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Organizations
May. 13th, 2023 01:05 am
Under Construction
May. 13th, 2023
Organizations
May. 13th, 2023 01:36 am
Organizations
Overview
Within Pumpkin Hollow there are a number of organizations that are both interested in helping you and that could use your help. While there are plenty of other organized groups such as Town Council or the mining company, these organizations play a specific functional role in your adventure. Each is led by an important member of Pumpkin Hollow society, has a specific ideology that they follow, and may even make you a member of their group under the right circumstances. Get to know them all at your own pace!
Sacred Roots Temple of Our Four Earthly Mothers
The temple belonging to Pumpkin Hollow's primary religion stands proudly at the center of town not far from Town Hall. The tall building deviates from the normal plank-and-stucco style of the local row houses and shops, all covered in ivy and decorated with sculpted tree branches. The stained glass window which sits prominently on the building's upper floor depicts the changing of the seasons spanning across a single tree. Inside is where locals go each Sunday to gather in reverence of nature and call upon the goddesses for their divine intervention. You're welcome and even encouraged to join in! Speak to Reverend Degas Clayton if you're interested. Go to the Temple
Pumpkin Hollow Historical Society
Often times at the surprisingly well-funded Greymare Library in town, one will see advertisements for meetings and parties being held by the Pumpkin Hollow Historical Society. This very social and exuberant research club is dedicated to archiving the history of the town and surrounding island. They believe it will lead to the discovery of the origin of the curse so that it can be broken, along with valuable information that will allow locals to better defend themselves against the darkness. At the helm of this ship is the gregarious Dahlia Leeds. Speak to her if you're interested in the group. Go to the Library
The Ocularum
Everyone loves the Temple of Sacred Roots, it seems. They are kind, welcoming, comforting, consistent. But do you ever feel as though their methods are lacking? Wouldn't you prefer something a bit more proactive about getting a handle on this dangerous paranormal activity? If so, seek out Neil West. The local dream psychologist and sleep therapist can be located most often in his home office near the outskirts of town. His knowledge of occult sciences is unrivaled, placing him at the head of a group of truth-seekers known as the Ocularum. Spend a bit of time earning his trust and he will gladly show you what he knows. Go to West Dream Analytics
Heretics of the Wilds
They aren't spoken of often, and when they are, it is in hushed whispers. The group of barefoot outcasts living in the forest. Only the goddesses know how they survive out there day after day. Little is known about them aside from the fact that they are a group of social rejects and philosophers who have turned their back on proper society. They are distrustful and elusive. It will take some courage to go that deep into the forest off the beaten trail, and some luck to locate them. Perhaps you will be rewarded for your fortitude with some of Elsie's unique wisdom. Or maybe you'll just have a trick played on you. It's hard to say. Go to the Gathering Tree
Death
Won't You Spare Me Over for Another Year?
In the sacred texts of Pumpkin Hollow's local religion, it is written that when it is your time to die, you will be greeted by the goddess of winter. She will invite you onto her black funeral carriage and take you into the afterlife, in her realm beyond the veil between the tangible and the spirit worlds. She will tell you stories of your loved ones, recount with you the history of your life, and ask you to tell her what you have learned. By the time the carriage reaches your destination, it is said that you will know exactly what sort of afterlife you have earned.However, for the last five years, death's carriage has arrived for no one in Pumpkin Hollow. The reason is unclear, but this strange phenomenon has both spared the people of Pumpkin Hollow from the island's curse and condemned them to it indefinitely. Whenever someone dies anywhere on Marrow Isle or in the dark ring of ocean surrounding it, they come back to life sometime later.
Should you die on Marrow Isle, you will become a ghost for at least 24 hours. During this time, you will be invisible, inaudible, and incorporeal to living residents and will struggle to communicate through normal means. You may be able to engage in rudimentary poltergeist activity such as moving small objects or seek out someone with a strong sixth sense in order to get your point across. If there are other ghosts around, you can also talk to them. After the 24 hour mark, you will return to your body at the following break of dawn.
Resurrection isn't without its problems. For one, your body will not be where you left it. You will return to life in a random place on the island and sometimes you will be missing personal items which may or may not resurface elsewhere. Additionally, you will have some kind of marking on your body that reflects the offending injury. How intense or subtle it is will vary.
Upon your death, please fill out the brief Death Certificate below! All that we need is your name, your cause of death, and your resurrection event. The last entry can be just about anything sufficiently inconvenient, such as waking up in a remote location, in an embarrassing or frightening situation, or without some of your gear. You can also say "Surprise me!" and a mod will create one for you. We have a few clever ideas up our sleeves occasionally!
May your lantern always be lit, and happy adventuring!
Activity Check
May. 13th, 2023 04:33 amActivity Check
Players are required to complete an Activity Check each month for each of their characters, both for moderation and in-character reasons.
Here is everything you need to know:
- HOW TO: To complete your AC for the month, please copy and paste the template from the text box below into a reply to the toplevel comment for that month. AC posts that are not replies to the comment for that month will not be counted and may not even be seen by a mod, as toplevel comments do not ping the notifications of the mod account. If you post a toplevel for your AC, you will be asked to redo it. If you have more than one character, please do a separate AC comment from each character’s journal.
- STIPENDS: Each time a player turns in AC, their character(s) will receive a stipend at a base rate of 100 Brass per month! However, characters with jobs have an opportunity to earn more and receive extra Brass for activity! (Details in the next paragraph.) If you do not turn in your AC, however, your character will not get any Brass for the month, and you will be placed on Activity Probation. Once submitted and approved, players will be asked to update their Bank Ledger with their new finances! BANK LEDGERS
- BONUSES: If your character took on a job around town any time before the end of the month, you are eligible to claim bonus AC on threads! Please read the following carefully, as this can get confusing: In order for a thread to qualify, it must have at least 10 tags (ostensibly 5 from you and 5 from a partner) that are dated within the month they're being submitted for. Toplevels do count as one tag. Threads containing multiple players can still count for AC as long as your character participated at least twice. Threads spanning over multiple months can be claimed for each month in which the thread contains 10 or more tags for that month. (ex. if you tag a thread 10 times in March and 10 times in April, you can collect AC for both months). You cannot claim more than 10 threads per month, even if you have more that qualify. You do not need any threads that qualify for bonus in order to pass AC. Laggards (characters without jobs) are not eligible for bonus AC. Base pay for bonus threads is 50 Brass per thread, which increases with Business Upgrades! Level 2 businesses earn 80 Brass per thread and Level 3 businesses earn 100 Brass per thread. Further details are found in the Shop Page.
- GROCERIES: Each time you submit AC, you will be asked to set aside your characters' grocery budget for the month ahead, which will determine how much money they have to use for food (or another approved form of sustenance for non-eating characters!) and other frequently-purchased essentials. For more info on the perks/drawbacks of each budget, go here and check out the options under "Grocery". We'll also list the prices in the AC form. Laggards (characters without jobs) are given food vouchers and do not need to concern themselves with this!
