Rules

1. Don't be an asshole.
I mean it you guys. This is the first and most important rule, and people can and will be subject to disciplinary action and/or booting from the game for failing to adhere to it. This covers, but is not limited to:

• Being rude, condescending, or disrespectful to other players on an out of character level.
• Propagating rumours and shit talk on anon comms.
• Being consistently ornery and uncooperative in interactions with the mods.

2. Be active!
That is to say, pass activity check. In fact, on an average month you should be doing more than the bare minimum - there is no numbered rubric for what this requires, but generally speaking you are expected to be a realistic degree of available to other players, special circumstances aside. Continuing to just barely slip by on activity for months on end is considered breaking this rule, and it is up to mod judgment at that point whether or not the character will be dropped.

3. Don't godmode or powerplay.
For anybody who doesn't know, this means to take undue narrative control over other people's characters, or to unrelentingly portray your character as impossible to defeat. This is a cooperative storytelling game, and so therefore you must cooperate with other players.

4. Don't metagame, and respect the OOC/IC line.
Just because you know things about other characters or the game setting doesn't mean your character does. Furthermore, what happens IC is IC, and in character conflicts should not get dragged into OOC conflicts, or vice versa. See rule 1.

5. Don't break the fourth wall.
Fourthwalling means to have your character recognize another character's canon. Since this is a memory loss game, I think it's safe to say that - for the most part - your character's recollection of the Harry Potter novels can be one of the things that stays tucked away. Exceptions can be made for characters that are pointedly very familiar with media pop culture as an important aspect of their personality, but both the mods and the players of the characters you'd like to fourthwall must be consulted first. The default assumption is always no.

6. Put stuff where it's supposed to be.
Put posts in the right comm. Put complaints in people's HMD instead of publicly on the anoncomms. Put your hiatuses on the hiatus page. Put your drops on the drop page. Use the correct forms when a form is given. Follow the instructions. Abiding by this rule makes things less chaotic and horrible for everyone.

7. Use it or lose it.
When you are given permission to do a plot, the assumption is that you will put it into action within the next week or two. It's understandable that life may happen and you may have to delay your execution further than that, but if you do, you must ask for mod permission again. Whether or not a plot is viable may change based on other events, and so permission for most plots can and will expire if you fail to act on them.

Similarly, in terms of plot acquire via events or Random Happenings logs, if you become unable to tag or follow through with the plot the mods withhold the right to go as far as retconning in order to hand the plot off to someone else. We try to be understanding, but if circumstances make you unable to move the plot forward at a reasonable pace it may be in the rest of the game's best interest to hand off the responsibility for that particular thread to someone else.

FAQ

What's the IC/OOC time ratio like?

1 IC day : 3 OOC days. These three days are roughly split into day, evening, and night.

What is Changeling: the Lost?

Changeling is a tabletop/LARP game written by White Wolf. It is basically a clever blending of various fae-related myths. It is very distinct from it's previous incarnation Changeling: the Dreaming, so don't get them confused. Typically gameplay takes place after the changelings have escaped back to their home world, but Changed will be a durance-based arc, meaning it takes place while they are still enslaved in Arcadia.

Changeling expansion Equinox Road says blah blah blah-

Don't care. Important to remember is that Changed is inspired by Changeling: the Lost and isn't actually intended to be played according to the book. Honestly, I haven't even read the entirety of the original sourcebook. You are free to use the books as personal inspiration, though.

I want to be a Treeblood.

Okay, but nobody is going to use the Changeling kith names because those classifications are pretty irrelevant in this game. Seemings have been simplified down to Possessions, Beasts, and Servants as far as Changed is concerned - of course, if the description of a particular kith in the books appeal to you, feel free to use them as inspiration and find a place they fit in Changed's structure.

What is this game rated in terms of content?

Changed will potentially contain a full range of adult subject matter, including violence, psychological and body horror, slavery and abuse related themes, and open sexuality. Wherever possible proper warnings will be given, but playing in this game will be acknowledging the likely presence of these themes. That said, please use proper OOC consent when it comes to springing these things on people.

Can your character be killed?

