The Lost Mods (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
thelostmods) wrote2013-06-04 08:58 pm
thelostmods) wrote2013-06-04 08:58 pm
FAQ
You have questions? Well, we have answers, click the cut below to gain the knowledge of the universe. You know you want to.
For More information check out the Navigation Page.
OOC Information
Definitions and Gameplay
What is CRAU?
Character Relationship Alternate Universe (CRAU) in We The Lost context primarily means a character played elsewhere in another game, in a dressing room, or in a private musebox. If they've experienced things outside of their canon source, they can be called CRAU and be apped at WTL.
This includes canon-based OCs from RP game settings as well as non-canon characters who have been altered/rewritten into a game setting, such as for memory-loss games.
Are canon updates possible?
Sorry to say, but no. Even if your character is still in their other game, it is not possible. Your character was brought in by Zephyr, as-is. You’re special the way you are.
How many characters can I have?
Three active characters and up to two retired characters.
Retired characters?
We the Lost has a Retirement Program for old muses. There are some specific requirements, but after six months in the game, players may retire their characters if they're bringing in a new character. Essentially, this means that you do not have to make AC with the retired character. Additionally, if you drop completely from the game, you have the option of leaving your retired characters there in the 'background' as NPC-type characters as a way to avoid any difficulties that dropping might cause for your existing CR.
Where's the reserved page?
We do not have a reserves page at this time due to the nature of rolling applications at WtL.
How many characters from one canon can be brought in game?
Currently, our cap is 10. When this cap is reached, we will not accept any more of a certain canon source until some drops occur.
Can I use brackets here instead of Prose?
Yes. We do not have any formatting restrictions in the game. Please try to avoid any coding that might make posts difficult to read, but otherwise, be free! Brackets or prose, however you like it.
Character Relationship Alternate Universe (CRAU) in We The Lost context primarily means a character played elsewhere in another game, in a dressing room, or in a private musebox. If they've experienced things outside of their canon source, they can be called CRAU and be apped at WTL.
This includes canon-based OCs from RP game settings as well as non-canon characters who have been altered/rewritten into a game setting, such as for memory-loss games.
Are canon updates possible?
Sorry to say, but no. Even if your character is still in their other game, it is not possible. Your character was brought in by Zephyr, as-is. You’re special the way you are.
How many characters can I have?
Three active characters and up to two retired characters.
Retired characters?
We the Lost has a Retirement Program for old muses. There are some specific requirements, but after six months in the game, players may retire their characters if they're bringing in a new character. Essentially, this means that you do not have to make AC with the retired character. Additionally, if you drop completely from the game, you have the option of leaving your retired characters there in the 'background' as NPC-type characters as a way to avoid any difficulties that dropping might cause for your existing CR.
Where's the reserved page?
We do not have a reserves page at this time due to the nature of rolling applications at WtL.
How many characters from one canon can be brought in game?
Currently, our cap is 10. When this cap is reached, we will not accept any more of a certain canon source until some drops occur.
Can I use brackets here instead of Prose?
Yes. We do not have any formatting restrictions in the game. Please try to avoid any coding that might make posts difficult to read, but otherwise, be free! Brackets or prose, however you like it.
Events
How often do you have events in the game?
We will typically have one mod event each month that will run between one-to-two weeks. World hop events happen roughly once a season or four times per year and run for two-to-three weeks. If players have plots they want to run, we will typically give preference to running these, where possible.
Can I suggest a player plot/event?
Yes! We’ve love to hear what you have in mind. Drop any plot/event ideas HERE! We've had several player-run plots and always welcome more of them.
How often do you update your Event Calendar?
Once every two-to-three months. Please contact Terri (![[plurk.com profile]](https://plurk.com/favicon.ico)
switalia) if you notice an error on the Calendar.
We will typically have one mod event each month that will run between one-to-two weeks. World hop events happen roughly once a season or four times per year and run for two-to-three weeks. If players have plots they want to run, we will typically give preference to running these, where possible.
Can I suggest a player plot/event?
Yes! We’ve love to hear what you have in mind. Drop any plot/event ideas HERE! We've had several player-run plots and always welcome more of them.
How often do you update your Event Calendar?
Once every two-to-three months. Please contact Terri (
Tropes and 4th Walling
Can my character be trope savvy?
Yes. Considering some of the games people are bringing their characters from, it’d be impossible for them not to be trope savvy.
Can my character 4th Wall someone?
With mun permission, yes. We’re allowing this to be something decided between players because the nature of many games invites 4th walling already. Please just be courteous. It's highly encouraged that you include your preferences on this in your permissions posts.
Yes. Considering some of the games people are bringing their characters from, it’d be impossible for them not to be trope savvy.
Can my character 4th Wall someone?
With mun permission, yes. We’re allowing this to be something decided between players because the nature of many games invites 4th walling already. Please just be courteous. It's highly encouraged that you include your preferences on this in your permissions posts.
Points
How do points work?
If you’re sweating over the point system, take a breather, it is very easy to understand.
ღ Interacting with someone new (a character you have never tagged with your own character before): 20 points.
ღ Making a new post: 30 points.
ღ Every 10 comments in a thread (cumulatively between the participants): 10 point.
ღ Interacting with an NPC: 10 points.
Example: Sonic is tagging Zelda for the first time. They get to 25 comments before the thread ends.
ღ New CR: 20 points
ღ 25 Comments: 20 points
ღ Total for Thread: 40 points
More information on point calculations is located HERE.
Can I save points?
Yes, yes you can! You save up points and can get rewarded for it! This ties in with our wishing system. You can learn more about it right here.
If you’re sweating over the point system, take a breather, it is very easy to understand.
