FAQ

[greatbeasts]

FAQ

Where is the best place to ask questions?

Right here on the FAQ!

What type of game is this?

Dragon Called is a Fantasy Adventure game with a large open world to explore, Great Beasts and factions to create alliances and enemies within, over a hundred creatures to encounter, magic, dragons and more! Your character will get to raise, train and learn magic with a unique dragon of their own, and explore the world of magic and mystical creatures with other characters. Raise and tame a dragon to become your connection to the Great Beasts and companion on the planet. Restore balance to the scales (Fight Beast Hunters, Search for Clues on the wars that came before, assist a faction of your choice, earn favor with a Great Beast, learn more about the land, beasts and Great Beasts who watch over it, and harness and strengthen your newfound magic through ruins, relics and your dragon. The game setting will have looming elements of dread as far as uncertain futures and pasts, but will leave plenty of room for adventure/exploration, dark fantasy, light fantasy, politics, magic, SoL, monster fighting, dragon racing, and more.

Where/What is Osaaru?

Osaaru is a world made up of three major continents, a vast sea and several smaller islands. The planet is smaller than our own Earth, but like Earth it is orbited by a moon and revolves around the sun of its solar system. The stars are not the same, or in the same position as the ones you would see from other planets. There are very few left in the sky.

How does IC time pass in relation to OOC time?

The ratio we use is 1:1. Each day that passes is a day in game.

Who are the Remnants and the Touched?

Remnants are the descendants of the magic using 'humans' of Osaaru. By all appearances they are human. These people are well attuned to magic and are working with the Touched to rebuild their lost civilizations. Touched are humanoids said to be descended from a civilized race of Feral-Touched humanoids intermixing with the ancestors of the Remnants. They are humanoid creatures with beast blood in their veins. Touched share some minor to major visible attributes of the beast whose blood they carry. This could be as simple as slight facial or skin differences to people like Keep the innkeeper of Traveler's Innd, who could nearly be mistaken for a talking bear. Both sets of humanoids inhabit the City of Nuren at the heart of Osaaru.

Are there other intelligent species?

There certainly are to varying degrees. The Merfolk rule the oceans, and a lake subspecies can be found inhabiting the Lake of Suns. The Scholars of the Aarackara inhabit a forest in Northern Osaaru and frequent the learning halls and library of Renzu's Gift on the Western most Thunderclap Mountain. The vicious and violent Gnolls are arguably intelligent, at least in the sense that they dress and arm themselves before they take their hunting parties in search of whatever meat is the easiest to catch. The reptilian Dricon inhabit the jungles of Eastern Osaaru, while their desert dwelling brethren can be found in the Sand Wasts of Western Osaaru. There are Goblins, Gnomes, Ents, Ogres, Nymphs, Dryads and more scattered across the land. Some Remnants and Touched can be found beyond the safety of the City of Nuren. These groups and lone wanderers are known as Beast-Hunters and Wastewalkers. They live by the codes of kill or be killed and survival of the quickest and strongest.

Who are the Great Beasts?

There are five revered Great Beasts. They are said to represent Mortality, Order, Knowledge, Time and Chaos. They are represented by Behemoth versions of creatures that live on the planet. A Phoenix, a Stone Giant, a Griffin, a Serpent, and a Chimera. These Great Beasts watch over Osaaru and keep the balance of magic, man and beast in check. A sixth Great Beast, the Great Dragon, exists as well. However, Bahemait is no longer a guardian, and is bound and restrained by magic, held back from causing destruction by the magic of the Great Beasts.

Does this Game have Memory Loss/Power Loss?

Characters will retain their canon memories, but will join the game with a new memory. This memory, placed there by Benra, explains that they were dead, but have been reborn on this planet for a second chance at life. The memory can be accompanied by a sense of calm acceptance, or a feeling of loss and dread. To the best of the character's knowledge and information given to them, their world has been destroyed and they have been reborn to the planet out of the Ashes of the Great Phoenix. It is possible that if they help the Great Beasts put a stop to Bahemait, Benra will restore the destroyed planets and long lost people they once knew, and allow them all to rise from their ashes. Canon Powers and Abilities are mostly kept intact. The Great Beasts need all the magic they can get. The only adjustments made are to keep characters from breaking the game with their powers and abilities. Don't ruin the fun for the rest of the players by overpowering your character. If you feel that playing the game with your character would be made more enjoyable, less confusing or less difficult to remain in character while not breaking the world/game by limiting your characters powers further, we understand that and we're very willing to work with you. Just note which powers you would like your character to have scaled back or not have access to so that we can make note of it. Benra will take care of the rest so that your character is playable in the setting for you without feeling over powered or as if you will need to force them to act oocly to limit their abilities.

