Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Introduction
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
folkmore is a panfandom multi-genre private role playing game. The "true essence" of characters are taken from their canon worlds by an entity known as The Fox and placed into a pocket realm known as Folkmore. The Fox believes all forms of life have incredible potential. The Fox designs monthly "Trials" (game events) that challenge characters physically, mentally, emotionally, and otherwise. These events can range from fantasy to horror to survival to sexy to completely mundane. This game is for the sentimental and romantic, emphasizing the value of interpersonal relationships and the various ways people can be good, bad, or a little bit of both.Characters are divided into Legends, Myths, and Familiars dependent on their general moral inclinations. These various Roles can provide characters with new, unique attributes that they might not have had in their canon lives.
Not only will characters be challenged with monthly trials, but they will be forced to socialize with one another to maintain balance and energy in themselves and Folkmore. This is done through a spiritual transaction system known as Spoons which relies on The Power of Lore. It literally pays to interact with each other in this world.
Not finding what you're looking for? Leave a comment down below and we will get to it ASAP! Feel free to nudge the Mod Team if it has been a week+ on your question. It might have gotten missed!
We strongly recommend players use CTRL+F and type in keywords for questions you may have to see if your question has already been answered.
★ What kind of game is this? What kind of content can I expect?
★ Is this a sex game then?
★ What about the Taylor Swift thing?
★ Is there an overarching story or plot(s)?
★ What is AC like in this game? What is the anticipated pacing?
★ Is this game invite-only? Why? Will this ever change?
★ How do the invites work?
★ What if I don't know anyone in the game and I really want to join? How do I get an invite?
★ Who are the mods? Are they anon?
[TOP OF PAGE]
This game is a love song to Taylor Swift, Studio Ghibli escapism, worldwide myths, legends, and folklore. You can anticipate a wide variety of genres ranging from fantasy to science fiction to horror to smut. Concepts of "good" and "bad" and "neutral" will be thoroughly explored and characters will be forced to evaluate their own personal morals when it comes to these themes time and time again. What does evil really look like? Is there such a thing? What about "true goodness" and what are the consequences or benefits to neutrality? Explore them here!
This game focuses heavily on the value of relationships to the point where the main currency of the game is based on interactions between sentient beings. Romance, familial, platonic, and enemy-based relationships are all equally valuable here. Most of our prompts will force characters to interact one way or another.
This game embraces the creative nature of roleplay and emphasizes on the passion that goes into the hobby. We really want to encourage players to be creative and innovative with their experience and want to provide a game atmosphere where using headcanons and making up fun ideas about our characters is a positive experience.
Our game will contain mature themes such as violence, sex, and substance use. We require all players to be 18+ upon joining.
★ Is this a sex game then?
Nope! We just enjoy smut and believe smut prompts can co-exist with other genres in a game. Characters have sex sometimes and that's okay! The Fox also believes that some potential can be achieved through sexual relations!
There will never be an all-sexual event: you will be able to play in this game completely gen/smut-free! All smut prompts will be 100% optional.
While this is not a sex game, we do consider it to have an intense focus on character relationships whether romantic, platonic, familial, or sexual. After all, characters make a living in this game through literal communication and interaction with one another. In other words, this is a very ship-positive, relationship heavy game, regardless of what kind of ships you're interested in playing out! Get fluffy and romantic or keep it cute and innocent! It's really up to you.
Just remember to respect however other players choose to play it!
★ What about the Taylor Swift thing?
The game's creator is a Swiftie, thus the game takes inspiration from Taylor Swift. There are several themes from the Taylor Swift albums that will be applied to the game - and no, you don't need to be a fellow Swiftie to appreciate or enjoy these elements! They are themes that have to do with relationships and personal development/growth.
★ Is there an overarching story or plot(s)?
Not entirely! You might get to find out more about the Fox and Folkmore but generally speaking this game will be heavily reliant on character interaction.
★ What is AC like in this game? What is the anticipated pacing?
We do not have activity check requirements. We will post a monthly interest check where players will be required to check-in with a small summary of their prior month's content. Players who do not check-in will be swept from the game.
There will be one event per month and one TDM per month. We expect our game to be medium-paced but without the pressure of meeting monthly AC.
