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FAQ
✖ Frequently Asked Questions
Setting
WHERE DOES THIS TAKE PLACE?
The Endless Isles are pretty much what it reads on the tin: an endless archipelago where each island has a different setting and experience. Depending on the character, they will see the islands floating in a horizonless sky or scattered over a wine-dark sea. Some settings will vary and may be: funny, ominous, beautiful, nearly deserted, full of future tech, more like the bronze age, horrific, etc. It's very important players check in and are aware of the monthly theme posts. They are also welcome to ask clarifying questions at any point.
HOW DID THE CHARACTERS GET HERE?
The Ancient transferred your character to her domain in a different plane of existence in order to send them on a journey to sort their emotional/moral situation out. This process comes with consequences for the highest-powered characters in terms of limiting powers and grounding them slightly. This may also explain why a character who's died in canon is alive again.
WHAT'S THE POPULATION LIKE?
Unless otherwise described in the monthly theme, if there's a population on the island that looks human, they probably are. Given the long-term presence of Travelers in the Isles, they are of a variety of racial and ethnic backgrounds and some settings will reflect specific cultural influences that have been brought to the Isles.
WHAT'S THE TECHNOLOGY LIKE?
This is, again, variable in the extreme. There will be locations with little to no technology beyond basic farming implements and locations where impossibly advanced technology is the norm. The internet/cellphones/ect will not be available on most islands. ScryWatches are magical and will work as a means of long-distance communication, translation, and growth monitoring regardless of technology level.
ARE THERE REGULAR ANIMALS AROUND, OR ARE THEY ALL MONSTERS?
Both. Whenever possible, there will be some kind of ecosystem on the islands barring a specific theme. Any normal animal may become a monster if the Ancient feels the need to mete out some consequences.
IS THERE ANYTHING OUTSIDE THE ISLANDS? CAN CHARACTERS LEAVE?
Just the ocean or horizonless sky between the islands. If a character attempts to leave the island before their given time, they will have a meeting with either the Ancient's Flock or the Ancient's Lantern depending on their method of attempted exit. Neither is a pleasant experience.
IC Game Mechanics
WHAT’S AVAILABLE TO CHARACTERS UPON ENTRY TO THE GAME?
Characters arrive with a simple robe in plain colors, simple but sturdy shoes (if needed), and a simple but sturdy carryall bag. They may load up with basic survival supplies at the Main Temple on their first month, but after that available resources will vary greatly during challenge months. The High Temple offers lockers that characters can store things in, but of course they will only be available bimonthly.
CAN CHARACTERS AVOID THE EFFECTS OF AN ISLE?
If a player is on hiatus, yes. Otherwise, some Isles will have an effect that the character needs to participate in to get rid of. If your character does not participate, they will bring that effect along with them. If an Isle gives rewards for participation, your character cannot get them unless they are active.
WHAT IF MY CHARACTER HAS SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR SURVIVAL?
All baseline requirements will be met at the Temple on each Isle. This includes things like blood for vampires, charging for tech-based characters, and meds and mobility aids for characters that require them.
ARE THERE ANY LANGUAGE OR COMMUNICATION BARRIERS?
This is one function of your ScryWatch - through its magic, all characters can understand one another. This extends to sign language.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN IF AN NPC CAN BE CONTROLLED BY BOTH THE PLAYERS AND THE MODS?
Players are welcome to use these characters to help give a sense of the world around them in ways that fit with the established characterization. Anything that changes characterization or reveals significant information about either that character or the game setting in general needs to be mod approved. When in doubt, check-in with the mods.
IS THERE A POWER CAP?
Yes. Characters should be focused to some degree on personal growth, and having unlimited power tends to limit that option. Additionally, we also want to limit game-breaking elements. Therefore, characters whose extreme power functions as a central plot mechanic in their native canon (think Dr. Manhattan or the Pheonix) will need to be toned down to better reflect the setting and the fact that they are only the main characters of their subplots. This extends to powers that are theoretically infinite or would allow a character to escape unharmed.
WHAT ABOUT (SPECIFIC POWER)?
This is not an exhaustive list, so when in doubt, please ask!
CAN MY CHARACTER BRING THEIR PET OR SUMMON?
