Mod Account for The Calling (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
calling_mods) wrote2016-03-21 09:47 am
calling_mods) wrote2016-03-21 09:47 am
Seven-Fold City FAQ
|
GETTING STARTED
Q: What is the Seven-Fold City?
A: The Seven-Fold City (SFC) is the city which stands at the border between reality and fiction. The City at large is a massive circle which is divided into seven sections, seven lesser Cities which each function according to the rules of the archetypes and tropes which give it its name. Outside of the City is a massive sea, filled with a variety of Islands which each contain lesser settlements of various kinds.
Q: Does my character have to come to the SFC?
A: No. No character is required to come to the Seven-Fold City to participate in the game. A character may, as they choose, only participate via the CALL Network.
Q: What does the SFC offer to characters? Why would my character go there?
A: Aside from sating their curiosity, the SFC has many opportunities for character growth, character change, and interactions between characters from different universes. Placing a dramatic character into the City of Romance may give them the chance they need to find love. Placing a comedic character in the City of Sorcery, on the other hand, may help them find the heroic heart beating behind all those jokes. There will also be various plots and events within the SFC which your character would need to be present to be effected by.
Q: Is there anyone there to give them the rundown? Any kind of primer for my character? What about someone to come to for questions?
A: The front desk at McAran Industries is staffed with a rather delightful woman who is happy to answer any IC questions that your character might have about the basics of the city. Further, there are map apps and a regular news podcast that they can use to get a feel for the place and keep up with events.
Q: Can I get a quick rundown of what genres each section of the SFC falls under?
A: Sure!
- The City of Tomorrow is Science Fiction.
- The City of Shadows is Suspense/Noir.
- The City of Nightmares is Horror.
- The City of Sorcery is Fantasy.
- The City of Laughter is Comedy.
- The City of Adventure is Action/Adventure.
- The City of Romance is Romance.
Q: How does my character get to the SFC?
A: Every character in the game is provided a CALL Device, which grants them access to their chosen networks. It also has a [TRANSPORT] button, which, when pressed, will bring the character and whatever is on their person to the City itself. Initially, they will be brought to the City of Tomorrow, in front of the McAran Tower... though it can be re-calibrated to a different section once they've arrived.
Q: All right. So how do the different Cities affect things?
A: As noted in the description of the Cities, the different cities all play to different tropes and genres. If you're having trouble grasping how this might change reality for a character, consider a piece of media from that sphere and think about how it actually works. So, for the City of Romance, perhaps your character who has the worst luck in the world will have a Meet-Cute with another character. A series of mishaps might ensue, but in that City, everything will work out in the end and love will conquer all. In the City of Tomorrow, a solution to a difficult problem might be found in a handy-dandy scientist's lair or through some application of computer know-how. Which isn't to say the Cities are always helpful. After all, in the City of Nightmares, unless you are physically holding the keys in your hand, there's a 95% chance that they're sitting on the table right behind the serial killer in the mask chasing after you. And bad decisions, the kind that darken the soul, just seem that much more reasonable when you're trying to survive in the City of Shadows. TL;DR: use as much or as little of each City as serves your story and your play.
Q: Are there any restrictions on how often my character can go to and from the SFC?
A: No. Characters can come and go as they please. As stated, however, they can only come and go from their universe or to their universe using their own CALL Device. Any changes to this would be announced in the
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
calling_ooc comm and on the SFC Page.Q: Can my character bring things to and from the SFC? To different worlds?
A: Your character can and will bring anything on their person when they press the [TRANSPORT] button. Their 'usual' kit should be listed on your characters Permissions/Info page.
Q: Are there any regulations on what my character can bring to and from the SFC?
A: Generally, no, though it should be something on their person. If your character is planning on bringing something universe-breaking or an item of extreme power that is out of the ordinary to affect the game-space, however, it would require the appropriate plotting work. If your character is just passing through with the item, it is the responsibility of the player in possession of said item to clear that item with the player who is providing the [TRANSPORT].
Q: Why would my character spend time in the SFC?
A: While obviously, the battle between good and evil exists in any number of universes, the SFC is something of a central point between all universes and changes made there can affect whole swaths of reality. A villainous takeover of the City of Laughter, for instance, may make all humor take a turn for the dark and harmful, while a heroic victory in the City of Nightmares may make it possible for the dawn to come that much earlier in the most dire and horrific of circumstances.
