Post by Satanick on Apr 8, 2015 20:54:52 GMT
Just got accepted?
Good. Link your profile into its custom field. Do it. Do it now.
Character Base of Operation/Home
The first thing you'll want to do after being accepted is to make your "Home Thread" in the Home/Base thread located HERE. The thread name should be something along the lines of "<player name>'s <base/home> [Home Location]." Though, if you want your home/base to have a specific name for itself, that works too. This thread will serve as a way to keep track of your items, weapons and such acquired over time. It is also the place where you should keep track of your persona's skills and stats. It should also give an idea of where your character lives. (Ex: A certain apartment complex? In a coffee shop?) You may format it in whatever way you wish, but I highly suggest you make it easy for both yourself and everyone else to read.
Multiple people can live in the same place! If you happen to live with an existing character, simply make your home post in their thread and update the name of the thread accordingly. Moving in/out of places can be done as well should you wish to. Also, link this in its custom field when you're done.
Exploration Threads
Exploration is where characters may explore different shadow-infested areas during the Dark Hour or demon-infested areas in the Dark World with other Users. The benefit of doing explores is that they offer triple the amount of Fate Points that normal social posts give (150 as opposed to 50). However, to balance this out there are a few rules regarding exploration.
Explorations can't be done alone. You may make open exploring threads to invite a number of people to explore with you. We recommend exploring in small groups. Remember that the bigger the groups you have, the more people you have to wait on to post. Regardless, the largest group that you can explore with is 5 people at once. The alternative to open explorations is obviously to plan explorations with other people. With whichever method you plan to do, be sure to tag your threads appropriately. All exploration threads should be tagged [Mod] so that mods will know to spawn.
In an explore thread, each participant will post a total of two times. The first post is them entering the thread, and the second post is them putting in their contribution to the battle spawned by the mod. There are no exceptions to this two post rule. Once everyone has posted their first post, it is a good idea to make an OOC note that the thread is ready for modding. An even better way to get threads modded more efficiently is to note how many participants there will be ahead of time within the tags. For example, [Mod/Character Name] would imply a total of two participants. (The one who made it and the character in the tags.) With that added, the mod can easily note when a thread is able to be modded. As for groups with several participants, the thread maker may simply make a tag like [Mod/3 more] to indicate the exact party size and simply add the names within the thread itself. Any of these ways work, so simply pick the best option. When this is done, a mod will spawn a threat-appropriate encounter for the Users to fight. After everyone has posted their battle contribution, the thread is done. If you wish to continue the thread in a social manner, you may make a separate thread in the non-explorable board for the same area. Only explorables may be made in the explorable thread area.
Given that this is something that could break the balance of the board, we will not tolerate someone "Accidentally" turning an explore into a social thread. Likewise, we don't want you to tally after bosses (view below). If you wish to have a follow up thread, it is fine, but please only post them in non-threat areas. Should you post in excess in these areas we will not hesitate to deduct FP. Naturally, we understand if accidents happen, but please be careful.
While we limit the number of posts you can make in a single thread, you are allowed to have your character in multiple explorable threads at a time thanks to liquid time. The only restriction to this is that you can only be in one 'concurrent thread' with any character at any given time. If you wish to join another explorable thread with the same characters, the previous thread must be completed. In other words, everyone must have finished their portion of the battle. And naturally, you must have finished any previous Open Threads you made before making a new one. This is so people can't simply spam Open threads for extra points. Other than those stipulations, you may make explorable threads as often as you like.
Area Bosses
Area bosses are special encounters within different explorable areas in which the party will fight a modded enemy over the course of a few turns. These bosses spawn in the next available explorable thread once enough explorables have been completed in that area. (This number is a secret and different for each area.) As opposed to normal explores where the entire fight in played out in a single post, players may only make one action per post until every character has posted. After which, a mod controlling the boss will make their move. The battle will play out like the Persona games in this case until either side is defeated. It should also be noted that players can lose against the boss.
This is the one exception where other players may jump into another person's explorable up until a total of 5 characters is reached. 5 characters is recommended given the difficulty of the boss but not necessary. Given this is a modded fight, and unless all participants have posted sooner, the mod's next boss post will generally be a day later (to the best of the mod's abilities). The only exception to this is the turn after the boss spawns, where the next round will not begin until the next day or until 5 people have joined the battle. Because of this, players should have enough time to jump in by the first or second turn.
