December Mod Announcement
Lots of different things in this post, so be sure to read it all!
First off, all the lists have been updated! Double check to make sure everything is correct and update your f-lists!
❖ rule additions
We've had a few problems with two particular issues that have cropped up recently in the game, and have decided to make it official on the rules page.
No Meta-gaming: OOC knowledge =/= IC knowledge. Characters in-game should not suddenly know what is happening within the game, especially if there are no IC sources for it. The same goes with events. Characters will not automatically know what is happening, though they may be able to eventually figure out or come up with their own theories, whether or not they are right or wrong.
Language Consistencies: Through the super awesome magic of Somarium, everyone understands each other. For the most part, a character will hear everyone else speaking in their native language. However, since Dreamberry and Somarium-world translators are imperfect, there are exceptions:
❂ If the character is deliberately talking in their own language so that the other person does not understand what they are saying, it does not translate. All other characters would hear the foreign language and wonder what the hell is going on.
❂ All honorifics and suffixes do not translate unless the player opts to not use them. Example, "-san", "-chan", "Señor", "Monsieur", "Frau", etc. These can stay as they are. So "Suoh-san" would not automatically translate into "Mr. Suoh", unless the player opts to have it translated.
❂ "Non-Native" speakers would hear an accent in speech (i.e., when a Japanese character speaks to a French character, the French character would hear a light Japanese accent in the other's voice).
In the first case, if you type out the actual language either from your own knowledge of the language or through the use of a translator like Babelfish, you MUST include an OOC translation so the other player will know what's going on. However the other character will NOT be able to understand. NOTE: If the other character would be able to understand due to their own knowledge of the language, then they will be able to understand it as the native language, not translated.
In the second case, if a player opts to not use native honorifics or words and instead translates, then it can be assumed that character just had a better translating device on their Dreamberry.
The second one is more of a guideline rather than a rule. There have been some confusion and questions on how certain things are translated, so hopefully this answers those questions and give a good basic guideline for the future. However, if you still have any questions or concerns about either of these two additions, please let us know. Neither are really that game changing.
❖ application criteria change
Those of you who are apping another character for the January cycle may notice there is something a little different about the Apps page. We have decided to allow links to outside resources for the [Background] section for the character. The stipulation, however, is that we don't really want a link to Wikipedia that only gives us one paragraph of generic information. We'd still like to know any major events that occurred for the character's development, and including additional information will be required if necessary.
Of course, the applicant has the option to just write it all out him/herself. But if you're apping one of those major characters that does have a handy Wikia page chock full of good information, you can use that. We do not need scene-by-scene walkthroughs/play bys/summaries of the character's "life" through the canon. We are more interested in any major events that will have played an important hand at their growth. You can if you want, but it is not required.
To compensate, we will be looking at the [Personality] section a lot more, and we've increased the minimum number of paragraphs as well as added a few tips as to how to write a good personality section.
❖ moon cycles
Well we've mentioned this before, and it's about to time unveil what will happen in Somarium starting this month. We will be introducing a new mechanic: Moon Cycles.
The phases of the moon will be important and will affect what happens in Somarium. Sometimes nothing will happen, sometimes something super awesome cool will happen, and sometimes something horrible will happen. These effects will usually happen for one week during the month: the new moon.
Usually the new moon will happen near the end of the month, and we will give everyone weekly "Moon Cycle Updates" to let you know what's going on. What's the actual significance? We'll give hints, but we won't give out anything right away. Characters may be able to figure something out, though, so have fun with it! And don't worry if you're completely wrong, it's all part of the fun.
An official post that will have more details about the Moon Cycles will be posted on castleofdoom. It will also hold the calendar so you can refer back to it at any time.
❖ passes
Most people are familiar with the "City Pass", which is required if anyone wants to go outside the border and into the desert. We're just giving everyone a heads up that we're changing it to "Desert Pass" so it properly reflects its function.
There is also a "Group Desert Pass". This is just to make obtaining a pass easier, particularly if you want to create some kind of mass party to go out into the desert. The price will be the same as the number of people in the group. For example, if there is a group of 5 people, then the pass is worth 5 credits.