- DEADLINE: Activity Check for each month runs for the 1st-7th of the following month. (ex. Activity Check for January opens on February 1st and is due by February 7th at 11:59pm Eastern Time.) Grace periods and extensions can always be offered but only if mods are approached BEFORE the deadline! Any Activity Checks posted after the deadline without an extension will not be counted.
- REMINDERS: At least two reminders will be posted on our Discord server--- one when AC opens and the other shortly before the deadline. We may post more if necessary. We do not do individual reminders! If you are not in the Discord, please reach out to a mod for a reminder method that works for you and we will gladly accommodate.
- MISSED CHECKS: If you miss one AC, you will be ICly penalized by your character(s) not receiving a Brass stipend for the month and will be placed on Activity Probation. If you miss a second AC subsequently, you will be swept from the game and need to reapply before continuing to play.
- HARD MODE: Want to punish your character on purpose? Don’t skip Activity Check! Simply put the word “PASS” in all caps in the space on the form that asks “What did your character do this month?” This will create extra challenge for your character by causing them to miss out on their stipend by forgetting to turn in their survey, without you breaking game rules and risking getting swept. Note that players who elect to pass also cannot collect bonus AC. Passing is not an adequate substitution for a Hiatus.
Bank
Welcome to Magpie National Bank!
Here you can access your bank ledger via our Google Sheet. Both players and mods can view and modify this ledger, helping you keep your finances up to date! View the ledger here:
BANK LEDGERS
This is also where you submit special purchase requests. Whenever you want to buy something not listed in the shops, such as a custom item that doesn’t have a specified price, you will need to make a purchase request to have a price issued to you. Special items that must be acquired through the Shady Merchant can be requested here and purchased here. You will also need to inform the bank when you upgrade your home or business, change jobs, or start a new business!
However, for non-upgrade items with predetermined prices such as your grocery budget, you can just add them to your ledger without making a formal request. This also includes items with previously determined prices as found in the buyer's guide.
Have financing questions? You can ask them here as well! We are always happy to help.
AVAILABLE JOBS
overview
Pumpkin Hollow is a beautiful, tight-knit community built squarely on the spacious and scenic Marrow Isle. It has the makings of a flourishing town, but with a rather remote location and rumors of the island’s curse reaching the shores of the mainland, it’s gotten harder and harder to keep the town’s most important roles staffed. As such, Pumpkin Hollow Town Hall is offering lucrative start-up packages to anyone willing to help keep the town running and fed! Each job also allows for unique opportunities for events and investigation, so it’s a great way to keep your day to day life interesting.farmer
Description: Plant a seed, start a legacy. Farming is a time-honored tradition since nearly the beginning of time, and the backbone of civilization. Food shortages are historically one of Pumpkin Hollow’s biggest struggles, but there’s plenty of fertile farming land to be found--- all that’s needed is someone to farm it!Benefits: You are awarded a plot of land with some seeds, basic farming tools, a cart and horse, and a chicken coop with one chicken. Unless otherwise stated, basic food is always guaranteed at no cost. This is the only role that is given ground transportation at start-up! The cart is always the same, but you can pick your horse.
Drawbacks: You are somewhat isolated from town, meaning you have a ways to go if you need help with anything and will have to plan trips into town with a bit of care. Your basic tools will often leave you sore by the end of the day and can even sometimes break, so you will want to upgrade them once you have the Brass! Also, you are fairly susceptible to the weather.
artisan
Description: The makers of things that make life easier and more beautiful, artisans are valued members of society. Make a living from a craft you already know or hone a new one as a tailor, potter, weaver, blacksmith, carpenter, or any other manner of craftsperson, to help fill the town with useful tools, beautiful garments, sturdy furnishings and more!Benefits: You are given a home with a workshop full of all your basic amenities. You are also admitted to the Artisan’s Guild, which allows you to receive a discount on tool upgrades.
Drawbacks: Artisans’ lives revolve around their craft, and as such, your work will keep you fairly busy. You will have to go out of your way to make time for social gatherings and find it challenging to get away from work during daylight hours. However, tread with caution if you intend to spend much time out on the town at night. You’re more likely to run into trouble without the sun to protect you.
laborer
Description: Behind every great society is a bunch of underappreciated, hard working people doing thankless jobs to keep that society turning. Your work as a laborer may be behind the scenes, but never doubt its importance! Take on a role as a miner, railroad worker, construction worker, engineer, or factory employee to become a productive member of the community in its most literal sense.Benefits: You are given a nice townhouse in the city, close to your work (or in the case of miners and railroad workers, close to the trolley that will take you to work). There is no shortage of positions in this role, so you will never be without steady work, and your paycheck is always guaranteed by the company so you are immune to events that affect your livelihood. You are also right in town, close to shops and nightlife!
Drawbacks: Your work schedule is very strict and you will be hard-pressed to get a day off. Additionally, you’re susceptible to a higher rate of occupational hazards.
entertainer
Description: What is society without art to make it beautiful? To keep morale high, Town Hall is awarding charming apartments and a place in the limelight to talented individuals who can keep the town smiling. Positions as a fine artist, musician, or any manner of stage performer are open! This role also applies to individuals who provide entertainment of the “adult” variety. Such work is legal to practice in Pumpkin Hollow as long as you have a license from Town Hall!Benefits: You are given a lovely unit in an apartment downtown which does not require any upgrading to be very comfortable, and have complete freedom over your schedule. You are also prone to a somewhat lower rate of occupational hazards and may receive tips or other financial endorsements for your good work from locals!
Drawbacks: Show business is harsh--- this role is reserved only for residents who demonstrably (i.e. canonically) have some sort of skill in an entertainment field, or develops such a skill as a hobby first. Sex workers are the exception, but this role is only available to those over the age of 20. Additionally, you are more susceptible to livelihood struggles.
enforcer
Description: A most beloved line of work for anyone who loves protecting the weak and government sanctioned acts of violence, enforcers are the defenders of the law and the vanquishers of criminals. Take up work as a constable, mercenary, or guard to help keep Pumpkin Hollow safe and orderly.Benefits: You are given a home a ways out from the center of town, near a trolley stop but closer to the farmland, which is quite scenic and a little safer than in town. Being the long arm of the law yourself, you will find that sometimes justice is willing to bend for you, as long as you can justify the bend as being necessary to your work. Workplace supervision is fairly lax so you can get away with quite a bit. You may also have an easier time seeking information that might otherwise be hard to get.
Drawbacks: This line of work is not for the faint of heart as occupational hazards are not an if, but a when. Only those who are strong of mind and body should apply. You may also face difficult moral quandaries as your ethics and your esprit de corps are pitted against each other.
physician
Description: It is debatable which role is the most valuable in Pumpkin Hollow, but no one will contest that physicians are high up on the list. While death is impermanent here, it isn’t desirable, and with injuries and illness cropping up all the time in a cursed town, physicians are a necessity to keeping the townsfolk alive and well.Benefits: You have two options for your home; a house in the commercial district that has a clinic built in, or a cottage on the far side of town and a separate clinic elsewhere. Both have their benefits and are a matter of preference. Much like laborers, you will never experience a shortage of work, and you are an extremely valued and trusted member of society. Locals tend to trust you.
