Shard Plot Line

The new World Map and RPCSS are tied to the main shard plotline. The plotline revolves around the struggle and conflict between kingdoms and noble houses. Access to both the world map and RPCSS requires a character who is designed to participate.

By participate, we mean that the character wants to see their chosen god, kingdom, or noble house reach a position of power and prestige which will ultimately be in conflict with other characters' goals. Duty and ambition on behalf of the kingdom/house/god are perfectly acceptable causes for motivation.

Ask yourself this question when considering character ideas: "If my character is not going to further some god's own agenda, why was my character brought here in the first place."

If you do not intend your character to actively engage in the storyline, then you can simply say, "No access to world map needed for this character." If later on, you change your mind, we will be happy to have you post an update.

Please note, membership in noble houses is based on a character's ability to join the house guild. Guild stones are only on the World Map and will require characters to have access to the map to join the guild stone.

Application

On August 6th, the application was updated to remove the Character Kingdom question and replaced with the Shard Plot Line question. The reason for the change is written below and was posted to the forums.

We are excited to see the creativity that players are bringing to the shard. This is the first time we’ve allowed such character diversity. However, with all new things, concerns arise. Our current concern is the impact of such diversity on the shard storyline. Not because we don’t want conflict brought about by diversity, but because we don't want apathy. It will be very discouraging to those participating in the storyline to have a predominance of characters who via role-play are not motivated to participate, or by their very design flatten or minimize developing drama.

Consequently, it is our intention to restrict the world map, which is specifically designed for RPCSS, from those characters who do not plan to have an active leading role in the plot. I understand that for many of you how things will play out with RPCSS is unclear, that’s fine. However, I feel that given the model of such shows and books as Game of Thrones and Lord of the Rings, any of us can identify how our lone ranger will grow into an Aragorn or our simple hobbit will become the intrepid Frodo or Sam.

The application has been updated to include a new question that ask players about how the character intends to participate in a world-impacting storyline that includes politics and war. Players will need to communicate how their character intends to participate in the storyline, and such answers as, “I will be making their swords”, is not what we are looking for.

Early Apps

Access to the world map will require a flag to be set on your character. If you previously applied and didn't answer this question you have plenty of time to update your application before Opening Day on Sept 1st.