The Archipelago Universe is a diverse, expansive, and complex setting that is similar to the depths of our world out of writing. From the miniscule components to the most established figures — there is freedom to write as you please in this setting. Remember that actions do have consequences. One has to agree for their character to die or be overruled by world owner discretion.
Archipelago is a world of a western and eastern continent, three major islands, and eleven smaller land masses completely surrounded by water. These regions have similarities and differences depending on which ones you choose to write in and visit.
Aspects of our world apply to this one, to an extent, but the same functions tend to apply except there is magic in this universe along with manifestations. The human race in this universe has subclasses based on magic. An average human contains at least some level of magic even if they are not able to use it. Education, bloodlines, years of experience, and many other options can broaden a character’s magical abilities beyond the imagination.
Pure bloodlines which are referred to as the “Pure ones” are families that have been in rule or power of a country or territory for generations. These individuals tend to be stronger in magic than others unless their bloodline was not a magic-user one. They tend to have specific abilities that cannot be found outside of the family tree.
Individuals or families that have recently come into power, less than five generations, are referred to as “Refreshers” since their territory is under newer rule or currently going through a change in power. They do not have the foundational magic that the pure ones have and they do not have specific abilities to only their family tree.
A manifestation is the literal manifestation of an individual's soul that you and others can interact with. The manifestation appears in the form of any kind of animal and is able to verbally communicate by words. They do not hold any magical abilities in the sense of spellcasting or so on. If someone’s manifestation dies, the individual dies, and it is extremely frowned upon to physically interact with someone else’s manifestation.
If someone goes around killing people, especially by manifestation, they are considered to be committing the worst crime imaginable. The majority of countries are all in agreement with eradicating individuals who harmfully touch others' manifestations or kill people in this way.
The countries that do not put these individuals to death are: The Duchy of Mavesland, Sagria, the Saberia Territories, and Weil.
The countries that put people to death for such a crime even in times of self-defense are: The Mardesia Empire and Baland.
Note: Manifestations appear quickly after birth or take up to the age of eight years old. Individuals that do not have their soul physically manifestate are extremely rare and they are considered dangerous. There are plenty of taboo views and superstitions around these individuals.
Magic subclasses
These are currently being worked on.
The foundation of this setting is to bring a complex and deep experience to each and every writer that is immersed into this universe. It will be formatted to a “sandbox” type of setting where people are given leeway. There are consequences. Characters can die in this setting by the character owner’s approval or world owner discretion. In the sense of any world with populations and structured communities, there are rules, and actions against those rules can have consequences.
Understanding the magic concept of this world is quite simple, in reference, do your best to keep a connection to realism. Answer all the what-ifs about the ability you are trying to introduce into this world. Every character sheet has to have the magical abilities that can be used by the character. A character sheet can always be updated because characters can learn more or advance through the magic they already know — grasping new abilities into their rosters. Each new ability to be added to the roster needs to be approved by a world owner.
What is encouraged? Socialization and connection is highly encouraged for this setting, inside and outside of character, so a character can be properly immersed. This is not a requirement, characters can be fully written with barely any communication outside of the universe’s setting — the more prominent you want to be. The more active you might need to be out of character.
Do not be shy about asking anyone to make a character that is a part of something! Are you interested in having a sibling or cousin to the family in control of the kingdom? Ask about it. If two individuals cannot agree on something, the world owner(s) will always be there to help. Are you not looking for a major role but want to interact? See if someone wants to “double up” with you and someone can write the human and the other can write the human’s manifestation. The possibilities can be endless on flexibility.
What is being sought out character-wise for this roleplay? Anything. Anyone. Any level of writer is welcome to join and put their two cents into the world. Remember to be true to your abilities — this only comes into play if you want a more prominent role such as being a part of a family in control or a character that might cause events to uproar. All of this is discussable and debatable.
When you are making a character, you technically have to make two — your human character and their manifestation [lifeforce] that is an animal. As stated above, two writers can share these to have more diverse interaction, if desired.
What is allowed for this role-play when it comes to characters? Almost anything. There are limits that are known and undiscovered. We recommend that you write a character in the way you enjoy. They do not have to be prominent in the world to interact and do things. Characters who are recently born to the age of six-years-old are highly encouraged to be NPCs/side characters, not main ones. Remember that children are children. They will not have the same abilities, proficiencies, or communication skills as adults.
World Owner @The Savant — Assistant World Owner @Vixere