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frequently asked questions;
✽ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS | |||||
Frequently Asked Questions Here are some additional areas of information that players might need in order to fully take in the game! If you have any questions that are not covered by what's provided below, or if you need any clarification on things here (or anywhere on the game information pages), please don't hesitate to ask. Game Setting & Premise | NPC Interactions | OOC Mechanics | Game Legacy App FAQ: Character Eligibility | App FAQ: Player Roster Game Setting & Premise Khu Ioduan is a fantasy-centric roleplay game that focuses on both character and world building elements centered in the coastal city of Aifaran; also called The Seaglass City. Set in the world of Konryu, where everything is influenced by the three Planes of Life, Death and Dreaming. Characters are drawn from their worlds to the lush archipelago composed of ten young continent turtles, surrounded by a protective barrier that keeps the chaos of the planes at bay. While in Aifaran, they inherit and train in mystical talents, have the opportunity to navigate and rank up (or down!) with various game factions, and explore a planar-ravaged outside world to find resources and treasures. The game features has a little bit of everything - political intrigue, exploration, and lots of opportunities to grow your characters. The world of Khu Ioduan is not static - characters actions matter and can, potentially, have widespread effects. We strongly encourage characters to be involved and making changes (for good or ill) and the setting will offer many opportunities for player-run plots as well. What's happening at home? Based on precedent, and reports from other Dreamfolk who have been and gone, those who are in Aifaran will return to the moment they left. There's no need to worry, and this will be one of the things first impressed on any new Dreamfolk. What's with the magic tattoos? It seems like coming through the Dreaming leaves its mark on people, one way or another. Dreamfolk find strange marks on their bodies, twining little tattoos which, upon informal survey, appear to be related to the various Talents they acquire. There's certainly some sort of otherworldliness about the marks; some shimmer, some are strange temperatures, some are hard to see unless looked at sidelong, and so on. Regrettably, the most explanation the majority of people, even Dreamfolk, can give is a shrug. They are there; they aren't hurting anyone or anything; they aren't going away. Is everyone speaking the same language? Through the magic of dreams, everyone understands each other with minimal effort. This is sometimes interrupted when the Dreaming has moods, but for the most part written and spoken language are understood to those hearing them as though they were their own. For characters who are multilingual, it is possible with a little concentration to specifically communicate in one language over another. However, it takes some effort to overcome the Dreaming's natural inclination to facilitate communication. Are there familiar things my character could recognize? Aifaran is home to an amazing variety of exotic flora and fauna, and while some of them may seem familiar, others are completely new and exciting! There are a good number of things that have similar-to-Earth analogous counterparts in Aifaran, and Dreamfolk are always able to discover more. For example, there is a variant of chess that is played on a triangular board with three people, a sport that's a cross between cricket and tackle football, and a holiday similar to trick or treating at Halloween, except the kedan will give you jellied fish eyeballs and hair combs instead of candy. Many foods have likewise been discovered to have nearly-similar tastes, such as a blue and orange spotted melon that tastes like licorice, and a very popular herb that makes chocolate-flavoured tea. Just please, don't eat the sea prunes! Can my character die? Yes, but not permanently. It still won't be a pleasant experience, but if the situation comes to pass, your character will be down and out for 2-3 days. Eventually the Dreaming will bring them back, just as they were when they died. If your character has their own regenerative or resurrection capabilities, it will be left up to your discretion whether it's their abilities or the Dreaming which resurrects them. My character has a dying problem in canon. Can I make that not happen? Should your character require extra assistance such as medicine or esoteric food sources to survive in this strange new world, and you aren't certain how to manage it, please ask us and we'll drum up some possible solutions. Between the Dreaming and Aifaran's advancing technology, there shouldn't be a problem. What's stopping my character from traveling the world? The barrier surrounding the archipelago protects it from the chaos beyond, and while it is possible to move through it -- which feels like pushing through a heavy mat of cold sludge, so you'll definitely know if you're breaching its edge -- too many people breaching the barrier weaken it and put the entire population at risk. For Dreamfolk, their magic tattoo will begin to fade if they remain outside of the barrier for too long. This allows them to go out on escort missions, but Dreamfolk are advised not to depart for more than a few days, at most a week. What freedoms does my character have with regards to using the network (terminals/handsets)? Both the terminals and handsets provide easy access to the Lae Shunjai network, which support features like anonymous posting and encryptions. Both devices run on a unique type of coding language to this world, but if your character is technologically inclined, they can likely pick up the basics without too much trouble. A lot of new Dreamfolk test the waters by designing new games for the yimo handsets! If your character has less congenial intents, however, there are a couple things to keep