FAQ
So you want to join Eastern Fantasy...
Eastern Fantasy huh? So, what IS it?
Eastern Fantasy is a MultiFandom RP set in the magical world of Touhou Project. Everything takes place within the world of Gensokyo. In short, Gensokyo is a mystical locale whereabouts attached to Japan. Youkai (Japanese mythological creatures), gods, demons, and magical humans are often at odds there. Ages ago, it was sealed off from the normal world with the Hakurei Border. More elaborate information on Gensokyo itself is here
Multifandom. That's good. But who can I app?
Essentially, anyone who has a canon history, even the minor ones. Characters of any canon, as well as most characters from the Touhou series are appable. OC's based upon the millions and millions of fairies and mooks also are appable as well as those kinds of characters that are established and lacking personalities. Characters such as the Disgaea classes and your WoW character are welcome. Original Characters are also allowed.
AU characters are not appable. Yukari Yakumo, Reimu Hakurei, and Aya Shameimaru will not be available for apping, at least until further notice.
Wait a minute, what's a youkai?
Excellent question! As stated, youkai are the mythological creatures of Japan. They are NOT demons. Or at least, not necessarily demons. Demons/devils can be youkai in Touhou Project, but not all youkai are demons/devils. If you call a non-demon/devil youkai that, you'll either get blank stares, outright offense, or someone explaining patiently to you about how demon is a really bad mistranslation. In fact, mythologically speaking, youkai are closer to Western fey creatures, and not the little friendly ones either.
That said, in Touhou Project youkai can cover four classes of creatures:
First, a vast majority of youkai used to be ordinary animals, objects, or humans. Animals can become a youkai of their type of animal through a long life; for example, a fox can become a kitsune, a fox youkai. Objects can also become youkai if they are left around for a long time; this type of youkai is called the tsukumogami. The objects can be things like dolls or umbrellas. Finally, a magical ritual can turn a human into a magician-type youkai. This is similar to the idea of witches who are not mortal or human and have an extended lifespan along with magical powers. Note that human magicians can and do exist.
The second class is youkai that are descended from other youkai. The process that makes something into a youkai means its children will be youkai. As such, many magician-type youkai were never human in the first place; their parents having performed the ritual that changed them into youkai. Similarly, two fox youkai will have a fox youkai child, not an ordinary fox.
The third class are supernatural races. These include the kappa (water-frog creatures), tengu (crow people, and some wolf people), oni (horned beings), the aforementioned demons and devils, and many others.
Finally, anything that doesn't fall into any of these categories can be considered a youkai. Generally these youkai are exceptionally powerful and unique entities.
Visitors Outside the Boundary:
So, what are we doing here? What's the plot/point?
Periodically, there will be game-run or mod-run event plots called "Incidents". The goal of each Incident is to find the source of said incident through investigation and interaction. Once an Incident is solved, there will be rewards involved for any and all involved in said Incident, even those who cause it.
There WILL be an overarching plot in this game. It will not simply live from Incident to Incident. The fact that so many people are suddenly appearing in Gensokyo is in and of itself an Incident, after all... and one that must be solved.
It's no secret that the Hakurei Border is capable of being crossed. Several characters have managed it, and many more youkai have used the border's weaknesses to lure in humans. Sometimes the humans stay and live peacefully in the village. Some end up wandering into places like Mayohiga or more dangerous local regions. Most just end up as dinner for youkai, which is still somewhat legal...
However, Yukari noticed something was very very off one day. She could no longer willingly pass from the Gensokyo side to the Outer side of the border. And the sort of beings being brought INTO the border were certainly NOT of the Outside World. Something very strange was going on...
The overarching plot is that the Hakurei Border is changing. Reimu and Yukari need to find out why. For now they will ensure the new Visitors are comfortable and live well, but they will also need the help of the Visitors in order to solve this mystery. The game will play out until the Hakurei Border is restored to its old form and the characters are allowed to return to their worlds. Will your character help the Border Team? Will they work against them? The choice will be up to the play.
So, how does my character get here?
As of now, there are two primary ways of happening upon Gensokyo. A) Wandering into fog. This is most likely for your adventurer or wanderer types, not to say it's exclusive or not. B) The other way, is entering through one's dreams. While one sleeps, your character will dream they are there, and therefore, are. Unlike in the original canon, though, you will not return when you wake up. You are, in the mean time, stuck in Gensokyo, and for all intents and purposes are physically there. Might as well make yourself comfortable...
So, the youkai and stuff. Sounds dangerous. Can I die?
Sure, anyone can die, logically. But, most quarrels are settled by a rousing match of fistic-SPELLCARD BATTLE.
What's a Spellcard battle?
This is typically what you see in boss battles in Touhou games. Here are some good examples of spell cards (we use the Fighting Games in this case as they are much easier to understand for non-Touhou fans than the bullet hell versions). All those pretty bullet patterns that make you say "Oh sh*t how do I dodge this?" are spell cards. All of the Touhou characters have a good few of these.