ღ Interacting with someone new (a character you have never tagged with your own character before): 20 points.
ღ Making a new post: 30 points.
ღ Every 10 comments in a thread (cumulatively between the participants): 10 point.
ღ Interacting with an NPC: 10 points.
Example: Sonic is tagging Zelda for the first time. They get to 25 comments before the thread ends.
ღ New CR: 20 points
ღ 25 Comments: 20 points
ღ Total for Thread: 40 points
More information on point calculations is located HERE.
Can I save points?
Yes, yes you can! You save up points and can get rewarded for it! This ties in with our wishing system. You can learn more about it right here.
Activity Check and Hiatus
Do you post AC every month on the OOC Comm?
We have AC contained to this page here. Players can post their activity ahead of time or when AC is announced.
AC is due for the previous month on the 7th of each new month. A warning post will go up on this day for those who have not submitted AC.
So how do points work for Activity Check?
Every activity check, you'll be asked to 'pay' 50 points, made in the previous month.
NOTE:
The only thing that matters for when the point is accrued is the datestamp on the 10th/20th/30th/etc. comment in a thread. If one of those comments is posted during the current AC period, those points can be claimed during the AC period.
For example:
April: 8 comments posted for a thread (no AC-qualifying points for April)
May: 2 MORE comments posted for the same thread, bringing the total to 10 comments (10 points for May AC)
June: 12 MORE comments posted for the same thread, bringing the total to 22 comments (10 points for June AC)
No using saved up points to pay your way through! The mods recommend using a spreadsheet to keep track of numbers and links to your threads for easy point counting.
If you fail AC, you have the option of staying on for another month so long as you make double the points for the next AC--a total of 100 points. Failing twice in a row is grounds for being removed from the game, but we'll talk with you one-on-one to understand your circumstances if this becomes an issue. Real life happens! Please just let us know before the month is out if there's going to be an issue, if you can.
Those who are removed from the game due to activity issues will have to wait at least 2 weeks before reapping with any character.
Remember, a hiatus of a week or more can waive your AC requirements, so if you need to take a break for whatever reason the option is there (though abusing this is strongly discouraged and we will notice).
As a show of good faith, mod characters are required to make 60 points per AC rather than 50. And if we fail, we have to make 120 the next period--doubled, just like you.
Wait, we can pass AC when on a Hiatus?
Yes, you do! However, your hiatus will need to be posted to the hiatus page BEFORE the end of the AC period in question, and be at least one week for it to count as a pass on AC. (This only works if you were not on hiatus last AC period as well. You can't pass two AC periods in a row on hiatus.)
Will I get in trouble if I take a save/have trouble with AC?
No, you will not. Saves are not a bad thing. If you need to take a save, it's perfectly fine. A save gives you the rest of the month to tag around and make up for lost time.
If you don't think you can make the save, please tell us. We'd be happy to discuss the issue with you. PM the mod journal, and we’ll reply ASAP.
Do I need to be on hiatus a certain amount of time to pass AC?
Yes, the hiatus must be at least a week in order to count for AC.
How long can a hiatus last?
The longest someone can hiatus is a month. If you need longer than that due to personal issues/an emergency, please contact us. We'll be happy to discuss extending the hiatus to give you time to figure things out IRL.
Do tagging mod NPC characters count towards AC?
Yes! Of course! All the regular AC points apply to mod characters. Tagging an NPC also nets you an additional 10 points!
Does threadjacking count towards points/AC?
Yes, it does! The bulletin board is built for threadjacking. However if you are threadjacking into an on-going conversation, we ask that you start tallying points from the comment where your character interjected. You’ll need three comments in a thread jack to start the count.
I just apped in and AC is happening, do I need to post to it?
It's optional if you have enough points to participate, but not required. You get first month amnesty. The next month you do need to participate in AC.
We have AC contained to this page here. Players can post their activity ahead of time or when AC is announced.
AC is due for the previous month on the 7th of each new month. A warning post will go up on this day for those who have not submitted AC.
So how do points work for Activity Check?
Every activity check, you'll be asked to 'pay' 50 points, made in the previous month.
NOTE:
The only thing that matters for when the point is accrued is the datestamp on the 10th/20th/30th/etc. comment in a thread. If one of those comments is posted during the current AC period, those points can be claimed during the AC period.
For example:
April: 8 comments posted for a thread (no AC-qualifying points for April)
May: 2 MORE comments posted for the same thread, bringing the total to 10 comments (10 points for May AC)
June: 12 MORE comments posted for the same thread, bringing the total to 22 comments (10 points for June AC)
No using saved up points to pay your way through! The mods recommend using a spreadsheet to keep track of numbers and links to your threads for easy point counting.
If you fail AC, you have the option of staying on for another month so long as you make double the points for the next AC--a total of 100 points. Failing twice in a row is grounds for being removed from the game, but we'll talk with you one-on-one to understand your circumstances if this becomes an issue. Real life happens! Please just let us know before the month is out if there's going to be an issue, if you can.
Those who are removed from the game due to activity issues will have to wait at least 2 weeks before reapping with any character.
Remember, a hiatus of a week or more can waive your AC requirements, so if you need to take a break for whatever reason the option is there (though abusing this is strongly discouraged and we will notice).
As a show of good faith, mod characters are required to make 60 points per AC rather than 50. And if we fail, we have to make 120 the next period--doubled, just like you.
Wait, we can pass AC when on a Hiatus?
Yes, you do! However, your hiatus will need to be posted to the hiatus page BEFORE the end of the AC period in question, and be at least one week for it to count as a pass on AC. (This only works if you were not on hiatus last AC period as well. You can't pass two AC periods in a row on hiatus.)