Q: What will my character find in the Cities?
A: There is a brief description and a few landmarks to start for each City on the SFC Page, which is also where any plot effects for the section will be tracked. The descriptions are somewhat vague on purpose as characters will be welcome to make up NPC businesses, buildings, and locations (a coffee bar in the City of Romance, a broken down pharmacy in the City of Shadows, a 'well known' pub in the City of Nightmare) as they see fit as long as they match the general environment listed.
Q: Does the SFC restrict the abilities of any characters?
A: Not at all. Your character exists exactly as they do in canon while in the city.
Q: So can my character use the Force/cast magic spells/etc. while in the SFC?
A: Definitely! Though the effectiveness of those abilities will be affected depending on the City that they happen to be in, as one might expect. For example: a freeze ray gun will work great in the City of Tomorrow or even the City of Shadows, but it's not going to be nearly as effective in the City of Sorcery and may even malfunction. Similarly, magic will still work in the City of Tomorrow, but it may interact oddly with the tech and prove less effective against some of the more bizarre threats. Use your best judgement and if you have any questions, ask the mods!
Q: So can you die in the SFC?
A: Ayup. Absolutely. There's no protection from death in the SFC.
Q: So what happens if you die in the SFC?
A: The thing about the SFC is that it exists on the border between fiction and reality. And whether your characters know it or not, they are, in fact, fictional. Which is why when they die outside of a story, they will appear back in their own world, unharmed but with a full-body ache and terrible headaches that will last for approximately a week. During that week, the [TRANSPORT] function on their CALL device will be non-functional, but they will be able to communicate on the networks without restriction.
GEOGRAPHY
Q: Which sections of the SFC are situated where?
A: As it's a circle, there's no 'beginning' or end, but the cycle is as such:
City of Tomorrow >> City of Shadows >> City of Nightmare >> City of Sorcery >> City of Laughter >> City of Adventure >> City of Romance >> City of Tomorrow
Q: How do you travel between the sections/Cities?
A: There are generally three bridges between sections of the city, one nearest the point, one in the middle, and one at the edge of the hub. One can also usually find ferry boats and there is a subway system that travels through all of them in the point sections. Given some of the water-based threats available, swimming is not recommended but it is possible. There is no other divider between sections than the water, after all, so flight, hot air balloon... you name it. However you need to travel.
Q: How do directions work in the SFC?
A: While your character may use the traditional NSEW and most NPCs will understand it, it's a bit like using the metric system in the United States: it's not the best way to convey your meaning since it's not what's generally used. Instead, most directions will be given Pointward or Hubward, with the City section next to them used for reference. So it's less likely that an NPC will tell you to go Northwest on Broad. Instead, they'll say 'Hubward to Nightmare' or 'Pointward to Adventure' etc.
Q: What time period/technology level do each of the Cities have?
A: As each 'genre' represented can be found in almost all time periods, there are sections in each City for every appropriate period and technology level. Your character is welcome to act or function in whichever section they find the most comfortable. The City of Sorcery, for instance, has areas that are mostly high fantasy and others that are closer to urban fantasy. Because the City is constantly in flux, as is the nature of fiction, don't feel too restrained but use your best sense. Generally, the higher technology level will be towards the point and the lower technology level will be towards the hub, but this is just a general rule.
Q: What about locations/landmarks?
A: While most of the spots you'd find in each section of the SFC are going to be as UCish as the citizens, there are some distinguished locations, monuments, and other marks of fiction on the City. As stated, the City is constantly in flux and Named Characters (NC) from different worlds can cause the most change, adding new location in 2 ways:
- If a number of NCs from a particular world happen to spend a lot of time in the SFC, some of the important pieces of their world may show up. For example: If several of the regulars from Cheers Beacon Hill were apped, one of the local bars would slowly shift into being a copy of Cheers Beacon Hill. An NPC would run it, but should Sam Malone be apped, he would be accepted as the owner and able to take his place behind the bar. Similarly, if Sam Malone had an extensive impact on the SFC, a copy of Cheers Beacon Hill might appear if the player wished for it. More on how this process works is available on the SFC Page, under the individual Location tabs.