No. Fluffy has to stay at home. However, there will be opportunities through point collection or events where you may be able to reunite with your precious friend.
OOC Game Mechanics
WHAT TIMEZONE IS THE GAME RUN ON?
PST. West Coast, Best Coast, baby! We try to post events by 3:00 PM PST. Applications are usually dealt with over the weekend.
WHAT IS THE TIME RATIO OF THE GAME?
Island timelines are based on the calendar month. One calendar month for the main events and challenges, one calendar month for the rest month. Given the mythic setting and relaxed mode, this does not require a literal 1 day irl = 1 day in game as long as the players are ready to move on at the end of the cycle.
WHAT IS THE EVENT SCHEDULE LIKE?
Every island setting lasts two months: one calendar month for the more challenging events, one calendar month for the more restful events. A new TDM will be posted once every two months.
WHEN DO RESERVES AND APPS OPEN? WHEN ARE TEST DRIVES POSTED?
There are no reserves, and applications are currently always open!
TDMs will be posted in the third week every other month.
WHAT ARE THE ACTIVITY REQUIREMENTS?
Activity is check-in only, once a month. You can check in at any time. AC will be checked after the 7th of the following month. Failure to check in will result in your character being swept. If you need to hiatus, please fill out this hiatus form/contact the mod team. If you miss activity check-in due to extenuating circumstances, please contact the mod team.
HOW WILL YOU PREVENT CHARACTER SQUATTING WITH A CHECK-IN ONLY GAME?
The mods see all. While we aim to be a casual, low-stress game and ask that our players use their best judgment when deciding whether or not they can continue to maintain their characters, characters who fail to make progress or participate to an acceptable level within a two (2) month period will be warned and are at risk of being dropped from the game. You're all adults, please be realistic about what you can handle.
Applications
WHAT ARE THE AGE REQUIREMENTS?
Due to the nature and potential themes of the game, all players must be 18 or older. Polymythos welcomes characters of all ages (within reason, as they must be able to care for their own basic needs), but we ask our players to use their best judgment as to what they put their underage characters through. Continued abuse, torture, and graphic smut involving characters who are under 18 will not be tolerated.
WHAT CHARACTERS ARE APPABLE?
With some exceptions, we welcome all characters including but not limited to canon characters, canon AUs, fandom AUs, original characters, and CRAUs. Fictionalized versions of historical figures (e.g. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, characters from the musical Hamilton, etc.) are allowed, but real life public figures both past and present are not. Doubles or duplicates of characters, even those from separate media types and canon AUs, are not accepted at this time.
CAN I APP A CHARACTER WITH LITTLE BACKGROUND INFORMATION?
Yes. As with fandom AUs, such characters will be subject to scrutiny, as the mod team will want to see that you have a clear sense of their characterization. If you make up history for this character, you will be expected to provide a description of it in your application.
CAN I APP A NON HUMAN CHARACTER?
Yes! We require two basic things about characters: they must have a physical form and they must be sufficiently sentient to have the potential to grow emotionally and interpersonally. If your character is a ghost, AI, or otherwise without physical form, you get to decided how to resolve that. (Made human, becomes the physical undead, gains robot body, etc.) Things that are inherently not human but have physical form do not have to change their bodies.
ARE THERE CAST OR CHARACTER CAPS? HOW MANY CHARACTERS CAN I APP?
At the moment there are no plans for player, cast, or character caps, but this may change in the future. New content breeds new players and our only concern is that certain casts do not completely dominate the game. Players are allowed a total of three (3) characters, however we are open to making the occasional exception provided you are active with all of your characters.
CAN I APP TWO CHARACTERS FROM THE SAME CANON?
Yes, provided the two have no significant overlap. E.g., you cannot play Batman and Robin, they have affected one another in canon.
HOW LONG DOES A PIECE OF MEDIA HAVE TO BE OUT BEFORE I CAN APP FROM IT / CANON UPDATE TO IT?
A piece of media, regardless of language, has to be out for at least one (1) month before you can app from the source material or update your character's canon point to it. For international media, this includes both professionally and fan-translated content, as the internet has allowed for most popular media to be translated almost immediately after release.