Will I get in trouble if I take a save/have trouble with AC?
No, you will not. Saves are not a bad thing. If you need to take a save, it's perfectly fine. A save gives you the rest of the month to tag around and make up for lost time.
If you don't think you can make the save, please tell us. We'd be happy to discuss the issue with you. PM the mod journal, and we’ll reply ASAP.
Do I need to be on hiatus a certain amount of time to pass AC?
Yes, the hiatus must be at least a week in order to count for AC.
How long can a hiatus last?
The longest someone can hiatus is a month. If you need longer than that due to personal issues/an emergency, please contact us. We'll be happy to discuss extending the hiatus to give you time to figure things out IRL.
Do tagging mod NPC characters count towards AC?
Yes! Of course! All the regular AC points apply to mod characters. Tagging an NPC also nets you an additional 10 points!
Does threadjacking count towards points/AC?
Yes, it does! The bulletin board is built for threadjacking. However if you are threadjacking into an on-going conversation, we ask that you start tallying points from the comment where your character interjected. You’ll need three comments in a thread jack to start the count.
I just apped in and AC is happening, do I need to post to it?
It's optional if you have enough points to participate, but not required. You get first month amnesty. The next month you do need to participate in AC.
Character Tags
How do you tag characters?
Whichever game your character was in the longest is the one we'll likely list your character as. So please do list how long your character was at in a game. It'll help us keep things clear! If you want to change your tag, feel free to come to us and talk about it.
What are those ZZ_'s by character tags?
Those ZZ_'s show the character has been dropped from the game. We try not to delete tags so people can find old threads if they'd like.
Whichever game your character was in the longest is the one we'll likely list your character as. So please do list how long your character was at in a game. It'll help us keep things clear! If you want to change your tag, feel free to come to us and talk about it.
What are those ZZ_'s by character tags?
Those ZZ_'s show the character has been dropped from the game. We try not to delete tags so people can find old threads if they'd like.
OOC Conflicts
Help! I'm having OOC problems with someone/am uncomfortable with having someone else in the game!
Well, daaang. Let us help! Feel free to contact any of the mods Plurk accounts or PM the mod journal. We’re here to help you and we’ll take any and all concerns seriously.
Well, daaang. Let us help! Feel free to contact any of the mods Plurk accounts or PM the mod journal. We’re here to help you and we’ll take any and all concerns seriously.
IC Information
Zephyr and the Gods
Who brought us here?
The Being, now known as Zephyr, is excited to meet all of you! They even have a Welcome Letter that will appear at your character's bedside when they wake up. Zephyr is a young godling that built the pocket dimension and everything in the in-game world.
The young godling is learning the extent of their powers and forming a personality based on player actions. Zephyr will mimic behaviors, attitudes and choices the players make as time goes on. Zephyr is currently around 10-years-old and learning as time goes on.
Zephyr, as a whole, picks people who are lost or lonely in some way. Be it having no home to return to, emotional issues, unsolved trauma or in need of a good hug in general. Young gods are rather mysterious about how they pick their people after all. Even if your character doesn't fully fit the 'lost' theme, young gods are a bit off the cuff about how they choose people, so don't be afraid to app whomever you wish.
Can we communicate with the Zephyr?
Yes, yes you can. Zephyr is occasionally seen within the world they've created and will be available for direct interaction with characters for short periods of time. Writing Zephyr a letter is the quickest way to reach the young godling when they aren't in the landscape. They will also happily appear to any character who asks them to.
What does Zephyr look like?
Zephyr looks like this! As voted on OOCly and ICly by the playerbase. Zephyr is flightless at the moment, but they're working very hard to get their multiple sets of wings coordinated for flight. Zephyr goes by 'They/Them' pronouns, but will ICly accept however a character wants to refer to them.
Are there other gods?
Yes! There are known gods who are Zephyr's classmates that can even be written to through our IC God Contact page. Zephyr’s relatives and classmates periodically visit the Meadous, as well.
Will other god characters ever show up again?
They may! Some have made multiple appearances, including Kelt, Warren, Ara, and Deei. Others may make a reappearance as the plot demands it.
Can my character give Zephyr a gift?
Of course! Just remember, gifts are very important things to gods. Young gods especially grow from gifts given to them willingly by followers. Belief is what helps the god retain their abilities and grow. Your character's willingly given gifts is something considered very important in these god's culture.
Can I give gifts to other gods?
Certainly, but who knows if they'd accept them, or if it would be an insult to Zephyr. You are in essence giving another god power with your gift.
The Being, now known as Zephyr, is excited to meet all of you! They even have a Welcome Letter that will appear at your character's bedside when they wake up. Zephyr is a young godling that built the pocket dimension and everything in the in-game world.
The young godling is learning the extent of their powers and forming a personality based on player actions. Zephyr will mimic behaviors, attitudes and choices the players make as time goes on. Zephyr is currently around 10-years-old and learning as time goes on.
Zephyr, as a whole, picks people who are lost or lonely in some way. Be it having no home to return to, emotional issues, unsolved trauma or in need of a good hug in general. Young gods are rather mysterious about how they pick their people after all. Even if your character doesn't fully fit the 'lost' theme, young gods are a bit off the cuff about how they choose people, so don't be afraid to app whomever you wish.
Can we communicate with the Zephyr?
Yes, yes you can. Zephyr is occasionally seen within the world they've created and will be available for direct interaction with characters for short periods of time. Writing Zephyr a letter is the quickest way to reach the young godling when they aren't in the landscape. They will also happily appear to any character who asks them to.
What does Zephyr look like?
