sorry the "testing" was to see if my post would actually post

I was retyping those questions out each time but they were not posting, format issue I guess, sorry for the confusion and thank you for your answers

To elaborate on the companions question:

Yes, you can use the bought companions as separate characters in threads separate from your main character so long as you use the account they are on to do the posting. It works the same for pets on here. The only general restriction is that they have to have their own physical equipment if they're going to use it; clothing including. Each companion comes with their own base equipment that is described in their item description, so make sure to read that so you don't get duplicates thinking you need them.

Companions that can cast magic have additional restrictions: they can't cast spells worth more than 700 silver and they can't cast invoke such and such spells like invoke earth elemental. These companions share all other spells with your main character, however, so you never need to buy multiple copies of the same spell.

For all other questions:
Muraqaba is correct on all the questions he could answer. :)

alright that makes sense thank you its good to know about the spells I had read other threads where this was in question. 

what about housing? I didn't see in the shops where one could buy a home or a work shop for a base of operations or to store items.

We're pretty lax on housing at the moment since there's really no benefit to not having a house of some kind. Pretty much the only semi-housing object we have in the shops is a tent; but, for the purposes of actual, permanent lodgings like homes in the city, caves, and such, we don't prohibit you from roleplaying that your character has a place to call their own. Keep it within reason, of course. ie. Don't say you own multiple homes of mansion like quality when your character can barely afford food and equipment.

If you have a more specific question about housing, I'll do my best to answer.

no that was perfect thank you I was thinking more along the lines of an abandoned building of some sort anyway.

I see that we can quest in more then one in game thread at a time. but I have been wondering how to tie that and my character journal together time wise. are the threads spread out enough so that I can just jump back and forth from event to event in my journal as if I was remembering it?
I just don't want to contradict myself if I'm part of a thread waiting on an encounter and am also say traveling in another thread, any advice there?

Keeping timelines coherent is completely up to the user. There's no strict timeline that has to be held between a character's journal and your posts with other players. There are certain, canon events in our sitewide timeline, but that's it. 

Speaking from a personal standpoint, my journal for this character is way out of date from my current threads, and even the threads themselves are all over the place in my timeline. Journals are more of a recollection and reaction by your character to their own past, so, if you want them to react to a thread that hasn't completed yet but, at the same time, don't want to contradict yourself later, don't include parts of the thread that haven't happened yet. Failing that, you can always retcon it later. :)

For my character's journal, I wrote down a lot of stuff that didn't happen in actual threads: her history outside of interactions with other users, basically. So, yes, we're quite flexible with content of journals and timelines.

My timeline is completely jumbled and I have to balance about 40 characters of mine on it. The only time I am concerned is now when Ang is pregnant >> I have to be careful.

I can understand that. 40 characters? that's a lot to juggle. do you use them all or are they just there to keep different threads moving along?

I went ahead and posted on several in-game threads so it will be interesting to see how well I can tie them all together. a lot of the threads that are open have been active for quite some time with little activity tho so it will be interesting to see how they progress.

 

She does use them all, believe it or not. @_@

As for threads that are open but quiet, don't be discouraged if you don't get replies from them. Often, the best way to get an active roleplay going is by contacting a person directly to see if they're around for a roleplay or not. The RP Request Boards are also a place to search for people who are looking for threads or to post your own request. :)

:O I'm psycho I use all of them.

I don't do open threads a lot myself. I rely mostly on getting ahold of people and making friends. Feel free to pm people :) We're friendly and only bite if it is welcomed.