FAQ

OOC

What is Dinotopia?

Dinotopia is a series of books comprised of two picture-books, two novels, and sixteen young-adult novels, set in the mid-1800s. It was conceptualised by James Gurney. There is a mini-series and a TV show, but for the purposes of this game they’re supplementary canon only and don’t have any influence on the setting.

Knowledge of Dinotopia is not necessary to play in Dolphinbacked.

What genre of game is Dolphinbacked?

Dolphinbacked is what we like to call a fantastical mystery, or a ‘slice-of-life with consequences’ game. There’s room for slice-of-life play, but player actions will have a significant effect on the setting. How the plot unfolds will depend very much on what characters do, even if they do nothing at all.

However, the game’s premise is designed to put characters at the mercy of the setting. While it is not a horror game, you should be aware that mod-plots will not be optional. The game’s setting is on a small island after a cataclysm, and so there is nowhere for characters to run where they would not be affected by major metaplot activities. For that reason there may occasionally be uncomfortable content present in the metaplot, and the setting may occasionally affect characters without being explicitly attached to a scheduled plot.

We understand that sometimes haituses simply have to happen; in the event a player is on a haitus for the duration of a mod-plot, we're completely open to figuring out what characters may have been doing or how they have been affected in the interim.

Dolphinbacked is heavily prose-driven, with most interactions occurring face-to-face.

Will there be any mature concepts in this game?

The game is not intended to feature many mature concepts; Dolphinbacked is not a dark horror game. This doesn’t mean that mature concepts such as sex or torture cannot be played. The comm will be marked for mature content and you are welcome to play what you wish—as long as you warn appropriately, put posts behind a cut where needed, and remember that actions will have in-game consequences.

What is the IC to OOC time ratio? Is this game backtag-friendly?

The IC to OOC ratio is 1:1. Backtagging is also highly encouraged. Please note that all events will be on timezone GMT+10, or AEDT (Australian Eastern Daylight Time).

Due to the game’s set ending, there is also an OOC calendar. This is primarily for the schedule of mod-plots, so the players may anticipate important plots as well as see how their actions have changed the pace of the game’s ending.

Due to the nature of the game, any player-plots which significantly impact the setting or a large number of characters will need to be submitted to the calendar. There will occasionally be limits to how many player-plots may be run at once, if at all. This is to ensure that the mod-plots will be run on time and avoid pushing back the game’s finish due to lack of time or structure. (Mod-plots will always incorporate extra time after the plot is ICly over to allow for backtagging!)

More details regarding the calendar, how it works and how plots should be submitted are on the calendar page.

What characters can I app?

Most character-types are allowed in this game. However, some types of characters may require special consideration or will receive increased scrutiny during the app process. Please also note that, where applicable, only three versions of any given character may be in the game at once.

Characters which are allowed include:

OCs. OCs will be held to a high standard and be examined very closely.
Fandom OCs. Fandom OCs are defined as characters who do not exist within a canon, but are from the canon’s universe. Any fandom OC with any canon connection will be examined extremely closely, and in such cases we expect any affected cast-mates already in-game to have been consulted beforehand. A character’s never-met parent may be allowed, but a never-mentioned or implied sibling will not.
AUs. An AU is defined as a new universe created by a massive change in canon and must include significant justification for said changes. AU characters must be significantly different to their canon counterpart. They do not include simply playing from a different point in the timeline.
Canon AUs. Canon AU characters are defined as universes which are canonically alternate to the original. That is, Squall Leonhart from Final Fantasy 8 versus Leon from Kingdom Hearts.
Dinotopian characters. Canon Dinotopian characters are allowed. However, they must arrive as dolphinbacks from an ‘alternate’ version of Dinotopia, just like other player characters.

Characters which are not allowed include:

Game imports. While we’re flexible with the fourth-wall, we’d rather it remain mostly intact.
Dead characters. The forces that bring characters to the game are not capable of bringing characters to life. Dead characters must either be taken from a point before their death, or have been canonically resurrected in some fashion. Harry Potter’s parents can’t be apped post-death, because they never return in canon. Nearly-Headless Nick can, because as a ghost he has a definable presence in the living world.