- If enough players use/reference a location (like a new bar in the City of Tomorrow that characters keep meeting at), the location will be added to the SFC Guide with some definitive details for players to use in their posts.
- If a player wants to open a business, build a building, etc. etc. they can apply to add the location to the city. In this case, they are just adding to the city like any other resident as opposed to influencing the gamespace as an NC. Use the location form linked above for this as well.
TIME, CURRENCY, ETC.
Q: Does time pass while my character is in the SFC?
A: Generally, the answer will be no. Time only passes for a character while the character is in their own universe; think of it like picking up or putting down a book. However, there will be plots and periods where this is not the case; players will be warned ahead of time and will have the choice of whether or not they want to have such an effect happen to their character.
Q: What about calendars? Dates? Holidays?
A: Part of fiction is playing off of an understanding of reality and for the most part, letting small details rely on the reader's knowledge. As such, whatever date/time scheme that your character is familiar with is the form of timekeeping that they will see when they look at clocks, calendars, etc. As for holidays, similarly, a character will be able to find a celebration that matches one of their holidays somewhere in the SFC on the appropriate day, as well as holidays from other worlds and cultures they may not be familiar with.
Q: Can my character bring money from home to spend in the SFC?
A: Absolutely. And there's no need for a currency exchange: Named Characters, as noted in the date/time question, shape the SFC in small ways, and part of that is that a merchant they are dealing with will use the currency they're familiar with for any purchases.
Q: Will that money be spent from their account back home?
A: Yes.
NEW!
Q: What about language?
A: Another one of those cases where reality bends around the NCs, UCs around them will speak the same language they do. The CALL devices both automatically translate AND act as Babelfish for their owners, translating what they experience in the SFC with others or in homeworlds. If someone makes a point of speaking another language, their intention to only be selectively understood is respected and the information is untranslated.
UCs and NCs
Q: Is the SFC empty?
A: Absolutely not! That'd be a little boring, wouldn't it? No, the SFC is literally filled with UCs, or Unnamed Characters. Literal NPCs in the general scope of fiction. UCs from literature, and UCs from video games and UCs from TV shows. Of course they have names and lives of their own, but these are the folks who you see in the background of every story, the ones without speaking lines or shouting in the crowd. Those pitchforks won't hoist themselves, after all. As such, players are welcome to mod them doing their normal everyday activities. If a mob or a crowd is required for specific action for a plot, that would need to be a part of the plot application process, just like anything else that affects a large number of players/large location. But someone street performing with a few onlookers? A barista filling your coffee order? A street food seller giving you a dirty look? That's just fine. Anything with 10 people or less is fair game.
Q: What is a Named Character?
A: Named Characters are those who have been given a name and a voice in fictional narratives, which gives them greater power to effect change in the SFC. Almost all NCs are those who have been apped and are being played by folks in game, though some might be introduced as part of a plot. All player characters are NCs.
Q: Are Unnamed Characters aware of their status? Do they know about Named Characters?
A: Yup. This is a city full of the genre-savvy. They are well aware. They won't venerate or in any way treat your character as special, exactly, but the narrative power difference is something they're aware of.
Q: Can Named Characters identify one another? Or could someone pretend to be a UC?
A: There's no specific visual cue to tell between an NC or a UC, but NCs do have a 'sense' when there's another NC around, like a faint buzz at the edge of their senses that will only fade away when the two acknowledge one another. This can be a glance, a wave, a waggle of a CALL device... whatever you like. It can also be handwaved as needed but feel free to use this to start conversation or act as an impetus for an interaction.
Q: ...so it's like the Immortal buzz in Highlander?
A: Yeah, pretty much.
Q: Can my character get a job/home/etc. in the SFC?
A: Absolutely! Feel free to create UC businesses ('that pub down by the hub' or 'the coffee shop over near McAran tower') and UCs as needed.
Q: Can my character make friends/have contacts with NPCs in the SFC?
A: Absolutely! Though it really should be restricted to 'Sarah down the street keeps giving me tomatoes' or 'Tom at the coffee shop is a jerk' or 'my boss down at the software company here is a real piece of work'. You're not here to play with sockpuppets, after all. The meaningful relationships are going to be with other players!
LAW ENFORCEMENT/CRIME
Q: Is there NPC crime in the SFC?
