Frequently Asked Questions

[central_librarymods]

Frequently Asked Questions

COMMON QUESTIONS

Q: What is this game about?
A: The Central Library is a panfandom, game where the patrons that are brought to the Central Library to help preserve the imagination of all beings in all realities. It's set in a library so large it simply calls itself "The Library", however only a small portion of this library is habitable right now, the rest having fallen into disrepair and occasionally is infested monsters from the pages of the books that reside within The Library.

Q: Is there an overarching plot?
A: Yes, it just might take awhile for characters to trigger it.

Q: What are the Activity Check requirements?
A: AC requirements are very simple, 5 comments (in one or more threads) each month.  If a player has double AC for two months or more, the player may app another character into the game.

Q: What if there's two or more characters from the same canon?
A:  At this time there will only be two versions of each character in the game, but they must be different in some way (such as a canon and AU version).

Q: How are my characters' powers and weapons be limited?
A: Powers are limited so that they can fit the confines of the Library. No god-like powers are allowed and neither are powers that will allow a patron to escape the Library. Powers that are allowed are limited to passive powers (like magical senses) and innate powers (like water breathing or night vision).

Superpowers/Inhuman Abilities: Any character with a super power or something that makes them far superior in any area to a normal human being must figure out how to cap off their power while they are in the Library itself. For example - Superman would be pulled down to a mostly normal human being that where he might be stronger, is not full strength. There will be no heat vision or super breath, but some things like x-ray vision may slide. This is a very tenuous subject mainly because over powered character in the Library can be very dangerous for the Library itself. Any damage done inside could be catastrophic. There are NO exceptions to this.

However, when these characters are sent into a world through a book/portal, their powers will return to normal. Just remember! Stealth is key. To let the worlds you enter know you are not from there could upset the balance between worlds. Other exceptions may come from events where the Librarians unlock powers. If this does happen, we will definitely inform you ahead of time. These times will be very rare however.

Because of these restrictions, any character that is invulnerable, omnipotent or omniscient will NOT be accepted into this games. There will be NO overpowering of any character at any point. Where we will allow mythological beings/creatures, they must stay with in reason. If you are uncertain if your character falls in this category, please ask.

Weapons will also be limited while within the 'walls' of the Library to help protect the Library from damage.  For a more in-depth discussion of powers and weapons, please read the guide here.

Q: What are characters supposed to do within the Library?
A: Character are free to do anything they want, although The Library would rather they assist in helping rebuild the Library. There will be Challenges which will allow patrons to gain luxuries and powers within the Library. These will be explained as the plot progresses.

Q: Do characters get rewarded for doing these Challenges?
A: As patrons complete Challenges, the Library will become more hospitable. Wings will open up to give patrons better living quarters. Better foods and luxuries will be available. Eventually, some patrons may become assistants to the Librarians and be in charge of improving specific sections of the Library.  Players also earn reward points for participating in events.

Q:  How many characters can I have in the game?
A:  Players are allowed to app in two characters.  Later, they can earn more character spots by having one of those characters meet double the AC requirement for two months in a row.

SURVIVAL

Q: Where does the characters' food come from?
A: Once a week, doors open leading to mysterious areas outside the Library. Food deliveries are regular so none of the Patrons will be at risk of starvation.

Q: What about clothes? Furniture? Trinkets? Toiletries?
A: As the Library is repaired, more items will be available for the patrons. At first, only the basics will be available. Think of it as an indoor camping trip until better quarters are made available.

Q: What do things run on? How does the electronics work?
A: If characters take things apart, they'll find everything runs on various combinations of steam, electricity, and a power source that seems to mimic a form of mana if any characters are familiar with it. Every wall of The Library has massive mechanics behind it, but seem illogical when you can only see bits and pieces of the gears and workings.

Q: Can our characters make their own devices out of pieces of The Library and stuff they get from inside the Gates?
A: Of course! Characters are encouraged to create and gather whatever they want, really. Make sure your character has the abilities to work with the mechanics and power involved, but only big inventions/creations (that have the possibility of changing how TL is played) must be approved by a mod.

