spaceThis roleplay began as an example of poor impulse control and a desire to correct the things that tend to make zombie roleplays unsustainable on Gaia. So, we've got a very special setup and some very special rules on how everything functions. Here you'll find a guide on how to navigate and participate in the roleplay. If you have any questions, post them here and we'll try to answer them as soon as possible. Updates to this thread will be in red. There will be a list of the updated sections at the bottom of this post.
Seasons ♦ Character Deaths ♦ Zombie Hordes ♦ Story and Plots ♦ Special Requests ♦ FAQ
Updated September 21, 2019 Updated section: Character deaths
Posted: Tue May 21, 2019 1:40 am
xxxX Seasonsxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
spaceOne of the things that zombie roleplays tend to struggle with is timelines, keeping things moving and not becoming stagnant. So, to solve that, we've done two things.
spaceFirstly, obviously this is a guild, not a forum thread. Guilds are better suited to long term roleplays, since they allow multiple threads with different scenes to occur at once, and can be organized in a way that keeps people from getting too confused. A lot can happen at once, since people aren't having to sort through too many posts in the same thread. Threads will be created by mods for various locations of importance for each season, and roleplayers will have a number of places they are free to post in at any time.
spaceSecondly, we are going to adhere to a fairly strict timeline. The roleplay will play out in seasons, like a television show (hence previous references to such). Plotlines will be devised for each season, sometimes with a specific end goal that the moderators will push the characters towards, sometimes with a Big Bad to create drama, sometimes with mysteries to be solved or intercommunity issues to work through. Members are allowed and even encouraged to message the guild captain with ideas for future plots.
spaceEach season will have its own designated subforum. As stated, mods will begin the new season by creating threads for important locations, such as the base camp (may be multiple threads if the camp is large enough), places to grab supplies, or smaller encampments for new additions to set up in so they can be found and absorbed by the current group. Throughout the season, members are free to post at will and engage with each other however they like. Designated events will occur at predetermined times, which players will be warned about at the start of the week during which they will occur.
spaceThere will usually be a Season Finale type event towards the end of the season period, such as a large zombie horde or a confrontation with an antagonist, to wrap up the season and allow a final opportunity to kill off characters. Again, members will be reminded of this upcoming event, and given a synopsis of what is going to happen so they can plan their part in it. Once this event is over, the season will end, and the subforum will become an archive. No new posts can be made; we will be moving to the next subforum down when the new season starts.
spaceSeasons will run for three months, with a gap month between for members to make new characters and update profiles, and for mods to set up for the next season. This is the best time to approach mods about new plot ideas, as there is a chance your idea could be incorporated into an already planned plot. If we reach a point where we are drawing a blank for what to do next, we will let members know, though we will try to have a general idea for the plot progression up to a couple of seasons in advance.
spaceThe name of the game is Anyone Can Die, and we take that quite literally around here. At the start of each season, the captain will decide how many members of the current cast will die and select doomed characters at random using dice. Members will be contacted via private message to let them know who's on the chopping block. They can then discuss their options for killing the character with the captain, if they wish for it to be a part of the over-arching season plot (victim of an antagonist, killed in a planned horde attack, etc) or if they would like to plot their own death scenario (supply run, illness, etc).
spaceNow, we don't want people to be too afraid of getting attached to their characters, or to try and come up with longer term plots for them. That'll get boring really quick, and it'll likely lead to a lot of not-so-interesting fodder characters being made. So, we do have a system to allow you to save a character if you're just really, truly dedicated to continuing their story a little while longer.
spaceAs stated, you are allowed a total of three characters at a time. Should you get the dreaded PM regarding one you have important plans for, you have the option of requesting that one of your other characters die in their place. However, you cannot make a new character after receiving the PM with the express purpose of killing them instead, and if you only have the one character, they will have to die.As of right now, since we have so few members, you can make late-game characters to die instead of the selected ones. However, once the roleplay is more populated, this will change. You also cannot save the same character two seasons in a row if their number comes up each time (by that point we have to assume fate wants them dead).
spaceThe number of characters slated to die will never be more than half the cast. Most often it will be around 25%, unless the cast has gotten unmanageably high and we're trying to pare it down. You also are absolutely allowed to kill off characters outside of the ones chosen to die if it suits your plotting, though this will require a request. It is recommended that you do not submit this request for the season until you are sure that you don't need to use their death to save another character you'd rather keep alive.
spaceYou are not technically obligated to inform your roleplay partners of an upcoming death, as everyone should be participating in this roleplay with the understanding that, well, Anyone Can Die. However, if you have longterm plans that are going to be altered or made impossible by a death, it is recommended that you reach out to them and discuss it. Mods will not reveal who is going to die until the death scene occurs in the roleplay; it is your choice whether or not you want to make the death of your character public knowledge, or keep it secret for the drama of it all.
