upcyclingmod (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
upcyclingmod) wrote2020-08-21 06:39 pm
upcyclingmod) wrote2020-08-21 06:39 pm
Entry tags:
FAQ (Frequently asked questions)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FAQ NAV ▪ About ▪ Applications ▪ Activity ▪ Hiatus, Updates, & Deaths ▪ Character Arrival ▪ Setting ▪ Communication ▪ Plot & RNG
About the Game
What is the game about?
Upcycle is a psychological horror game in which characters have one simple goal: keep their sanity long enough to escape.
How is this a horror game?
Characters are expected to face many psychological and survival challenges. The island is also rife with monsters. Most TDMs and events will attempt to challenge and change characters for the worse. It's gonna be a bad time.
Is this game based on any media in particular?
There are passing nods to various documentaries, movies, board games, and video games - including Silent Hill and Color Out of Space.
Is there an age limit?
Players must be at least 18 as the game will contain mature content.
Any warnings for the game?
This is a game with psychological horror, paranormal, and supernatural elements. There is a high chance that characters will be subjected to violence, death, and several common phobias. All events will have content warnings, as will TDMs.
Is sex allowed in the game?
It is, but please make sure that it is locked and labeled.
What’s the IC to OOC date ratio?
One IC day equals one OOC day.
Applications
What time do reserves usually open?
Reserves open at midnight EST—or for those on the West coast, 9PM.
What time do applications usually open?
At the same time, three days later.
Who can I app into the game?
Canon characters from various media (television series, podcasts, games, webcomics, etc), original characters, CRAU characters, and canon AU characters.
Who can I not app into the game?
Real people, AU characters, canon OCs, and characters who have insufficient characterization within their canon. As a rule, less than fifty percent of an application should be headcanon. For example, you can app Chell from Portal, but you can't app Curtis from Voltron.
Is there an age limit for characters?
We do not have an age limit for characters! Partially because we know that there are clones and robots out there more mentally mature than their chronological age, but also because many child characters have seen and gone through a lot. We only ask that you fill out the suitability section of your application if your character is younger than eighteen.
Can I app someone post-death?
Yes!
Can I app in a dropped character?
Yes!
Can I app in my dropped character?
Yes! The character is going to feel off kilter, and they'll experience some déjà vu whether they remember being here or not. Just make sure to mention in the application whether or not you want them to remember their past stint in game.
Are doubles allowed?
It depends on what kind of double they are, and how much they differ from their counterpart. For now, we will be deciding this on a case by case basis. We have, however, decided that we will not be accepting multiples of Chosen One RPG protagonists such as WoL characters from FFXIV.
What about silent protagonists?
Yes, so long as they have a visible personality!
Can I challenge an application?
Nope! That may change in the future, but for now, we will not accept app challenges.
How many characters can I app each round?
Just one!
How many characters can I have in game at one time?
Three currently! You may argue your case for a fourth if you can prove you've made AC with the rest of your characters for three months straight.
Can my character bring a companion?
Yes! Characters can arrive with a pet, mount, familiar, etc. so long as they are near each other at their canon point. Upon arrival, characters may discover that their companion had the same vision as them - except the voice told them something else. Whatever the voice said seems to frighten the companion even if they are not easily scared.
What counts as a companion?
Companion characters should be nothing more than accessory characters. Their purpose in the narrative is to further another character's development, not their own. While we have no perfect definition for what constitutes a companion, we have a list of guidelines for what does not.
Companions should not:
- Experience character development independently of their partner
- Exhibit a complex psychology resembling that of a human
- Demonstrate a personal autonomy that furthers the plot for their own sake
If you're unsure about any character, feel free to ask—either here or in your application! We understand that many potential companion characters will be borderline cases.
Will characters need to be humanized?
Not at all! Giant characters may need to be shrunk down and ghosts made visible, but for the most part, characters can come as they are.
What if my character has some very unique needs? Or physical traits? Or, well, everything?
