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( APPLICATION FAQ )
APPLICATION FAQ
Last updated Jan 2016
| CHARACTER ELIGIBILITY |
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Canon characters, Canon OCs, Original Characters, and CRAUs Tu Shanshu 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 is acceptable, including web comics, so long as they are accessible to the general public and is in English (or has a reasonable translation to English). Restrictions: A canon character must be no more than 50% headcanon in order to be appable. 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. For example, Jim Kirk's older brother Sam Kirk is present in deleted scenes of the movie, but the character was never developed on screen. Sam Kirk would be considered an appable canon OC. However, a half-Romulan daughter of Jim Kirk, as no canon supports this relationship, would not be appable. Please note that if you are applying for a canon OC with a relationship to a character already part of the game, you are highly encouraged to contact that player to discuss how the two characters will recognize each other. As with the case of multiple media versions (such as a literary character versus a movie adaption), players are not required to have their characters recognize one another in this sort of situation, which can ICly be explained as the Dreaming Plane's fractures finding variances in each universe. Original Characters: Characters written as part of a fully original universe. Restrictions: None. 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, are considered appable in the game. These characters will be taken from these other worlds (or, if they've returned to their original worlds with those memories) and brought to Tu Vishan 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 Tu Shanshu at any one time. For example, Batman appears in comics, movies, and multiple animated forms; in Tu Shanshu, we could have a Nolanverse Batman and a DCnU Batman at the same time, but no more. However, two versions of a character from the same canon, but from different points in a timeline (for example, a child version from a flashback and an adult version from a current timeline) would not be acceptable. 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. Alternate Universes We do not accept alternate universe characters, such as genderbends/Rule 63 characters, "road not taken" characters (a canon character extrapolated through non-canon events) or other variations. 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. The standard requirements of a reasonably depicted personality and some form of name apply. 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). We ask that, as with all applications, any headcanon be identified in the application by a separate font colour. Minor characters, characters with minimal background Any character that has a definable personality and whose app will be no more than 50% headcanon or speculative conjecture. The general rule of thumb for this a minor 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. Historical, Mythological Figures or Real-Life Persons We do not accept applications based on real world figures, 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. Headcanon and additional material supplements We accept the use of headcanon in applications, 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. Non-humanoid shaped and sized, inorganic/incorporeal Tu Shanshu does not require sentient animal or other creatures to possess a humanoid form in order to be appable, although applicants should be aware that this could pose some challenges for characters as far as communicating with others and therefore meeting activity requirements. Animal characters may not be able to make network posts, depending on their dexterity. Characters who are inorganic/mechanical do not need to have any changes made to them. 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. Characters who are not typically-human-sized do not have to have their size altered upon arrival to Tu Shanshu. A character's soul jewelry will be appropriately sized to their form, and should a character be able to change their size or shape, the jewelry will change with them. However, due to the likelihood of causing significant damage to their surroundings while in game, characters that exceed thirty feet in height or length will find their bodies have shrunk in the wash cycle that brought them to the turtle's back (and you thought only socks were lost to the laundry). If characters ask the kedan why they are suddenly three sizes smaller that day, they will be given a range of possible answers: "The Bogey did it", "you weren't eating your vegetables", "don't know, don't care", or "get away from me, weird Foreigner". If a player wishes to app a character meeting any of these situations but wants to have their character take on a non-canon humanoid shape for ease of interaction, we ask that the applicant contact us prior to submitting the app so we can review it. Deceased characters Characters who have died in their canon may be taken from their point of death, but no later. Because the spell which pulls characters to Tu Vishan focuses on their souls, it cannot bring an already-departed character, unless they are canonically shown to exist beyond their corporeal death, such as characters who are ghosts or spirits. Partnered or possessed characters, canon multiple personalities Characters with a 'partner' for lack of a better term are definitely allowable, 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, there are rather more stringent rules. So, take for example a Freelancer and their AI partner from Red