There are two ways to pay for one: the "party leader" must pay the full amount OR everyone pools in one credit.
There is also a new pass available in the shop: "Castle Pass".
❖ castle is now open
We mentioned the castle will be publicly accessible this month, and we apologize for the slight delay. But as promised, characters will be able to visit the castle, provided they have the required pass for it.
As mentioned in the above section, the "Castle Pass" will be required to enter the floating castle. However, it works exactly the same way as the "Desert Pass": once you obtain one, it has unlimited uses. You will be able to enter and leave as many times as you want and stay as long as you want. The only room not accessible is the Overlord's chambers. Upon using the pass, the character will teleport up to the castle. It is worth 2 credits.
The Overlord may or may not be present at the time of any visit, but you are free to seek her out.
The castle will still be floating and hovering around the city, and if anyone tries to enter without a pass, they will not be able to. However, they will no longer be harassed/attacked by the flying pegasus, though they will watch and attack if necessary. Characters will be free to explore the outside, but must have a pass to go inside.
ENTRY TAG: !location: the floating castle
❖ secret santa event
We apologize this is a bit late, but we wanted to wait until the end of the application cycle so that the new players/characters can have a chance to participate. Just like last year, Somarium is holding its Secret Santa Event event, and it will officially start Thursday, Dec. 17 and end Friday, Dec. 25.
For those who do not know what 'Secret Santa' is, you are randomly assigned a person to give a gift for and must give it to them around Christmas. The same concept is being done here, only in-game. The characters will be ICly assigned someone to give a gift to. The randomizing is done OOCly by us.
How it will work is we will have two sign-ups: an OOC sign-up in this post and an IC sign-up that will be put up tomorrow in conjunction to the castle opening. If you're afraid that your character will not sign-up ICly, have no fear. If they can't be persuaded by their own friends/canonmates, he/she may change his/her mind after they learn there is a catch:
The ones who gives the best presents will be able to visit his/her home.
That's right, your character has a chance to visit his/her home world! Isn't that exciting? Don't worry about how we're going to decide who will get the prize, we have a system worked out so it will be fair. Just realize that the best gift may not always be the most flashy, expensive, or biggest gift. IMPORTANT: The "grand prize" will be revealed at a later date after the initial IC Secret Santa Post. It will have it's own separate post. Until then, this secret prize will not be known to the characters.
Also keep in mind that every participant will leave the event with something, so no worries on that front.
If this incentive still isn't enough for your character, then when you comment to sign up below, please include something that would convince them to participate. This can range from dirtier tactics to something as easy as a bribe of candy. For example, a character like Severus Snape could probably be motivated by the chance to see Lily again. The NPC team will be deployed to address these incentives and convince your character to sign up. We want as many people as possible to participate, and they'll try and help motivate any stubborn characters!
NOTE: Once the character has been ICly signed in, they cannot be removed. The board will be indestructible and cannot be edited it in any way. Someone else can sign a character up. **You must have player consent before doing this.**
Also, if you do not get the chance to ICly sign the character in, they will still be included in the randomization. You can just handwave it and assume they did sign up.
ENTRY TAG: !event: secret santa
❖ secret santa sign-up
If you'd like for your character to sign-up for the event, comment to this entry with the character's name. Stubborn characters should also include the one thing that will convince them to participate. We'll add them to the list below. Sign-ups close on midnight, Sunday Dec. 20. We will shuffle the names and post the final list both OOCly and ICly later that Sunday.
CHARACTERS SIGNED UP
CHARACTERS NEED CONVINCING/ON THE FENCE
❖ she'll be comin' 'round the mountain--
Remember how we mentioned last month there was a black dot coming toward Somarium? As of tomorrow, everyone will be able to see what it is: a giant floating mountain.
It's still out in the desert, but it's only a few days out. It will reach Somarium on December 31. Why the hell the mountain is floating and why it's coming toward Somarium is a mystery to be solved in January. People will be able to visit the mountain. It will "dock" right above the giant lake in the Residential District and will create a spectacular waterfall down into it. But is that all to it?
Most likely not.
First off, all the lists have been updated! Double check to make sure everything is correct and update your f-lists!