Tell us in the Special Notes section of the app! Let us know if you'd like your character's chronic illness healed, for example, or if you'd prefer they be stuck with it. Put it out there if your character is blind or emotionally attuned to the cosmic universe or just casually dines on human flesh. We love variety, so lay it all on us.
Activity Check
When is the monthly activity check due?
Activity is due by the first of every month at midnight PST. It can be submitted any time before then.
Why PST?
Because that's the head mod's timezone!
What counts for activity?
Five consecutive log comments or ten consecutive network comments. These threads can be located in the log comm, network comm, an inbox, or the test drive meme. To clarify: Action comments in the network comm can count as log comments, and pure conversation counts as a network thread no matter where it takes place.
What if I don’t submit my AC in time?
If you submitted your AC a few minutes after the deadline or you submitted it correctly but were somehow missed, no problem! Let the mods know on that month's AC results post. It can happen! However, if you do not have enough comments to pass, you will have to take a strike.
What’s a strike?
Getting a strike means that you will need to make double AC the following month. The threads used can originate from the month prior, but the comments themselves need to be dated from the current month in order to count.
Do I need to check in while on hiatus?
Yes! This is just to let the mods know that you're still interested in playing. A check in can be submitted at any time of the month!
What if I need to hiatus the month after I took a strike?
Talk to the mods, and we'll do what we can to figure something out. We understand that life happens, but we also want to be fair to the other players.
Hiatus, Canon Updates, and Death
How long can one hiatus last?
For one month!
How many times can I hiatus?
Once every three months.
What happens to my characters while I hiatus?
There are two options players can choose from. The first is that characters continue their everyday lives on autopilot. In this scenario, players can choose to have the character wake covered in blood on the day their hiatus ends. Is it their blood? Someone else's? It's a mystery! The second option allows characters to Blair Witch it and stand creepily in the corner of their residence, expression grim, for the entirety of the hiatus period. Upon waking at hiatus end, they'll know they had a nightmare but won't remember what it was about.
What if I receive new information or am playing a character from an ongoing series?
Let us know! We'll work with you. The solution is usually as simple as a canon update.
How quickly can I canon update my character?
Please wait until the new canon material has been accessible in English for two weeks.
What happens when I canon update my character?
During the canon update, the character seemingly vanishes from the island. Their contact listing on the smartphone is greyed out with an asterisk which, when pressed, says only "processing". After 1-3 days, the character dazedly walks out of the woods a changed person. If they are injured at their new canon point, they'll find that their wounds have been cleaned and wrapped with bandages.
Can my character bring new items with them after their canon update?
Yes! Players can choose up to three new canon items for their character, but they will lose the items they initially brought with them in exchange.
What happens if my character dies?
If the character isn't revived by anyone within five minutes, their body is pulled into the ground (even if it isn't on the ground floor). After half an hour, the character will be revived on one of the town square benches with no idea of how they got there.
Are there consequences for character death?
Sometimes! The island is whimsical and occasionally offers punishments or gifts to deceased characters. Please record each time your character dies on the Character Death page and let us know whether or not you want your character to receive consequences. This will be left up to player discretion.
When a character's corpse is pulled into the ground, does all evidence of their death go with it?
Any evidence of their death lingers for that day—blood, torn finger nails, missing teeth, etc. Unless someone claims some of the bits for themselves, it all vanishes the following morning.
Funny enough, however, when the deceased character revives, whatever was on their person at the time (including clothes and equipment) is with them in pristine condition. The character may be left with scars if the player wishes, but otherwise it's as if they've been perfectly cleaned before being sent on their way.
Character Arrival
What's this "Wickies" thing that keeps coming up?
That's what we call the player characters! It's an old name for lighthouse keepers, and we thought it was cute. From then on, it stuck.
Are the characters called Wickies ICly as well?
Nope! Characters can form their own groups and call themselves whatever they like. This is just the term the mods will stick with so as not to cause confusion.
Why are these characters here? Why can't they leave?
That's something that will be revealed over time.
What happens to characters upon arrival?
They arrive inside one of many worn down cottages where other characters already live. Every new arrival sees the same vision, hears the same voice, and has very little idea of why they are now standing in someone else's closet. They will, however, find in their pockets (or hands) any items they brought with them as listed in their application, one smartphone, and a blank credit card.
