FAQ

[interdimanagers]

☆GENERAL QUESTIONS What is this? It's a roleplaying game where you can play characters who have been kidnapped by aliens and brainwashed into becoming musical sensations for dubious reasons. It's based on a dialogue-less movie that is about exactly this concept called Interstella 5555, except more interdimensional. It's still called Interstellar, though, because that sounds better than 'Interdimensional'. Really? That's your premise? Yeah. Sorry. Okay, well...what's the pacing like? It's a 1:1 IC:OOC day ratio. It's hard to say what the pacing will be like as its yet to begin, but there will be events once or twice a month in varying degrees of importance. It's going to be a short run game so keeping momentum up is important. Do I need to have watched Interstella 5555 to play at this game? Absolutely not, but I recommend it anyway. Not because it's super necessary to appreciated Interstellar, but just because it is a hell of a trip. Also, just so you can know for certain that I did not make this shit up. Is there a language barrier? Nope, they will learn the native language as part of the brainwashing, though they may recall how to speak their original language as part of memory regains. The native language is English, though, so for a lot of characters that won't be an issue. This record deal sounds like ass, I want out. Too bad. In fact, at the beginning characters won't even be capable of thinking about wanting to get out. It will just seem like an elusive concept - like there is nothing else for them to be doing. This isn't the subtle sort of brainwashing where things more less make a whole picture, even if it's a wrong one. Instead, your character faces straight up mental roadblocks in the way of taking control of their life. In Interstella 5555 the Crescendolls are more or less like sad, music playing zombies, but of course we have to take some liberties with that for the sake of interesting roleplay. Instead, everyone is just extremely single minded about their place in life and disinclined to think critically, even when prompted. Somehow being treated like the CEOs playthings feels totally natural. Does the mind control ever get more overt than that? It can. Characters are more or less programmed to perform on command, for instance, and can be easily pressed into doing most things their managers demand of them, even if its really tedious and exhausting like signing 10,000 posters instead of sleeping. That's showbiz. The ability to fight back against that kind of thing is something that will get stronger and stronger, however, along with regaining one's memories. What happens if my character dies? This isn't the sort of game where people are intended to die a lot, but if you do, you'll just die like a normal person - unless immortality or regeneration is a confirmed regain of yours. In which case, it will function as expected. However, full immortality is not something we are generally going to allow anyone, ever. So, what is this about some kind of rescue squad coming in part way through the game? About three months in, we are going to open up applications for non-memory loss characters, that will take the role of the musician's hopeful rescuers. They'll have been gathered by from their homeworlds by some sympathetic NPCs, and then they're all going to haul ass into this dimension to save the day, or at least try. Ideally, these characters will be cast mates of existing characters, or people who are just altruistic enough to help people just for the sake of it. Their powers will remain with them, but be reduced in power - in setting the presumption is that interdimensional travel will always take a toll on supernatural powers. More information will be released about this when the time comes. Will the groups be allowed to intermingle? Yes, but sporadically. The rescuers are going to find themselves in a rough situation on Tera, as soon as their presence is discovered. We hope you like running from thugs in alien cities. Of course, if any musicians manage to escape down the line, then they'll have someone to go to. Besides that, expect some undercover shenanigans. What happens if a character is dropped? They're FIRED. Does that mean they're dead? It's not really clear? Suffice to say, the CEOs were no longer satisfied with their performance, or something, and they are no longer on the record label. They've also probably not been sent home, though, so it's concerning to say the least. Can a dropped character be reapplied? Yep! Somehow, they will have returned from wherever they were spirited away to, with only the vaguest memories of the experience. Creepy. No guarantees about getting back into the same band they were in before, though - that's limited by availability. Same goes for if a new player is apping a repeated of a previously dropped character, only then they'll probably forget a bunch of their previous experienced on Tera, too. How many characters can I play overall? You can only app one character per round, but you'll be able to play up to two musicians and two rescuers. We reserve the right to say no if you are already struggling with activity as it is, though. My band is flaky garbage and I desperately want out. If you ever have a problem with the other players in your "band," please talk to a mod about it instead of suffering in silence. If you and another player don't get along, or if you have a bad history, or if you just really hate your band for any other reason you can ask for a change and we'll do what we can. You don't need to prove to us that the reason is severe enough to be warranted. It's no fun for anyone if conflicting personalities are being forced together. In fact, if you are applying and you know someone else who is applying or who is already in game that you really don't want to be mixed with, let us know ahead of time and we'll preemptively keep it in mind for band selection. It's