Liberta Duel Academy is a Yu-Gi-Oh! roleplay site set in an Alternate Universe (AU) version of the original series of Yu-Gi-Oh!, set roughly 50 years after the end of the Dark Side of Dimensions movie. Liberta Duel Academy is set in the city of Silvershine located in a fictional small country known as Silva, somewhere along the western coastside of Europe.
September through October 20X1 - Welcome, Class of 20X4!
The new school year at Liberta Duel Academy is here! Students - new and returning - are adjusting to their school life and getting themselves settled in. The entrance ceremony presented the principal's address, spoke of Dorm Rankings, and introduced the Student Council. Alongside the standard Master Duels, the experimental "Specialty Duels" were announced to those new to the academy. So unpack; duel a fellow or two; explore the academy and the city of Silvershine! Action; adventure; slice of life; it's up to you! How will you have yours unfold?
{Q: Okay, I'm here. ...So now what? (SHOW / HIDE)} A: First thing's first: read up on the "Site Rules," "The Setting," and other information in that area. Then, check out the "Arcs & Events" board to see what the current "Time Frame" is and if any major plots/arcs/events are active, or in the planning stages, at the time. After you've gotten an understanding of how things operate here, you can begin crafting your Character Profile in the "Character Profiles and Templates" board. We have templates available, but you can use your own as long as all of the information that's requested is still there. Check out our "Approved Profiles" to kind of gauge our expectations of a completed profile. Preferably, the title of the character profile would be "[Firstname Lastname]", but it isn't mandatory. If you prefer "[Lastname, Firstname]," ensure there's a comma separating them. Once it's done and posted, let me ["rinakasakura" on Discord] know and I'll get around to reviewing it. If I have any issues, I'll speak to you privately about them through DMs. If I can't DM you on Discord, I'll "ping" you, instead.
Once I've approved it, you're free to begin roleplaying as that character!
Seek out other roleplayers on our Discord - either directly contacting one through DMs (can't hurt to ask, right?), or publicly in #roleplaying using the "@" tag to notify ("ping") them, -OR- you can ask the community as a whole and see who bites, using the #roleplay-requests. Through my experience, DMs are the better way to go, as it also lets you plan in private and you don't have to worry about your discussion getting lost in a sea of other messages - but #roleplay-requests might yield results to begin with, too.
Once you've found an RP partner (or more) and have finishing discussing what you want to do, get to it! The RP areas are all of the areas that are location-based, such as (but not limited to): - Liberta Duel Academy >>> Main Buildings - Liberta's Dormitory Zone - Silvershine and Online >>> The City of Silvershine - Outside World and Non-Canon RPs
Choose the location where your characters would be interacting and create a thread there! When your RP thread is complete, let me know, and your RP group will awarded Bonus DP (Duelist Points) once I've tallied them up. From here, it's rinse and repeat time for RPing: find someone - or continue with who you've got - and proceed! If you want to take a break, feel free to!
{Q: Link to the Discord?} A: One of two places: - Just below the banner ad, there should be some buttons that say "Information," "(Guest) Dashboard," and "Search;" click on "Information" and you'll see the invite to the far right. OR - Go back the the main page and scroll all the way down to the bottom to find the Discord.
{Q: I'm new / I signed out / I cleared my cache and I can't figure out how to log in / register an account! Where's the "Log In" / "Register" button?} A: ---Using the "Sonorous"(Seto-Yugi) dark site theme?--- Below the Seto-Yugi site banner and the ad banner space, there are 3 buttons: "Information," "Guest Dashboard," and "Search." - Click on "Guest Dashboard," which will reveal the "Log In" and "Register" buttons. - Click on the "Log In" button to access the log-in screen, -OR-, click on the "Register" button to begin the account registration process.
{Q: Can I make an account with my username, and then later, make a sub account for my character?} A: Yes. You can do that, using the main account for OOC discussions and the like, and the linked sub-accounts for RP characters. At the bottom right-hand corner of the screen while logged in, there's a foreground bar with 3 icons on it. The first icon is "Switch Account." Click on it. Then, on the next screen, scroll to the bottom and you'll see an option to "Create a new account on this forum." Click it and follow the instructions, as it will link the new account as a sub-account to the main account you're logged into.
{Q: Hey, my post-specific Alternate Avatar isn't being accepted/working! Why?} A: I'd like to know, too. This is only an issue on the Board Theme "Sonorous." It won't work by simply inputting the link to the image in the designated text field. HOWEVER, there is a workaround. At the beginning of your post (or anywhere in it, really), use the following code and it should work after you "save changes": [div style="FONT-SIZE:0px;" title="avatar"]#s://YOURIMAGELINKGOESHERE.JPGorPNG[/div] ^^^Do you see the "#s://" part? That replaces the "http://" part of your image link, so adjust accordingly. The code will not appear on your post once you've posted, but your Alternate Avatar for that specific post should appear.
{Q: Does my character HAVE TO BE a duelist?} A: No. If you mean "they don't ever duel," that's fine. But since most conflicts tend to be resolved by duels, I'll expect that you'll have thought of how your character generally handles conflict. As long as it's ToS-friendly, and your RP partner is okay with it, it's up to you.