Drawbacks: You may be on call to work at any time of day or night, making for a hectic or inconsistent schedule, and you are susceptible to supply shortages which may force you to expense your work necessities out of pocket or give inadequate treatment. Also you can absolutely accidentally kill people and that doesn’t tend to make you very popular when they come back to life.
fisherman
Description: Set sail upon the crisp, dark sea surrounding Marrow Isle and cast nets and lines and crab pots to bring in a vital source of food for the town. It’s a lonely life, certainly not for everyone, but it is rewarding, in its way, and there is much to discover in the seas around this accursed island.Benefits: You are given a lovely seaside cottage, and a selection of options for your boat situation. While you can set out alone, it’s advised that you collaborate with at least one other person in the same role, or join a crew. Fishermen (which do not have to be men) are guaranteed basic food at no cost, and have access to dredging equipment which gives them a high chance of finding treasure, as well as unique clues regarding the town’s accursed origins which would otherwise be lost to sea. Additionally, fishermen are allowed a reasonable amount of shore leave, meaning that they can enjoy large amounts of time off work with no impact to their finances.
Drawbacks: The fisherman role is high risk, high reward--- the treasure, shore leave, secrets, and a nice home don’t come without comparable costs. Occupational hazards are commonplace, as seafarers are susceptible to a high rate of both supernatural and weather events that can be very dangerous. Additionally, much of your time will be spent isolated on a boat with just a few people. (Although this can be really good for building strong CR!)
laggard
Description: No one said you had to work. When you arrive, you are given a place at the Oak & Iron where your room and meals are comped by Town Hall, and there is no deadline to how long you can stay there as long as you are engaged with the community. Maybe you’re saving up for something special, haven’t decided what to do yet, or just want to avoid having to budget, but continuing to hog a room at the inn is always an option albeit not a terribly ambitious one.Benefits: No employer to appease or schedule to keep, no groceries to buy or questions about where your next meal will come from. Your schedule is completely your own! Spend it socializing, exploring, investigating, or getting up to no good. You receive a voucher for free meals for the month with your 200 Brass stipend each month, so make sure you check in!
Drawbacks: Your free meals and board are covered by Town Hall, at the cost of your community engagement bonuses. This means that in exchange for your easy living situation, you cannot submit threads for an activity bonus--- you just get the flat rate of 200B per month at Activity Check. This can spare you a fair bit of math, but it does make saving money more challenging. Additionally, because you’re living out of a room at the inn, you aren’t eligible for any upgrades and are somewhat limited in how much your space can be personalized.
entrepreneur
Description: Start your own business! Own a shop, a bar, a restaurant, or any other business in town that is completely of your own design, and live anywhere in Pumpkin Hollow you like. An ambitious undertaking that doesn’t come with any handouts from Town Hall, but you do earn the respect of the townsfolk for working hard and bringing something new and exciting to town. Bravo, you!Benefits: You are able to completely customize your business to suit your product or service, and you automatically are boosted to a Level 3 business, meaning you get 100B per bonus thread. Additionally, you can take on other players as employees.
Drawbacks: You must pay completely out of pocket for this role, and the price given to you by the bank will vary based on what it is you’re trying to create, but it will not come cheap!
upgrades
Some businesses such as farms, clinics, and fishing boats are eligible for expansions while others allow you to invest stock in the company to receive more back over time. Regardless of what the nature of the upgrade is, the benefits are uniform for the sake of simplicity. These upgrades can be purchased on the Bank page.Level 1 | This is the level you start at with any job, and it is free. It allows you to get 50 extra Brass for each thread above 10 tags you submit for bonuses. | Cost: None, this is the default
Level 2 | Improves your business space a moderate amount, providing more space, more equipment, or more sources of income depending on the business. Allows you to get 80 extra Brass per thread bonus. | Cost: 800 Brass
Level 3 | The maximum level, which makes your business space the most efficient and high quality it can be! Allows you to get 100 extra Brass per thread bonus. | Cost 2000 Brass
SHOPS
grocery
Instead of buying individual food items you can buy a menu of groceries that falls into one of three budget categories. The specifics are up to you, as the menus are meant to simplify your finances, but choose wisely! Your grocery budget is meant to last you the entire month and each category comes with its own perks or lack thereof.Basic | Consists of the bare minimum to fulfill basic needs. Some bread, some veg, and maybe a little bit of meat. This will keep you alive and that’s about it. May leave you still hungry or leave you susceptible to food crisis. Farmers and Fishermen get this automatically through their work in providing food. | Cost: 50 Brass
Bountiful | Consists of ingredients for filling, hearty meals and occasional treats! Enough to share with a hungry neighbor or get through a crisis without incident if you ration well. | Cost: 100 Brass
Lavish | The finest ingredients money can buy, fit for nobility or preparing for a feast. Fine selections of meat, fish, vegetables, fruit, bread, expensive spices, and sweets! Those who purchase this menu will be immune to events affecting food resources, can frequently offer food to neighbors with no cost to themselves (or host a dinner party), and once per month can choose to resurrect at home in bed if they die. | Cost: 300 Brass
upgrades
Interested in upgrading your home or business? Seek out a construction consultation, or become a shareholder of your business depending on what it is! All upgrades should be reported to the bank, but here are some listings for your convenience.Home Upgrades:
Depending upon where you live, you may be eligible for upgrades to your home! Ask at the Bank if you are not sure what home upgrades apply to you.
Small Item | Small personal items or pieces of decor. Applies to things that are handheld or easily carried by a single person. Available regardless of home or living situation and does not need to be reported, just add it to your ledger! | Cost: 50 Brass
Large Item | A piece of furniture or larger decor. Applies to things that can be carried by a single person with some effort or things that require a team lift. Again, this is available to everyone and does not require approval. | Cost: 150 Brass
Room Remodel | Allows you to modify a single room in a cosmetic way, such as painting it or redecorating with multiple items to personalize it.| 300 Brass
Home Remodel | Allows you to personalize and modify your entire home to make it more functional and personal! May account for minor structural changes, or incur more costs if structural changes are drastic. | Base Cost: 500 Brass
Home Expansion | Add a new room to your home! May incur additional costs if it requires specialty furniture or has an elaborate design. | Base Cost: 1500 Brass
New Custom Home | Want to build a brand new home from scratch, just for you, wherever you want it? The cost will vary, based on how much space you need and how fancy you want to make it, so inquire at the Bank for details! | Base Cost: 5000 Brass
Business Upgrades:
Some businesses such as farms, clinics, and fishing boats are eligible for expansions while others allow you to invest stock in the company to receive more back over time. Regardless of what the nature of the upgrade is, the benefits are uniform for the sake of simplicity.
