daiqua_mods | FAQ (Reply)

SETTING

Where am I? What kind of world is this?
What happens if I just try and punch someone/something?
So on that note, how does physical contact work?
How do I access the UI, and/or equipment/inventory/etc menu? How do they work?
How does inventory work?
How do the classes and skills work?
So, these Bloodline wings- can I fly with them? Can I do anything with them?
How do playerhomes work?
How do guilds work?
Is there a private messaging system for players? What about a forum or message board?
Does this game have PVP?
What happens if I die?
Data bugs sound bad. Tell me about them?
What's a Gamemaster?
Does this game have a storyline? What's it about?

Where am I? What kind of world is this?

You're in Daiqua! This is a rich fantasy world, full of fun and flavor and fiction...as it is nothing more than a Massive Multiplayer Online game. The thing is, to you, it's essentially the real world; there's a few quirks from here and there that registers it as fake (such as the fact you can pull up a User Interface with the wave of a hand), but unlike the majority of the populace, you have no way to log out. You have no way to save quit. You're trapped.

...at least there's plenty of things to do while you try and figure out what's going on?

For more information on the MMO setting, click here. For the premise/setting, click here.

What happens if I just try and punch someone/something?

You'll probably hurt your hand and do about 1 damage. No class in Daiqua uses unarmed strikes.

And if you're punched? Even if you're knocked down from the raw force, you'll still only receive 1 damage.

So on that note, how does physical contact work?

In general...you can touch another character/player without trouble. You can interact with them within reason (trying to surprise slit their throat from behind will just act as an attack, unless you're using a special skill - even then, it's unlikely to be an auto-kill). You can carry them, you can ride on another's shoulders, you can hug and kiss and also back away from such if that kind of thing isn't your...thing. Really, the only thing that hard-drops you in to MMO mechanics are attacks or other aggressive actions.

How do I access the UI, and/or equipment/inventory/etc menu? How do they work?

The UI itself is permanently overlaid on to your vision, and can be adjusted to fit your desires. It displays cooldowns, base stats (HP/MP/etc), and other such useful things. It's designed to be as unobtrusive as possible, only really coming in to focus when your intent goes on to it. Not to say it can't be adjusted to clutter up your vision, just, in general, it won't. You'll have to do that yourself, you sadist.

To access the menus, hold out your hand and swipe right. Or use another appendage. Or, if you don't have any limbs, you're relying solely on intent. The menu is impossible to open accidentally, mind; that intent factors in to all of the above. From there you can open the specific one you're after.

How does inventory work?

Daiqua uses an altered grid inventory system; each stack of items take up a certain amount of space. For example, a breastplate will take up more room than a potion, but stacks of the exact same item (eg, common breastplates all with the same stat adjustments can stack) will take up the same space as just one. When you pick up an item, it automatically goes in to your inventory; you can then pull up your inventory by accessing it through the UI menu, rearrange it at will, or equip/discard/etc. When you equip an item, it automatically appears on your body.

You can increase the size of your inventory with up to five additional bags, which can be custom-made by the Tailor Profession.

How do the classes and skills work?

You have one active class at any given time, and can switch out of combat. Once you gain access to a Tier 2 class, that's added to the list of those you can switch to. Supposedly, more classes will be added to the game over time.

Skillwise, you learn class skills as you gain Class Experience (CE) which in turn ups your Class Level (CL). You'll have all skills learned accessible at any given time, but only your active class's will be at full power; others will be reduced in effectiveness. We do not dictate skills themselves, and encourage players to contribute to the main skills document with ideas.

For more in-depth information on Classes, please click here.

So, these Bloodline wings- can I fly with them? Can I do anything with them?

They're maybe a foot to two feet large on an average person, and scale for the larger/smaller sort. No, you can't fly with them. All told, they're about as sensitive as any other limb; you can certainly feel if someone places a hand on them, much more if someone tries to rip them off (though they'll have as much difficulty as though trying to rip an arm off a body). Some peoples' are more sensitive, others are less so.

For more in-depth information on Bloodlines, please click here.

How do playerhomes work?

Once the requirements are met (Total Experience: 600), a quest opens up in the major cities that serves as a tutorial to buying and managing a playerhome. At first, they have access only to a basic apartment, but they may upgrade (and indeed, even own property in each major city so long as they pay rent) whenever they have the coin. There are merchants that sell furniture, and even quests with such as a reward.