okay. Really. Just keep it between you and the mod - we don't want people to feel unwelcome just due to interpersonal conflicts, unless they've done something so heinous it warrants a pre-banning. (Most things don't warrant this, but if like 80% of the game is going to feel safer without them, it can be considered. For this you'll need some evidence, though.) ☆APPLICATION QUESTIONS What if my character can't sing or play any instruments? That's fine! They'll be granted the physical and mental capability to express themselves through music as part of their reprogramming. Of course, preexisting musical skill is a bonus and may make them more likely to be awarded a lead position in a band. But this character seriously has no stage presence at all. They do now! It may be awkward and out of place, but they'll have the capacity to be on stage. It sort of comes with the momentum of their altered personality/memories. If they act weird sometimes it just gives them...personality? What are acceptable personality changes to come along with the brainwashing? Symptoms of rockstar brainwash may include increased arrogance, avarice, tendency towards addictive substances, a devil-may-care attitude, laziness, sexuality, gossiping, infidelity, starting fights in public, superficiality, crying at night, and generally acting like a spoiled diva. But really, it can be anything that fits the image their label wants them to project. It can also include none of these things, if your characters is already the type. What sources do you allow characters from? We allow fandom characters from all forms of media, OCs, and fan characters who are totally unconnected from canon characters - which includes things like World of Darkness, WoW, etc. The only thing we don't allow are player made AUs, because that's kind of what the premise already is. Canon AUs are allowed within reasonable limits. Is there an age limit? The soft rule we are going with is that if the character could theoretically pass for thirteen then they're good. This is because, as part of the general transformations people get, anybody from ages 10-12 is going to be effectively aged up physically (and "mentally" but that's about as reliable as the rest of the brainwashing: not very) to 13, because that's about the age that it's considered reasonable to be a rockstar in Americana. This is not meant to be an excuse to allow shipping and sexual material between characters who wouldn't be allowed to otherwise - don't do anything with these younger characters that you wouldn't if they were in their normal bodies/state of minds. The rule is mostly because we don't want to restrict characters by age more than we have to, and there are limits to what even Terran audiences will accept as not weird. Also, it is another realm of artificiality being enforced upon characters that can be explored, as a major theme in the game. Anybody younger than 10 is going to be judged on a case by case basis, depending on how they act in canon, and etc. Older characters can also be aged down physically! It sells better. However, this is optional. What about characters that don't have bodies/have huge bodies/have inhuman bodies/etc? Bodiless people will get human bodies. Huge bodies will be shrunk down and humanized, and all alien features will be humanized. Features like this can be regained sooner rather than later, though, if you can get away with it. If your character is an alien or inhuman creature that has no strong attachment to human gender, you can give them whatever kind of human body you want - male, female, androgynous, etc. The label is just going for whatever creates the most fetching image. This kind of dysphoria is one of the big points of Interstellar, so as opposed to required humanization meaning that these characters are a poor fit for the game, they are actually sort of the target audience. Bring on your weird aliens! Bring on your robots! Bring on your talking animals! Powers? No powers. Not to start with, anyway. That's what regains are for. What about playing characters who are dead? The CEOs aren't going to bother resurrecting people because it's a waste of resources if it's even possible in the first place. So if your character dies in canon, you need to snatch them from a point where they were still alive. The only exception is if your character has been seen actively doing things and having a will of their own as a ghost - in which case its just a matter of popping that soul into a body. Easy peasy. Do we get to pick our band? No, but you get to pick three genres and three instruments you want to focus on, and will be sorted accordingly. There is no artificial scarcity in terms of genre - if everyone wants pop it can be all pop bands, and if everyone wants rock there can be unlimited rock bands. It's just a matter of trying to get people into groupings that will find each other interesting and work as a unit. Do we get to pick our record label? No, that will be chosen by the mods, very loosely based on the type of character they are and on which CEO would like them best. If you are apping a second character, though, you can be automatically assigned to the opposite label if you want, just make a note on your app. Oh shit, is this one of those FACTION WAR games? Not really. The record labels might try to use their bands against each others, but it's not something your characters have to actively participate in or care about. They are more or less just riding the wave - their priority is going to be escaping without losing their identity, not fighting the NPCs battles. Will my character remember their real name? They may or may not. Some will know their name and use a stage name, some will use their canon name all the time. Others will have a new name, probably due to the fact that Optimus Prime or what have you is a bit too weird for even a heavy metal artist. ☆SETTING QUESTIONS What the deal with these