Zhautas (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
zhautasmods) wrote2018-03-14 06:22 pm
zhautasmods) wrote2018-03-14 06:22 pm
Entry tags:
FAQ
Introduction [^]
Welcome! This is the FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions).You can click the little arrow to toggle each section to be viewable. Nifty, right? If you have any questions that we might not have answered, please drop a comment below and we'll get back to you as soon as possible!
If your question is answered with a link, please follow that link to the full context/explanation for your answer!
[back to top]
Applications [^]
Which characters are appable?As of right now Zhatuas accepts the following: Canon characters, canon AUs (MCU vs. 616) and original characters (including MMORPG or games with malleable protags) that are 16+ are all allowed. CRAU characters and non-human characters are also welcome! There is currently a limit of three (3) versions of a single character from multiple universes allowed.How are duplicate characters defined?
Our limit of three (3) extends to the sort of canon that has several canon universes (Marvel or DC being our biggest examples), as we don't want four or more Tony Starks or Steve Rogers running around. Fanmade AUs are not allowed and any CRAU character takes up the slot of that universe's character.Are fandom OCs allowed?
Yes, as long as you're not giving canon characters a surprise canon mate!Are non-humanoid characters humanized?
No, characters are not humanized to any degree. Give us those awesome monster people!What if I want my character to be humanized?
Characters that do not pass for humanoid may be appointed a "humanoid" form via chip implant, the degree of which is up to their player. They can choose to use this form or not, as they see fit for player comfort and up to their own personal discretion. Characters may change form (back and forth!) at will or accidentally activate this mode in the case of a player wishing to humanize a character that would otherwise be against it, themselves. This option is meant to allow players more freedom not restrict them in any way!What about characters who share one body?
For multple souls in one body players may choose to apply for both as one or split them if you'd really like to see them interact face to face for a change!Are characters from any canon or type of canon not appable?
For characters who might have a companion/familiar that is tethered to them in some way (such as Artemis&Orion from Fate/Grand Order or dæmons from His Dark Materials) that couldn't be apped on their own, we request that players put this as a power/ability that might be nerfed accordingly.
Characters under 16 and pregnant characters cannot be found in Zhautas, they would not be asked to volunteer. The only other limit currently in place is new canons.What's your rule on new canons?
We request that players wait one (1) month from the release of canons before applying them to Zhautas. A canon must be out for a full month before applications go out on the 8th of that month. All spoilers within the application and on the TDM prior to a month must be warned for heavily! Failure to warn for spoilers within this timeframe will be declined until the following application cycle.My character's from standard Earth, no powers or anything supernatural in canon, what do I put for the "world" section?
'Just Earth' is enough, really.Are native OCs allowed?
At this time, native OCs are not allowed in the game. This might change in the future, however, as the setting is expanded upon.I dropped a character and decided I want them back. How does that work?
If you drop a character but change your mind, you will have to wait until the next application cycle to re-app them. If nothing has changed, you may re-submit your previous application as is.What is the minimum age limit for characters?
Characters must be 16+ in canon in order to be accepted into Zhautas.Are characters aged up on arrival to participate in this game, if under a certain age? What’s the age limit for aged up characters, if so?
Characters are allowed to be apped in at the age they are taken from in their canon. However, characters under 18 may be aged up to 18 upon arrival at player discretion.For characters who are dead in canon can they be apped post-death?
IT IS REQUIRED THAT ALL NSFW CONTENT INVOLVING MINORS UNDER 18 BE TAGGED AS SUCH. This will be strictly enforced. Please tag your content.
Please be aware of the OOC consequences that will result in the character being removed from the game, ICly this will be handled the same as any other drop.
Characters may be re-apped (without game memories) if the player so chooses, however, repeat offenses will result in harsher consequences going forward. Players may also choose to age the character up to 18 or take them from a later canon point if available upon re-application.
Players may be removed from the game at mod discretion if a pattern of this behavior is shown.
No, characters may not be apped in post-death.[back to top]
Characters may be apped before and up to the moment of their death but saved/revived/healed from any fatal injuries. As of right now, characters aren't allowed to be apped post-death unless they function in canon as a dead character (canon zombies, vampires etc.).
If your character is dead in canon (not died in canon, but canonically a zombie/ghost/exists in canon post-death etc.) then they can still be apped and will remain as they were in canon for the duration of their stay in Zhautas!
Cast Cap & Character Limits [^]
Is there a game cap? What about application cap?As of right now, there is no game cap in place. This might change depending on the level of interest and volume of apps that are received during the beginnings of the game.Is there a cast cap?
Starting in August of 2018 a cap has been enforced during the application cycle. In August, a temporary limit of 30 applications was in place. This cap has since been raised to 40.
Currently: Starting in November of 2018,a cap of 40 applications will be in place. This cap is the current amount of applications we will accept on any round unless otherwise stated.
Yes, the cast cap will be at fifteen (15) characters. While this might be subject to change in the future depending on a variety of factors, it is the one we have in place for right now.What is the character limit per player?
Games like Final Fantasy will be considered different canons. Despite the references and callbacks throughout these series, Final Fantasy VII is a vastly different setting/world from Final Fantasy XV, so they will be treated as such.
For further clarification on what qualifies as a single canon see here.
Currently, all players start with a character limit of two (2) total.Can I apply for characters from the same canon?
Players may choose to app two (2) characters in their first application cycle, or app characters one at a time in separate application cycles. Once in the game players may only app one (1) character for any future application cycle they participate in.
Players must show proof of making AC with both characters for two (2) consecutive months before they may apply for a third (3rd) character, and all three before they may apply for a fourth (4th) and final character. Please make sure to link your AC Thread starting from the Player Name Comment in the new character's application, for the moderators to process!
The maximum is four (4) characters to one player.
As of right now, we only allow one character per canon to be played by the same person. However, this is canons as we define them. If someone wants to play a character from Marvel Cinematic Universe and the Marvel Comics, that's perfectly fine! One person playing two characters from the MCU though would not be allowed.[back to top]
Plot and Premise [^]
What is this game about?An extended game premise is here. To put it in a sentence though, it's a sexy sci-fi adventure that's a mishmash of the strange, spooky, and saucy. Zhautas is a panfandom game with an emphasis on smut that contains horror masked by whimsical humor.Where is my character?
