-FAQ-
FAQ
1. What is Disturbia City?
Disturbia is a large city with shops of every variety: nightclubs, bars, clothing stores, restauraunts. These are all located downtown and beachside; uptown Disturbia consists more of apartment complexes, condos and personal studios. You can live in the projects or in a ritzy glass-and-metal, ten-thousand-dollar apartment. It all depends on how you choose to advance your character.
There is a staircase and a tunnel, however, that leads to an underground city that mimicks Disturbia City down to the letter. The shops, homes and signs are all identical to their counterparts topside, but there’s something different. A feeling in the air, the one that raises the hairs on the back of one’s neck and draws glances over the shoulder. Sometimes the shadows look a little darker than they could be; sometimes the shop keepers a little shadier than they should be. Strange things happen down in the Undercity, and occasionally leak topside. Thus far, there’s no explanation; at least, not one that wouldn’t cost a life to investigate. More information on the layout of the city can be found here, in the Map and Housing post.
2. What are the Disturbed?
The Disturbed are perfect copies of existing characters. They look exactly the same, and exist within the same universes as their original characters with either identical or similar pasts; they are from the same worlds and have the same names. The only difference is that the Disturbed are…well, disturbed versions of those characters. Either something minutely different occurred in their pasts, or simply the wiring of their brains was somehow switched upon arrival to Disturbia. Whatever the case, the Disturbed are not quite right in the head, and can range from mildly paranoid to sugary sweet to manipulative, homocidal maniacs. It’s all up to you.
In a nutshell, this means that character doubles are not only permitted, they are encouraged. There can only be one Original Universe, canon character, but with that there can also be one Disturbed version of that same character.
Disturbed characters are not AU characters; they are based on canon characters, with essentially the same histories, but they have personality differences. It is possible for them to have slightly different backstories; please contact the mods for ways to accomplish this.
3. How does my character arrive?
Your character (both OU and Disturbed) will wake up in a bed in one of the apartments located in Becker Heights (found here in the Map and Housing post). When they look around they’ll find a key to the apartment, a wallet with enough money to last them on food, bills, and average minor purchases (bus fare, basic clothing, weekly movie tickets or club cover charges, etc) for a month, and a small palm pilot-like device with an infrared eye on it that captures video and a small mic to capture sound. This is their communication device for Distubia, so it’s not a good idea to try and sell it anyhow, considering they’re personalized and no pawn shop manager would buy it off of you.
Every month, the wallet is replenished with just enough money to sustain the lifestyle of an average citizen. If you want your character to splurge all their money on some expensive item, go right ahead; however, keep in mind that that’ll leave them without cash for food or expenses, and they might have to borrow or do some dangerous or dirty work to make ends meet. (Likewise, if your character has an addiction of some kind, or health problems, there won't be enough money to cover their needs.)
4. What’s the communication device like?
As stated previously, it’s the communication device used for Disturbia. It can capture video and sound in small amounts and can also be used to type and post entries on the Disturbia network, aka journal entries. It cannot make a live link (it does not work like a telephone or like webcam chat).
Communicators are identified with a frequency number. Keep track of your number and assume that it's how people can send you private messages, etc., but don't worry about appending it to posts or anything. (Frequency numbers are just a way to assign random effects to characters and identify them to others on the network without forcing them to reveal themselves to others in the way that a journal name or apartment number would. Assume that where you-the-mun see another player's journal name, your character would see a frequency number.)
Icons are great, and might provide context for your character's reactions, but they are not a part of any outgoing or incoming message: Character A cannot see what Character B looks like unless Character B sends out a video transmission of him or herself, OR Characters A and B meet in person.
Disabled or illiterate characters will receive a communicator that's customized for their use: that is, the devices contain software that will automatically read text entries to characters who can't read (for whatever reason). Likewise, Deaf characters will find that voice entries are automatically transformed to text via voice recognition software, and video entries are automatically captioned.
