Tanelorn Mods (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
dream_guides) wrote2013-02-12 11:33 am
dream_guides) wrote2013-02-12 11:33 am
Entry tags:
Frequently Asked Questions
I. Basic Info
- What kind of game is this?
- What kind of characters do you accept?
- What if my character has a twin/external mind/something else?
- What if my character is dead in their canon?
- What about a CR AU?
- Do all canon characters need to be from the same canon-universe?
- Can I play more than one character from the same canon?
- So, this Fourth Wall. Is it really there?
- Players can't be under the age of 18, but what about characters?
- So what's the game's setting?
- Metaplot is a big deal around here, huh?
- Timezones, and timelines?
- Does everyone speak English anyway?
- Will my character be able to keep their powers and abilities?
- My character has a familiar/pet, can they bring it along?
- Can my character return to their home world?
- I have an idea for a plot!
- What if I want the NPCs to get involved?
- What are the Guilds about?
- And the Rings?
- Whoa! I went to sleep and we were in Middle Earth, and I woke up this morning to Endor!
- What if my character has a spaceship?
- So... pickpockets and assassins...
- But I just saw my mortal enemy at the corner coffee shop!
- I've been robbed!
- The Black Market?
- Murder in the red barn?
- Do I have to participate in the new world?
Other Pages:
Game Information
Powers and abilities
Player Plot Request
NPC Request
Guilds Guide
Permissions
Hiatus/Drops
Basic Info
What kind of game is this?
tl;dr = Tanelorn is a free-flowing, character-driven, panfandom jamjar-with-portals.
For more, please see Game Information.
What kind of characters do you accept?
We currently allow applications for fandom characters, OCs, fandom OCs, and AUs.
Canon characters from any medium are accepted. However, they must have an official English ( or translated into English ) source that you can refer us to.
For original characters we will require a lot more detail on your character's setting and history section, as obviously wiki-links won't suffice. Original character applications will also be carefully graded on power levels and plausibility; no Mary Sues, please. But provided your character is balanced and reasonable, apply away. However, we don't allow canon-OCs - a character that's established within the canon, but you dictate all of the character's moves and actions, such as the main character from Fable
Fandom original characters can also be applied for. A character who does appear in canon, but has no canon personality or very little canon to go by must be applied for as a fandom OC. If your fandom OC has some connection to a canon character, then you must have permission from the player of said canon character before you apply.
AUs of canon characters are allowed, but they must be demonstrably different from their canon counter parts. We expect all AU characters to be well thought out - so you will have to justify the AU on your application, as well as provide ample information as to how it changes that character and their world info. Not all AUs are appropriate for RP.
While gender-bending is permissible, a strictly gender-bent AU is not. Unless you can show that the character and universe is significantly different in a way beyond gender, we don't allow rule 63 AUs.
You can not apply to play a historical figure, unless the character is sufficiently fictionalized in their canon.
Ordinary animals ( for example Swift from David the Gnome ) would not be acceptable.
We ask that you do not apply for certain religious figures such as Buddha, Mohammed, any part of the Holy Trinity, and so on. By Tanelorn's very nature, the gods can not enter her wall without the express permission of the city, or through a mortal agent. Figures from mythology or characters with reality-bending/super-destructive powers would either have to be extensively limited, flat out humanized, or are not acceptable.
Larger-sized characters ( such as Transformers ) are allowed within reason. However, Tanelorn is by and large sized for humans, and the same rules and laws will will apply to all characters regardless of size. While by no means required, humanizing or shrinking characters on entry is allowed; if you take this option, make sure to note it in your application.
We are a small-to-moderately sized game and with the heavy influence of metaplot, prefer to stay that size, as such we do have a cap on the number of player characters.
Note: We will only allow up to three instances of the same character in Tanelorn, and one of these three slots will always be marked for the original canon incarnation of that character. Furthermore, these instances must be markedly different from each other in order to be deemed acceptable. In the interest of avoiding plagiarism and playercest, there may only be one instance of any original character at a time. Both OC and AU character applications will be judged for believability in addition to the other app criteria.
What if my character has a twin/external mind/something else?
This will be handled on a case by case basis.
What if my character is dead in their canon?
Characters that have died within their own canon can live in Tanelorn and travel to any other world the city stops by, except their home world. Lets not make the Time-Space Continuum Ball deflate because of shenanigans, please.
What about a CR AU?
If you played in another game, and want to import that character into Tanelorn with their previous history/memories intact, you must provide a comprehensive recap timeline of their previous game experience.
While we do allow for CR AUs keep in mind that you may have to alter your character's abilities in order to better mesh with Tanelorn's structure, and you must respect other player's preferences on fourth walling, despite what your character may have experienced in their previous game.
