[Information] Add-On Characters
General Information
"Add-On characters" are separate from the primary, regular, characters you play in the RP. These characters are not expected to be as active or well-developed as your regular characters, and will function more like NPCs in the RP.
In terms of actual purpose, they basically should have none other than as another outlet for RPers to have some crack fun every now and then. While they can serve as some kind of support for current cast members, they should only be as such: support.
What makes a character an add-on is not how little background or personality they have, but what their purpose in canon is. If they behave essentially like an NPC, then they will most likely be qualified as an add-on.
Only current players of the game can apply for Add-Ons. For more information, read on.
NOTE: Add-Ons that were accepted and applied for before June 17 can stay in the game as they are. Players will not have to drop them, even if they no longer fit the new criteria. The only change will be participation in the Activity Check (detailed under cut).
In addition, players who have applied for character before the new pet rule came in on June 2, 2010 will be able to "apply" for their character's canon pet through this form. Details can be found under the cut.
Definition of "Add-On Character"
A "add-on character" will meet most or all of the following criteria:
EXAMPLES OF ACCEPTABLE ADD-ON CHARACTERS INCLUDE: Haro from Gundam 00, Repede from Tales of Vesperia, Adorea from Franken Fran, Laughing Octopus from Metal Gear Solid
EXAMPLES OF UNACCEPTABLE ADD-ON CHARACTERS INCLUDE: Rose from Metal Gear Solid, Rhyme from The World Ends With You, Feldt from Gundam 00, Sodia from Tales of Vesperia (All of these characters would in fact be considered regular characters and should be applied for as such)
We've tried to define it as best we can here, but some characters are still a bit difficult to judge, particularly some western cartoon shows like Loony Tunes. Some could actually be applied for as a regular character.
If you have any questions about what counts as an add-on character, or whether a specific character qualifies, please don't hesitate to contact the mods, and we'll help you work it out.
For Current Characters Applying for a Pet
On June 2, 2010, we amended the rules to allow characters to bring in their canon pets, which originally was not allowed. If your character was applied for before the rule change, or you have changed your mind since applying your character, you can "apply" for them using this page. Just fill out the information and make note that this is your character's canon pet in the [Why this character is an "add-on"] field.
Upon acceptance, you will not need a journal, as pets are supposed to be NPC'ed by the main character, or godmodded by another player with permission. They should not have their own account. Pets will also not be required for the Activity Check. Only separate, individual Add-Ons have to participate in the Activity Check.
Note: If another player wishes to play as a character's pet and is given permission, they will have to apply for them as a normal add-on and be subjected to the normal add-on rules.
Canon Change
If your character's canon is ongoing, it's possible that they might be developed later in the story, after you've already applied for them as an add-on character at Somarium. If an add-on character you play gains more canon development, enough to make them a "regular" character instead, you will no longer be able to play them as an add-on character. At this point you would be expected to either apply for them as a regular, character, or allow someone else to do it. Regardless, you will be expected to drop them as an add-on character.
If you choose to re-apply for the character as a regular character yourself, you will still have to go through the same application process as any other regular character. However, you will be able to keep the same journal, and the character will retain their memory of events that happened at Somarium while they were an add-on character.
What Add-Ons Would Do In The RP
Essentially, add-on characters are intended to provide support for the regular characters in the RP. While they are not restricted to only interacting with regular characters from their canon, that is probably who they will be interacting with the most. Add-ons shouldn't play integral roles in plots or relationships. They will generally remain static, or they will risk becoming canon OCs.
If it helps, think of add-ons as NPCs. They're simply there to provide a service for other characters. What that service is can vary between characters: it can be healing, providing of weapons, companionship, or just random entertainment value and comedy relief.
Characters or NPCs from games that actually ran item stores could work really well as Add-Ons. Characters that just randomly appeared to harass the main party and basically did nothing otherwise are also plausible.
Activity Requirements
Add-on characters are not expected to be as active as your major characters. They may not make posts in the main community, but they can make other journal posts if you so desire. Add-on characters can comment on any open post they wish.
Add-on characters are still required to follow all of the rules pertaining to post style, godmodding, playercest, &tc. You may not playercest with add-on characters. If your regular character has a character companion that you want to have in the RP, you can either apply for them as a pet and NPC it through your regular character, or have someone apply as the Add-On for you. Both are viable options.
As of June 17, 2010, Add-Ons will be officially required to participate in the Activity Check. However, due to their nature, the requirement is simple. Add-Ons must either have:
Rules
Application
The application form for add-on characters is essentially the same as the regular application form, but it's much, much shorter when filled out. If all you have about the character's personality or background is a sentence worth of information, you only need to write a sentence. These applications are not expected to be very long at all. Also, there is no sample post in the application.
