Welcome to Gaia! ::

I'd like to ask a question though, and I mean no offense or anything to anyone, but are all/most of the owners active?
There's always some sort of RP going on, be it class, tutoring, or RP. If you poke around for RP, there's always someone to take you up on the offer. The owners have been consistently active for-ever and there is a good handful of active owners as well. Not all the owners are active, however, as some have moved on for various reasons. Classes stretch on, but it's assumed ICly that classes are stretched over several days, possibly an IC-month. It's not like RL-class where one lesson is learned a day, then the next is something different.

What’s special about Empyreans?
The key thing to understand when getting into Empyreans is that it's first and foremost a game, rather than simply some RP in a world. The goal of Empyreans is not just to interact with other players, but to have your empyrean learn skills, collect equipment and familiars and magic in order to take on quests and adventures both solo and in groups later on. It's a whole world built to have enough detail for you to freely play in. After two years we're still not finished filling in allt he information you can access. So yah, we don't expect you to memorize all the stuff in the guild, it's meant to be the backdrop so that as you play and RP your Empyrean will learn things about the world that will make them a unique, skilled, contributing member of the City. You can choose your own level of activity, chosing a low-involvement job like a music conductor, or a high-level job like a Hybrid Technician, it's all up to you.

Okay, I assume I can just... jump in with a zero stage or does it have to be older...?
In general, a non-owner cannot simply jump in with a character. Non-owners are more then welcome to participate through OOC chatter, denoted by double brackets [[{{(())}}]] however. For those special events where a non-owner can join with a prospective Empyrean but it will be a Spectre – an individual that is not yet a full member of Empyrean society.

Just what are Spectres? Obviously they can communicate with Empyreans, but do they have any physical form or are they just something like a cloud of gas? Do they usually act like adults or are they sorta shifting from any age that no one can pin down?
Spectre is just a term. The Spectre is a solid, real being in the Empyrean about the age of a normal zero. Pyou, for example, is a Spectre. They act and appear as a Zero stage Empyrean - that is they have the mentality of a college student (~19-23ish) but the physical body of a 7-11 year old due to how the magics of Empyreans works. They would have both their alignment and their orientation, yes.

Spectres, to put it simply, are neither Empyrean nor Husk - they're sort of in between. Having their spirit brought to the city before fusing allows a husk the opportunity to be exposed to the society and magics and technologies - strengthening them for when they do come. However, upon being fused the Spectre (now turned Husk) loses all memories of being in the city and of their past lives. Once they join the city's populace they become Zeroes.

You aren't playing ghosts, just to clarify. Spectre is just a title, much like Zero or One.


We don't have any stages, but a specter, not yet a member or any of the stages. So . . . would our "would be" have it's alignment or anything yet?
Yep! Your potential Empyrean would look like a Zero but not be a Zero. They would have their alignment, colours, etc etc.

Seeing as we're not a member of the city yet, are we in any way limited by age? As in, would we have to RP a very young Empyrean so that they would be before stage zero?
A Spectre is physically 7-10 years old. Mentally, however, they are about as mature as college students. Likewise with Zeroes.

As a specter . . . can other Empyreans see us, and if so, is the manner in which they see us up to us? As in, would we appear as shadow of the actual physical body, or more of a cloud or ghosty thing?
Spectre is just a title. A name for something. Spectres are not ghosts, so yes, other Empyreans would indeed see you as a solid, real individual.

Is the event in its own thread, or here in the shop?
All Events are held in the main thread - RP, announcements, prize awarding - that's all done in here. If you back read some, you'll find some RP pertaining to the particular event you’re looking for. It’s always a good idea to back read so you’re up to date.

I really like this colour from the choleric spectrum but I want to play a sanguine… can I use that colour?
Colours are pretty strict for the alignments. You should stick to the palettes provided, or if you don’t see something you like, think up something in the same general hues and tones. Any Empyrean is immediately recognizable by their colours as a member of a particular Alignment. Clothing, however, can be any colour you want.


