FAQ Thread, Frequently Asked Questions

Index

In General

1. What is godmodding / godmoding?
2. What is a Mary Sue or a Gary Stu?
3. What is powerplaying?
4. What is spam?
5. What is metagaming?

For the Character

1. What is first person?
2. What is third person?
3. Do I have to post a picture for an application?
4. Do I need to use a real face claim?
5. Can I use someone else's face claim?
6. Can I make an NPC?
7. Can I have a pet/familiar/minion?
8. Do I have to post my character application in the signature?
9. What does it mean if my profile is moved to inactive?
10. How do I get my profile moved back to active?
11. What is canon?
12. What is an adoptable?
13. What's the inventory system for?

The Site

1. What is IC?
2. What is OOC?
3. Who are the staff?
4. How many accounts am I allowed?
5. Do I need an account for an NPC?
6. What are the rules?
7. Where is the plot?
8. Where is the application?

The Magic System

1. Where is the magic system?
2. How does the magic system work?
3. How do magicians cast magic?
4. How do normal people use magic?
5. What are the exceptions?

The Stores

1. How do I earn gold?
2. What is gold used for?
3. How do I make lots of gold?
4. How do I buy things?
5. How do I use things?

In General

1. What is godmodding / godmoding?

Godmodding and godmoding are the same thing. Basically, it's the situation we get into where a character is threatened and unable to be killed, or unable to be even touched. They walk away from fights without a scratch and nothing to explain their great fortune other than their supposedly superior training. They don't sweat, they don't bleed, and it's likely they never age because that would ruin their fabulous complexion. It is generally looked down upon by many sites, and Dark Enchantment is one of them.

2. What is a Mary Sue or a Gary Stu?

Mary Sue and Gary Stu are characters that have nothing wrong with them. No problems, no downsides, never lose their temper or do something wrong. Everyone loves them unconditionally and they can get away with anything. Many sites do not approve of Mary Sues, and Dark Enchantment is one of them.

3. What is powerplaying?

Powerplaying is the act of taking control of another player's character without their consent and having them do something. It can range from having the character move or say something to having them suffer from an attack or a spell, or even die. Powerplaying is not allowed on Dark Enchantment, however control can be given with the other player's consent.

4. What is spam?

Spam is where someone repeats things very quickly, and it is often the same thing. This can be threads or it can be someone in the chatbox. Either way, we prefer that spam is avoided by members. This can include someone who makes one character after another without giving them chance to develop, or who makes a handful of open threads and expects people to respond to them.

5. What is metagaming?

Metagaming is where a character knows about things that have happened without being present and without being told. it is different from deduction, as a character has to think about such things. Metagaming usually occurs when a character knows of a private conversation that goes on (often because the player was reading up on other threads) and discusses the details. Whilst not always intentional, we do ask that it be avoided.

For the Character

1. What is first person?

First person is a writing style where the player writes from the perspective of the character. As such, the terms used tend to be 'I', 'we' and other similar personal words. We ask for first person in our applications to allow the players to understand the character and get to grips with the personality better.

2. What is third person?

Third person is a writing style where the player writes from the perspective of an observer. As such, the terms used tend to be 'he', 'she' or the character's name. We ask for third person in character posts to allow the threads to read out to other players like a narrative or a story.

3. Do I have to post a picture for an application?

We prefer that a picture is posted, as it allows us to see the character. It also allows for avatars and signatures, and any other types of art associated with the character. It is not required, though - particularly for non-human characters.

4. Do I need to use a real face claim?

Whilst we prefer real face claims, we do not require them.

5. Can I use someone else's face claim?

You would need to achieve the permission of the holder of the face claim at the moment, and agree to them being twins or at least lookalikes and noting it if you thread together. If the face claim is of an inactive character, then staff should be able to give it to you.

6. Can I make an NPC?

We have reservations about making NPCs as they tend to clutter up the board and in some cases are rarely used. If you were interested in using the NPC for some plot (for example, making a renowned warrior to lead a group through a dungeon) then staff may be more likely to allow it.

7. Can I have a pet/familiar/minion?

Yes! At least, as long as your character is able to handle them. This means upkeep, such as feeding, and roleplaying the behaviours of the animal as they skip or flap around the other characters.

8. Do I have to post my character application in the signature?

We ask for each account to be made for each separate character, meaning we don't require lists of characters. However, it can be easier for other people to roleplay with you if they can jump to it quickly. If you have a signature, it's possible to link your profile through the image with the following code.

9. What does it mean if my profile is moved to inactive?

We move our profiles to inactive if the player hasn't been present for a long time, taking a leave of absence without letting us know.

10. How do I get my profile moved back to active?

If your profile is inactive then simply message a member of staff and have them move it back. Usually this can be done immediately and you should be able to start roleplaying right away!