Level 1 | This is the level you start at with any job, and it is free. It allows you to get 50 extra Brass for each thread above 10 tags you submit for bonuses. | Cost: None, this is the default
Level 2 | Improves your business space a moderate amount, providing more space, more equipment, or more sources of income depending on the business. Allows you to get 80 extra Brass per thread bonus. | Cost: 800 Brass
Level 3 | The maximum level, which makes your business space the most efficient and high quality it can be! Allows you to get 100 extra Brass per thread bonus. | Cost 2000 Brass
clothing
The clothing shop has a variety of offerings in different colors and styles, and are priced by complexity. The specifics of the outfit are up to you as long as it fits into the category you’re paying for, but a few examples are provided.
Simple | A minimal outfit in two or three pieces and basic colors. Includes shoes, and may include some basic accessories like suspenders and hats. Only a bit more fashionable than what you arrived in. | Cost: 50 Brass
Classic | A structured and functional outfit that is relatively durable with some embellishments. Includes shoes, gloves, and a neck accessory and/or hat if desired! | Cost: 200 Brass
Stylish | A quite fashionable outfit suitable for outings! Tastefully embellished and including any accessories you might like, within reason. | Cost: 300 Brass
Lavish | A couture outfit indicative of impressive spending, typically intended for formal events. If someone were to wear something like this on the average day, that person is either ridiculously wealthy or terribly gauche. Expensive fabric, fancy embellishments, and bold accessories, none of which are suitable for working in. | Cost: 500 Brass
Custom | Perhaps you’d like something much more specific that doesn’t really fall into the typical fashion of Pumpkin Hollow. The tailor may be able to replicate it for you! Put in a special purchase request on the post below and you will receive a price estimate based on how complex it is, comparable to the existing categories, as well as an estimate of how much time it will take to complete your request.
[NEW!] Winter Coat | The weather outside is frightful! If you would like to get just a winter coat that isn't part of a full outfit, they will range between 100 and 300 Brass based on level of embellishment. Feel free to send a special purchase request for approval!
miscellaneous
In addition to the standard fare of essential shops, the streets are packed with unique shops of all kinds. They carry wares like tools, weapons, pets, mounts, jewelry, trinkets, and more!For now, please submit a special purchase request to the comment below for any miscellaneous items. Prices for items that have been previously requested can be found in this buyer's guide. We'll add official listings for requested items as we determine them!
shady merchant
In a back alleyway of the commercial district there is an odd door beneath a tattered shop awning that is marked only with a red crescent moon symbol. Were it not for candlelight flickering through the dirty windows, one might assume it was abandoned. There is an "OPEN" sign dangling from the door knob.The banner strapped to the desk on which the cash register sits reads "CALLOWAY'S CURIOS" in hand-painted letters. The shelves are stocked with all manner of odd-looking, mostly useless things alongside a few specimen jars. Many of them claim to be good luck talismans but they just look like junk. However, there are a few things worth looking at here.
LAST UPDATE: 6/21/2025
LAST REFRESH: 12/13/2024
Blood Fruit | It looks a bit like a pink onion, but with wrinkled, translucent skin that appears to have a tiny network of bluish veins running just beneath the surface. It's a bit squishy and reeks of iron. A deep red liquid fills the inside of the fruit and rushes to its surface when it is punctured. The merchant claims they grow on a bush in Lockwood Forest but artfully dodges giving away the location. They go for 20B a pound, which is highway robbery for most comparable vegetables, but they're admittedly quite unique. "You never know what you might need some spare blood for," Calloway says.
Fire Spell Jar | Apparently great for dealing with Brutoks, this amber glass jar is filled with some kind of liquid, a hunk of carnelian crystal, and a bit of fabric that comes out of the top. The lid is otherwise tightly sealed with red wax. Instructions on the sign say that all you need to do is light the fabric and throw for an instant fireball spell. Use with caution. 50B per jar seems criminal, but it is magic, right?
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Amulet of Honesty | A piece of onyx clasped nicely into a golden base, Calloway warns that, not only will you not be able to remove this if you put it on yourself, you'll have to have someone remove it from you, but it will lose a single chain link any time you're less than honest with someone else. Do it enough times, and breathing will get a bit... challenging. Since it's still a nice piece of jewelry, however, he's asking 250B for it.
[ Requested by: Olivia Fleischmann ]
Automaton Warrior Figurine | Calloway assumes that this must be some sort of revered warrior from another place and time, granted how intricate the details on it are. What's more is that its posable, and it lights up! For an enchanted figurine, no less, Calloway's asking price is 200B.
[ Requested by: Deon Wilson ]
Beasts of the Waking Dream | A book, unfinished, containing extensive information on several creatures from a place dubbed the Dreamlands. If it were finished, Calloway admits he'd ask more for it, but is willing to "cut you a deal" by only asking for 150B for the tome.
[ Requested by: Arthur Lester ]
Bloody Journal | Scrawlings of a madman in a fine leather binding. Several pages are stained with blood. All the wisdom contained in it, however legible or not that is, is in your hands for 100B.
[ Requested by: Miles Upshur ]
Capricious Earrings | No matter how he tries, Calloway can't manage to keep track of these green earrings in one place. As such, the answer to him is clear: to sell them as single pieces. That's probably fine. 200B per earring is a fair price to ask, right?
( MOD NOTE: the Potara earrings, if causing fusion, only last for an hour at a time. Be sure to communicate how this goes with the buyer of the other earring and how exactly that all shakes out! )
"Charles" | A wad of flesh, with a large, fanged mouth on one side of it. Calloway says it's his "buddy" now, and demonstrates as he throws a little cracker to it, and it catches it easily. He has no idea what it's for, nor that it could be anything of note. Sometimes he gets "junk," and sometimes that junk becomes a weird thing you feed crackers. He'll begrudgingly part with Charles for 400B.
[ Requested by: Wilson P. Higgsbury ]
Cloak of Many Bats | An elegant cloak that, when opened, releases anywhere from 1 to 100 bats (feel free to do a dice roll for the Bat Value per each open), which will flutter away from seemingly nowhere. They do appear to be real, tangible bats, but Calloway's never managed to catch one to confirm. It's very dramatic, though! 250B, and you can have as many bats and dramatic entrances as you like.
Disconcerting Amorous Plush Toys | Two somewhat-humanoid plush toys, one orange and one pink in disquieting appearances, stitched together at the hand. Lovers, perhaps? Calloway isn't sure. He doesn't want to think about it. He doesn't even like looking at them, and the meager 100B price tag speaks to that.
Elegant Snakeskin Trenchcoat | A finely crafted garment of snakeskin, barely even damaged from Calloway's finding it! No enchantments to speak of, but what does one need magic for when the fashion speaks for itself? For such a luxurious find, his asking price is 300B.