A: Absolutely, though the nature of it will change depending on the city. Feel free to have your characters stop a mugging (or participate in one), steal an idol from a temple with some hired UC goons (or stop the theft!), etc. The general rule is that as long as it uses less than 10 people total and a single building, it's fair game.
Q: Is there NPC law enforcement in the SFC?
A: UC law enforcement handles UC crimes and ONLY UC crimes. If a Named Character commits crimes or goes after people, it is the responsibility of other Named Characters to stop them. It's not that the Unnamed Characters don't care or are just fine with letting their City fall to madness and destruction, but they literally don't stand a chance. In laymen's terms, Unnamed Characters (UCs) have the life expectancy of a RedShirt. Lv 1 Goblins. Cop Who Was Three Days From Retirement #4... when facing a Named Character. So as a NC, you can expect support and assistance from UCs, but that support is going to be extremely low level and usually paperwork-related. That said, they do appreciate NC assistance with UC crime for the most part, unless that assistance might be objectionable (ex. the Punisher will be about as popular in the SFC as he is back in the Marvel universe).
Q: If NC/NCs decide to go on a crime spree, will the UC law enforcement try and step in?
A: No. What would happen, if no one steps up, is that the UC Law Enforcement officials would put out an official call for assistance to the CALL network. This would be visible to your character just like any other post on
calling_net.Q: So how does law enforcement work for NCs?
A: Basically, they police each other. Heroes fight villains. Villains go after heroes. UCs do their best to stay out of the way, but villains will on occasion grab a few for hostages or the like. Otherwise, however, it's between the NCs.
Q: So how do heroes actually 'put away' villains in the SFC?
A: They can't, at least not at the moment. Perhaps the heroic types might want to do something about that...
Q: What about back in their homeworld? Wouldn't the CALL device make any incarceration there pointless?
A: Not really. If a villain is locked up back in their homeworld (ie, they're at Blackgate Prison or Stryker's Island or something), their CALL device is not going to bring them back to any other point/time. They'll always come from and go back to their cell. So yes, while they'd have the freedom of the SFC (for the moment), they wouldn't have any more ability to do damage back home than anyone else. Well, unless they start working together...
REQUESTS and WSFC
Q: What are reQuests?
A: ReQuests (previously known as 'Missions') are just what they sound like: requests by citizens of the SFC that your character can fulfill. These requests are entirely voluntary but they do offer opportunities for your characters to gain items, abilities, and other goodies for use in the SFC and beyond. They're also a chance for you, the player to help expand, explore, shape, and define things in the SFC.
Q: How will my character find out about ReQuests?
A: There is an app on your CALL device labeled as such and it will bounce on your screen quite irritatingly until the reQuest is at least read.
Q: How long do I have to complete reQuests?
A: As long as you like. Some reQuests will be open ended; multiple characters can complete the reQuest, even if other players have already done so. Others will be one shots that players, as a group, can go through. Each reQuest post will consist of an announcement on
calling_net and a linked post on calling_logs where you can fulfill the reQuest. If a reQuest is unfulfilled, regardless of how long it's been up, it's fair game.Q: What kind of reQuests are there?
A: ReQuests can be anything from exploration to lawkeeping to tracking down a particular person, place, or item throughout the SFC. In general, you'll be given some information as to what's required but given that this is a city full of wonders, it probably won't be the whole story. That said, all reQuests will have a space where characters can ask questions of the reQuesting agent which may or may not provide useful information.
Q: Will reQuests be useful to all kinds of characters? This sounds awfully heroic-sounding...
A: Yes. Aside from the CR, all reQuests will have something for heroic, neutral, and villainous characters. If a reQuest seems just a little too goody-goody, keep in mind that the characters don't have to give over the item, person, or disclose the location the reQuest was looking to find. If it's information? ...who says you have to report back the truth?
Q: How, exactly, do reQuests work?
A:
- A post will go up, tagged appropriately, in calling_net. This will detail who the reQuest is from, what is being reQuested, provide a space for questions directed at the UC who made the request, and in the case of information reQuests, a space for the characters to 'turn in' their findings. It will link to a second post.
- This second post will go up in calling_logs, linking back to the original post, which will detail the action portion of the reQuest. This is where the characters will actually perform the reQuest. Characters are welcome to discuss the reQuest on the Network, or talk about it during Log posts, but the actual fulfillment of the reQuest should occur within this post. If the reQuest is for a physical item or require interaction with a UC in person, there will be a space for the characters to 'turn in' their reQuest.