Can I app a Fandom OC? AU? Character with history from another game?

You may not. Only Original Characters from Original worlds and Canon characters may be apped into the game. Alternate Universe Characters, OCs from the game universe or a canon universe, and CR AUs may not be apped. Tabletop and MMORPG OCs may be considered OCs as long as they have no relation to, or knowledge of, canon characters from the universe of the game.

Can I app a tiny/giant character? An Animal Character? An AI Unit or Robot?

Generally speaking, yes! Giant or Miniature characters will be re-sized following similar standards of scale as the dragon size scale (Must be larger than a house cat or shorter than 4 meters tall). Non-humanoid characters, sentient dragons, mythical and animal characters will be appable, but may enter the game with notes from the mods and/or questions on how players will deal with possible difficulties in playing them in this setting.

What happens if my character or dragon dies?

Because a dragon and character's spirit are linked, the death of one results in the death of the other. Character death results in the death of a character's dragon, and the reverse as well. Whether a character's death results in their dragon dying, or the player decides to participate in some kind of plot that ends in the dragon's death, the dragons will be resurrected in the same way characters are. Players may also choose to have their character lose their dragon in death. Characters who are resurrected after this happens will be bonded to a new dragon egg when they are returned to the city of Nuren. This dragon may be of the same type as the last dragon, or it may be an entirely new type of dragon. The magic and elemental ties a character shared with their previous dragon will be weakened, but any abilities the character learned with their past dragon will still be usable.

Can I canon update? How long do I have to wait?

Canon Updates may only occur Two Weeks after the new canon point has occurred in whatever media your character was taken from. Characters canon update through the figurative Bite of Mouros. During their canon update, characters are out of commission for a week and will be unable to participate in IC posts/plots that take place during that time.

What sort of technology is available?

The technology of the land of Osaaru was sent far back by the war of the Great Beasts. Most places where we would use Technology, Osaarians use Magic. Communication, Light, Healing, Treatment, and more are all accomplished with magical alternatives. Carriages exist, usually pulled by a tamed Giant Animal or two. Lamps along the streets of Nuren are lit with magical flames or enchanted Will O' the Wisps. Cooking is done over fires or in wood stoves. Storage of cold items is done with enchanted Ice Boxes made by Ice and Water elemental craftsmen. Communication is done through reflective surfaces with the use of Spirit magic. And so on! The good news is, running water can be accessed in every part of the City of Nuren.

What's the AC like?

AC is a Monthly Check-in on the Activity Check post. Beyond this, activity is based on a Reward system that allows you to earn and spend Spirit Points for access to unique quests, special/hard to find items, stronger magical abilities, a secondary element for your character and dragon, magical items or pets, and more. To learn more about activity in the game, and how to earn Spirit points, check out our information post on the subject

What are elemental bonds and how do they affect my character and their dragon? Can I chose my own element?

Elemental bonds give dragons and characters access to magical abilities. This element does not refer to a type of dragon, only the magic a character and dragon have the easiest time learning and where their first shared magical ability comes from. A dragon whose design is based aquatically can still have access to any type of magic, etc. The magic and elemental affinity are not influenced by the dragon players choose. They are influenced by the character and the mod's (great beasts) decisions. To an extent, yes you can choose your element! The mods will assign the dragon and character an element and an ability from that element on acceptance to the game. While you can not choose your element specifically, a section in the application allows you to pick three elements and explain why you believe your character is suited to each of those elements.

Why does my character even need powers, they already have powers they know how to use/aren't interested in magic.

Your character and their dragon share an empathic bond. The bond between character and dragon allows the dragon to share its magic with its bonded partner. Because dragons are creatures of magic they have a strong desire to learn about and use their magical abilities that characters bonded to the dragon will share. Your character can still access their old powers and abilities, but after a time their new abilities will begin to feel more powerful, more natural and more addictive to use. Because a dragon's magic is a part of the dragon itself, that feeling of it being a part of them translates to how the character feels about their new magic as well.

How long must a canon be out before I can app from it?

At least two weeks.

Do characters from futuristic or higher tech worlds, or worlds without magic, arrive with their gear/technology? Or would they receive a magic alternative?

On arrival, all scions are given similar garb, however, technology greatly fascinates Lysheu. While the Chimera can not recreate technology like a Halo Spartan's Armor from scratch, Lysheu would gladly replace it with lava forged metal armor in as close to the same form as possible. This would be something to happen through AC rewards, though. Additionally, it is possible to have nearly any item enchanted for the right price in Nuren, so it's possible a character could get magical enchantments and creations that are extremely close to a tech item or gear's abilities that a character would be able to make use of.