11. What is canon?

Canon characters are characters made by the staff and made available to people who want to take on a role that is usually more immediately important. This can include members of the royal family, which we prefer to give to people we believe will stick around and live up to the potential.

Canon can also mean non-original fairytales. These include Pinnocchio, Snow White and Cinderella, which are all fairytales most people know about. The alternative - original fairytales - are those made by players who want to make their own entirely unique character.

Our canons can be found here.

12. What is an adoptable?

Adoptables are character applications that have been completed but the players have left or abandoned the character. Usually this is because of work or school, and often leaves us with plots incomplete. It tends to be the case that there is nothing wrong with the characters themselves.

For more information, the adoptables area can be found here with a thread by Red.

13. What's the inventory system for?

We ask for inventory in the character application to make sure characters aren't randomly going to roleplay with enchanted weapons and armour. The things a character has when they apply can be almost anything, as long as it matches their standing, and the staff agrees to it. After that, other important items (such as horses, better swords, etc) can be bought from stores around Faymoor.

The Site

1. What is IC?

IC stands for In Character. This is where you post from the perspective of the thread, rather than as an outside observer. As such, text speak and similar modern things should be avoided, and communication with the other player should be done through an OOC message - preferably a PM.

There is also an In Character chatbox, found here.

2. What is OOC?

OOC stands for Out of Character, which is where the players talk to one another about plots, characters, real life and anything else that does not belong in the story threads. There are OOC boards, and an OOC chatbox found here.

3. Who are the staff?

The staff are the admins and moderators who put the site together and keep it running for the members to enjoy themselves. At the moment there are 4 members of staff - Aurora Charming, Ramiel, Red Riding Hood and Richard Charming.

4. How many accounts am I allowed?

You are allowed 3 characters, 1 per account. This does not include NPC characters. Only one character per three may be fae, and we prefer the first character be akin to human. Additional characters made should be approved by a member of staff, otherwise the application will be removed.

5. Do I need an account for an NPC?

Yes, we ask that NPC characters are given their own account, and an application made which is thoroughly less intensely scrutinized. NPC characters should only be made if they are likely to be important for an extended period of time (i.e. more than a few posts).

6. What are the rules?

The rules are fairly generic, and can be found here.

7. Where is the plot?

The plot focuses around dark fairytale in a land beset by darkness and war. It can be found here.

8. Where is the application?

The application for a character can be found here.

The Magic System

1. Where is the magic system?

The magic system is the system we use for players who prefer a spell over a bow or sword. The main rule we have is, when fighting another player, do not use 'glowing hands'. The tendency is that these 'glowing hands' just happen to be the perfect defensive spell against whatever it is the next player throws at the caster. Either decide on a spell or an ability and use that, or the turn will be counted as invalid - particularly if you're asked to change your post and don't do so.

2. How does the magic system work?

Magic works by drawing energy from things. Sometimes the environment, such as a torch, and sometimes from the caster themselves. Only certain individuals are able to cast magic, and many of these are registered or otherwise known. Any spell can be done, so long as it is made clear and approved by staff if it's potentially overpowered.

3. How do magicians cast magic?

Magicians have a special ability to attune themselves to arcane waves. This allows them to both pluck at the environment and use the elements present, or summon it from their own bodies at a much greater expense.

4. How do normal people use magic?

Normal people must rely on the use of potions and scrolls to use magic, or get someone to enchant their armour and weapons rather than simply imbue it. These services are sold by wizards at stores in Westmarsh, Shadowcoast, Silvermoor and Mallowbeech.

5. What are the exceptions?

Some individuals are special and able to do more than average magic. Also, the use of runes, circles, talismans and books can help enhance magical ability in wizards. Some creatures are magical by nature, such as unicorns, and do not obey the same limitations that humans understand.

The Stores

1. How do I earn gold?

You earn two gold per post you make, and this can be found in your posts beneath your avatar.

2. What is gold used for?

Gold is used for buying things from stores, such as armour, weapons, potions, scrolls or horses. These must be bought if your character did not have these in their application and have not yet acquired them otherwise.

3. How do I make lots of gold?

We sometimes run contests where we will give the players rewards based on how well they do, or how much they help out. We also give these for players involved in site plots which reach the end.

4. How do I buy things?

To buy things, simply post in one of the stores with your character stating what you want to buy and how many. If you have enough gold, the admin will deduct it from your account and your character will have the item. The stores are as follows:
Silvermoor - Smither's Market
Shadowcoast - Stables
Mallowbeech - Sorceror's Sanctum
Westmarsh - Poisonous Potions

5. How do I use things?

Once you buy items, you can use them as many times as you like (within reason). Of course, if your character loses their backpack, has their horse stolen or ends up throwing their helmet off a cliff, they're not likely to have another one sitting around nearby.