Characters which are allowed only by explicit mod approval:

Native OCs. Native OCs are currently only allowed in the event a player character requires a Dinotopian carer (eg, a blind character needs a guide). Such characters will fill one slot in a player’s roster like any other character, but do not have to be played by the same person who plays the special-needs character. More native OCs may be allowed in the future, but in the interim the setting is important to the metaplot and will be under mod control.

If you are unsure about whether your character can be played at Dolphinbacked, please feel free to ask.

Are there limits to appable canons?

There is no limit to appable canons, though they must have been released for at least a week before characters from them may be apped.

Is there a limit on how many characters can be played from one canon?

Yes. No more than 10% of the game’s total number of characters may be from the same canon. This includes all AUs and fandom OCs.

How many characters may I app?

You may play up to three characters at any one time. However, if your activity begins to suffer unduly (that is, regular hiatuses with one character or another) the mods may approach you regarding how best to juggle your load. Similarly, if you are having trouble with meeting AC with only one or two characters, mods may question an additional application.

Will apps always be open?

Currently apps are always open, and our plan is for them to remain so. However, Dolphinbacked is not intended to be a large game, and if necessary we may put limitations in place in order to keep the game to a manageable size.

Do you allow app-challenges?

App challenges are not allowed at Dolphinbacked, but you may app a character whose reserve is expired or withdrawn, or whose application has been declined.

How do the activity-checks work?

Activity checks are based on a reward system. There is a basic activity constraint—that is, what you have to pass to stay in the game—but activity beyond that can earn your character rewards (or traumas, depending on your predilections as a player). Activity checks are posted on the first of every month, and last for a week. They only include tags posted from the first day to the last day of any given month.

The basic AC is:

two threads making up six tags each OR
an open post and one thread making up six tags (separate from one another) OR
two open posts.

Letters and simple notes do not count toward AC. Threads with NPCs do, provided NPC threads do not constitute any more than half of the activity offered. Subsequent activity should also display a preference toward player activity; persistent reliance upon NPCs (ie, three months wherein a full half of activity is from NPCs) may result in a strike. Characters who are less than ten days in the game can request a ‘Newbie strike’ which allows them to pass activity for the month, but they will need to pass next month’s activity.

Following that, you have a choice of activity bonuses. You receive a point for each one (or for repeats) on top of your basic activity constraints each month, and when you earn enough OOC points you can choose a reward. NPC threads do not count toward activity bonuses.

The following are the activities for which you can earn points:

an open prose post
a thread consisting of twenty-four of your own comments.
an ICly finished thread
tagging a character whom you haven’t tagged before.

Fifteen points means you may choose a small, non-essential or non-sentimental item to give to your character—something completely random. (Eg, a wrench. Or some batteries. Or even some petunias, if they want to liven up their room.)

Twenty-five points means you may choose a small, non-essential but important item from their character’s canon—or something they have coveted strongly but don’t possess. (Eg, a family heirloom or a family photo, or a non-working replica of Tony Stark’s arc reactor.)

Thirty points means you can choose a large important item from your character’s canon. (Eg, Tony Stark’s armour.)

Please note that although you may request a magical or electronic item, its powers may be limited just as individual character powers are. It will also be subject to the same constraints as contextless technology. You might request a radio, but that doesn’t mean it will have batteries to work. You could ask for a gun, but that doesn’t mean it will have bullets. And so forth.

If you receive an activity bonus, you will be alerted by the mods during AC; however, bonuses will only be made according to the activity you have offered during AC. All bonus requests should be made to the activity page.

IC

Is fourth-walling allowed?

Yes, but only with permission from the person playing the character you wish to fourth-wall, or from players of the whole canon (if the fourth-wall will occur in a public place).

Will my character be allowed to keep their powers?

Yes—to a degree. While characters with powers will still have the same theoretical capability, those with gamebreaking powers will find that their powers have become significantly weaker or outright unreliable. The same goes for technology. The exact nature of the unreliability is up to player discretion. Maybe the power or technology simply doesn’t work. Maybe it makes the character sick. Maybe it backfires. However you choose to limit gamebreaking powers, they must have significant disadvantages in order to enforce that limitation.

