Frequently Asked Questions

[asmods]

Frequently Asked Questions

We have some frequently asked questions that we address here to cover anything that may not have been discussed in other sections. If you have other questions not covered, feel free to ask in a comment below or email us at alteredstatesmods@gmail.com!


OUT OF CHARACTER QUANDARIES

Q: What is the style of writing used in game?
A: The primary style of writing is done in the logs community of the game, alteredstates. These logs are written in third-person, past tense, paragraph style. The secondary section of the community, found at alternet, is first-person as direct communications from the character. Characters may make a transmission via text, voice, or video.

Q: Are mature concepts acceptable in this game?
A: Within reason. The game is 18 and older so we welcome mature plots and situational logs. Anything with a mature rating must be locked to the community it is posted in.

Q: Do I or my character have to be familiar with the setting, plot, or concepts to be able to enjoy and integrate in the game?
A: No! Not every character is going to understand what's happening to them and both the player and character will be able to interact with other characters and the setting to adjust to game's themes.

Q: How many characters can I reserve and submit applications for?
A: You may reserve up to three characters however, applications must be submitted one at a time.

Q: May we suggest plot ideas to be used game wide?
A: Absolutely! The mods welcome any and all plot ideas. Feel free to contact them directly at alteredstatesmods@gmail.com.

Q: Can I canon update my character?
A: At this time Altered States does not allow for any type of canon updates.

Q: Do I need a real life PB for my anime/video game/etc. character?
A: You can choose whatever you think best represents your character. A lot of characters have real life PBs so if you want one so you match the majority that's fine. If you prefer their canon images, also fine.

Q: What happens to characters that are dropped?
A: Information on what happens to dropped characters can be found here.


APPLICATION QUANDARIES

Q: Can we challenge an application already on reserve?
A: No, at this time the game does not allow for challenge applications. We highly recommend you reserve the character you desire!

Q: Can I app an OC?
A: Absolutely! We welcome original characters and highly encourage you to create characters native to the game world. Non-native OCs are also allowed, but we recommend that you maintain a basic rundown of their home universe somewhere in their profile/journal, for the benefit of other players if necessary.

Q: Can I app a fandom OC?
A: At this time we do not allow fandom OCs.

Q: Can I app a malleable protagonist? (e.g. Commander Shepard from Mass Effect, Hawke from Dragon Age, etc)
A: We consider canon characters with variable backstories and actions similar to the idea of canon OCs, as there is no one set canon and we could receive multiple applications for different versions of that character. We don't want to give preference to one iteration over another and therefore they are not accepted at this time.

Q: Can I app a nonhuman character?
A: We accept nonhuman characters but they must be on the more humanoid side rather than the beast side of the spectrum. For example, most Star Wars and Mass Effect aliens are fine while Redwall and My Little Pony characters would not be.

Q: Can I app an alternate version of a character already in the game?
A: At this time we are not accepting alternates of any characters. The only exception to this are canon instances where multiple versions of a character interact with each other in the canon story.


IN CHARACTER QUANDARIES

Q: What happens to my character upon arrival?
A: Drifters (fandom characters and non-native OCs) will enter the game world through the Hudson River. Don't worry if they can't swim, the river has gone to all this trouble of bringing them there! They will reach shore safely by a helpful current if necessary. They will have personal belongings limited to whatever they were carrying on their person at the time they arrive in game (items may be a bit wet), along with a mysterious smartphone in their pocket. On the phone is a text with an address and walking directions to The Residences at Battery Park. Welcome.

Q: Can my character come into the game with memories from a previous game?
A: Yes! Please include a brief description of any important events/CR/etc from your previous game if it will effect how they are written them in-game.

Q: Can my character keep their powers/magic/etc. from their home world?
A: If the power is an intrinsic part of the character (Harry Potter's magic ability, Bruce Banner Hulking out, etc.) then it's okay. If the ability comes from an external source, like energy that is tapped into or from a spellbook, it does not carry over.

Q: Can we choose to have Drifters (fandom characters and non-native OCs) arrive with no river power?
A: Any Drifter that arrives from the river is changed. However, if you don't want to overpower the character or want to leave them without something spiffy, you can make it something absolutely ridiculous or simple (IE ice cream always melts before they can eat it, perfectly manicured nails, color blindness, etc).

Q: Is there a network or transmission system?
A: Yes. Upon arrival every character will find a water-proof, super fancy smartphone with voice/video mail as well as calling and texting capabilities, on their person. All of the Drifters are linked via an intranet system.

Additionally there is the internet as this world knows it to be (pretty similar to our own modern incarnation) that can be accessed when leaving the Drifter Intranet. Nearly all of the city is rigged with incredibly powerful Wi-Fi. The only places reception is spotty or lost are the sewers, certain dead zones near the Hudson, and places fortified against it (think organized crime locations, hacker dwellings, etc).

Q: Can we play NPCs or create plots with NPCs for character development?
A: Yes, within reason. The city is large enough there are certainly plenty of characters your own may meet that aren't from canons on the Taken List. While we don't want your play to fixate exclusively on this, we welcome subplots that might involve anything from bars, fitness centers, and city parks, to seedy crime hiding just beneath the not-so-shiny surface!

Q: Can our characters get papers/find a way to become legal citizens?
A: Yes! Upon arrival, characters will find flyers in the Residences directing them to Ellis Island should they want to properly naturalize to the USA.

Q: Can our characters take on careers in the city?
A: Absolutely. There are roles within the Drifters community that are needed. For example your character may want to start their own bar, restaurant, or library to cater Drifter population specifically! Additionally, your character may choose to take a job out in the city or start their own business! As time goes on, locations that characters establish will be added to the Locations page.

Last updated on 01.17.2014.

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