Aside from the QWERTY keyboard, there are five major buttons on the communicator; all have raised icons on them to indicate what they are even to characters with visual impairments. They are:
- Text post
- Audio/Voice post
- Video post
- Screen message (send only to specific characters; intended to be private, but is 90-100% hackable to characters with strong hacking abilities)
- Send message
Hackability: Unhackable messages are available only to characters who have demonstrated hacking (or general computer security) abilities in their canons. Otherwise, it's up to you as a mun to try to figure out how intelligent and computer-savvy your character is (IE, how much they may have modified their devices to make them more secure).
Characters who have almost no computer experience and may not be able to use the device correctly will be making 90-100% hackable messages, even when they try to screen them; characters with strong computer skills may have messages that are unhackable. Most characters will probably make messages somewhere in-between, and it's possible that a character who could make an unhackable message might make a 90% hackable message if they want it to be hacked.
In other words, use your discretion, and try to stay IC with it.
If you want to hack a post, you will need prior permission both from a mod and from the player whose post is being hacked. You will also need to be sure that your character has hacking skills in canon.
Languages: The entire city, above and below, has a Babelfish effect which extends to the communicators. Your characters will not be able to use a "native language" to hide their communications with canonmates from others (they can, however, make ciphertext posts if it's IC for them to do so -- see below for format, and ask the mods if you need links to encoder/decoder sites).
Mods don't care if you use the occasional foreign-language expletive for flavor in your posts, but please provide a translation, since other characters should be able to understand exactly what you said. An OOC note at the end is fine. (This is another case of using your discretion: just assume that if you have to make a post in another language, which for some reason can't be translated -- song lyrics are a good example of this -- other characters would still understand it.)
There is a specific posting format involved when making your entries; violations of the format will result in three warnings before being issued a temporary ban. The format is as follows:
Regular text entries.
Subject line: (You can put whatever you want here; number it, letter it, I don’t care.)
Today I was looking around in the clothing shop; I saw a few things I wanted, but nothing popped out at me. I don’t really have the extra cash anyways, even though this wallet keeps filling up with money. You think whoever or whatever’s doing this would be a little less stingy. >:\
Ciphertext entries.
These follow the same format as regular text entries, but any posts in ciphertext should have the plaintext posted below them in small text. Characters cannot see the decoded version IC, but this will make it much easier if you need to review a coded conversation later. In other words:
GUVFVFGURSBEZNGSBECBFGVATNPBQRQZRFFNTR.
--
This is the format for posting a coded message.
Exception: an intentional puzzle for other characters (rather than a communication or "journal privacy layer" or something like that). This doesn't mean that you're encouraged to make ciphertext posts, or discouraged from making them, just that if you must, this format is preferred.
Audio
Subject line: [Audio] (You MUST have this in the subject line.)
[A slight scuff of shoes on asphalt, then a pause. The voice that speaks is rough with nervousness.]
…shit. This place is completely different from topside. What is that thing over there…? [Quiet footsteps, and the rattling of a trashcan being knocked over.]
Video
Subject line: [Video] (You MUST have this in the subject line.)
[The flash of neon lights are visible before it fades to darkness. After a moment, vague shapes come into focus, and suddenly a face fills the viewscreen, slightly panicked; a hand nervously drags through his hair.]
Okay, so, anyone know the way out of this place? I’m kind of…well, I wanna say trapped, but… [He gnaws worriedly on his lip.]
5. How do the logs work?
There is a logs community to use; extensive action-oriented threads go there (those that don't develop from text/audio/video posts). Also, if you happen to complete any logs in AIM or any other messaging system, those also go into the logs community. The setup HTML for your log entries are in the profile of disturbia-logs.
If something is spur-of-the-moment or not important/elaborate enough for a log, you may utilize the Action Post feature. You can’t use it for your entries; however, if a thread happens to evolve into something that requires physical interaction between two characters, simply place [Action] in the comment subject line and use the above posting format for Video posts (with actions and the like in small text and brackets, and dialogue regular text) for the content.