We do have an optional rewards system players can use to receive in character items/gains as well as the purchase of additional invite slots.
★ Is this game invite-only? Why? Will this ever change?
Yes, our game is invite-only and private. We do not currently have plans to change this.
We feel like an invite system benefits the atmosphere of a game drastically. We feel like this approach allows for a more trustworthy connection between players and mods by virtue of accountability. People will be allowed into this game because our players and our mod team feel that they will be responsible with being active without AC & that they will be respectful to one another & our mod team. We wanted a more comfortable, relaxed game and felt private was the way to go!
★ How do the invites work?
Once a month we will open Invitations to new players on our static Invitations Page. Our current players can invite at least one new player into the game per invite cycle. Players will be able to purchase additional invite slots through our reward system if they choose.
If you drop entirely from the game at any time, you will need to be invited back in.
Your invite will expire at the end of the following reserve cycle.
★ What if I don't know anyone in the game and I really want to join? How do I get an invite?
You can always reach out to our Mod Team to ask for an invite when we open invites! We may refuse invites if there are extenuating circumstances. If we have any concerns about a player's invite, we will contact players privately to discuss the situation.
★ Who are the mods? Are they anon?
Milk created this game and will be providing insight from time to time, but the current headmods are Sil & Nat. Helper mods, who might be anon, will be relied on for assistance with list management and overseeing pages such as our Spoons page & helping with general player interaction. You can contact us through a PM to our mod journalfolkie or leave a message on our Mod Contact page.
★ Are there age restrictions on applicable characters?
Nope! Characters of all age are applicable.
★ Will there be any sort of caps on the game?
Nope. We do not have cast, player, or game caps.
★ How many characters can I play and what type?
After you have been invited by a player or mod, you can apply up to three characters per cycle. There is no limitation on characters per player.
We reserve the right to request proof from players we feel may be squatting. Once you have dropped entirely from the game, you will need to be invited back in to reapply.
What Type?
We allow canon and original characters. We allow original canon characters as long as the character is irrelevant to actual canon events/characters.
We allow several iterations of canon characters including CRAU, canon AUs (including a version of the character from an alternate timeline), and "aged-up" or "aged-down" versions with at least 10ish+ (give or take) year difference. Malleable protagonists are considered alternative versions of each other, while silent protagonists are not (WoL from FFXIV would fall under the latter).
For aged up/down characters, you will need to flesh out your headcanon of their history in the appropriate section in your application. This is to allow for fun, headcanon versions of characters like aging Bubbles from the Powerpuff Girls up to 21 and having a unique PB/history on what she would be like at this time.
Please make sure to clarify what iteration you will be applying as! We consider these to be different versions of the same character. This means that there could be theoretically up to 4 versions of a character allowed (we understand some characters have several canon AUs).
★ Can I play really obscure, unknown, or background characters with minimal information? What about playing general worldwide mythological characters like Hades or Cupid?
Absolutely! Since this game is invite-only and focused on a more relaxed style of role-playing, we don't have a huge interest in harping on small details like how "valid" a character is to play. You will be required to fill out the regular application even if it involves a lot of headcanon on your part. Just make sure it flows and make sense and we're good!
If a minor character is updated with more information in a series we will generally expect you to update how you play them so as to not contradict significant new canon information (ex: if you played the character as an only child but suddenly you find out they actually have siblings etc).
As for famous mythological characters that are known worldwide, we will accept iterations of characters based on the actual lore, such as someone simply playing "Zeus" and we would consider that to be an "original character" even if it's from Greek Mythos. We would allow different iterations of these characters since there are different interpretations people could make. If you were to play Zeus from the Percy Jackson series then that would obviously be from the PJO canon.
★ So, you're really okay with us using a lot of headcanon for our characters/applications?
Yup! This is a more relaxed approach to games and we really want to embrace the creative side of RP and allow for players to play characters the way they really want to without having to sweat over negative feedback. As long as you're not bluntly contradicting massive and critical elements of your character and remaining consistent with your voice - we're very open to headcanon/unique intrepretations! Please have fun, everyone. We really do just want this to be a nice play with low stress and that includes not policing each other's reading of characters.
We also appreciate the fact that the majority of role play is actually inherently based on headcanons and find them to be an incredibly valuable approach to understanding our favorite characters.
