New Player FAQs

Characters, Alts & XP

Can I play more than one character?
Yes, you can play up to two PCs per calendar year. You may only play one per weekend.

What if I make a character and then don't like it?
That's what New Character Amnesty is for: after your character's first time in play, you can change anything about them, as long as it's before their second time in game. Beyond that, expect your character to evolve naturally — almost everyone's PC drifts from its original concept, and that's part of the fun. (See [Player Characters] for the full amnesty rule.)

My first event is a Special Event with an all-PC shift and I don't have a character yet — what do I do?
You don't have to wait or rush a character you'll be stuck with. Player Outreach & Education can help you put together a Maplewood villager ("Townie") so you can play without committing to a full character concept early. Plenty of people debut this way; it's common and low-stakes.

If I play a throwaway or "town" character because of one of those events, do I lose the XP I've earned?
No, as long as you don't assign that XP to the throwaway. XP belongs to you, not the character, and it only commits when you assign it to one through the portal. Leave it unassigned and it's safe to spend on your real character later.

PCs vs. NPCs

Who are all the people standing around town in the photos and videos — are they NPCs?
Mostly PCs, actually. NPCs are like background actors: the GMs send them out to play a needed role, and when that's done they head back to the Logistics building (in-game they've wandered off, and a GM may reuse them later). A good rule of thumb: if someone's dressed fancy with more weapons than sense, they're probably a PC or a very important NPC.

At the Site

How much walking is there? Are there lower-intensity ways to play?
It's a large camp, so there can be a fair amount of walking. If you're focused on roleplay, you'll mostly be in the town center, which is a good fit for lower-stamina play.

Can I bring a CPAP or other medical device?
Yes. Medical devices are always fine. Operations can help you find a good spot for outlets.

Does my bedding need to look period-appropriate?
No. Period bedding is encouraged and appreciated but never required — a modern pillow is fine. If you're in a cabin, you can bring a plain sheet to drape over your bunk to hide out-of-game items easily.

Encounters

Will I run into plot just by wandering around?
It depends where you are. Encounters are split into zones — wandering plots happen closer to the center of camp, and "hooked" plots run out toward the edges and are meant for the specific players brought to them. (See Adventuring Zones for how the zones work.)