[Player name]
[Personal Journal]
[Other characters currently played] (Include both "regular" and "add-on" characters. Format as: Name / Canon / Journal)
[Character name]
[Age]
[Canon]
[Point in time taken from canon]
[Why this character is an "add-on"] We'd just like to know why this character should be considered as an add-on.
[Background]
[Personality]
[Abilities]
[Other important stuff]
[What is their purpose in game?] What do you plan to do with this Add-On? Why do you want to play them?
[Any questions?]
Clean copy/pasta:
[Player name]
[Personal Journal]
[Other characters currently played](Include both "regular" and "add-on" characters. Format as: Name / Canon / Journal)
[Character name]
[Age]
[Canon]
[Point in time taken from canon]
[Why this character is an "add-on"]
[Background]
[Personality]
[Abilities]
[Other important stuff]
[What is their purpose in game?]
[Any questions?]
Add-on characters will be listed on the Taken Characters page along with regular characters. They will, however, be indicated as add-on characters.
"Add-On characters" are separate from the primary, regular, characters you play in the RP. These characters are not expected to be as active or well-developed as your regular characters, and will function more like NPCs in the RP.
In terms of actual purpose, they basically should have none other than as another outlet for RPers to have some crack fun every now and then. While they can serve as some kind of support for current cast members, they should only be as such: support.
What makes a character an add-on is not how little background or personality they have, but what their purpose in canon is. If they behave essentially like an NPC, then they will most likely be qualified as an add-on.
Only current players of the game can apply for Add-Ons. For more information, read on.
NOTE: Add-Ons that were accepted and applied for before June 17 can stay in the game as they are. Players will not have to drop them, even if they no longer fit the new criteria. The only change will be participation in the Activity Check (detailed under cut).
In addition, players who have applied for character before the new pet rule came in on June 2, 2010 will be able to "apply" for their character's canon pet through this form. Details can be found under the cut.
Definition of "Add-On Character"
A "add-on character" will meet most or all of the following criteria:
- They cannot be an OC/AU. This is echoing the main game rules. Basically the character must not be an original character and have a legitimate canon source.
- They are not very developed in their canon series. Add-on characters have significantly less background and character development than a regular character. They are in essence NPCs. They will have very, very, minor roles that constitute little to no support to the canon's plot or characters.
- They are not dynamic characters. Your regular characters will grow during the RP, and develop relationships with other characters. Aspects of their personality may shift slightly due to events that occur in the RP. Add-on characters, however, will change very, very little during the course of their stay here. They are very much static and do not change.
- They are not involved in anything R-rated. Meaning, if they are brought in, they aren't just so a regular canon can abuse them in any way.
- You would not apply for them normally. Add-on characters are essentially characters that would be interesting to play, but you would probably not ever actually apply for them. They're more like characters that you would take a dressing room to just throw at someone at random and have fun.
- They can be animals or summons. Though we now allow pets and animals into the game, it is possible for another player to play them instead. So long as they have conversed it with the other player and received permission, this is acceptable.
Things that would fall under this category are Pokemon, summons from various games, and canon animal mascots that appear with the group (Boota, Haro, Repede, Mieu, etc.). - They are not just minor characters. We want to make it clear that Add-Ons are not for characters who are considered minor characters due to either being part of a supporting cast or just have little screentime. Add-Ons are pretty much NPC-like and while they may have personality, don't really do much in terms of actual play.
EXAMPLES OF ACCEPTABLE ADD-ON CHARACTERS INCLUDE: Haro from Gundam 00, Repede from Tales of Vesperia, Adorea from Franken Fran, Laughing Octopus from Metal Gear Solid
EXAMPLES OF UNACCEPTABLE ADD-ON CHARACTERS INCLUDE: Rose from Metal Gear Solid, Rhyme from The World Ends With You, Feldt from Gundam 00, Sodia from Tales of Vesperia (All of these characters would in fact be considered regular characters and should be applied for as such)
We've tried to define it as best we can here, but some characters are still a bit difficult to judge, particularly some western cartoon shows like Loony Tunes. Some could actually be applied for as a regular character.
If you have any questions about what counts as an add-on character, or whether a specific character qualifies, please don't hesitate to contact the mods, and we'll help you work it out.
For Current Characters Applying for a Pet
On June 2, 2010, we amended the rules to allow characters to bring in their canon pets, which originally was not allowed. If your character was applied for before the rule change, or you have changed your mind since applying your character, you can "apply" for them using this page. Just fill out the information and make note that this is your character's canon pet in the [Why this character is an "add-on"] field.