Zephyr looks like this! As voted on OOCly and ICly by the playerbase. Zephyr is flightless at the moment, but they're working very hard to get their multiple sets of wings coordinated for flight. Zephyr goes by 'They/Them' pronouns, but will ICly accept however a character wants to refer to them.
Are there other gods?
Yes! There are known gods who are Zephyr's classmates that can even be written to through our IC God Contact page. Zephyr’s relatives and classmates periodically visit the Meadous, as well.
Will other god characters ever show up again?
They may! Some have made multiple appearances, including Kelt, Warren, Ara, and Deei. Others may make a reappearance as the plot demands it.
Can my character give Zephyr a gift?
Of course! Just remember, gifts are very important things to gods. Young gods especially grow from gifts given to them willingly by followers. Belief is what helps the god retain their abilities and grow. Your character's willingly given gifts is something considered very important in these god's culture.
Can I give gifts to other gods?
Certainly, but who knows if they'd accept them, or if it would be an insult to Zephyr. You are in essence giving another god power with your gift.
Power Limits and Punishments
Are my characters powers going to be nullified/nerfed?
Less nullified and more akin to Zephyr not truly knowing what they were like before. They'll come into the game with only the powers they had at the point you took them from their last game. These also may be nerfed, particularly all powerful beings who are apped in. Vegeta can't demolish an entire city on a whim very easily here. Basic skills are kept, but anything world-ending is frayed at the edges and not likely to work. Characters who were depowered in their old game may have a chance to buy back their lost abilities with points, however.
What if my character tries to destroy/burn/demolish something?
They will be punished pretty severely by Zephyr and possibly other characters. We require notice if you're planning on having your character kill anyone or do significant property damage. Doing this without mod permission is NOT allowed. Please bring these kinds of plots to our attention via PM!
IC punishments cannot be avoided when your character decides to blow up everyone's mailboxes, either. Zephyr will react to that and promptly dole out punishments according to the crime. The level of punishments are discussed below.
What happens when my character picks a fight/breaks everything (with mod permission)?
Depending on how severe it is, Zephyr has a variety of punishments in line for characters who misbehave/break the basic rules. The mods ask players alert us to any big goings on so we can properly devise the appropriate punishment for the characters involved. After some IC discussion, Punishments have been revised and all information is available HERE. In summary:
ღ Minor Infractions (e.g., punching someone/knocking over one mailbox) - No punishment; work it out on your own, kids.
ღ Intermediate Infractions (e.g., full on fist fight with more than 1 person/property damage) - The loss of wishing privileges along with a variety of physical and behavioral-based punishments (e.g., a shame mustache or being grounded in your house). These can be personalized based on player preference.
ღ Large Infractions (e.g., killing someone/blowing up a house) - The punishment will vary and be tailored to the character after discussion with the mods.
How do I end a punishment for my character?
Punishments end when characters apologize to Zephyr and the person they had a fight with or whose property they damaged.
Are there limits to what we can do?
Currently, we have a solid game-wide ban on rape plots. Sexual material is just fine as long as it is taken to an inbox thread. Unapproved murder sprees or pregnancy plots are also off the table. If your character is pregnant at the point from which you wish to bring them to the game, please PM or PP a mod to discuss apping them.
We also have a game-wide ban suicide plots. We understand that many characters are coming from a situation in which they might have been driven to the brink of suicide, and discussion of this topic is welcome with appropriate content/trigger warnings. However, committing suicide the game is not an option.
Additionally, if your character is prone to using slurs ICly, we ask you to tone it down and add appropriate content warnings to tag comment subject lines/logs to give people a chance to avoid something upsetting. We want the game to be a safe place for our player base.
Less nullified and more akin to Zephyr not truly knowing what they were like before. They'll come into the game with only the powers they had at the point you took them from their last game. These also may be nerfed, particularly all powerful beings who are apped in. Vegeta can't demolish an entire city on a whim very easily here. Basic skills are kept, but anything world-ending is frayed at the edges and not likely to work. Characters who were depowered in their old game may have a chance to buy back their lost abilities with points, however.
What if my character tries to destroy/burn/demolish something?
They will be punished pretty severely by Zephyr and possibly other characters. We require notice if you're planning on having your character kill anyone or do significant property damage. Doing this without mod permission is NOT allowed. Please bring these kinds of plots to our attention via PM!
IC punishments cannot be avoided when your character decides to blow up everyone's mailboxes, either. Zephyr will react to that and promptly dole out punishments according to the crime. The level of punishments are discussed below.
What happens when my character picks a fight/breaks everything (with mod permission)?
Depending on how severe it is, Zephyr has a variety of punishments in line for characters who misbehave/break the basic rules. The mods ask players alert us to any big goings on so we can properly devise the appropriate punishment for the characters involved. After some IC discussion, Punishments have been revised and all information is available HERE. In summary:
ღ Minor Infractions (e.g., punching someone/knocking over one mailbox) - No punishment; work it out on your own, kids.
ღ Intermediate Infractions (e.g., full on fist fight with more than 1 person/property damage) - The loss of wishing privileges along with a variety of physical and behavioral-based punishments (e.g., a shame mustache or being grounded in your house). These can be personalized based on player preference.
ღ Large Infractions (e.g., killing someone/blowing up a house) - The punishment will vary and be tailored to the character after discussion with the mods.
How do I end a punishment for my character?
Punishments end when characters apologize to Zephyr and the person they had a fight with or whose property they damaged.
Are there limits to what we can do?
Currently, we have a solid game-wide ban on rape plots. Sexual material is just fine as long as it is taken to an inbox thread. Unapproved murder sprees or pregnancy plots are also off the table. If your character is pregnant at the point from which you wish to bring them to the game, please PM or PP a mod to discuss apping them.