VS Blue. The Freelancer is completely autonomous, but the AIs are unquestionably a part of them, though they are independent enough to be considered 'separate' characters. You may choose to app only a Freelancer – York, Washington, etc – either with or without their AI partner, as well as apping the AI itself with no Freelancer necessary and it will still only count as one singular character unit, but in this particular instance, the 'main' character must be the primary focus of the interactions. That is to say, we don't want to see all of your threads with this 'duo' being fielded by the AI. The Freelancer character in this case takes precedence and should be the lion's share of the in-game interaction in Tu Shanshu. If you are uncertain about apping a canonical duo, please contact a mod for clarification. This is an issue that we'll be playing on a largely case-by-case basis, especially in the event of canons with which we're unfamiliar. 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, could be applied for as two distinct characters, and Yami Yuugi would arrive in his own separate body. Characters with animal companions If the character you want to app has an animal companion of sorts, special rules apply to whether or not they can arrive with them. 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. Applying from new canons/spoilers, or characters from ongoing canons, new canons/spoilers, or non-English canons We require any applicants to wait one full month from the release date of a new canon before characters become appable in game. This goes for all media forms, including movies, video games, etc. Please be conscientious of your fellow players when apping from a new canon, and use spoiler warnings where applicable. For characters in ongoing canons, particularly in the instance of a character which may yet have additional backstory (or plot twists) to be revealed, players have a few options. They can be apped with a vaguely "muddled" memory of their past, or a player can later incorporate newly revealed information into their playing, or the character can continue to be played without incorporating the information. If you are unsure which is the best way to handle a situation that arises, please let us know and we'll work with you. Players wishing to apply for a character from a canon without an official English translation, please make sure there are informational links available for the mods to check. We reserve the right to decline a character if we are unable to find enough information to verify the content of an application. If you have questions about this, we highly recommend contacting us prior to writing the app. Challenge apps / challenge reserves Our app system is first-come, first-serve. We do not accept challenge apps, or challenge reserves. If two apps/reserved are received for the same character, we abide the Dreamwidth timestamps. Test Drive Memes Participation in our ~monthly test drive memes is not required in order to apply, however, we highly encourage it, as it may help the mods gain a better understanding of how you handle the character's voice and thoughts. You can find our most recent TDMs in the OOC community, as tagged here. In addition, test drive threads may be used as your third person application sample, provided it meets the minimum of five (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 until the following month before submitting a revised application. Said application will be handled as a brand new application for the application cutoff period in which it is submitted. You do not need to do new samples if the decline was unrelated to the samples. |
| PLAYER ROSTER DETAILS AND RESTRICTIONS |
How many characters can I play here? Can I switch one out? Each player in Tu Shanshu 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 AND should not share anyone in their top three canon CR. Any player interested in playing two characters from the same canon must contact the mods with the name of the intra-canon character they wish to app, and a list of the top three in-canon CR for each character they play/wish to play from that canon, prior to writing or submitting the application. We will then review the request and get back to the player with our decision as to whether the character fits in with these guidelines. |
| REAPPLYING FOR A PREVIOUSLY PLAYED CHARACTER |
Can I re-apply for a character that I previously played and have them retain their memories of Keeliai and Tu Vishan? Yes! The only stipulation to this is that the character's canon point must be the exact same as during their previous stint on the turtle. 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 on Tu Vishan. Therefore, because canon updates are handled in Tu Shanshu as a voluntary undertaking, a player cannot canon update during the reapplication process. Please note that 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. If you are applying for a character played previously at Tu Shanshu, you must update their application to the newest app template before resubmitting. The only exception to this is the Setting section. All character re-applications with the same canon point must have a new first person sample included that takes into account their experiences and development during their previous time in Keeliai. |
App Question
So, TuShu was recommended to me by your lovely Constantine player who was in the same situation I'm in; playing the TV version, based on the Vertigo comics.
They mentioned that they were allowed to use some of the comics to flesh out backstory. Would that be possible in my case? I'm thinking more the stuff we learned from Sandman leading up to his retiring from Hell.