Yes. However, after being killed, the fae magic that binds them will gradually reform their bodies - after all, their master didn’t want his belongings being destroyed, and imbuing something with a soul makes it so much more durable. However, every time they die they will lose memories. The first time they will lose one, the second time they will lose two, and so on from there. If they ever drop to zero remaining memories they will forget themselves, fall back asleep, and be removed from the game. This character cannot be apped again, and as such all final deaths require mod permission.

Is there a network in Changed?

No, and there never will be. All the characters are living in pretty close quarters, after all, and there isn't anybody out there who feels the need to give everyone smartphones. There WILL be the opportunity to acquire magical nick knacks that will allow for limited one on one conversation at a distance, but those will be rare.

But I like networks. :(

They can be fun, but sadly they are not appropriate for this game. However, instead of a network we will have an action spam/mingling comm. Its entire purpose will be for open threads much like network posts, except its all in person action. It will also be used for stuff like posting notes on walls, leaving graffiti, and other nonsense like that. The goal is to capture the same casual tagging style as a network without the distance.

Do characters still have to eat?

Yes - they won't actually die without it, but they will weaken the same way they would if they were being starved to death, until they can barely move or function. Continuing to consume fae food is an important part of living in Faerie. Thankfully, at least at the start, food will be being provided courtesy of Mason, in the hopes of staving off rebellion. However, fae food is magical and consumed without producing waste.

So, fun fact: your character no longer poops.


POSSESSIONS

What kind of changeling character is considered to be a Possession?

Any character that has been turned into an object in the household collection - usually something that would have no sense of personal prerogative without having awakened. This also includes elemental forms, like being transformed into water, fire, wind, etc. If your character is the water running through a fountain, said water will stay in the fountain unless moved even if the water's spiritual self image is running around being a person.

So, you mean it when you say I can play a table lamp?

Yes! Or rather, you can play a person who has been transformed into a table lamp, and is now what you could call the "wandering spirit of the table lamp."

Does this mean they are in two places at once?

Yep. If your character's true form is a table lamp, this means the table lamp that is their actual, transformed physical body is present at the same time that their spiritual self-image is. This also means that their spiritual self-image is capable of picking up the table lamp version of themself and walking around with it.

That's pretty messed up.

I'm sure your character will feel the same way.

Can the physical object form of my character move around and do things now that my character is awake?

No, the object will continue to be stationary and/or follow its existing programming. Your character may be able to influence it in subtle ways, especially after regaining more memories, but there will be no walking candelabra in this game. Only walking candelabra ghosts.

What happens if a Possession's spiritual form is damaged?

Pretty normal stuff. The spirit will behave as if they've been injured like a regular person, complete with blood, wounds, and physical pain - the only difference is that they will not actually die unless their physical form is destroyed as well.

So, you can destroy the physical form of Possessions then?

You can. If the spiritual form is still around, then the destruction of its physical form will cause them great pain or unconsciousness until the object has time to repair itself. Since all Possessions are magical in nature, with enough time they will repair, even if the spiritual form is suffering. They are also more durable than average because of this.

However, if both the physical form and the spiritual form are destroyed at the same time, the character will die for real and lose memories as normal.

Can the object form of a Possession have been inherently magical even before the changeling in question awakened?

Yup! In almost every case, actually, the object will have been enchanted in such a manner that it would have functioned for anyone using it, even before the changeling became active. These are the powers that are often transferred over to the changeling's inherent abilities.


BEASTS

Can I be a dragon?

Yes! Beasts can be turned into both normal earthly animals as well as mythological ones.

What if my character is an alien/from somewhere that isn't earth? Can they be an animal from that culture's planet/mythology as well?

Also yes! But in the case of alternate culture's mythology there has to be actual precedent in your canon for them being a concept that exists in fact or fiction and not just something you made up.

What do you mean that beast are both forms at the same time?

This is some fae magical weirdness similar to the Possession's dual form. A changeling turned into a wolf doesn't ever really stop being a wolf - but the will restored by their memories allows them to reclaim a spiritual form of who they used to be. In a way, they are both at the same time, and which side they are presenting can change on a moment's notice. The spiritual form will still have some more subtle animal features though, like slitted eyes, or long ears, or claws.

