FAQ
Last Updated: August 9th, 2009
✓ THE FAQ...
GENERAL GAME QUESTIONS
basic explanations of why things are done
Is Checkmate based on the Anime, the Manga, or both?
This RP is much more heavily based on the manga, but that doesn't mean you have to have read every page to apply. Basically, we don't acknowledge the fillers (meaning the Bount and the current filler arc), and you will need to know what has happened in manga up to Chapter 329. If you need to catch up, you'll want to start reading at around Chapter 286.
Why did you want to make an RP where Aizen has come out on top? The series won't happen that way.
Because I love Aizen and I enjoy it when the antagonists get their way every once in a while. Does this mean things can't change in the future? Of course not. But he won't be easy to get rid of. Good luck trying! :)
What is the King's Realm like?
Since Kubo Tite hasn't told us yet, I've taken the liberty of making it up. The realm itself was first like a dead forest and barren wasteland when Aizen & co. first arrived, due to neglect of the previous King. But under Aizen's new role, it has been restored to its original beauty. It resembles much of the landscape of Southeast Asia (think like the forests and fields of Thailand and Vietnam). There are a few villages scattered about, but if anyone tries to visit, they close their doors and don't answer. A large city circles a mountain in the center of the Realm, and there you can actually talk to souls, but they're very secretive. They look mostly human, but there's something about them that just seems off.
Aizen rules from a vast palace on top of a low mountain. For all purposes, it will resemble the Potala Palace in Tibet, a beautiful structure that fits basically what I had imagined. (Picture references here, here, and here).
I have concerns regarding another player. What should I do?
Either speak nicely to the player if you feel that you can about what is going on, or contact a moderator. We will do what we can to help out.
Why did you kill off canon characters who aren't canonly dead?
While I know this limits some applications, the fact that you see some characters offed is to make it seem more realistic. While man background NPC characters are gone as well, some recognizable Shinigami were taken off in order to even out the numbers. I'm a big sticker for making things more believable (as some of you may find out while in this rp :3), and with the losses of Arrancar (the canon deaths up until chapter 329 in the manga were kept), there needed to be Shinigami and human losses as well. People would have died, especially in Karakura, making it a ghost town. If you have any specific questions as to why, feel free to ask.
What happened to the people in Karakura that were not protected under Urahara Kisuke, but were not in the outskirts? Did they become pluses (benevolent spirits), and after the two years started going hollow, or did Soul Society send in shinigami to purify the restless souls?
Based on what knowledge we have of the Ouken (not much, sadly - curse you Kubo!), it seems like you need to use the energy of the souls in Karakura to create it, so I've been looking at it as a very densely compacted key that consists of all the energy of the souls. Therefore, most souls will simply not exist anymore. However, I can see stronger souls not being completely annihilated and turning into Hollows because they are angry. I would be pretty upset too.
Are non-shinigami characters barred from entering the Seireitei?
This has not changed much. In general, yes, they are not allowed. However, exceptions like Ichigo & co. have been made because of their past relationships. The Vaizard have (as of December, 2008) been released of their death penalty.
Is the game set in real time?
Yes, one day in real life is one day RP time.
APPLICATION SPECIFIC
read before applying if you're confused
Are Original Characters (OCs) allowed?
No. At the moment we're not accepting OCs, because much of the canon cast is open. There would be (potentially) spots open in the ranks for new-comers, but if this was to change we would announce it in the main community. Original Characters are now allowed at Checkmate! They, however, have a slightly different set of rules. We ask that you be a current player with a canon character in the RP for one month with no activity issues before applying. If you are interested, please look at the OC Application for more information.
Can I apply for a filler character?
No. The game is based off mainly the manga events, and those characters do not exist in comics.
I want to app a minor character that we don't know too much about. Is that okay?
Minor characters are welcome, as they help color the RPG. Considering that you get to say what a character has been up to, you get to fill in the history for them. The hardest thing would be to determine their personality. If you want to apply as a character who is quite minor, please speak to a Mod first and we will talk over whether it would be possible to play them or not.
Can I use an example from a pervious RPG for my 3rd person example? For my journal?
You may use an example from a previous RP log as your 3rd person example, but we prefer you write your journal entry as if you're already in this RP.
The character background I want to write involves another character. What should I do?