Please be aware this game will contain horror themes
Welcome to the former resort planet turned research center of #05031941 - common name designated as Zhautas. It is a planet that is approximately the size of earth and has just as diverse of ecosystems across its surface. Though it wildly differs in indigenous lifeforms! None of the constellations will be recognizable. Despite the similarities that characters may draw to their own world, there will likely be many more differences that crop up. Characters will soon realize they actually are far, far away from home.Why is my character there?
Lucky you, you were selected to be a "volunteer" in the next phase of clinical trials for a cure to the mysterious disease ravaging the multiverse! There has been a link discovered between the "love hormone" oxytocin in combating the disease. To follow-up on this discovery, a wider pool of people across the multiverse was requested by the Zenith Corporation to carry out their tests. It was either that or waste away on your home planet, so. It's kind of a no-brainer.Will my character know why they are here?
More or less, yes. This will be up to player discretion, but the main point is that they have agreed to volunteer. The Zenith Corporation is looking for willing participants for their studies, volunteers will have been informed exactly of the situation and had to have given explicit permission to be taken from their home-world(s) to aid in the cause on Zhautas. Characters may have also been coerced if players so choose! However, please be aware that this will mean they were given vague details on what exactly the research would entail or perhaps how dire the situation was has been seemingly exaggerated.Can my character leave?
No characters will have been forced by any measure or taken without their consent or knowledge. If you need clarity or assistance in making this work for your character, please feel free to get in touch with the mod team!
No. But they can certainly try! It'll provide some wonderful entertainment, the Zenith Corporation is sure. Characters may try to sneak aboard the arrival ship before it takes off again, but if they succeed they'll never know what world it will end up taking them to!What can my character expect on Zhautas?
Characters will be informed before signing up that they will be unable to leave until their duties are fulfilled at the research facility, this information can be as vague as players would like and will never have a set time frame as no one knows for sure how long a single volunteer will necessarily need to stay in the program.
Despite initially volunteering, people's requests to leave are met with vague excuses as to why it isn't possible immediately. But then the professor will turn around and say Zenith sent someone home overnight without a word to anyone. While this appears to be highly suspicious, none of the staff seem to want to expound upon how Zenith operates with regards to terminating volunteer participation and, of course, Quintalian is nowhere to be found for any real serious discussion. Call him though! He'll be glad to talk to you over dinner and a nice bottle of wine.
A wonderful time, honestly, if they so choose! Their stay on Zhautas can be as enjoyable as they decide to make it. There might be alien lifeforms that try to kill you at every turn and cameras watching your every move for "research" but don't let that stop you from having fun! After all, the Zenith Corporation wants volunteers to be as comfortable and happy as they can be for its much more conducive to their research.[back to top]
Or so they say. The reality is that there are quite a bit of behind-the-scenes horrors waiting to be stumbled upon. There's the unethical, unhinged head of the program as well as the glitchy helper bot AI whose bugs cause some rather unnerving effects and an overall disregard for volunteer safety for the sake of "research." For all that Zenith tries to mask the suspicious ways their corporation operates, things will come to light that might be downright alarming the longer the game continues.
General Game Mechanics [^]
Where do we post?Are horror/18+ elements allowed?zhautas → This is main comm for network (text, audio, video) posts to made for communication with other volunteers.
Absolutely! They're encouraged and will definitely be emphasized throughout the game.Will the game be locked?
Due to the 18+ nature of the game and prevalent mature themes (smut and horror both), yes! The game will be comm-locked to members only. The only exception will be the TDM posted monthly onIs there any memory loss function to this game?
This game will not have any memory-loss mechanics outside of possible temporary events themed around AUs or amnesia. Don’t worry if that doesn’t appeal to you! Most events will have some sort of opt-out option if you don’t want your character to get involved.Does my character get to keep their powers?
Powers will be allowed to be kept. It makes for some very interesting experiments, after all! However, characters with "game-breaking" powers will find that they have been nerfed upon awakening from stasis. They will find their abilities have been nerfed to a degree that prevents them from causing catastrophic damage or large-scale changes to the setting.Can my character gain additional powers not from canon?
As part of the plot, characters will be able to gain other powers in the future dependent on different locations on Zhautas! We will let players know of these opportunities when they become relevant.What’s this about exploration?
As of right now, we do not allow power gains between characters. Characters from different worlds may not learn magic from one another. This can be because of the implant, incapability between magic sources, or whatever you wish to use as a reason for it not being possible!
Additionally, drastic character changes (vampirism, werewolf turning, etc.), and so on must be given detail in full and approved by the mod team first. If we are informed of someone going through with a plot of this nature without mod approval, it could result in a warning.
Did you think the tiny starting island was going to be all? Of course not! Zhautas is a whole world and player characters will have the opportunity to travel to its several nations during their stay in the game. Opting out of exploration is not an option at this time, however, you’re allowed to participate in your own fun once your character arrives and not be restricted to specific events in the area.Are canon updates allowed? How are they handled?
Canon updates will be allowed. ICly, they are explained by the similar phenomenon that happens when characters drop and that they just seem to vanish! Unlike dropped characters, however, they return three (3) to seven (7) days later by awakening from a temporary stasis in the laboratory and new canon knowledge.What does a player need to do in order to canon update their character? Is a hiatus, mod contact or request required?
It is also possible for canon updates to be used to erase memories if development has brought your character to a point that might make them unplayable otherwise. However, this must be discussed and approved by the moderators beforehand.
If they ask how this happened, they are given some kind of long-winded spiel from Quintalian about how is reality as we know it really really real? After a while, probably when the volunteer is more confused than ever, he'll send them on their way and say they'll understand someday.
A request will need to be submitted for a canon update here. Characters will take a short hiatus during their absence, but may not be gone for longer than a week.Are canon updates random/can they be forced on an unwilling character or do they require IC approval from the character?