MONSTERS

Q: Where are all the monsters?
A: Monsters show up occasionally from areas of the Library that are extremely damaged. As the game progresses there will be different monsters for the patrons to interact with. Sometimes the monsters will be part of an event. At other times, they can be part of individual plots.

Q: What type of monsters are in the Library?
A: The monsters vary and are based on works of both Fiction and Non-Fiction. This means that a monster can be something that exists in reality or it can be something from a book. If a player has a suggestion for a monster, please let the mods know so that it can be added to the list of potential monsters that the patrons can interact with.

Q: Can we kill the monsters? What happens if we do?
A: The monsters are just as killable as the characters. The Library doesn’t really want the monsters. Monsters can die just the same as normally, although if not interacted with (used for meat or etc) their bodies will disappear within 24 hours. Remember that characters can complete certain quests by killing monsters.

Q: If our characters befriend a monster, can they keep them as a pet?
A: Yes, they can be taken in as pets. If you suggest a breed of monster that exists in your character's world and your character happens to have a pet in their canon of that breed of monster, then they may find their pet within The Library while exploring.

APPLICATION

Q: What mediums can we app from? Do the canons have to be books?
A: No, characters don't have to be from books--they can be from any media that is accessible in English, either by official release or fansubing. However, if the canon has been released in Japan and is planning an official English release, we ask that the mun wait until the official release comes out before playing from it. This mostly applies to games, not manga or anime. Webcomics and Vocaloid songs are allowed, but if there is not enough canon to support the character without intense headcanon, the character may be listed as AU or an OC.

Q: Are AUs of a character allowed? What about characters with memories from another game?
A: At this time, AUs will be accepted on a case by case basis.  Please contact the mod team if you would like to app an AU character.

Q: Are OCs allowed?
A: Yes! OCs are allowed but a longer application is necessary so that the mods and the other players know the basics regarding your OC.

Q: My character is a silent protag/doesn't have much canon/doesn't have much screentime, can I still app them?
A: Yes. At The Central Library, we are more focused on a player’s ability to RP than how much canon a character has. If you can show that you have a grasp of the character and the basics of writing, then your character is welcome.

Q: On that note, can my character bring their pets/pokemon/familiars/summons?
A: Not at this time. If they are unappable because they are not of human intellect, then you may suggest their breed on the monsters page and have The Library bring the character's companion to find later--but they cannot come with the character themselves. The only exception to this are characters that require their companion to remain living, such as Lyra and Pan from His Dark Materials. If this is true, then please see the answer above for details on how they may be apped.

Q: Can we bring in our character post-dead or dying?
A: Yes! Within the game, death within canon is just another page to the character's story, and is an app-able canon point. If a character is taken from a canon-described afterlife, they may be in the form they take in the afterlife, but otherwise The Library will use whatever form they had last (that wasn't gravely injured) when they wake up in game. This goes the same for injured or dying characters, they will simply have a body from a few moments earlier in their canon rather than wake up bleeding out.

Q: What about illnesses?
A: Muns have the choice to have The Library put the character in an earlier body they had, or to leave them with the illness and try to find a character to heal them. The Library doesn't actually heal anyone, it just uses a previous appearance of them to manifest.

Don't be afraid to ask more questions!
Please comment below if you would like something answered.

Comments

[silverwaters]

1) So about what characters can have when they wake up. Is it just what was on their person before arriving? Or can they have a few extra things aka a change of clothes?

2) For the personality/history section in the app, about what do you think the minimum canon information is too little and should be expanded on with headcanon? (Example is Ecthelion here)

3) Character death in game! How will it be handled, assuming it's allowed?

4) About the bookmarks, do they need to be electronic, or can they be something like an actual book?

[the_head_librarian]

1) This would be whatever is on their person at the time. They likely will not have more than that. They can purchase things in the market place, or earn points and request the Librarians to bring them over. This is slightly like survival... things get better for the players as we get further along. But it will start off rough for them as the Library is a mess to begin with.