Should the players succeed in defeating the boss, each one will be rewarded with Unique Materials. These may be traded into the equipment shop to be made into a piece of armor or a weapon for free. These items have a predetermined tier and attached mod that can still be upgraded like normal. However, you won't know what you'll get until you make it. These may be sold to other players as materials or as completed weapons like all other equipment.
Full Moon Events
Every OOC Full Moon, an event boss of some sort will show up somewhere in the city. Sufficient participation (making about half of the rounds) in the event will net players extra Fate Points. It is also a major plot event for the site, making it highly recommended that characters try to make it into the thread.
After the initial spawning of the Full Moon boss, characters will have one OOC day to "respond" to the boss by initiating it in some way, or by simply staying back and healing the ones fighting. After that, the boss will make its own move on the characters where characters will have another day to respond and so on until the boss is dealt with. Please note that just like Area bosses, the Full Moon Boss can possibly defeat the Users as well.
Characters may enter the fight late, leave early, or miss an exchange in between if need be. (We can't make -every- deadline now, can we?) And if all active participants from the prior round have posted in the present round, the next round may begin earlier for everyone's convenience. Following the completion of the boss, an 'update' will usually follow it immediately. These updates may range from changes in the Overworld, changes/additions to skills and many other things. (We already have plenty planned.)
Explanation on Points and Progression
The first thing you should know is just where you will be getting the vast majority of your Fate Points that you need for leveling up your skills and buying your equipment. 'Fate points' are awarded mainly from In-Character posts. When posting in explorable areas, you receive 150 points per post; while you receive 50 per post in any other areas. These points are automatically added when you post. The only other places you may get points from are missions, Full Moon Bosses, and situational promotions.
Fate Points for the sake of the RP are an OOC currency that represents a combination of the character's IC currency and potential for growth. These may be spent in either the Equipment Shop or the Skill Shop freely. In the case of the skill shop, you may upgrade certain skills into other skills of the same 'skill tree' by spending the difference between the cost of the skill you have and the skill you want. For instance, if you have a skill that cost you 1,000 points and you want the stronger version of that skill that costs 1,500 points, you can replace the one you have for the stronger one for 500 points.
Finally, there is leveling up your character. Leveling up is free and can be requested in the shop once your character has reached a certain 'combined skill worth.' For instance, to obtain level 5, your character needs a total of 15,000. This would mean that the total cost of the skills your character can use should equal or exceed 15,000 points. For the most part, level is just a good reference point for what threat level of explorable areas your character would be suitable for going into with other people of the same level. This of course can be ignored. The only other benefits it gives is when the character has reached level 3 and 5. At these levels, the character's natural resistances become stronger. How this works is different depending on how many resistances your character started with. For users that started with 2 natural resistances, both of their 'Resist [Attribute]' will become 'Null [Attribute]' at level 3. These both further into either Absorb/Repel [Attribute] at level 5. If the character started with 1 natural resistance, their 'Resist [Attribute]' will become 'Null [Attribute]' at level 3. In addition, they may add a new natural 'Resist [Attribute]' of choice at this time. At level 5, the 'Null' will upgrade into 'Absorb/Repel' with the 'Resist' upgrading into a 'Null.'
Awakened Personas and Ultimate Personas
Your initial Persona is not the Persona you have to end with! As you go along, your character may grow stronger mentally and physically. At some point, you may have them awaken to a new, stronger Persona. When you decide to do this is up to you, though we recommend you pick a time that is fitting. You probably won't awaken to your Ultimate persona while reading the paper and enjoying a cup of coffee. It is also probably a good idea to not try and do it as soon as possible. Having a plot going around the evolution of your characters mentality is always cool. Whereas having them awaken to their ultimate persona a few days into getting one seems a bit anti-climatic. Regardless, it is your character and you know best what to do with them. Whenever you decide this happens and you want to officially add your new persona, simply make a post in the shop with a picture of your new Persona and a small description about them. After that, your Persona can be approved and you'll be good to go. Besides your initial Persona, you can upgrade into an 'Awakened' Persona (Stage 2) and your 'Ultimate Persona' (Stage 3).
Any Further Help
Suffice to say, all the rules covered in our comprehensive sections I.-V. are just what we considered required knowledge. If you are still having trouble figuring out something or have run into a unique situation, the F.A.Q. will likely cover it. It should be noted here that the F.A.Q. is optional reading for players who simply have a question on specific situations not covered in the rules.