What’s the blank card for?
It's a credit card used for payment at the various shops! With it, any character can buy groceries, candles, and other supplies.
They won't get a bill, and there is no spending limit. For now.
What happens if a character is injured at their canonpoint?
It depends on the level of injury! If the injury isn't life threatening, they may just have to tough it out. If it is life threatening, however, they will snap back to consciousness fully healed. Whether there is any scarring where the injury once was is up to player discretion.
Do characters keep their powers/abilities?
Absolutely! They just have no ability to leave the island itself. There may also be events that mess with their powers in one way or another, but this will always be temporary unless a player wants otherwise.
Where do characters initially live?
They all start off in the cottage row, but they are encouraged to move to one of the houses if they so choose. The houses have far more amenities, and the house keys required to claim them are easily found in each house's mailbox.
The Housing page can be viewed here.
Do characters find themselves drawn to their designated house, or do they choose where to stay themselves?
Characters choose where they want to stay, whether it's the cottage they arrived in or anywhere else. The keys to each cottage and house can be found in the corresponding mailbox, so characters can grab any key they'd like to claim a spot. They can only claim one key at a time though.
When can new players start tagging?
Once the official Meet 'n Greet has been posted, players can go and tag to their heart's content! Each app round will also be accompanied by a network mingle post, but players can start tagging before then if they wish.
Setting
There doesn't seem to be much on the Locations page! Will that change?
It will! What new additions reveal themselves will depend on what desires the characters have and what choices they make.
Does that mean character actions will change the setting?
Yes, it does! Over time, emotional upheaval may change the landscape, and certain locations may become more sinister or more uplifting depending on character outlook. Entirely new locations can come into being this way as well. For example, conflicting desires could result in a combination weapons cache and ice cream parlor. Or instead of precious fruit growing from the trees, there could just be beehives.
Many, many beehives.
Is there a map available?
Maps of the island can be found, but none of them are very detailed. There are some topographic maps around town and a trail map posted near the forest that highlights one or two good hiking spots. General reference maps of the island proper do exist. However, every last one of them is marred by the same strange fade-out obscuring the eastern and southern sides of the island. Eerily enough, these maps update themselves as the island changes, as if someone out there is keeping tabs.
A reference map for players is in progress, and we will hopefully release it soon.
Can characters leave the island?
At this time, no. Any flight or teleportation attempts are stopped short by the invisible wall that surrounds the island.
Can characters explore the uncharted portions of the island?
Absolutely!
What types of transportation can be found around the island?
Wickies can find bikes, a few skateboards, even cars if they search hard enough. But while there are cars on the island with some remaining gas in their tanks, there is no sign of a gas station anywhere. It's impossible to navigate the island's nature trails with a car anyway. Even on a bike, it would be a bumpy ride.
Can my character repurpose one of the buildings facing the town center?
Yes! Just leave a comment on the Locations page, and we'll update the description.
Can characters destroy any of the buildings on the island?
Oh, yes. Characters will find, however, that property damage repairs itself overnight. Demolishing a building entirely means it will take longer to be rebuilt, but smaller attempts at vandalism fix themselves fairly quickly.
Does this game have any NPCs?
Several! Some readily chat with characters, while others have only been mentioned in passing. They all know more than they're willing to tell, and none of them are native to the island itself.
Can player characters kill the NPCs?
They can try! Just know that NPCs revive like any other island resident, and they will remember who killed them.
Can players suggest new NPCs and locations?
Within reason! Locations will be easier to add. Regular or recurring NPCs will be difficult, as they're meant to be few and far between. Still, you can always submit your ideas here!
Can players suggest their own player plots?
Please do! You can submit them here.
Can players suggest event ideas?
Absolutely! You can submit them here.
Do players have to take part in every event?
No, not at all! Sometimes there's an element to the event you may not feel comfortable with; sometimes you just need to play catch-up with the event prior. Whatever the reason, event participation is not compulsory.
Communication
How is the language barrier handled?