You can use your home as an extra means of storage, display your valuable items, equip it with a workshop for your profession...generally, there isn't too much you can't do that you would expect to be able. (You cannot, for instance, light the place on fire and burn it to the ground.)

Players need to grant access to a playerhome for it to be accessed by others, and can withdraw this access at any time. Once access is given, another player may enter and use non-consumable items at will, though obviously they can't take anything out of the house. (Eg- you can use the workshop if you bring your own supplies, but not take armor off the rack.)

Playerhomes are grouped by neighborhoods; characters in guilds can share the same, exclusive neighborhood and easily move from one guildmember's home to another.

How do guilds work?

Guilds can be joined at any level, but can only be created by those who meet the requirements (Total Experience: 1200) and who make an investment of gold. From there, they are essentially a social network; there is a guild-exclusive chat, message board, guildhall and storage. In addition, guildmates get a small boost of experience when grouped together!

Guild Leaders can assign custom ranks with custom permissions as they will; eg, promote/demote members, invite/kick, mute on chat, specific access to the guild bank, etc.

If a Guild Leader leaves a guild, then the next highest ranking member is promoted to Leader; if there is a tie, then the one who's been in the guild the longest is promoted. If there are no more members, then the guild is disbanded (which is also an option solely for the Leader).

Is there a private messaging system for players? What about a forum or message board?

Characters can send in-game mail to anyone on their friendslist at any of the major cities' post office. (Adding someone to your friendslist is as easy as sending a request through the UI and it being accepted.) In-game mail is text only, and you can send up to five items per message - for a small fee. Best of all, the mail is sent instantaneously!

You can access the Daiqua message board through the UI as well. There are a variety of forums, from a social chat to a marketplace to a roleplaying board, and everything in between. That said, we don't recommend you check the boards in the middle of nowhere, as you are still open to being attacked by mobs.

Does this game have PVP?

It does, under a few conditions. PVP is only auto-enabled in certain areas (and these give the player obvious notice through their UI), and otherwise needs to be toggled. If two players are both PVP-on and one attacks another, combat goes as normal; if only one is PVP-on, the other receives a request for a duel.

What happens if I die?

It's not the end of the world by any means! You'll receive a small experience penalty (though you cannot lose a level because of such) and wake up in the nearest safe area. The only thing you'll lose is about 10% of the money you were carrying, and possibly some of your pride.

Data bugs sound bad. Tell me about them?

There is a brief overview in the MMO Overview page, but in general, there's a few main things to keep in mind:
◆ They're a known factor in the game, with the Daiqua staff insisting you log out or otherwise avoid them less you risk data corruption
◆ For those who cannot log out, data corruption is a painful, sickening state that can lead to permadeath in severe cases
◆ They practically eat standard spells and attacks, meaning they're nearly invulnerable
So, basically, try and avoid them at all costs unless you really want to see what happens. Known ways of dealing with data bugs are as follows:
◆ CALLING A GAMEMASTER
On the bright side, only physical contact/actual interaction infects you, so if you notice one in, say, the wall, you should be able to avoid it without risk. A data bug on a monster, however, can be more difficult as said monster is practically immortal.

What's a Gamemaster?

Gamemasters are the in-MMO staff of Daiqua; they're constantly field testing new things, monitoring for player reports, and otherwise caretaking in the maintenance of the game. They take the form of a masked and hooded figures, with wings made out of tendrils of pure energy as opposed to any of the standard Bloodlines'. While one might be able to rarely find them in the field, they're more often summoned through Daiqua's report system, accessible through the UI.

Gamemasters are also responsible for enacting discipline on the playerbase when needed. If a player is caught being disruptive or otherwise in need of correction, common punishments are as follows:
◆ Mailed warning
◆ Experience restriction
◆ Muting from chat/message boards
◆ Jailtime (your character is locked within an area for a period of time, and unable to leave/interact/etc)
◆ Temporary or permanent game bans (your character is removed from the game completely, only used for very serious offenses)
OOCly speaking, Gamemasters are Mod NPCs. If you need one, use the request form on the journal.

Does this game have a storyline? What's it about?

