Post by Samantha on Dec 9, 2013 1:34:11 GMT
Got a nagging question about something in this little world of ours? Post it in this thread, and see if someone can answer it for you!
(If nobody can, some Rapid Discussion may have to occur between members of staff, to sort out the problem).
Answered questions will be edited into this post, so be sure to check here before posting a new one.
****
General Questions:
Q: What's the weather like? Is it always nice? Does it ever rain or storm?
A: Each territory has different weather patterns, often affected somewhat by their native Elemental. For example, the Ice territory is covered in snow and ice, and when it's not snowing or a full-out blizzard the air is still far colder here than in any other realm. The Light territory is often sunny and warm, and when it does rain that's more likely to take the form of a sun-shower, although full-on storms do exist on occasion. So to answer this question: the weather varies by territory, but within each there is at least some amount of variation.
Q: What time period is this role play set in?
A: Modern day (ooh, surprise!). However the Elementals, being ancient and all, probably haven't had much experience with modern weaponry, which may help to explain why the weapons which they gift their Riders are often of the older variety.
Q: What are the elven, human and dragon worlds, in relation to each other? Are they different universes, or what?
A: The elven and human worlds exist on different planes of reality. They are linked by the island where the dragons live, which exists on both planes and binds them to each other.
Q: How do the dragons and Riders communicate? What language do they speak?
A: The dragons in general speak Draconic, although the Elementals have picked up other languages during their long lives. However, the Riders which they choose are chosen for a very special reason: they have an innate ability to understand dragonkind. Within a few hours of first encountering dragons, they can understand them as they would creatures of their own kind. That is; they can understand their language and body language, just as well as you can interpret this in fellow humans of your culture. The Riders also unconsciously respond in kind, without even really realising that they are using Draconic. In this way, even Creations and Riders can communicate with one another.
Interestingly, elves are often a little quicker to "learn" the dragon language than humans.
Q: Are the human and elven worlds aware of one another?
A: In general, no. But obviously, many Riders return to their original homes; and some of them talk about their experiences and are believed. There have also been occasions where an Elemental has taken its Rider to visit the world that is not their own. Such visits might partially account for the elf/human hybrids.
Creations:
Q: Why can't Creations have children?
A: Long ago, they could. But in short; it led to exponential growth of the population (especially since some Creations would have more than one egg), which is never a good thing. In addition, some of the dragons which weren't Created by the Elementals began to think of them as little more than "old dragons' tales"; which did not sit well with some Elementals.
Q: But Creations can still desire to seek relationships, right?
A: Yes, of course. Creations are still capable of developing all the usual feelings towards other dragons, they just can't have children with them.
Q:When Creations are Created, to what extent do they know things? Are their minds like a clean slate and they have to learn everything, or do they already know stuff?
A: The newborn Creations know some things. When they are Created, some information passes through from the mind of the Creator, along with the Creative energy. The Creator does not choose what is passed on- the passage of thought is a far more random process. Let your imagination run free, when it comes to establishing what yours knows!
Q:Are the Creations "born" fully grown, or do they still have some growing to do?
A: This is entirely up to you- an Elemental dragon is fully capable of Creating both adult Creations, and those which have some growing left to do.
Q: How long can a Creation expect to live?
A: This is highly variable, a major factor being the amount of elemental energy used to create it. In general; the more elemental energy used to create a dragon, the longer it will live, provided it does not encounter misfortune!
Elementals:
Q: Why do the Elementals have Riders at all?
A: Not every dragon has the same reasons. Some might take Riders mostly out of tradition, without really pausing to think about why they do so. Others likely do so for companionship, and the chance to interact with someone who isn't of their own creation and hasn't known them for all eternity. Others still...well, look at Shendu. He has essentially turned Arceia, his Rider, into a puppet. There are a multitude of reasons as to why the Elemental dragons would have Riders.
Q: Do the Elementals have parents?
A: Short answer: no. In their current draconic forms, they arose from the Elemental essences roughly 20,000 years ago. However, they had previously existed as the essences themselves since the dawn of time.
Q: Who is this Shendu I keep reading about in roleplay?
A: Shendu was the name of the Ice Elemental, before his roleplayer disappeared. Therefore, applications were held for a new Ice Elemental. Anywhere the name "Shendu" is mentioned in the roleplay archives, it can effectively be substituted with "Viamor", as the latter now fills that role. Shendu's actions in roleplay are now attributed to Viamor.
Lesser Elementals:
Q: How long does it take a Lesser Elemental to mature?
A: About twenty years, give or take, to reach physical maturity (mental maturity may take a little longer). However, this is highly variable based on the combination of elements from which the lesser was conceived, etc.
Q: Can Lessers reproduce?