Do all canon characters need to be from the same canon-universe?
As long as there is a clear published difference, there can be more than one canon universe.
For example: If you wanted to apply to play Soundwave from the Micheal Bay Transformers movies, and someone else wants to play Soundwave from the original G1 series, then those two canons are separate, but still both count as "canon universes". However, although both iterations of the character would count as "canon", they would still contribute to the total limit of three Soundwaves. No matter how many canons are drawn from, Tanelorn will only hold three copies of a character, not six (or nine, or eighteen).
Can I play more than one character from the same canon?
You can play up to two characters from the same world, but we do require that the two characters in question would have minimal contact in their source material. For example, you would not be able to play both Megatron, and Optimus Prime at the same time.
Likewise, you can not play more than one version of the same character at the same time. Even if there is a published canon difference, or you submit an app to play an AU of the same character, we do not allow one player to have two versions of the same character in-game.
So, this Fourth Wall. Is it really there?
It is. And while we're dancing all over the time/space continuum, we need all the sturdy walls we can get. If you have express permission from a player, fourth walling is acceptable, but use good judgment.
Players can't be under the age of 18, but what about characters?
Playing younger characters is perfectly acceptable! Our only requirement is that you do not involve any children characters in anything sexually graphic. We won't impose a hard and fast age limit, but please use your common sense in judging what is and is not acceptable.
Game Play
So what's the game's setting?
"The multiverse, which consists of several universes, many layered dimensions, spheres and alternate worlds, is the place where the eternal struggle between Law and Chaos. In all these dimensions and worlds, these forces constantly war for supremacy. But the victory of either Law or Chaos would be disastrous for mankind, and therefore the Balance needs to work for, unsurprisingly, balance."
-The Moorcockpedia
No one can know where ( or perhaps when ) this idyllic city may be found. As with most things in the multiverse it always seems to be "just around the bend" yet millions of miles and years away. That's the way it is with the intersecting planes out here between the worlds. Some things can be adjacent to one another yet the journey from here to there can take a lifetime - maybe even two.
Tanelorn is the last of the great cities. It is a fable, a dream, the last great neutral bastion of the Balance.
But how did your character get there? Well, either through genetic predisposition, accident, or by cosmic design; your character has somehow come loose from their own world's timestream. The catalyst can be physical trauma, a science experiment gone awry, bizarre or vivid dreams, or even just a sudden and inexplicable phenomena that is never really repeated. However it happened, your character isn't the first to be caught at The Crossroads, and as far back as memory or crumbling texts in the Records Library can trace, Tanelorn has ever been fickle about her choice of champions.
It's really up to your creativity on the particulars of how your character got here, but once they have? Remember that they're really here "in the flesh", so to speak. Here all times, and all worlds meet and mingle freely - even among the living and the dead.
Your character wakes up in the 'Intake Infirmary' which is located in the Post House's lower floors, and find that they have a simple steel ( or what appears to be steel ) ring around their finger. Fiddling with it, or just touching it activates the Ring's properties, and the interface can be customizable according to what your character would expect to use. They might feel a little queasy, or have a mild headache, but that will fade soon enough. What's more important? Is this place is a thriving town at the beginning, middle, and end of the multiverse.
Tanelorn looks like a bit of a hodgepodge on the inside. Ancient, welcoming buildings of red brick, black beams and thatch, gardens with tall trees, orchards and fountains, and the twisting timbers of gables in places. Doorways are everywhere in Tanelorn, and some even lead to spaces that are much too large to fit inside that house. The streets are cobblestone, but have painted road signs - sometimes they even stay in the right places! And even with some of the industrial areas producing smoke and soot from the forge fires, there's plenty of automobiles, horse drawn carriages, and the occasional hovercraft. Bustling, and possessed of gleaming minarets, and dirty alleys, the city is alive.
Tanelorn is filled with artisans, craftsmen, magicians, and warriors. Inside the city there are plenty of NPC-residents, but they are mostly peaceful, and seek only to stay within the refuge that Tanelorn provides. But for all her many settlers, Tanelorn has very few "natives". That is to say; only a small percent of the population are actually individuals born, and raised in Tanelorn ( Taneborns ) because as much as Tanelorn moves around the multiverse, there are always people coming and going. Fountains, and hydroponic gardens keep the city's water supply flowing, but the food and necessaries that any metropolis depends upon only come from outside. And what is Outside? At any given month, it's a new and different world. After all, if Tanelorn did not move with the tides of time, how could she maintain her neutrality between Law and Chaos?