The Daiqua MMO currently sets the player on a continent with three (arguably, four) cultures with rising tensions due to shrinking resources and a rise in monstrous entities. Supposedly, this is why the Wingblooded have suddenly surged; they are meant to decide the fate of those in the world, whether it be to stop a war or bring it in to full swing.

For more in-depth information on the world's locations and cultures, please click here.

CHARACTERS

Does my character need to eat/drink/breathe?
What about sleep?
What can my character bring with them when they arrive?
Are characters humanized on arrival? What if I play a character that doesn't have a physical body, or has a different appearance because of special circumstances (ex. a virtual body, a disguise). Can I decide what they look like?
My character has an animal companion! Can they come, too?
My character has their own magic/superpowers/other abilities! How do they work here?
My character has a magical/high-tech/unusual item they carry around with them. How would something like that work?
You keep saying "usually"... is there a way my character CAN use all their powers?
My character knows a lot about hacking and modern technology. Can they use those skills to hack the game?
Tell me more about hacking and data bugs. What happens if my character abuses their powers too much?
What happens if my character is banned by a GM?
What language is everyone speaking?

Does my character need to eat/drink/breathe?

Your character needs the same things to sustain them that they would otherwise need. If they normally eat and drink, they will need to eat and drink. If they normally drink blood, then they'll generally (see below) need to drink blood. While the native characters in Daiqua do not need to eat and drink, it is accepted that such gives you bonuses to various situations. Such can be purchased in almost any NPC-populated area, as there is usually some sort of merchant who sells basic provisions.

If your character needs something they cannot easy obtain in Daiqua - or goes without substance for a long period of time - they won't die, but they will weaken. In the former case, they will find that standard food and drink will meet their basic needs, though they may still feel a hunger for whatever they're missing. (Note that native Daiqua players do not have the same requirements, though they may well have to log out to eat and drink in 'real life'!)

As for breathing - to a point. Daiqua does have a drowning meter, and regardless of whether or not they can breathe underwater, after the meter runs out they will start taking rapid damage. (This meter is visible as part of the UI.)

What about sleep?

If your character needs sleep by default, that hasn't changed. Your character can camp almost anywhere (short of midcombat or in a dungeon). However, renting a room in an inn or resting in a guildhall/playerhome will offer the 'rested' bonus for a period of time, which provides a temporary boost to all forms of Experience. This is proportional for how long they rested. If your character does not sleep, they will find that simply being in these areas satisfies the condition for earning the bonus.

What can my character bring with them when they arrive?

Nothing but what they may have had on their person at the time.

Are characters humanized on arrival?

That's 100% up to you; at the very least, they'll be scaled up/down to be within 4-8 feet. Let's say you bring in a vampire; they can stay full vampire, or they can become full human. If you bring in a Smurf? You can keep them smurfy, just bring up their size to be within the aforementioned range, OR you can straight-up humanize them.

If your character doesn't naturally have a body and/or looks otherwise different, you may decide how they look so long as they're (mostly) human in appearance. You can have a few tells if you want - eg, different colored eyes, strange scarring, a tail, etc, but the body you create for them should be at least able to pass for human on a good day.

My character has an animal companion! Can they come, too?

If your character has a companion you just can't bear to part with, sure, you can bring them in.. Since the game does not currently have a pets mechanic, your pet essentially fills a Relic slot on their inventory and can function as (mostly) normal.

My character has their own magic/superpowers/other abilities! How do they work here?

Hope you don't expect to affect much in the world. Can you create fire? Sure, you can do that, it just won't...burn anything, for the most part, at least not enough to do any damage or even to start a campfire. Can you fly? Yeah, you'll probably be able to get a foot off the ground. Anyone brought into Daiqua has to follow Daiqua's rules, you see, and that means anything that isn't built into the game's programming isn't going to—or at least shouldn't—work.

So what can your powers do? Well, it all comes down to what you can do in the game without your powers. If you can create fire, casting fire spells might come more intuitively and take on the appearance of your magic from back home. A skilled blacksmith won't immediately be able to use high-level crafting, but they should have no trouble at all with the crafting minigames and might even be able to add a more personal touch to their creations. Think of your powers as a cosmetic effect or a special affinity towards an in-game skill or ability. That said, if it's something that doesn't have an in-game equivalent, the power won't work at all beyond cosmetic effects.