[ Requested by: Daniil Dankovsky ]
Flesh... Onion? | Calloway doesn't know what this is, and he doesn't even try to pretend to, this time. It looks like the bulb of a plant, but it's decidedly meaty. If asked if he's tried to plant it, he'll quickly assure you that, of course not, he can't be out of work for a day, he's got a business to run. Even with his lack of confidence in it, he's asking for 100B per bulb, and there are 3 total.
[ Requested by: Wilson P. Higgsbury ]
Frog's Cloth | A long, wound-up length of plain cloth, which is reported to be able to snare targets with unparalleled precision. "Like frogs n' flies," Calloway remarks. "Thought about calling it Spider's Cloth, but there's already been too many spiders in here." He's asking 350B for such an incredibly handy tool.
[ Requested by: Hitoshi Shinsou ]
Intimidating Infernal Blade | Named as such because Calloway thinks he's seen demons with similar weapons, this weapon is a sharp, multi-bladed sweeping tool, certain to do some real damage to whatever it hits. "It's been too long since I did some perfectly legitimate weapon trading," Calloway reminisces. "Ahh, the good ol' days." For 450B, this blade can be yours!
[ Requested by: Beckett Mariner ]
"Lady by the Lakeside" | "I'm gettin' into art sales now, apparently," Calloway remarks. "Nice picture, eh? Real scenic, too." He doesn't know the subject of the photo, nor the location, but for this tiny piece of "art", especially with the rarity of full-color photos, he's asking 200B for it.
[ Requested by: James Sunderland ]
Mask of Many Voices | A half-mask and head-piece, all in one, that allows the user to change their voice to that of another person's. At least, so Calloway says - he says it's "fiddly" and "complicated." 250B, and perhaps you can figure it out with more ease than he was able to!
[ Requested by: Hitoshi Shinsou ]
Miniature Replica of a Useless Table | "If ya want a dollhouse to have somethin' that doesn't sit quite right, I s'pose." Even if Calloway can't discern what the object is supposed to be, it's a nice figurine! For 150B, it could brighten a shelf, or hold a small object poorly on top of it.
[Requested by: Beckett Mariner]
Perplexing Peepers | Plastic, rattling, and in an unreasonable volume, these plastic eyes topple whichever way you move them. Calloway keeps the box of them closed, because, as he's been quoted, "I don't like 'em lookin' at me. They're weird." 150B gets you the whole box!
[ Requested by: Max Maximum ]
Restless Orb | A shimmering blue sphere, egg, or perhaps a rock? Whatever it is, it occasionally teeters on its uneven sides within the basket he's put it in. Calloway isn't sure what it is, and he doesn't intend to mess with it too much to find out. No sense breaking the product, after all. Someone, perhaps with 250B to spare, will be willing to take a closer look!
[ Requested by: Drelasa Veloth ]
Staff of Serpentine Manifestation | Apparently, this magical rod has only one spell it can cast: it turns "sticks," extremely loose in its definition, into snakes. The process is irreversible. He warns that, if you use this on the house of a hated neighbor, he isn't responsible for any legal hot water that comes from that. 300B, and you can have as many snakes as you like!
[ Requested by: Anders ]
Unruly Crystal Gardening Kit | One of Calloway's "special" products, that he expressly leads you to a back room to see, where purple crystals accompany scorch marks on his floor. "Don't have a smoke beside even a little one," he warns. "But they sure are pretty to look at, aren't they?" Considering this handy product offers unlimited crystals, his asking price is an outrageous 800B.
[ Requested by: Sally Boyle ]
BARGAIN BIN
Sometimes goods don't sell as quickly as Calloway might like them to. He's not a beacon of patience, and small items that aren't moving are just gathering dust, as far as he's concerned.
For things such as these, he's created the Bargain Bin, a clearance section of sorts to help move some of his lingering stock. For information on the items, each name contains a drop-down with more information!
Battered Teaware
Tragically damaged before Calloway could get his hands on them, the teapots and teacups alike have suffered some losses to their structural integrity, making them poor choices for drinking. Spectral creatures seem to be attracted to them, though! There are two teapots and three teacups remaining. Each teapot is 100B, and each teacup is 50B.Book of Food Poetry
Several copies of a surprisingly long anthology of shortform poems describing food. There are over 200 entries. The book's pages are strangely stiff and spiral-bound, and have pictures of some entries. The book is entitled "The Cheesecake Factory". Each one is 25 brass - a bargain, he says, for so much exceptional writing. Two copies are available.Bottle of Stink
A bottle of foul smelling teal-blue liquid. The odor is something almost akin to mint, but awful, Calloway notes. The front label is damaged from where it was found laying face-down on the mud, but the text "TERINE" is still legible. The label on the back, however, is fully intact. It's unclear why anyone would want this. 25 brass, because he really just wants it gone more than anything.Canned Experience
A tin can containing disgusting food. "I tried one for myself," Calloway admits. "It tasted like dog food, but afterwards I got way better at bookkeeping and organizing for some reason." One can costs 100 brass, and there are two remaining.Collectible Bug-Eyed Homunculi
"Got a whole shelf of these little evil things. Look at them," Calloway complains. They come in a wide variety of assorted shapes and colors, and there are currently 15 in total, and each one is 75B. Do you recognize anyone among them? (Feel free to specify who or what the figurine is of when you buy it!)
Flighty Inkwell
A small, antique inkwell in the shape of a cicada, which can have its ink accessed by opening its wings. Unfortunately, judging by some splashes of ink around the shop, and the fact that the inkwell is now kept in a small box, it seems to have a bit of a mind of its own. Not to mention that surprisingly low price of 100B. Hey, it is a nice antique, though, isn't it?
Jar of Soothing Stink
Though the smell is strange and remarkably pungent, Calloway is pleased to report that this substance eases the ache of the joints like nothing else does, if you can get past the tingling sensation that comes with it. Each large jar bears a tiger on the fading label. There are 3 jars, and each costs 100B.
"Larval Parenthood" Moldable Clay
Strange, vexing kits that claim to allow you the joy of creating your very own larva. There are 3 available, and Calloway is asking a mere 50B for each, as he doesn't feel right asking for more for something you could feasibly "parent."Leaf Everlasting
A broad, vibrantly green leaf, that is unable to be ripped, never seems to wilt, and produces a strong gust when swung. It looks like it could be held at either end and used to glide, with how exceptionally strong it is! 200B for this leaf of many talents.Pendant of Purring
An elegant amulet depicting a stylized cat, accented by a lovely piece of cat's eye gemstone. When wearing it, it simply gives the wearer the new ability to express their joy, comfort, and calm through a feline purr, all for the low asking price of 100B.Scroll of Ultimate Ascension
Calloway will not let you read this scroll inside his business, and simply claims that you'll have to trust that it's worth the money. Has he ever let you down before? Don't answer that. 100B, and you can learn the secrets within.Sneaky Pajamas
Comfortable garments that are far a bit too tight and marginally overdecorated, as far as Calloway's concerned. They let you move around in remarkable silence, however! 300B for the full set.Story-weaving Incenses
Aroma-therapy? No, no. Calloway will assure you that aroma-story-telling is the newest experience to hit Marrow Isle, and these incenses, with the stories they portray in their fragrant curls of smoke, will show you exactly what he means. When asked what he saw, he'll report that the "world's saddest giant snake ate some poor bastard," and elaborate no further. It better be a worthwhile experience, for the steep asking price of 150B per stick. There are presently 2 total.Vile Potion
Metal tubes similar to the pocket tankard, but taller, containing an absolutely disgusting fizzy green liquid that makes the drinker go real fast. There are 10 in total available. 75 brass will get you a single tube.