Can their body die/be destroyed?

Yes - it is theoretically easier to kill Servants and Beasts than Possessions, but since the enslavement of your character’s soul is the important part, they will be unable to die completely and will be reformed by the fae magic binding them. Of course, like all the others, death causes increasingly dramatic memory loss which could result in them losing themselves completely. Also importantly, all injuries gained in either form will transfer between transformations.


SERVANTS

Can servant character have worked closely with their fae master?

Yes, but upon awakening the details of their servitude will be pretty fuzzy, like a dream. They will remember the things they were forced to do, but they won’t remember the play by play of daily life - how long they were actually enslaved will be unclear.

Is their body their real body, or is a spiritual one like with Beasts and Possessions?

Their body is actually the genuine article! It’s been transformed into the body of a fae, at least in part, but it is the only body they have.

Can their body die/be destroyed?

Yes - it is theoretically easier to kill Servants and Beasts than Possessions, but since the enslavement of your character’s soul is the important part, they will be unable to die completely and will be reformed by the fae magic binding them. Of course, like all the others, death causes increasingly dramatic memory loss which could result in them losing themselves completely.


THE CAPTURE

So what happened exactly?

A fae from Arcadia, a plain of existence higher and more unknowable than anything your character has witnessed before, has slipped into their world just long enough to kidnap your character away to their fae palace.

Why?

No one really knows why this is such a common fae hobby, but in this case it's because your Keeper in particular is a compulsive collector of rare things, including people.

What is this Fetch stuff you're talking about?

A Fetch is a clone of your character that is left in their place when they're stolen. No one else from their universe will notice the exchange, even if they were all standing around the moment it happened. A Fetch is capable of doing everything your character can do, including looking and behaving the exact same way. The only difference is that they aren't you - they are a magical construct.

This is Changed's way of explaining how characters can come from different points in the timeline without messing things up. It isn't just handwaved timespace nonsense - characters that are taken have literally been replaced with copies that will do everything they would have done in their canon if they hadn't been removed.

But my character had important stuff only they could do!

Welp, their Fetch can do it too! And they will. Anything going on in a character's individual universe is just children's play to fae like this.

What if my character's friends can see souls/auras/know the truth of a person or whatever?

They still won't know the difference. Even if the soul isn't there, it will look and behave as if it is.

What if my character's canon already involves fae? Would they know anything about this?

Even fae from their setting won't know if THIS Arcadia. This is a tier above anything going on in any individual canon, including their resident fae (as similar as they might be!) and any other sort of deity or supreme being.

Can Changeling the Lost characters be apped?

Yes, but they can't have already been a changeling. They aren't just going to get captured twice. So really, it amounts more to a custom OC that just happens to have a changeling concept already.

Does my character remember being transformed/brainwashed?

Only vaguely. It's a very distant feeling thing. More intense memories may come up later, though. The details of this are flexible, but ultimately not super important to the rest of the plot.

Can my character have tried to escape at some point during their slavery?

Yes. They obviously failed though, and they won't remember having tried to do such a thing. Not yet.



CHARACTERS AND APPLICATIONS

What kind of characters do you accept?

Changed accepts original universe characters from any sort of medium you like, as well as OCs. Canon AUs are allowed, which includes things like Davesprite from Homestuck as a canon AU of Dave, Leon as a canon AU of Squall, or Ultimate Spiderman as an AU of 616 Spiderman. Player made AUs will not be accepted.

There will be some leeway in terms of un-fleshed out canon AUs. For example, if there is an established AU universe in your canon that features all the characters but not all the characters were seen in detail in its appearance, we will accept headcanons for AU versions of characters without specific screen time based on reasonable extrapolations.

What is considered a canon AU?

There's been a few points of confusion with this, so it needs some clarification. A canon AU is considered an entirely separate universe that has the same characters, but is broadly different (IE Marvel 616 vs Ultimates) OR a literal alternate universe version or character that is caused by canon, in universe actions in a setting. That is to say, a future version of a character coming to the past and getting stuck there would be considered a canon AU.