in mind: your character cannot post from another's logged in account, and any digging into the source code of the devices (in ways that would change the actual way they run or handle communication traffic) require a special type of network account that can only be granted by the engineers at the Opara Core facility. Think of them like your IT admins! So even a really good hacker wouldn't be able to circumvent the basics of the network structure. On the OOC side of things, players should respect the marked level of encryption; private entries, even if not specified, are considered 'unhackable'. Can my character learn new abilities in-game in addition to Talents, even if they don't have magic/superpowers/etc in their own universe? Yes! There are a variety of ways characters, both powered and non, can gain new abilities in Khu Ioduan. Some Dreamfolks' magics can be taught to others, sometimes the Dreaming bestows unusual gifts upon people, and there are many strange artifacts that can be discovered that grant unique abilities to their owners. NPC Interactions With an enormous variety of native Konryu races and Dreamfolk that make up the archipelago's population, the game aims to give players some freedom and flexibility in handling NPCs their characters may encounter on a day-to-day basis. They can be found just about everywhere in the city, and in varying other locations on the archipelago. General interactions with these characters do not need mod oversight, you're welcome to have your character interact with them in conversations, transactions, etc. Just like player characters, NPCs have their own personalities, and we've tried to provide some general personality traits in the various race descriptions to help you shape the interactions. Please not that Chihuelans, including the Chihuelan Smugglers, are currently not available to be NPC'd by players at this time. If a player wants their character to meet with a smuggler directly, contact the mods and we'll be happy to set up a thread with you! CONTROLLING NPCS As a general rule, all players can control up to 10 Ioduese NPCs at a time, for whatever purposes they have need of. This doesn't include basic interactions, like buying something from a shopkeeper, or ordering a round of drinks from the bartender at the pub. This limit only comes into effect when your character would influence them, either directly or indirectly, to do something outside of their normal routines. So a pickpocket trying to swipe your wallet is going to try that regardless of whether your character is there or not -- you just happen to be the target! But a pickpocket that your character catches and forces to serve 100 hours of community service is now outside of their "usual" role, and that would count toward the ten NPC limit. This limit is also our rule of thumb for characters who force an NPC to do something against their will, whether through intimidation, magical means, brainwashing, etc. Bear in mind that this count isn't restricted to the same ten NPCs forever, just ten at any single given time. So if your character is capable of mind-controlling 50 people at a time at home, they will find that skill ~mysteriously~ reduced to only affect ten, no matter how hard they try. Sadly, you will not be able to amass an army to do your bidding. Note: This limitation is known OOCly only - should you be playing a character likely to recruit more than ten allies, then we recommend checking with the mods first. MOD MANAGED NPCS Attacking any of the named NPCs must be approved by and coordinated with the mods, as there are heavy in-character consequences for such actions. A few of the listed NPCs are the governing structure in Aifaran and unprovoked aggression is deeply frowned upon. Others may have no hand in ruling Aifaran, but consider it pretty darn rude to take potshots at their head! NPC DEATH Murder is allowed in game, but remember that in-character actions equate in-character consequences. If your character kills an NPC, there may be an investigation and punitive action may be taken depending on the circumstances, if your character is seen and reported. Note that not every NPC death needs to be cleared by the mods; we are working on an honour system, as we trust players to be realistic with this game mechanic. A stealthy character may get away with a few deaths without witnesses, but a megalomaniac shouting from the rooftops before hurling fireballs isn't going to get very far. If you intend for your character to kill ten or more NPCs, either in one go or cumulatively, it needs to be submitted and approved by the mods as a player plot before the murders happen. BUILDING AND PROPERTY DAMAGE Buildings are treated similarly to NPCs in Khu Ioduan. Minor buildings can be damaged or destroyed, but mod approval is needed for large-scale destruction (defined as three or more buildings) or the damaging of any major buildings. The rule of thumb is that any building detailed and named should be left alone without prior approval. If in doubt, please ask the mods beforehand! OOC Game Mechanics What's the passage of time in the game? It's a 1:1 ratio. Time passes in the game at the same rate as reality. How are posts tracked? For organizational purposes, all posts should be tagged with your character's name. Tags will be created for you in the network and log communities; please remember to use them. Posts without your character's tag will not be eligible for your AC. Is there a power limit? How are my characters powers restricted in game? For characters with few natural limitations on their abilities, the mods may choose to impose OOC restrictions on god-level powers, for the sake of allowing a level playing field and ensuring the game as a whole isn't overwhelmed. ICly, this is explained as the magic of the Dreaming interfering, to preserve the planes and conserve its own resources. Are you keeping track of my budget? What if I want to start a business? Generally, money in game runs on the honor system, and we ask only that you give your