Starting Guide
Forum Roleplay
Antarok is a forum roleplaying game - a Forum RPG - where stories are facilitated over forum threads using a character sheet (CS) to represent your character, who they are, and what they can do. This is somewhat analogous to tabletop roleplaying games, but without dice. The game is freeform; you come up with goals based on what your character would want, and write about them with respect to the setting of Antarok and its lore.
It's encouraged that authors write in third person, but first and second person are allowed.
Character Sheet
Character Sheets are posted in the Character Sheet forum using a template from that forum.
- All characters begin with 300 XP, 1000 Gold.
Rebirth: You may apply to use some of your earned XP from other similar Forum RPGs. See Rebirth.
Thread Types
Prefixed to a thread may be one or more tags. These prefix tags indicate what type of thread it is, and the author should do their best to properly tag their threads.
Solo
- A story written by oneself. Minimum 450 words total to submit for review and earn XP from them. On Antarok, there is no pressure to collaborate with others, and you may write by yourself for as long as you wish. 150 words written solo is worth 1 XP, up to 1500 words for 10 XP.
Collaborative
- A story written with others. Each participant must write a minimum of two posts, the minimum word count being 150 words per post, and they must each reach 450 words total to earn XP in a review. 100 words collaborative is worth 1 XP, up to 1500 words for 15 XP. Threads in roleplay boards without the Solo or OOC tags are assumed to be collaborative.
Open
- A collaborative story where anyone with a character nearby can join, without prior permission. Take care to read the thread and contribute to the overall plot instead of derailing it. A thread without the Open or PM to Join tags is assumed to be 'closed' to new characters the author hasn't invited.
PM to Join
- A story where anyone with a character nearby can PM (Private Message) the person who made the thread and ask permission to join.
Memories
- Memories are stories taking place before the current season, marked with the Memory prefix. They allow characters to play in differing periods within their lives, sometimes in other locations they’ve been to prior. Memories do not allow for the gain of material possessions, and care should be taken not to violate the causality of the timeline.
Dream
- A story taking place in a character’s dreams, marked with the Dream prefix. Anything within the character’s imagination can be explored without consequence, but memories of these events are fuzzy without lucid dreaming. See Sopor.
Non-Canon
- A story that never happened, marked with the Non-Canon prefix. While XP can be earned from these, they are not considered valid canon and cannot be referenced in-character. Some stories with poor lore or causality interpretation may be declared so until specific changes are made. These should still be in some way related to Antarok, whether it’s Antarok with Sci-Fi elements or something more subtle like playing from the point of view of a historic figure. If it’s completely unrelated to Antarok, it cannot be reviewed for XP.
Mature
- A story with mature themes, marked with [M]. Mature content refers to excess violence or blood, horror, vulgar language, or tasteful adult material. This does not refer to 18+ content such as smut or gore which have their own private board covered placeholder:here.
Job
- Job threads have to do with earning seasonal wages from a career. They pertain to some aspect or complication of your job. See Careers.
Writing Etiquette
Several philosophies govern how Antarok is moderated, and how its players should interact. Please give them a read, for the good and joy in all of us.
Permissions
Antarok requires permission play with certain socially or mechanically complex forms of content. The only permissions that must be sought from the support forum are for Major Merits (except for the Adult Dragon), or for plots which would severely influence established locales or characters authored by others. Permission is less about subjectively needing to 'earn' the right, and more about showing us that you can play that content accurately in a way that benefits other writers around you.
Conflict
Authors should strive to communicate with their writing partners. Please do not treat in-character conflict as an out-of-character jab against you, and do your best to share your plans with your writing partner; if you tell a writer 'I'm fine with anything' when it comes to conflict, then don't be surprised if their character wounds yours. Both parties must communicate and consent to any conflict with each other out-of-character respectfully, or else risk being warned by staff.
While it may be your choice to accept a consequence (or not), remember that pulling your character out of a thread may make others reluctant to write with you, or that it might make your character seem dull. Countless methods exist on Antarok to heal or mend entire limbs, so nothing is forever unless you so choose. Don't take out your feelings over avoidable consequences on your fellow writers!
Limited Metagaming
Characters on Antarok operate on liquid time with an assumed level of understanding for their skills and the world they live in. They may have heard about the public aspects of another character’s exploits prior to meeting them, and they might know a good deal about the local gossip in town and its establishments. A character will also be able to talk at length about their skills, recent activities, and occupation in a manner that makes sense for their skill level without having formed those theories or experiences in-character. They might even know a few basic words from a language they are not fluent in, or else assume they are fluent if they've lived or traveled with those who speak the language for long enough.
Limited Metagaming does not grant someone the license to know everything about another character or a skill they have no experience in. Use discretion, and ask for a second opinion if you aren’t sure. If someone tells you they're comfortable with your character knowing theirs, then that's okay too.
💭 Coming from tabletop, is there another way to understand this?
- It's a lot like a skill check from tabletop, except everyone you're writing with is simultaneously the DM and the player, and reason is used rather than dice - remember to make mistakes, they make characters more interesting!
Limited Power Play
It’s always your choice whether you will accept an outcome in a story; nobody can force you to accept an action, and your participation in a story can be reviewed as non-canon - for your character - after a certain post if you wish to avoid unwanted consequences while still preserving some of the story. We do not care if someone grinds experience and connives ‘powerful’ characters so long as it is done fairly without clear exploitation.
Lore Accuracy
Unreliable Narration: Accurately portraying your character and the lore is encouraged in all cases, but a safety net exists to shed light on how much flexibility we give mistakes - we will not punish you for minor mistakes, and will provide tools for others to explain them as you learn to play at your own pace. See [[Unreliable Narration.