★ What source material can I apply from?
A canon must be available in English for at least 30 days for characters to be applicable. We will regulate this only for applications, not reservations. You may reserve a character if their canon will be 30 days old before the end of the application period.
Reliable fanon translations of canon are acceptable such as scanlations.
★ Can I play characters from the same franchise?
Yup! Just be considerate and responsible. A little playercest is okay occasionally, but please make sure to not inappropriately info mod through your multiple characters. Please do not write entire scenes between the two characters.
★ Are animal/anthropomorphic characters allowed?
Absolutely! If you can fill out the application then they are applicable!
★ What about massive characters like robots? Or tiny creatures like fairies?
Both are allowed! The former's body would merely be contorted to fit appropriately within the setting. However, in open spaces, they can grow to their usual size as long as it does not destroy the immediate setting.
★ My character is dead / fatally injured at the canon point I want to take them from! Is that okay?
Absolutely! Characters can arrive in Folkmore either already healed (with or without scars) or they can arrive in bad shape. Up to the player! If the character is dead, they will simply be brought back to life through the process of entering the game.
★ Are there any species restrictions in general?
Nope! All species are applicable in the setting.
★ Why was my character brought here?
The Fox sees potential in them! The Fox operates as an omniscient, reality-warping being who can sense great potential throughout all time and space. She is interested in maximizing your full potential. This potential could range from the potential to be the world's best hero or the world's worst villain or the world's most mediocre sales rep! The Fox believes everyone is worth something.
She will "test" characters through monthly game events known as "Trials" to test characters and improve their potential. Her goal is to make them the best versions of themselves - whatever that may be. She believes good, bad, and neutral people are all equally necessary for keeping the universe balanced.
★ Can characters reach their "full potential" in this world? Is there even such a thing?
That is the question, isn't it! What "full potential" looks like varies from character to character and the Fox doesn't seem interested in letting characters know the specifics. She gives the ominous explanation: "You will know when you reach it."
★ How do characters arrive in the game? What happens when they are dropped? What about canon updates and hiatuses?
Characters arrive in the form of falling stars and are referred to as Star Children by the Fox. Characters arrive in the outfit they were wearing from the canon point you pulled from. Check out our Arrival page for full details on this process.
Check out our Drop/Hiatus/Update page for further details on dropping, hiatuses, and updates! There are a few different customizable approaches players can take.
★ What happens to my characters' abilities/powers?
Nothing! This game does not nerf any abilities. The setting, however, will automatically nerf anyone who attempts to break/heavily alter the setting. If a character attempted to blow up the entire setting, that explosion would merely bounce back on the character (and probably kill them). Similar can be said for characters who attempt to "kill" or fight the Fox.
Always ask permission before using character abilities on other characters.
★ What are these roles that characters are given?
The roles are meant to represent the typical alignments you may see in common folklore such as 'good' and 'bad' - but not quite so clear-cut! Legends traditionally represent the "good" while Myths represent the "bad" and Familiars tend to represent those who are neither/are prone to servitude/may not be exceptional on their own.
Legends, Myths, and Familiars all have unique abilities/qualities in addition to a character's canon abilities. These abilities are available to characters who usually don't have powers. Read more on our Roles page.
All players must pick a role for their character. Roles can be switched at any time, but we do ask characters to realistically switch and not do it every other day. You do not need to explore the depths of these roles or focus on the abilities. You can treat the roles as mere alignments.
★ What does it mean for a Familiar to dedicate themselves to a Myth or Legend?
The Familiar bond aka dedication is a unique psychic bond between a Familiar and a Myth or Legend. Both characters must decide and consent to in character. They must make some kind of declaration to each other. It may be as simple as "I would like to be your Familiar" and "I would like to be your Myth/Legend."
We largely leave the specifics of the unique psychic bond up to the players involved. For example, it could include an empathic connection or mind reading/memory sharing.
★ What happens with injuries, disease, and death in this game?
Characters can get sick, be injured, and be killed. If your character has abilities to prevent those things, you may play into that, but there will be events that can overcome things like immortality. Please respect these events and do not contradict the circumstances.
Injuries/illnesses can be treated like traditional injuries/illnesses in our world. Alternatively, if there are healer characters, they can provide healing services to other characters.