Usually.

My character has a magical/high-tech/unusual item they carry around with them. How would something like that work?

Congratulations on having starting-level equipment!...that just happens to look different. In other words, they won't do much at all, at least mechanically; while a gun can still shoot, it'll do piddly damage. On the bright side, once you reach 5000 total experience, you can use it as an 'aesthetic' over whatever other equipment you have. In other terms, let's say you still have that gun, but you're in a ranged class; you can absolutely use that gun as a means of using your skills or attacks. Fun, huh?

If it's an item with a special power, it follows the exact same rules as character powers. Does it do something you can do in the game? If not, the power is purely cosmetic. Usually.

You keep saying "usually"... is there a way my character CAN use all their powers?

Daiqua is a very realistic game, but it's not really equipped to handle something as unusual as people from other worlds getting trapped inside of it. It tries its best to translate everything that it can into in-game functions, but sometimes the system glitches. If your character can normally fly, for example, and the game allows them to float an inch or two off the ground, it can also be tricked into allowing them to ignore the in-game physics and scale uncrossable terrain, Skyrim-style. Someone with mind-reading powers could force the game to show them hidden information like monster attack patterns or stats. Even if your character doesn't have their own supernatural powers, they might find that applying ordinary talents can have similar effects, such as a skilled climber scaling the same uncrossable terrain as their flying comrade. As long as the ability doesn't have a major impact on the game's state, such as killing a monster beyond the character's in-game abilities, there won't be any noticeable downsides or side-effects to the action.

But what if you do try to force something major, like casting a huge spell your character shouldn't have access to or controlling the minds of those AI monsters? Most of the time it's not going to work, but if the conditions are right, the game glitches hard. When a character causes the game to glitch out in this way, they're essentially "hacking" the game and able to force anything they want to work within a short period of time. This isn't limited to just their natural talents and abilities, either: if they can figure out exactly what they're dealing with, they have free-reign over the game's code within the affected area. Anything is possible.

Hacking the game doesn't come without its risks, however. The bigger the change, the higher the chance of a data bug occurring in that area. A bug might even manifest in the hacker themselves! And if a GM catches wind of a data bug or a hacker, they'll be sure to swoop in and quarantine the area. If anyone is caught with an obviously bugged character or item, they're likely to find themselves banned and all bugs removed.

For this reason, please contact a mod if your character is going to try hacking the game in a significant way. The golden rule is that anything that actually affects the game as opposed to just peeking behind the curtain, as it were, is worth contacting the mods to discuss possible results.

My character knows a lot about hacking and modern technology. Can they use those skills to hack the game?

You can certainly try. If they know a lot of about modern hacking, they might even have an easier time doing it compared to others. However, the exact same rules above apply here: hacking the game has a chance of triggering data bugs, and the bigger the hack the greater the risks.

Tell me more about hacking and data bugs. What happens if my character abuses their powers too much?

Hoo boy.

A variety of things can happen. A data bug is basically just a damaged chunk of programming, so in many situations it'll cause whatever's affected to stop working. A bugged item might glitch out graphically, and it may lose its functionality or gain a completely different functionality. Literally anything can happen, and while it can occasionally be useful (eg. a bugged potion restoring the maximum HP value instead of its intended value) most of the time the effects are worthless if not downright dangerous. A data bug can form anywhere, though, including objects, monsters, and even players, and the bug will slowly spread to anything that touches it. If the infection isn't stopped, it can completely corrupt the data of whatever it's infected. Characters destroyed by a data bug infection cannot be restored. That means death is permanent.

Again, please contact a mod if you plan on interacting with or causing data bugs! This includes aggressive usage of powers or hacking. Even with minor hacks, if they're being used too often you may find a mod pop in for some flavor text.

What happens if my character is banned by a GM?

A GM may decide to warn or ban characters if they appear to be cheating or playing a bugged character. In most situations, the first offence is a 24-hour ban and a warning for anyone who appears to be cheating. Most players would be logged out by this and spend their time doing something else, but if you can't log out... well, either you'll spend the rest of your day in a completely empty void, or you'll blackout and wake up when the ban expires. Any bugged items will be fixed or removed during this time, and if the character is suffering from a data bug infection it'll be safely removed.