CAN I APP A CHARACTER WHO DIED IN CANON? CAN I APP A CHARACTER WHO DIED PREVIOUSLY IN-GAME?
Yes.
WHAT HAPPENS IF CHARACTERS DIE IN-GAME?
You can choose to have your character die or your character may die as a result of particularly bad mistakes in-game. When/if your character dies, you may not re-app that character for one month. During that time, other players may app that character. At the end of one month, you may re-app the character but they must be from a different canon-point or media. They will be a different version of the character and need to rebuild CR and start over in their journey. OCs will also be required to wait one month and reset as well.
IF I LEAVE THE GAME, DOES THAT COUNT AS A CHARACTER DEATH IF I WANT TO REJOIN IN THE FUTURE?
If a player chooses/needs to leave the game, that does not count as a character death. They may be able to re-app the same character and version if they are still available after one month without having to do a full reset.
Rules and the responses provided here on the FAQ are subject to change at the mods' discretion. For any questions not answered here or that require further clarification, please feel free to submit them as a comment to this post below and the mod team will get back to you ASAP. If you have a question that is related to a specific character's canon situation, please post the question here.
Last Updated: 2/2/2022
WHERE DOES THIS TAKE PLACE?
The Endless Isles are pretty much what it reads on the tin: an endless archipelago where each island has a different setting and experience. Depending on the character, they will see the islands floating in a horizonless sky or scattered over a wine-dark sea. Some settings will vary and may be: funny, ominous, beautiful, nearly deserted, full of future tech, more like the bronze age, horrific, etc. It's very important players check in and are aware of the monthly theme posts. They are also welcome to ask clarifying questions at any point.
HOW DID THE CHARACTERS GET HERE?
The Ancient transferred your character to her domain in a different plane of existence in order to send them on a journey to sort their emotional/moral situation out. This process comes with consequences for the highest-powered characters in terms of limiting powers and grounding them slightly. This may also explain why a character who's died in canon is alive again.
WHAT'S THE POPULATION LIKE?
Unless otherwise described in the monthly theme, if there's a population on the island that looks human, they probably are. Given the long-term presence of Travelers in the Isles, they are of a variety of racial and ethnic backgrounds and some settings will reflect specific cultural influences that have been brought to the Isles.
WHAT'S THE TECHNOLOGY LIKE?
This is, again, variable in the extreme. There will be locations with little to no technology beyond basic farming implements and locations where impossibly advanced technology is the norm. The internet/cellphones/ect will not be available on most islands. ScryWatches are magical and will work as a means of long-distance communication, translation, and growth monitoring regardless of technology level.
ARE THERE REGULAR ANIMALS AROUND, OR ARE THEY ALL MONSTERS?
Both. Whenever possible, there will be some kind of ecosystem on the islands barring a specific theme. Any normal animal may become a monster if the Ancient feels the need to mete out some consequences.
IS THERE ANYTHING OUTSIDE THE ISLANDS? CAN CHARACTERS LEAVE?
Just the ocean or horizonless sky between the islands. If a character attempts to leave the island before their given time, they will have a meeting with either the Ancient's Flock or the Ancient's Lantern depending on their method of attempted exit. Neither is a pleasant experience.
IC Game Mechanics
WHAT’S AVAILABLE TO CHARACTERS UPON ENTRY TO THE GAME?
Characters arrive with a simple robe in plain colors, simple but sturdy shoes (if needed), and a simple but sturdy carryall bag. They may load up with basic survival supplies at the Main Temple on their first month, but after that available resources will vary greatly during challenge months. The High Temple offers lockers that characters can store things in, but of course they will only be available bimonthly.
CAN CHARACTERS AVOID THE EFFECTS OF AN ISLE?
If a player is on hiatus, yes. Otherwise, some Isles will have an effect that the character needs to participate in to get rid of. If your character does not participate, they will bring that effect along with them. If an Isle gives rewards for participation, your character cannot get them unless they are active.
WHAT IF MY CHARACTER HAS SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR SURVIVAL?
All baseline requirements will be met at the Temple on each Isle. This includes things like blood for vampires, charging for tech-based characters, and meds and mobility aids for characters that require them.