My character has a scar, prosthetic, illness, or is altered in some way. What will happen when they are recreated from ash? Are they healed or cured? Do they retain their modifications?

Scions are recreated by Benra to be exactly as they were at the canon point (in game terms the point at which Benra chose to recreate them at). If technology is a part of the character physically, such as a nano machine that is a part of them, a prosthetic that is attached to them, etc, it will be recreated with magical equivalence. If tech is separate it will need to be recreated by either a craftsman and magic or Lysheu

Where are new arrivals deposited upon being summoned? Are they dropped off in plain robes, what they were garbed at the last point of their lives before their world was destroyed, or do they wake up naked in an unfamiliar bed/temple location?

New arrivals are brought by Benra and left in one of the many open squares of Upper Nuren, not far from the steps to the Heart of Nuren. If they are a character who would normally be clothed, they will be dressed in a simple Nuren garb that can be made up of any combination of the following: cloth tunic, pants or shorts, robe, dress, or skirt, sandals or boots, and belt as well as a coin purse filled with gold coins. This gives them more than enough coins at the start that upon entering the city they will be able to immediately acquire new clothing from craftsmen, the market or shops if they wish. This includes a much wider variety of clothing options, leather, chainmail and metal armor, weapons and weapon carriers and more. For a little extra, most craftsmen will also happily make custom items, though it may take them some time to do. This would all happen after they find their dragon's egg at the Heart of Nuren, of course. The call of the egg will be the most important thing for characters to begin with. Introductions will generally take place after the eggs have already been found, though players are welcome to play those scenes out if they want to.

Given mention that much technological advancement has been lost over the years due to war and the actions of the gods, would those who specialise in computers and technology from other worlds find that their aptitude in such things has switched to magical equivalents, or would it be a matter of learning/adapting from scratch?

Characters advanced and apt in the use of technology will find certain types of magic come far easier to them. A character who was adept at computers and hacking in canon will find that Scrying and the creation of Scrying Object, Wards and Enchantments will come very easily to them with very little training. A character who was good with building machines will discover an aptitude for constructing Golems of different elemental varieties and may even take an interest in bringing life to suits of armor and statues. Transmutation will come more easily to engineers. The languages of Osaaru's other races may also come easier to those who understand computer language. Especially in the case of the Anansi, the Dricon and the Desert Dricon. They may also find that when and if they discover ancient technologies previously lost to Osaaru's civilizations, the use of these technologies will come far more easily to them. The Flying Ships of Atlantis are a good example I can think of for this, if you have seen the Disney movie.

Fandom OCs are not appable, but where do designed/malleable protagonists might fall under this rule, such as a Dragon Age or Fallout protagonist? What about OCs created for MMO games, such as the Warrior of Light from Final Fantasy 14?

Protagonists from games such as Skyrim, Fallout, Fable, or Dragon Age are considered canon characters. If you're apping one of these characters make sure your history timeline includes major character-influencing choices made in game as important history events so we can follow the path of the character's development. Custom designed characters from game worlds such as MMOs will follow the same rules as Tabletop OCs. As long as they have no ties to canon characters from that world, they will be considered an appable character. Their is a close line between Game World OCs and fandom OCs. We consider playable MMOs as appable characters because the game is inviting you to create this game character in the same way as playing a protagonist from a different game would. Fandom OCs from MMOs such as WoW or FF14 would not be allowed, but player-created characters would.

How would characters with weaknesses to things like sunlight be handled, if one were to app something like a vampire? Would this be modified by the Great Beasts, or would it be left intact?

Characters with weaknesses to water/sunlight/kyptonite/cheese will retain their weaknesses in game. A vampire affected by sunlight would need to keep to the shadows and mainly go out at night, or find a craftsmen and the materials needed to craft a magical protection item (in this case Shadow) to allow them to walk outside in daylight.

My character has a companion/pet/other creature that is important to them in canon. Can they be brought along with my character?

Magical companions and creatures are something that Benra could, in theory, recreate for characters. Unless the companion is a necessity for a character to exist/live, they will not arrive in Osaaru with their companion, as Benra would not want the distraction to take away from the attention a hatchling dragon requires. However, one of Benra's goals is to keep characters happy to a degree in order to keep them going forward and learning new magic. Because of this, Companion characters that would not be considered an appable character can be recreated by Benra as an AC reward after joining the game with the character.

My character can't do the things they're known for without an item/another character or creature/something that isn't brought with them to Osaaru. Can I have the item?

