For Barrayar mods (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
barrayarmods) wrote2019-03-07 12:48 am
barrayarmods) wrote2019-03-07 12:48 am
Entry tags:
[ Mad Yuri's War ] FAQ
frequently asked questions
applications & activity
What characters are appable?
Canon characters, AUs (canon, player-made and CRAUs) and Ocs are all welcome at For Barrayar: Mad Yuri's War. OCs and AUs native to the game are also welcome, and the mods are happy to coordinate with you to work out details.
There are a few caveats when it comes to apping characters from The Vorkosigan Saga. AU iterations of NPC characters are not appable; the general rule is that you cannot app a VKS character who would have been alive during the game's time period (unless they are intended to be native to the game rather than an outsider).
Characters with knowledge of future events should be handled with care. We would like to avoid any game-breaking timeline shenanigans, and characters attempting to share knowledge of the future with NPCs will likely yield unintended consequences. Characters familiar with NPCs may find them similar or different depending on player desire -- the mods do not wish to police headcanon or force individuals to conform to theirs.
That said, this game can and probably will diverge significantly from the canon account of events depending on PC action. Knowledge of future events should still be handled with care, but if you'd like to use this to affect the plot, please feel free to approach the mods about it.
How do I submit an app?
Apps can be posted to your character's journal and linked with a comment under that month's app thread. See the applications page for details.
How many characters can I have?
One character is permitted per player.
Can I app a character who is already in the game?
At this time, we are allowing up to two different versions of a given character.
What's the app schedule?
Apps are open for 5 days near the end of each month. There will also be a new TDM every couple of months. Please see the game calendar for details.
Do I need a reserve to apply? How do reserves work?
You must have reserved a character in order to apply. Reserves are open for 4 days prior to the beginning of the app round, and expire at the end of the round. Reserves are first-come, first-serve.
What does an app cap mean? How does the queue work?
For Barrayar: Mad Yuri's War's plot is intended for a smaller cast, and at times apps may be closed or reserve spaces limited in order to keep the game at a manageable size. If limited spaces for an app round are full but not all reserves submit an app, there will be a lightning round: applications will remain open for a few extra days for non-reserved characters on a first-come, first-serve basis. The initial cap for the game is set at 20 characters, but will be raised after the first month. The game also has a cast cap of 4 to keep the game diverse. This means that only four characters from a given canon can be in the game at a time.
If the game hits cap, we will switch over to a queue system for apps. Interested players can submit apps, and if a space opens up, apps in the queue will be reviewed on a first-come, first-serve basis.
What do revisions mean?
Revisions are not a rejection, so don't worry! It just means we want more information about your character. The mods are happy to answer any questions about requested revisions.
What if my character isn't human?
Due to the nature of the game, some characters may require humanization -- which is a bit of a misnomer, because it doesn't mean your character must become 100% human. Humanoid characters, such as a Klingon or an elf, would generally not be required for humanization. However, some non-humanoid characters may require humanization; this is handled on a case-by-case basis and the mods are happy to help you work this out prior to submitting your app.
Here's our rule of thumb; if your character possesses any of these traits, they fall under the humanization rule:
- Non-organic (such as robots or AI)
- No corporeal form
- Cannot communicate via human means i.e. speech or signed language
- Cannot fit comfortably through human-scaled doors or in human-scaled buildings
- No extractable DNA
However, humanized does not necessarily have to mean they become 100% human (although it is an option) -- they only need to be altered to the degree needed to match the above criteria. Characters who decide not to go the 100% human route may retain some physiological quirks from their original forms; however, humanized characters will have about the same physical capabilities as a human being.
Humanization is always an option, even when not required.
Setting-native characters will react differently to non-human PCs -- Barrayarans are famously xenophobic, and may treat PCs who don't look entirely human with mistrust and hostility.
What if my character has superpowers or magic or is otherwise superhumanly powerful?
Due to the nature of the game, superpowered characters will be depowered on arrival. If your character is reliant on their powers to survive/function, the mods are happy to help you work this out on a case-by-case basis.
There will be a plot opportunity in the future where characters with lost powers may be able to regain them.
What are the activity requirements?
Activity check is once per month. You only need to submit one proof of activity per month; 5 comments by our character in a log count as one proof.