A: No. The mixing of two elements is a bit like hybridising two species of animal in real life: they are infertile.
(If nobody can, some Rapid Discussion may have to occur between members of staff, to sort out the problem).
Answered questions will be edited into this post, so be sure to check here before posting a new one.
****
General Questions:
Q: What's the weather like? Is it always nice? Does it ever rain or storm?
A: Each territory has different weather patterns, often affected somewhat by their native Elemental. For example, the Ice territory is covered in snow and ice, and when it's not snowing or a full-out blizzard the air is still far colder here than in any other realm. The Light territory is often sunny and warm, and when it does rain that's more likely to take the form of a sun-shower, although full-on storms do exist on occasion. So to answer this question: the weather varies by territory, but within each there is at least some amount of variation.
Q: What time period is this role play set in?
A: Modern day (ooh, surprise!). However the Elementals, being ancient and all, probably haven't had much experience with modern weaponry, which may help to explain why the weapons which they gift their Riders are often of the older variety.
Q: What are the elven, human and dragon worlds, in relation to each other? Are they different universes, or what?
A: The elven and human worlds exist on different planes of reality. They are linked by the island where the dragons live, which exists on both planes and binds them to each other.
Q: How do the dragons and Riders communicate? What language do they speak?
A: The dragons in general speak Draconic, although the Elementals have picked up other languages during their long lives. However, the Riders which they choose are chosen for a very special reason: they have an innate ability to understand dragonkind. Within a few hours of first encountering dragons, they can understand them as they would creatures of their own kind. That is; they can understand their language and body language, just as well as you can interpret this in fellow humans of your culture. The Riders also unconsciously respond in kind, without even really realising that they are using Draconic. In this way, even Creations and Riders can communicate with one another.
Interestingly, elves are often a little quicker to "learn" the dragon language than humans.
Q: Are the human and elven worlds aware of one another?
A: In general, no. But obviously, many Riders return to their original homes; and some of them talk about their experiences and are believed. There have also been occasions where an Elemental has taken its Rider to visit the world that is not their own. Such visits might partially account for the elf/human hybrids.
Creations:
Q: Why can't Creations have children?
A: Long ago, they could. But in short; it led to exponential growth of the population (especially since some Creations would have more than one egg), which is never a good thing. In addition, some of the dragons which weren't Created by the Elementals began to think of them as little more than "old dragons' tales"; which did not sit well with some Elementals.
Q: But Creations can still desire to seek relationships, right?
A: Yes, of course. Creations are still capable of developing all the usual feelings towards other dragons, they just can't have children with them.
Q:When Creations are Created, to what extent do they know things? Are their minds like a clean slate and they have to learn everything, or do they already know stuff?
A: The newborn Creations know some things. When they are Created, some information passes through from the mind of the Creator, along with the Creative energy. The Creator does not choose what is passed on- the passage of thought is a far more random process. Let your imagination run free, when it comes to establishing what yours knows!
Q:Are the Creations "born" fully grown, or do they still have some growing to do?
A: This is entirely up to you- an Elemental dragon is fully capable of Creating both adult Creations, and those which have some growing left to do.
Q: How long can a Creation expect to live?
A: This is highly variable, a major factor being the amount of elemental energy used to create it. In general; the more elemental energy used to create a dragon, the longer it will live, provided it does not encounter misfortune!
Elementals:
Q: Why do the Elementals have Riders at all?
A: Not every dragon has the same reasons. Some might take Riders mostly out of tradition, without really pausing to think about why they do so. Others likely do so for companionship, and the chance to interact with someone who isn't of their own creation and hasn't known them for all eternity. Others still...well, look at Shendu. He has essentially turned Arceia, his Rider, into a puppet. There are a multitude of reasons as to why the Elemental dragons would have Riders.
Q: Do the Elementals have parents?
A: Short answer: no. In their current draconic forms, they arose from the Elemental essences roughly 20,000 years ago. However, they had previously existed as the essences themselves since the dawn of time.
Q: Who is this Shendu I keep reading about in roleplay?
A: Shendu was the name of the Ice Elemental, before his roleplayer disappeared. Therefore, applications were held for a new Ice Elemental. Anywhere the name "Shendu" is mentioned in the roleplay archives, it can effectively be substituted with "Viamor", as the latter now fills that role. Shendu's actions in roleplay are now attributed to Viamor.
Lesser Elementals:
Q: How long does it take a Lesser Elemental to mature?
A: About twenty years, give or take, to reach physical maturity (mental maturity may take a little longer). However, this is highly variable based on the combination of elements from which the lesser was conceived, etc.
Q: Can Lessers reproduce?
A: No. The mixing of two elements is a bit like hybridising two species of animal in real life: they are infertile.