Mods of Arda Marred (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
singing_arda) wrote2015-05-16 07:40 pm
singing_arda) wrote2015-05-16 07:40 pm
AU Guidelines
Thinking about playing an AU at Arda Marred? This guide is for you!
First things first, there is always ONE canon spot, and THREE AU spots.
Not sure where your character fits? Check this flow chart:
Right about now you're probably asking; "How different is different enough?" Keeping in mind that there are always special circumstances and "judgement calls" that have to be made for individual AUs, here are some examples of acceptable AUs and not acceptable AUs.
Acceptable AU scenarios:
✦ Legolas (AU) - Female - Is easy to tell apart from Legolas due to being female.
✦ Legolas (CRAU) - Missing limb - Is easy to tell apart from Legolas, due to missing limb.
✦ Legolas (CRAU) - As "Liam" a modern reincarnation. Is easy to tell apart from Legolas, due to personality change.
✦ Spock (AU) - Human instead of Vulcan - Is easy to tell apart from Spock, due to rounded ears and freely displayed emotion.
✦ Spock (CRAU) - Modified with visible bionic implants - Is easy to tell apart from Spock due to mechanical parts.
✦ Harry Potter (AU) - Death Eater Harry, Is somewhat easy to tell apart from Harry, due to personality change.
✦ Harry Potter (CRAU) paralyzed from the waist down. Is easy to tell apart from Harry, due to not being able to stand.
NOT acceptable scenarios:
A good rule of thumb: History alone is typically not enough. There should be a physical change, or change in personality.
✦ Legolas as Elvenking (AU) - Generally has the same looks and attitude, too close to canon.
✦ Legolas (AU) - where he wears different clothes - clothes alone are not enough to distinguish a character as separate from canon.
✦ Spock (CRAU) - Where he remains canon in looks and personality throughout, and a canon spot is already occupied.
✦ Spock (AU) - as a command officer instead of a science officer. Same look, same attitude, too close to canon.
✦ Harry Potter (AU) does not speak parseltongue. This minor change is not easy enough to figure out.
✦ Harry Potter (AU) as a Ravenclaw. Unless accompanied about a major personality change, is too close to canon.
✦ Henry Mills - As and adult. There is no canon information on him at this age, and "Adult to Child" and "Adult to Elder" are the only acceptable age up / downs.
Some "cheating" is acceptable in this way:
(AKA "I heard you like AUs, so I put some AU in your AU, so you can AU while you RP.")
If the non-canonical AU you created is not different enough from canon to be allowed, you can "tack it on" to another AU aspect of the universe. For example, Sadly, the ever popular "never died" scenario will not typically be acceptable as an AU in it's own right. However, if you incorporate the "never died" scenario of your AU into another AU that counts as different enough in it's own right, you can "piggyback" onto that AU with some extra minor changes.
For example, Thorin from The Hobbit in a "never died" scenario is not claimable, however if this Thorin is also a race swap he would be playable.
Legolas as Elvenqueen would also be acceptable.
First things first, there is always ONE canon spot, and THREE AU spots.
Not sure where your character fits? Check this flow chart:
Right about now you're probably asking; "How different is different enough?" Keeping in mind that there are always special circumstances and "judgement calls" that have to be made for individual AUs, here are some examples of acceptable AUs and not acceptable AUs.
Acceptable AU scenarios:
✦ Legolas (AU) - Female - Is easy to tell apart from Legolas due to being female.
✦ Legolas (CRAU) - Missing limb - Is easy to tell apart from Legolas, due to missing limb.
✦ Legolas (CRAU) - As "Liam" a modern reincarnation. Is easy to tell apart from Legolas, due to personality change.
✦ Spock (AU) - Human instead of Vulcan - Is easy to tell apart from Spock, due to rounded ears and freely displayed emotion.
✦ Spock (CRAU) - Modified with visible bionic implants - Is easy to tell apart from Spock due to mechanical parts.
✦ Harry Potter (AU) - Death Eater Harry, Is somewhat easy to tell apart from Harry, due to personality change.
✦ Harry Potter (CRAU) paralyzed from the waist down. Is easy to tell apart from Harry, due to not being able to stand.
NOT acceptable scenarios:
A good rule of thumb: History alone is typically not enough. There should be a physical change, or change in personality.
✦ Legolas as Elvenking (AU) - Generally has the same looks and attitude, too close to canon.
✦ Legolas (AU) - where he wears different clothes - clothes alone are not enough to distinguish a character as separate from canon.
✦ Spock (CRAU) - Where he remains canon in looks and personality throughout, and a canon spot is already occupied.
✦ Spock (AU) - as a command officer instead of a science officer. Same look, same attitude, too close to canon.
✦ Harry Potter (AU) does not speak parseltongue. This minor change is not easy enough to figure out.
✦ Harry Potter (AU) as a Ravenclaw. Unless accompanied about a major personality change, is too close to canon.
✦ Henry Mills - As and adult. There is no canon information on him at this age, and "Adult to Child" and "Adult to Elder" are the only acceptable age up / downs.
Some "cheating" is acceptable in this way:
(AKA "I heard you like AUs, so I put some AU in your AU, so you can AU while you RP.")
If the non-canonical AU you created is not different enough from canon to be allowed, you can "tack it on" to another AU aspect of the universe. For example, Sadly, the ever popular "never died" scenario will not typically be acceptable as an AU in it's own right. However, if you incorporate the "never died" scenario of your AU into another AU that counts as different enough in it's own right, you can "piggyback" onto that AU with some extra minor changes.
For example, Thorin from The Hobbit in a "never died" scenario is not claimable, however if this Thorin is also a race swap he would be playable.
Legolas as Elvenqueen would also be acceptable.