- Taken Characters: # - M | N - Z (Current character count is: 238)
- Player Contact (Current player count is: 111)
- Friends Add/Remove
friend add avorelanche
friend add bennet_beheader
friend add breaksgod
friend add by_theangel
friend add cant_shoot_this
friend add carrotmarch
friend add celestialelegy
friend add crayon_memories
friend add dat_ge_ass
friend add dawnsguardian
friend add discardedpiece
friend add echo_of_a_voice
friend add failgetkingdom
friend add freakoflove
friend add gotnyxed
friend add hellsgoalie
friend add iholdyourlife
friend add insomniamouse
friend add itselliotsfault
friend add kolkolkolplz
friend add lindale_tano
friend add loves_the_rose
friend add madcuriosity
friend add magitekmayhem
friend add mytruelovekiss
friend add seiryuu_warrior
friend add shapeshiftmania
friend add smokesinspace
friend add suchagearhead
friend add beamishly
friend add blond_knight712
friend add forsakenprey
friend add idkmybffvaltiel
friend add lethal_smile
friend add monkeyonatrip
friend add norelativity
friend add octo_voca
friend add onlylikesboys
friend add sarcasticmoment
friend add seashellmemory
friend add seeksonlytruth
friend add un_forgetting
friend add witchtricked
friend add abductedcanary
friend add aisu_singer
friend add always_forgot
friend add bookishbadass
friend add corrugatedfury
friend add cutsyourtoes
friend add deadnotfloating
friend add dungeongeek
friend add icanhasgummi
friend add kidnapmeplz
friend add provinyouwrong
friend add showmeshinies
friend add smokinniceguy
friend add superninjayuf
friend add whatprofit
friend add willgrowforyou
friend remove ascenttorage
friend remove bigscarydemon
friend remove clone_or_not
friend remove flamesandgames
friend remove not_deepthroat
friend remove ownjustice
friend remove roseofpurity
friend remove yasogami_prince
friend remove balancin
friend remove blood_whipped
friend remove cry_moar
friend remove ephem_feraldog
friend remove itwillraintoday
friend remove knightmare_hime
friend remove pureblood_king
friend remove retributing
friend remove rumbleball
friend remove shewhoislife
friend remove shitcrazy
friend remove wantedtostudy
friend remove whipwing
friend remove whowillguardyou
friend remove you_like_men
friend remove gtfoharuko
friend remove ofcaerbannog
friend remove ebonythread
friend remove stealsyourstuff
friend remove 100shots100hits - Stats:
New Characters: 59
New Players: 32
Dropped Characters: 26
Dropped Players: 11 - Residence
❖ rule additions
We've had a few problems with two particular issues that have cropped up recently in the game, and have decided to make it official on the rules page.
No Meta-gaming: OOC knowledge =/= IC knowledge. Characters in-game should not suddenly know what is happening within the game, especially if there are no IC sources for it. The same goes with events. Characters will not automatically know what is happening, though they may be able to eventually figure out or come up with their own theories, whether or not they are right or wrong.
Language Consistencies: Through the super awesome magic of Somarium, everyone understands each other. For the most part, a character will hear everyone else speaking in their native language. However, since Dreamberry and Somarium-world translators are imperfect, there are exceptions:
❂ If the character is deliberately talking in their own language so that the other person does not understand what they are saying, it does not translate. All other characters would hear the foreign language and wonder what the hell is going on.
❂ All honorifics and suffixes do not translate unless the player opts to not use them. Example, "-san", "-chan", "Señor", "Monsieur", "Frau", etc. These can stay as they are. So "Suoh-san" would not automatically translate into "Mr. Suoh", unless the player opts to have it translated.
❂ "Non-Native" speakers would hear an accent in speech (i.e., when a Japanese character speaks to a French character, the French character would hear a light Japanese accent in the other's voice).
In the first case, if you type out the actual language either from your own knowledge of the language or through the use of a translator like Babelfish, you MUST include an OOC translation so the other player will know what's going on. However the other character will NOT be able to understand. NOTE: If the other character would be able to understand due to their own knowledge of the language, then they will be able to understand it as the native language, not translated.
In the second case, if a player opts to not use native honorifics or words and instead translates, then it can be assumed that character just had a better translating device on their Dreamberry.