Generally, characters who request to return home will be told that isn't possible but then within a couple of days have the experience detailed above, if the players choose. Canon updates can happen randomly and be forced on unwilling characters without being prompted by them asking questions at player discretion.My character's CR dropped/got swept for inactivity, how does that work?
Characters just mysteriously vanish and it's said to other volunteers that they broke a rule or did something that got them shipped home, perhaps their time with the program was simply up. Sorry if it was your friend, relative, or even just a paramour. These things happen![back to top]
Zenith will be vague about this, so if your character might find their friend's disappearance suspicious and not believe whatever they were told, please understand that's perfectly acceptable. Characters are encouraged to investigate the disappearance of their friends, they might uncover something new about what's really going on with the corporation!
Mature Content (18+) Questions [^]
What happens if my character abstains from sex?If your character abstains from sex, there will be consequences. For the first two months, characters are expected to settle in and get familiar with Zhautas.What is the policy on taboo/triggering topics? Is non-con/dub-con, incest, aphrodisiac effects allowed in game?
If they still haven't had sex by the third month (which corresponds with when the first smut AC is), however, they will be required to attend a "therapy session" that will see a drastic increase in their sex drive. Increased frequency of no reason boners, wet dreams, etc. will occur. What exactly happens to cause this is unclear - for it will seem like just a normal therapy session! - but the effects are undeniably potent.
If characters skip therapy or still abstain from sex after this, they will start to find themselves becoming ill. Symptoms will start as a common cold before moving into something more like the flu and finally more akin to a fatal plague. Remember that disease that's the whole reason you're here in the first place? As it turns out, cortisol (the opposite chemical to oxytocin) causes the disease to progress more rapidly than it otherwise would. Know what relieves stress? Sex. So! Get boning, volunteer, unless you want to meet a gruesome fate.
This disease is fatal. If ignored for more than a week in its final stages, your character would die. In that case, you would take a warning for smut AC for the month, so please contact a mod if you feel this is going to happen with your character!
The timeline is as follows:
- On the 1st of the third month for new characters, and the month correlating to smut AC for existing characters they will be required to attend therapy. Characters can skip or avoid therapy, however, Zenith will do everything in their power to get them into a session and the consequences of not having sex will be the same, regardless.
- If they still abstain from sex after that whether they attend therapy or dodge it completely, by the 14th of that month they will begin to get ill.
- By the third week (the 21st) of the month the illness will reach the final stages, where it becomes fatal. At this point your character has about a week to have sex in order to prevent death.
- By the last day of the month (the 28th-31st, depending), if they still haven't had sex, then they will die from the onset of the disease and this will also mean receiving a warning for smut AC.
Yes, these topics and kinks will be allowed in-game, please be mindful of using warnings!Will any of these elements come up in events, and if so are they opt-in/opt-out or mandatory due to the nature of the setting?
Aphro effects (and by extension, dub-con/coercion) will likely be one of the main themes of the game. Please be aware of this, if it might make playing in the environment uncomfortable for you. However, also be aware that all events will have an opt-out option for this mechanic so characters don't have to be forced into any situations the player isn't comfortable with.Can my character be pregnant on arrival? Can my character get pregnant in-game?
The only thing that is asked of the players it to please, please, please tag your content accordingly.
Also, make sure that all players involved in any taboo/potentially triggering topics (even if not directly such as close CR, canonmates, etc.) are informed and allowed to opt-out/not be involved as they so choose.
Characters may not be apped in as pregnant. They must be apped in during a canon point that they are not pregnant. If your character is pregnant for the duration of a canon they are not appable. While characters cannot get pregnant in-game, there are ways to simulate pregnancy available. The Zenith Corporation won't ask questions nor judge. ... But they might ask to watch.[back to top]
Misc. [^]
What time does the game run on?Zhautas runs on EST (Eastern Standard Time). While EDT (Eastern Daylight Time) is used when daylight savings time is in effect (after clocks "spring forward" one hour), our times will always be listed as EST.How are characters tagged? What format? Are players expected to add their own tag or does the mod team do it?
Here's a handy converter if you need it!
As a note, Pudding is currently located in Japan and thus operates on a schedule that is EDT+13. Midnight EST (when things like reserves and applications open or close) is 1 pm her time, and when most of DWRP is around it is very likely that she'll be sleeping. Remedy is located in the US and currently operates on EST.
Why this is important to know!
Characters will be tagged in the format ofDoes this game have plurk emotes/buttons?
canon name: firstname lastname
and mods will handle this. You'll be notified of your tag when your application is accepted. If you don't see it within a week, give us a poke to make sure we didn't totally space and miss it somehow!
Yes, we currently have three! They can be found in the mod plurk profile:[back to top]zhautasmods
Timeline [^]
When will activity check be?Activity check will be throughout the entire month! Our AC runs on a self-reporting system where you can turn your AC in anytime during the current month on a static post found here.Will a warning list go up after activity check is over?
A reminder post will be made to the OOC comm in the last week of the month. You have until the end of that month to respond to the permanent AC post. Even characters who might be exempt from AC for the month because of hiatus or other extenuating circumstances must respond with a check-in and link to their hiatus comment. Or they must have someone else respond for them, which will be explained further below.
No, there will be no warning lists. If you do not respond by 11:59 PM EST on the last day of the month, your character will be swept from the game without notice. Please be aware of this!Can I use comments during the AC period to meet AC?
Yes, you may. Comments used for AC must be timestamped within the month of activity being checked. So if the Activity Check reminder is posted on September 23rd, all comments must be timestamped (US EST time) before midnight October 1st when Activity Check closes.Should I start with smut or general AC my first month? Does it matter?
If you're fulfilling smut AC or using a freebie, you may use comments from the previous two months. That means that comments for general activity proofs must be from September but comments for smut activity proofs can be from September or August. Comments in August, however, can not be used for general AC.
It does matter! The first month after apping in, new characters are exempt from AC and should use an exempt form to simply check-in! The check-in requirement is mandatory and not replying will result in a removal from the game without any warning. Exempt forms will include a link to your Taken List and Player Contact comments, so please don't delete those!Do I have to do general then smut? Can't I just turn my smut AC in early?