Threads posted in the Logs community are not required to have [action] in the subject line of each tag -- basically, anything posted on your character's personal journal is assumed to be a text post to the communication network unless otherwise labelled; anything posted on disturbia_logs is assumed to be action unless otherwise labeled.
Mod's personal preference is for third-person present tense actions when possible, and first-person dialogue (see the "Video Post" description for an example): this is happening as it's being written, right? No penalties for past-tense, though, since some of you are very set in using that style.
6. Does my character have all his/her powers upon arrival?
Yes. Your character can retain physical, magical, mental powers; anything and everything. As long as they can perform these things without the aid of their items, then they can keep them during their stay in Disturbia.
That said, mod's personal preference is for a very low-magic game (see next question).
7. Can my character use aforementioned powers to destroy the city/kill NPCs?
Destroying the city, no. The thing doesn’t magically repair itself, so if your character tries to use his or her powers to affect the scenery, they’ll find that for some reason they suddenly cannot use their powers. As for killing NPCs (or if you just have to total a building), please bring it up with me before going through with it.
8. Does my character have his/her items with him/her upon arrival?
No. Weapons, runes, discoballs, drugs, pins, nothing. They don’t have any of their items with them. Cloud will not have his materia, Link won’t have his ocarina, Naruto wouldn’t have his “cursed” necklace and Ichigo can’t have his zanpakuto. All your character has upon arrival are the clothes on his or her back. If those clothes include any special items, like a buckle of the gods or the zipper of infinite health, consider it removed and replaced with an unremarkable replica.
If there is an item your character needs to have, please make an addendum in your application with your argument, and I’ll consider it. I’ll leave a space and reminder in the application itself for you to do so, also.
(That said, if the item you plan to request is a weapon, don't bother: the answer will be no. Examples of items which have been allowed include a former slave's papers of freedom and a character's iconic-but-not-magical hat.)
Note about stealing: If you plan to steal an item, please discuss it with mods first; if it's an item belonging to another player's character, you should also discuss it with the mun. If it's from a shop or a city service, it's essentially a theft from an NPC, and we want to ensure it's plausible.
(This does not apply to thefts by NPCs that may befall Undercity dwellers -- which you, as a mun, automatically consent to when you move your character to UnderDisturbia.)
9. Can my character leave the city?
Nope! There is the city layout and the beachline, but your character will discover that any highways or roads they attempt to take out of the city will simply lead them straight back to it after several miles of gas wastage. Too bad, so sad.
What do you see on the outskirts of the city? The same thing you'd see on the outskirts of any city, including power lines and cables. The only weird thing you'll see upon your departure is the city appearing on the horizon in front of you.
This also means that there is no airport, no major sports teams, no touring entertainment, etc.
10. How does my character make money to move up/purchase a better home, a car, nice clothes, etc. etc?
Now this is peculiar. In a city this size, it only makes sense that there are jobs available, correct? So if your character wants to get a part-time job as a sales clerk or something else pathetically mundane, that’s perfectly all right. Granted, it’ll take them a decent amount of time for them to save the money for big purchases. Namely, years. Do you honestly want to play this game for years just to get a nice Mustang? No.
(If you do want to get your character a day job, please think of an appropriate job and talk to E. about it. You'll be discussing the plausibility of the work for your character, and about how much they'll make in wages.)
So there is the option of doing things the quick and dangerous way. There are certain tasks available for completion down in the Undercity, offered every month so often by a nameless individual (NPC, igotajobforyou) via the network. Sometimes the tasks are completely harmless; other times, they’re dangerous to the point of being deadly. Of course, the more sketchy a task, the more it pays, so if you don’t mind the uncertainty then this is the way for you.
(Yeah, I'm sorry, guys, but "once a month" is more jobs than I seem able to come up with. To ameliorate this, I'm trying to make them pay a little more. -- E.)