The second one is more of a guideline rather than a rule. There have been some confusion and questions on how certain things are translated, so hopefully this answers those questions and give a good basic guideline for the future. However, if you still have any questions or concerns about either of these two additions, please let us know. Neither are really that game changing.
❖ application criteria change
Those of you who are apping another character for the January cycle may notice there is something a little different about the Apps page. We have decided to allow links to outside resources for the [Background] section for the character. The stipulation, however, is that we don't really want a link to Wikipedia that only gives us one paragraph of generic information. We'd still like to know any major events that occurred for the character's development, and including additional information will be required if necessary.
Of course, the applicant has the option to just write it all out him/herself. But if you're apping one of those major characters that does have a handy Wikia page chock full of good information, you can use that. We do not need scene-by-scene walkthroughs/play bys/summaries of the character's "life" through the canon. We are more interested in any major events that will have played an important hand at their growth. You can if you want, but it is not required.
To compensate, we will be looking at the [Personality] section a lot more, and we've increased the minimum number of paragraphs as well as added a few tips as to how to write a good personality section.
❖ moon cycles
Well we've mentioned this before, and it's about to time unveil what will happen in Somarium starting this month. We will be introducing a new mechanic: Moon Cycles.
The phases of the moon will be important and will affect what happens in Somarium. Sometimes nothing will happen, sometimes something super awesome cool will happen, and sometimes something horrible will happen. These effects will usually happen for one week during the month: the new moon.
Usually the new moon will happen near the end of the month, and we will give everyone weekly "Moon Cycle Updates" to let you know what's going on. What's the actual significance? We'll give hints, but we won't give out anything right away. Characters may be able to figure something out, though, so have fun with it! And don't worry if you're completely wrong, it's all part of the fun.
An official post that will have more details about the Moon Cycles will be posted on castleofdoom. It will also hold the calendar so you can refer back to it at any time.
❖ passes
Most people are familiar with the "City Pass", which is required if anyone wants to go outside the border and into the desert. We're just giving everyone a heads up that we're changing it to "Desert Pass" so it properly reflects its function.
There is also a "Group Desert Pass". This is just to make obtaining a pass easier, particularly if you want to create some kind of mass party to go out into the desert. The price will be the same as the number of people in the group. For example, if there is a group of 5 people, then the pass is worth 5 credits.
There are two ways to pay for one: the "party leader" must pay the full amount OR everyone pools in one credit.
There is also a new pass available in the shop: "Castle Pass".
❖ castle is now open
We mentioned the castle will be publicly accessible this month, and we apologize for the slight delay. But as promised, characters will be able to visit the castle, provided they have the required pass for it.
As mentioned in the above section, the "Castle Pass" will be required to enter the floating castle. However, it works exactly the same way as the "Desert Pass": once you obtain one, it has unlimited uses. You will be able to enter and leave as many times as you want and stay as long as you want. The only room not accessible is the Overlord's chambers. Upon using the pass, the character will teleport up to the castle. It is worth 2 credits.
The Overlord may or may not be present at the time of any visit, but you are free to seek her out.
The castle will still be floating and hovering around the city, and if anyone tries to enter without a pass, they will not be able to. However, they will no longer be harassed/attacked by the flying pegasus, though they will watch and attack if necessary. Characters will be free to explore the outside, but must have a pass to go inside.
ENTRY TAG: !location: the floating castle
❖ secret santa event
We apologize this is a bit late, but we wanted to wait until the end of the application cycle so that the new players/characters can have a chance to participate. Just like last year, Somarium is holding its Secret Santa Event event, and it will officially start Thursday, Dec. 17 and end Friday, Dec. 25.
For those who do not know what 'Secret Santa' is, you are randomly assigned a person to give a gift for and must give it to them around Christmas. The same concept is being done here, only in-game. The characters will be ICly assigned someone to give a gift to. The randomizing is done OOCly by us.
How it will work is we will have two sign-ups: an OOC sign-up in this post and an IC sign-up that will be put up tomorrow in conjunction to the castle opening. If you're afraid that your character will not sign-up ICly, have no fear. If they can't be persuaded by their own friends/canonmates, he/she may change his/her mind after they learn there is a catch:
The ones who gives the best presents will be able to visit his/her home.
