STATE OF THE GAME: You Survived December (Mostly).

[agogemod]

Hey, thanks for sticking with us in December! We hope you enjoyed the Shaper plot as much as we did. Here's what's going on in the game at the moment, along with a few updates and changes:

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, OCS, & FANDOM OCS

Considering we have a general franchise cap for fandoms, which includes things like, for example, all Final Fantasy or Marvel characters existing within the same cast cap because the franchises have the same general rules and logic to their universes despite, potentially, the characters having never met each other, we decided it was unfair of us to the players not to extend this ruling to Dungeons & Dragons characters, even if they potentially come from, say, different podcasts. This means we have a general 'Dungeons and Dragons' cast cap.

Likewise, to keep the game from becoming overbalanced, we've extended the cast cap to only allow 4 OCs at a time so there's less of a potential for loophole abuse.

Furthermore, to respect the very small cast cap that Agoge has, we're only currently allowing one fandom OC per franchise.

APPLICATION LIMITS

Especially in view of how app will be perma-open come January, we're only allowing one person to app one character per month. This will keep it fair and from becoming a complete free-for-all.

Further, if the same person applying for the same character is rejected twice, we ask that they not apply for the character anymore. This keeps the Mods from potentially having to go over the same app multiple times, so we can spread our attention move evenly among our applicants.

POWER SECTIONS

Applications that involve long power sections do not need to include stats, move names, or anything that doesn't involve the organic mechanics of a DWRP game. We only ask that you include what the character can do to other players in a DWRP setting. While referencing things like stats or movesets are fine, please be sure to also include what they mean for RP, because the mods may not be canon familiar.

BONUS AC

To keep XP gains fair and even, we're taking away the option to accrue bonus AC even when you choose to make AC with the 'new character' option. New characters can still accrue XP, but they have to fill out the same form old characters do.

DECEMBER AC

As stated elsewhere, but worth stating again, December AC is check-in only. You don't have to provide proofs, you just have to say you're here sometime before January 5th.

However, if you do choose to turn in normal AC for December, your XP gains will be doubled as a holiday reward. Merry Shitscram.

THE BIRDS

If you want to do something involving the birds in a plot: ask the birds. They are a fully fleshed out NPC with their own backstory and motivations. Your interactions with them will influence future plots, so please don't godmod them. Treat them as you would any other NPC. But better, because they're birds.

And birds are cool.

Likewise, while they don't (currently) have a network handle, if you want to contact them through prose, you can always use the NPC Inbox for impromptu prose logs with any of the NPCs, crows included.

PETSMART

Just to clarify, so it doesn't seem completely arbitrary: bringing pets into the game.

What pets you can bring in depend on a lot of factors, post principally: will they blend in for historical settings, and how much will they drain COST's resources given that potentiality.

Of course, we're willing to bend the rules a little for the sake of funtimes, but for example, gigantic dragons that eat a ton can't be brought in because they'd never fit in and they, uh, eat a ton. Tiny dragons, likewise, wouldn't work because they'd never blend in anywhere. Animals more likely to blend in will work better, but the larger the potential drain on COST's already limited resources, the more they'll cost in XP.

In general, we reserve the right to rule on this by a case-by-case basis, but that's our general rubric when making decisions.

UPCOMING TDM

If you've looked at The Calendar, you may notice a TDM coming up on the 28th. Since this is (still) during the holidays, it will be structured to be, similar to the shaper plot, completely 100% optional for characters and players alike. It's mostly meant to give those planning to app in January somewhere to get threads and test out their characters. It will have future plot repercussions down the line, but that's, like, everything, man.

It will be based in high fantasy, and involve espionage, magic, puzzles, diplomacy, and inevitably fighting.

And singing. There will be singing.

If you have any questions about it at any time (including after the TDM is posted), feel free to ask them wherever (I'm not your dad), but if you want a place that isn't the FAQ, you can certainly ask them here.

Comments

Questions, comments, concerns?

[agogemod]

[tommygunned]

Hi there, mods! I wanted to touch base about the D&D cast cap, or rather how the taken list is structured. I think the rule of a 4-character D&D cast is totally legit and I'm glad you're instating it! However, I was wondering if there is a way to make clearer under the D&D cast which characters are coming from actual extant D&D-based franchises and which are player-created OCs.

The reason for this is that, for example, Lup was not created by me. The potential problem I'm seeing is that people looking at the taken list and deciding whether/who to app might have trouble differentiating between D&D characters from existing media (ex. Critical Role, Adventure Zone, etc) and D&D characters created by players. For those not familiar with D&D-based canons, it might seem like all of the characters are from the same universe, and for those who are canon familiar it would just be confusing.

Hopefully that makes sense? Again, this is a super minor formatting thing and I do think it's a good idea to cap D&D characters! I understand if you don't want to set up a subheader or similar way of differentiating between D&D OCs and D&D characters from franchises, I just thought it might make things clearer. Thank you so much for your hard work on the game, and I'm excited for more in the new year!

[agogemod]

That actually makes a lot of sense, and isn't something the mod team thought about when we decided on this ruling. Subheaders might be a very good idea. We'll discuss it and probably implement something on the taken page in a little while. Thank you for bringing your thoughts to our attention!

[tommygunned]

Thanks so much, y'all! You're the best. ♥

[northerndragon]

Quick item-based question:

Since Longclaw was Jon's item from home, and the TDM setting is one where weird medieval swords that catch the light in funny ways and are made of supersteel probably won't garner much notice, is it cool to use it there instead of one of the issued swords? It's cooler.

Asking for a friend.

[agogemod]

Totally fine! Magic is very common in Vorspiel, magic swords especially. I actually almost included a prompt with a magical sword. So you're definitely fine.

[fernbeleafer]

Does Vorspiel count as a historical mission? (Will Kiki's elemental wildshapes work?)

[agogemod]

Not a historical mission at all! Elemental yourself out, bro.

[fernbeleafer]

ty! <3 you are so


gneiss

[chariotry]

I really like the clarification on the powers section in apps!

Because every canon is unique and my character has an invulnerability skill that only applies to "mortals", I thought I'd put a permissions/discussion post for characters who are considered gods/divine. You know, for an event wherein a character wants to beat Achilles' ass...