Good. Link your profile into its custom field. Do it. Do it now.
Character Base of Operation/Home
The first thing you'll want to do after being accepted is to make your "Home Thread" in the Home/Base thread located HERE. The thread name should be something along the lines of "<player name>'s <base/home> [Home Location]." Though, if you want your home/base to have a specific name for itself, that works too. This thread will serve as a way to keep track of your items, weapons and such acquired over time. It is also the place where you should keep track of your persona's skills and stats. It should also give an idea of where your character lives. (Ex: A certain apartment complex? In a coffee shop?) You may format it in whatever way you wish, but I highly suggest you make it easy for both yourself and everyone else to read.
Multiple people can live in the same place! If you happen to live with an existing character, simply make your home post in their thread and update the name of the thread accordingly. Moving in/out of places can be done as well should you wish to. Also, link this in its custom field when you're done.
Exploration Threads
Exploration is where characters may explore different shadow-infested areas during the Dark Hour or demon-infested areas in the Dark World with other Users. The benefit of doing explores is that they offer triple the amount of Fate Points that normal social posts give (150 as opposed to 50). However, to balance this out there are a few rules regarding exploration.
Explorations can't be done alone. You may make open exploring threads to invite a number of people to explore with you. We recommend exploring in small groups. Remember that the bigger the groups you have, the more people you have to wait on to post. Regardless, the largest group that you can explore with is 5 people at once. The alternative to open explorations is obviously to plan explorations with other people. With whichever method you plan to do, be sure to tag your threads appropriately. All exploration threads should be tagged [Mod] so that mods will know to spawn.
In an explore thread, each participant will post a total of two times. The first post is them entering the thread, and the second post is them putting in their contribution to the battle spawned by the mod. There are no exceptions to this two post rule. Once everyone has posted their first post, it is a good idea to make an OOC note that the thread is ready for modding. An even better way to get threads modded more efficiently is to note how many participants there will be ahead of time within the tags. For example, [Mod/Character Name] would imply a total of two participants. (The one who made it and the character in the tags.) With that added, the mod can easily note when a thread is able to be modded. As for groups with several participants, the thread maker may simply make a tag like [Mod/3 more] to indicate the exact party size and simply add the names within the thread itself. Any of these ways work, so simply pick the best option. When this is done, a mod will spawn a threat-appropriate encounter for the Users to fight. After everyone has posted their battle contribution, the thread is done. If you wish to continue the thread in a social manner, you may make a separate thread in the non-explorable board for the same area. Only explorables may be made in the explorable thread area.
Given that this is something that could break the balance of the board, we will not tolerate someone "Accidentally" turning an explore into a social thread. Likewise, we don't want you to tally after bosses (view below). If you wish to have a follow up thread, it is fine, but please only post them in non-threat areas. Should you post in excess in these areas we will not hesitate to deduct FP. Naturally, we understand if accidents happen, but please be careful.
While we limit the number of posts you can make in a single thread, you are allowed to have your character in multiple explorable threads at a time thanks to liquid time. The only restriction to this is that you can only be in one 'concurrent thread' with any character at any given time. If you wish to join another explorable thread with the same characters, the previous thread must be completed. In other words, everyone must have finished their portion of the battle. And naturally, you must have finished any previous Open Threads you made before making a new one. This is so people can't simply spam Open threads for extra points. Other than those stipulations, you may make explorable threads as often as you like.
Area Bosses
Area bosses are special encounters within different explorable areas in which the party will fight a modded enemy over the course of a few turns. These bosses spawn in the next available explorable thread once enough explorables have been completed in that area. (This number is a secret and different for each area.) As opposed to normal explores where the entire fight in played out in a single post, players may only make one action per post until every character has posted. After which, a mod controlling the boss will make their move. The battle will play out like the Persona games in this case until either side is defeated. It should also be noted that players can lose against the boss.
This is the one exception where other players may jump into another person's explorable up until a total of 5 characters is reached. 5 characters is recommended given the difficulty of the boss but not necessary. Given this is a modded fight, and unless all participants have posted sooner, the mod's next boss post will generally be a day later (to the best of the mod's abilities). The only exception to this is the turn after the boss spawns, where the next round will not begin until the next day or until 5 people have joined the battle. Because of this, players should have enough time to jump in by the first or second turn.