{Q: What's the age range allowed for first-year students?} A: For this high school-level academy, the maximum age would be [Age 17 by the end of RP-December for that school year] for the first semester. Beyond that, I'll leave it up to your judgment. But for the sake of being thorough: Through typical progression, the youngest would be a 14-year old who's going on 15 (the skip-a-year 8th-Grade grad). Anything below that, of course, will be scrutinized before approval - or outright denied if it goes too far - so be wary on that front. If you want to play as as older student, you'll have to raise your Student Year.
Age - 1st-Year Student Age 14 (15ByCalendarYearEND[1stSemester]): Typical Progression youngest (8th-grade graduate before entering academy, skipping 9th grade - academy=10th) Age 15 (16ByCalendarYearEND[1stSemester]): Typical Progression 8th-grade grad / Natural Entry 9th-grade graduate (had 1 year of high school before entering academy) Age 16 (17ByCalendarYearEND[1stSemester]): Natural Entry 9th-grade grad (1 year of HS before entering academy)
Based on the above, the oldest 3rd-year student at the start of a school year would be Age 18 (19ByCalendarYearEND[1stSemester]). Based on the above, the youngest 3rd-year student at the start of a school year would be Age 16 (17ByCalendarYearEND[1stSemester]).
How to be 18 years old or older when you create your profile: - Create your 1st-year student's profile during the "Spring" Time Frame (birthday being between January and March, which would already have passed, in that case.) - Raise your Student Year to be a 2nd/3rd-year student (Recommended if you really don't want to be younger.) - Don't be a student. Did you know you can choose to be a Teacher/School Staff, or a Civilian, as well?
{Q: If I wanted to make twins as characters, should I make two separate character profiles, or can I have them both in the one profile?} A: One profile per character is generally how it goes. Twins is an interesting situation; here's what I think: If one of the twins isn't really the focus, I'd... -probably(?)- be okay with that one being treated as an NPC(background character). For example, if I ever had my character's family appear for a storyline or something, I'd treat them as NPCs that I'm using for the story. The difference, here, is that with twins, the 2nd one might be here all the time, or something like that, so I'm a bit iffy about making it an NPC in that sense; my only concern about two people in one profile is really just the 'bonus character' aspect of it.
So ultimately: - If that 2nd twin is just there for accompaniment / as an accessory to the first twin who is the "main/focus character," then I think you can maybe get away with the second twin being an NPC. If that's the case, do indeed mention the 2nd twin in the main twin's profile. (In essence, this is the same 2-in-1 idea without actually having two characters in one profile if the 2nd twin is just a hanger-on.) - If each twin is gonna be their own thing, like Leo and Luna from 5D's, then yeah, I'd say 2 profiles.
((However, I'll tell ya h'what: if the community sees no problem with the idea of twins counted as one profile, I can change my mind on this, and in future cases.))
{Q: I want to make a new character, but I'm full on Character Slots; can I drop an active character and replace it with a new one until I get another slot?} A: Yes. When you make the new character profile, let me know that's what you want to do and I'll accommodate that. Once the new one is approved, unless you say otherwise, the old one will go to our Archived Profiles section, sidelined, until you're ready to take it back. However, as an Archived Character, by default, your faceclaim isn't reserved. If you want to reserve it for a specific length of time, let me know. ---ALSO: Be careful with your wording! If you tell me you're "scrapping" your character, I might just delete them, instead! (keep a backup of the dropped character saved, just in case; I'll try to remember to ask for confirmation on their deletion or archival, but I make no guarantees and will not be responsible for its deletion if you tell me you're "scrapping" them.)
{Q: Hi, so, I want my character to have a specific faceclaim, but I see someone else has it - but they're in the Archived Profiles; does that mean I can use it, or no?} A: Yes, you can use it. Archived Characters are effectively inactive characters and cannot reserve faceclaims, unless it was discussed with staff, beforehand. Their archived profile will be marked as such if they've been given such approval.
{Q: Hi, so, you gave someone a faceclaim that my Archived Character had. I want to bring my character back, now, so what do I do about it?} A: So yeah, since Archived Characters are effectively inactive characters, they can't reserve faceclaims, unless it was discussed with staff, beforehand. Their archived profile would be marked as such if they'd been given such approval. SO, what can be done about it? First and foremost, the images in the profile will need to be removed. After that, you can do one of two things: a.) give your character a "new look," or b.) type up an Appearance description that hints at their usual look, but leaves out details that markedly describe - and would single out - the faceclaim. Example: If you had a Naruto faceclaim and someone else got it, remove your Naruto images and describe the character (in more words and detail than this) as a blonde teenage boy with updrafted, stylized,hair for love of the aesthetic. ^^^ Could that be Naruto? Perhaps. but unless they knew what your faceclaim was before, they couldn't say for sure. It could also be someone else, based on the wording. Who knows? *wink*
If the character who took your faceclaim goes inactive without reserving it, inform staff that you'd like to claim that faceclaim again.