It will be up to each player what they wish to play in this regard. This extends to scars/loss of limbs/senses.
Characters can die in this setting. They will turn into stardust upon their death. They will have to regenerate and fall back to Folkmore once again. Each death will disorient characters. The more death a character experiences, characters should experience disorientation for longer periods of this time. Disorientation can include things like amnesia, warped personalities, confusion, difficulty sleeping, etc.
If a character who is immortal relies on reconstruction of their bodies, you can either keep to the canon-typical reconstruction (ie; Deadpool being able to regrow limbs over a long period of time) or you can rely on the game mechanics to have your character reform through stardust.
★ Can characters get pregnant/have children?
Not through traditional biological means, but you can purchase child slots through Spoon Spending! This requires a variety of circumstances to be met so please read up on our information per the Spoons page.
★ Can characters get married?
Absolutely! They can either get married per traditions from their own worlds and/or get married the Folkmore way. Like with children, you can purchase a marriage slot through our Spoons page.
★ Can characters adopt other characters or create other familial bonds?
Yup! There is also an adoption slot you can purchase through the Spoons page!
★ Do characters age?
Yup! Your character will age as they typically would from their canon. If they are immortal or trapped in a specific state then they will remain that way unless you alter their physiology via an event or through Spoon Spending.
★ My character has a special diet and/or requires unique medication/etc. They have chronic health conditions/issues. What do I do about that?
They will be able to sustain their usual diet via the natural setting or through Spoon Spending! The same goes for medication. Since spoons are gained through basic interactions, all your character really needs to do is say hi to a bunch of people in order to get enough spoons to get what they need!
For more challenging diets that require darker content such as cannibalism, you can discuss how this might work with other players or defer to spending spoons.
Characters with chronic conditions will still maintain those conditions unless you choose to cure them through the setting. If the character has died in their canon and would die immediately upon entrance to Folkmore because of a condition, it can be assumed that the Fox has granted them life/health in order to last in the setting. Please clarify if you are going this route somewhere in your application.
★ How do language barriers work in this game?
We leave this up to the players! You may choose to either have characters understand one another through magical influences from the realm, or they may have to try and learn new languages in order to successfully communicate with one another.
Generally speaking, any accents can still be detected and there may be dialectal differences. The communication devices provided to characters will automatically translate to your character's native language - but this can be adjusted through the device's settings! Intentionally or accidental.
★ Can my character bring along their pet/companion?
A pet is any creature capable of existing independently from the character, such as regular dogs or even Pokémon Characters will arrive on their own without their pets and other creatures; these can be regained through the Spoons page.
Animals or companions that are directly connected to the character or are part of the character, and that would not be able to exist without the character (for example, a daemon) do not need to be purchased. Those would fall under "abilities".
★ Where is this happening?
Welcome to the mythical realm of Folkmore. Folkmore is a realm built by the Fox who brought you here. This land is split into different areas with drastically different environments. The idea is to provide characters a well-rounded worldly experience! Or at least that's what the Fox says.
★ So how can my character leave?
Surprising no one...They can't! The realm is surrounded by a barrier above the clouds. Trying to leave through flight, time-travel, dimensional-hopping, or other means won't work. You'll just pass out trying and wake up wherever your body fell. Careful! Some people die trying!
Characters cannot intentionally leave. The Fox claims one can leave when they finally reach their "full potential" but considering no one actually knows what that means, it's pretty much a way to pacify people who are antsy to get back home.
★ In speaking of home...What will my characters know about the homes they have left behind?
They will be assured by the Fox that their worlds are safe and continuing on with a version of themselves still taking care of everything! Characters are informed that they can be present in multiple places at once and the Fox merely snatched up an iteration of them that was available.
★ Who IS the Fox? Is she a god?
She's bigger than a god: she's an entity and a concept of chaos and universal balance. She functions as a highly intelligent, omnipresent being who typically manifests in the shape of a fox. But occasionally, you can catch her in her human form when she is teaching at one of the schools or making a public appearance. She looks a lot like Taylor Swift in her human form.
