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====== Awarding XP ======
I award experience points to player characters at irregular intervals based on a number of factors (listed here in decreasing order of importance):
  - Creative problem-solving or writing.  Figuring out and demonstrating (via narrative description) a way to cross through a raging river without a bridge, a boat, or a branch might be worth a fair number of XP.  Out-talking a noble, outwitting a competitor, and outrunning a guard may all be appropriate courses of action.
  - Demonstrating (or practicing) the character's class skills. For a fighter, it would mean melee and missile combat, time spent in weapons training, morning calisthenics, etc. For a paladin, same as fighter plus casting spells, performing the duties of his order, etc.  For a ranger, same as fighter plus scouting trails, hunting, etc.  For a mage, it would mean casting spells, studying magic by reading spellbooks or other arcane tomes, doing research, talking shop with other mages, etc.  For a cleric, it would mean casting spells, prayer/meditation (over and above the minimum daily requirements), visiting temples, discussing theology with other clerics, preaching or teaching his religion as opportunity permits, etc.  And if you are playing a fighter (for example), it would be in your best interests to demonstrate (via narrative description) some competence or knowledge of swordsmanship, archery, military tactics, and so on, if you want to benefit from maximum XP gain.  Likewise, a player playing a healer (cleric) should know (at least) first aid, and be able to describe how to apply a bandage.  And so on.  The greater and more accurate the detail, the better. 
  - Demonstrating character actions that are consistent with character alignment and character attributes/stats.  If you are Lawful Good, you'd better not be practicing Dirty Tricks.  If your character's Intelligence or Wisdom is 18, pulling stupid stunts won't be the best course of action.
  - Using your NWPs. If you have skill as a Seamstress, always keeping your sewing basket close at hand and pulling out your embroidery whilst sitting and relaxing would earn XP, as would a bowyer/fletcher who is vigilant in keeping an eye out for the best feathers and the finest, straightest branches.
  - A critical hit or a critical fumble.  We learn when we do things flawlessly right; we learn even more when we do them horribly wrong. How much this criterion matters is directly dependent on how you play the roll. If no notice is taken IC then 1s and 20s will be treated just like any other roll; if they are used as opportunities for character development then they might matter quite a bit. An IRL example might be the horrible baseball player, the kid who's always picked last, standing there way out in left field who somehow caught the fly ball that looked like a sure home run, made the final out and //won the game//. If that kind of success is ignored, then the mere fact of rolling a critical won't positively affect XP. 
  - Defeating opponents/monsters (whether through combat or other means) and sharing in the spoils of treasure.  The conventional way to earn XP is actually one of the less important in this game.
  - Quality/competence in writing posts, including basic skills in composition/grammar/spelling/punctuation will be rewarded.  Whilst creativity in play is very important, the reader must be able to see and understand exactly what your character is doing to appreciate that creativity. In this online format--executed very much as a narrative writing exercise--illegible or incoherent posting can completely obscure that inventiveness, skill, and intent, and really hurt the quality of play. Provided I actually understand what your character is doing, I make every attempt //not// to penalize for poor writing. However exceptional writing will be awarded bonus XP similar to the system of Prime Requisite XP.

Experience points will be awarded pretty much whenever circumstances justify doing so.  Do not assume, however, that XP will be immediately forthcoming for brilliant swordplay, sparkling wit, a successful casting, a timely escape, or a skilful narrative post, or that if it's not, I overlooked it. True, I don't always have time to deal with mechanics, but more often that noteworthy effort will be acknowledged in some other way. You see, XP is only one of the currencies I use to reward players.

For any players who are multi-class, any XP awarded will be split up at the time of award to reflect which class(es) are improved.  Sometimes the split will be made for you; sometimes you'll have the option. You'll be advised. Sometimes certain NWPs will also be predetermined because that's what the character has been practicing in post. For example, a PC in another game has cooked virtually every meal that the party has eaten on this adventure. Both the DM and the player agree that he'll be getting his cooking NWP next level, simply because that's what he's been //doing//, even if it's not the most useful NWP he could choose. I even occasionally award such well-justified NWPs as bonuses (another currency of reward, along with extraordinary magic items, attribute increases, etc.).

When players have enough XP to advance a level, we'll work out the exact details on what modifications are to be made to your character profile as this event occurs.  

I might add XP directly to your character sheet or you might receive a post advising you that you have been awarded XP. Usually I just add it directly, especially when a character isn't going to level up thereby. Keep an eye on your totals...

Earning XP is nothing new, except for the specific details, but I thought it worth sharing in detail--especially since you might like to know what will get you the most points!