- In the case of multiple-use reQuests, it will largely be an open-ended encounter that can be played through with minimal NPC assistance.
- In the case of a one-shot reQuest, the action will be guided as necessary via NPC/mod assistance, which will be detailed in the post.
- In the case of multiple-use reQuests, it will largely be an open-ended encounter that can be played through with minimal NPC assistance.
- Once the characters have achieved the goal of the reQuest, they would then 'turn in' the reQuest. This can take the form of providing the item, information, or person OR leaving an OOC message to inform the mods of any alternate plans.
Q: Why'd you rename 'Missions' to 'reQuests'?
A: To make it clear to both players and characters that these adventures are entirely voluntary.
Q: Are reQuests solitary or group events?
A: The goal is for them to be done in groups of 2 or more, but some reQuests can be fulfilled alone; the posting will make it clear what's required. As with everything else, we really want folks to take this opportunity for CR with other players if possible. If you start a reQuest and decide that you'd like to have another character join you (or if a character would like to join a one-time reQuest in progress), we would encourage the players involved to contact one another to figure out a worthwhile solution. And when in doubt, feel free to ping the mods. We're happy to try and work things out with you.
NEW!
Q: So what's WSFC?
A: WSFC is the radio station for the Seven-Fold City. Their main office is in the Satellite in the City of Tomorrow, but they have locations in each one of the Cities where they broadcast appropriate music and radio shows for each section. For players characters, the most important thing about them is that they put out a show every two weeks or so giving a run down of what's going on in the SFC.
NEW!
Q: What's that mean?
A: Basically, the WSFC app and podcasts are where you find out information about the current events in the various Cities. If you're not sure what your character might be doing or what they might want to do in the City itself, the checking out a broadcast might pique their interest.
NEW!
Q: So how do they work?
A: Once every two weeks, a broadcast/podcast goes out on
calling_net which gives a rundown of the various events going on in the individual Cities for that time. The news stories are simply plot hooks that you can use or ignore (they're CITIES, after all) to your heart's content.NEW!
Q: The broadcasts seem a little vague on details. How do I find out more?
A: The vagueness is actually intentional. First, you can always tag the broadcast post to 'call' the station asking for more details; we understand that lots of people like to have concrete information. Second, players are welcome and encouraged to make up the details that they like and run with it. As has been mentioned elsewhere, NCs warp and change the SFC and what's true for one might not be true for another. Stories change and shift. Details blur and wobble as the story needs them to. If one person decides that in their post, the potions sold by the Goblin Market only last for an hour and another person decides that they last until leaving Sorcery, that's absolutely fine. Reality is quite literally what you make it around here.
NEW!
Q: What if the news story was about a murder? Or a mystery? How do I use those when I don't know the answers...
A: Go for it. Run down the murderer. Solve the mystery. Whatever serves your story: broadcasts are for you to use and play with as you like. There's no 'solution' waiting in the wings that you have to be careful not to step on. Whoever picks up and runs with it owns it, whether it be an individual or a group. If multiple people pick up and run with it, it's a great opportunity for characters who might not have talked for another reason to talk.
NEW!
Q: Can I use something from the broadcast before last or plots from old broadcasts?
A: Yes, though we do ask that you use your judgement and do it in a way that makes sense. To bring the potion example up again, let's say that you got there after the next broadcast but you were able to convince him to give you a bottle because of the interesting magic in your universe. Or you found a stray bottle. Or you got one from someone else who was there (player communication!). Feel free to use the plot hooks for as long as you like. There's always going to be bits and pieces of things that don't fall into place neatly, after all.
OTHER?
Q: And if I have any other questions?
A: Just ask them below and we'll add the pertinent ones up top!
| Network | ◎ | Logs | ◎ | Homeworlds | ◎ | Ooc | ◎ | Faq | ◎ | Sfc | ◎ | Sfc Faq | ◎ | Network Faq | ◎ | Rules | ◎ | Cast | ◎ | App |
no subject
no subject
no subject
no subject
But transferring from a homeworld currency to the SFC currency isn't actually possible since the SFC currency is literally whatever the character is using at the time. While the character is dealing with the merchant, their currency IS the SFC currency.