Benra recreates only what the characters are physically made up of. If the item is something your character needs to live and is not a physical part of them Benra will not see it as necessary. That being said, it is highly likely that the Phoenix will try to find a way to replicate or replace a lost ability with magic. Especially in the case of people with abilities or powers related to outside forces that Benra removes or affects by bringing a character here without something they need to use them.

Would it be possible for multiple people to app their player characters from the same video game, or would only one player character per game be the rule?

This is something that would largely depend on the game and would generally defer to the rule we use for characters of the same name from different renditions of canon. If the character is different enough to be considered a separate character it would be acceptable, but if the character was someone like Commander Shepherd from mass effect, we are less inclined to consider them different characters. This is something that is handled on a case-by-case basis. It would also be good to have the approval of the other protagonist player if the protagonists are the same character with different choices. An example would be this: two main characters from Skyrim, who can be vastly different even so far as species, would be considered different characters. A set character with different available routes through choice options in game would be iffy, and a character who changes very little aside from appearance and gender despite possible game choices would not be allowed.

Can my character bring (item) or (clothing) with them?

Unless the item is a physical part of a character or is summoned from the character or environment, no. Items and Articles of Clothing would need to be recreated by craftsmen in the city. The crafstmen of Nuren are very talented workers with their materials and can recreate most things down the road if described well enough. If the object is organic or overly complicated it would need to be recreated by the Great Beasts.

How does my character acquire more gold?

Participating in Quests from citizens of Nuren or the Great Beasts, locating, hunting or catching rare or magical items and creatures that can be sold to other Osaarians or Craftsmen, taking on jobs in the city or on board vessels in the bay for coin, or offering services to others. These are just a few of the methods. Money is not something the mods require players to keep track of. This mechanic is player controlled. We only ask you be reasonable and not go overboard with giving your character vast amounts of wealth.

My character has a special diet, addiction or medical need. Can they get what they need in Osaaru?

This is definitely something you will want to mention to us in your application when you apply so that we can work out the details with you, but in short: yes. Characters will be able to find an Osaaru native or magical equivalent to the medicine, food or other necessary items to keep them alive and well in the game world.

According to the fake memory given to characters by Benra, their world has been destroyed, and that is a pretty heavy/painful way to start things off for them. Is there any way around this?

Unfortunately, that information is a big part of the plot for the game. Bahemait is a destroyer of worlds, and turns them to ash. Benra gives characters that memory so that they will understand the gravity of what they are helping fight to stop when they are needed to keep Bahemait from breaking free. However, it's possible for you to make it so that your character recognizes this memory as an event that will come to pass if they don't help stop Bahemait, rather than something that has already happened.

Do characters know from the beginning that they'll be revived again if they manage to get themselves killed? Do they know about their dragons dying when the person they're bonded to dies?

The first is not known to characters or natives of Osaaru. The Great Beasts make no promises to revive characters from death a second time. The second is something characters can learn from the citizens of Nuren. Explanations follow the line of: Dragons and Scions are bonded by Spirit Magic. If the bond is severed by death, both the Dragon and Scion die

What if my character already has their own dragon, like characters from Dragonrider of Pern or How to Train Your Dragon.

These would follow the same guidelines as companions and magical creatures in a question above.

There are no attributes listed for the different magical elements. How do I know which ones fit my character?

Magical elements are not black and white in what they mean. For different characters the elements mean different things. A Fire bond could be linked to a short-tempered personality, a 'hot-head', but it can also be linked to a character who is very compassionate, or one who has an intensely passionate drive. It's up to you as a player to decide what elements would suit your character best, and then tell us why you feel that way.

Do you allow multiple versions of characters?

Characters from significantly different versions of canon can be apped, such as BBC Sherlock vs Novel Sherlock or Comic Bruce Wayne vs Film Bruce Wayne. This is capped at 2 versions per character

Where do our characters live? Do they live with their dragons? Is there a pern style hold where they all stay or do they just find places?

Dragons and their Scions are welcome to live anywhere in the City of Nuren (or beyond if they want to risk it). But Upper Nuren is home to artificial caves cut into the mountain-top meant to serve as dragon roosts, with comforts for dragons and scions alike. These range in size to hold the smallest to the largest residents and dragons in comfort. There are furnishings of enchanted cupboards (for cold items), beds, desks, dressers, tables, hammocks and the like, and dragon nests carved into open mouthed caverns that larger dragons can fill with water, straw, leaves, silks or other items they find the most comfort in sleeping among and on. Smaller dragons may find the scion's housing more comfortable, but even they have outcroppings they can choose to make their homes. Because this housing is carved into the mountain itself, it is far sturdier than a building would be and able to withstand the abuse of rebellious juvenile dragons of all types. It's also far less likely to catch fire. Upper Nuren is the highest point of the City of Nuren, and dragons are likely to enjoy the freedom of the wide-open spaces and direct access to the sky that this area provides. Scions can refurnish and alter their homes as they like, even to the pont of getting stonecarvers to make modifications like larger window openings, bigger doorways, linked housing between two caverns, and more.