character's likely resources some thought and care. Game Legacy FAQ If some of this is sounding a touch familiar (how many games are set on the backs of giant turtles, after all?) don't worry, you're not Dreaming! Khu Ioduan's roots lie in the game ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small} tushanshu which ran from August 2012 to December 2017. While Khu Ioduan's setting is the same world as Tu Shanshu, and its history is consistent with that game, it is very much its own beast. As mods, we wanted to expand the setting, allowing players to explore at their pleasure. What do I need to know about the events of Tu Shanshu to join Khu Ioduan? Literally nothing! While Khu Ioduan is set in the same world as Tu Shanshu and therefore has the same high-level concepts like the 3 Planes (Life, Death and Dreaming) and the Great Turtles upon which the landmass sits, players do not need any knowledge of the previous game in order to be fully engaged. What about characters that were carried over? Tu Shanshu’s playerbase was given the option to transfer their characters over to Khu Ioduan. This may, initially, seem like these players will have a leg up on any new players with some having up to five and a half years worth of knowledge of that game. However, this is not the case. 566 in-game years have passed between the end of Tu Shanshu and the beginning of Khu Ioduan - any knowledge the characters from the original game may possess will be about as relevant to current events as a early Renaissance person’s would be in relation to current events in North America. In other words, things have changed. A lot. | |||||
✽ APPLICATION FAQ | ||
Character Eligibility Khu Ioduan accepts the following types of characters, provided they meet the requirements as outlined below. If you have questions about whether your character can be played here, we urge you to contact the mods prior to writing the application. Canon Characters Characters from any type of publicly published canon are acceptable, including web comics, so long as they are accessible to the general public and are in English (or has a reasonable translation to English). For minor characters, the general rule of thumb is that the character should have been seen expressing at least three separate emotions (happiness, anger, and sadness represent a good spread). The key thing here is that the character's been shown experiencing and responding to different stimuli, and is not a one-note wonder. • Restrictions: A canon character must be no more than 50% headcanon in order to be appable as this type. Original Characters Characters written as part of a fully original universe. Canon OC/Fanon Characters Characters which are based in an existing canon, but are either a) original creations using only the framework of that particular canon for their background, or b) are minor but named characters that are being fleshed out, but would otherwise not qualify for the 50% headcanon rule. • Restrictions: Applications for canon OCs must not change the direction of the overall canon setting. For example, a canon OC set in the Matrix universe cannot be "The One" instead of Neo, but a fighter living in Zion would be fine. A canon OC who has a relationship with a canon character, can only be applied for if the relationship is canonically known to exist. CRAU/Game Import Characters which have previously been in another roleplay setting, and who are retaining their memories and/or any physical changes from that setting. These characters will be taken from these other worlds (or, if they've returned to their original worlds with those memories) and brought to Khu Ioduan via the Dreaming, like all characters. • Restrictions: CRAU characters cannot have been written as AUs in the game they are being taken from; they must have been brought to that game from their original universe. For example, Naruto being pulled into a universe where he was able to become a Pokemon trainer is acceptable. A game in which Naruto was written as having always been a Pokemon trainer would not qualify as a CRAU. Multiple canon forms, or different media versions For characters that have multiple canon forms, up to two canon forms will be allowed into Khu Ioduan at any one time. The versions must be different enough in their media origins that they are distinct characters from each other. Characters that have reached their in-game limits are noted at the bottom of the Taken page. Silent or malleable protagonists Examples of this character type would be Commander Shepard (Mass Effect), Dragonborn (Skyrim), the MC (Persona), etc. We do allow one version of a malleable protagonist from a canon to be played at any one time. Any application for such a character should outline as much of their 'path' as possible (such as whether they went the paragon or renegade route, any major outcome-altering decisions made, etc). Non-humanoid shaped and sized, inorganic/incorporeal Non-human characters like robots, animals and aliens are allowed. Applicants should be aware that sentient animals and and other creatures may have some challenges communicating with others and therefore meeting activity requirements, i.e. animal characters may not be able to make network posts, depending on their dexterity. Characters who are incorporeal (spirits, ghosts, etc) can be given a corporeal body upon their arrival if the player wishes; if the applicant wants them to remain incorporeal, their app will have to demonstrate how they can reasonably interact with the setting and with other characters under the Suitability section. Characters who are not typically-human-sized do not have to have their size altered upon arrival to Khu Ioduan. However, due to the likelihood of causing significant damage to their surroundings while in game, characters that exceed twenty feet in height or length will find their bodies have shrunk in the wash cycle that brought them to Aifaran (and you thought only socks were lost to the laundry). Character ages Characters who are considered minors can