All characters can magically understand each other, but how well they understand each other can differ! If two characters share similar languages, that understanding will be effortless. On the other hand, characters communicating with vastly different languages may experience some minor confusion. For example, canon-specific terms aren't going to translate well. Characters may have to explain their meanings themselves.
The same rules apply to written language. Morse code, braille, and sign language are exceptions and will have to be learned the old fashioned way.
Is there a network?
There is! It can be accessed through the smartphones characters receive upon arrival or the landlines and 1980s computers stationed in each house and cottage.
What type of smartphone is being provided?
Funny enough, the smartphone is more modern than anything else on the island. It has the sleek, thin design of a 2020 model, but instead of a familiar brand logo imprinted on the back, there's an engraved heart. It's difficult to say if this is simply decoration or an unknown company logo. Either way, characters won't recognize it. What can be derived from looking at the back of the phone is that it will be difficult to get into, much like a Samsung.
All smartphones have text, audio, photo, and video functionality as well as accommodating features such as text-to-voice and voice-to-text. They also come complete with standard apps, including a calendar that does not list the year and an app store where some simple games and wellness apps can be downloaded.
Can characters change their network username or maintain multiple usernames?
Yes! The network moderators aren't about to stifle anyone's creativity. They may even change a character's username as a prank, though what they'd change it to is left up to player choice.
Can characters send anonymous or filtered messages?
For sure! Their messages can be hacked or traced back to their account more easily than the Admin's though, simply due to the limited level of programming that they can input by default.
Can my character hack the network?
Yes, but only after they've learned the language that's used for the network. It isn't the same as any used in other worlds. While prior ability to hack and use code will help, even a skilled character will take months to gain full access to the network system.
For more information on learning that skill, take a look at the RNG page.
Is it possible to power off the smartphones?
Yes! The phones can be turned off with no consequences. The landlines can be unplugged too. Messages will simply be stored for later.
Can my character purposely get rid of or accidentally lose their smartphone?
Nope! No matter how many times the phone may be "misplaced," it will keep popping back up. The character may find it on their bedside table, in their pocket, or it might just fall from the sky and land on their face. If they keep losing their phone anyway, it may eventually turn up with a post-it note begging them to "Quit it already!"
What if they break the phone instead?
A replacement appears in much the same way.
Why is it possible to hold group calls over the landlines?
Each residence has multiple landlines, allowing everyone who lives there to get in on the call. This is important, as there may be times when the smartphones go down in the future.
Plot & RNG
What can you tell me about the game's plot?
So far, the game’s plot has focused on uncovering mysteries of the island. While many questions about the setting and the entities that brought Wickies there remain unsolved, a player-updated list of ICly known facts can be found here.
Additionally, a number of characters have had run-ins with a phenomenon known as the Silence, while others have found themselves connected to the island in unexpected and potentially helpful ways. For information on these plot-related hazards and benefits, please check out our new Silence FAQ here!
What is RNG?
RNG is a way to roll dice in order to randomize events.
What can I roll for?
Any interactions with the setting that carry a risk! This could be exploring a new location, trying to observe something with supernatural senses, or summoning a creature from outside. Plot related actions can also be RNGed, along with specific skill gains.
How do I roll?
Head on over to the RNG page!
Do I always have to use RNG?
Nope! RNG is required for gaining certain skills, and affecting (or being affected by) the setting. This includes hacking the network, summoning creatures, and Silence infections. You may also be asked to roll there in response to certain circumstances, such as exploring a particularly dangerous place. But for your character’s day to day scouting and survival, no rolls are necessary.
no subject
magical girlPrincess Powers revolve around the fact that she has a connection to the Moonstone, a near-infinite source of light-themed magic. Canonically, if she's too far away from Etheria (read: in the depths of space) she can't use this magic.(She also can't use her sorcery, either, since that seems to involve Etheria's regular moons.)
My question is mostly would Glimmer still have access to these powers even though she's in an alternate universe?
no subject
IF she wanted to power right back up...likely the best way for her to do so would be to meditate under the moonlight, or even sunbathe.
no subject