ARE THERE ANY LANGUAGE OR COMMUNICATION BARRIERS?
This is one function of your ScryWatch - through its magic, all characters can understand one another. This extends to sign language.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN IF AN NPC CAN BE CONTROLLED BY BOTH THE PLAYERS AND THE MODS?
Players are welcome to use these characters to help give a sense of the world around them in ways that fit with the established characterization. Anything that changes characterization or reveals significant information about either that character or the game setting in general needs to be mod approved. When in doubt, check-in with the mods.
Good Example: Sadie is comforted by the invisible but friendly Chef delivering familiar food as she starts to explore the Main Temple.
Bad Example: Frank uses mind control to turn all the Temple Guardians into his own personal pets and forces the Chef to tell him about the secret donuts.
IS THERE A POWER CAP?
Yes. Characters should be focused to some degree on personal growth, and having unlimited power tends to limit that option. Additionally, we also want to limit game-breaking elements. Therefore, characters whose extreme power functions as a central plot mechanic in their native canon (think Dr. Manhattan or the Pheonix) will need to be toned down to better reflect the setting and the fact that they are only the main characters of their subplots. This extends to powers that are theoretically infinite or would allow a character to escape unharmed.
WHAT ABOUT (SPECIFIC POWER)?
This is not an exhaustive list, so when in doubt, please ask!
ANY POWER THAT REQUIRES A SPECIFIC ITEM - Unless it is something keeping a character alive or healthy or otherwise embedded in their body, it doesn't come with them. These items can potentially be earned back with activity points.
GODS - Are cut off of their universe of origin, and so may remain very powerful entities while no longer being the literal incarnation of a facet of the game's reality. Ex: Persephone can make an area she's in very spring-like, but can't change the literal season for the Isles.
TIME TRAVEL - Limited to one hour. If this ability comes from a physical item (ex: the TARDIS), it is completely unavailable.
SUPERSPEED/FLIGHT/TELEPORTATION/BREATHING UNDERWATER - Functions normally until a character starts to escape, where it fails.
PSYCHIC OR EMPATHIC ABILITIES/DREAMWALKING/OTHER MENTAL-EMOTION BASED POWERS AND MAGIC - Allowed! The limits of this are heavily based on players being very respectful and willing to communicate with other players. Check-in, respect the ic/ooc line, and ask whenever you have a little doubt.
4TH WALLING - Quips about their own writer, pop culture, playing Cassandra while no one listens? Awesome. Breaking the game setting or using knowledge of other character's backgrounds without permission? Cut it out. We challenge you to use the gaps in knowledge as a creative element of gameplay.
REALITY MANIPULATION - Tread really carefully with this one. The range needs to be limited and the effects need to be temporary.
ANY POWER THAT INSTANTLY KILLS ANOTHER CHARACTER - You have a few options. You can change it to knocking the other character unconscious, causing some other form of physical harm that is non-lethal, or you can lose it entirely.
CAN MY CHARACTER BRING THEIR PET OR SUMMON?
No. Fluffy has to stay at home. However, there will be opportunities through point collection or events where you may be able to reunite with your precious friend.
OOC Game Mechanics
WHAT TIMEZONE IS THE GAME RUN ON?
PST. West Coast, Best Coast, baby! We try to post events by 3:00 PM PST. Applications are usually dealt with over the weekend.
WHAT IS THE TIME RATIO OF THE GAME?
Island timelines are based on the calendar month. One calendar month for the main events and challenges, one calendar month for the rest month. Given the mythic setting and relaxed mode, this does not require a literal 1 day irl = 1 day in game as long as the players are ready to move on at the end of the cycle.
WHAT IS THE EVENT SCHEDULE LIKE?
Every island setting lasts two months: one calendar month for the more challenging events, one calendar month for the more restful events. A new TDM will be posted once every two months.
WHEN DO RESERVES AND APPS OPEN? WHEN ARE TEST DRIVES POSTED?
There are no reserves, and applications are currently always open!
TDMs will be posted in the third week every other month.
WHAT ARE THE ACTIVITY REQUIREMENTS?