We also have a game-wide ban suicide plots. We understand that many characters are coming from a situation in which they might have been driven to the brink of suicide, and discussion of this topic is welcome with appropriate content/trigger warnings. However, committing suicide the game is not an option.
Additionally, if your character is prone to using slurs ICly, we ask you to tone it down and add appropriate content warnings to tag comment subject lines/logs to give people a chance to avoid something upsetting. We want the game to be a safe place for our player base.
Wishes
Can my characters change back to a pony/human/toe goblin/their original form?
Yes, yes they can! They just won’t change back on arrival. They can request to be changed back after they’ve attained enough points.
How does my character make a request/wish?
Simple. There is a big pond in the middle of town. Next to this pond is a sign and a pile of shiny stones. Simply make a wish and chuck a stone into the pond. If you, the player, has filed a request OOCly, the wish will come true. A crayon drawing and note will appear at your character's doorstep and whatever you wished for will appear within the house somewhere. Keep the drawing. You never know when it might come in handy.
How quickly does a wish come true?
It will take at least until the next day for a character making a wish for the item or ability or change to appear. However, if you'd like to ICly say the character has been wishing for something for a week before it arrives, that's also perfectly possible. Zephyr grants wishes as they find the power to do so. They have a queue. Some wishes are easier to grant than others.
Can my character make a wish for someone else's character?
Yes, they can. It will still cost you points to make the wish. You still need to file it on the request page for it to come true. You'll need to clear it with the other mun beforehand if it's a body mod or alteration of their character.
Can my character make a wish that doesn't work?
If the wish is meant to be a dud/not work in any manner, no points will be deducted. Nor will there be a drawing left on the character's door step.
Yes, yes they can! They just won’t change back on arrival. They can request to be changed back after they’ve attained enough points.
How does my character make a request/wish?
Simple. There is a big pond in the middle of town. Next to this pond is a sign and a pile of shiny stones. Simply make a wish and chuck a stone into the pond. If you, the player, has filed a request OOCly, the wish will come true. A crayon drawing and note will appear at your character's doorstep and whatever you wished for will appear within the house somewhere. Keep the drawing. You never know when it might come in handy.
How quickly does a wish come true?
It will take at least until the next day for a character making a wish for the item or ability or change to appear. However, if you'd like to ICly say the character has been wishing for something for a week before it arrives, that's also perfectly possible. Zephyr grants wishes as they find the power to do so. They have a queue. Some wishes are easier to grant than others.
Can my character make a wish for someone else's character?
Yes, they can. It will still cost you points to make the wish. You still need to file it on the request page for it to come true. You'll need to clear it with the other mun beforehand if it's a body mod or alteration of their character.
Can my character make a wish that doesn't work?
If the wish is meant to be a dud/not work in any manner, no points will be deducted. Nor will there be a drawing left on the character's door step.
Setting
Is there a language barrier?
No, nor are they speaking an unknown universal language. Your character is still speaking their native tongue, but Zephyr's pocket dimension makes it possible for other characters to understand one another. They'll hear other characters speaking their native tongue as well, but understand them as though they spoke the foreign language fluently.
This extends to sign language in so much as if you know one form of sign language, you'll be able to understand anyone else using a different form of sign language. Someone who does not know sign language at all, however, would not understand someone signing.
What is that wall? Can I touch it? Lemme touch it!
The wall is what keeps you from falling into the abyss outside of this pocket dimension. Sure, touch it, but you’ll just be overwhelmed with vast amounts of emotion, enough that your character will have a hard time really functioning afterwards for a little while and will have no real interest in touching that fence again.
After events in January and February 2016, the Wall now has a uniform appearance to characters. It is a mixture of different godling worlds that have been connected:
ღ Rock walls with a tinge of frost on them from Ajras;
ღ Sleek, futuristic paneling from Midnight;
ღ Carnival booth fronts from Sunset Circus;
ღ Beautiful corals from Samudra;
ღ Giant Lego blocks from the Wild West;
ღ Glittering pink clouds from Aria;
ღ Branches intertwined and covered in Spanish moss from Willowhispers; and
ღ Flowery hedges from the Meadous.
Can I fly over the wall?
The wall will keep growing up with you no matter how far you fly or teleport. You cannot get over the wall. Not that you want to. Who knows what's outside?
What is the world like in game?
Click here and read the Setting/Description page! It gives a pretty solid summary of the landscape. It includes mention of the exact floral and fauna living in game as well. And check the Map Page if you want a visual idea. In general, picture a rural hobbit village surrounded by improbably biomes, all contained within a 6 square mile area of each other. There is a forest, jungle, mountains, dune complex, and ocean within the Meadous.
Is there any food in my character's house?
Yes, frozen microwaveable meals, booze, canned food, honey, flour & rice, etc. are available. You're allowed to handwave specifics for what would be there based on your character's origin. The general rule of thumb is that it's constituent items or stuff that's enough to live on, but not great. It's also going to be non-perishables like canned foods or pasta.
Wait without food appearing in the house, how do characters eat?
By farming, hunting, fishing, and gardening. Not in real time of course (heavens knows this isn't Harvest Moon), but characters likely need to brush up on their farming or chat up their neighbors in order to keep their bellies full.
Can we raise animals instead of hunt them?
Non-pastel animals/farm animals will grow up at a normal rate. Talking ICly to neighbors is also encouraged. Who knows? The person next door could have a clutch of chicks to trade, or milk cow.
Can animals in the Meadous that belong to characters have offspring?
Animals wished for at the Wishing Pond are neutered/spayed pre-emptively. The only exception to this are farm-type animals that characters can’t find in the Meadous and domesticate themselves. No wishing for breeding pet bunnies, for example, since there are plenty of bunnies in the Meadous. But you could wish for breeding chickens/cows/pigs.
