OOC FAQ

1. What is this game?
Throne of Shadows is a panfandom RPG with a slant toward high fantasy and science fiction, with interactions that will take place in both log and network formats. Taking place in the realm of Niflheim (yes, that Niflheim), the game guides players through the twists and turns of Nysgod politics as the shocking past of the realm is slowly revealed.

While there is an over-arching metaplot that will be revealed in stages, Throne of Shadows is also a player plot friendly game, allowing players to create their own shenanigans within the confines of the story. We are smut-friendly, although not smut-centric. We are open to canon characters, original characters, and some AU characters.

This is a game that moves. The setting is constantly changing and evolving. Please keep this in mind when you consider apping!

2. What kinds of characters can I play?
While we are extremely open to they types of characters you can play, we do have some rules and restrictions, based on the metaplot. Since a large part of the metaplot revolves around the Nysgods trying to find a mate for their prince, we are not allowing any characters under the age of seventeen. This means both mental and physical age. Also, if you want to play an anthropomorphized animal (such as Aslan from The Chronicles of Narnia) or an anthropomorphized object (such as Mrs. Potts from Beauty and the Beast) they will be transformed into a humanoid entity and will remain as such for the duration of their time in the game. While we allow OCs, we will require additional fields to be filled out in the application process. These applications will be judged harshly, so make sure you know your stuff!

3. Someone’s already playing the character I want to play. What can I do?
At present, we will not be out and out accepting two versions of the same character; however, if someone is playing a character you’re interested in, there are several options. First, we will allow for multiple versions of the same character if they’re drawn from different media types (i.e., books versus television or stage adaptations versus movies). For example, we will allow a Spock from the Star Trek television series as well as a Spock from the recent movie to co-exist (much to the confusion of the PCs). We will also allow for the existence of AUs (i.e., normal Captain Kirk and Captain Kirk from the Mirror Universe). Characters with previous game history may count as AU, if you can prove their experiences in game have sufficiently changed them from their canon selves. Characters who are AU will be marked as such in their comm tags and on the Taken page.

4. Can I play a character with memories from a previous game?
Absolutely!

5. What kind of activity do you require?
Our activity checks are pretty straight-forward. We expect all active players to make either a network post or participate in a log at least once a month. Players on hiatus will be exempt for the month. If you’re new to journal role playing, a network post is a first person communication, made in the network community. Think of it as a Twitter or Facebook post or even an email (or carrier pigeon, for fantasy characters). It can be open to the public, or sent to a specific person, who can reply. We ask that network posts be formatted with either the word “Open” in the subject line or “Locked to...” with the name of the specific person or persons the poster is contacting. A log, meanwhile, is a third person scene. These are made in the logs community. Again, these can be open to anyone or closed to specific characters. We ask that log posts be formatted with either the word “Open” in the subject line or the word “Closed” in the subject line.

Additionally, we ask that all log posts begin with the following information included:

Who: [The characters involved]
What: A brief description of what might be happening
When: A date and morning/afternoon/evening will suffice
Where: The location
Notes: Any notes you might want to include (such as if there’s something unusual about a character that should be noticed by the others)
Warnings: Warn for things like sex, violence, exceptionally bad language

Once a month, an activity check will be posted in the OOC comm. You will have a week to post a link to any and all conversations you've been active in over the month. Easy as that!

6. How many characters can I play?
Presently, we’re allowing players to play up to four characters, although we require a month between each application. We also ask that you play no more than two characters from the same canon.

7. May I play a native of Niflheim?
At this moment, we are not allowing anyone to play Nysgod characters. It is possible that we will open up to applications for Nysgods further down the road, but at present, we want all our characters to be more or less on equal footing in dealing with the metaplot.

8. Okay, I think I’ve got it. How do I get started?
The first step to joining the game is reserving your character. You may not apply without a reserve and characters are on a first come, first serve basis; you may re-reserve up to two times, after that, we'll ask you to wait a month before re-reserving again. Once you’ve reserved your character, you’ll need to fill out an application. We’ll read it and get back to you, either requesting revisions or approving of your character. Then you’ll be good to go.

9. I want to do smut. Is that okay?
We are a smut-friendly game, however, we have several rules regarding smut. First of all, we ask that all smut logs are put under a text cut. We also ask you to put the appropriate warnings on the log, so no one clicks into it and then screams, “My eyes! My eyes! They’re burning!!!” Second, we also ask that smut logs only contain players and characters over the age of eighteen.

10. How quickly does the game move?
We maintain a 3:1 ratio. In other words, every three days of real time is one day of game time. You can keep track of the days on our handy, dandy game calendar.

