him to give him your DCI number to use instead.