The Fox is sometimes referred to as "Thirteen" due to her love of the number and belief that it is the ultimate lucky number. Thirteen is neither good nor bad as she has the moral functionality of a fox...This means she's not especially moved by the same motives humans would be. Don't expect compassion or cruelty. Her main goal here is to test characters, play games with them, and get them to be better versions of themselves.
Thirteen can present herself in a variety of "personas" and seems to enjoy putting on a performance with invented personalities and characters so she can fit whatever lesson she is trying to teach or embody certain emotions and experiences.
Thirteen seems to have companions just like her that occasionally visit the world of Folkmore and bring their own challenges along! So watch out. No one really knows where Thirteen comes from, not even Thirteen herself! She will claim that she has simply "always existed" and doesn't seem too interested in understanding her own existence beyond that.
★ How does time work in this place?
Just like ours. The game generally runs on EST. This is a 1:1 day ratio. The months and weekdays are the same as ours.
★ What is the weather and seasons change like?
Depends on where in Folkmore you are! Cruel Summer never has winter, but hop over to Willow and you'll experience all four seasons. More information is available on our Locations page.
★ What kind of technology can we expect in this world?
Technology just like our own! While this world is heavily based on old-world mythology, legends, and folklore, we like to acknowledge contemporary folklore just as much as old. This world has all the aesthetics of a Studio Ghibli production with the presence of advanced technology. Most of the technology has been adjusted to fit the aesthetics of the world better, but otherwise functions the same (for the most part.)
★ What do you mean 'for the most part?' What's the Power of Lore?
This world runs on what is known as the Power of Lore. The Power of Lore is the willingness to believe in your immediate surroundings and connects to the sentience of characters pulled into Folkmore. "Lore" is considered the general energy pumping throughout Folkmore that keeps the entire realm running. Without it, Folkmore and all of your characters would cease to exist!
Lore is the energy that can be hyperfocused and is what is gathered into Spoons and used to purchase items in the game. It also functions as the source behind the communication devices and helps bring characters into Folkmore. The physical appearance of Lore looks like glittering gold light and can be seen when spending spoons. It has no odor and is weightless. All characters generate Lore as do their surroundings.
Characters who are self-aware will be able to feel this Lore as tickling energy and may be able to feel the exchange of Lore between spoons. It's a bit like your heart fluttering about in your chest. Kind of weird, but completely harmless.
Lore is basically like this world's oxygen, electricity, and atoms all in one! Spoons are currently the only item that can collect Lore.
★ What kind of media is available in this world?
Anything they would expect to find from their own worlds will appear on the phones! However, for other characters to see the same thing, they first must be told about it.
For example, Character A comes from a universe where Lord of the Rings exist but Character B does not. Character A would be able to find Lord of the Rings to watch. Character A must tell Character B about Lord of the Rings in order to have it appear on Character B's device.
Basically, anything can exist, your characters just need to talk to each other about stuff.
★ How does the network function? Can it be hacked?
The network is known as
All posts can be made public or private by tapping on an "eye" icon at the bottom of the page.
Characters' devices can be hacked through advanced hacking skills or magical/advanced tech interference.
★ How do characters get housing?
You can go about this anyway, really. Either your character finds a place to live when they arrive or they are randomly assigned a home by the Fox and provided keys. Rent doesn't really exist in Folkmore and characters are allowed to move into whatever empty homes are available.
The only "purchasing" of homes required is for unique homes such as magical homes or other examples that can be read about on our Spoons page.
★ What kind of flora and fauna can be found in Folkmore?
Everything! No, really. Everything. The realm is designed to replicate real-world environments to create an organic experience for characters. Any animal that currently exists on our planet (no extinct animals) can be found in the appropriate sections of Folkmore. This means polar bears probably won't be found in Cruel Summer. The animals seem to slip in and out of existing in this realm so that they do not overwhelm the setting. They act a bit like generated animal NPCs in a video game.
The rarer the animal is in our real world, the rarer it will be for your character to come across one...But it isn't impossible!
The same goes for plant life. Any plant can be found! Some more easily than others.
As far as mythological plants and creatures go? You can find some magical plants and creatures throughout Folkmore! Some are concentrated in specific areas like fairies in Willow. It can be assumed that the non-applicable mystical creatures from Studio Ghibli movies are all throughout Folkmore such as the kodamas and general spirit-like creatures seen in Spirited Away like No-Face and the River Spirit. Folkmore feels like a magical place and can be treated as such.