CEO guys anyway? They are interdimensional beings of great power using their advanced technology and influence to make a killing in the music industry. They've been competing for a long time, and the last one to ascend is a rotten egg. What? What? No seriously. They are harvesting your soul energy for stuff, that's all you need to know. Or to not know. Or whatever. Does this mean we have to suck up to NPCs? No way. Like, this is something we want to be clear on. The NPCs are the big bads here to facilitate your story. Your story. The NPCs aren't the story, they are the catalyst. They don't need to be related with for you to get in on the plot, because their role in the plot is clear - they are trying to do bad things to you for personal gain, and the story is about your characters fighting against their influences and escaping. They are powerful and hard to beat, yeah, but they are coming down, one way or the other. It's just a matter of drawing it out long enough for the drama to happen, and to see how player actions affect specific aspects of that struggle. Musicians are going to be programmed to be submissive to them initially, of course, but that is a trend that's meant to be broken. This is why Interstellar is being run on a set timeline, so that the destruction of the status quo can happen without worrying about keeping the plot rolling forever. The rescuers in particular will have a large hand in this, and while the musicians are a bit more the damsels in distress, they can also make waves in fighting for their own freedom. Even if mind control makes it sort of complicated. Does that mean the NPCs are off limits? Nah. If interacting with the villains is what you're into, or even joining them, then you can do that. However, you'll have to start investing in the Fame half of MP rewards to make much progress, because as an average music slave they'll have little interest in specifically dealing with you. The other option is by fucking up real bad and having them punish you personally, but that isn't going to lead to any kind of lasting CR beyond an inclination for them to murder you. What is the music like on Tera? It’s as, if not more, diverse than what presently exists on Earth - but for the sake of simplicity it’s approximately the same as modern Earth musical culture, except with a bit more of an even spread of interest across the genres. For example, things like jazz and classical can be just as renowned in mainsteam public opinion as genres like pop and rock. However, none of the musicians from Earth exist, or have ever existed, on Tera, even if there have been very similar equivalents. The reasons for this is so that you can easily pretend that your character’s band wrote any given song instead of having to write them all yourself. Like, you can totally write original songs if that is your jam, but for a lot of people rewriting the lyrics to existing songs is going to be the easier thing. What about X genre? If you don’t see a particular genre on the genre list, it’s because each category is supposed to be a very general umbrella for a type of music. Most genres start to blend together with others at some point, and so odds are that a lot of bands are going to be some kind of fusion mix depending on the preferences of those that make it up. For example, if you have 3 members who asked for pop, and 3 that asked for punk, the resulting band may end up being labelled “pop punk”. To make things a bit more clear, here is a list of the genres listed in the app and what they are generally meant to cover: ► Pop: k-pop, boy bands, dance ► Rock: soft rock, alternative rock, classic rock, rock & roll ► Punk: ska, emo ► Folk: western, celtic ► Electronic: techno, electronica, dubstep ► Hip Hop: rap, R&B ► Heavy Metal: industrial, death metal, symphonic metal ► Country: bluegrass ► Blues: jazz, soul ► Goth: darkwave, EBM ► Classical: opera, orchestral, symphonic, classical strings ► Indie: alternative, experimental Keep in mind that this isn’t meant to be a perfect summary of musical genre - it’s just the best condensation we could come up with based on the kinds of things the average RPer would likely ask for. If you have any good example additions to put under these umbrellas, let us know. What is fashion like in Americana? It varies, but the majority of it is a spectrum between modern clothing and the kinds of eccentric futuristic stylings you might see in the Hunger Games. Generally speaking, the answer to most culture questions is "like modern america, except more futurey and hedonistic." What are the legal ages to do stuff in Americana? The laws for this sort of thing are basically country wide, and compared to Earth they are extremely easy going. Vista City in particular has some really loose standards - whether or not you agree with them, it's how the local culture has developed. The breakdown is like this: ► Public Drinking (In bars, clubs, etc.): 15 years old. There may be clubs that opt to only serve older clients, but that is a business's private choice instead of a government issue. However, there is some responsibility placed on the liquor establishment in question to cut younger customers off sooner than adult ones if they are getting out of control. ► Drinking with Adult Supervision: 13 years old. This generally means drinking at family parties and the like, within reason. If it doesn't fall under child abuse, it's probably okay. The adult supervision must be a parent or legal guardian. ► Smoking: 15 years old. ► Marijuana/Light Drugs: 16 years old. This includes the legal purchase of from registered stores. ► Driving: 16 years old. ► Strip Clubs: 16 years old. ► Emancipation: As young as 13 if one is determined to be "self sufficient." While these are the legal ages, not every family will allow their children to do these things so early on. The key factor is that it is a personal family decision and not a legal decision.