Upon acceptance, you will not need a journal, as pets are supposed to be NPC'ed by the main character, or godmodded by another player with permission. They should not have their own account. Pets will also not be required for the Activity Check. Only separate, individual Add-Ons have to participate in the Activity Check.
Note: If another player wishes to play as a character's pet and is given permission, they will have to apply for them as a normal add-on and be subjected to the normal add-on rules.
Canon Change
If your character's canon is ongoing, it's possible that they might be developed later in the story, after you've already applied for them as an add-on character at Somarium. If an add-on character you play gains more canon development, enough to make them a "regular" character instead, you will no longer be able to play them as an add-on character. At this point you would be expected to either apply for them as a regular, character, or allow someone else to do it. Regardless, you will be expected to drop them as an add-on character.
If you choose to re-apply for the character as a regular character yourself, you will still have to go through the same application process as any other regular character. However, you will be able to keep the same journal, and the character will retain their memory of events that happened at Somarium while they were an add-on character.
What Add-Ons Would Do In The RP
Essentially, add-on characters are intended to provide support for the regular characters in the RP. While they are not restricted to only interacting with regular characters from their canon, that is probably who they will be interacting with the most. Add-ons shouldn't play integral roles in plots or relationships. They will generally remain static, or they will risk becoming canon OCs.
If it helps, think of add-ons as NPCs. They're simply there to provide a service for other characters. What that service is can vary between characters: it can be healing, providing of weapons, companionship, or just random entertainment value and comedy relief.
Characters or NPCs from games that actually ran item stores could work really well as Add-Ons. Characters that just randomly appeared to harass the main party and basically did nothing otherwise are also plausible.
Activity Requirements
Add-on characters are not expected to be as active as your major characters. They may not make posts in the main community, but they can make other journal posts if you so desire. Add-on characters can comment on any open post they wish.
Add-on characters are still required to follow all of the rules pertaining to post style, godmodding, playercest, &tc. You may not playercest with add-on characters. If your regular character has a character companion that you want to have in the RP, you can either apply for them as a pet and NPC it through your regular character, or have someone apply as the Add-On for you. Both are viable options.
As of June 17, 2010, Add-Ons will be officially required to participate in the Activity Check. However, due to their nature, the requirement is simple. Add-Ons must either have:
- 1 post + 5 comments
- 10 comments
Rules
- You must already play a regular character at Somarium to apply for an add-on character. You cannot apply for an add-on unless you are already in the game.
- You may only play three (3) add-on characters. Add-on characters can be dropped just like any other character if you decide to want to play someone else.
- You may apply for an add-on character even if there is no regular character from their canon. However, please make sure that this add-on character is capable of operating without canonmates; some animal or robot characters who cannot speak an actual language might have a hard time, for example.
- You may apply for add-on characters under the age of ten, with no limits on their maturity level. This is obviously different from the application rules for regular characters. Please don't abuse it.
- You may only have a total of three (3) characters from the same canon. This includes both regular and add-on characters.
- You may not apply for a character if someone else has already applied for them. If you apply for a character, and there is already an application for that character being processed, your application will only be looked at if the first application is denied.
- You must wait until your application has been accepted before your character can join the game. You can apply for an Add-On whenever you want. They are not limited to the App Cycle.
- You can apply for an Add-On at the same time you are applying a normal character. You can also apply for an add-on at any time. It does not have to be during the cycle.
Application
The application form for add-on characters is essentially the same as the regular application form, but it's much, much shorter when filled out. If all you have about the character's personality or background is a sentence worth of information, you only need to write a sentence. These applications are not expected to be very long at all. Also, there is no sample post in the application.
[Player name]
[Personal Journal]
[Other characters currently played] (Include both "regular" and "add-on" characters. Format as: Name / Canon / Journal)
[Character name]
[Age]
[Canon]
[Point in time taken from canon]
[Why this character is an "add-on"] We'd just like to know why this character should be considered as an add-on.
[Background]
[Personality]
[Abilities]
[Other important stuff]
[What is their purpose in game?] What do you plan to do with this Add-On? Why do you want to play them?
[Any questions?]
Clean copy/pasta:
[Player name]
[Personal Journal]
[Other characters currently played](Include both "regular" and "add-on" characters. Format as: Name / Canon / Journal)
[Character name]
[Age]
[Canon]
[Point in time taken from canon]
[Why this character is an "add-on"]
[Background]
[Personality]
[Abilities]
[Other important stuff]
[What is their purpose in game?]
[Any questions?]
Add-on characters will be listed on the Taken Characters page along with regular characters. They will, however, be indicated as add-on characters.