The second month in game, the general requirement will be required and the third month in-game is when required smut AC will be due for the first time. This allows characters plenty of time to adapt to their new environment and situation before getting freaky for the sake of science.
Well, aren't you an eager beaver. As of September 2018, smut AC can be turned in on general months. While you will still follow the schedule of exempt (1st month), gen (2nd month), and smut (3rd month) we now allow a freebie proof to be submitted during your general months that can be NSFW/smut! Further explanation of the freebie proofs can be found in the activity requirements section of the FAQ.Should I link from the beginning of the thread or from where the AC starts?
In order to streamline things a bit, we'd appreciate it if you link from where the AC begins! This is especially helpful in relation to smut AC. It will be easier if the threads being used are linked from where the arousal is mentioned so that it is clearer what qualifies for your AC to us.[back to top]
Additionally, while threads may have started in previous months, we please ask that you link the thread from within the activity period. So if you're turning in a thread for January AC, the first comment linked should be from January (if gen) rather than when it started in December. Smut and freebie proofs should be linked from no earlier than December.
Activity Requirements [^]
What threads can be submitted for AC?Anything posted in the Test Drive Meme, Network Community, Bangr Community or Log Community counts for both smut and gen AC.Can I use inbox threads for AC?
TDMs are able to be considered game canon for characters already in the game (if the players involved agree to it) and therefore can be used for AC!
However, memes other than the TDM, personal journal inboxes and any other activity outside of the communities (including IC inboxes and journal posted overflows) do not count for AC.
Yes and no! Bangr and inbox threads only count when posted in the communityHow does icon spam count?
All comments that include text count for AC, whether action, dialog, introspection. Any comments with no text (solely an icon) will not be counted toward your total.Do top levels count as one thread or multiple threads?
Top-level comments that contain threads with multiple characters can be counted either as a single proof or as multiple proofs, whichever makes the most sense for you. However, it goes without saying that if you use a top-level comment as a single thread, you cannot use an individual thread within that top level within the same AC period.What if I have more than one thread to submit for a single AC proof?
As you may have noticed, the template for submitting AC (gen/smut) has changed. We ask that when submitting your proofs that the number of comments is noted (ex: Proof One (gen): 42 network comments w/Thor ).Do threads have to be started in a post made the month of AC?
If you are submitting more than one thread to add together in one proof, please make sure it reads something like this:Proof One (gen): # log comments w/Arthur + # log comments w/LiamIn effect, submitting the multiple links as one proof instead of breaking them up as separate lines. This will help mods get through AC more quickly and prevent confusion over having multiple proofs provided.
Proof Two (smut): # network comments w/ Lynn + # network comments w/Shiori
No, they do not! We understand that smut tends to be a bit more drawn out and slower-going and that's why they can be from the previous two months! There is also the freebie proof that can be from the last two months as well.What about using the same thread for both general and smut AC?
You can also use threads from any post as far back as you'd like, following these guidelines:
- You are able to meet the current AC requirements with comments that are all timestamped (EST) within the month of activity being checked.
- For SMUT AC the thread may have been used in a previous month only if it was used to submit GEN AC previously. In this case, it's totally alright to use a thread that has been used in a past round of AC for smut in a later AC period if it ended up going that way!
As an example for smut AC, say you have a thread that was used in May with five general comments that ended up getting more comments into June that eventually turned into smut. In this case, it would be possible for you to use the first part of the thread for one proof in May's general requirement and the second part of the thread for one proof of June's smut requirement depending on what AC you needed to submit for that month.
- However, general threads must be new for each activity check. For GEN AC as long as that thread has not been used for a previous AC before, and passes the AC requirement of the current month you may use it.
As an example for gen AC, say you made a post in January and submitted a thread with Character A for AC that month. In April you would be able to submit a different thread with Character B if it was still actively going and had enough comments to account for the current AC.
A single thread can not be used for two proofs during one month's activity check. As an example, a thread with ten comments wherein five comments are gen and five comments are smut may only be submitted for as proof for gen OR smut, not both.What are the monthly activity requirements?
The first month is a check-in that requires only a comment by you notifying us that it is your first month of AC by providing a link to your Player Contact and Taken List comments. Check-in is mandatory, please do not submit gen or smut activity on check-in month! The rest of what activity check entails is outlined below. The general requirement is two proofs combined totalling twenty (20) comments from any of the game communities, across no more than four threads:What is a "freebie" proof?The smut requirement is two proofs combined totalling twenty (20) (with no less than ten (10) comments if sexting or five five (5) comments for any other activity of smut) comments from any of the game communities, across no more than four threads:
- GEN: Minimum 10+ comments if texting or 5+ comments for any other activity
- FREEBIE: This proof may include either smut or gen comments and has no minimum comment requirement
- For example, you may turn in AC such as:
- GEN: Minimum 10+ comments if texting or 5+ comments for any other activity
- SMUT: Minimum 10+ comments if sexting or 5+ comments for any other activity
- For example, you may turn in AC such as:
For smut month, one proof must be gen as described above, one proof must be smut.
Failure to meet these requirements will result in a warning or a strike. If you fail to complete AC then you will be swept from the game. If you can't make AC and can't hiatus due to extenuating circumstances, please get in touch with one of the mods!
As of September 2018, we now allow a freebie proof to be turned in!Can I use top-levels as one thread?
Basically, this is a proof that may be either gen or smut (or a blend!) from the last two months and turned in during any month of activity. Sometimes life gets difficult and you need to stretch your activity or you just really want to smut it up! Whatever the case may be, that's what the freebie proof is for.
This thread can also be blended, which means that it can contain both gen and smut in the same thread but not be restricted to one or the other. So for those tricky threads that go from gen to smut or vice versa and can be hard to separate into one proof or the other, that's also what a freebie is for!
Of course, there is still a required general minimum during both months of activity of five (5) comments. While Zhautas is a smut game, it also touches on the genres of exploration, adventure, and horror and we want people to engage with these as well!
Yes, top-level comments that contain threads with multiple people can be counted either as a single thread or as multiple threads. However, we ask that you please don't try to double up on activity. If you use a top-level comment as a single thread, you cannot use a thread within it as your second thread to meet AC. It must be a separate thread entirely.Can I use comments during the AC period to meet AC?