Comments

[zhiend]

Question about blind characters; will there be braille or text to voice things available to them?

And would it be possible for a blind person to keep their walking stick or get a new one, or will they have to manage without one?

[interdimanagers]

Only about as much as there would be in real life, with a bit more general advancement. Tera generally has medical tech far advanced of present Earth (which is gone into on the Setting page, just for reference!) to the degree that most major diseases have capable treatments or outright cures. The tech necessary to deal with something like blindness will generally be more comfortable and advanced, but there are also a lot fewer blind people and not as many places will expect the need for that kind of accommodation.

From and IC standpoint, this is the kind of thing that would almost certainly be fixed during the transformation process. But on an OOC level, if you would much rather them be blind, they can be provided the things they need but most people will find their blindness more weird than we would at present. Make sense?

Oh, and there is no real standard network for there to be a text to voice function on, just for the record. There is a "network" comm in so much as the internet and cellphones exist in the setting, but that's it.

EDIT: I didn't get your edit until I'd already replied. Suffice to say, generally speaking their label isn't going to be a big fan of having a blind person with a walking stick roaming around, because they are sort of petty fucks like that, but you might be able to get away with it if it was sensationalized into a schtick.

So fake-europe

[giglio_madonna]

What's the deal with that?

aka can we get some general information on it? Is it like Americana in that it's one big clusterfuck too, etc

[interdimanagers]

I'M SO GLAD YOU ASKED, though I did end up having to do a little bit of research and mull it over a while.

Almost all nations are a part of some clusterfuck or another these days: Europe in particular has developed into "Europa," which is a grouping of more or less all the countries that use the Euro these days plus a few. There is still some strong diversity of culture going around, but each part is less contained to its original country. Though each given area may have some specialties they like to show off, they also make a point of trying to show off everything Europa has to offer.

If you want a character to be from any given part of Europa you can feel free to define some of the local culture. Most likely, each individual component country is effectively like a province in the conglomerate.

Important to note is that in this AU edition of each, neither WW1 or WW2 happened, which means that a lot of the relations between "provinces" aren't quite the same. There have been other conflicts, from time to time, but nothing on the scale that would be considered a world war. It's almost as if a higher power has been mediating international conflict over the last several centuries to achieve a desired result.

Also, worthy of note, what was Japan and the United Kingdom are a part of Americana as opposed to anything closer to their respective landmasses. They are still more culturally unique than Canada, the US, and Mexico have become, but they are still important parts of the group.

(Pride Records and Virgo Entertainment both have influential headquarters there.)

[(Anonymous)]

just gonna ask here since it's my primary concern;

with regards to characterization, I have a few questions. Firstly, the FAQ almost seems to encourage pretty... drastic OOCness. While shaping a character to fit the setting is understandable, it does feel like if one were to completely change a character's personality, even in a memloss game, that would... really defeat the point of playing that character. And looking at the application, there doesn't seem to be any indication of how actually detailed the personality section should be (a bullet list? four paragraphs? a ven diagram?) SO BASICALLY I am wondering what the standards are for "how much is too much" with regards to personality changes, and what app standards there are with regards to that?

[interdimanagers]

It does intentionally invite one to really let lose with the personality changes, because the idea is that they are going to be regaining their canon personality in sharp contrast to the way they've been changed. Sure, regaining powers and horns and wings is cool and all, but the most important part of the game - the part that happens no matter what - is regaining the person you used to be. This is about loss of identity even more than it is about loss of one's physical self, or even one's memories. It's about struggling against a kind of corruption that tries to destroy what you are at your core.