Gamebreaking powers specifically include anything which would ordinarily allow a character to leave the island, as well as limiting power-levels. Therefore they include:

any magical means to instantaneously transport off the island (though they can still transport around the surface)
powers of mass destruction (anything capable of destroying more than a building in one hit should be limited)
time-travel
futuresight
magic-based language translation.

Please note that there are certain types of powers which may open up metaplot opportunities—in terms of having individual events specific to the characters who possess those powers. In these cases, the mods will contact the players in question to give them more information.

If you’re unsure if your character’s powers should be nerfed, please feel free to ask the mods.

Will my non-human character become human?

Nope! And as Dinotopia is already well adapted to having giant dinosaurs around, unless your character is large enough to squash a city, there is no need to change their size.

Can my character bring their pets/pokemon/animal companions?

Yes—with limits. No more than two animal companions apiece, and they are subject to the same power restrictions as player characters. Also, they would need to have been with your character at the time of their canon point (and keep in mind that they will be submerged alongside them).

Which belongings can my character bring with them?

Your character may only bring items that are on their person at the time of their canonpoint. Keep in mind that your character will be swimming in the ocean; heavy objects are technically allowed, but your character will need to retrieve them through other means in the event they are dropped while in the water. This can include anything from befriending some dolphins to retrieve it for you or attempting to use tech or magic.

If you would like help with possibilities, please alert the mods and we’ll be happy to help you.

Will I be able to canon update my character?

No. Canon updates are not possible in this game.

What happens when my character arrives?

Your character will arrive in the ocean after having been submerged by water. It doesn’t have to be deep water; just enough to cover their bodies. Either they will make their own way to the shore, or they will be carried there by dolphins. Once they reach the shore they can either request the mods to be picked up by NPCs or find their own way to a township.

Once characters are known to be present on the island in some fashion, they will be approached to go to Waterfall City, where all dolphinbacks go for orientation. That said, theoretically, they don’t have to ... but your character may find it difficult to cope on their own if they don’t.

More information is available on the arrival page.

How do characters communicate with each other?

At the beginning of the game, there will be no network or any means of electronically translating languages. There are Dinotopian translators, but they are few, so your characters will have to come up with some alternate methods of inter-lingual communication.

This will not be the case permanently; there will be events to bring about both a network and a means of translating languages. That said, the network device will also not be widely available to the character-base in its initial stages.

Can my character get involved in Dinotopian society?

Yes! In fact, it’s encouraged. The Dinotopians want to see all dolphinbacks integrated into their society, and they’ll do their best to help you. For some ideas, you can see the Culture page. If you are unsure, you may always discuss any specific ideas you have with the mods.

Are characters provided with food and housing? Do they have to get jobs?

All dolphinbacks are assigned provisions and housing immediately after their arrival. However, this is only until they are acclimatised; after this time, they are encouraged to find other accommodation. They can barter either for lodging or someone to build them their own house. Jobs are not strictly necessary, but your character will be encouraged to find work increasingly more pointedly. Being useful and fulfilling one’s self are important parts of Dinotopian culture!

Can my character break the law?

Yes, but there will be consequences for this. Firstly, Dinotopians, while not unfamiliar with petty lawbreaking, are not at all familiar with more heinous acts such as murder. They would react to such with visceral horror, and while some may prefer to pretend such acts could not happen, others would bring the full weight of their authority down upon the perpetrator as quickly as possible.

Secondly, because Dinotopia is so unfamiliar with betrayal on such a scale, persistent damaging crime may have an effect on Dinotopian culture itself. Of course, that may be what your character is after ...

More information on Dinoptian culture in relation to criminal activity is available on the Culture page.

Can I kill my character?

Yes, but then your character will be dead. Dinotopians do not have the ability to resurrect the dead.

What happens to dropped characters?

To the other characters, they will simply disappear. Do feel free to investigate.

I want to run a plot! Can I do so?

Yes! Player plots are very much encouraged. Keep in mind that plots with major impact on multiple characters, on the setting, or which will require mod involvement will need to be approved by the mods on the calendar page.

How can I arrange threads with NPCs?

You can ask on the NPC page, or ask us directly via PM or on the mod-contact page.

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