Yes, you may. Comments used for AC must be timestamped within the month of activity being checked. So if the Activity Check reminder is posted on September 23rd, all comments must be timestamped (US EST time) before midnight October 1st when Activity Check closes.Can I reuse the same thread if it's been used for AC before? What about using the same thread for both general and smut AC?
If you're fulfilling smut AC, you may use comments from the previous two months. That means that comments for general activity proofs must be from September but comments for smut activity proofs can be from September or August. Comments in August, however, can not be used for general AC.
As long as the comments are timestamped within the appropriate month (by EST time), it's totally alright to use a thread that has been used in a past round of AC for smut. We understand that smut tends to be a bit more drawn out and slower-going! However, general threads must be new for each activity check.[back to top]
Additionally, we ask that a single thread cannot be used to satisfy both of the requirements during a single month's activity check. As an example, say you have a thread that was used in May with five general comments that ended up getting five more general comments into June and then turned into smut still during June for five more comments. In this case, it would be possible for you to use the first half of the thread for one proof in June's general requirement and the second half of the thread for one proof of June's smut requirement depending on what AC you needed to submit for that month.
Yet, you would not be able to use the June portion of this thread to satisfy both proofs of June's general AND smut AC simultaneously! Even though there are general comments timestamped in June, if you used this thread for smut then you can't use it for the general requirement as well and vice versa. This is just to avoid people trying to double-dip and use a singular thread that meets smut/general requirements for the month and we hope you understand!
Hiatus [^]
How does taking a hiatus work?Hiatus requests are handled here!What if I can't respond to the activity check due to being unavailable/on hiatus? Can someone else post my AC for me?Hiatus may last no longer than one (1) month at a time. If this needs to be extended due to extenuating circumstances, please contact the mods and let them know so we can try to work something out!
- If you are on hiatus for over two weeks (15 days) to a month, then no activity proofs will be required. However, you must respond to the activity with a link to your original hiatus comment. Failure to do this will result in being swept from the game despite your hiatus.
- If your hiatus was two weeks (14 days) or less, you must provide half AC of one proof instead of the two listed above. If you are unable to provide this, but still respond to AC linking your hiatus, then you will receive a strike. However, failure to respond at all will result in being swept from the game despite your hiatus.
- If you take a full hiatus, your activity requirements will be pushed back. If you hiatus on a gen month, then the following month you are required to submit AC will also be gen. If you hiatus on a smut month, then the following month you are required to submit AC will also be smut.
- Be aware that taking a strike requires you to skip the month you missed. This means that taking a strike during gen month will result in the following month remaining smut month for your character, as a hiatus was not taken to excuse activity.
Yes, they can! You just have to make sure that you have the requirements met beforehand.What if I took a hiatus or I'm on hiatus during the AC period?
Please be mindful that if there are any issues with the AC that is submitted, it will be your responsibility to correct those and not the person who posted for you. So make sure you don't cause your friend any unnecessary stress and have your AC in check!
If you are aware that there will be an issue, please contact the mods about this before AC is over, not after.
Even characters who might be exempt from AC for the month because of hiatus or other extenuating circumstances must respond with a check-in and link to their hiatus comment. Or they must have someone else check in for them as explained below. If neither of these options are possible contact a mod before AC closes.I need to post AC for a friend, how do I do that?
Hiatus may last no longer than one (1) month at a time. If this needs to be extended due to extenuating circumstances, please contact the mods and let them know so we can try to work something out!
- If a hiatus is for the full month, you will be exempt from AC.
- If the hiatus is only for half the month - or approximately fourteen days or less.
- In this case, you will be required to submit half of the AC requirements during that month's activity check.
For those of you lovelies posting on your friend's behalf, we ask that you please post their AC under their player name comment and not as a part of your own. This will hopefully make it easier for everyone involved.[back to top]
For example, if Pudding posts AC for Remedy she would reply under Remedy's HMD comment with the subject line MONTH YEAR (HIATUS) and a link to Remedy's comment on the hiatus post!
Warnings & Strikes [^]
What happens if I fail a month of general or smut AC?As mentioned before, you must respond to the activity check during the last week of the month. Even if you cannot make AC for the entire month, your character will be removed from the game if you do not respond! If you are able to submit half AC, you will receive a warning. Three (3) consecutive warnings will result in removal from the game if you fail to meet AC the following month. If you cannot meet either requirement, you will have to take a strike. Two consecutive (2) strikes will also result in removal from the game if you fail to meet AC the following month.What's your warning/strike system? What about re-apping into the game?
If you take a warning or strike for general AC, you don't need to do anything. You will only be asked to meet your full smut AC for the following month as usual. If you take a warning or strike for failing to have sufficient smut AC though, your character will die of the disease that's the reason everyone is here! Make sure you plan for this accordingly!
Partial AC will result in a warning. Failing AC will result in a strike. Three (3) consecutive warnings, Two (2) consecutive strikes, or failing to respond to an activity check without a proper hiatus notice (or valid reason given to the mods) will all result in being removed from the game. Re-apping will be allowed in the following application round.[back to top]
AC Type (Smut vs. Gen) [^]
What counts as "smut" to meet AC?For smut AC, five (5) log comments and ten (10) sexting/cybersex either your character OR the partner character must be physically aroused to meet this requirement. It is not necessary that both characters be physically aroused for it to count. We do ask, however, that you please be aware where the smut thread starts for one character it starts technically for both and cannot be used as a general requirement for either player.Are there any requirements to what I can submit for general AC?
So what counts as smut, anyway? There are the usual signs that can be clearly mentioned like heavier breathing, increased heart rate, eyes dilating, hardened nipples, feeling warmth/wetness/hardness, etc. We will also allow clear intent to have sex i.e. characters acting upon their desire in very obvious or overt ways. All these qualify as long as the direction seems to be heading towards sex by some definition. We are aware that both sex and physical arousal in and of themselves can have varying definitions for different people and can be a bit subjective. Because of this, we ask that you use your best discretion and we'll also try to work with players best as we can on what may or may not define physical arousal/sex.