be apped so long as they are independent enough to function mostly on their own. A general rule of thumb is if they can survive a YA novel, they're old enough to be apped into game. If you have concerns about whether a character is old enough, please contact the mods! Deceased characters Characters who have died in their canon may be taken from their point of death, but no later. Partnered or possessed characters, canon multiple personalities Characters with a 'partner' for lack of a better term are appable, and in some circumstances will be counted as a single unit (thus taking only one character spot on your roster). If the 'partner' character is incapable of interacting with others save through the 'main' character (ie: Jaime Reyes and the Scarab, a Controller and a Yeerk, etc) then that's definitely permissible. If the 'partner' character is capable of acting and interacting independently, please contact the mods and we will review this on a case-by-case basis. A character who canonically has multiple personalities (such as Akito/Agito in Air Gear, etc) but who is the same character are not considered as separately appable. An application for a character falling into this category would be required to outline both personalities, if the player wished to have "both" of them making appearances in-game. However, a character like Yuugi, wherein Yami Yuugi was originally a separate person and is now merely co-inhabiting Yuugi's body, would be considered two distinct characters, and Yami Yuugi would arrive in his own separate body if apped. Characters with animal companions If the character you want to app has an animal companion of sorts, the animal has to be vital to your character's sanity, well-being, or life in order to arrive with your character. Animals that do not fit this criteria, such as pets, can always be requested in the same manner that an item can be, but cannot arrive with them. Ineligible Character Types • Alternate Universes, such as genderbends/Rule 63 characters, "road not taken" characters (a canon character extrapolated through non-canon events) or other variations. • Historical, mythological figures, or real life persons, unless there is an adaption of that person from a fictional canon. For example, Hades from Disney's Hercules is appable, but the actual Greek god Hades is not. • Parody or "crack" versions of canon characters, or versions of characters taken from fan-created universes (whether creator sanctioned or not). Headcanon and additional material supplements We accept the use of headcanon in applications of any character type, provided that it meets the following criteria: that is does not comprise more than 50% of the application, that it does not directly contradict established canon facts, and that is is clearly marked as such using a different text colour in the application. In addition, we welcome players to use supplemental material where it is from the same canon origins; for example, using a spin off comic to fill in backstory of a movie character whose history isn't elaborated in the film itself. Test Drive Memes Participation in our monthly test drive memes is not required in order to apply, however, we highly encourage it. You can find our most recent TDMs in the Meme community, as tagged here. Test drive threads may be used as your application sample, provided it meets the minimum of 5 comments by the character you are applying for. Reapplying after a declined application If you submitted an app and it was declined, either outright or after you submitted revisions, we ask that you wait two weeks before submitting a revised application. You do not need to do new samples if the decline was unrelated to the samples. Player Roster How many characters can I play here? Can I switch one out? Each player in Khu Ioduan may play up to three characters at any one time. Players who wish to play more than three characters must have mod approval prior to submitting the application, and must have passed the two most recent ACs with their full roster, not including hiatuses. Idling a character out of the game is considered to be failing AC for that character. Please note that the mods reserve the right to disallow additional characters to players who have demonstrated frequent inability to make AC with their existing roster. If you already have three characters and wish to "swap out" one, you can submit an application for the replacement character without dropping a character first. Clearly mark at the beginning of your application that this is a swap out and which character you will drop if the application is accepted. In a swap out situation, the previous character is considered dropped the as of the posting of the accept notice. Multiple characters from the same canon Each player may play up to two characters from a particular canon at a time. These two characters must have minimal or no interaction with one another in their canon. We approve multiple characters on a case-by-case basis; please get in touch with the mods for more information. Can I re-apply for a character that I previously played and have them retain their memories of Aifaran? Yes! The only stipulation to this is that the character's canon point must be the exact same as during their previous stay. Any change in the canon point will result in the character coming as a "clean slate" and having no recollection or development from their time at Khu Ioduan. This does not apply if you are applying for a character previously played by someone else. In such a case, the character will arrive as a "clean slate" regardless of similarities in the canon point. Can I submit the same application over again? If you are applying for a character that you played previously at Khu Ioduan, you must update their application to the newest app template (if applicable) before resubmitting. All character re-applications with the same canon point must have a new sample included that takes into account their experiences and development during their previous time in Aifaran. | ||