2) I say 400 words. Give me your best. As it says on the app, I am allowing head canon after you get what you can out for canon (which can be inferred).

3) Yes. There will be times that characters will die. Sometimes they will have to pick someone to die as storylines will need to be fulfilled in some cases. (MORE ON THIS LATER) They will reappear in the Library with all of their memories, including their death. They will be tired and likely lethargic in a sense, after all, they just died. (How long is up to the player, of course.)

4) They literally look like bookmarks when not in use. They change shape when they are activated. It will expand into a tablet or your chosen shape when you use it. We leave the description up to you. The small size when not in use is for easy carry. And it will always appear where you are. Handy, yes?

[silverwaters]

I think I already know the answer to this, but it doesn't really hurt to ask right?

Would a Canon OC be appable so long as we know the character existed in canon, even if we have next to nothing about them aside from familial relationships?

[the_head_librarian]

So (because I'm slow) does this mean an original character from an existing canon story? If so, yes! Just do the second app see in the second form box for original character. If the template is strange, just let me know. <3

Applications Page

[silverwaters]

Specifically Thranduil's wife! XD

Also that link is broken >>

[the_head_librarian]

I am so not happy DW... http://central-librarymods.dreamwidth.org/3730.html

That SHOULD work. Hopefully. And I think it could be fine as long as whoever plays Thranduil and Legolas don't mind. That's what makes it complicated. XD So if they ever app, you'd just have to keep that in mind to talk it out with those people if that makes sense.

[silverwaters]

/snuggles!

Definitely! And I have a Thran and Legolas in mind who have no problem at all with how I play her. XD YAY!

[amery]

I just have one quick question! Is there a language barrier/how are language barriers handled? Amery here is multi-lingual, but English (or any language not unique to his own world) isn't one of them.

[the_head_librarian]

Because the Library exists as a crossroads between all realities, they make it where all patrons taking part and agreeing to help can understand any language. (I will get that added to the FAQ above :) )

[truestbeliever]

Can we app two characters from the same canon if they had minimal interaction?

[central_librarymods]

If you app two characters from the same canon, you run a high risk of necessary interaction. I think it's possible, but you would have to think about it carefully before taking on that kind of a challenge.

[foozled_up]

Are you guys currently on an invite only system or can anyone apply?

[central_librarymods]

I think, right now, if you are interested, just simply jump into one of our test drives. We would love to see interest in our game.

[beforethewar]

Out of curiosity, if a character has different versions, would they be considered the same character where only one can be apped, or multiple characters with their own ability to app?

(If that made any sense at all. It's still early here. In other words, some games I've seen only allow one incarnation of the Doctor to app, but others allow each one to app as a separate character.)

[central_librarymods]

We will allow multiple incarnations of certain characters, such as the Doctor. Eventually we might need to put a cap on incarnations of characters but at this time it would be allowed.

[beforethewar]

Excellent! Thank you.

[farmboyjedi]

Is the game open? I'm a little unsure about the 'name of person who invited you' on the application. There's no indication of that anywhere else in the rules or information, though, so I thought it best to check. I really hope so, it looks great.

[central_librarymods]

Thank you for your questions. At this time, the game is on hiatus while the mod team finishes up our 'remodeling' but we're working on opening the application this weekend. The application is being updated slightly from the form that was posted originally. The invitation section is no longer necessary. There is an update on characters powers from the old version.

The applications page can be found here. If you have any questions or have difficulties with the applications (the content or the coding) please let us know so that we can improve the application process.

You can find information on the Library on plurk @ the_central_library.

[thatched]

Is CRAU acceptable?

[central_librarymods]

Thank you for your question. CRAU is not allowed at the Central Library. Other types of AUs are approved on a case by case basis.

[fastesthackeralive]

hey~

is there a locations page for the library? I want to put up a post but I'm not sure where.

[central_librarymods]

There is a new Navigation page what lists information such as locations in the Library.

If you have further questions, please comment or contact the mod team.