Of course, things like longing gazes and blushing alone will not qualify without also including at least one or more of the indicators mentioned above. If your five comments start out as just hand-holding where there's no physical evidence of arousal from either character, then it, unfortunately, won't be counted. We ask that you keep this in mind when choosing your proofs for AC!
There are, in fact, requirements! AC for general submissions simply must be non-smut interactions. This means that any interaction between characters they'd normally have such as a text conversation, action sequence, or a nice romantic dinner with the professor all count as general activity.[back to top]
That said, comments containing smut or showing evidence of physical sexual arousal do not count toward general requirements! However, this doesn't mean that you can't use a thread that started off as general and turned into smut. We've all been there, am I right? So long as there are enough general comments in the link before arousal is shown, we will count it as a general proof!
You can also use a blended thread as a freebie proof. This can be for those threads that go from general to smut or vice versa that you still want to use for AC but trying to split it up might be tricky. If you're unsure of how a thread would count, feel free to ask the mods for any clarification. The previous question goes into more detail on what we will qualify as smut.
Bonus AC [^]
Are there bonuses for meeting or exceeding the AC requirements? If so, what are they? How are they handled in-game?As of right now, the mods are still discussing the best way to implement an AC reward feature! It is something that we'd love to do but is currently not a priority. We will let the playerbase know when and if this changes.[back to top]
Arrival [^]
My character has been beaten up/sick/wounded/etc upon arrival! What happens?Characters will have been put into stasis for a long journey away from their homeworlds in whatever condition. As long as it wasn't fatal (or didn't seem like it would be), they can wake up wounded or sick. They will be immediately directed to a medical bay, of course, but can choose to ignore this advice.On arrival, what are characters allowed to bring? Special items/pets/clothing etc.?
Characters are allowed to bring the clothes on their back and one (1) personal item.Does my character have to have these items on their person at their canon point to arrive with them?
- Personal items must be no larger than a guitar and may be a weapon (ammunition will be limited on arrival!)
- Jewelry that your character would be wearing (or carried in a pocket) does not count as their personal item, jewelry is considered a clothing accessory. Yes, even gadgets that can be mistaken for or masked as jewelry. We do, however, ask that players limit extra tech to one (1) item per character.
- A character may bring their own network device as their one personal item should they choose, please refer to the network section below for more information.<
No. Characters would have had time to say their goodbyes and choose one item between volunteering and leaving for Zhautas. This item cannot be anything bigger than a guitar, which is approximately no bigger than 100cm x 40 cm or 40in x 15in!What about pets?
As of right now, pets are unfortunately not allowed. Say goodbye to Fido while you can! The reason for this is that this is a game with horror themes including events that will be dangerous and likely involve character death. Pets are not allowed for the reason that they would not be exempt from these events. Additionally, with characters moving across the planet keeping and containing pets long-term would be difficult.Are there any forbidden items?
While there might be Zhautas-native animals that characters will be able to acquire in the future, this will only be with explicit mod permission! Unless directly stated, please do not assume that your character is able to keep any of the wild animals on the planet as pets.
As of right now, anything that fits within the size limit is allowed! And while they are not forbidden, guitars will make the Zenith staff nervous. They'll ask that you please exercise caution when playing it as the resident AI R.O.S.I.E. tends to have an odd reaction to the sound.[back to top]
Character Death [^]
What if my character dies in-game? Is death permanent? Are there IC consequences for death?We're sorry to hear about your unfortunate untimely passing. Please let us know what happened here so that the Zenith Corporation can follow the proper procedures. Once revived, the only consequence characters will have is being required to watch an informational broadcast about the common dangers on Zhautas and how to avoid them for the future. Please read below for information regarding your character’s return to life on the planet.What is the revival method like? Is there any waiting period to return?
Characters will wake up after 48-72 hours to Professor Quintalian's smiling face welcoming them back to the land of the living. He will warn that there might be a few 'kinks' to work out (and chuckle because he's so clever. kinks, get it? hilarious) but everything should be normal before long. These kinks might range from a slight change in vision, taste, smell, and maybe a mole that wasn't there before. Strange and possibly inconvenient but nothing to be overly concerned about.Are there IC consequences for causing another character’s death?
If you're hot for murder, remember, the Zenith Corporation doesn't judge. Still! Characters that kill another character will be put into isolation for a small period of time (no longer than a week) to think about what they've done. They'll also be reminded that we're all here to work together to find a cure and that killing other volunteers is just a little counter-intuitive.Is there technology or magic that can bring characters back from near death if we’d like to avoid it completely?
If a character continues to kill, they will eventually need to be reconditioned to stop this behavior. What exactly this process entails is purposefully vague but characters that go through it will not have a pleasant time. Still, they'll find their murderous urges curbed and not a problem anymore.
Yes, there is. When characters are critically injured, R.O.S.I.E. will helpfully send out a distress message so that the nearest Zenith Corporation employee will come to their aid. This might take a little bit, especially around lunchtime, but someone will assist as soon as possible and hopefully, you don't die in the interim.[back to top]
Life On Zhautas [^]
Where do characters live?Upon arrival characters are given a shoebox of an accommodation in the Zenith Research Facility as they figure out a more permanent housing situation. It should only take a month or so and they apologize for the inconvenience!What kind of food is available?
They might have underestimated, honestly, just how many volunteers they would have and so there are two people for every room who must share a full-sized bed*. Roommates are randomized upon arrival, so chances are you're living with a perfect stranger. Have fun figuring that one out!
(*If your character is a unique case and can not physically fit in the rooming pods, please contact the mods.)
Food is provided by your lovely hosts, the Zenith Research Facility. All characters are given three (3) square meals a day, or however many they require to survive - whatever their sustenance of choice might be! Blood, flesh, and brains. They're all readily accessible. Just don't ask where or who they came from. It's fine.Is alcohol available?
Yes, alcohol is available in limited quantities, by a variety of means.Are aphro effects available to willing characters that might be interested outside of events?
Yes!Is there an in-game currency? Are characters given funds on arrival, paid for specific things or given jobs?