You don't have to take it that far, of course, if altering your character's personality isn't really your thing. But the option is there, because as mods, we're comfortable with that as an aspect of how the game will play out. There's a point to playing that character instead of someone else because their canon self is who they are changing back into. That end result is more important than how they are at the beginning.

As for the app, the wording of it asks for it to give a thorough understanding of what the character is about, and that is more or less what we need from it. How many words it takes you to do that is entirely subjective. If you can do it in 200 words, that's fine, but if you do it in 500 that's okay too. What we don't want is a 2000 word dissertation because, past a certain point, no amount of explaining can prove you play a character well. That's what the sample is for.

You'll note that the samples ask for the character as their normal self, as does the personality description. The initial transformation into a "rockstar" persona is meant to be silly and over the top, because that's what makes remembering that "whoa maybe I wasn't always a total, flanderized douche?" is a big part of the fun. As long as the initial changes are thematically appropriate to the character, there are no super specific restrictions to what you can and can't do with that.

Though, thinking on it, I may bump up the required number of responses in the sample thread, to be sure to get a thorough reading.

[imaketherockgo]

Is there room for characters to be things other than part of the band but still related to the band? Roadies, lighting guys, etc?

[interdimanagers]

We wanted to give this due consideration before answering, but ultimately, the answer has to be no. Unfortunately, the plot just doesn't justify having roadie characters and all the events are going to be set up to primarily be relevant to only the musicians. There isn't a good way to make it work.

[dishevelment]

Just a question regarding instruments-- if a player has 'guitar' listed, does that include both electric and acoustic variants? Similarly, what about the piano vs. keyboard/synthesizer divide, since they ultimately are the same basic kind of instrument, but the latter is electronic and provides a much greater variety of sounds.

Also, what of instruments like the violin or other strings for experimental rock or other genres? I know they're generally seen as classical instruments, but there's a number of electronica and rock songs that utilize strings in their composition, and a number of artists who have built their reputation on playing these instruments in modern genres.

[interdimanagers]

Guitar can cover all manners of guitar! You don't need to specify more than than that. Just like drums will cover a kit as well as bongos or whatever might be appropriate.

We definitely have the same thing in mind. Violin could potentially be used in rock, punk, electronica, or anything that might make sense. Yellowcard was one of my favourite bands growing up so I've certainly seen the charms of mixing classical in there. There is good potential for classical influences in a number of genres.

[deusexmechina]

Hey! I've just got a question in regards to the app. For the writing sample, you've got down "10 comments worth of the character as their original selves" -- this is a character I haven't played anywhere previously, and the threads I'm doing to voice test her are as she would be AU'd for this game. Would a more traditional sample that isn't a linked thread, a la a toplevel-esque thing or something also work? Thanks!

[interdimanagers]

Mostly that's the reason that the test drive offered non AU'd prompts as well, because those are what's required for one's application. Over all, we've just found that RP threads show a grasp of a character a lot better than stand alone writing pieces.

That said, if you are totally unable to find the opportunity to thread with the character as their normal self, we will take writing samples even if we vastly prefer the alternative. Though, in that case I would ask for two separate top-level writing samples, at least one of which that features dialogue.

[cleartranquil]

Question on writing samples, say if our thread examples for a character are a little old because it's been a while since we played them, is that reasonable as something to link to or would you prefer written samples instead in that case?

[interdimanagers]

Yeah, that should be fine! It's okay if they're a little old.

[wonk]

i know characters lose powers through the reprogamming, but do they retain skills? if a character is a master of high-level mathematics or chemistry, can they stay that way? what about more combat oriented skills like martial arts or gunplay?

[interdimanagers]

The best way to think about it is in terms of whether or not the skill gives them a notable advantage in the environment. While a character can still be a pretty good brawler, any kind of professional level combat skills will be forgotten and will have to be regained like a power. Same goes for hacking - since that applies to the setting, being good with computers can stay, but being able to hack into people's systems will have to be earned back with MP.

In contrast, being a master chef isn't really a palpable advantage in terms of making things happen in setting, so that can stay, as it's more of a quirk than something that allows you character to affect change in a threatening way. Combat, hacking, and any kind of physical skills that would make them harder to control are going to be reduced to "normal people" kind of levels.

