Getting Started

Welcome to Apros, a post-by-post fantasy equine role play game that is based in a public MyBB forum. Joining is available to new members at all times. Due to mature themes, we please ask that those under the age of sixteen (16) please refrain from joining. *This rule is liable to change at any point as we are currently under construction, and not open to the public.*

To ensure that Apros never experiences stagnancy, there is an underlying story to be told as the in-character seasons pass. Staff will aid the flow of the story through plot-related threads, control of some canon characters, and site-wide plots, though how these incidents play out is left to the control of our creative players. The intention of this is for players to be able to influence the outcome, and severity of how this will affect the long-term stability of Apros. There are things that are destined to happen, but it is up to *you* to decide how it changes the world when they're finished.

*How will you influence Apros in these historic times?*

* Frequently Asked Questions
* Main Plot

## What is Apros?

Named after the expanding city-state that our story takes place in, Apros is a fantasy equine role play game, focusing on post-by-post role play threads. We cater to *intermediate to advanced level* role play writers, who prefer to be in a space with a driven, dramatic plot.

This isn't an entirely sandbox-based game, instead coming with a plot with canon characters, crucial plot checkpoints, and an endgame intention. Players are asked to collaborate their creative efforts into intensifying the effects of the plot, and to add their own special touch. We offer only the structure to the plot. The rest remains under player control. *Some plot points may change due to in-character events.*

The equine residents replace humans in this world, and use advanced telekinesis to interact with their world. They are anthropomorphic, and humanized to the point of being literate, living in homes, wearing clothing, creating art and music, and having a structured society, along with an organized religion. Characters experience human lifespans, and use that aging system. Please visit the *Character Creation* page to learn more about the citizens of Apros.

The city-state itself is broken down into a metropolitan area that is the oldest, and fastest growing area, then the outlying countryside that holds small farming communities, and estates. Villages, such as Syma, have been annexed into Apros' control through military conquest of their neighbors. Farming communities tend to lack a name, having only but of a handful families, and their properties. Private estates can also act as the smallest form of communities in Apros, consisting of the owning family, their servants who reside upon the property, and their families.

Our plot tells the story of Apros in its golden age, and the eventual beginning of a new era. It is currently year 1364, in the second *historical era* of Apros. The militaristic city-state is experiencing a lull in mobilization, leaving an army of soldiers to expand their views without war to keep them busy. Trade has surged in the recent decades. New wealth is becoming increasingly abundant, and the social ladder to Apros' secluded elite is becoming accessible by any means necessary. For the full plot, and an idea as of how our plot aid works, please visit our *Main Plot* page.

#### Content Advisory Warning

Empty space waiting to be filled in with content advisory warnings as we flesh Apros out further.

## Available Canon Characters, Ranks, and Sects

Thinking about joining us? The staff team asks that new members please take an opportunity to check out our lore before beginning to build their first playable character to better suit our environment. While the differences between different levels of society, and sects such as *the Tenebre* aren't extreme, we expect players to have an understanding of the local culture.

For advanced, or established writers, we offer a list of adoptable *Canon Characters* to deepen your involvement in our story. A strong comprehension of our lore, and steady activity levels are requirements to apply.

*Confused about what's going on? Don't know how to jump in yet?* Please visit our *timeline* page to catch up with the current events so that your character can be further involved.

## Character Creation

Now that you've gotten acquainted with our world enough to decide to stay, it's time to create your first character, and get the fun started! For full details on everything you need to know to have your character accepted, please make way to our *Character Creation* page. The information given here is only enough to ensure you'll know the basic do's, and don'ts.

### Fundamentals

* Characters must be a species either from the Equus genus, or from our list of accepted mythological equine creatures. We are currently accepting *Equines, Pegasi, Unicorns, Kirins, Hippocampi,* and *Hybrids,* consisting of any two of our accepted species. This leaves room to welcome in mules, zebras, and donkeys as well.
* While a visual reference for a character's design is preferred, we accept characters as long as they have a written physical description that can be understood well enough to create a visual idea in the mind.
* An in-character age of **sixteen years** is the base line for introduced characters.
	+ *Looking to join with a younger age?* Ask an established member if you can play their IC-bred foal to receive this opportunity.
* We understand that it can be difficult to know who is your character without writing them first. Introduced characters are required to be able to provide at least **four** positive aspects, and **four** negative aspects to their personalities before being accepted, and must fit their history.
* Non-natives can now easily access Apros as their near-isolationism has ended with the new age.
* When it comes to mental, and physical illnesses, we ask that you please take the time to research before attempting to write them to be respectful, and considerate to those who may be experiencing that in their life. Staff reserves the right to deny acceptance of any character under this reason should we feel that the content is offensive.
* Trigger warnings, and content warnings are required for sensitive topics in character histories, and personalities. Staff reserves the right to deny acceptance of any character should we feel that the content is offensive.

### Character Designs

* We ask that your characters please be of a natural equine colour for their base coat. Exceptions for design aspects like flowers on the coat can be acquired through tattooing, but cannot be born with.
* There are no restrictions on eye colour. Mutations for multiple eyes past two is considered a *curse,* which is gained through failed dark magic attempts. Players can skip the in-character mutation gain by buying a pass in the shop, but please be aware that mutations can come with negative results from fellow residents.
* Hippocampi designs will have the natural ability to switch between land forms with four legs, to a sea-faring form with the typical finned tail. Mobility devices for characters needing them are immediately available upon staff character acceptance, in the case of any mobility-affecting disability.
* Characters can be *magically inept,* meaning that they lack the ability to practice any form of advanced magic whatsoever. This affects rank magic, personal magic, combative magic, passive magic, and all forms of magical abilities besides their telekinesis.
	+ *Worried about how your character will fit into the world without magic?* Please visit the *Magically Inept* page to read further into this.

### Restrictions

* Non-natives can now easily access Apros as their near-isolationism has ended with the new age. While backgrounds can extremely diverse, we **do not** allow histories related to being a god, fallen angel, demon, et cetera, and will be limiting the amount of ex-royalty/royalty histories.
* Please don't create equine versions of established characters from popular media.
	+ *Members are liable to punishment if you are caught with an accepted character who managed to slide under the radar while breaking this rule. No punishment will be given for acceptance attempts, unless it comes a routine issue.*
* Characters cannot start with curses, armor, large items, magical objects, magic, and companions. We do offer characters an opportunity to begin with mobility devices, tattoos, carved horns, and rank magic. Bypasses can be made with the purchase of shop items before joining.

## Joining Us

Now that you've read through our lore, and gotten an understanding of what you're getting into, please visit our official forum website where gameplay occurs to create an out of character account, and then your individual character account(s). Once your character's profile is filled out, submit an acceptance application in the designated area for staff to review, and accept your character into the appropriate rank.

*Looking to join our discord?* Join us *here!* We will be offering early members opportunities to be beta testers for the forum when it opens, in character incentives for their early support, and the ability to give their opinion to help make Apros as member-friendly as possible. Sneak peaks are a guarantee for those who can't wait to see us become a reality.

We are currently expecting a **fall/winter 2022,** or **early 2023** open date. Thank you for your patience, and support.