Also! It said that new canons had to be a month old (yes I was waiting for today specifically to reserve!). For TV shows and canon pull points, would that be a month from the 1st episode or a month from the episode you want to take the character from. The pilot episode aired on January 25th, so a month back but if I wanted to take Lucifer from the most recent episode that aired, this past Monday, would I need to wait till March 22nd?
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Comics are A-OK to use for filling in backstory, so that's not a problem. For the canon point, the rule is more in place for new canons as opposed to new episodes, so we're fine with you taking Lucifer from the most recent episode, since the show itself has been out for the required month. We would ask that you simply be conscientious with spoilers because it's a new canon, that's all.
(PS- You have made some very excited mods with your reserve, as we are fans :D)
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Goodness, thank you for the quick response and warm welcome! :D And yaaayy!! More Luci fans!! Sometimes I feel like the only one, not many people I know are watching it. \o/ I am hoping to be able to do him justice, he's such an ass
but such fun!But yes, spoiler warnings and also general "he's inappropriate and I apologize now" warnings!!
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I think it's the 4th highest rated show on FOX behind X-Files, Empire and the Simpsons and this week it was second to CBS Scorpion but topped NBC and CW's offering for the 9pm time slot. So I keep crossing my fingers that if nothing else we get the full 13 episodes.
I wasn't too sure about it at first but Tom Ellis just nails the nuances. Also, even though they've changed some of his personality from the comics, there is actually a lot of his core comic elements in the TV version as well as core comic themes, which I enjoy.
App question about CRAU
I'm considering apping in a character who has memories of two previous multiverse games, and that's the only 'au' to him. I'd thought to take him straight from the second game to here, but I don't mind him having been sent back briefly before coming here instead.
Question itself is, is that generally permissible? Or is the type of AU you meant more "this character but genderbent/can spit fire/fell out a window and lost a leg as a child" AU and thus I can relax? :)
Thank you for any clarification!
Re: App question about CRAU
Re: App question about CRAU
(Seriously, he's going to be like ...again? Dear Gods, what's the problem this time...)
((And then he'll roll up his sleeves. Because he's used to it. And also because he's a healer and a therapist. If he can't hit the ground running, who in blazes can?))
Fanon character question
Specially in regards to a canon that has an extremely vague framework but encourages fan characters. Say for the Gems of Steven Universe, it's canon that they can be defective physically; this revealed through a main character being explained as defective because of her size compared to other Gems of her type. (They can also be defective via personality if deemed acting out of their assigned role.) It is not, however, explained how physical defects work outside one isolated case or if it would result in strong negative social/political issues for the defective Gem in question.
The character that reveals this information (hi Peridot) on physical defects does not act like there is anything wrong with the defective Gem other than her size, referring to her as a "Fully functional soldier" which suits her Gem type.
Would it count as AU to have a Gem OC with a physical defect that has not been presented? In this case, rocky growths making her appear different from the rest of her Gem type. It would restrict her transformation and shapeshifting abilities Gems can do naturally but otherwise have little effect.
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In a slightly trickier case of this, would working with framework provided and creating a concept that fits within it but isn't shown in that specific way be AU? The show's creators have said very little on restrictions of fan Gems; their gemstone just needs to be a mineral, rock, or non-mineral that would be used as a gemstone irl.
In the case of this second option character, we know that there is at least one class of Gem custom made for a specific purpose, even damaged or broken Gems can retail full to partial sentience, and that there are, on screen, mutated Gem experiments made of mashed together Gem shards meant to be a precursor to a massive Gem weapon created from thousands of shattered gemstones.
She would be a custom Gem made of two partial gemstones, sentient, and created to be used as a weapon. She would have a mutated appearance, various damages to abilities with some boosting to others, and otherwise fit to regular canon Gem standards.
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Neither character discussed has any interaction with canon characters and have no effect on the plot.
Again, just curious so I don't consider either of them if I decide to bring in another character and a desire for clarification on if something is AU when the canon is vague and slow moving to the point of frustration.
