Post by Ibur on Jun 15, 2010 9:46:27 GMT -5
"Chrono Stars" has a lot of information, and, as a result, may seem very daunting to someone coming here for the first time. This thread is to clear up anticipated questions about Chrono Stars in a quick, concise manner so you can read the more in-depth things without getting confused.
What is Chrono Stars?
Chrono Stars is a play-by-post sci-fi/fantasy hybrid role playing forumwith a really long genre name that takes place in a fictional galaxy. Members advance their characters much like they would in an RPG: they utilize abilities of some sort (usually magical) to complete quests, obtain treasure and equipment, and gain levels while interacting with staff member-controlled characters (NPCs) and member-controlled characters.
What is the Ailnyk Galaxy?
The Ailnyk Galaxy is the setting of Chrono Stars. It has many planets and races in it. Chrono Stars focuses on two planets called Nicta and Drio.
What is...
What is an "event planet"?
Because Chrono Stars focuses on the planets Nicta and Drio, as said before, those two planets are the only "main" ones (i.e. planets with multiple boards on them) that members can always role play on at any given time. Every four weeks, one of the other planets in the galaxy is selected as an "event planet": when a planet is an event planet, members may role play on it and create characters who are of a race native to that planet. The planet will remain an event planet for three weeks, after which no new threads may be made; members may finish their current threads, but they may not make new ones. When the event planet's time ends, you keep whatever you got from the event planet, including monsters indigenous to that planet, levels and abilities gained while on the planet, and characters you made whose race is native to that planet.
Does Chrono Stars have a plot?
Yes. Every planet has its own plot, which will become available when it is chosen as an event planet. These plots have many branching paths and will dynamically change depending on characters' influence during them. For example, if a character murders a governor, then the plot will change to reflect that.
NPCs, in some circumstances, may be used to hasten the plot along in order to fit into that three week timeframe or make news of plot happenings public and accessible to everyone, but they will never be used to force a plot to go in a certain direction.
Do I have to follow the plot?
No. To avoid the plot almost completely (sometimes a plot may have far-reaching effects that go beyond the planet it's happening on), members may keep their characters on Drio and Nicta, or they can go to the event planet and simply ignore the plot altogether. Since plots are advanced through quests, members can simply not do any plot-related quests (there are non-plot quests on event planets) and pursue whatever it is they'd like to do.
How do battles work?
Battles take place in "turns". Every Kylian, under normal circumstances, can use three abilities in one turn unless an ability specifically states that it uses up an entire turn or can only be used with one other ability. They may use these abilities for whatever reason suits their fancy, such as conjuring up a stream of water to douse a flame or using a gust of wind as a tailwind for a bird-like monster partner.
Monsters may only use two abilities in one turn, and the same rules apply to them about using abilities.
What are racial abilities?
Each race has two innate abilities that characters of that race start with. These abilities range from receiving a discount on purchased goods to flying high in the sky. If it suits the role player's fancy, they may not give their character their racial abilities for in-character reasons (such as a character whose race can fly being unable to do so due to having permanently broken wings).
How do levels work?
Most equipment, most abilities and all monsters gain levels as the character does battles and completes quests. Levels dictate general strength and aptitude. Staff members award equipment, abilities and monsters levels when appropriate. Currently, the level cap for characters and monsters is 20; equipment and abilities may exceed that cap, but characters and monsters may not until the cap is changed.
Characters level up by gaining experience points; like levels, staff members will give characters experience points when appropriate.
How do quests work?
Quests that characters can take are posted throughout the forum. In the quest's information, you will find what the reward is, what the level range is, and how to complete it.
The level range refers to how strong the enemy NPCs will be, if any are encountered (e.g. "5-10" means the levels will be from 5-10, "5+" means they'll be five or higher). Enemies will appear as close to the character's level as possible, with very few exceptions. The quest instructions will be out-of-character, meaning that you, as the role player, will know what boards to visit and post on to complete the quest and not be left guessing what the quest giver means by "a hot place" or something. Whether your character goes to the right place or not is a different matter entirely.
What is "go extreme, have fun completely"?
The slogan of Chrono Stars. If you are not going extreme and having fun completely, something is wrong.
(From squidoo.com. The fact that this badly translated line is uttered right before they make out is very telling.)
What if I have another question?
Move on over to the Questions and Suggestions board and make a thread. It's just underneath this Rules/Information board, but here's a link for the more lazy folk.
What is Chrono Stars?
Chrono Stars is a play-by-post sci-fi/fantasy hybrid role playing forum
What is the Ailnyk Galaxy?
