FAQ:

(Compiled from the help desk on the Discord Server)

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For guideline sake, what species can we not use?

The only restrictions on who can and can’t enter Sam Fransisco are True Fae and the Sidhe. Anything else is fair game!

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Do kindreds have a maximum age limit? and for any species in particular?

no age limit! kindred are immortal unless killed, fera typically have a doubled lifespan to their human counterpart unless killed, and for changelings it differs based on whatever you want to do.

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Do we still have shapeshifting size/height limit?

I trust y'all to use your discretion and not make kaiju to terrorize the city. reminder that the umbral engine is NOT foolproof, but it DOES track who breaks the masquerade if they manage to get through the veil.

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Is there a range for us to gauge what the umbral engine can and can’t conceal?

The umbral engine works as a glamour, so it hides the natural supernatural features of the awakened. ie, funky eyes, pointy ears, fangs, fur, etc. The umbra engine is tuned specifically to sphere-based magic (mage shit), and is tuned more generally to fera and other creatures from the mortal plane’s magic. Changeling magic is particularly hard to tune to due to the volatile and unpredictable nature of it, so changelings and other fae-aligned creatures are at the greatest risk of breaking the masquerade accidentally. Mechanically speaking, if you use a tier 1 discipline in public, the engine will most likely cover it up (unless it’s fun for plot reasons to not). Tier 2 or 3 discipline, you’re going to have to make a resolve roll to see if you break the masquerade (this is on a case by case basis because some abilities can be passed off easily as natural). This will be difficult to monitor so I’m hoping you will all use your best judgement. Masquerade breaches can be fun and spicy so don’t be afraid! However, there will be consequences, so weigh it before making a decision.

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What is the academy disguised as to sleepers?

A private very exclusive university! sleepers think it’s where rich and celebrity parents send their kids. Sleepers are not permitted on grounds, and there are some very powerful warding spells to keep them from even wanting to wander too close.

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Sidhe, noble and true fae aren't allowed but I assume faerie creatures are? Like little critters from the fae realm or even more faerie-like creatures?

True Fae and Sidhe are physically unable to enter the city, but changelings of all types are welcome. Any creature that originated in Arcadia, for our purposes, is considered a true fae and would not be able to get into the city. Nobody is sure how the gallain are getting in yet, and nobody is quite sure what exactly the gallain are yet!

Can i have silly pet for my oc?

Familiars will be purchasable from the shop. However if you just want a normal pet that’s fine!

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Can we have a hidden history/hide backstory for only the mods to see?

For sure! Feel free to keep it separate and hidden.

 

Do our characters need to adhere to realistic skin/eye colors?

Nope! but if your character has a fantasy skin color, they’ll need a glamoured form as well to blend in. The umbral engine only does so much to hide supernatural features!

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Can we can make up or suggest species too for the group? Would we need to make a doc explaining them, if so?

for sure! if you feel like you want to make a doc explaining the species, knock yourself out. most of it should be able to be explained in the application itself!

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Does your character have to be a practicing mage to fit in/enroll in Mercurius Maximus University? Or can they attend it like any other school, still learning about magic and whatnot?

Anyone can work at the university, but the departments of the school are divided into the ten spheres, so if the person enrolling doesn’t have an affinity for spherical magic they unfortunately won’t be able to enroll. HOWEVER, the tenth department (dedicated to the tenth sphere) is solely research-based and the head of the department has some… wild theories, so he would be more than willing to bring on non-mage researchers.

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Is the pan-fera confederation fera only or are they open to non-fera as long as they have the same principles n stuff?

They’re open to everyone! they’re focused on community building and awakened liberation, so anyone is welcome.

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How long has each faction been around?

Free Folk - since the founding of the city

Red Deer Court - 1800s

PFC - about 40ish years

Mercurius Maximus Universiry - 30 years

House of Gold - like 3 months

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But could a mage attended the uni for classes w/o being aligned with them as a faction?

Yeah I don’t see why not! You’ll have to explain how/why they’re connected somewhere else.

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What are the faction’s attitudes towards Demons/Fallen?

Red Deer Court: tenuous. as long as they behave themselves they’re welcome, but they will be kept at an arms length. After all, most kuei-jin are trying to not go back to hell.

House of Gold: the Prince is making a very big show of bringing in any who desire to join his court. So as long as they’re okay with abiding by the masquerade and camarilla laws, they’re welcome! (note: the camarilla looks down on allying with demons, but the prince does not)

Free Folk: if you’re cool with the lifestyle and don’t disrupt it, you’re welcome.

Pan-Fera Confederation: a little dicey. They won’t be openly hostile but may be wary. If you prove yourself to be an ally to the cause, you’re welcome in.

Mercurius Maximus University: wary at best, unlikely to allow one to ally or work within the university. they might be able to be convinced, but they’re mostly insular to the mage community.

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Do we have to have all our characters potential disciplines figured out at creation or can we only have the two tier ones established for now?

You only have to have the two tier ones established at creation <3

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Does mage uni have gen ed or is it a h*rry potter situation?

1) don’t ever mention that name in my group again or you’re BANNED. 2) no it 100% is that situation because mages are very stupid. there are courses offered in each department corresponding to each sphere - nine departments for nine spheres. there’s, like, forces 101 where you get a basic grasp on the sphere, but there’s also spirit 405 where you try to answer the question of if god is real or not. gen eds are electives.

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If a discipline enhanced physical strength/ability like giving claws and fangs, would attack be rolled with RES or STR?

Typically if it’s on your Physical Body, that would be considered strength. Ie, if you’re punching/biting/hitting, that’s strength.

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On the other hand, if the enhancement is more “biological” like poison, stingers, or vampire bite shenanigans, would these be RES or STR?

Any effect that happens BECAUSE of a physical attack would be resolve.

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Are those considered magical attacks, unarmed or armed?

Any attack without a weapon (magical or not) is considered unarmed, even if you’ve got claws/fangs/etc. a discipline or boon can be used to upgrade an unarmed attack to an armed one!

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Are we following hunter the vigil or hunter the reckoning lore?

Whatever one is cooler and works best for you. if I remember correctly the lore can coexist to an extent (but I am not an expert on hunter lore). however as of now hunters are not recommended as first characters, but they may be implemented later! They will be difficult to play and there will be story consequences for playing them but if you want to do it knock urself out

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How many years does MM Uni go for for a degree?

It’s a typical four year undergrad program and you graduate with a “Mastery Degree” of your sphere (which of course is enchanted to look like a degree in whatever the fuck you want it to be for use in the sleeper world), but there are post grad paths available to those who wish to pursue it!

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Does our character have to be affiliated with a faction at the beginning or can it be something they get into as time progresses?

I don’t want everyone to be unaffiliated, because it becomes a bit difficult to find your characters footing as a part of the overall community, (especially in terms of inter-faction relations and tensions) but if you can justify it and are okay with pursing a faction later, I’m down! And if your character works being a rogue agent, that could be something that can happen too.

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Would dhampir characters be allowed?

Lore isn’t gospel! if you want to play one, yes! It’s already been established that prince Dante has no qualms accepting thin bloods and dhampir under his rule.

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The factions aren’t race locked right so like a werewolf could be in the deer court or smth right.

Nah theyre not race locked at all anyone can be in any faction, the only restriction is the university - non mages can't be students.

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