Posted: Tue May 21, 2019 9:03 pm
xxxX Zombie Hordesxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
spaceMembers are welcome to utilize the presence of small groups or singular zombies, no more than four at a time, for their own personal scenes in non-designated areas. Other than that, specific threads will be designated as high-zombie locations, which members are welcome to utilize in order to kill off or injure characters, or drive plot.
spaceMembers are not permitted to summon large hordes for their own purposes at will, especially to the base camp threads. Rather, these will be major events that are planned out and orchestrated by the mods. Members will be warned of upcoming zombie hordes a couple days in advance via Guild Announcement. Then, a mod will post the horde's arrival, with any important information provided (such as size, state of decay, and notable zombies such as former group members). Once the horde is placed, members are free to interact with the horde until it is either defeated (all or a vast majority of zombies killed) or they have escaped.
spaceIt is up to roleplayers to coordinate during horde attacks and figure out the best course of action. A thread will be posted in the OOC subforum corresponding with the announcement of a horde so that members can discuss their plans, although information on the horde will be limited to "it's coming" until the event begins. If necessary a poll will be added were members can vote if they prefer to kill the horde, or run. Members who disagree with the overall vote are not required to follow the majority vote, but must face the consequences of going against the group majority in-character. Discussions of options and disagreements should be kept civil; members who actively seek to cause trouble both in-and-out of character during these events will be issued warnings. It should be noted that characters do not have to have an organized response to these events (although later in the roleplay it might be something they have planned for in advance). The planning stages are purely for OOC discussion so that everyone can get on the same page with what will occur, to cut down on chaos causing the roleplay to go off the rails.
spaceAs stated, the guild is going to have an ongoing story that is roughly planned out and orchestrated by the mods. These will be planned out in advance and we will keep members up to date on what they can expect to occur with their characters. However, due to this being a roleplay, there is always a chance that members can work together and throw plans off the rails. Members are welcome to speculate and plan for the future with regards to the overarching plotline. However, no major actions can be taken without the awareness and permission from the mods. Earlier seasons will mostly focus on building group dynamics with little outside interference (aside from zombies) and be character driven at the roleplayer's discretion. Later seasons will begin introducing external antagonists and events.
xxxxxCurrent Plotline Events:xxxxx Season One - The Outbreak Survivors adapt to a world overrun with the undead. Groups are formed, territories are claimed. Season Finale - Zombie Horde Season Two - Inter-group Conflicts Dynamics between characters and roles within the groups are established. Power struggles among the leader-types, sides are taken, alliances formed. Season Finale - Zombie Horde? Betrayal?
spaceMembers are also more than welcome to come up with their own plots, so long as they communicate with the relevant roleplayers about how it will affect their characters. Major events such as deaths, pregnancies, etc should be open to discussion, though final say is always up to the individual. Please keep in mind that just as you are free to make choices with your character, the other roleplayers are free to choose how their characters react. If you do something despite others asking you not to, don't be surprised if your character is subsequently ostracized. Members cannot ever kill someone else's character without their permission, but if the group at large wishes to banish someone or restrict their access to supplies, they have that right.
spaceThe one thing that the mods will be watching for is characters who seem to be taking it upon themselves to fulfill a Big Bad sort of role. While there's nothing wrong with making an antagonistic character (in fact, you are totally encouraged to do so!), there's a line between 'person who causes problems for drama' and 'person who is diverting the entire roleplay with their megalomania'. Avoid the latter, please. If you want to play a character who exists specifically to cause large-scale problems, contact the mods, they might be able to fit you into the plot so it doesn't throw everything off.
Posted: Thu May 30, 2019 5:42 pm
xxxX Special Requestsxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
spaceAs this is a roleplay, it's important that every member gets fair and equal treatment. We don't want any one person showing up and being significantly stronger or better than everyone else, nor do we want the roleplay overloaded with highly skilled specialists. That way lies a lot of boredom, since the zombies wouldn't be a real threat, and a lot god-modding as people try to prove that their character is stronger/smarter/overall better than others. However, we don't want to completely outlaw these elements, as in moderation they can add to the story and create interesting plotlines. So, rather than refusing these things outright, these things will instead be restricted and monitored by the mods.
spaceIf you have a special request for something, such as a character who has inside knowledge that will help the survivors, or has highly specialized weapons training, or any other trait that makes them stand out, you will need to request it during character creation. There is a form below which you can PM to the captain to get your request approved.
spaceIf this is a request for a character you've already established, such as them locating a weapon or learning a new skill, you'll need to include additional information in the last section of the form.
spaceThings that definitely will require a request are: spacexxx- Pregnancies spacexxx- Deaths (unless they are part of the predetermined random death count) spacexxx- Major illnesses, both mental and physical spacexxx- Specialized weaponry you would only acquire in the military or illegally spacexxx- Specialized knowledge that will prove exceptionally useful to the survival of the group
[b]Special Request[/b]
[b]Which character does this request apply to?[/b] (name)
[b]What are you requesting?[/b] (be very detailed - we will automatically deny any requests if we feel there is too much grey area that can be exploited)
[b]Why do you want this request?[/b] (argue your case here - convince me that this is a good idea for not only your character, but the roleplay as a whole)
[b]What are your plans going forward if it is granted?[/b] (how do you plan to use this request to move the roleplay's plot and help/hinder the other characters?)
[b]Have you discussed these plans with anybody?[/b] (you're not required to - however, if the request will cause significant changes to the story progression, it's best you give everyone a head's up)
[b]If your request is for an established character, how do you plan on incorporating it into the roleplay?[/b] (how will they find the weapon, how will they learn the skill, etc - we need to make sure it makes sense before we let you do it)
spaceRequests will be tracked by the captain and mods. If it is an item it should be included in your profile under inventory, if it is knowledge it should be in backstory and under your special skills. If you include anything in the profile that has not been requested but should be, you will be asked to edit the profile or submit a request.
Why aren't there any questions yet? spaceBecause no one's asked any! We're too new to have an FAQ, but I wanted to set this up anyway. Any question that gets asked by more than three different people, particularly in quick succession, will be added here. For now, post in the thread if you're confused about anything.