The Ailnyk Galaxy is the setting of Chrono Stars. It has many planets and races in it. Chrono Stars focuses on two planets called Nicta and Drio.
What is...
- ...a Chrono Ring? A device that lets the user wield magic. It can be upgraded to perform different functions as well through downloaded apps, much like a small computer of some sort.
- ...Chrono? The energy force that is the magic, more or less. It is also used as a currency because of how useful it is.
- ...a Kylian? A member of one of the races in the galaxy. It's interchangeable with "person" in most contexts.
- ...a monster? A heavily mutated animal that is now its own species. It is possible to tame monsters and have them fight alongside a character.
- ...a superbeing? An immortal being that has massive power, such as the creators of the galaxy and the aforementioned Order of Arplakoon.
- ...a quest? An errand that an NPC sends a character out on in return for a reward of some sort.
- ...a custom ability? An ability that members are allowed to create solely for their character's use within some specific guidelines. For more information, see this thread.
What is an "event planet"?
Because Chrono Stars focuses on the planets Nicta and Drio, as said before, those two planets are the only "main" ones (i.e. planets with multiple boards on them) that members can always role play on at any given time. Every four weeks, one of the other planets in the galaxy is selected as an "event planet": when a planet is an event planet, members may role play on it and create characters who are of a race native to that planet. The planet will remain an event planet for three weeks, after which no new threads may be made; members may finish their current threads, but they may not make new ones. When the event planet's time ends, you keep whatever you got from the event planet, including monsters indigenous to that planet, levels and abilities gained while on the planet, and characters you made whose race is native to that planet.
Does Chrono Stars have a plot?
Yes. Every planet has its own plot, which will become available when it is chosen as an event planet. These plots have many branching paths and will dynamically change depending on characters' influence during them. For example, if a character murders a governor, then the plot will change to reflect that.
NPCs, in some circumstances, may be used to hasten the plot along in order to fit into that three week timeframe or make news of plot happenings public and accessible to everyone, but they will never be used to force a plot to go in a certain direction.
Do I have to follow the plot?
No. To avoid the plot almost completely (sometimes a plot may have far-reaching effects that go beyond the planet it's happening on), members may keep their characters on Drio and Nicta, or they can go to the event planet and simply ignore the plot altogether. Since plots are advanced through quests, members can simply not do any plot-related quests (there are non-plot quests on event planets) and pursue whatever it is they'd like to do.
How do battles work?
Battles take place in "turns". Every Kylian, under normal circumstances, can use three abilities in one turn unless an ability specifically states that it uses up an entire turn or can only be used with one other ability. They may use these abilities for whatever reason suits their fancy, such as conjuring up a stream of water to douse a flame or using a gust of wind as a tailwind for a bird-like monster partner.
Monsters may only use two abilities in one turn, and the same rules apply to them about using abilities.
What are racial abilities?
Each race has two innate abilities that characters of that race start with. These abilities range from receiving a discount on purchased goods to flying high in the sky. If it suits the role player's fancy, they may not give their character their racial abilities for in-character reasons (such as a character whose race can fly being unable to do so due to having permanently broken wings).
How do levels work?
Most equipment, most abilities and all monsters gain levels as the character does battles and completes quests. Levels dictate general strength and aptitude. Staff members award equipment, abilities and monsters levels when appropriate. Currently, the level cap for characters and monsters is 20; equipment and abilities may exceed that cap, but characters and monsters may not until the cap is changed.
Characters level up by gaining experience points; like levels, staff members will give characters experience points when appropriate.
How do quests work?
Quests that characters can take are posted throughout the forum. In the quest's information, you will find what the reward is, what the level range is, and how to complete it.
The level range refers to how strong the enemy NPCs will be, if any are encountered (e.g. "5-10" means the levels will be from 5-10, "5+" means they'll be five or higher). Enemies will appear as close to the character's level as possible, with very few exceptions. The quest instructions will be out-of-character, meaning that you, as the role player, will know what boards to visit and post on to complete the quest and not be left guessing what the quest giver means by "a hot place" or something. Whether your character goes to the right place or not is a different matter entirely.
What is "go extreme, have fun completely"?
The slogan of Chrono Stars. If you are not going extreme and having fun completely, something is wrong.
(From squidoo.com. The fact that this badly translated line is uttered right before they make out is very telling.)
What if I have another question?
Move on over to the Questions and Suggestions board and make a thread. It's just underneath this Rules/Information board, but here's a link for the more lazy folk.