11. I still have questions and you haven’t answered them here.
Well, if they’re IC questions, then read the section below. If you still don’t have your answer, then feel free to contact the mods. We’re super friendly and, though we often play vampires, we promise not to bite. We’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

IC FAQ

1. How does my character arrive in Niflheim?
Your character is going about their business in their own world, happy as a clam (or not). Suddenly, the shadows around her/him seem to swell. They reach out like a pair of arms, wrapping around the character. This is the Grasp. Your character can’t see a thing. Any further specifics of arrival, based on plot, will be given to you once your character is accepted, as the game does move around. You can look at this post to learn more about the current situation.

2. So the purpose of this Grasp is to find a mate for the future Nysgod king? But won’t he need an heir? My character is a dude.
Gender is not a factor when the Nysgod select a mate. Male and female characters will both be brought to Niflheim. The Grasp is looking for distinct attributes in a character, not at gender. Additionally, Nysgod do not reproduce by traditional standards, so the culture does not give a rat’s patootie if Tristan picks a male or female mate. Your character may, in fact, see some pregnant men walking around Niflheim, as either member of a couple can choose to carry a child. More about the Nysgod race can be found here.

3. What does my character know about Nysgods?
That’s an excellent question! This will be handled on a case by case basis (obviously, what Barney Stinson knows won’t be the same as what Albus Dumbledore knows). When your character application is approved, you will be told exactly what she/he knows about the Nysgod people. Everything else, you’re going to have to discover as you traverse the metaplot and share information with other PCs. Based on the powers of observation, your character will quickly learn that the Nysgods are an apparently immortal race and that all of them can be recognized by their silvery white hair.

4. What does Niflehim look like?
Imagine what a place might look like if Rivendell and Alderaan collided into one another. That is Niflheim. The buildings are beautifully constructed, and there is a great deal of emphasis placed on a majestic aesthetic. The realm has a lot of marble, many gardens, and flowing water throughout. However, the society is also advanced and appreciative of technology, so there are also plenty of touches of an advanced society scattered around. Your character might, for example, find themselves on a moving walkway that goes past a rose garden and Grecian style temple.

Also, there is a distinct lack of vehicles on the streets and in the skies, as the Nysgods either travel by foot or by shadow. And that sky? The sun doesn’t shine in Niflheim, so depending on the hour of the day, the sky might have the soft purple glow of twilight or be black with a brilliant glow of night time stars. No characters will be familiar with these stars and they seem to move around constantly.

Please note that from time to time, the plot will move characters to other settings. Make sure to read any links given to you when your character is accepted!

5. What possessions does my character arrive with?
Anything your character was carrying on her/his person (on their person, vehicles don’t count...sorry to the Han Solos and Dean Winchesters out there) at the time the shadows swallowed them, they get to keep. There are two exceptions to this rule: Weapons and living things. These items mysteriously vanish. After your character arrives,they may receive further swag. Again, make sure to read any links given to you when your character is accepted!

6. What is this network you speak of?
The network is a couple of things: It’s a social network, it’s a PA system, and it’s a newspaper all rolled up into one. Every living being in Niflheim has an earbud that connects them to the network, allowing them to communicate with others. Network posts are vocal and can be open to the general public, or locked to specific individuals. Additionally, the earbuds serve as universal translators, so any language can be easily understood. The earbuds cannot be hacked, even by the most brilliant of technical geniuses.

7. What about video? I want everyone to see my character’s new hairdo.
The earbuds, unfortunately, do not support video. However, the Nysgods are a highly advanced society, and some candidates possess Net Boxes.

A Net Box contains programs that are similar to those your character might recognize from televisions and computers back home. However, your character won’t be able to find any programs that connect to familiar websites, such as google or youtube, and there won’t be any television programs they recognize.

The Net Box allows your character to connect to a visual network. Through this network, characters can pull up news about Niflheim, use maps, search for contact information on other residents, pull up information about local businesses, and even use a program similar to Skype to visually connect to other users. Most settings have at least one communal Net Box available. Net Boxes are cube-shaped and come in a variety of sizes, depending on your needs. The display is generally a hologram, projected inside of the box.

8. Where will my character live?
The plot moves around a lot, so pay attention to the links you're given when you're accepted. At present, the plot is located in Mannaz Hall.

9. What happens if my character dies?
Character death is not something that should be taken lightly. The Nysgods are an extremely peaceful race and any one who commits murder is severely punished. As guests of the Nysgods, all the PCs will be looked after and protected. That said, should a player plot or arch of the metaplot logically lead to a character’s death, that character will be revived by the Grasp, a week after death, with no memories of their in-game interactions. Alternatively, if you wish to drop a character, you may kill them off permanently. Please note, however, that your character can only be killed off if it’s what you want. No one can kill your character without your permission. The same goes for maiming, raping, or otherwise critically injuring. We take this very seriously.