However, AU's created by a simple change of timeline (IE character makes choice A instead of choice B) in which both character could not exist in the same universe are not acceptable. This includes apping both the young and old version of a character. Only one version of characters like this can be apped.

Why not? They have different personalities!

Because, in this setting, only one instance of that universe exists. Only one instance of that character exists. If they were stolen as a youth, they wouldn't be present to be stolen again in the future. Similarly, despite two different paths in a game being equally "canon", whichever one is applied for first will be considered the true one so far as Changed is concerned.

There is only one "real" instance of most universes in this game, unless they are somehow special in that regard.

Are there any age limits on characters?

No, characters of all ages are acceptable.

How much canon does a character need to be playable?

Very little. The only time a character may be rejected for lack of canon is if they are just being introduced in current canon and it seems like there’s a good chance much more information will be revealed about them in the future, to avoid having people get jossed. Beyond that, if your extrapolations and headcanons are reasonable, it will probably be okay.

I got rejected and I don’t know why!

If you are rejected and really want to know why, you may reply to the rejection email asking for clarification. We may or may not end up having the time to explain our reasoning, but the form email will explain whether it your app simply needs improvement or whether you should look into a whole new concept entirely.

If a character is dropped can they be apped again?

In short, yes. In long, yes, but since Changed is not a game where characters can casually drift in and out of Arcadia based on their player’s whims, there may be some housekeeping to take care of if you’d like to apply for a previously played character. After a character has been played once, setting wise there is only one instance of them in game. They do not disappear from the house - they simply return to sleep. Which means that if you want the character to have a different changeling form than what their first player chose, you will need to contact a mod to figure out how this change came about in a continuity sense. We will do our best to figure out something that works.

Wait, so, if I play a character for one week and then drop them I'll have ruined it for someone else?!

No, actually - I wasn't sure about how this would work until the game started, but it turned out it was impractical to add every dropped character to the Previously Played list. So, instead, characters who didn't end up doing much before dropping will not be added to the list, and in the future their first appearance will just be ambiguated/handwaved so that they will not be mistaken for the new incarnation. Characters concepts will only be added to that list if the character ended up being fairly notable in their stay, and if handwaving them would be a disservice.

Who decides how notable they are?

I attempt to, but if you feel like I've made a mistake, either by adding someone to the list or by not adding them, please let me know! I can't always tell how important a character is from my position, and I don't want to write anybody off unfairly.

Can they retain memories from when they were played before?

If it’s the same player reapping, then yes. If it’s a different player, they also have an option to remember some things from before they fell asleep again, though for the sake of easy continuity these memories will be much more muddled and dreamlike in the case of a new player.

If a Possession character is dropped, does their object form remain in playable areas of the house?

It may or may not, depending on the nature of their form and the will of the player dropping them. When in doubt, consult a mod.

How do you feel about playing two characters from the same canon and/or muncesting?

As long as you aren't apping characters that are lovers or best friends or something, the mods are fine with apping more than one character from the same canon. This, of course, is always up to mod judgment - but in most cases it'll probably be okay.

As for muncesting, we give zero fucks about that. It's completely okay for your characters to talk to each other and have a relationship, and you can feel free to thread that out or handwave it as you wish. Just as long as you aren't being super obnoxious about the elaborate interpersonal dynamics of your own two characters, we're cool.

On that note, how many characters can a player have?

Two is the limit at first. A player may be allowed a third character, but if only they are already exceeding expectations with their two existing characters. Not just meeting expectations, note. Exceeding. Which means that if you're really active with both your characters already you can have a third one, but just making AC isn't enough.


SEXY QUESTIONS

Can my character have been a sexual companion/slave as a servant, or anything else with a sexual theme?

Yes, your character could have been used for sex. Of course, this content is to be handled with appropriate maturity and respect. Failure to do so is adequate reason to have your character removed from the game.

Is roleplaying sex allowed?

Yes! You can feel free to roleplay sex, full glory, right on the comm. The only thing we ask is that you give adequate warning and tag content accordingly.