Mathematics and chemistry could stay, but in terms of chemistry it would most likely not include things like "practical knowledge of how to make bombs" and the like. If you could attack someone with it in a way that the average kind of Joe couldn't, then odds are it will count as a power regain.

[pecsonpecs]

Deets on character living situations when not touring, please?

[interdimanagers]

There is going to be a post made on this very shortly with a ton of pictures, but essentially, each band lives in a penthouse together in the respective HQs of their label. All the label's penthouses are in the same area of the building, with a communal sort of lounge area. Each person has a room to themselves that is attached to the communal area of their band's penthouse. It is all very lavish.

Before the party, they'll only have barely moved in. They started touring pretty much immediately after being brainwashed signed.

[giglio_madonna]

Power and appearance regains are mentioned up front, but is it possible for there to be item regains?

[interdimanagers]

Item regains are possible, but are more difficult - that, and they can only be done if they were something your character was carrying at the moment of their capture. The characters enabling regains don't have any ability to easily travel to people's homeworlds. But if it's wanting something like a weapon your character was carrying when they were caught, that can be arranged.

[makeitright]

Not for this character explicitly, but I am curious enough to ask:

Would you ever have someone be a solo artist for whatever reason? If so, what are the circumstances that would happen under? (ie: tiny app cycle, people not meshing, ect.)

[interstellarnpcs]

It's possible to become a solo artist, but never from the start. Being a solo artist is considered a level up from working as part of a group, which is reflected in the IC/OOC game mechanics.

[blindfoldcode]

I have a question regarding Kido's canon and memory regains. Kagepro is a timeloop canon and there's been a bunch of different loops of the same few days, as mentioned in her app.

Regarding memory regains, would it be possible for Kido to get pieces of loops she's already been through but doesn't remember in her current loop? Since canon has set it up that previous loops still happened and aren't erased out of existence? (Shintaro got his powers from another loop and even though that's not the timeloop that the future continued from, his powers are still intact. Stuff like that.)

[interdimanagers]

I've been thinking about this one for a few days, and I think I need to ask a question before I can answer: are memories from the other timeloops ever something the characters receive? Is it implied that any memory of them are somehow latent within the characters' minds?

[(Anonymous)]

Sorry for the dumb question, but -- will there be no app round this month?

[interdimanagers]

Not in October, but there will be one in the first half of November! Complete with a fresh TDM.

[punchesyu]

Hello mods! I'm here with the obligatory Persona related question.

I've been toying of the idea of regaining Yosuke's Persona (essentially a supernatural summon) but the way it functions in canon is that it can't come out in the real world, only the world that's been created by- (spoilers for P4-) a world created from human thought and emotions.

Soooo, just because I don't know how you guys are running this universe, is this something that he might be able to regain (by strange multiverse shenanigans maybe?) and also, if other persona-users app into the game as rescuers, will they be able to access their persona?

[interdimanagers]

We'll accept that as a regain that can be used in normal land, for captives and for rescuers. Mostly just because it's boring otherwise, so why not.

[sharktrash]

Hello! I'm going to burst in with a heap of canon-specific questions, sorry. :'D

- First of all, characters who speak multiple languages. Would the brainwashing reduce it to English/MagicUniversalGameLanguage only?

- In which case, what about verbal ticks/speech patterns? Like 50% of Squalo's character is that he will start roughly every other sentence with "VOOOOOIIII!", which is something like 'hey you!' in Italian. Could I keep that, or should I try to English-ize it somehow?

- What about disabilities? Squalo is missing a left hand in canon, though it's usually replaced by a high-tech fully functional prosthetic. Would his body be magically restored, or could he get something like that here, with a fabricated backstory that he's lost the hand in a stage accident/drag race/whatever? Sounds like technology is pretty advanced here and everything. (And yes, I know it wouldn't exactly make it easier to play an instrument, but check out Rick Allen and Tony Iommi.)

- Finally, if there's someone Really Important to a character (yeah that's the other 50% tbh), is it possible that some tiny amount of it would not get removed? For example; character occasionally feels like someone is missing from his life... so he signs up for dating websites because that's gotta be it, right? (Or, at least, keeping certain emotions tied to events; for example being uncomfortable with cold but not knowing why, etc.)

And a non-specific question just for fun;

from what I see, there are no inboxes of any sort, right? So why do players need to come up with a phone number? Is there any significance to it?

Thanks for your time!

