Errata characters push the limits. Essentially, any character concept that isn’t one of the predefined races, classes, or that goes beyond any reasonable standard of power is an ‘errata.’ Does this mean you can’t have some fun with the more standard concepts? Certainly not. If you want to play as a variation of a normal race or job, that’s fine; in fact, it’s encouraged, since these options still offer rich roleplaying experiences and backgrounds and are on a reasonable ground. The line is drawn when inventing entirely off the wall races, special powers, etc. that your character is or has. Yes, this would include a Dark Moon Elf Vampire, just for example. This would also include any given character having the ‘innate’ ability to instantly form a super barrier around them, memorize the contents of a library, or pick up buildings with his (or her) bare hands.

Because it does take new players some time to adjust to roleplaying here at Aeon, we will not accept errata applications from players who have been with us shorter than a month. If you are new here and want to play an errata character, please read over this guideline anyway, and keep it in mind as you become a part of the community. When the time comes that you will be able to submit the errata application, you will have had some time to consider how you want to present it and how to best make it work.

Errata applications are submissions to the staff to recognize and validate things in RP that are substantially above the norm, such as non-standard races or classes, unique powers or items, and so forth. If you’re playing a character which is more than just a step away from the standard races or classes’ capabilities, you most likely fall under the errata category. Essentially, if you’ve got a concept that isn’t run-of-the-mill (and, just as importantly, is a good step above normal levels of power in roleplay), it most likely warrants an errata application. The best guideline is ‘When in doubt, ask.’ All approved errata applications will be posted both on the website and on the forums, detailing what a said character can do; keep in mind, while writing these, that everything has its pros and cons. Errata applications are submitted to the staff personally by the player, and have an ETA of 2 weeks for a response; during this time, the applicant should expect discussion with the staff to perfect the errata.

What it boils down to is the amount of variation and the details thereof. Of course we aren’t going to outright shoot your idea out of the water, that’d be bad form and putting a damper on creativity and imagination. What we will do is briefly discuss your idea, possibly offer suggestions as to areas that might cause problems, and if we feel that we’d like you to try your idea, we’ll request that you type a formal application for it so that the GMs can get a more in-depth understanding of the details and discuss it.

Once it gets to that point, you will be notified of your approval or rejection, depending on how things go during the discussions. If you are approved, don’t jump the gun just yet. It’s very likely that you may be asked to come into a group discussion with all (or at least most) of the GMs to go over any conditions or restrictions that need to be set forth. As long as all goes well after that, then congratulations, you’ve been granted the chance to make your idea known to the world. Keep in mind, however, that with anything ’special’ there is almost always conflict or criticism, and you must be ready and able to respond and handle it in a calm, civil manner. Your errata, however, will be publicly viewable to add weight to your credence should these situations arise; at the same time, they will also provide a basis point for others to act accordingly. If the problem is serious enough, you may ask one or more GMs to mediate the conflict and hopefully come to a compromise or solution.

In the event that a resolution cannot be reached, the GMs attending will have to provide a straight decision on the matter, which usually involves directly telling you or the plaintiff that the actions taken were incorrect, and depending on which way that goes may include a punishment. Depending on the severity of the problem, this punishment may range from probation to removal of ‘errata’ status and privileges, up to a temporary or permanent banning. So please, we want you to have fun, we do. But always keep in mind that things like this are privileges and aren’t to be taken for granted.

Please note that your errata, once approved, is subject to change at any given time by the staff (with prior notice and reasoning, of course). If it turns out a particular ability has ended in being too powerful, or an oversight has lead to unexpected circumstances, the staff can and will exercise the power to correct such mistakes accordingly. This will be attempted in a manner that is most conductive to matters IC, but carried out nonetheless. Likewise, you are welcome to submit edits and additions to your errata if roleplay demands it so and you feel that it is necessary.

To get an idea of what is expected in an errata application, check out some of the already approved applications in the Errata Forum.