Is Changed a sex game?

No, it's just a normal game that's chill with sexual content. Occasionally there may be pointedly sexual themes. Basically, we are well aware of the fact that Changed's premise is potent fetish fuel for a lot of people and there ain't nothin' wrong with that!

Sexual content, however, will always be optional. You may feel free to partake as much or as little as you see fit.

Okay so I'm playing a Beast character with a dog form just how much dog knotting is going to be going on here?

As much or as little as you want. All we ask is that if you decide to play around with that kind of thing that you not shove it in everyone's faces and tag accordingly.

Can I be a rank creeper about it?

No.

Seemings

POSSESSIONS

Changeling who have had their physical form stolen from them entirely, possessions have been transformed into various tools and unmoving objects in a fae’s home. Everything from seemingly mundane objects like furniture to impressive showpieces masterwork swords and books of obscure knowledge can be spun from a mortal soul - often these objects will be enchanted, blessed with fae magic powered by the soul of the changeling inside, designed to help them fufil their task.

Sapped of all autonomy while enslaved in this form, possessions spend their durance entranced by their role. A sword only knows joy in being wielded, a book only knows being read. A fire only remembers unknown decades of burning. Sometimes their master may call on them to flicker more brightly or turn their pages, but with so many belongings to enjoy such a thing is rare.

However, when awakened, possessions take on an odd disjointment in form. While their transformed body will continue serving its purpose, their spirit will take a separate form that may walk free. Though this humanoid form is twisted to represent the object it truly is, it may move and think on its own again. But even as this spirit lives like flesh and blood, its true body is just as vulnerable.


BEASTS

Beasts are the captives that had been given the form of an animal or other creature for their durance, serving as anything from a pet, to a guard, to a beast of burden. Upon waking, their bodies take on a strange sort of duality. In Arcadia, things aren't as simple as shifting ones shape - beasts are represented by both their bestial and humanoid forms at all times, and which another person sees them as depends on how they choose to present themselves. Beasts can flicker from a man to a wolf in an instant, and just as easily back again. However, despite this flexibility of image, even when in their humanoid form, they are forever stained by aspects of their true animal shape.

These bestial markings can vary, whether they be talons, fangs, feathers, or just an unnaturally wild appearance. Some may be as blatant as horns or hooves, others as subtle as the slit eyes of a cat. Beasts can also choose to accentuate these qualities if it suits them, lengthening claws for a confrontation or bolstering wings for flight. The abilities that beasts manifest are almost always physical, representing the strength of the creatures they have become.


SERVANTS

The closest to themselves, servants provide services more typical to the average slave, and retain the essence of their physical form. That is, besides one small caveat. Like everything else in Arcadia, they have been tainted by faerie magic, and over their stay they have taken on aspects of the fae themselves. The flavour of fae varies greatly, as does the power they may come to possess, but the majority can be sorted into one of four key areas.

Fairest: Creatures of light, Fairest are known for their supernatural grace and beauty. The most noble and glamourous of fae, they are the image of the traditional sidhe or elven fairy, as well as things like pixies or sprites. Most of their magical skills involve manipulation and persuasion using their bewitching visage or feats of unearthly grace.

Darklings: As a counter to the Fairest’s light, the Darklings are creatures of shadows. Often blessed with exceptional stealth, nimbleness, and cunning, they are primarily known for their ability to hide both themselves and valuable secrets. Most of their fairy tricks involve subterfuge, trickery, and the ability to research and retain vast quantities of strange information for their fae masters. Some also have an affinity with the dead.

Ogres: Captured and abused by monsters, Ogres have become monsters themselves. Known for their large sizes and feats of vicious physical strength, their will to be anything but a brute is often worn down by the cruelty of their keepers. Most of their skills involve great physical strength and endurance.

Wizened: Often snatched from their homes for no particular reason beyond terrible luck, Wizened are the small, hardened workers of the changeling world. Trained to have nimble hands for skilled labour, their statures are frequently small and twisted. Employed as anything from a soldier to a cook, most of their magic involves enhanced skill at whatever they have been set to work doing.