10. How can my character learn more about the Nysgods?
There are a couple of options open to you there. Characters can learn more about the Nysgods from NPCs they encounter or they can pool information with other PCs. Being a thoughtful group of pseudo-kidnappers, the Nysgods have brought two mortals, Adriana and Casey, to serve as liaisons between the Nysgods and Tristan’s potential mates. They can be contacted to answer questions (to the best of their abilities) and to relate the needs of the PCs to the Dagaz (the capital city) government. Special note: Casey cannot be reached in the current setting, however there is another NPC, Insa, who will serve her function.

11. What happens to my character’s magic/superpowers/abilities?
Creatures brought to Niflheim will largely maintain most of their abilities from home. The one outright exception to this rule is teleportation. It no longer works. Period. Astral projection only works within the bounds of the current city where the PCs are living. Basically, there’s no way to contact home. Telepathy will only work if the individuals engaging in it are making eye contact. Also, the Nysgods are able to hear any and all telepathic communication. The same goes for any kind of illusion magic. Like Santa, they know if you’ve been bad or good. If your character’s abilities rely on an external source (a wand or a Lantern battery, for example), then they’d better take good care of those external sources. Replacements are not readily available. If your character’s powers rely on the presence or influence a deity...you’re out of luck unless they show up.

12. So I realize we’re being brought here as potential mates for Prince Tristan. What if my character wants to pursue a romantic relationship with a PC?
Go for it! We are open to romances, crosscanon romances, pregnancy plots, blind dates, and marriages. The Nysgods cannot control a character’s heart! Nor can they control a character’s loins!

13. I noticed someone’s playing Legolas. My character memorized all the Lord of the Rings books in college! Do I recognize him?
That’s a good question (although we might fear for your character’s sanity)! Having characters recognize other canons as fiction is called “fourth-walling.” In general, we ask that you avoid fourth-walling as much as possible, unless the player of the recognized canon gives you the okay. Fourth-walling will be most likely for mythological figures. Try to handle it on a case by case basis, according to the wishes of your fellow players.

14. What happens to dropped characters?
If a character is dropped, he or she mysteriously vanishes. In his or her bed, friends and room mates will find a toy of some kind (a playing card, a chess piece, a doll). Mods will assign the toy as appropriate. Rumor has it that the Nysgod prisoner of the state, Quinn, is behind this! His confederates have been kidnapping potential mates of Tristan because he doesn't want the prince to marry! No one knows what he does to his victims, but they're never heard from again. You can learn more about Quinn and the other NPCs here.

15. How can I canon update my character?
Opportunities for canon updating will change, as the plot progresses. Make sure to check this page before requesting a canon update, to find out how your character can go about getting one. Also, please note, that if you don't like the current method of canon updating, but have an idea that you think would work in the current plot environment, feel free to contact us to talk about it. We're extremely flexible if you can justify your plot idea.

In terms of OOC work, if you wish to canon update, please send the mods a couple paragraphs explaining what changes are going to be made to your character and your character's history. You can either PM it to the mod account or add it as a comment to your original application.

Present canon updating: The Egime is being powered by the Grasp itself, the very instrument that first allowed characters to enter the game setting. As the source of power for the entire ship, the Grasp is responsible for making sure all the systems are functioning properly. Since it's a device of high energy, there's no risk of running out of power. The greater problem lies in the fact that the power can occasionally be accidentally diverted. Every now and then, there will be an unexpected flare-up, causing the Grasp to send a surge of power into one of the walls. Normally, this is harmless and goes unnoticed. If, however, a character happens to be touching the wall at the time, the energy will grab on to them. Physically, it will look like the character has been sucked into the wall and vanished. In terms of canon updating, the Grasp will have grabbed onto that person and sent them back home. But the Grasp is a possessive little machine. Immediately, it will changes its mind and want the character back, so they will be dragged back through the shadows, from another canon point, be it seconds or years later. They will retain any items they have with him (minus weapons) and will also regain their memories of their previous time in the game.

On the Egime, they will wake up in the cargo bay. From the game's perspective, they will only have been away a few minutes.

16. I still have questions and you haven’t answered them here.
Well, if they’re OOC questions, then read the section above. If you still don’t have your answer, then feel free to contact the mods. We’re super friendly and, though we often play vampires, we promise not to bite. We’ll get back to you as soon as we can.