Do I have to have to have the quest thread completed before I can start RPing or can I work on it as I go along?
You don’t need to have a completed Quest form up before joining in an event but it’s a good idea so we, the moderators of Empyreans, know what it is you’re hoping for.

I’m really confused and worried about making a mistake!
Don’t worry about making mistakes. Empyreans is a very in depth world with a lot of history, nuances and information. Aside from little basics which you can pick up here from friendly players and staff, the information and knowledge about the world and history and skills and all that you learn through class RP. The goal is that by the time you're a Stage One you know the world well enough to comfortably forge your own way, taking up quests and jobs and generally making a little corner of Empyrean City your own.

What does a Zero start off with in terms of belongings and common knowledge?
You don't really start off with anything special. There are the basic personal belongings but as far as technoequips, abberations, familiars, etc etc - essentially all the extra goodies - you have to earn them through events, quests, and earning them through personal quests.

Common knowledge is this: A Zero awakens knowing what Stage they are, what Alignment and Orientation they are, and that they are living in the Empyrean City – specifically in the White District. They know that Outsiders are bad/evil/etc etc, that a Three must venture out to bring in new Zeroes to Empyrean, and that one must not go outside the White District until you’ve ascended to One. Beyond that, all knowledge is gained through RP – classes, PRPs, Quests, and Events.

I still don’t understand Spectres. Do they have the same knowledge and privliedges as Zeroes?
Spectres don't go to classes, aren't normally allowed to participate in city events and so on. They are in the city simply to get essence exposure and to gauge their suitability to become an Empyrean.

Do hair styles have to be a certain way?
Hair can be whatever style you choose to start out with. It's generally simple as hair accessories and the like get added on through the stages. Can be short, long, or long and short, none at all – whatever you want.

Are there Families?
In Empyreans there are no families and no one lives outside the city in plots of lands. Every Empyrean is sterile and thus unable to reproduce. There are no Mothers, Fathers, or Siblings.

I understand that the children who become zeros have no real memories of their past, and no longings. But my question is, if a child had somehow had extreme emotional responses before becoming a zero [such as if the child had been abused] would some of that carry over?
Basically, extreme circumstances can affect behavioral responses on a subconscious level. For example, Pyou. He was drowning when he was found and saved by an Empyrean. After he was fused he no longer remembered the actual occurrence but retained a strange fascination with water and a desire to be constantly surrounded by it. He does not remember why, merely finds himself drawn to it.

The bonding process infuses a Husk with magic - one of the four alignments - which washes away all the past experiences and primes the body. This in part gives you the colourations of your Alignment, but also changes every cell in the body, giving you the ability to wield magics through a new system of the body known as the Essence. Think of it as starting fresh. The body had already aged to a certain point of childhood where the Husk has optimal development and highest receptiveness to the concepts of Empyrean City. But memories prior to bonding disappear, impurities or shortcomings are cured and healed and the Empyrean wakes up refreshed, at home and ready as a Zero to become a full Empyrean. Certain problems can be fixed. Outsiders, from whom the Husks are collected, have many many mutations and illnesses due to the chemicals they use and the residual damage done to the planet from the wars and lifestyles lived in history. The most common of these is blindness. Blindness can be corrected to partial vision by the Bonding process. The Empyrean would still require glasses to have perfect vision, but they can at least see. Major defects, like missing limbs can't be rectified, and those Husks would never be selected as they could never become full Empyreans.

A severely psychologically or physically challenged/traumatized/deformed etc etc child would not be considered to become a husk simply because they would be a potentially weak link where the Empyreans cannot have one. Unstable or disabled, they would be more of a drain on society then a competent and strong addition. The Empyreans fight to survive so they must pick and choose the best among the Outsiders to bring into the city.

Challenging characters are encouraged but there is a zone as to what would be realistic in the Empyrean society. The only exceptions to those general tendencies stated above are those who has incredible potential in something the city can use - case in point, Sombre. She's of the broken status but has a sixth sense (special abilities like this are plot points and thus not allowed without express moderator permission from both Taro and myself).