No, nor are they speaking an unknown universal language. Your character is still speaking their native tongue, but Zephyr's pocket dimension makes it possible for other characters to understand one another. They'll hear other characters speaking their native tongue as well, but understand them as though they spoke the foreign language fluently.
This extends to sign language in so much as if you know one form of sign language, you'll be able to understand anyone else using a different form of sign language. Someone who does not know sign language at all, however, would not understand someone signing.
What is that wall? Can I touch it? Lemme touch it!
The wall is what keeps you from falling into the abyss outside of this pocket dimension. Sure, touch it, but you’ll just be overwhelmed with vast amounts of emotion, enough that your character will have a hard time really functioning afterwards for a little while and will have no real interest in touching that fence again.
After events in January and February 2016, the Wall now has a uniform appearance to characters. It is a mixture of different godling worlds that have been connected:
ღ Rock walls with a tinge of frost on them from Ajras;
ღ Sleek, futuristic paneling from Midnight;
ღ Carnival booth fronts from Sunset Circus;
ღ Beautiful corals from Samudra;
ღ Giant Lego blocks from the Wild West;
ღ Glittering pink clouds from Aria;
ღ Branches intertwined and covered in Spanish moss from Willowhispers; and
ღ Flowery hedges from the Meadous.
Can I fly over the wall?
The wall will keep growing up with you no matter how far you fly or teleport. You cannot get over the wall. Not that you want to. Who knows what's outside?
What is the world like in game?
Click here and read the Setting/Description page! It gives a pretty solid summary of the landscape. It includes mention of the exact floral and fauna living in game as well. And check the Map Page if you want a visual idea. In general, picture a rural hobbit village surrounded by improbably biomes, all contained within a 6 square mile area of each other. There is a forest, jungle, mountains, dune complex, and ocean within the Meadous.
Is there any food in my character's house?
Yes, frozen microwaveable meals, booze, canned food, honey, flour & rice, etc. are available. You're allowed to handwave specifics for what would be there based on your character's origin. The general rule of thumb is that it's constituent items or stuff that's enough to live on, but not great. It's also going to be non-perishables like canned foods or pasta.
Wait without food appearing in the house, how do characters eat?
By farming, hunting, fishing, and gardening. Not in real time of course (heavens knows this isn't Harvest Moon), but characters likely need to brush up on their farming or chat up their neighbors in order to keep their bellies full.
Can we raise animals instead of hunt them?
Non-pastel animals/farm animals will grow up at a normal rate. Talking ICly to neighbors is also encouraged. Who knows? The person next door could have a clutch of chicks to trade, or milk cow.
Can animals in the Meadous that belong to characters have offspring?
Animals wished for at the Wishing Pond are neutered/spayed pre-emptively. The only exception to this are farm-type animals that characters can’t find in the Meadous and domesticate themselves. No wishing for breeding pet bunnies, for example, since there are plenty of bunnies in the Meadous. But you could wish for breeding chickens/cows/pigs.
Housing
Do we have to share a house/have roommates?
Nope, there are always enough homes for people. You can share if you want to, though! Please just note it on your applications and get the okay from the other person/people who'll be in the house!
So what are houses like?
All the houses are suited for your character specifically. Their home is customizable and made to cater to your characters tastes in style and furnishing. The only specific thing that holds them all in common is that they are mostly if not entirely underground--think hobbit holes. There is more information on houses on the Setting Page!
Are empty houses there waiting for characters to live in them?
No, houses appear when a character is accepted in game. The hills remain empty or houseless until someone new moves into the neighborhood. Characters who move into another character's home will find their stuff transported over and the new home expanded in size to accommodate the new company.
Nope, there are always enough homes for people. You can share if you want to, though! Please just note it on your applications and get the okay from the other person/people who'll be in the house!
So what are houses like?
All the houses are suited for your character specifically. Their home is customizable and made to cater to your characters tastes in style and furnishing. The only specific thing that holds them all in common is that they are mostly if not entirely underground--think hobbit holes. There is more information on houses on the Setting Page!
Are empty houses there waiting for characters to live in them?
No, houses appear when a character is accepted in game. The hills remain empty or houseless until someone new moves into the neighborhood. Characters who move into another character's home will find their stuff transported over and the new home expanded in size to accommodate the new company.
Time
How does time pass in the world?
1 day ICly is 1 day OOCly.
How do the seasons work?
There are four seasons in the Meadous and they all arrive suddenly and act very much like they're at their peak as soon as they arrive. One day you'll have six feet of snow on the ground, and the next, there will be flowers blooming everywhere and not a bit of snow in sight.
How do the length of the days work?
Thanks to the collective will of the Meadous, days don't quite work like they would on Earth. They're relatively normal for Spring and Autumn. But winter has longer days and shorter nights, while summer has shorter days and longer nights. The flora of the Meadous has adapted to these changes with more shade-tolerant plants appearing.
1 day ICly is 1 day OOCly.
How do the seasons work?
There are four seasons in the Meadous and they all arrive suddenly and act very much like they're at their peak as soon as they arrive. One day you'll have six feet of snow on the ground, and the next, there will be flowers blooming everywhere and not a bit of snow in sight.
How do the length of the days work?
Thanks to the collective will of the Meadous, days don't quite work like they would on Earth. They're relatively normal for Spring and Autumn. But winter has longer days and shorter nights, while summer has shorter days and longer nights. The flora of the Meadous has adapted to these changes with more shade-tolerant plants appearing.
Network
Is there a network?
Not at this time, no.
Can my character make a network?