Volunteers are compensated for their time by getting free lodging and meals. What else do you want, jeez? You're called volunteers for a reason, after all. While volunteers are not given a stipend, there will be ways to obtain the local currencies of Zhautas' several continents.Is there a bartering system in-game?
There are bartering options in place, too, such as manual labor or sexual favors in exchange for goods from the natives of the planet.What if I want to open a business?
Unfortunately, at this time, there isn't an option for characters to open their own business. This might possibly change in the future, however, as the setting and story are expanded upon.What is the technology like?
The technology of the Zenith Research Facilities is highly advanced. In fact, it might look like a combination of Science with magic to those who didn't know any better. The Zenith Corporation, however, assures you that it is all Science just very, very ahead of most people's times.Is there any recognizable flora in game?
That said, there is a sharp contrast to the Zenith Research Facilities and Zhautas' technology. Zhautas as a resort planet was originally advertised as an 'escape' from the stress of modern technologies and most of the natives still pride themselves on living in harmony with their natural environments, as such technology is limited accordingly.
Yes! There are Earth plants in the gardens!Are there animals that can be adopted/caught in the wild as pets?
There will be mod approved opportunities in the future for people to adopt or take in more domesticated animals indigenous to Zhautas, such as the fish available as prizes in Nevrione. Characters may not adopt random wildlife, as these creatures are highly dangerous or destructive.[back to top]
Network [^]
How do the characters communicate?Characters communicate with a device similar to a modern-day smartphone. This was to ensure that volunteers felt comfortable and met in the 'technological middle' so to speak. The unique feature of these phones, however, will be the implant that is connected to it. It's kind of like Bluetooth, but even cooler!Wait, what? What's this about an implant?
Characters may bring their own network device as their one personal item, it will be modified to function in the same manner as everyone else's devices.
Implants are microchips that characters will have had to get before going into their original stasis for the journey to Zhautas. It is placed in the base of the skull and start of the spinal column (the atlas) so trying to remove it is fatal, and characters will be made aware of this.How does the network function?
But! It does give you nifty features by hooking up wirelessly to your smartphone. Characters can text via thought, display video in first-person, and even record and view instances later mentally if they so desire.
Every device given to volunteers is run off the Zenith Corporation's own private server. What characters can do on this network will be limited but they have access to a Zenith approved collection of media (a lot of porn, mostly), time waster games, a social media network to talk to one another, and even a friend-making app to make connecting with other volunteers easy as can be! Additionally, they will have a helper app (think Siri, Bixby, etc.) named R.O.S.I.E.What power do the network devices run on?
The network devices run on regular ol' batteries. They can be charged up same as phones of today but they can also die if neglected.What is the device's battery life?
Devices have an average battery life of twenty-four (24) hours without needing to be recharged. They can last up to forty-eight (48) hours in power saving modes. However, even if your device dies, text-by-thought and other connection options are available via the implant.What is the network system like?
All journal entries are text by default but they may also be switched to voice or video posts by indicating such in the subject line. There is a text-to-voice option for those who are blind to be able to have the text read to them and other features to help those who might need assistance.What about privacy?
Additionally, all characters will have their profile attached to their posts. It displays a picture of them as well as a basic profile of information and what this contains is up to player discretion/what the character would have reasonably filled out. Their posts can also be connected to their Bangr if you so choose!
Anything posted to the network, no matter the format, is viewable to everyone unless specified otherwise just like a forum discussion! If characters choose to filter or lock content to only certain individuals, that is also possible!Can posts be made anonymously?
If characters wish to have completely private conversations without labeling it as such, those are reserved for personal inboxes. That will be more similar to text conversations of today's age. Just know that the Zenith Corporation can still see all of these conversations.
Yes, they can! While these posts will be anonymous to other PCs, please be aware that Zenith staff will still know who the original poster is.Is hacking possible?
Only for the most elite hackers available! Please be mindful that any hacking between characters requires player permission before it occurs for each individual thread. Just because Player A gives permission to hack a conversation between Character A and B on Saturday doesn't mean they're all right with Wednesday's thread between Character A and C also being hacked!Can posts be made accidentally?
There is an adjustment period to the new technology at first (text by thought can be so finicky, after all!) so as a failsafe R.O.S.I.E. will make sure volunteers want to post content before they do.Does my character pick an IC network name?
This feature may be turned off, of course, but don't say you weren't warned when an intimate moment gets accidentally uploaded for everyone to see.
Characters will be prompted to choose a username upon set-up of their device with R.O.S.I.E. She might make some suggestions based on the character's basic information provided but it is ultimately up to the character to decide.[back to top]
NPCS [^]
Who is doing this?The Zenith Corporation has taken it upon themselves to eradicate this disease infecting everyone. You're welcome.Are there NPCs?
Yes, there are NPCs in the game! In fact, there's quite a colorful cast of them that players will get to know as the narrative progresses. NPCs will range from main and re-occurring roles to nameless setting exclusive NPCs. All of them will have some part, big or small, in the setting and influencing the metaplot.Can I contact NPCs? How?
Named NPCs will have personal inboxes in theAre there NPC volunteers, or is it safe to assume the entire volunteer population consists solely of PCs?
Also, be aware that different NPCs will respond differently to the same player requests so take that into consideration before contacting them! For example,JeneviereLiam will do his best to fulfill any requests he can while 9/10 attempts to ask the professor anything will end with him asking what the volunteer's dinner plans are instead. (Jeneviere is no longer a reliable source for consistent requests, unfortunately.)
There are NPC volunteers! These are nameless volunteers used as 'filler text' for housing purposes. Additionally, just as with PCs, the natives of the planet are contributing as well to the Zenith Corporations research where they can. However, none of the natives of the planet co-habitat with the PC volunteers for long as they have their own homes to return to between experiments.What about inhabitants of the planet? Are PCs separated from or integrated into society in this setting?
PCs, for the most part, are fairly separated from society. While they will have opportunities to experience the different lands and cultures of Zhautas natives as the game progresses, staying anywhere besides the main research facility permanently is - at this time - not an option.How do NPCs view the PCs and feel about them in their space?