You can submit additional proofs for bonus AC in exchange for loyalty points. Each extra proof of 5 log comments earns you 1 LP, with a maximum of 5 bonus proofs, which means that you can earn up to 6 LP per month through activity. Each proof should be from a separate thread.
If you were on hiatus for two weeks or more during the activity period, activity requirements for that month are waived and you only need to check in for AC.
If you fail to make AC, you can take a strike. That strike is removed if you make AC the following month. Two strikes mean a drop; this means you will only be dropped from the game if you fail AC two months in a row.
What happens when I go on hiatus or drop?
Putting your character on autopilot is the preferred method of handling a hiatus; a brief description of what they're up to during that period can be submitted along with the hiatus notice. If you prefer not to put your character on autopilot during a hiatus, you can have your character be put on medical leave or get temporarily lost outside the base camp.
When characters are dropped, they ICly are assumed to be MIA or KIA, but they do not go home.
game mechanics
What is the game's plot about?
PCs will appear on Barrayar via a broken wormhole for reasons yet unknown, and arrive in the midst of a civil war. With no way home, they'll have to solve the mystery of what's happening to the planet and help their allies win a war against a vicious tyrant whose politics are none too friendly to the outsiders.
The vicious Emperor Yuri sent death squads after his own family to foil an imagined plot against him, and now the survivors want revenge -- and to take him out of power. What's more, there have been strange and potentially dangerous phenomena being reported all over the planet, and they seem to be linked with the arrival of the outsiders.
Piotr and his forces will be the outsiders' only allies against Yuri, and they'll help win the war through diplomatic and political missions. There are also some scientific mysteries to unravel -- the Betan scientist Micah will want help researching the wormhole as well as ways to restore powers to depowered characters.
Will there be a way for characters to return to their home universes?
Not this time. For plot reasons that will be made clear early on in the game, sending the outsiders back won't be an option. It's a pretty big universe, but for now, Barrayar is their home, so they might just want to fight for it.
What's the deal with this sequel business? Do I need to have played in the first game to get what's going on in this one?
Nope! While the current world state is influenced by the events of the previous game and there are some related plot points, this game's plot is separate from the first, and knowledge of the previous game's events are not required to enjoy this game -- everything you need to know will be provided.
If you are curious about the events of the previous game, check out the recap. If you want more details about what happened between the events of the previous game and this one, check out the interim timeline.
What is the game schedule?
For Barrayar: Mad Yuri's War is a plot-heavy game with a definite ending, expected to run for about one year.
The game runs on a monthly schedule. At the end of each month, a Game Update is posted for the following month, laying out recent changes to the status quo, such as the state of their camp and resources, any intelligence gained, the weather for the month, and any significant changes resulting from the previous month's events. The OOC info for the first half of the next month's plot and the Game Update are posted in the last week of the month. Activity check is the last week of the month. The game has a running TDM, with a new one being posted every couple of months. The game is paced at about a ratio of 1:1 OOC/IC time.
There are bimonthly event cycles, which provide multiple plot activities and opportunities for the PCs. OOC signups are an important component of game plots and are highly encouraged, as they will directly impact the outcomes of plot events. OOC info and signups for specific plot opportunities will be posted 5-6 days before the event.
The game calendar has all of the above information for easy reference.
How do missions and campaigns work?
Each event cycle has a selection of missions to sign up for based on what's currently happening in the plot. These missions can be anything -- joining a battle, going on a raid, conducting research -- and will grant your character some LP. When you sign up for a mission, you rate your character's proficiency on the skills listed. These numbers constitute bonuses to the mission roll, so the more characters sign up for a mission, the better your odds of success. You might also be asked, on occasion, to choose from a couple of different courses of action for the mission. All mission signups are first come, first serve unless otherwise specified.
Dice are rolled after signups close, and the results are posted the day before the event log goes up. Most missions will have a top level on the event log with the setup. The event rolls and writeups determine the ultimate outcomes of the missions, but only in the broadest terms: how your characters get there and what shape it takes are entirely up to you.
While many missions are one-off, some missions may be part of a campaign. A campaign is a series of related missions working toward a larger or more complex goal; objectives that can't be accomplished in a single mission may be broken into multiple missions. Campaigns last two to three event cycles.