Luckily, GMs aren't all-seeing. As long as you're not being too blatant with your activities or walking around out in the open with obviously bugged items or powers, you're unlikely to get reported to a GM and punished. Triggering a data bug will alert a GM, though, so be ready to hightail it out of there if you don't want to get caught red-handed.

If you get infected by a data bug, you can also willingly report yourself to the GMs to have your character fixed. This usually takes only 24-hours, and as long as your character isn't carrying anything suspicious the GMs won't count it against your record. You may not want to do this too often, though, as the same character running into bugs over and over again might draw unwanted attention to your activities.

If a character is caught cheating or carrying bugged items repeatedly, the ban gets longer. If they continue to ignore GM warnings and get caught hacking, they will be threatened with a permanent ban. Please contact a mod if your character is pushing for a more severe ban.

What language is everyone speaking?

Standard American English - and if you didn't know that language, there's a handy-dandy state-of-the-art translator program built in! You also speak any other languages you know how to speak, and these aren't automatically translated. Each in-game culture has its own language and dialects, as well, but you'll never be in a position where you can't understand what the NPCs are saying.

Even if you're deaf or mute, your UI has a text-based chat that transcribes what is being said in the immediate area; you can also make use of it as text-to-speech.

OOC

What is the game's rating?
What kind of characters can I app?
What is the AC policy?
What is the hiatus policy?
How do drops work? What about reapps? Canon updates?
I have a problem with another player! What should I do?
This is all so complicated! Do I have to keep track of every bit of experience/equipment/skill/level!?
So how do those levels work? How am I gaining them?
What's the deal with quests?

What is the game's rating?

Daiqua - the DW game, not the MMO game - has a PG-13 rating. We do not have a minimum age to play, so long as you can write clearly and cohesively, as well as follow the rules and game setting. With this in mind, we also do not ban ERP. However, we do ask that you keep those logs off the main comm, and note that they are not able to be used for activity.

ICly, the ESRB equivalent is T for Teen. Likewise, the MMO allows all ages to play, and while it doesn't block Certain Things, it doesn't really...focus on that functionality, either. So, you could, hypothetically, interact with a native character in 'that' way (even if they're probably not getting nearly as much out of it as you are). Just note that if you start being suggestive in a chat or on the message board, or even in public, you'll likely be reported and a Gamemaster may mute and/or otherwise punish you. (And not in the fun way.)

In addition, we insist that characters and players under the age of 18 avoid these concepts, and that anything involving them be clearly tagged. Once again, do not post them on the main comm, and do not use them for activity.

What kind of characters can I app?

We accept the following kinds of characters:
◆ Canon Characters. These are apped straight from a fictional media. Note that while we do allow malleable PCs (eg: Shepard from Mass Effect) to be apped, we will not allow player characters from MMOs.
◆ Original Characters. These are from a player-created world, and may not have any ties to a character from an established canon.
◆ CR AUs. These are canon characters who have already spent time in another game, and may already have had some development.
All characters use the same applications; however, you are expected to put in more detail for OCs and CR AUs. If the mods feel that there isn't enough canon for a character (eg: a briefly shown background character in a comic book) - or if they wouldn't be a good fit for the setting (eg: Freddy Krueger) - they may reject an application without option for revisions.

We do not have an age limit (ICly or OOCly) so long as a character can be appropriately played. Younger characters (eg: TK from Digimon Season 1) are welcome, though you probably won't get in with a toddler.

Further, we do not have a canon cast cap, but we do not allow doubles. For instance, if there is a MCU!Peter Parker already in game, you may not app Peter Parker from the comics; however, you may app Miles Morales, as while they share the same superhero name they are two different characters. Another example would be any of the various versions of Optimus Prime; all these count as the same character.

What is the AC policy?

Activity Check is run monthly, and requires two of the following proofs:
◆ One five (5) comment thread in the log community
◆ One ten (10) comment thread in the message board community
◆ One ten (10) comment thread through IC Mail (aka IC Inbox)
All proofs refer to comments directly made by you in the same thread. You cannot combine threads to meet the comment requirement, and you cannot use one thread for more than one proof. For example, let's say you have posted twenty comments in a single log thread; you cannot use that for the entirety of your AC. You can, however, use it and an IC mail thread to meet the requirements. We also ask that IC mail threads only be used for one of your proofs; however, you can use two log/message board threads if you'd like.