[interdimanagers]

1) If the language is something weird/inhuman then it has to be regained as a memory, but if it's an earth language and their made up backstory supports them knowing it they can know more than one language. Read here for info about fake Italy.

2) See above.

3) Most likely they would just give him a new organic hand, and the robot hand would be a regain. Someone could have a prosthetic sort of like that in this world, but they wouldn't be inclined to give him one.

4) That's fine. The brainwashing isn't supposed to be very perfect or solid in the face of scrutiny, so feeling certain absences and not understanding why is super reasonable. There are some characters already doing this, in fact.

5) If you're seeing a phone number listed somewhere then that probably IS the IC inbox. Because IC inboxes are actually mandatory.

[punchesyu]

Hey, sorry, I'm back. I had a question in regards to MP for bonus stuff.

As far as tabloids go, let's say three people co-write the tabloid. Is that okay, and who would get credit for being rewarded the MP? And if so, is there a certain way you guys would like that notated on the AC form?

[interdimanagers]

If for some reason the tabloid is super extensive and the word counts is enough that it's worth about 3 times the minimum about of words, you can all take full points. If it's just the length of a regular tabloid/article, though, you divide the points between the people involved (rounding up, so everyone will get a minimum of 1 MP).

KHR

[percussionblast]

In regards to Canon AUs, and Katekyo Hitman Reborn! canon specifically, is it acceptable to play a character from a Post Canon Ten Years Later perspective rather than the aborted/fixed Millefiore War timeline?

In the same vein, given the lack of explicit information about the Acrobaleno would it be more acceptable to play one pre-curse, with headcanons of past, or post-canon post second growing up a second time?

[interdimanagers]

Unfortunately I am mostly not canon familiar with that series so you may have to explain what that means before I can give you an answer. Generally speaking, though, as long as it's a canon part of the main timeline you can app from wherever. I'm not sure what special aspects there are to KHR though.

[mildwildchild]

I wanted to ask what religion is like on Tera, specifically in Americana. Does religion have any kind of presence here? Would there be, for example, media watchdog groups who protest the behavior and musical output of the various bands/labels (like the PMRC in the 1980s)? Or is it just pretty much Sodom and Gomorrah 24/7 idk.

[interdimanagers]

It's mostly Sodom and Gomorrah but religion does have a small presence, though it's all a lot more free form in order to fit with cultural trends. That is to say, orthodox religion is only practiced by a small minority while more loose, new agey type religion tends to fair better. There is no where near the religious presence of modern America, though, and something like the PMRC would be considered a weird extremist cult that no one really takes seriously outside of a small subset of people. Right up there with conspiracy theorists.

Of course there are more generally and secularly focused groups that protest societal behaviour but that is neither religion nor music focused.

[giglio_madonna]

Would players be able to get MP for writing up music videos? Since some do carry some vague idea of stories.

(Example, using Michael Jackson's Thriller: A girl and her boyfriend (the musician behind the song) go on a date to a movie. Getting home, they decide to take a cut through a cemetery. As they approach the foggy and spooky place, the opening notes of Thriller start to play. The dead begin to rise from their graves, and as they surround the couple... Suddenly dancing happens.)

(etc, etc, with more detail)

[interdimanagers]

Absolutely!

[consocius]

This might be a silly question, but. I know that the musicians are given pretty much any electronics they could ask for in their penthouse. And I know that there are balconies. So.

Would different types of telescopes be allowed, including more expensive ones? Or just ones that only see a certain distance or like handheld ones? Or none at all allowed because possibility of snooping?

[interdimanagers]

You couldn't really snoop very effectively from the position of the balconies, so honestly, a telescope would be a reasonable thing to request. Provided the band has generally been behaving itself they can have a telescope.

[faithfulflame]

I have a question about canon ability regains.

Rei here is capable of transforming into an alternate form, and I've been wondering how that would work. Sailor Senshi have a rather large number of abilities when transformed, and a few even when they aren't. I was wondering what sort of regain cost that would be, and if it would be possible to regain them slowly rather than all at once.

Basically I don't want to hand Rei fire magic strong enough to blow apart a building, super strength/speed/flight and psychic powers all at once several months down the road. I'd rather have it be more gradual, rather than all of her end-canon abilities all at once.

The entire transformation seems like it'd be a 90 MP regain, all in all but would baby steps be possible?

