How to Fill Out Our Application
[name/nick]: whatever name you want to give yourself, and not your character, for the duration of your POLYchro trials and tribulations. For archive purposes, please try to be consistent; don’t’ change nicks if you have already declared a particular one when taking other characters with polychromatic please understand, we really want your soul ;.;
[personal LJ name]: your eljay, again.
[other characters played]: try to aim for a [character name :: series :: characterlj] format. Please make mention of all your active characters. Characters formerly played at polychromatic or played in other games should not be referenced.
[e-mail]:
[AIM/messenger]: all messenger alternatives are welcome.
[series]: If you’re applying for a character that appears in several issues of the same creative universe [ DC / Marvel comics, we’re looking at you], please specify.
If your character is represented in a variety of different adaptations with differing characterization depending upon the comic/manga/book/movie/animation/TV show/radio book format, please specify which version you are applying.
We do not accept applications for character interpretations that mix various environments. Example: no applying a manga character with some anime personality traits.
There are occasional exceptions. In the past, we’ve made allowances for characters such as the two [manga and anime] Fullmetal Alchemist Wraths, who have very little in common in terms of character history, relationships and personality. If you feel this is the case for the character you want to apply, contact and ask a moderator. As a matter of courtesy, we will encourage you (and ask whether you have done so) to contact the player of the other version of the applied character, and get their opinion on how things stand.
We also do not presently accept applications for characters:
- that pertain to informal/associated works (works that are not officially connected with the canon of a series, or whose are not recognized as part of their timeline. Example: certain Star Wars novels.)
- non-canon AU (canon AU will require special dispensation, speak to a mod first)
- that hail from works of fanfiction/exclusive fanon
- that are clear Mary Sues/male equivalents thereof
- that have already been applied/taken within the game from a later/earlier point in their timeline (example: no Sumeragi Subaru from Tokyo Babylon, if there is already one from the ensuing manga, X/1999). While we have made exceptions to this rule in the past and some characters are still grandfathered in play, we no longer make those exceptions
THE APPLICATION:
[character]:
A. [character history/background]:
B. [character abilities]:
C. [character personality]:
We understand that a number of applicants benefit from online resources they can link us to; we welcome them to do so as a substitute for sections A and B. However, please keep in mind that if we find the provided information to be insufficient, we will have to ask you to fill out sections A and B for us anyway.
While a link to outside information might be helpful, we will have to ask that you nonetheless fill out section C for us. Please do not C/P from other sources, there’s a good chance we’ll find out.
If the character you want to apply does not have all that much information for you to cover these fields for us, please consider using the Original Character application for them. Apply in the adequate section, while clearly emphasizing in your application which facts are canonically supported, as opposed to being your personal input.
[canon chronology]: From which point of the timeline are you picking your character? Make sure to have this particular choice reflect on the rest of your application. For example, imagine you are picking character M of comic X, up to issue Y. If after issue Y, he develops a sudden personality change, we expect to see the old M reflected in your application. It’s essential to keep things cohesive.
[journal post]: [ALL applicants.] First person RP sample. This will help us observe how your character voice comes through in regular eljay posts.
[third person rp sample]: third person RP sample – for the logger in you!
For both samples, we encourage:
- strong grammar skills, and some TLC for syntax. Please choose a verb tense and stick with it.
always keep in mind who you’re applying. It’s very easy to get distracted and include the point of views of other characters, or to focus on them overly. Understand that the more you center on anything else, the more you detract from your applied character’s spotlight.
- introspection is key. When writing your application, you might want to answer some of the following questions: what are the main drives in your character’s life? What are the most powerful points of their personal philosophy? What would they never do? Who or what is the thing they most care for? What life event changed them? What is their ideal? What makes them who they are? [Naturally, you shouldn’t try to answer them all. That might, in fact, turn out rather ugly. But keep these issues in mind for potential inspiration!]
- try avoiding excessive amounts of dialogue or action. Unless it particularly shows why character X is X, a lot of action will only drive your application into anonymity. Likewise, it’s better not to incorporate overwhelming amounts of dialogue; this rule is obviously overruled if you have a definite voice you’re working with, and are fully confident that you can make it stand out. We want a definite feel of your character, and will therefore have to advise moderation with action and dialogue.
- if your character is especially multi-faceted or complex, please make a point of showing the various sides of his or her personality. Putting only one facet for display might mislead moderators into thinking that you don’t have a proper grasp of the character. If you feel that you can’t adequately portray the different aspects of your character in the same sample, feel free to provide more.
- we prefer that you not provide fanfiction excerpts for your application sample, even if it sometimes fits the app bill.
- please don’t write your application about character A from the point of view of character B, who is describing A.