All activity must take place in the month in question; you cannot use a thread from March for the May AC check, even if it's ongoing. Threads need to start within five days of the month.

The check itself is run through the first week of the month. (March's check is run in the first week of April.) Characters who do not post, or otherwise miss the requirements, receive a strike. Two consecutive AC strikes result in being removed from the game, with a three-month period before the character can be reapplied by the same player.

What is the hiatus policy?

Hiatuses announced (read; posted to the hiatus page) in the first two weeks of the month and lasting more than two weeks exempt from AC for the month. Such a hiatus announced in the last two weeks, and/or lasting from one to two weeks, lowers this AC to half. Hiatuses stretching two AC periods or more need to be cleared with the mods.

ICly, characters are either mysteriously unavailable during this time, or 'ghosted' - that is, assumed to be going about their business without OOC direction. In the case of the former, nobody knows where they go, and the characters themselves simply lose time. (Spooky, huh?)

How do drops work? What about reapps? Canon updates?

For drops, post to the page and your character will Mysteriously Disappear. As in- there'll be no record of that character having existed at all, short of memories. If you still have IC mail from them? It's now from [UNAVAILABLE], which is pretty damning proof that they're gone.

If they do come back - that is to say, are reapped - there are two options, depending on whether or not they're apped as a fresh start or are actually returning.
◆ If they're apped as a fresh start/new character, that [UNAVAILABLE] will remain. It's as if they're a completely different, well, character.
◆ If they're reapped (with memories intact), [UNAVAILABLE] will revert to their name. In their own perspective, it's as if they simply lost time.
In the case of canon updates, they'll disappear for a few days (up to the player) with that brief moment of [UNAVAILABLE] popping in. Upon return, it'll disappear, and the character will have their new memories to deal with in addition to the fact they've lost time in Daiqua.

I have a problem with another player! What should I do?

While we always encourage for players to communicate with one another, sometimes it just isn't possible for whatever reason. We ask that if there's something that's really bothering you, you reach out to the mods so that we can try and help mediate the situation. It may be as simple as a miscommunication.

This is all so complicated! Do I have to keep track of every bit of experience/equipment/skill/level!?

You do not! We ask that you only keep active track of your Total Experience and Class Levels. Everything else - equipment, skills, etc - can be pretty much handwaved, though you're welcome to contribute to the global spreadsheet if you want to suggest anything else. Basically, as long as it makes sense for your levels, have fun. If in doubt, feel free to ask.

You can use the template displayed here if you'd like, or use your own format. As a means of redundancy, there's an {experience record page} in the global spreadsheet mods will update as part of AC.

So how do those levels work? How am I gaining them?

We assume each character gains an average of 2000 Experience per month. With that in mind, levels take progressively more and more experience to gain.

The complete chart is here, and as you have two classes to start with, you're welcome to level them at whatever pace you'd like. Daiqua has a current level cap of 50, and it is estimated to take about 6-7 OOC months to hit that cap per class. On the bright side, you get access to a second-tier class at CL 20 in one, and - at the current point in the game's progress - have a total of 4 classes to unlock.

If you believe your character would be more active than this and earning more experience, you can use AC as a means of petitioning by writing a quick summary (no more than a couple paragraphs, please!) and providing extra AC justifying the above-average; bear in mind this average takes in to account that characters are, well, living in the game (and are already progressing far faster than the native players). If the mods agree that an increase is warranted, you'll get anywhere from a 25%-50% increase in the amount (total being 2500-3000). If you want to ask for less experience, you can.

As for your CL/Class Levels, you're allowed to spread out your experience however you want. It uses the same experience chart as the Character Levels; for example, you can throw 1000 experience in each level in your first month, and push them up to CL 13. Or you can focus exclusively of one, and have reach CL 19. (This, as it stands, is the real endgame of Daiqua; maxing out every single class you have access to, and gain access to over time!)

What's the deal with quests?

We have a quest document [LINK COMING SOON], where players can OOCly create/suggest quests to be ICly run! While there's no OOC reward, upon submission of a quest to the document, your character will ICly somehow come across a rare hat in their travels that auto-binds to their character. It cannot be sold, it cannot be traded, and while you can throw it away if you really want, why would you do that when you can look stylish instead?

FAQ

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