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The shop restocks often, and the merchant adds new items to his lineup every time he finds something "mysterious and otherworldly" that he thinks might be valuable. If you have anything in mind you'd like Mr. Calloway to keep an eye out for, please make a special purchase request over at the bank! For past items, please see the log of sold items. (Note that you absolutely can buy items for other people or items other players have requested, but we provide notes on who asked for what so that there can be a conversation about it beforehand!)
player owned
As new residents establish themselves here in Pumpkin Hollow, they've opened up new businesses! Shops can be run by Artisans and Physicians out of their home-workspaces or by Entrepreneurs who pay to open up new businesses such as restaurants, inns, theatres, or other custom establishments. Some other circumstances can allow characters to open businesses. Here are all the current businesses owned by otherworldly immigrants to Marrow Isle.Infernal Arms & Armor | A blacksmith's forge owned by River la Croix, predominantly focused on combat gear. She can also provide enchantment services. She has two apprentices by the names of Ashwood and Sulana, both local elves.
Pinhole Printing and Binding | A printing press and book binding shop owned by Gerard Keay. He can print manuscripts into proper books or make copies of existing books, bind blank reams of paper into journals, and more! Additionally he prints the Pumpkin Hollow Gazette and supplies the newsstands in Downtown Hollow.
Blackberry Apothecary | A drug store owned by Sally Boyle. She makes all of her medicines with local plants and has an impressive knowledge of herbalism and chemistry. Additionally, her shop carries first aid supplies and "recreational" substances.
Various Medical Establishments | Several medical clinics have become available via newly-arrived doctors. Marrow Isle Health and Wellness is still currently owned by local physician Dr. Agnes Winterbottom but is slated to be taken over by Chris Freeman. The Finest Kind Clinic is owned by Dr. Hawkeye Pierce and occasionally doubles as a bar (a very unique approach to medicine, indeed). The Office of Dr. John H. Watson, M.D. is precisely what it says on the tin. First Aid, an "automaton" who can transform into an amazing self-driving ambulance carriage, is capable of transporting patience to any of these establishments in the event of an emergency.
Mipha's Grace | While not technically a shop, this fishing vessel owned and captained by Princess Zelda is the source of a fair amount of the island's seafood and is responsible for harvesting seaweed from the seaweed garden established by Jean. Several residents --- Jon Sims, Pomni, and Bart Torgal --- work aboard the ship. A seafood stall run by members of the crew can frequently be seen in the market district.
Velvet, Ambrosia, and Silk | A brothel run by Hikiishi Magne . In addition to erotic services the brothel offers singing and music, gaming tables, space for symposiums on topics related to gender and sexuality, and the services of noted chef Max Maximum. A magical barrier over the door bars entry to everyone under the age of eighteen.
St Arden-Sul Surgery/Butterfly's Fang Salon | A cosmetic surgery/tattoo parlor run by Sheogorath/Theodore Gorlash, offering cosmetic alterations both mundane and magical!
Hitchcock's Textiles | Owned and operated by Cal "Okie" Hitchcock III, this shop offers crafting supplies such as fabric, yarn, needles, thread, and unspun cotton, as well as a selection of fine blankets, socks, quilts and scarves. A perfect stop on any adventurer's quest for maximum coziness!
Because the only way for residents to officially make money is via Activity Bonuses, all transactions made at player-owned shops will have the expenses handwaved. As a courtesy, if you obtain items or services from the shops in question, the best way to pay them is by threading with them long enough to obtain an Activity Bonus.
FAQ
A hub for all your questions! This ever-evolving page has the answers to any questions we anticipate being asked as a base with more being added as-needed!
SETTING QUESTIONS
What is Pumpkin Hollow? Pumpkin Hollow is a horror game with a comedy edge and an underlying mystery, set on a fictional island suffering from a terrible curse. Characters from other worlds come here after enduring near-death experiences as a form of purgatory, tasked with beginning a strange new life in order to try and find their way home. Earn a living, gossip with your neighbors, and deal with magic and monsters ranging from terrifying to benign!What happens when my character wakes up? The premise tab on our home page is a great place to start, giving you all the context for how your journey begins! But to briefly sum up: you wake up in a strange room with a white-haired woman who offers you an opportunity. You aren't dead yet, but you've had a near death experience that could kill you. Take up a new life in a far away land and find your purpose there in order to return to the life you had, or decline and accept your demise. Accepting will take you to Marrow Isle and from there you will start fresh in the little town there while seeking answers on your new home, and how to return to your old one.
Do I have to play a character that has died canonically? Nope! You can play any character that is capable of dying, and can base their arrival here on a canon death, a canon near-death experience, or invent a non-canon event if you want to.
What if my character doesn't accept the white-haired woman's proposal for a new life? Game Over! Unfortunately characters who would decline the offer to come to Pumpkin Hollow just wouldn't go. In order to play Pumpkin Hollow, you should app in a character who is willing to accept the offer, however begrudgingly. Characters who would say no outright probably aren't a good fit anyway.
Where are we? Marrow Isle is a fairly large island covered in dense forest. It features a small mountain range, high cliffs, and a sizeable expanse of countryside. The lone town on the island is Pumpkin Hollow itself. It appears to be in the style of a European village, with Tudor-style architecture all piled on top of itself. For more details on the village and surrounding island, our Locations page is a great resource.
What is the village center like/layout of the island? How big is this place? It's a pretty big island and would take a few days to walk it from end to end on foot. Thankfully, there are boats, horses, a trolley system, and a small train circuit to help with travel. While early cars do exist in this world, their presence isn't common on a remote island like Marrow Isle.
What are the townspeople like? Tired, mostly. You would be too if you were dealing with various monsters of the week and starving to death, repeatedly, for the last handful of years. In general, they are welcoming, but a bit wary. Most are hearty folk with one trade or another, who came to this place to improve their lives. Of course that doesn’t rule out a surly villager or two who doesn’t take kindly to the strange new faces around the island. Feel free to sprinkle in villager interactions to flavor your threads, you don’t need to contact a mod for permission. This does include Yorick and the Mayor, as they’re simple mechanical npcs with a set purpose of either welcoming you or assigning you a job.
However, should you wish to interact with one of the played NPCs please contact the mod player in question!