You're not playing a character from Touhou you say? Your character doesn't have Spell Cards? Well thankfully the Border has seen fit to GIVE you Spellcards upon entering (assuming you're strong enough). Spell cards will be based upon your characters canon abilities or resources. Naruto would have something along the lines of Whirlwind Sign: "Rasengan". People without powers, but resources or weapons, such as Kira Yamato would have Gundam Sign: "Freedom METEOR" or Cloud Strife, Limit Sign: "Omnislash". ALL Spellcard Battles are NON-FATAL. The loser is usually the first to get tired or get knocked out. Nobody dies in Spell Card Battles.
If your character has neither power nor resources, you're still free to make up cards based upon mundane tasks they may be known for. Not every character needs to participate in these duels, after all, but it's a good idea to have them anyways.
We ask that you keep a list of said spellcards in your character profile, or an easily accessible journal post.
So this Gensokyo place seems pretty huge. How are we all talking to each other?
We're using a system of communicators called Kappanet. Basically, these are smart phones designed and built by the Kappa (a race of Youkai known for their gadget knowledge), whom Yukari distributes to your character upon their entrance to the world. They are built off the same system as the special yingyang artifacts from Subterranean Animism, but will function more like the smartphones we use in the real world. Basic functions will be talk, text, camera, and GPS navigation (which means every character will have a map). More applications for Kappanet may be announced as time goes on.
So, where does everyone live... That is, the people who were brought in from the border?
There will be two hostels set up (mostly torture free) in both the Human Village and Ancient City. Four characters will be in each room, assigned in order of application, with hilarious results expected. There will be OTHER options for housing, but these will be determined on a case-by-case basis with apps.
What kind of places are there? Do we make up geography or what?
No. You do not. We will be basing the geographical layout of Gensokyo on this map, as it is the closest thing to a canon map as we can get.
For the purposes of the beginning of game, traveling down the Road of Reconsideration or the Road of Liminality won't be allowed. You will only be able to explore up to the shore of Misty Lake, as far as Hakurei Shrine, the edge of the Bamboo Forest of the Lost, the Genbu Ravine and Marsh, and the Forest of Magic. Exploration of the Kappa and Tengu territory will be forbidden in the beginning, and most of the mountain with the exception of Moriya Shrine will also be off limits. This is done in order to keep characters from becoming too far spread out in the beginning. We will open up new locations over time, and eventually ALL of Gensokyo will be able to be explored. But for now, we're keeping these limits in place.
The majority of the explorable area will lie in the Human Village (including Myouren Temple) and the Ancient City. Now, while they will technically be in Jigoku/Hell if they're in the city, the REST of the region is also off limits. Hell is an extremely dangerous place, after all.
Are there fandom limits for anyone outside of the boundary?
Currently, it will only be three character per fandom. This counts canon OCs and "generics". This can be changed at a later time. Touhou characters do not have this limit unless they come from outside Gensokyo, but see below. Characters that have Touhou Project as their canon but are from Outside the Boundary include Marbiel Hearn/Han, Renko Usami, and the characters on the moon.
Inhabitants Inside the Boundary
I'm playing a Touhou character already, or a Touhou OC that comes from Gensokyo. Where do we live?
Characters from Touhou Project canon are living in the same place they live in canon. If they choose to have them stay somewhere else, it can be noted in their application. Similarly, Touhou-based OCs live in the place specified in their application. Unlike the Visitors, native inhabitants can go to any area assuming they live in that area or generally visit that area. Note that standard consequences may apply if a character goes to a place where she may be unwelcome, such as bratty fairy in the Scarlet Devil Mansion.
Are there limits to the number of Touhou characters we can app
As long as you are below the current character limit, you can app any number of canon Touhou characters. However, you cannot app more than one Touhou character from the following "groups". This is to prevent playercesting, more than anything else. The groups are:
Main Characters: Reimu Hakurei(mod NPC), Marisa Kirisame, Alice Margatroid, Rinnosuke Morichika, Yuka Kazami, Mima. (Also see PC-98 section).
"Team 9: Rumia, Cirno, Wriggle Nightbug, Mystia Lorelei. (Daiyousei, though on the generic/canon OC side, can also be considered a part of this group.)
Scarlet Devil Mansion: Hong Meiling, Patchouli Knowledge, Sakuya Iyazoi, Remilia Scarlet, Flandre Scarlet (Koakume, though on the generic/canon OC side, can also be considered a part of this group).
Netherworld/Boundary: Yukari Yakumo(mod NPC), Ran Yakumo, Chen, Yuyuko Saigyouji, Youmu Konpaku.
Eientei and others: Tewi Inaba, Reisen Udongein Inaba, Eirin Yagokoro, Kaguya Houraisan, Fujiwara no Mokou, Keine Kamishirasawa.
Beyond the Sanzu River: Komachi Onozuka, Sikieiki Yamaxanadu.
