Restrictions in EQE

[AmberDust 1,118]

(You can move this topic if its not on the right place)

 

So, recently, I made and posted a profile for a cast character (Discord) in EQE's character database, but it was hidden/declined because that specific character wasn't allowed. I figured this best be discussed publicly, since I'm probably not the first person this has happened to.

So, my question is, why aren't certain characters allowed? I mean, if they stick to their canonical abilities and personality, I'm really not sure why they can't be RPed. I thought the whole point of EQE was so canonical role players had a safe playground...but if we're cutting out canon characters, no matter how well/poorly made the profile is, it seems like its defeats the whole point of having to submit characters and be approved for RP.

 

So, I guess my question is--why?

Edited December 7, 2014 by AmberDust

[Troblems 5,618]

There's actually a lengthy list of what aren't playable characters:

• Dragons
  • Adult or older
• Changelings
  • The ability to transform into anypony, and sound like any pony at any given point in time is something that is too powerful for this Roleplay.
• Alicorns
  • The Princesses Excluded.
    • No, your character cannot be a prince or a princess.
• Sea Serpants
• Minotaurs
• Goats
• Cows
• Timberwolves
• Quarray Eels
• Phoenixes
• Hydras
• Manticores
• Parasprites
• Dracconequus
• Cerberus
• Ahuitzotl
• Cockatrice

Also, characters that are too powerful aren't allowed. You can find several instances where we've told people that, and have worked with them to get their characters approved: here are two I was able to think of off the top of my head.

 

However, you aren't interested in the irregularities of the section, and want what you want, so here's why Discord isn't allowed:

Right now the RP team is working on another project to improve the RP world as a whole. This is something that has been worked on in earnest for almost a year now, and most of our focus is on that. We've been working on changes for EQE, but they won't be implemented until PRP is up and running. However, at that point, Discord won't be a playable character by a member either.

 

Your argument that the princesses are quest powerful in and of themselves is correct. Here's where the differ from the villains (which for the sake of brevity, Discord will be apart of that group): They are characters who show restraint in the use of their magic, and have used it only for good. If you look at the people playing the princesses,  one is myself, another a staff member on leave, one has been played since EQE started over a year ago, and the final had to put in a lengthy RP prompt before being accepted. He had also played another character prior, just to know how he operated in an RP setting. All four are trusted members of EQE. We know that they won't abuse the characters they wield, and if they did there would be consequences.

 

That being said, back to Discord: He is chaos. This has been stated in the show. Right now EQE is basically a slice of life section. We don't want to implement massive changes until we can move over to PRP, where we will be able to better accommodate a character like Discord or Sombra or Chrysalis or whoever. 

 

That being said, the villainous characters (at least in the beginning) will be staff controlled as they are slowly introduced into the section. Doing so will admittedly be a large change for the section, and will change the current dynamic. At the same time it will be an exciting change, one that will offer a lot of expansion for what has been up until now a niche section that is limited by the players. We want to ensure that EQE keeps its ideals as it expands, and the RP staff is dedicated to making sure that all changes are what is best for the section as a whole.

[AmberDust 1,118]

I wish I'd have known this rule BEFORE I wrote out that whole profile!

It still seems unfair to me though. If somepony abuses their character, take it away from them--but a least give them a chance! I wasn't even planning on playing Discord. I just thought he was a necessary addition to the cast characters...He's no more powerful than the princesses, and, (no offence,) just because someone's a moderator, doesn't mean they're a better role player than anyone else...right? Doesn't mean they're more trustworthy.

Also, what's the point of making people write and submit characters if you don't trust them playing said characters? Like, I thought being able to write the profile was enough of a test to prove if an RPer is good enough.

 

I'm glad you're working on something else, and I really hope it'll more fair...or, more trusting. :/

Oh, also, if none of those species are playable, you should really take them out of the options list in the database...it's very misleading.

[Troblems 5,618]

Yes, well I wish you had read the rules, too.

 

I never said that if someone abused the character it would be taken away from them, I said there would be consequences. Nor did I say that the staff members were better roleplayers. Nor that people don't get the character if they apply for it. I think you should re-read what I posted, because I chose my words very carefully.

 

EQE cast characters are a commitment. A tier one character requires at least 3 posts a week to keep them. There are people who can't make the commitment. That doesn't mean that they can't participate. We offer the option to play OCs for that very reason. Tier one characters and characters we get more than one application for are required to write prompts. Just because a person can write an application doesn't mean that they can roleplay. We make sure that each person understands the character they apply for because some characters are more important to the overall plot than others. 

 

There are two databases, one for the normal RP section, the other for EQE. Here's the species list for EQE:

 

 

[AmberDust 1,118]

Please, I'm not trying to be aggressive. I just want to make sense of this. I ask that you don't take this the wrong way.

Okay...

You said earlier that we weren't allowed to play as dragons, but it's in the list.

Also, when I said " If somepony abuses their character, take it away from them--but a least give them a chance! ", that was a suggestion, not an accusation. Im saying instead of outright banning certain characters, you should allow them if the submitter's application checks out. After all, we already know they'll have to follow canon. If someone applies to be Tirek, for example, they'll have to start where the series left of with him--Cerberus. If they apply for Discord, they'd start in ponyville...etc.

And I did read the rules about posting Cast characters...but, admittedly, I'm only seeing this seperate "application" part now. ^^ Sorry for that misunderstanding, and thank you for pointing that out...it explains a lot and I wish I had seen it. -_-

But I still don't agree with the fact that these important characters can't be played--especially since Discord isn't even a villain. I mean, it's not as though RPing is a game that you can win, so I don't see how playing a powerful character is that big a deal. It's roleplay, after all. not D&D. :/ you play for the personalities.

Oh, also,

I know you didn't SAY staff were better role players, but you did say they were "trusted" and therefore allowed to play powerful characters, which I find the tiniest bit unfair. But whatever. I understand now that, for the time being, Discord isn't playable. I'd like it if you let me access the profile I posted though. I'll just copy it down for future reference, then you could delete it. Would that be alright?

[Troblems 5,618]

Dragons are allowed, they just can't be adult dragons mostly because we don't know much about them. That is something that is in the works for PRP. Also, Spike. There are actually 2 approved adolescent dragons, one that is RPed with on a regular basis.

 

As stated before we're working on the rule for EQE, but the change won't happen until we move to PRP. We're aware that they're too rigid, however at the same time EQE is a more rigid RP section. One that isn't for everybody. While there isn't "winning", there are rules that also dictate the characters in the show. Sombra was defeated. Chrysalis was defeated. Discord was defeated and rehabilitated. While it's possible that these characters will return, they have limited interactions with the main characters. Limited placed by the creators of the show. So yes, there are limits and rules and characters that currently aren't playable.

 

I also stated that two of the princesses weren't played by staff members. If you took superiority from that, that is on you. As for the two that aren't played by staff, they've held their characters for a long time. Celestia was acquired before I came on staff, but the other three I was part of the selection for. However, look at the application. It's good. Luna was awarded prior to Skycoaster becoming staff. Twilight Sparkle was chosen because Derplight Sperkle put in the best application for her. There were other applicants. Cadance's application took me a week to finish. Literal weeks. I started on her on August 21st. She was awarded September 18th. They are trusted members because their applications took work and dedication, as did the work to maintain the characters. All four have been maintained for quite a while.

 

Your application for Discord is viewable again. If you want to take that information down, go for it.