I'm not seeing any way to order a custom or anything - is it even possible - or is it just events and sales?
Nope. There's no sales, or bribes, as each Empyrean is custom to the player's wish. The best chance you have at getting one is in events, but if and only if non-players are allowed to join as sometimes instead of a monthly "event" such as this one there's a meta-plot instead. Your best bet would be to read everything carefully (especially the first page) and set up a quest in the guild's Quest thread to start defining your character (ie, their orientation, alignment, colors, etc.

Why are there no sales or bribes?
There are no sales or bribes because we are very careful about who we let play the game. This is not because we aren't friendly or aren't welcoming, it's just to make sure that whomever joins us has sufficient skill to be able to tackle the immense nature that is the Empyrean World and the dedication to actually stick around. Unfortunately, even despite this rigorous screening process a great number of those who have expressed interest in playing have dropped off in the Stage Zero phase either because the underestimated the time and effort involved, or didn't have the proactivity to make the msot of their experience and stagnated. Then of course are those who didn't have the time due to irl stuffs. It's hard for me when this happens because I've gone to allt he work and trouble of designing individual arts for each player - not jsut the Empyrean themselves, but the Familiars and items that they collect as they play, the Plushies from events and all the rest of it. It's a labour of love.

How do I get one then?
If someone is interested in joining, and fully understands the depth of the game and the expectations of playing, we encourage them to develope an Empyrean in the Quest thread in the Guild, to join the guild and read up on information to get an idea of the world. They are always welcome to OOCly post in this thread (The Shop Thread doubles as a common room for many events). In that way they can get to know the other players and ask any questions they might have to better develope their Empyrean idea. Then either in events like this when non-members are welcome to play with us, we can see you in action and can invite you to join us. If we like the look of your template we can open up slots and you can purchase an Empyrean. I prefer to have it paid stage by stage, meaning you'd only pay the first Stage at this point. Simply because Additions have different additional values and these concepts mgiht change or grow (Such as getting the option for a Limited Edition addition from Role play) or because people might drop out before they grow and then they can get stickly as they paid for something they never in eventuality got.

More on Spectres
A note about Spectres. The concept of Spectres was invented by Ardys, the city's head Prophet. There is an old woves' tale in Empyrean City that says if an Empyrean makes contact with its Husk before fusing - as in talking with them, playing a game with them, giving them a hug, etc. - before stealing them off to fuse them in the City, it can increase their potency and acceptance of the bonding process and make them stronger Empyreans. However, this is a risky process as most Husks will freak out at the sight of an Empyrean - partly because the Empyrean gathering them is a Stage Three and often not remotely 'human' looking anymore, and because they are raised by Outsiders to believe that Empyreans are the enemy. Thus Ardys developed a skrying art that enabled him to siphon the spirit of those souls who might someday be part of Empyrean City to interact with them before they are true empyreans in order to strengthen their future bond to the City. It might also enable the Spectre to develope a Specialty Skill as an Empyrean. So far there are only 5 Empyreans with these skills: Abacus has a photographic memory, Sombre has a sixth sense, Fenna can charm any monster she encounters, Daggart has an unbreakable body, and Cyphr can perfectly do impressions of people.

In the quest threads, different people have VASTLY different ideas of how much gold each stage costs and the total cost for the Empyreans. Is there a stated list somewhere?
The base cost for the Stage is a flat rate. But each addition is extra gold (ranging from 200g to 40,000g ish) so the variances you see in price are people counting in the prices for the additions you want. Since you pay stage by stage, you can always tally up desired additions to have a target number to save for, but then you can always change your mind about which additions you want as you come closer to transcending. The flat rate breaks down as zero: 50k, one: 60k, two: 65k, three: 75k, not including additions.