Speaking of those played NPCs, who are they? For these characters, the term "NPC" is a bit of a misnomer. In reality, they are fully interactable original characters who are highly relevant to the game's plot! They're the leaders of the organizations that will form the basis of a loose faction-like system that we will gradually be implementing in the game. Degas Clayton is the preacher at the Temple of Sacred Roots of Our Four Earthly Mothers, and will gladly help you get settled and teach you about the local religion. Dahlia Leeds is the last surviving member of Pumpkin Hollow's founding family and a helpful research buff, whose Historical Society is great at digging up information. Neil West is the mild-mannered leader of the Ocularum, an occult interest group attempting to unravel the mysteries of Pumpkin Hollow's curse. And lastly, players will meet the elusive Elsie, an off-the-grid philosopher and pariah who knows the woods like the back of her hand. Each is played by one of your friendly moderators, so feel free to reach out to the appropriate mod if you're interested in chatting with any of them!
There are factions? Does this mean I have to pick a side? These aren't quite factions in the sense you might be used to seeing in Dreamwidth games, which is why we tend to refer to them as organizations. Joining one requires an initiation of sorts and comes with perks, and you are limited to one at a time. However that doesn't bar you from social interaction with members of other groups! The leaders of some of them do not get along but that's their business. Think of them as paths you can take on your adventure, rather than proper factions.
Wait… Do I have to get a job? Yes, but also no! Should you wish there’s a variety of options but also you can simply crash at the inn and collect a barebones paycheck every month. There are pros and cons to each, but you can change your job by having a chat with the Mayor easily.
What if my character is a workaholic? Can they get TWO jobs? Considering the level of technology in Pumpkin Hollow most jobs take longer than we're used to in modern times. Which is a long way of saying no, you can only have one job at a time, but you can change whenever you'd like!
Do I have to do math? A little bit, yes! But we have a ledger sheet set up that should help with the process and simple addition/subtraction for food and supplies and the like. Nothing gets into the minutiae of purchasing, just broad strokes to give you a framework to work in. Mods are also prepared to help with crunching numbers as-needed!
So we get a paycheck, does that mean we can buy rewards? Not in the traditional journal-based game sense. You won’t be able to gain additional powers through the buying might of coin. You can buy better equipment for your job, upgrade your home, get new clothes or trinkets, and much more at the shops! However be aware that there may be some limitations due to Marrow Isle being somewhat remote.
Okay, but there has to be a network, right? While this hadn't been the case for much of the game, this has recently updated! A demonic deal from a player now brings you Sending Stones, which can bring your voice to any other stone, all the way across the island! Beyond that direct connection, however, your best bet for wide-reaching communication is the Community Message Board.
So what’s the technology like in this world, then? Think cusp of the industrial revolution with a dash of steampunk. Most of the machinery runs on steam or good old-fashioned man-power, books are still printed by press or tediously by hand, streetlights in the village square are rudimentary electric, and houses tend to have a small amount of electric lighting along with oil-burning lanterns. Indoor plumbing thankfully has been invented.
I’m from a technologically advanced world, could I build something here as a substitute for the tech I'm used to? Fat chance, Tony Stark! But jokes aside, you can innovate to a degree but keep it within reason and relatively period appropriate. Nothing game-breaking either please! You'll have to keep your supersuits, flying cars, and video games in the future where they belong.
GAME MECHANICS
Is there an overarching plot? Hold onto your britches, because yes there is! A lot of secrets are hiding around the island that allude to what happened before you arrived and how the island got as bad as it did, so the first step will be to explore as you settle into your strange new world.Is it possible to die in Pumpkin Hollow? Yes and no. Characters can die in Pumpkin Hollow an unlimited amount of times and return to life each time, but you are deeply inconvenienced for doing so. You may lose resources, are incapacitated for some time, often come back to life in strange places, and more. When you die, you will have to submit a cause of death and a resurrection plan which mods must approve (or you can ask to be surprised by us!) and may be subject to additional setbacks depending on the circumstances of the death. More details on death can be found here.
What happens to a character during hiatus or if they drop? You can decide any narrative excuse you like for a hiatus, as long as it makes sense. Prolonged illness or injury, depressive episode, demonic possession that caused them to run off into the woods and eat rocks for a month, whatever works for you!
A drop, however, will result in a specific event. In the middle of the night your character will feel an irresistible pull to wake from their sleep and return to the docks, where they are awaited by the ferry. Something about the status of their well-being in their original life has changed. Whether that be a miracle recovery or an untimely demise is hard to say, but whatever it is has rendered the white-haired woman's offer null and void, and the character must now return to their own world.
If a new player wants to pick up a character that was formerly played and then dropped by a previous player, they will have no memories of their previous time on Marrow Isle. The lore reason for this is that this person is simply a version of that character from a slightly different timeline.
If my character has powers, will they be nerfed or removed? Not unless their powers are game-breaking. If your character can shoot fire out of their hands, that doesn't impact the stakes, it just makes things somewhat more on fire. However, if your character can become completely invincible or is deathless, then they will probably need to have some adjustments made. Characters that can fly will also need limitations, as it would be game-breaking for them to be able to escape Marrow Isle.
What about non-humans? Will they need to be made human? Nope! No forced humanization. The locals are used to seeing all kinds of monsters and beasties. However, Pumpkin Hollow does take place in a period setting and so science fiction characters with futuristic designs may experience some cosmetic changes to help them fit in. For example, a robotic-looking individual may appear as an old-fashioned automaton. Oversized or undersized characters will also need to be made roughly person-sized.
How are Activity Checks handled? All that is required for Activity Check is a simple check-in to ensure that no one has disappeared off the face of the planet. Slow months happen to everyone, especially over the holidays, and we're no sticklers! Higher levels of activity are strongly encouraged and incentivized, however! More details on our Activity Check page.
How do I get activity bonuses and incentives? Our AC page covers this in greater detail but the gist is that for every unique thread that contains 10 tags (total, as in presumably 5 tags from you and 5 from your partner) dated within that month, you get bonus in-game currency. The more time you spend talking and adventuring with your neighbors, the faster you can Stardew Valley your way into your dream home!
How often can I use a thread for extra rewards? If a thread has at least 10 tags dated in one month and is continued and ends up with 10 tags for the following month, you can use it for both months. One super-long thread is still a lot of activity, so hey, credit where credit is due!
Can I bang these barbies together? Can my character be pregnant? Pumpkin Hollow is sex-friendly but not sex-focused, so any NSFW threads need to be warned for in a log or comment header. Threads of a violent or forced sexual nature are not allowed! Please see our Community Standards on the main page for additional details on disallowed or sensitive content, because we do take that pretty seriously.
Characters can certainly become pregnant, but it's not advisable. The island is dangerous and your objective is ultimately to return to your original life. Some characters may ultimately decide to stay in Pumpkin Hollow, but that's something to consider.
Can my character make protective charms or wards with their powers or by other means? They can but the charm or ward won't be 100% effective even if it might have been back home. Think of it more like rolling with advantage in terms of dice.