[interdimanagers]

Actually, Senshi powers HAVE to be bought in smaller pieces because all of their powers at once would likely be far more than just 90 MP. Each power regain represents one solitary ability (or abilities that are small variations on the same central effect). Psychic powers would be one ability. Super strength would be one ability. Flight would be one ability. The costs for each of these would depend on their potency.

If your character had just one power, though, that was all the same theme (lets say, a super powerful pyrokinetic) it could be bought in steps, such as buying very weak control over fire, up to medium, up to max. But when her powers include multiple effects, then each of these have to be bought separately.

Memories and Power Regains

[sponsorigami]

For memory regains, should we stick to memories/scenes seen in canon or can we elaborate and come up with other scenes (but still IC, of course)?

My second question is more specific to Ivan's shapeshifting and piggybacking on Rei's question just above. Will Ivan be getting the entirety of his shapeshifting all at once? (Opposed to gaining the ability to start copying new forms into his already large catalog for a week, then getting the ability to shapeshift the next, or maybe a partial collection of forms he can shapeshift into and then the rest) He's like a walking database with all the things he has ever touched, even accidental touches, so this could be a little memory regain break-y messy up-y for the game. He will have copied forms of Pao-Lin in both civilian and hero suit dress. I wanted to bring this to your attention in case something needs to be changed with it, as I plan to nab it next AC.

Also, do power regains include the ability to control them, or do character have to learn control all over again?

[interdimanagers]

1) You can make up scenes to remember as long as they can fit into canon. Like, you don't have to have seen your character hugging their mom to have them remember doing so, if hugging their mom seems like something they would do. As long as the scenes don't involve another character that hasn't given permission to make those assumptions about (if the assumption is at all questionable) then you can fill in the blanks all you want.

2) This sort of depends on what Ivan's shapeshifting allows him to do. Does he gain the powers of what he turns into, for instance? If he did, then that stuff would have to be priced separately. But if it's just a raw physical transformation then it could all be bought as one ability, probably for 90 MP. (Or in smaller steps with lesser flexibility in beginning stages.)

3) That's up to you. Your character can struggle with them if you want, or the instinctive ability to control them can come along with the power itself. Whatever you find most entertaining!

[(Anonymous)]

Can we still suggest band names (in which case is the old post okay or are there plans for a new one?), or do you guys have enough already?

[interdimanagers]

Yes, you can! You can just post them to the other meme because I'm not intending on making a new one. But we will be sifting through the old one for ideas.

Multiple questions re: Tattletale and Regains

[dishevelment]

First: A situation has come up ICly in the interactions between Yan Lian (Kouen) of Virgo and Koumei-- the two of them have noticed parallels in their visions/dreams, and recognize the fact that their names have alternate readings that could imply familial relations somewhere along the line-- as Koumei's name reads in the Chinese as Kongming Lian. That, coupled with the fact that they're both Asians with auburn hair, has struck them both, and it gave Yan reason to warn Koumei of a possible medical condition that could have a genetic component.

tl;dr, Koumei would like to turn himself in as a preventative measure, just in case. What is the protocol for doing that?

Second: Some characters in Magi, like both Kouen and Koumei, have items that serve as a physical representation of a pact made with a spirit, and with the help of these items they gain magical powers and a transformed appearance.

Am I correct in assuming that any items, transformations, and powers would be returned piece by piece, like in the case of Rei Hino above?

Disregard the second question; it's already been answered elsewhere.

[interdimanagers]

There's no protocol for it besides informing us OOC and your character's manager IC. He'll end up getting a medical examination, and potentially a brainwashing session like some of those other characters got earlier in the month. Your thoughts on this?

[pecsonpecs]

In light of recent events...

What would happen if our characters tried to write music "on the side"? Rather than trying to go rogue or go solo, they produce beyond what the label expects them to, publishing "free for use" freelance on the sly under a pseudonym without association with their label. Would you (as mods) allow that, and what risks would it entail (having to keep their freelance music a secret from the label)?

[interdimanagers]

The major difficulty here is that it would be super difficult for them record anything without the label knowing about it, since all the equipment they have access to belongs to the label. Not to mention, they've got androids breathing down their neck.

Generally speaking, producing music outside of the label would be in conflict with their contract, and so they'd catch big hell for it when they got caught, which would be sooner rather than later. By their "contract" technically anything they release belongs to their label.