Youkai Mountain: The Aki sisters(special exception, the Aki sisters may be apped together by the same person as one character, although they don't have to be), Hina Kagamiya, Nitori Kawashito, Aya Shameimaru, Momiji Inubashiri, Sanae Kotiya, Kanako Yasaka, Suwako Moriya.
Underground: Kisume, Yaname Kurodani, Parsee Mizuhashi, Suika Ibuki, Yuugi Hoshiguma, Satori Komeiji, Rin Kaenbyou (Orin), Utsuho Reiuji (Okuu), Koishi Komeiji.
Heaven: Tenshi Hinannai, Iku Nagae.
Myoren Temple: Nazrin, Kogasa Tatara, Kumoi Ichirin and Unzan (may be apped together), Minamitsu Murasa, Shou Tomamaru, Byakuren Hijiri, Nue Houjuu.
Other: The Primsilver Sisters and the Three Mischevious Fairies may be apped together by the same person as one character. But they don't have to be. Medicine Melancholy is not part of any group.
PC-98s: There are no limits on PC-98 characters, even PC-98 characters from the same game (with the exception of Mima, part of the Main character group). For the purposes of the RPG, Makai (the home of the Mystic Square characters) is considered Inside the Boundary.
Do we get Kappanet too?
Yes. Before the game begins, all characters who inhabit Gensokyo get their own Kappanet communicators, although they may need trial and error to get them to work. Touhou canon characters who are not currently being played are assumed to have misplaced their communicators, could not activate them, or simply discarded it after it was found.
Are the canon characters who aren't being currently played still in Gensokyo?
Yes, they are, as NPCs. If your character wants to interact with them, they need mod permission. Characters are allowed to speak about these NPCs as though they had encountered them "off-screen", although the interaction should be something ordinary. For example "I met a shrine maiden and didn't give her a donation", or "An ice fairy challenged me, I beat her up".
What if I drop a Touhou character? What if I app a Touhou character that was dropped? Do I have to remember all their previous CR?
Canon Touhou Project characters who have dropped will be assumed to have lost their communicators somehow and become NPCs. The same rules for interacting with NPCs apply. Touhou-based OCs are assumed to have lost their communicators but may not be played as NPCs. They may possibly be retconned out of the game continuity. Touhou Project characters who are re-apped are assumed to have found their old communicators or received a new one. Characters who are re-apped are not obligated to remember the interactions they had and events that occurred when they were played previously. They may be reset or simply vaguely recall what happened. Just like in real life, you don't remember every person you meet and every little thing that happens to you. This is even more so for may of the inhabitants of Gensokyo who are very long-lived and who may measure the passing of time not in days but in years or decades. If it is impossible to avoid inconsistencies, then the following templates are not forbidden
-Magic
-Eirin's Shady New Drug
-Yukari's Fooling Around Again.
-It's a Moriya Shrine Conspiracy
...well maybe the last one is forbidden.
Other Information
Do I post in the main community or my character's journal?
All IC posts go in the main community. Third person logs will go in the log community, ooc posts in the ooc community.
Is there internet in Gensokyo?
Nope. And none of that pesky 4th-Wall breaking either. Your characters, unless provided a canon example of them knowing such (such as Gintama), will not know the fandoms of other characters. Of course, characters that canonly break their OWN 4th wall (such as Okage or Disgaea), may do so.
What if my character is dead before arriving in Gensokyo?
GOOD QUESTION! Dead characters actually end up in the Netherworld first. They are then given physical form and sent down to live with the rest of the visitors. They are given no explanation as to how this happens. They probably won't ever be given one.
What if I want to app a character that exists in multiple universes? (Example: FF7 Cloud and KH Cloud)
If it can be proven that they ARE different characters from a CANON alternate universe (I'm looking at YOU Marvel Comics), then yes, we allow either version. It is possible to have both regular Wolverine and Age of Apocalypse Wolverine in this game at the same time.
What if my character dies while in Gensokyo?
Characters who are SOMEHOW (seriously, how do you manage this, you silly children) shuffled off the mortal coil are sent to the Sanzu River. The boat that normally ferries you across said river, though, seems to be perpetually out of order. It might be because the afterlife bureaucracy does not want to deal with the legal headache caused by dead people from other universes So you'll just end up in Netherworld, given physical form, and sent back on your merry way. This entire process takes, roughly, a week.
Oh, and it might as well be noted here that if your character kills another character, there is VERY LIKELY going to be consequences from the NPCs. So watch out.
It takes a week to come back after dying? What about activity checks?
Given our activity requirements are fairly lax, we're sure you can manage, but if a death really DOES keep you from meeting requirements, please talk to us so we can arrange something.
How does money work here?
Gensokyo uses the outdated Japanese currency system of mon and ryou. HOWEVER, rather than expect you to keep up with the somewhat convoluted conversions, we'll just handwave money in most cases. Just try to keep it reasonable, please. And remember to donate any extra to your local shrine.