What would happen to someone along the "furry" lines? Like a character from Zootopia, for example. Would they be able to come in as they were, or would they be altered?

Character forms are generally not altered for the purpose of this game. So long as they fit within the Character Size requirements and are not an AI unit that would need to be provided with a body, they will enter the game as they appear in canon.

For a character with multiple adaptations of their canon, is it okay to blend them, so long as it's done smartly? Like say, using comics to help flesh out a character from a movie or TV series.

As long as your character is in character with the medium you have apped them from, it is fine to supplement your character with personality/back story at your discretion. However, keep in mind that the character need to be similar enough for this to make sense. Conflicting personalities or timelines that do not fit both universes could be considered out of character. Mainly, when looking at an application, mods and app mods are looking for and comparing your app to the medium of canon you are taking the character from, so it would be better to draw mainly on that particular version of canon for your application. How you view your character, and what other mediums you draw on of their canon to flesh them out is ultimately up to you as a player. We ask only that you not jump canon mediums to give your character knowledge of relationships or skills they should not have in their primary canon as applied from.

What if I want to app an actual dragon?

As long as your dragon character is a sentient dragon* and capable of communicating with other characters in the game, your dragon will still be assigned a dragon pair. We recommend you take the opportunity to make their dragon as different from your own dragon as possible and keep in mind that although your character is a dragon, their dragon partner will be very different from them in terms of ability to communicate and thought process. Although it is not a perfect example, I'd compare the difference between Goofy and Pluto in this regard. One is regarded by the cartoons as a person, while the other is a pet. While Dragons are not pets, they are considered to be more animal than a sentient dragon from another world would be. A dragon scion will be regarded as a bit of an oddity by the natives of Osaaru, but their respect for the Scions and their Dragon partners will still take priority. A Sentient dragon may find themselves followed by whispers and lingering stares. *Depending on the type of dragon and where they come from, further notes may be included. It should be noted that although dragons such as Toothless from HTTYD appear sentient on the level of being able to communicate on a level of emotional cues and responses, their level of ability to communicate may not be considered sufficient as a Scion for the purpose of this game.

How do canon magic, curses, immortality and such affect a character's dragon in game?

While Dragons share their magic ability and tie with their scion, and all future abilities the pair learn together in the future, a dragon does not gain abilities from its scion. Such things would only apply to the character and not their dragon. This does mean, however, that if an immortal character's dragon dies, the character will die as well. If a character is cursed to kill everything they touch, touching their dragon will not affect it. The bond between the dragon and their scion is the stronger magic in all cases.

For canons that have been restricted to one country (i.e. Japan), how much of that canon should be translated before being considered for application?

As long as there is a source you can provide the mod team with to learn about the canon/character in English, the canon itself does not need to be translated.

How many reserves can you place in one month's time? How many characters can we have in game?

You are able to have two characters in Dragon Called, but you must wait until your first character has their first month's check-in submitted and has at least 10 AC Reward Points before applying for a second character.

Is post-death a valid canon point? Is it alright to give dead characters scars from their death wounds?

Post death is a valid canon point, and if you would like to give your character scars from their death, you may.

Is there a minimum character age?

As long as you can provide suitability for the character to exist and interact with others in the game, there is no minimum character age.

When using a test drive sample for the application, is it okay to use one where the scene is incomplete?

As long as the thread in question is long enough for us to get a good idea of your playing style in that format it does not need to be complete.

When describing our character's dragon on the app, if there would be subtle differences based on the element picked (like colder skin/ice-y textured scales on an ice dragon rather than an earth or a shadow), should we describe these things too? Or will it be okay to add them in after we receive the element choice and are further fleshing the dragon out?

It is perfectly acceptable to make small adjustments such as these once you learn your dragons element and get into the game. There will be a Dragon Information Page once you are accepted into the game that each player will have linked on the taken page, and you may add the changes there. As long as the changes make no major alteration to the dragon's size/body type and do not give them powers they have not yet learned, you are always welcome to make changes to your dragon's appearance and personality. Because a dragon's magic becomes a part of the dragon itself, we understand why people might want to add details and flourishes based on their dragon's element, and this is a welcomed opportunity.

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