She is a living microcosm, you see. A place of refuge from the tumultuous shifts of the higher planes. And like the cells within a human body, Tanelorn needs the right balance between Law, and Chaos within her own walls in order to maintain her sovereign neutrality. She goes where she is needed, moves to her own rhythms, and chooses her own champions.
That's where your character comes in. But is it maintaining the Balance within Tanelorn? Serving Law? Or Chaos?
Metaplot is a big deal around here, huh?
Yes, indeed. And while the game is character-driven, there is a long term game plot at work in Tanelorn. This means that player characters may have a direct effect on what happens within the city walls, as well as possible effects on the Multiverse at large. Be on your toes.
Timezones, and timelines?
The mods mostly work in EST, and Tanelorn is outside the space/time continuum, however the residents keep to as much of a real world calendar, and clock as they possibly can. Each new month is marked off by Tanelorn "docking" with another new world. The Writer's Guild keeps the large water clock that measures time between each shift, but not in minutes or hours. Instead it ticks off the passing "days" and "nights" between one expected shift, and the next.
6/1/2013; We have now be switched to 1:2 gametime ratio. This means that for every 2 days that pass in real time, only 1 day has passed for gametime. SOTG posts go up once every two weeks in real time (every other Sunday), and will be used to help keep track of events of the previous IC week.
Activity Check is still a monthly requirement until further notice. If this becomes confusing, it may be subject to future change.
Does everyone speak English anyway?
For the most part, the rings do translate for humanoids, and humanoid vocal chords. If, however, your character speaks an entirely different language, and this is something you want to play out? Your character may need to get a ring upgrade so the translating function can recognize their language as well.
Basically? This is optional.
Will my character be able to keep their powers and abilities?
For the most part, yes. See the powers and abilities page for more details.
My character has a familiar/pet, can they bring it along?
As long as the pet is within reason ( no cramming 50 pokemon inside one's pockets, or 100 foot dragons please ) and said pet was in physical contact with the character when they came loose from their home world, then yes.
Can my character return to their home world?
It may be possible, but certainly not easy. Better check with the Wayfarers, or your fellow travelers.
I have an idea for a plot!
Awesome! But we do ask that you fill out the Player Plot Request form. A minimum of one week should be given to the moderators to allow for their questions and conference.
Damage to city property, trying to sneak past locked doors, trying to outsmart the Watchers, attempts at large scale theft, attempted murder, or anything else that would attract attention? Please submit a Player Plot request, and let us have a little time to discuss ideas with you.
Personal plots that would have a permanent impact on your character and/or others ( such as character death ) should also be cleared with the mods.
What if I want the NPCs to get involved?
If you have an idea, and need some help from one of the named NPCs, then turn in an NPC Request for the appropriate one. You are free to make use of some non-named NPC residents within the city, but keep in mind that these are largely people who are just looking to settle down, and live quietly.
If you need to make use of some nondescript NPCs outside of Tanelorn City limits, use good judgement? If your character attracts too much notice, and/or impacts the timestream of the world Tanelorn is "docked" with for the month too drastically, they may be instantly teleported back inside the city walls by the Wayfarers Guild via their ring. The time/space continuum needs to stay maintained, after all. That said, if you're threading non-worldbreaking actions in a populated world, feel free to shanghai some regular mooks.
If you're not sure, just ask.
What are the Guilds about?
Please see the Guilds section before submitting questions about the Guilds here.
And the Rings?
Your ring is your communicator, locator, and safety net all rolled into one. Don't lose it.
The ring allows the Wayfarer's Guild to help guide their members to, and from Tanelorn. Out on the Dream Roads it's not quite fool proof, but like a lighthouse to a ship out at sea, your ring can help to guide you back. A handy thing when Tanelorn tends to move around, or simply be difficult to see from the outside at times.
You can procure upgrades for your ring from the Engineer's Guild, both to it's communicator function, and toward any special requests you might have about it's uses, storage space, or privacy.
Whoa! I went to sleep and we were in Middle Earth, and I woke up this morning to Endor!
Yup, that's right. Tanelorn exists outside space, and time, and as such she moves around through all the many branches of the vast multiverse.
Once a month Tanelorn will move on to a new "world". Each month will be a new one. Characters that have become apprenticed to the Wayfarer's Guild may leave the city walls, and explore the world that Tanelorn is "docked" with.
Be warned, though, when Tanelorn moves again, your ring will make sure that you go with her, whether you want to or not. Trust us; you'll really want to be inside the city walls when that happens.
What if my character has a spaceship?