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Slightly longer answer: With canon OCs, characters who claim to have interactions or relationships with canon characters have the more important/scrutinised restrictions because of all of the potential for fallout - i.e., forcing CR on canon characters. For totally original characters who just happen to exist within a canon universe, the most important things we look at are that they have no effect whatsoever on plot or canon characters, just like you said. As long as that's the case, we're willing to consider any other ideas people have.
For your specific examples, as long as the framework you're using doesn't clash with any of the world-building already set down, and as long as you can explain in your app where the logic of the canon universe actually supports your ideas (which you've pretty much already done), then you're good. Half the fun of canon OCs is expanding on vague worldbuilding, after all!
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CRAU question
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Obscure canons?
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Reapping
Do I have to wait a month like for a declined app? Or can I reapply right away?
Also, although I realize her canon point would have to be basically "right now" are examples required in the app?
And are new samples also required?
Thanks.
Re: Reapping
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 until the following month before submitting a revised application. Said application will be handled as a brand new application for the application cutoff period in which it is submitted. You do not need to do new samples if the decline was unrelated to the samples.
Hope that helps!
Re: Reapping
Re: Reapping
Idle Out/AC Drops
Characters who are dropped during AC due to already having a strike, or failing to reply to the reclaim post, will not be able to rejoin the game until the following month. For example, a character who is idled on October's AC (which will be confirmed at the end of the reclaim period ending November 8th) would not be able to rejoin until December 1, and then the reapp would be processed along with the regular app period of that week.
Please note that this does not apply to players who have extraneous circumstances which prevent them from being able to post to AC (lack of computer access, RL emergencies, etc). If this is the case, a player only needs to let the mods know via PM or email once they've returned, so that the character can be reinstated.
Re: Reapping
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I have several characters who are OCs based on the Pokemon Tabletop United game. PTU already posits a slightly alternate version of the Pokemon world with its mechanics, such as custom Abilities and trainers being capable of much more than shown in any of the canons. Would they be acceptable as Pokemon OCs even then?
Furthermore, the one I'm most interested in apping right now was part of a game that had a heavy focus on legendary Pokemon as part of its plot. He has had significant interactions with several legendaries, including Mewtwo, Arceus, and Zygarde, and the GM also created a unique legendary based on the island the characters started out on. I did not insert any interaction with canon characters into my OC's backstory, and all these interactions were initiated by the GM. Would this be acceptable, since it's basically an AU of the official Pokemon timeline?
Lastly, this doesn't really matter if he's not acceptable, but he has a Pokemon that basically acts as a service animal to both provide him physical support and take care of him when he has panic attacks. While she's not absolutely necessary to him getting around, if she is not easily accessible to him he is likely to freak out. Would this count as her being "absolutely necessary" to him?
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1) We've concluded that a tabletop characters would be appable as Canon OCs under our rules, and that any additional abilities should be fine as long as they fit within the framework of the canon. That is, things like humans firing Hyper Beams out of their eyes would outside the realm of possibility, for example.
2) However the character premise you've described, specifically the parts in interacting with multiple legendaries, where the campaign built for the character, would unfortunately fall under the stipulation of 'no rewriting canon events' which would make it an AU as you've guessed. That would make this character, at least within the context of that campaign, ineligible to be apped at Tu Shanshu.
3) A Pokemon who functions as a service animal (or world equivalent) could absolutely come along with your character.
In summary, a PTU-based character in general would be welcome both at Tu Shanshu and at Khu Ioduan, but the specific one you've outlined unfortunately would not be.
Please let us know if you have any other questions!
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Furthermore, PTU does have the Elementalist classes? Would a Flying Elementalist (can hover, use a few Flying attacks, and control the wind/fly for short periods of time) be okay power-wise?
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2) Could you link us to an example class for that type of character so we can get a better idea of the abilities, please? We're not able to find any official write up for one.
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While we would certainly be willing to look at the app for such a character, we’d need the Windrunner abilities explained concisely and it’s possible we might ask for some abilities to be altered or nerfed entirely.