There will be an abundance of mystical creatures and plants that make visits in Folkmore during Trials.
★ What is the main form of currency?
Spoons! They contain the power of Lore gathered from interactions between characters. This energy is concentrated into your character's personal spoon automatically and can be spent on goods and services. Your spoons equal out to how active you are in-game! 1 tag from you = 1 spoon.
Characters can exchange other goods as payment, such as offering to sew something for someone to cook them something, but generally speaking, spoons are the most valuable form of currency in this world.
It can be assumed your character has enough basic interactions to pay for food/simple clothing/supplies. If we ever feel players are taking advantage of the system, we will reach out and request some proof of spoons.
★ Do characters need to have jobs then?
Not really! The game focuses much more on enhancing character abilities/skills and emphasizes their connections to other characters. It literally pays to be social here!
However, characters can open shops which are player-created, character-owned businesses. You can theoretically open any type of shop as long as it is realistic to the section (ie; you probably can't successfully grow avocados in Wintermute!). Since this world contains all of the natural resources our world does, then your character could theoretically run any type of business you would see in our own world.
Characters can also get jobs at locations throughout the game whether it's to be a teacher at one of the schools, a full-time student, or work as a waitress at the Catfe! This is an incredibly flexible system.
If your character wishes to run an alien-tech/other-world goods and services, then you will have to gain their stock through the Spoons page.
★ My character isn't that social...Can they still gain spoons?
The spoon system is very accessible even to recluses! It takes a single interaction with another character to gain a spoon. This can include waving at them, saying hello, holding doors open, etc. Literally anything that involves interaction with another sentient being - which includes taking care of animals! If your character has a pet around, they will be able to afford all their basic needs without having to leave their house!
However, the more complex interaction, the more spoons they will gain. Petting your dog will only give you a few spoons, but having a full-on conversation or cuddling someone for hours can drastically increase your spoons!
★ Do characters have to attend the schools?
Not at all! The schools exist because the setting focuses on improvement - but characters can figure out their own paths to improvement that have nothing to do with schools.
★ How old does my character have to be to attend the school? Can my character teach at one school and learn at another?
There are no age requirements for students attending these schools. The schools are organized by skill rather than age.
Characters can teach at any school and learn at any school. They can teach while learning at the same school. Teachers can be of any age or any level of expertise. To look into being a teacher or student, check out our Schools page!
The Fox is the headmistress at all schools and she takes a different form depending on the school. You can read all about this on our NPC page! She will make sure teachers are actually qualified for teaching by virtue of just knowing your character. This does not include any interview process, but her omniscient knowledge.
In other words, if a Charmander went to apply as a teacher, she would simply gently boop him out of that position and tell him to try again later. But if Mewtwo came along and offered to be a teacher of psychic lessons at Baba Yaga, he would have no problem getting lessons together.
If you choose to have your character be a teacher at the school, you can invent their lesson plans and when they teach. Schools operate 24/7.
★ Is there a legal system in this game?
Nope! The entire game revolves around the concepts of "Good vs Evil" often seen in popular fables/fairy tales/folklore/legends and plays into the idea of the Good Guys taking the initiative to stop the Bad Guys. The Fox considers this to be a natural part of bettering yourself on both sides of the fence. The good side learns how to stop the bad. The bad side can learn how to get what they want and defeat the good.
Neutrals just have to deal with everyone else's bullshit.
★ What kind of religion(s) exists in this world?
None, really! It's a petri dish for characters! There are many shrines and altars dedicated to specific legends and myths throughout the setting. There is no defined religion and characters are welcome to practice their canon religion whenever/wherever they want.
The Fox does not consider herself a deity and does not expect nor want anyone to treat her like one. She would be perplexed by anyone "worshipping" her. Regardless, you will find plenty of Fox statues throughout Folkmore seemingly in her honor. Despite the indifference of her position in this world, it is clear that characters/NPCs throughout the setting have wound up treating her like something of a sacred being anyway.
Roles question
Am I overthinking the rigidity of the Roles, or is there some room for characters who vacillate and/or canonically tangle up the role qualities? Is this a case to pick one and play into the contrast of complicated character with a simple label?
no subject