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ORIGINAL CHARACTERS.
In January of 2016 a whopping 85% of the playerbase voted to allow original characters into the game. As such, this page was created. It contains all of the additional information, rules, and app standards for OCs, so if you don't currently play one you have our permission to skip the reading.
Due to the incredibly flexible nature of the game we are only accepting OCs on a case-by-case basis. We accept applications for:
Flexible protagonists. Many video games have first person characters that may have established plot but require player input on personality and plot decisions and require significant headcanon. They are considered canon characters for the purposes of application and list management, and don't really need to be on this page. It should be noted that we do not accept duplicates for this type of character (only one Inquisitor regardless of race and class choices, etc.)
Original characters with worlds created by the player. The most common kind of OC. These will be judged by their worldbuild as much as the concept of the character itself. They will be held to higher standards and require comprehensive applications simply because of the potential for abuse: it is, after all, easy to rewrite the rules of a world you created in order to give your character an advantage in whatever situation he is in. (e.g. A character apped as a harmless pixie suddenly reveals that all pixies in their universe are immune to mind control during a mind control plot, even though that was never explicitly stated in their app.)
Original characters created for an established RP universe. This includes tabletop characters such as World of Darkness builds; wholly original player characters for games like World of Warcraft; and DWRP game NPCs so long as the applicant was their primary writer. Their setting and played canon to date must be included in the app with links only as a supplement.
Original characters written into existing canon worlds. These will be our most rigorously reviewed applications. The more obscure the canon, and the more removed from the action and characters of the canon, the more likely we are to accept it. For example, a Star Wars Jedi Knight who claims to be a long lost Skywalker is less acceptable than a character who went to magic school in the world of Lev Grossman's The Magicians several years before the events of the books and has no connections with them.
We reserve the right to decline:
• Universes or characters that are simply copies of existing universes or characters.
• An original character that is a collection of buzzwords, magical powers, or physical descriptors with no particular personality.
• Characters who claim close relationships with major canon characters, or even aquaintanceship with characters who are actually in-game, unless existing cast has preemptively signed off on it.
• Characters who are, have experienced and can do every possible thing (or an incredibly unlikely variety of things that seem more like a net designed to catch specific canon CR.)
• Characters who are particularly exceptional, special or unique within the context of their setting. (A Harry Potter style wizard in an otherwise non-magical world; a prophesied Chosen One worshipped by wizards in the Harry Potter world, etc.)
• Characters designed solely to cater for a fetish.
• Characters designed solely for a joke.
• Overpowered characters.
• Characters with no real flaws, mistakes, or undesirable traits.
These standards are in addition to the regular standards of writing to which we hold all applications.
When canon characters app, we're mostly interested in their samples. Original characters, however, need to give us more simply so that they have something to which they are beholden. This is also so that mods can tailor plots and item gifts the way they do with canon characters.
As such, the OC Application is as follows.
Applications should still be posted to the Application Page as usual.
Original characters are expected to abide by the same rules and requirements as everyone else, and once accepted will otherwise be treated as canon characters. If you have any questions specific to playing an OC, you can leave them at the FAQ. If we think the answer will be helpful to more than just you, we'll probably include it here.
TYPES OF ORIGINAL CHARACTERS
Due to the incredibly flexible nature of the game we are only accepting OCs on a case-by-case basis. We accept applications for:
Flexible protagonists. Many video games have first person characters that may have established plot but require player input on personality and plot decisions and require significant headcanon. They are considered canon characters for the purposes of application and list management, and don't really need to be on this page. It should be noted that we do not accept duplicates for this type of character (only one Inquisitor regardless of race and class choices, etc.)
Original characters with worlds created by the player. The most common kind of OC. These will be judged by their worldbuild as much as the concept of the character itself. They will be held to higher standards and require comprehensive applications simply because of the potential for abuse: it is, after all, easy to rewrite the rules of a world you created in order to give your character an advantage in whatever situation he is in. (e.g. A character apped as a harmless pixie suddenly reveals that all pixies in their universe are immune to mind control during a mind control plot, even though that was never explicitly stated in their app.)
Original characters created for an established RP universe. This includes tabletop characters such as World of Darkness builds; wholly original player characters for games like World of Warcraft; and DWRP game NPCs so long as the applicant was their primary writer. Their setting and played canon to date must be included in the app with links only as a supplement.
Original characters written into existing canon worlds. These will be our most rigorously reviewed applications. The more obscure the canon, and the more removed from the action and characters of the canon, the more likely we are to accept it. For example, a Star Wars Jedi Knight who claims to be a long lost Skywalker is less acceptable than a character who went to magic school in the world of Lev Grossman's The Magicians several years before the events of the books and has no connections with them.