Are there any basic supplies my character can use/borrow? Yes! Town hall has some very basic weapons, sword, axes, shields, bows and arrows, etc, and very basic armor (think like heavy leathers, maybe some janky chain-mail if you're lucky). Characters are free to borrow these items but be aware that they'll break rather easily! You'll definitely want to save up and buy a good sturdy weapon if your character plans on hunting frequently. You do not need mod permission to borrow a set, just keep it reasonable.
Can characters working the same job (i.e. Fisherman, Enforcer, etc) pool their money for upgrades? No, they can't. However, money could be pooled for other items, or simply gifted. Just hit us up if something strikes your fancy.
Do invading monsters/plagues/curses/etc go away after awhile? In Pumpkin Hollow the curses seem to ebb and flow. For instance, the brutok invasion will start to taper off, but they can still be found in the deep forest. They might return as before, they might not! The same goes for most things on Marrow Isle, unless explicitly stated by the mods so feel free to have your character bump into a brutok later on down the road if you'd like!
What's the deal with the shady merchant? If you're interested in regaining an item from home, just reach out to the mods to discuss it. This may take some more doing if we're not as canon-familiar with something but we'll sort it out. We'll sporadically add new items in. Any canon-regains will be fairly damaged to the point where using them will prove difficult and generally be an outrageous price, but they don't leave the shop till purchased, which can be done via special purchase requests.
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
Who can I app into the game? Canon characters, original characters, CRAU from other writing games, tabletop/MMO characters created by you, canon AU characters, reasonably different series duplicate characters (i.e. different Marvel versions of the same character), fandom OCs with no direct connection to a canon character, and blank-slate characters (such as the Warden from Dragon Age). MMO protagonists such as the Commander from Guild Wars 2 are also accepted, provided no preconceived relationships are forced onto any other characters from the same canon without prior discussion from all players involved.All characters must have a canon or headcanon event that led to their death or near-death at the time of their canon point in order to ICly be able to enter Pumpkin Hollow.
Are AU versions of characters acceptable? What about CRAU? Absolutely, but they need to make a reasonable amount of narrative sense. The details are laid out more specifically in our character claim post, but as long as you can figure out a lore reason for your character to be here that's more or less logical then it isn't a problem. The biggest concern is that all characters come from circumstances where they're capable of dying so that the stakes of our premise work as intended.
My CRAU character has special powers from their last game, can they use those? Same rules apply as other characters with powers. Game-breaking powers would be nerfed, but within reason, yes.
Can my character have multiple CRAUs? Yes, again with the stipulation that it make narrative sense and not be game-breaking.
How does apping in teenage or child characters work? This allowance was recently added (April 2024) by popular vote among players. Prior to this, only adult characters were permitted to app in. As such, please be patient with us as we work out the kinks in this new feature.
As it currently stands, here's how we're handling things: characters over the age of 18 (or adulthood for their species) will be readily accepted into the game, barring incident, while younger characters will be subject to somewhat more rigorous review by the mods to make sure they're a good fit. Age, independence, and life experience are the main things we look at. There are no hard and fast limits for any of these things, but we'll use the combined information to determine if they're a good fit. We're pretty lenient! We just want to make sure no one's throwing a helpless kid into a traumatic situation.
Additionally, there are some special rules for teenage/child characters. First off, all conduct between characters of differing age groups needs to be kept age-appropriate and relationship-appropriate. Romantic or sexual interactions between adults and minors is unacceptable (except between characters who are extremely close in age, such as an 18 year old and a 17 year old). Sexual conversation should also remain appropriate and non-graphic (i.e. "The Talk" would be okay but discussing sexual exploits in detail would not.) Older teenagers engaging in a sexual relationship with someone of similar age must fade to black. These rules are non-negotiable and breaking them, even off-comm, will result in disciplinary action proportional to the severity.
Finally, please be aware that many players find children in extreme duress or traumatic situations to be triggering. Please stay on top of content warnings in horror-centric threads. The younger your character is, the more this applies. My character is a 5000 year old mage in the body of a young– Do not pass go. Do not collect 200 Brass. Go directly to jail.
Jokes aside--- characters that are obviously adults (immortal or not) but look nebulously young can be treated as adults with regards to our rules about NSFW interactions/content. However, it's not hard to tell when a character is in this state for legitimate narrative reasons vs. just looking for loopholes for NSFW situations. You know who you are.
What kinds of characters are not allowed? Other people’s OCs, real people, author self-inserts, or any character that violates the above standards.
Can I app a character who was previously played here? If so, do they remember anything? If you drop a character and are returning, you can app in a character again if they were not taken while you were gone and they may retain memories or may be a completely new version of the character. If you are apping in a character that someone else previously played, they would not retain any memories.
How many characters can I play? Currently the hard cap is seven characters per player.
Can I play more than one character from the same fandom? Provided the characters are not close to each other in canon or wouldn't feasibly have interacted much. This is on a case-by-case basis and we can be more flexible with OCs than canon characters, so please reach out to us about it!
My character has a dietary, physical, or other special need. How do they deal with it? In the same way they would back home, with some time period appropriate adjustments! The market has plenty of food options, a reasonable amount of technology for mobility aids and medical devices exists, and Pumpkin Hollow locals love to help each other out. Feel free to raise any specific concerns to a mod if necessary, or just use your best judgement!
My character has a pet back home. Can they be brought over? Just like the clothing on your character’s back or any items they had on them at the time, characters will not arrive with anything from their home world. They can, however, buy a pet or two at the shops!
My character has an another character (human/animal/spirit/ect.) attached to them at all times. Can I bring them in as an NPC or play both characters as one? This isn't generally encouraged, but if it makes narrative sense then we may be able to work something out. Reach out to the mod team and we'll see what we can do!
Are there any cast caps? Not at this time, but we are trying to keep our overall game cast as diverse as we can and would prefer casts from just a few canons not become disproportionate!
Can characters be canon-updated? Unfortunately not in the traditional way, but you can use the lore behind drops to your advantage to canon-update in kind of a roundabout way.
Hiatus & Drop
May. 13th, 2023 06:35 amHiatus & Drop
Hiatus
Need to take a break? No worries, life happens. On the Hiatus comment, please post the following:You may take hiatuses for one month at a time, but may request an extension if needed. If you need an extension you are responsible for communicating that with a mod! During this time you will not be expected to complete an activity check and will be given one month's base stipend with no bonuses. If you need to take a break that is less than two weeks long, an official hiatus is not required as long as your activity check is complete.
Drop
Sometimes life really happens. If you need to leave, we'd appreciate it if you'd take the time to fill out a notice on our Drop comment! Thank you! Please note that players who drop from the game will be removed from the Discord server unless other arrangements are made, but if you'd like to lurk you can always message a moderator!
MAY 2025
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TDM #10 - Wither and Bloom[FINAL REPRINT]
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May Event - All Too Familiar
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