Yes! Characters cannot wish for a network, but if someone wants to go to the trouble of developing one, Zephyr will certainly not be stopping them. However, the main focus of the game is in-person interactions and the occasional arguing on a Bulletin Board.
What about that bulletin board?
Good question! Every month we'll be posting an open log for people to post things ICly onto the board. Posting your own note over the top of another one is very welcome. The board counts for AC as well.
Without a network, would my character's phone/computer connection not work?
No, it would not. No wireless signals to pick up, unfortunately! The devices would turn on still, hold basic information saved directly to them, but not be connected to anything. Play Snake or Solitaire to your heart's content, though.
What if the network device I came in with was magically/wirelessly recharged?
It will hold the standard charge for an 'electronic' device (a day or two depending on usage), and then a recharge station or something similar would need to be wished for.
Not at this time, no.
Can my character make a network?
Yes! Characters cannot wish for a network, but if someone wants to go to the trouble of developing one, Zephyr will certainly not be stopping them. However, the main focus of the game is in-person interactions and the occasional arguing on a Bulletin Board.
What about that bulletin board?
Good question! Every month we'll be posting an open log for people to post things ICly onto the board. Posting your own note over the top of another one is very welcome. The board counts for AC as well.
Without a network, would my character's phone/computer connection not work?
No, it would not. No wireless signals to pick up, unfortunately! The devices would turn on still, hold basic information saved directly to them, but not be connected to anything. Play Snake or Solitaire to your heart's content, though.
What if the network device I came in with was magically/wirelessly recharged?
It will hold the standard charge for an 'electronic' device (a day or two depending on usage), and then a recharge station or something similar would need to be wished for.
Private Messaging
What if I want to send a private message to another character?
We have a mail system in game! Every house will have a mailbox and address. When someone is accepted into game they'll be given an address. You can send other characters mail.
Does my character have to deliver the mail themself?
Nope! The resident mail carrier is a pastel pink sloth with a pastel green chest named Lady Harriet Mossyback. She wears a mailsloth's standard issue hat and roller skates when delivering mail. She picks up and delivers the mail daily.
When she isn't hard at work, she can be found in the south of the Meadous in her Mailsloth Tree.
We have a mail system in game! Every house will have a mailbox and address. When someone is accepted into game they'll be given an address. You can send other characters mail.
Does my character have to deliver the mail themself?
Nope! The resident mail carrier is a pastel pink sloth with a pastel green chest named Lady Harriet Mossyback. She wears a mailsloth's standard issue hat and roller skates when delivering mail. She picks up and delivers the mail daily.
When she isn't hard at work, she can be found in the south of the Meadous in her Mailsloth Tree.
Death/Dying
Can my character die?
Death is possible in the in game world, though unlikely given that Zephyr is likely to step in before someone dies. Death will still hold heavy consequences. Characters who die will be gone from the in game world for two days and reappear in their homes very groggy and a bit queasy.
What happens when a character's body when they die?
When a character dies, their body tends to vanish after a few minutes. Zephyr ICly doesn't have the clearest picture of what happens when a person dies so they tend to make it vanish.
Death is possible in the in game world, though unlikely given that Zephyr is likely to step in before someone dies. Death will still hold heavy consequences. Characters who die will be gone from the in game world for two days and reappear in their homes very groggy and a bit queasy.
What happens when a character's body when they die?
When a character dies, their body tends to vanish after a few minutes. Zephyr ICly doesn't have the clearest picture of what happens when a person dies so they tend to make it vanish.
Drops
What happens to a character when they drop?
They're finally sent home or were called away by a more powerful force than Zephyr. Zephyr themselves is not entirely clear on just what happens. If someone drops and re-apps, it will be as if they've been asleep for a very long time when they wake up again in the Meadous.
What happens to a character's house when they drop?
Their home disappears and it's like it was never there in the first place.
They're finally sent home or were called away by a more powerful force than Zephyr. Zephyr themselves is not entirely clear on just what happens. If someone drops and re-apps, it will be as if they've been asleep for a very long time when they wake up again in the Meadous.
What happens to a character's house when they drop?
Their home disappears and it's like it was never there in the first place.
Applications
Appability Limits
Can I app someone directly from canon?
No, sorry to say. This is a game for ‘lost’ characters who have no home. Zephyr has chosen characters specifically for having nowhere to go.
Can I app a dressing room character?
As long as there has been serious long-term development for them and you can document it or explain it to us, yes.
Can I app a character from a forum game?
Yes, as long as you meet our requirements for an application as stated above. We want to know what your character has been through. If they've changed how and why and if they haven't changed how and why.
Are OCs allowed?
If they are OCs specifically written/made for one game or story of your own and transferred to another game, yes. Directly pulled from their source game or source story, no.
Can I app a character with another character inside their head (e.g., a spirit/possession/AI)?
You can, but we will require extensive detail on the spirit/possessing entity/AI and they will take up a second character slot.
My character is a giant/3000 feet tall/50 feet tall can I still app them?
Of course you can, though we require characters of a larger than average scale to be brought down to fit into the in game world. Our current unit of measurement is a flat bed truck, which means your character will be brought down to this size. If you want them to be smaller you're free to do so, just tell us in your application if you're making this change.
What kinds of characters are NOT appable?
ღ The gods of major RL religions or real life people. Sorry, but Michael Jackson is right out. Jesus, Shiva, George Carlin and the like are also not really down for this trip. If you have a borderline case and aren't sure if your character falls under this, please contact us.
ღ Characters with no real history before their other game. E.g., Miku from Vocaloids. Making up a history for them when one doesn't exist will not get you around this rule. If you're uncertain about your character's history, please message us. We'd be happy to discuss it with you!