I really prefer the Sanguine for the colors, but I don’t like the carelessness attributed to Sanguines and I really like the personality types associated with the Choleric Alignment, what should I do?
You should pick an alignment based around the whole thing - you can't just pick and choose particular characteristics that suit you best. Every alignment has pros and cons and as a Sanguine that fiery spiritedness is both a strength and weakness, apparent in every Sanguine Empyrean. It's one of the markers - not just colours. If you think your character is more of the supporting, earthy type over all then I suggest going with the choleric. If your character has energy and life and action then I suggest Sanguine. That said, such traits aren't only apparent in the specific alignment, a person can be thoughtful and supportive regardless buuuuut the difference lies in the way it's expressed and the general over all personality. So you should choose an alignment based on what you feel is most correct, including the flaws associated with that alignment

How much of an issue is it if I change my direction? I want to go with another concept.
You can switch concepts if you wish. When choosing an alignment for a character it is best to what feels right to you. You will not suffer any penalties or the like from toying with your concepts or even completely revamping them. The point is to do what's right for you, however you wish to see that. Go with the one that speaks to you. You'll have way more fun describing their actions, thoughts and mannerisms. You'll be able to be a suitable stenographer for their words. It'll just be a more enjoyable experience overall.

Like Pyou, would she have been mostly confined to the Dreaming Pool as a location (and not been 'out')? Or if she was one of the newly brought in 'harvest' of Spectres, would she not know much of the Dreaming Pool? How long would she have stayed in any instance?
The only Spectre to be housed in the Dreaming Pool is Pyou. This is because he's part of a future Metaplot and is special, as Em said. There are no other Spectres milling about in the Dreaming Pool. The Spectres gathered for the Banquet were summonered/evoked directly from their Husks into the Banquet hall. They would have arrived into existence on the doorstep/hallway outside and have been foretold through the ministrations of Ardys and the other Prophets what the situation was. Like a fusing of Essence, the evoking would have instilled a basic understanding and familiarity with Empyrean City (including what a Spectre is: the projection of what an Empyrean version of their Husk would look like), so there'd be no Spectres confused and frightened as to why they're suddenly not in their Husk life.

She'd know what Spectres are, presumably, being one?
She'd know she was a Spectre, yes. But not because she was one – it’s part general knowledge that’s instilled in the new Zero during the fusing process.

When husks are acquired, they don't really bring any of their worldly goods with them, but would they have access to goods (namely: clay in the case of Thimble) or, if not, would they still have a 'memory' or an 'urge' of past experiences with materials or hobbies (that is, can you extend interests of an Empyrean to their past lives even if specifics aren't actually known, or must everything be regarded as a blank slate: that like their bodies and despite their mentality they are yet to develop established routines or set patterns of thought, and thus any 'interests' they may have is debateably coincidental, or as a direct result of their immediate environment)?
They would have access to the supplies they wished to use - among other things, the White District is a giant school. They are a blank slate. They have their personality... and possibly the tendency to be drawn towards things they would have been interested in regardless of being Outsider or Empyrean.

If selected, once fused, ALL Spectres lose all memory of their experiences as Spectres or as Husks. Therefore no Spectre would recognize Empyreans they met, or other Spectres evoked at the same time as they. There would remain personality as it had been, including basic dislikes and likes. The point of bringing in a Spectre is that it can increase the aptitude of the natural ability of the Husk. Meaning, how quickly the new Empyrean learns, catches on and settles into a life as an Empyrean is much quicker and easier, as well as increasing the capacity to grasp and understand the skills of the Empyrean City, as well as increasing final potency of the Empyrean's Stage Three power. This is because on a subconscious elvel, the things they are technically relearning are familiar to the point of decreasing difficulty to grasp and learn said topics. For supplies, there's a list of what basic school supplies each Empyrean begins with in his or her dorm room. Mundane things, like clay, or a specific type of quill, or a favourite novel, can all be included in your Dorm possessions as personal items not related with schooling. However, supplies and other advanced school equipment can be purchased or borrowed once the Empyrean realizes a need for them.