{Q: What is the legal driving / drinking age, here?} A: The legal driving age in Silvershine is 18; the legal drinking age in Silvershine is 16. As this fictional area is based in Europe, I chose to let those remain consistent to avoid confusion on that front.
{Q: What do you guys use to duel each other?} A: The default program is "Project Ignis - EDOPro," (EDOPro for short) an automatic duel simulator that you download - but you and your opponent can use whatever you two agree to. Some may like the manual, browser-based "Dueling Book;" some may prefer "YGO Omega." But yeah, generally, we all use EDOPro. Just be sure you save your duel replays - or have some way of saving the "script" of your duels if you're dueling for the RP.
{Q: What are Specialty Duels?} A: Effectively, any Duel Format or Mode that is different from - or more than simply - the standard 1v1 Master Duel. (ex: Tag Duel, Team Duel, Handicap Duel, Speed Duel, Rush Duel, Limit Duel, Endurance Duel, HP Duel, etc.)
{Q: Limit Duels? HP Duels? WHAT!? I've never heard of those!} A: They're not important, per se; they're experimental Specialty Duels, like Speed Duels and Rush Duels - some more gimmicky than others - that Liberta has earned the right to test out before other academies before re-working, scrapping, or opening them up to Silvershine, and then the world. (They're just alternatives that you can play or try out IC or OOC if you want to.) Take a look here. >>> yugiohrp.boards.net/post/5/thread
{Q: Do I have to pay DP to register a deck for each of the Specialty Duel modes like Rush Duels?} A: No. You don't have to, at all. As far as your registered deck(s) go: they allow you to have VERSIONS of your registered deck theme(s) for each duel mode (Singles, Tag, Speed, Rush, etc.) and any variations of them. However, with Rush Duels and Limit Duels having a severely limited and/or unique card pool, while you're encouraged to use the deck theme(s) that you've registered, feel free to focus on a different theme if you'd like, free of charge.
{Q: Hey, if I haven't done a duel yet, is the process to change decks still the same?} A: Since the profile is done and the Character Index has been updated, "yes," you'll need to send a Deck Change Request so that I know what's what and can update the Character Index. You can test decks with the community before deciding on one for your character.
{Q: Are custom artwork and/or custom names allowed for existing cards? (A little more nuanced from simply asking about custom cards)} A: The custom art existing in-universe has to abide by the rules and make sense for it to exist for the card as it does. (I'd like to avoid questionable artwork) As for the custom name: - If the custom name is there to give an existing monster a "better," less generic name, I can accept that. (The card will be treated as a version from elsewhere in the world - user's choice.) - If the custom name is there to treat it as a separate monster with the same stats and effects, I can accept that, too.
IN BOTH CASES, there are some rules to follow for names and art: 1.) The new name cannot add, remove, or change its archetype name(s) if it has any. It/They must remain intact. 2.) These changes mainly only apply to roleplay-writing (In-Character); mechanically (in EDOpro), the names are not changed for the actual playing of the game. 3.) All cards with names changed in this way will have the following text: "(This card is always treated as X)," with "X" being its original name in the TCG/OCG. (A catch-all rule of sorts.) 4.) All changes (name and art) must go through the process of a Request on #forum-requests and be approved by an Admin. 5.) There's a limit to the number of cards you can change, per character (currently a work-in-progress thing): CARD NAMES - 2 card names changed max. CARD ART - Unlimited playsets. (assuming the opponent cannot see the alternate art on the duel program used.)
(Note that I won't guarantee an approval of the name change, but hopefully, more often than not, we can work it out.)
{Q: Can we have solo threads (alone or with NPC background characters)?} A: Yes, you can. And to add to that: you can have as many active topics as you can handle, even with the same character. Just try to keep your continuity as best as you can.
{Q: Can another user play as an NPC in my thread so that I'm not playing as my character AND the NPC?} A: Yes, they can - 100%. And if a user NPCs for someone in a thread, they can earn bonus DP for their efforts once the thread is complete.
{Q: Can my character commute to the academy instead of living in the dorms?} A: Yes, they can commute by walking, getting a car ride, or taking one of the bus routes that go up the hill to the school. That said, I'll answer this now, as well: Yes, here, you're still part of a dormitory even if you don't reside in it.
{Q: Is Card Rarity a thing on this site?} A: Yes. But it's kept very vague. Cards you'd think would be rare cards can be rare cards. Of course one's opinion of a rare card can differ from another's; additionally, cards can be reprinted at lower or higher rarities depending on the occasion. As such, just like in real life, cards can be both "rare (R, SR, UR, etc.)" and common; it essentially comes down to what you want, RP-wise. (Do not confuse this with the note on Blue-Eyes, god cards, and the like in the Rules section; all it's trying to say is... those 3-(or 1-)-in-the-whole-world cards are mass-printed like everything else. Card rarity still exists, though.) How you want to interpret card rarity is up to you: whether through shiny/holofoil cards or text, or by 1st/Limited Edition stamps - they're fair game.