That's right, your character has a chance to visit his/her home world! Isn't that exciting? Don't worry about how we're going to decide who will get the prize, we have a system worked out so it will be fair. Just realize that the best gift may not always be the most flashy, expensive, or biggest gift. IMPORTANT: The "grand prize" will be revealed at a later date after the initial IC Secret Santa Post. It will have it's own separate post. Until then, this secret prize will not be known to the characters.
Also keep in mind that every participant will leave the event with something, so no worries on that front.
If this incentive still isn't enough for your character, then when you comment to sign up below, please include something that would convince them to participate. This can range from dirtier tactics to something as easy as a bribe of candy. For example, a character like Severus Snape could probably be motivated by the chance to see Lily again. The NPC team will be deployed to address these incentives and convince your character to sign up. We want as many people as possible to participate, and they'll try and help motivate any stubborn characters!
NOTE: Once the character has been ICly signed in, they cannot be removed. The board will be indestructible and cannot be edited it in any way. Someone else can sign a character up. **You must have player consent before doing this.**
Also, if you do not get the chance to ICly sign the character in, they will still be included in the randomization. You can just handwave it and assume they did sign up.
ENTRY TAG: !event: secret santa
❖ secret santa sign-up
If you'd like for your character to sign-up for the event, comment to this entry with the character's name. Stubborn characters should also include the one thing that will convince them to participate. We'll add them to the list below. Sign-ups close on midnight, Sunday Dec. 20. We will shuffle the names and post the final list both OOCly and ICly later that Sunday.
CHARACTERS SIGNED UP
- Tamaki
- Zidane
- Raven
- Inspector Javert
- Alice Liddell (original)
- Naomi Hunter
- Riza Hawkeye
- Jean Valjean
- Kyouya
- Boris
- Ada
- Nephry
- Hughes
- Beat
- Rise
- Omi
- Minako
- Hihara
- Mokona
- Maka
- Sunny
- Chopin
- Kurtis
- Gilgamesh
- Mordred
- Saber
- Laharl
- Anise
- Wigglytuff
- Sora
- Danny
- Luffy
- Ken
- Sanzo
- Atoli
- Alice Liddell (Kuni)
- America
- Kagura
- Undertaker
- Belarus
- Death the Kid
- Kiyoshi
- Naoya
- Harley
- Box Ghost
- Yoshimori
- Itoshiki
- Kohane
- Dominic
- Judith
- Zelos
- Argilla
- Keiichi
- Shirou
- Neku
- Heather
- Derek
- Austria
- Hatori
- Mille
- Aya (Ran)
- Naruto
- Soul
- Shinigami
- Ion
- Rena
- Chii
- Meryl
- Spain
- Break
- Ty Lee
- Shiro
- Hungary
- Hakkai
- Estelle
- Yuuko
- Spencer
- Flynn
- Kaito
- Xibar
- England
- Oz
- Peony
- Simon
- Aya-chan
- Asch
- Arietta
- Mai
- Namine
- Elliot
- Elizabeth
- Yunoki
- Jace
- Adachi
- Blood
- Ace
- Road
- C.C.
- Beatrice
- Phoenix Wright
- Sharon
CHARACTERS NEED CONVINCING/ON THE FENCE
- Kyou - "visit home" incentive
- Zuko - Needs a nudge
- Snake - Convinced with FOXDIE cure
- Edgeworth - Convince with DADDY visions
- Nero
- Kyon - Might with the "visit home" incentive
- Roxas
- Logan - see Kayla alive
- Yuan - mention of seeing Martel
- Joshua
❖ she'll be comin' 'round the mountain--
Remember how we mentioned last month there was a black dot coming toward Somarium? As of tomorrow, everyone will be able to see what it is: a giant floating mountain.
It's still out in the desert, but it's only a few days out. It will reach Somarium on December 31. Why the hell the mountain is floating and why it's coming toward Somarium is a mystery to be solved in January. People will be able to visit the mountain. It will "dock" right above the giant lake in the Residential District and will create a spectacular waterfall down into it. But is that all to it?
Most likely not.