Alright, now, it all depends on specific personal preference, but here's the social breakdown:
Since the mindset is at a college level, physical desire is as present as emotional desire, since the primary erogynous organ is the brain. However, what one physically is attracted to may not be fellow Zeroes, who have 'less' to offer than more grown Empyreans. While it is not uncommon for Ones, Twos and Threes to intermingle sexually, it's thought of as a little strange for a Three to persue a relationship with a Zero. It's not wrong, or frowned upon, just rather misunderstood. Gregor, for instance, has a huge penchant for his apprentices. He loves the whole Teacher-student dynamic, and really gets aroused by having something small and pristine to press to his chest. Lus, on the otherhand thinks it's weird, and refuses to have sex with any Zero, even those basically throwing themselves at him, like Torrid. But then, when Lus was a Zero, he had naked pictures of Threes in his dorm room, so he's always had a penchant for the full grown.
Sexual contact as a Zero is the next thing to take into account. Yes, they are capable. Yes, it is pleasureable. Zeroes having intercourse with other Zeroes is a simple thing, because everyone involved is small and therefore less likely to hurt anyone by the act. Also, the Essence that laces all the body systems - sweat, tears, blood - also laces sexual fluids, and is extremely pleasureable to contact, especially a mixting of these fluids with someone else's. Where it starts to get complicated is a zero having sex with a Stage above them, as the size difference or the additions can make things complicated. Granted, an adventurous Zero who is more flexible and more sexually hungry may persue a sexual relationship with someone more advanced, like Jakov was wont to do. In this situation, there's more a potential for physical pain - which can be fuel to the fire for some, sexually - but there's also the heightened potency of an older Empyrean's essence to contend with which can rival or overwhelm any pain the young Zero may experience.

Some forms of Worship in Philosophy, and many spells in Tribal magic require sexual activity, and can be practised by those otherwise uninterested or not emotionally involved in the act. Tomb, for instance, is having a bit of an ordeal finding people to shag for the worship of one of his gods because personally he has absolutely zero interest in sex or love of any sort. Most people do attach friendship or intimacy with the act, because of the mingling of Essence, whereas Tomb regards it as obligation and work. Socially this is abnormal. It makes finding a shag difficult, despite his pretty face. <3

Most Empyreans pursue multiple relationships. The concept of marriage is unheard of; the closest proximity they have is Housing Commissions, deciding to move in together with other Empyreans. It is considered socially odd to be with only one person, and if you are with only one partner, others will talk and gossip about the relationship. A good example is Dameron and Elias. Dameron's one and only is Elias, and this is often scoffed at by other Empyreans, often including Elias who sees other people whenever he can get away with it and not have to deal with Dameron's wrath. On a point of interest, of the four Alignments, it is the Melancholics who are most prone to a case of Monogamy, as they tend to be very private and less understanding of emotions. They have a harder time trusting and feeling secure in their relationships in general. For some of a jealous mindset, this translates to a possession of their partner, or considering seeing another as a betrayal. Grave, conversely, is a Melancholic, and feels that each Alignment can offer him only one part of a whole of emotional experience. He has three lovers, Mathiaz (a Sanguine), Ubel (a Melancholic) and Torrid (A Choleric). I'm always wary when he meets Phlegmatics just in case he's not content with merely collecting a Phlegmatic Husk. > . >

As for Age of Bonding related to how sexual an Empyrean is, this does not normally make a huge amount of difference in general cases. In extremes it does. For instance, the range in which a Husk is picked is between 7 to 10 years. If an Empyrean was older than this, ie Abacus was 11 or 12, they are almost always more inclined to have sex before they transcend. If they were younger, ie Cyphr who was 5, they are less likely to have sex before they transcend. Cyphr still doesn't get it. He can't understand why anyone would want to do that. And in lieu of that, when he's attracted to someone he gets entirely too flustered and can't function properly, and gets riduculously touchy-feely and wants to be around them allll the tiiiime and constantly smiles at them and wants to sleep in the same bed as them, and just doesn't get why the feeling is so insatiable. *pets Cyphr* It's okay baby, someday you'll understand...and by then be so Additioned up that no one will ever want to have sex with you because you'll be tooooo maaaaassive. *sighs*