Activity is check-in only, once a month. You can check in at any time. AC will be checked after the 7th of the following month. Failure to check in will result in your character being swept. If you need to hiatus, please fill out this hiatus form/contact the mod team. If you miss activity check-in due to extenuating circumstances, please contact the mod team.
HOW WILL YOU PREVENT CHARACTER SQUATTING WITH A CHECK-IN ONLY GAME?
The mods see all. While we aim to be a casual, low-stress game and ask that our players use their best judgment when deciding whether or not they can continue to maintain their characters, characters who fail to make progress or participate to an acceptable level within a two (2) month period will be warned and are at risk of being dropped from the game. You're all adults, please be realistic about what you can handle.
Applications
WHAT ARE THE AGE REQUIREMENTS?
Due to the nature and potential themes of the game, all players must be 18 or older. Polymythos welcomes characters of all ages (within reason, as they must be able to care for their own basic needs), but we ask our players to use their best judgment as to what they put their underage characters through. Continued abuse, torture, and graphic smut involving characters who are under 18 will not be tolerated.
WHAT CHARACTERS ARE APPABLE?
With some exceptions, we welcome all characters including but not limited to canon characters, canon AUs, fandom AUs, original characters, and CRAUs. Fictionalized versions of historical figures (e.g. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, characters from the musical Hamilton, etc.) are allowed, but real life public figures both past and present are not. Doubles or duplicates of characters, even those from separate media types and canon AUs, are not accepted at this time.
CAN I APP A CHARACTER WITH LITTLE BACKGROUND INFORMATION?
Yes. As with fandom AUs, such characters will be subject to scrutiny, as the mod team will want to see that you have a clear sense of their characterization. If you make up history for this character, you will be expected to provide a description of it in your application.
CAN I APP A NON HUMAN CHARACTER?
Yes! We require two basic things about characters: they must have a physical form and they must be sufficiently sentient to have the potential to grow emotionally and interpersonally. If your character is a ghost, AI, or otherwise without physical form, you get to decided how to resolve that. (Made human, becomes the physical undead, gains robot body, etc.) Things that are inherently not human but have physical form do not have to change their bodies.
ARE THERE CAST OR CHARACTER CAPS? HOW MANY CHARACTERS CAN I APP?
At the moment there are no plans for player, cast, or character caps, but this may change in the future. New content breeds new players and our only concern is that certain casts do not completely dominate the game. Players are allowed a total of three (3) characters, however we are open to making the occasional exception provided you are active with all of your characters.
CAN I APP TWO CHARACTERS FROM THE SAME CANON?
Yes, provided the two have no significant overlap. E.g., you cannot play Batman and Robin, they have affected one another in canon.
HOW LONG DOES A PIECE OF MEDIA HAVE TO BE OUT BEFORE I CAN APP FROM IT / CANON UPDATE TO IT?
A piece of media, regardless of language, has to be out for at least one (1) month before you can app from the source material or update your character's canon point to it. For international media, this includes both professionally and fan-translated content, as the internet has allowed for most popular media to be translated almost immediately after release.
CAN I APP A CHARACTER WHO DIED IN CANON? CAN I APP A CHARACTER WHO DIED PREVIOUSLY IN-GAME?
Yes.
WHAT HAPPENS IF CHARACTERS DIE IN-GAME?
You can choose to have your character die or your character may die as a result of particularly bad mistakes in-game. When/if your character dies, you may not re-app that character for one month. During that time, other players may app that character. At the end of one month, you may re-app the character but they must be from a different canon-point or media. They will be a different version of the character and need to rebuild CR and start over in their journey. OCs will also be required to wait one month and reset as well.
IF I LEAVE THE GAME, DOES THAT COUNT AS A CHARACTER DEATH IF I WANT TO REJOIN IN THE FUTURE?
If a player chooses/needs to leave the game, that does not count as a character death. They may be able to re-app the same character and version if they are still available after one month without having to do a full reset.
Rules and the responses provided here on the FAQ are subject to change at the mods' discretion. For any questions not answered here or that require further clarification, please feel free to submit them as a comment to this post below and the mod team will get back to you ASAP. If you have a question that is related to a specific character's canon situation, please post the question here.
Last Updated: 2/2/2022
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