Tanelorn supports a modest spaceport for those travelers who’ve found their way there through some sort of interstellar storm, wormhole, or just a ship malfunction. From space the planet would appear paradoxically small, like a moon, or asteroid, yet fully capable of supporting life. Scans of Tanelorn are inconclusive at best, and the city-asteroid appears to be caught within a nebula. Shuttles and small craft ( no larger than Serenity from Firefly canon ) are welcome to land inside the atmosphere, but once within the nebula-cloud borders, or within the atmosphere, the laws of the city go into effect. It is possible to move from your ship, down to the city, and back again if the ship is docked in the spaceport and outside the atmosphere...but you'll have to pay if you continue to plan on parking here, pal. It's expensive to keep hauling a whole spaceship around with you when one is moving through the multiverse.
If your character can not pay the toll to continue keeping their ship in the space port, then on the next monthly move, they will lose access to their ship. Don't panic, captains, it's possible to get your ship out of hock, but it will take some doing.
So... pickpockets and assassins...
Once you enter Tanelorn, you will likely be stopped by one of the residents, and shown the way to one of the many pamphlet racks around, all produced by the Writer’s Guild. The laws are simple enough; no stealing, and no violence, be it to persons, or to other person’s property.
The Watcher's Guild keeps the peace. So if you are tempted to break these laws, there are most likely going to be consequences involving stocks, dark rooms, and all manner of unpleasant sorting through of one’s memories.
But I just saw my mortal enemy at the corner coffee shop!
Even if you met your mortal enemy on the street, you would be required by law to leave the city's walls to settle any grievances. Keep in mind that being unable to travel outside the city, for whatever reason, doesn't matter to the Watchers. If they catch you breaking the laws within Tanelorn, you will face the consequences.
I've been robbed!
Theft of personal property is also a serious offense, and should be reported to the Watchers. After filing a report, the Watcher's Guild strongly asks that the public let them do their jobs. It's very possible to rob another and get away with it, but that's a gamble in of itself. Because once you've stolen it, there's only one place you can take it.
The Black Market
It exists purely through word of mouth, and locating a Trader that is willing to make a good deal out of what you've got to trade. Counterfeit rings, poisons, trade in black magic, and maybe even a contracted assassination. If the price is right, you may just find what you're looking for. But, there's no telling if the shady character you're dealing with is a Watcher in disguise, or just plain ripping you off, so navigate this seedy underworld at your own risk.
Murder in the red barn?
Tanelorn may have a fair amount of wiggle room for other things, but murder within her walls is something the city herself takes notice of. Even the sneakiest of cat's paws knows better than to hit a target inside the city walls. A body is discovered, murder most foul, and the culprit may think they are hidden entirely. But all doors are mysteriously locked, and the Watchers are coming.
Tanelorn protects her own.
Note: While all of these laws are part of the in-game architecture, if you are interested in playing out some crime or shady dealings, then submit a request on the Player Plot page, and we can hash out the details. In cases of murder inside the city walls however, you must have permission from the victim's player, and be aware that there will be consequences of some kind. The guild's laws don't extend beyond the city walls, though. Keep that in mind while plotting, and tagging, please!
Do I have to participate in the new world?
We like to give you the option of opting in or out of any world, but the heavy influence of ongoing metaplot is a part of the game. You'll be able to tell if an effect from the new world is something everyone will be affected by, or if it's something you can avoid. In the event of, say an earthquake, your character will undoubtedly feel the rumble, but it is your choice as to whether or not they respond to it or are affected further. If you have questions about a specifics, feel free to ask on the new world's description post.
If there's a question you have that isn't already covered by the FAQ, Game Information post, or elsewise answered, the please leave it here!
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So, even if there was one "original" Roy Harper, there could also be one "clone" Roy Harper, and that would take up two out of the three slots.
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Crossbow: Used with a number of trick bolts.
Explosive bolt
Foam bolt- utilized as a quick-drying agent to immobolize an enemy.
Hacking bolt
Knock-out gas bolt
Cybernetic arm: Given as compensation by Lex Luthor, the arm has a missile launcher, a grapple, and a powerful laser activated through cylinders inserted in the red ports on the arm.
Utility belt containing:
Electronic key: Able to disarm car alarms and unlock electronic locks when placed upon the panel.
Grenades (3)
Rebreather
Tonfa
Uniform containing Stealth-tech which allows the user's outfit to change into a common color of the surrounding environment.
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The equipment in the prosthetic arm would be acceptable, again provided the weaponry doesn't end up being game breaking.
Likewise the Utility belt contents are mostly fine, except for the "unlock electronic locks" bit. Locked doors are sort of important to Tanleorn's metaplot, and lockpicking or hacking doesn't always work with them. Provided you would accept that restricted areas couldn't be unlocked with this universal key, then there should be no problems.
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As for any equipment capable of hacking, I definitely wouldn't utilize those without either player or mod permission first.