Entry tags:
FAQ
FAQ
Westward
What's this game about?
Ever Westward is all about exploring the unknown and the strange. It is about finding things that are hidden and bringing them into the light. This is a game about discovery and exploration, not only of our actual physical world, but of the worlds beyond our grasp. It's also about ghosts and cryptids and aliens, and unsettling small towns and the vastness of the American West and what might be lurking in neglected places.
Where are we?
You're in and around the town of Westward, Utah! See the Setting Page for more information.
What's going on here?
Westward is at the center of a 'high strangeness' area and experiences a lot of what we would call paranormal activity. There's actually been a lull in activity until very recently, but now tears are opening in the fabric of reality and people are coming in from other dimensions. Strange creatures are sometimes sighted in the wilderness. Unidentified flying objects and lights are often seen in the sky. Other than that... that's for you to figure out.
Can my character go home?
Well... no one knows yet. Hopefully, yes. The more characters investigate the phenomena surrounding the town, the more likely they are to find a way home. So it's in their best interests to check things out.
What can my character do here?
Whatever you want! Your character can explore Westward and the surrounding areas, befriend locals, get a job, investigate strange happenings, and ultimately, try and find a way home. Basically, if you want to do something in this game, you'll probably be able to. You can treat this game as a complete sandbox. If you aren't sure whether or not you can do something, ask a mod.
Where will my character live?
Wherever they can! There's a hotel if you can afford it, and if you befriend a local they might let you crash on their couch. There's plenty of abandoned buildings and homes around, no one will make a fuss if you want to take them over. And if the weather's nice, you can always camp.
What is the event schedule?
Game-wide events (potential to affect all characters) should happen every other month. These events may be announced OOCly, but they may not. Events will be posted to the main comm between the 10th and 13th on event months. OOC sign ups/discussion will be posted after event logs/announcements are posted. Large events rely on player participation, and may not be resolved at the end of the month, depending on choices made during the event.
What are personal events?
Personal events are individual mini events that are focused on a single character or small groups of characters. These mini events can happen at any time, and will follow a choose your own adventure format, where there will be multiple choices and multiple possible outcomes for the character in question. Personal events will often include plot clues or hints. Players will be able to opt in for a personal event every month. Not every character will get to receive one every month, selection for participation will be random.
What about player events?
Players can create events whenever they wish, as long as they run their idea by the mods. Check out the Event Request page for more info. Player events CAN affect the overall plot, depending on their content.
How can I effect the plot?
By participating in gamewide and personal events, of course. All players are also encouraged to post to the Ideas & Suggestions page with any and all ideas they have for Ever Westward's plot.
Is there a network?
No. Characters who have access to the internet (via personal cellphones or other devices or public terminals) can of course communicate with forums, emails, instant messages and the like, but there isn't a traditional network like some games have. Internet communications can be posted to the main community journal OR on your character's personal journal. The latter is recommended for private conversations, but please remember that nothing should be considered one hundred percent 'secure'. If, as the game progresses, characters want to create a a forum or another type of place for online communication, a network comm could be created.
What's the Bulletin Board?
There is a bulletin board in Westward's town hall. Anyone is free to post announcements or advertisements on it. The board functions as in-character game announcements. Players are allowed to post whatever they like on it as well. Bulletin Board posts will go on the game's main comm and will be tagged with @BB.
What is activity like?
At the end of every month there will be a combination activity check/CR meme (So say, October's AC will be at the end of October). You will be required to link at least two (more is fine) threads from the previous month. Threads can be any length, there's no minimum number of comments needed for AC, as long as some activity is happening. IC inboxes can also be used for AC. There is no strike system, if you fail to post activity, you will be removed from the game.
Can my character die? What happens then?
Yes. Deaths may be a consequence of events or other character actions. Players will be offered situational choices if that happens.
Do I need to have an IC Inbox?
Yes and no. You can elect not to have an IC Inbox, but that may leave you out of the loop and will cut your character off from all communication that isn't face to face. An IC Inbox can cover: phone calls and voicemails, emails, instant messaging, and even letters or handwritten notes. The use of the journal-based Inbox is an important game mechanic. NPCs will contact players through these, and Inboxes can be used for activity.
How can I contact the mods?
You can pm the mod on this journal (
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ovid), use the game plurk (What kind of character can I app?
Whatever you like. Canon characters, OCs, CRAUs, player or fandom made AUs are all fine, as are canon OCs. You may also AU your character to be a native of this setting.
Can I app a character who is dead or otherwise incapacitated in canon?
Sort of. You can app a character from the exact moment before they die or are incapacitated. If the canon has an established life after death, you may app a dead character.
What's the character limit?
For now it's two characters per player. As the game grows, this may change.
Can there be multiples of a character?
Yes. There can be a CRAU version of a character, the canon version, a canon AU, and a Westward AU version of a character all at once.
Is there a character cap?
Yes. For now, the cap is at 50 characters. This may change. Apps will be perpetually open until the cap is reached.
Is there a canon cap?
Yes, and be mindful that multiple versions of a character can count towards the cap. There are some exceptions. Westward AU characters, Canon OCs and CRAUs do NOT count towards canon cap at this time. There are no caps on original characters. For now, the canon cap is five characters per canon.
What can my character bring with them?
Anything they might be carrying on a normal day. Weapons, electronics, magic items, all ok. High-tech devices may not work once your character arrives, or only work sporadically or with glitches. Magic items likewise may not work, or work in unexpected ways.
If your character absolutely needs a certain item or equipment to survive, they will be able to bring it with them with no caveats.
Can my character bring a an animal companion/familiar?
No. When your character arrives, they will be alone. It's possible their companion or familiar or other animal will be arrive at a later time.
My character is an alien/robot/monster/otherwise nonhuman, do I have to humanize them?
Nope. Your character will have a much harder time fitting in if they are visibly nonhuman, and may attract unwanted attention from certain parties, but their interdimensional journey will not alter them physically.
Will my character's abilities be nerfed or removed?
There is some element of power nerfing. Your character should have all the same abilities they do in canon, but they may have a harder time using them in Westward. They will find that their powers aren't as strong as they used to be, or that they become exhausted very quickly when they use them.
If your character attempts to leave Westward and the surrounding areas, they will find they cannot use their powers at all until they return.
Can characters gain powers or abilities?
Yes. It is entirely possibly that a transdimensional trip will give your character unusual abilities or powers. What they are is up to you (but be reasonable) and they follow the same principle as characters with existing powers; using them may tire your character out quickly, and they won't be too powerful without lots of practice. They also won't be able to use these new powers if they leave Westward. Characters may also receive abilities through the course of the game.
If you have a question not addressed here, please ask it below!