If this seems like too much of a commitment, don't worry! In most cases, participating in a campaign doesn't require that you sign up for every mission in the campaign and there will be IC downtime between most missions. However, characters who participate in every mission in a campaign will receive an additional LP bonus. There will also be opportunities for characters to take on leadership roles in campaigns if you're willing to commit to an entire campaign, which will also grant additional LP.
What is the loyalty system?
The loyalty system is a key part of the game. Each PC has a score denoting the number of loyalty points (LP) they have; rather than indicating a character's intentions, the loyalty score is indicative of how loyal they are perceived to be, and thus, how trustworthy NPCs will view them as. This score will fluctuate over the course of the game as a result of AC, mission signups, and the PC's in-game actions, and can influence things like plot opportunities, available loyalty perks, and NPCs' perceptions of PCs. For Barrayar: Mad Yuri's War is a game with real IC consequences for IC actions, and the loyalty system is part of that.
Please note that NPC relations are mostly for flavor and CR opportunities -- if there's something you really want to do with your character but it somehow involves an NPC they don't get along with, it won't be an insurmountable obstacle, but it may influence the form it takes.
How does the loyalty system work? How do I earn or lose LP?
LP can be gained and lost in a variety of ways. AC is the simplest and easiest way to earn LP; each PC gains 1 LP for AC check-in every month and 1 LP for each bonus AC proof, up to 5 bonus LP ( a maximum of 6 LP per month via AC). Participation in missions and other plot opportunities also yield LP (or, in some cases, result in a loss). If a PC is discovered to be a participant in activities viewed as dissenting or traitorous, they may lose LP (but could gain a cool new plot opportunity as a result). LP from AC is gained on response to check-in; event LP is gained immediately on posting of the event results.
A character's loyalty score is not an OOC evaluation of the player or character, just a reflection of their activity and in-game actions, and how they are perceived by the NPCs. It's totally okay (and could be fun) to play a character who loses a lot of LP or has an overall low score. Plot opportunities may arise for those with low loyalty scores as well as high.
What are loyalty perks?
Loyalty perks are optional rewards that can be claimed if the character's loyalty score is high enough. Taking a loyalty perk can increase a character's standing with NPCs, grant them access to new things, and lead to unique CR and plot opportunities. New loyaltyref may emerge as the game plot progresses, so keep an eye out! Loyalty perks can be taken at any time.
Currently available perks can be found on the loyalty perks page.
My character is a CRAU from the last game. Do they get to carry over their loyalty score? What about perks?
Returning characters from the previous game will be able to carry over some of their LP. Your character can retain up to 25% of their old loyalty score, rounded down. Please contact the mods if you're not sure how many LP your character had at the end of the last game; we have records of everyone's LP as of endgame.
Your character can retain some of their perks from the last game if they make sense and, in the case of access-based perks, they have enough LP at game start. This will be handled on a case-by-case basis, so please contact the mods to work out the details.
Characters who voluntarily stayed behind on Barrayar at the end of the last game will start this game with the Subject's Oath perk.
Is there a network or inbox system?
For Barrayar: Mad Yuri's War is a log-only game; there is no network in place. Characters will have IC inboxes for the purposes of receiving messages from other characters, both PCs and NPCs. Characters may be given access to wristcoms, but conversations over com channels belong in IC inboxes and do not count for AC.
Are player plots allowed?
A thousand times yes! We heartily encourage players to bring plot ideas to us, and if we can find a way to tie in your proposals to the ongoing game plot, we'll be happy to offer that option. Plot proposals and other related questions can be posted to the mod contact & plotting post!
Suggestions/requests for unique PC involvement in upcoming plots is also encouraged. We want PCs to have an influence on the plot in ways unique to each of them, because that's always fun, and we want you players to feel like your characters are special and that their presence in the game matters. We encourage you to reach out to use at any time with requests or questions about plot involvement.
How are the outcomes of plot events determined?
PC participation is one of the determining factors in event outcomes. PC actions have a big influence in how plots turn out -- that includes inaction. Plot events will have OOC signups prior to the event, and the number of PCs and their contributions will go a long way toward the end result.
