Application Update [9/30/2016]
Sept 30, 2016 11:08:14 GMT -5
Shura, Walkren Dekharr, and 3 more like this
Post by Consequence on Sept 30, 2016 11:08:14 GMT -5
FOREWORD:
No dancing around this one, there are significant changes to the Application process, however, you'll find that there are virtually no alterations to the way we tell stories and write together! Highlighted amongst these changes is further streamlining of the History section to be less of a chore, a name change for Hollow-Breeds, and additional template changed for Quincy and Variants. You will find expanded reasoning in the specific sections down below.
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Applications
Templates
-The 'Power' section will now focus on the specific spiritual and conceptual elements of the character, such as the appearance of the Inner World, or the description of the Zanpakuto, and a brief tagline which describes the power in one or two sentences, rather than full paragraph about the power.
-The mechanical function of the First Power, in detail, will now be approved in a separate post, generally when the Stats and Skills are assigned.
-The 'History' section has been repurposed into three specific points in time: The character's 'Origin', the 'Rise to Power', and the 'Call To Action'.
-Detailed descriptions and explanations of each section will be provided as a guide for the new templates.
-Applications will remain a base 1,500 with another 1,500 possible GP. There is no change.
-Application regrades will now require three completed threads before submission. This is increased from one.
-If you have already created an Application, you are under no obligation to change to the new format before submission, but you may do so.
Can you explain this change?
Applications have always been a balance between setting people up for success and allowing them to sort of hit the ground running and just get into writing. We have a duty as staff and as a community of storytellers to set people up with the best chance that we can, and walking that line is part of it. So, while fully fleshing out a character's history can be very useful for framing their point-of-view, the circumstances where it's a frustration and a roadblock that separates an eager player from threading are just as, if not more, numerous. If we consider applications in the context of the classic "Hero's Journey", what actually matters?
Where a character comes from in a basic sense; their 'Origins'.
How a character got their spiritual powers, came to realize that they were different, or came to realize that they possessed strange abilities; their 'Rise to Power'.
What motivates the character to transition from someone in the background and into an active character in our setting; their 'Call to Action'.
These three elements frame all the important parts of a character's history. And beyond this list, you are free to expand and include whatever additional information you'd like in order to fill out your character. You may find it difficult to get maximum points on a History grade without doing so, but it is certainly not impossible.
Furthermore, breaking out the actual power into its own post and unattached approval process should help speed up the other biggest roadblock players experience: changing their minds about powers. With less pressure to tie everything together right away, we are hopeful that people will be more satisfied with the specifics of their powers long term, rather than asking to make edits several times in their first couple months. Basically, we've separated "knowing what you want to do" from "knowing how it'll work".
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Skill Loadouts
Quincy
-Quincy may forego certain Racial Skills in favor of additional Custom Skills. See the Quincy Rules topic for details.
-The race "Quincy" will now include all general Mortal spiritualists in addition to traditional Quincy.
Variants
-This category is intended to cover highly specific circumstances that truly do not fit in elsewhere, rather than as a catch-all for Mortals.
-The criteria for when to make a Variant will be included in the Human Rules topic.
-The existing Variant 'Rule' topic is being repurposed for Humans.
Hollow Breeds & Arrancar
-This Race is being condensed down to just Arrancar in name and title.
-Players can continue to play traditional Hollows with no adjustment necessary.
-Players wishing to create a Hollow in the future may do so by removing the Zanpakuto section of the Arrancar template.
-How to do this will be indicated in the Rules topic for the race.
No dancing around this one, there are significant changes to the Application process, however, you'll find that there are virtually no alterations to the way we tell stories and write together! Highlighted amongst these changes is further streamlining of the History section to be less of a chore, a name change for Hollow-Breeds, and additional template changed for Quincy and Variants. You will find expanded reasoning in the specific sections down below.
================================================
Applications
Templates
-The 'Power' section will now focus on the specific spiritual and conceptual elements of the character, such as the appearance of the Inner World, or the description of the Zanpakuto, and a brief tagline which describes the power in one or two sentences, rather than full paragraph about the power.
-The mechanical function of the First Power, in detail, will now be approved in a separate post, generally when the Stats and Skills are assigned.
-The 'History' section has been repurposed into three specific points in time: The character's 'Origin', the 'Rise to Power', and the 'Call To Action'.
-Detailed descriptions and explanations of each section will be provided as a guide for the new templates.
-Applications will remain a base 1,500 with another 1,500 possible GP. There is no change.
-Application regrades will now require three completed threads before submission. This is increased from one.
-If you have already created an Application, you are under no obligation to change to the new format before submission, but you may do so.
Can you explain this change?
Applications have always been a balance between setting people up for success and allowing them to sort of hit the ground running and just get into writing. We have a duty as staff and as a community of storytellers to set people up with the best chance that we can, and walking that line is part of it. So, while fully fleshing out a character's history can be very useful for framing their point-of-view, the circumstances where it's a frustration and a roadblock that separates an eager player from threading are just as, if not more, numerous. If we consider applications in the context of the classic "Hero's Journey", what actually matters?
Where a character comes from in a basic sense; their 'Origins'.
How a character got their spiritual powers, came to realize that they were different, or came to realize that they possessed strange abilities; their 'Rise to Power'.
What motivates the character to transition from someone in the background and into an active character in our setting; their 'Call to Action'.
These three elements frame all the important parts of a character's history. And beyond this list, you are free to expand and include whatever additional information you'd like in order to fill out your character. You may find it difficult to get maximum points on a History grade without doing so, but it is certainly not impossible.
Furthermore, breaking out the actual power into its own post and unattached approval process should help speed up the other biggest roadblock players experience: changing their minds about powers. With less pressure to tie everything together right away, we are hopeful that people will be more satisfied with the specifics of their powers long term, rather than asking to make edits several times in their first couple months. Basically, we've separated "knowing what you want to do" from "knowing how it'll work".
================================================
Skill Loadouts
Quincy
-Quincy may forego certain Racial Skills in favor of additional Custom Skills. See the Quincy Rules topic for details.
Variants
-This category is intended to cover highly specific circumstances that truly do not fit in elsewhere, rather than as a catch-all for Mortals.
-The criteria for when to make a Variant will be included in the Human Rules topic.
-The existing Variant 'Rule' topic is being repurposed for Humans.
Hollow Breeds & Arrancar
-This Race is being condensed down to just Arrancar in name and title.
-Players can continue to play traditional Hollows with no adjustment necessary.
-Players wishing to create a Hollow in the future may do so by removing the Zanpakuto section of the Arrancar template.
-How to do this will be indicated in the Rules topic for the race.