Character Creation, where do I start?

Here at the Fall we recognise that there are a lot of choices you can make due to the large and sandbox nature of the world itself. As such there are two paths you can choose from the outset (and don’t worry, you can switch between these paths at any time later if they aren’t for you) The two choices are GMed roleplay and sandbox roleplay, for further information please read on.

GMed Roleplay
GMed Roleplay stands for “game mastered roleplay”, that is to say roleplay looked over by one or more game masters s or moderators who will keep up with your characters and respond where necessary or sporadically to the actions they take. This for some creates a more immersive roleplay experience but can come with some limitations, think traditional tabletop dungeons and dragons for an example of GM rp, within the context of this roleplay shop the rules are slightly less number crunching oriented and more organic but if you are familiar with it it gives you a good idea.

GMed roleplay tends to be confined within a somewhat small area, this is to more easily facilitate action and consequence (not to say that if you do something enormous in the wider world there won’t be severe consequences but minor consequence good and bad is more likely within the context of GMed rp)

Within the Fall the GM zones are the Faction Institutes, these locations are specifically designed to put your character in contact with other similar characters and to give a basis for interaction, NPCs will appear in these areas for interaction and various prompts will present themselves in the form of events within the institutes or missions directly relevant to them.

The upsides are a more personal approach to interaction, more potential for conflict and relationships with other characters and more horrible things to keep interest up.

If you are new to roleplay or simply interested in some very hands on interactions, this is the place you would most likely like to have your character start out. This is possible for an experienced demon, nephilim or angel by having them simply live here by choice or circumstance, or to simply place a newly created/born individual here to learn. If you feel uncertain you can learn as your character does. You can always approach GMs to see if they can help you further any plans or ideas you might have.

The downsides to GM roleplay is that there are limitations on what you can do, your character is restricted to the assigned quarters in terms of living space, other characters may be able to impact or interfere with your character (though they will never harm them without permission in the case of players or kill them in the case of GMs) You won’t be able to be an all-powerful master of the area and will be subject to playing somewhat nice with other players.

Sandbox Roleplay

If GM roleplay isn’t for you the alternative is sandbox roleplay. This rp is very dependent on player initiative and imagination but offers a boundless amount of freedom. This type of roleplay involves the player themselves devising their character’s location, surroundings and interactions, potentially with the aid of a friend or two, this sort of roleplay builds and furthers the setting but might prove daunting for people seeking lots of interaction with other people. After all it can be difficult to justify bumping into another Host one has never met on another continent.

This type of roleplay is best for storytellers and worldbuilders and can in time build and develop new roleplay hubs for GMed roleplay if that is what people wish, it just takes striking out on one’s own. If anyone has any ideas for locations, missions and events like this, please do run them by the GMs and we will advise and give the ultimate yes or no on grand plans.

The upsides of sandbox roleplay is the freedom, it is possible within reason to create some minor npcs (parents/staff/humans and the like) to interact with on a personal basis for narrative sake (though these cannot impact other player characters without clear and explicit permission) There is potential in this roleplay to also write more freely without feeling constrained by “fairness” to others and explore facets of one’s character which might be difficult otherwise within an equal playing field.

The downsides of this type of rp can also be the freedom, as mentioned it can be difficult to have meaningful interactions when other characters have to have a reason to be brought into range of this sort of roleplay.

Don’t be daunted though, sandbox rp can be as simple as your character going on a trip from the institute, getting a job in the human world or purchasing somewhere to live outside of the institutes themselves!

In Conclusion.
I hope this was helpful in explaining the two veins of roleplay within the Fall world.

In short-

GMed
-Small area
-Controlled with consequences
-Enforced “Fairness”

Sandbox
-Large area
-Less controlled
-Can be entirely focused on your character and their story