Should the players succeed in defeating the boss, each one will be rewarded with Unique Materials. These may be traded into the equipment shop to be made into a piece of armor or a weapon for free. These items have a predetermined tier and attached mod that can still be upgraded like normal. However, you won't know what you'll get until you make it. These may be sold to other players as materials or as completed weapons like all other equipment.
Full Moon Events
Every OOC Full Moon, an event boss of some sort will show up somewhere in the city. Sufficient participation (making about half of the rounds) in the event will net players extra Fate Points. It is also a major plot event for the site, making it highly recommended that characters try to make it into the thread.
After the initial spawning of the Full Moon boss, characters will have one OOC day to "respond" to the boss by initiating it in some way, or by simply staying back and healing the ones fighting. After that, the boss will make its own move on the characters where characters will have another day to respond and so on until the boss is dealt with. Please note that just like Area bosses, the Full Moon Boss can possibly defeat the Users as well.
Characters may enter the fight late, leave early, or miss an exchange in between if need be. (We can't make -every- deadline now, can we?) And if all active participants from the prior round have posted in the present round, the next round may begin earlier for everyone's convenience. Following the completion of the boss, an 'update' will usually follow it immediately. These updates may range from changes in the Overworld, changes/additions to skills and many other things. (We already have plenty planned.)
Explanation on Points and Progression
The first thing you should know is just where you will be getting the vast majority of your Fate Points that you need for leveling up your skills and buying your equipment. 'Fate points' are awarded mainly from In-Character posts. When posting in explorable areas, you receive 150 points per post; while you receive 50 per post in any other areas. These points are automatically added when you post. The only other places you may get points from are missions, Full Moon Bosses, and situational promotions.
Fate Points for the sake of the RP are an OOC currency that represents a combination of the character's IC currency and potential for growth. These may be spent in either the Equipment Shop or the Skill Shop freely. In the case of the skill shop, you may upgrade certain skills into other skills of the same 'skill tree' by spending the difference between the cost of the skill you have and the skill you want. For instance, if you have a skill that cost you 1,000 points and you want the stronger version of that skill that costs 1,500 points, you can replace the one you have for the stronger one for 500 points.
Finally, there is leveling up your character. Leveling up is free and can be requested in the shop once your character has reached a certain 'combined skill worth.' For instance, to obtain level 5, your character needs a total of 15,000. This would mean that the total cost of the skills your character can use should equal or exceed 15,000 points. For the most part, level is just a good reference point for what threat level of explorable areas your character would be suitable for going into with other people of the same level. This of course can be ignored. The only other benefits it gives is when the character has reached level 3 and 5. At these levels, the character's natural resistances become stronger. How this works is different depending on how many resistances your character started with. For users that started with 2 natural resistances, both of their 'Resist [Attribute]' will become 'Null [Attribute]' at level 3. These both further into either Absorb/Repel [Attribute] at level 5. If the character started with 1 natural resistance, their 'Resist [Attribute]' will become 'Null [Attribute]' at level 3. In addition, they may add a new natural 'Resist [Attribute]' of choice at this time. At level 5, the 'Null' will upgrade into 'Absorb/Repel' with the 'Resist' upgrading into a 'Null.'
Awakened Personas and Ultimate Personas
Your initial Persona is not the Persona you have to end with! As you go along, your character may grow stronger mentally and physically. At some point, you may have them awaken to a new, stronger Persona. When you decide to do this is up to you, though we recommend you pick a time that is fitting. You probably won't awaken to your Ultimate persona while reading the paper and enjoying a cup of coffee. It is also probably a good idea to not try and do it as soon as possible. Having a plot going around the evolution of your characters mentality is always cool. Whereas having them awaken to their ultimate persona a few days into getting one seems a bit anti-climatic. Regardless, it is your character and you know best what to do with them. Whenever you decide this happens and you want to officially add your new persona, simply make a post in the shop with a picture of your new Persona and a small description about them. After that, your Persona can be approved and you'll be good to go. Besides your initial Persona, you can upgrade into an 'Awakened' Persona (Stage 2) and your 'Ultimate Persona' (Stage 3).
Any Further Help
Suffice to say, all the rules covered in our comprehensive sections I.-V. are just what we considered required knowledge. If you are still having trouble figuring out something or have run into a unique situation, the F.A.Q. will likely cover it. It should be noted here that the F.A.Q. is optional reading for players who simply have a question on specific situations not covered in the rules.