How the NPCs feel about PCs varies. Some of them are very hospitable and welcoming to the PCs while others might seem a bit more prone to wariness and suspicion. This will be expounded on as the story progresses and some of the NPCs' opinions may even be able to be changed due to in-game happenings and choices made by the PCs. As mentioned above, PCs are not integrated into society so their interactions with NPCs in their own space will be limited.[back to top]
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Type One: Characters that share one body, especially if at one point they were separate (Like Greed and Ling here, or Tsutomu and Birdy from Birdy the Mighty)
Type Two: Characters that while separate are generally treated as one unit, like a malleable protagonist and the talking animal/fairy/etc that serves as their voice/hint guide
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For the first type of character, we're going to leave it up to player discretion! If they want to have characters share one body, cool! If they don't, also cool! If you choose to have a character that's two-in-one, however, we require that you write two personality sections. Since this will likely push you over the word limit, we're also going to say that these kinds of apps will be the only exception to the rule that applications are required to fit in one comment.
Additionally, the other thing to note is about canon AUs and character limits. The rules state no more than three of the same character can be apped across canon AUs. In the case of Fullmetal Alchemist, we're considering '03 and Brotherhood/Manga separate enough that people can app from either. This means if you were to app Brotherhood/Manga Greed and Ling that someone couldn't app pre-Ling Greed from the same verse. However, they could app '03 verse Greed if they so desired!
For the second type of character, it would depend on how separate this companion is and therefore be more on a case by case basis. If you could provide a specific example, we'd be happy to let you know asap if the character(s) you're thinking of would be appable together.
no subject
Artemis/Orion from Fate/Grand Order (Artemis is the main person, while Orion is stuck as a tiny teddy bear)
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In this case, we'd also allow them to apped together but consider Orion a power/ability as an extension of the main character being apped. This is since he is more an enhancement to the main character Artemis rather than his own and would be difficult to app on his own.
We hope that answers your question!
no subject
Similar to link and Navi from Zelda, Shallan Davar from the Stormlight Archive has what's called a spren named Pattern that is linked to her. Most spren are non-sentient nature spirits, but Pattern is a special sentient kind called a cryptic who has bonded to her. Pattern grants her the supernatural powers afforded to her by her canon, and their bond is metaphysical and would be harmful to either to break.
Pattern does have a distinct personality; however, most people cannot see Pattern. Only those who have also bonded sentient spren can, for the most part, unless their attention is drawn to them by the person they are bonded to. So it's not like he would be a character who by himself could engage with other people?
I left off my question: if I app Shallan, do I bring Pattern with her (subquestion A: and include a personality section for him?) or would she be separate from him and depowered?
no subject
First of all, yes! Shallan and Pattern can be brought together since, as mentioned, breaking their bond might be detrimental to each of them. Since Pattern doesn't seem like he'd be appable on his own and is more an extension of Shallan due to their circumstances in canon, we don't feel it necessary to provide two personality sections. In this case, we'll allow Pattern as something listed under powers/abilities seeing as how he is the catalyst for Shallan's abilities. We just ask that you make a small note about his appearance and personality for people who might be able to see/interact with him there but it doesn't need to be as lengthy as the regular one.
no subject
If you're familiar with Animorphs or the brain slugs from Star Trek, then you know the concept: weird slug aliens that slither in your ear and get all up in your brain and control your mind. In Animorphs, they're called Yeerks, and they have access to all the memories of the person they control, giving them the ability to assume the person's identity, blending in more or less perfectly, adopting their mannerisms and patterns and knowing how their host feels about everything they encounter.
In my case the Yeerk's name is Edriss and her host is a human woman named Eva. We have some considerable background on Eva throughout the series, but only see her actively in a few scant cases. Without Edriss, Eva would be a happy, free woman. Without Eva, Edriss would be a blind, deaf slug. It's a parasitic relationship.
However, every 3 days, a Yeerk must leave their host and swim in a pool of weird sludge. These pools are positioned under an energy source that emits a specific type of energy called Kandrona rays. These rays concentrate in the Yeerk pools, providing the Yeerks swimming inside with nutrition. Without absorbing some Kandrona rays at least every 3 days, the Yeerk will starve and die. So Edriss would have to leave Eva every three days, and Eva is NOT cool with any of it- in canon, Edriss willingly locks her neck into a shackle with a timed release before leaving Eva to feed, so that Eva can't escape.
How would these two be handled? I'm open to Edriss getting her own human body, but I wouldn't mind her staying a Yeerk, to open up the fun possibility of her trying to control another character or NPC. I'm open to Eva being a vegetable when Edriss isn't inside her, or Edriss coming as a Yeerk inside an Eva-shaped body that doesn't have Eva's consciousness anymore.
I'm also curious how the Kandrona requirement would be handled. Could Zenith provide that? Would they use a Yeerk pool (the pool of nutritious sludge under a Kandrona)? A Kandrona is a portable version of the sun from the Yeerk homeworld. Could Zenith find another way to administer her dietary needs? A pill, perhaps? Her human body has its own separate needs.
no subject
For the Kandrona rays/weird sludge pools, Zenith would be able to offer a substitute that works just as well. They would come in the form of ear drops and need to be inserted at least every three days, same as usual.
Eva can be a situation where she's a body double/substitute of the original (but would still essentially act the same!) and would go limp or into a vegetative state if and when Edriss ever needs to leave her. That way, it opens up the possibility for control of other characters or NPCs (with the proper communication, of course)!
Let us know if this works for you or if you have any additional questions.
no subject
In addition, are there any circumstances under which a volunteer might come in, having attempted to strike up some kind of deal with Zenith?
I could VERY easily see Edriss attempting to bargain- offers of technology (weapons tech, warp technology, or, tbh, "science experiment" access to her military rival whose host body has shapeshifting powers), military might (she got scary spaceship armies), or even Yeerks to use as spies for Zenith's own interests, in exchange for the formula for the ear drops. Or something. If that's the kind of thing that's best played out in game after coming in, that's chill too. I have many thoughts and I'm !!! about all of them.
no subject
As of right now, Zenith isn't willing to strike deals with volunteers immediately. After time and trust gained from being in the program, however, they could potentially reach out to prospective allies. Especially super duper powerful allies that could help them in their mission to help the multiverse.