ORIGINAL CHARACTER STANDARDS
We reserve the right to decline:
• Universes or characters that are simply copies of existing universes or characters.
• An original character that is a collection of buzzwords, magical powers, or physical descriptors with no particular personality.
• Characters who claim close relationships with major canon characters, or even aquaintanceship with characters who are actually in-game, unless existing cast has preemptively signed off on it.
• Characters who are, have experienced and can do every possible thing (or an incredibly unlikely variety of things that seem more like a net designed to catch specific canon CR.)
• Characters who are particularly exceptional, special or unique within the context of their setting. (A Harry Potter style wizard in an otherwise non-magical world; a prophesied Chosen One worshipped by wizards in the Harry Potter world, etc.)
• Characters designed solely to cater for a fetish.
• Characters designed solely for a joke.
• Overpowered characters.
• Characters with no real flaws, mistakes, or undesirable traits.
These standards are in addition to the regular standards of writing to which we hold all applications.
ORIGINAL CHARACTER APPLICATION
When canon characters app, we're mostly interested in their samples. Original characters, however, need to give us more simply so that they have something to which they are beholden. This is also so that mods can tailor plots and item gifts the way they do with canon characters.
As such, the OC Application is as follows.
PLAYER INFORMATION
PLAYER: Whatever you’d like us to call you! And while this isn’t a requirement, providing your preferred pronoun for the sake of your own comfort is an option open to you.
AGED 18+? This game will address and explore adult themes, so you must be at least 18 to app here.
RESERVED? If you reserved this character tell us here.
IN-GAME CHARACTERS: List who you already play here. If no-one, please remember that new players need to have a current player invite them by replying to the invites page.
CHARACTER INFORMATION
NAME: First name-last name order, please.
SETTING: If this is a canon setting you may choose to use a link, otherwise please thoroughly describe your world build. If your character is coming from a specific point in a linked or described setting (such as "before the war") please make that clear too.
ARRIVAL TYPE: Accidental, involuntary or rescued.
IC USERNAME: The Lockbox app is text only and mimics “real world” social media, so your character will need an IC username. Be as silly or as serious as you want; first name dot last name is as valid as glittergal79.
SPECIES: What it says on the tin.
APPEARANCE: We want a description of what they look like, including any physical quirks such as horns or tattoos or cloven feet. Be as specific as you like. If you have a PB, link a picture. A link to some art is also welcome.
HISTORY: Dot point summary or a timeline is fine here, but this section should still be written out and thorough. If your character is a canon OC, please include all interactions with canon characters.
PERSONALITY: As much info as you can give us on the nature of the character. The focus should be on their strengths, weaknesses, adjectives and affect — relationships or actions are secondary concerns. If you’re applying for a character you’ve previously written a personality section for, copying and pasting or linking us to that is completely kosher!
INVENTORY: Requested inventory upon arrival. Bear in mind the mods may require revisions/place restrictions here, but we’ll do our best to work with you as necessary.
SUPERPOWERS, SKILLS, AND OTHER ABILITIES: This should be a summary of what the character can do before nerfing. If they have a character sheet or similar list of stats, link it here. All powers should either have a link to the powers wiki describing what that power is, or an outline of how it works for your specific character. If they are particularly good at anything, such as hacking or dancing or political intrigue, mention that here too. If they have any major drawbacks, flaws or weaknesses that are related to their abilities (such as a vampire having to drink blood) mention those too.
CHANGES: If you’re apping a character with abilities powerful enough to break the setting, (i.e. reality manipulation, magic, teleportation), or who are physically incompatible with a regular environment, here’s where you give us an idea of how you plan to adapt them. You are also welcome to nerf characters who you would prefer to play without their abilities, such as making a vampire human.
SAMPLES
We require three samples of you writing this character. They can be any combination of:- A link to 10+ spam comments (such as network tags, TFLN, dear_mun or action spam).
- A link to 3+ prose comments (including lengthy and descriptive writing in brackets.)
- A link to a fic or drabble.
- A link to a previous game's comm tag for the character.
- A thread from the Clock Box test drive meme.
- A 200+ word prose sample set in the Clock Box.
We're not going to be too picky about length requirements, just put your best foot forward! Mostly we're interested in your writing ability, your tagging style, and your fit for the game.
Applications should still be posted to the Application Page as usual.
FURTHER RULES AND QUESTIONS
Original characters are expected to abide by the same rules and requirements as everyone else, and once accepted will otherwise be treated as canon characters. If you have any questions specific to playing an OC, you can leave them at the FAQ. If we think the answer will be helpful to more than just you, we'll probably include it here.