11. Can my character live in the Undercity of Disturbia?
Sure can! Know that there’s certain risks tied to living below, though. Random robberies, vandalism and violence; if you don’t want your character to be subjected to this without warning, do not live in the Undercity. If you don’t mind having your character’s fate dictated occasionally without your permission, then feel free to settle down in the darkness. Of course, nothing like random beatings/killings/kidnappings will happen, but warnings of shady individuals loose will be issued and if you choose to have something happen to your character, well…
If something important is stolen and you want it back, yes your character is allowed to find it in a pawn shop later, and no it’s not ridiculously expensive. That would be mean.
12. How do events work?
Every so often, there will be an announcement in the mod journal with news of an upcoming event, so you will almost always have several days notice to plan for your character. If the event is huge, you might even get a week in advance. The events will affect both Disturbia and UnderDisturbia, unless stated otherwise in the notice. Also, if there is an event you’d like to see, just leave a note over at the Events Suggestion post! We will try to work in everything we can, sooner or later, unless it's something that can't happen without breaking the setting.
13. Does it cost anything to move?
Not if you’re just moving to a new location! However, if you decide to move your character into something a bit nicer, you need mod approval. Also, please remember to drop a line over in the Map and Housing post when you decide to move.
14. How many people can live in an apartment/condo?
Apartment: Comfortably? Two. Max? Four. If you want to squish more people than that into a living space, then you’re gonna have to get a bigger place. $1000/month.
Condo: Easily four, eight if you’re desperate. Are you planning an orgy or something? $2500/month.
15. Can my character get married/pregnant?
Married, sure! Knock yourselves out; just know what you’re doing when you attach the ol’ ball and chain. However, pregnant is an entirely new thing to be considered. M-preg is not allowed. While female pregnancy may be allowed in certain circumstances with mod approval, the chances of securing that approval are slim.
16. What fandoms are allowed in Disturbia?
This is a panfandom game. That means everything is allowed; books, movies, anime, video games, comics, TV shows, anything. The only stipulation on this is that it has to be a work of fiction. Because of that, there will be no apping religious figures, as playing them in a fictional RP can be very offensive.
However, we will caution that the game was originally designed partly as a place for characters who are realistic, urban, and modern in a way that makes them out of place in some of the fantasy-setting RPs that are common on LJ. Characters must at least be humanoid and corporeal; if they are not, it's possible that they will be required to exist in the setting in a mortal human body.
At the moment, Disturbia is heavily plot-driven, and aimed at thoughtful characters who are willing to get involved in the storyline. Super-powerful mayhem-loving action-oriented characters will probably be bored out of their skulls here. This may change when/if we grow larger.
17. Do the people topside/police know anything about the Undercity?
No indeed! You can physically show them the entrance to the city, and they wouldn't see anything besides an abandoned subway. They've deluded themselves to the point of an altered perception of reality...or is it the city that's lying? Who knows?
18. How do we get around?
There is a bus system, a tram system and taxis! If your character gets enough money (AKA, completes enough jobs or gets his or her own job, and asks a mod for permission) he or she may buy a car. However, if you don't care to utilize any of those things, there's always good old-fashioned walking!
19. Can my character die?
Character deaths are permitted, but certain conditions have to be met. First, you need mod permission; second, it will take at least two weeks for your character to be revived. And third, your character will have to start all over again regarding physical possessions; they can retain their memories, but all items acquired since arrival to Disturbia will be lost including furniture, vehicles, material comforts and extra cash. Square one.
20. Canon updates and canon puncture?
Canon updates: First of all, we are always most in favor of you playing the character that you apped and we accepted, rather than changing them midstream. In ongoing canons, though, it's always possible that you'll learn some new detail that you want to fit in: a piece of your character's history, a direction their powers might lean, and so on.
Therefore, we will consider a canon update of this kind: please contact a mod personally, after which there will probably be some discussion and a decision. What we will not consider is something that drastically changes the character you apped -- a choice to suddenly age them up by five years, that kind of thing.
Canon puncture: Nah, it would be better if you didn't. If your character is known to read and refer to some of the canons here (for example, Lucky Star and Bakuman both have characters who follow Death Note and/or Bleach), just replace it with a similar fictional manga of your own devising.
Got more questions? Leave ‘em here and I’ll add them to the FAQ!