The other determining factor is a roll of the dice or two. The mods use a little RNG once all the OOC signups are complete to determine the ultimate outcome of events. After all, even the best laid plans at times go awry.
Why RNG? Doesn't that make player participation pointless?
Not at all! RNG is only part of it; PC participation still weighs heavily in the ultimate outcome. Think of it as the GM iny our tabletop game rolling for your success -- your actions and stats still play a significant role in the outcome. A little bit of a tabletop vibe is exactly what we're aiming for, because it shakes things up and the element of chaos adds to the fun!
Plot events aren’t the only aspect of the game influenced by RNG. The weather and resource changes month-to-month are also determined by RNG, and if your character is acting as a spy or double agent, they will be subject to monthly rolls to determine whether or not their cover remains intact. Other things that could be determined by RNG include the success of smaller tasks such as exploration, persuasion attempts, and more! However, while RNG will always be a factor in overall plot outcomes and game updates, in other areas it is handled on a case-by-case basis of what people would have the most fun with.
What do you use to roll?
Random.org is our favored random number generator, but most often we like to roll actual dice. Your head mod even has a dedicated set of dice just for this game -- in Vorkosigan house colors, of course.
ic info
What does my character know on arrival?
What your character knows on arrival depends on when they joined the game. Please see the new arrivals tag on the mod journal for information on what PCs know on arrival for each app round.
What does my character have on arrival?
Characters arrive with the clothes on their back and nothing else -- no weapons, no equipment, no personal effects. If there is an item vital to your character's ability to function that they must arrive with, feel free to contact the mods prior to submitting your app and we'll work it out.
Can I canon update my character?
Due to the way the game is structured, canon updating is not an available option.
Can I request items?
No, the characters cannot receive items from their home universe.
Who are the NPCs? Can I interact with them?
Please see the NPC page for the cast. This page will be updated as new NPCs are introduced in-game.
We love it when you thread with NPCs and we highly encourage it! They're here for the PCs to interact with, and CR with NPCs may yield some interesting results, including IC information, LP gains or losses, and in some cases, plot opportunities. NPCs will appear frequently in event logs, and you can request a thread with an NPC at any time.
Are there language barriers?
Yes, although Barrayar is a multilingual planet. The languages of Barrayar include local dialects of Russian, English, French, and Greek; Russian and English are the most commonly spoken languages on Barrayar, and speakers of Greek are a minority.
You characters can learn any of the Barrayaran languages, either through immersion or education by NPCs or other PCs. If your character shares little or no language in common with others and you're not interested in dealing with the language barrier, you can opt to have them arrive with the knowledge of one of the above languages.
For simplicity's sake, Barrayaran and galactic dialects of the above languages are mutually intelligible with PC-spoken dialects.
My character can't/won't fight. What else can they do?
There's plenty for non-combatant PCs to do! This war is just as political as it is military, and the PCs will be asked to do all sorts of things. Non-combatant field roles can involve intelligence, reconnaissance, and diplomatic postings. There will also be opportunities for PCs to contribute to plot-important research for those with scientific leanings. Befriending the locals is a worthwhile endeavor too, if you want to make a few allies of your own.
Can my character die?
War always comes with casualties, and this one is no exception. Death in this game is permanent: there is no come-back-to-life option. That said, PC death is always an optional method of dropping a character, and players are welcome to coordinate with the mods if they so desire.
Can my character get their powers back?
There will be a power regains plot in this game. Characters will most likely not be able to regain their powers fully, but all depowered characters will have the opportunity to participate in a plot to partially recover any lost abilities.
Can my character defect? What if they want to act as a double agent or spy?
Your character can technically defect to Yuri's side if they want to, but it probably wouldn't be a great time for them. That said, if that's something you'd really like to do with your character, the mods are happy to work something out. Defection or otherwise traitorous actions may come at the cost of LP -- but often yield interesting consequences.
Characters can also work as spies and go undercover as double agents, although if their cover is blown, the consequences will be dire. Any character acting as a spy or double agent will have another PC or NPC as their handler, and they will be subject to monthly rolls to see if their cover is still intact.
Is adult content permitted?
Adult content is permitted; however, please include warnings for content of a sexual or particularly graphic nature, or other potentially sensitive content.