How many of the same character are allowed within the game?
Currently, we can only have three of the same character. There is only so much Karkat anyone can take.
No, sorry to say. This is a game for ‘lost’ characters who have no home. Zephyr has chosen characters specifically for having nowhere to go.
Can I app a dressing room character?
As long as there has been serious long-term development for them and you can document it or explain it to us, yes.
Can I app a character from a forum game?
Yes, as long as you meet our requirements for an application as stated above. We want to know what your character has been through. If they've changed how and why and if they haven't changed how and why.
Are OCs allowed?
If they are OCs specifically written/made for one game or story of your own and transferred to another game, yes. Directly pulled from their source game or source story, no.
Can I app a character with another character inside their head (e.g., a spirit/possession/AI)?
You can, but we will require extensive detail on the spirit/possessing entity/AI and they will take up a second character slot.
My character is a giant/3000 feet tall/50 feet tall can I still app them?
Of course you can, though we require characters of a larger than average scale to be brought down to fit into the in game world. Our current unit of measurement is a flat bed truck, which means your character will be brought down to this size. If you want them to be smaller you're free to do so, just tell us in your application if you're making this change.
What kinds of characters are NOT appable?
ღ The gods of major RL religions or real life people. Sorry, but Michael Jackson is right out. Jesus, Shiva, George Carlin and the like are also not really down for this trip. If you have a borderline case and aren't sure if your character falls under this, please contact us.
ღ Characters with no real history before their other game. E.g., Miku from Vocaloids. Making up a history for them when one doesn't exist will not get you around this rule. If you're uncertain about your character's history, please message us. We'd be happy to discuss it with you!
How many of the same character are allowed within the game?
Currently, we can only have three of the same character. There is only so much Karkat anyone can take.
Application Requirements
My last game didn't have apps/I played at a dressing room what do I?
Summarize your character's canon personality & canon history (can be a wiki link for history) in another journal entry and link it to your current application. We just want to know you have decent a grasp on the character before we learn what happened to change them.
In my last game we didn't do prose, can I use brackets instead for my third person sample?
Of course! As long as your examples don't get too silly or OOC within the brackets, it's perfectly acceptable.
ღ Acceptable - [Sweat dripped down her chin as Usagi's fingers fumbled with the keys. Fear ran through her body as she heard the sound of footsteps climbing up the stairwell. She needed to get inside now.]
ღ Unacceptable - [Haha, look at these NERRRDS!!!! Eridan ran quickly up hill, wheezing in his geeky as heckie way. what a fish face amirite?!]
Summarize your character's canon personality & canon history (can be a wiki link for history) in another journal entry and link it to your current application. We just want to know you have decent a grasp on the character before we learn what happened to change them.
In my last game we didn't do prose, can I use brackets instead for my third person sample?
Of course! As long as your examples don't get too silly or OOC within the brackets, it's perfectly acceptable.
ღ Acceptable - [Sweat dripped down her chin as Usagi's fingers fumbled with the keys. Fear ran through her body as she heard the sound of footsteps climbing up the stairwell. She needed to get inside now.]
ღ Unacceptable - [Haha, look at these NERRRDS!!!! Eridan ran quickly up hill, wheezing in his geeky as heckie way. what a fish face amirite?!]
Application Item Limits
Can I bring stuff from my old game?
Sure! You get a Flatbed Truck's worth of things to bring, please just list them in your application. The mods will tell you if a drill that pierces the heavens is able to get in or not.
Can my character have their sylladex/strife deck/bag of holding?
Sadly no, if your character has something similar to hammerspace, it won't come with them. Anything within the hammerspace item will need to be picked out OOCly by you and put into the 'truckbed' if you want to take it with you.
Can I bring a pet in my truck space?
Yes you can, just be mindful, the animal(s) will take up space. You cannot cram a dog into a tuba to try and save space. Well, you could, but that would be unkind to your dog and your tuba.
Does household furniture/basic necessities count for the flatbed truck limit?
As a general rule, no. If you're uncertain, please PM us or reach out to us at the Mod Contact Page.
Can I make my pet talk/have human form/have a device to talk through?
Yes and no. Pet characters are defined by being non-sapient NPCs. There is some room for things like a 'pet' computer/AI that can talk, but these should be extremely simple/non-sapient. If your pet is an articulate creature/sapient AI with a well-developed personality, they can be counted as playable characters instead of NPCs. A bit of personality in a pet is fine, we just ask players respect the fact sapient pets are not going to happen.
Sure! You get a Flatbed Truck's worth of things to bring, please just list them in your application. The mods will tell you if a drill that pierces the heavens is able to get in or not.
Can my character have their sylladex/strife deck/bag of holding?
Sadly no, if your character has something similar to hammerspace, it won't come with them. Anything within the hammerspace item will need to be picked out OOCly by you and put into the 'truckbed' if you want to take it with you.
Can I bring a pet in my truck space?
Yes you can, just be mindful, the animal(s) will take up space. You cannot cram a dog into a tuba to try and save space. Well, you could, but that would be unkind to your dog and your tuba.
Does household furniture/basic necessities count for the flatbed truck limit?
As a general rule, no. If you're uncertain, please PM us or reach out to us at the Mod Contact Page.
Can I make my pet talk/have human form/have a device to talk through?
Yes and no. Pet characters are defined by being non-sapient NPCs. There is some room for things like a 'pet' computer/AI that can talk, but these should be extremely simple/non-sapient. If your pet is an articulate creature/sapient AI with a well-developed personality, they can be counted as playable characters instead of NPCs. A bit of personality in a pet is fine, we just ask players respect the fact sapient pets are not going to happen.
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