Speak to the player of that character and clear it with them first. If that character is currently not played by anyone, just be reasonable at how you describe things for when someone wants to apply as that second character at a later date. The background should be mostly about your character, not someone else's.
Why wasn't I accepted?
The comment saying that you are not will explain why your application was not accepted at this time. If you have any further questions, you are welcome to contact a moderator with your concerns.
The character I want to apply as is on the activity check. Can I app them?
If they are dropped due to inactivity, yes you may.
Do the OVA/Movies count for background and events?
No. This game is based mainly on the manga. Any accounts in the OVA/Movies have not happened in this RP, just like filler arcs in the anime. (Doesn't mean you can't enjoy them, though :D)
PLAYING SPECIFIC
read if you're confused about how to go about rping
What are the journals for, and how do they work?
The journals and their system - in this RP known as Kounisshimou (公司日誌 - literally "public journal network") - were created as a way to link the various plane's of existence together for simple communication. Your character can log onto the network much like the internet, via a computer device at whatever world they are in, or by their cellphones (if they are a Shinigami). You log in and can post back and forth, as well as see other entries. Some are filtered to specific groups, while others are general announcements. While the system was made mainly for official communication, over the first year it has become something of a blogging service to those who want to use it as such.
If you want to filter a post to a specific group of people (say, the 4th Division or Espada only) you would write "Filter to _____" at the beginning of your entry. If you are not under that filter, you cannot see that the entry exists. If you want to make an entry so that only you can view it, put "Private" at the beginning. If you wish, you can specify how hackable or unhackable an entry is, but it's up to you. If there is NO indication of how hackable an entry is, it will automatically assumed unhackable.
So, how did the Kounisshimou come to be?
A collaberation between the 12th Division in Seireitei as well as the technological department in Las Noches, under Aizen's supervision. The hub itself that runs the network, however, is in Hueco Mundo, while Seireitei has another "tower" to help keep a fast connection.
Does that mean Aizen or Szayel or Mayuri or whoever can see all the private entries?
No, they are still private. Why Aizen let people have that privacy, though, makes some suspicious.
Are logs required?
No, they are optional but encouraged! EDIT: Logs are now acceptable accounts for the monthly activity checks.
In Bleach, a lot of the time (Shinigami) need permission to go to the Living World. Do they need that here?
Unless it's for a specific mission asked by another character and whatnot, we will assume permission is given. However, there are a lot of characters who won't normally leave Seireitei. Humans will need permission to enter Seireitei as usual too. People are more than welcome to try and break into places, too.
What about Las Noches? The King's Realm?
Las Noches - well, if you want to break in, you can go ahead. It just isn't the friendliest place, and you may easily end up dead. Hollows generally don't care if you're running around in the sands of Hueco Mundo, though - more food for later.
As for the King's Realm, it is strictly invitation only, unless you have special permission from Aizen to enter and leave as needed. Once again, you are welcome to plot trying to break in and whatnot, but you'll have to ask Aizen or a mod whether it could be successful.
My character's Zanpakutou/Release (Shinigami and Arrancar) hasn't been explained in canon yet. Can I make it up?
Yes, within reason. If you have something planned out, get it passed through the mod first. If you're a Captain and your character's Bankai isn't currently known, you can make that up as well, but once again, get it checked before it becomes official. The same goes for Arrrancar release forms and special abilities that aren't known in canon. The physical manifestations of Zanpakutou, though, are up to you to make without mod approval. Be creative if we haven't seen it yet :)
ENRICHING AND CONTRIBUTING
helping out the mod and fleshing out your characters
My character has a bankai/shikai that hasn't been shown in the series yet! Can I make it up?
Yes, you are encouraged to! However, you will need to run by your fleshed out idea by the mod for approval before putting it into action.
What about the spirit of my character's Zanpakutou?
Yes, once again, you may. This does not need mod approval, so choose wisely and have fun~ My one piece of advice would be that it really should coincide with the ability of the sword/name, or something. (If your sword has amazing fire capabilities, for example, an Anteater doesn't make much sense...even though Freya-mod would love to see an Anteater).
What's the policy on making up new kidou? Shoot it by a mod first?
Yes, please :) If it's approved, it would be added to the kidou list and marked as not being from canon and credit to the creator.
There's something missing in one of the term pages. What should I do?
If you'd like to add something, just leave it in a comment and I will put it up ASAP.
Is your question not answered above? Just comment and you will receive a response ASAP! :)