OpNet FAQ Version 0.98

What is the OpNet?
The OpNet is a shared online reality based upon White Wolf's Role-Playing Game Aberrant.

What do I need to do to participate?
You need access to the internet, the Aberrant game book, and a character that you can role-play. Access to the various supplements may be helpful, but is not required.

What guidelines are there for making my character?
Starting characters are limited by the rules for character creation, but nova points will not be strictly enforced. Newly erupted novas have around 15-30 nova points, while an experienced elite will have 60-70. Because this is not a table game character stats are not nearly as important as creating an interesting character that you can roleplay within the community.

What if I want to use homemade powers or powers from other books?
Powers from the Teragen, Project Utopia and Brainwave supplements are available to characters of the OpNet, but the use of homemade powers are not allowed, unless it has been approved by the N! Prime staff.

I want to have a quantum of higher than 5. How do I do that?
A new character can go no higher than a quantum of 5.
Players who wish to increase the Quantum of an existing character to Q6 may submit a detailed write-up to the moderators showing the desired character design and explanation as to the validity of the increase.
If you're interested in stories for characters of higher than Quantum 6 potential, they are allowed within the Fiction boards. Stories such as these should use the [NC] Non-Continuity tags to distinguish themselves from OpNet related fiction.

Do I actually have to fill out a character sheet before I can play?
While it can be helpful to know more about your character, actually filling out a sheet isn't required. It's a good idea to post what is known publicly about your character, if anything, in the Public Faces of the OpNet thread. It will give the other players a stepping stone for interaction with you.

Where do I register?
Follow this link and fill out all the blanks as you go.

Do I get awarded experience for my role-playing?
Not in an official manner. The goal here is to have fun, and we aren't going to nitpick everyone's powers around here, provided they are enjoyable by the community.

Who is the Storyteller?
While we do have a group of people that help look after the place, everyone that participates takes on the role of storyteller in one way or another. Each participant is able to introduce new ideas into our ever-expanding world of Aberrant.

Is the OpNet part of White Wolf's official canon?
Yes and No. We have taken what White Wolf has given us and used that as the basis for our community. However, White Wolf does not recognize events that transpire on N! Prime as official events in the Aeon Continuum timeline. This world does share a timeline with Adventure and Trinity, so events that contradict anything already established in Aberrant, Trinity or Adventure will not be allowed.

Are there restrictions on what I can and can't post?
We are trying to maintain a shared universe, so we do ask that you help us maintain some level of order with your posts. If you feel that an event radically change the dynamics of our collaboration, it must first be submitted to the moderators for approval. Below are a few cases that would not be allowed without approval.

• Changing the gameworld for everyone
  Example: "Oh my gosh!! Someone has kidnapped every single chimp on earth!"
• Changing core game concepts
  Example: "Taint? Ahh pshaw! I have a simple and easy to learn three step process for getting rid of it."
• Directly affecting or altering another player's character without previously recieved, express permission.
  Example: "Aha you Utopian scum! How does it feel now that I've killed your parents?"
• Introducing concepts foreign to the canon universe
  Example: "What are you Nova? I am Walks-While-Fuzzy, champion klaive duelist and caern guardian."
• Pushing potential game possibilities too far.
  Example: "Hi, I'm Micheal, an artifical sentient creation."
• Using alternate characters to support main characters claims.
  Example: "I, Sleepy, agree with Doc, Happy, Basheful, Happy and Dopey that Grumpy is correct in the claim that Proteus is the ultimate evil of the universe."
• Playing with blatantly out of character knowledge and trying to upset the applecart for everyone.
  Example: "So, after erupting yesterday I hooked up with the Thetis chick. Would you all like to know what she has planned?"

We know this can be restricting, but to ensure the proliferation of the community, we feel that it is necessary to make certain guidelines so that we do not contradict each other.

What methods of posting are there?
People post via the OpNet discussion, fiction, news and interviews. The guidelines for OpNet Discussion have already been discussed, and those same restrictions apply to fiction, news and interviews. Anyone can submit fiction, but if you plan on using any characters other than your own, please ask permission. The fiction faq can be found here .

All news articles must be submitted for approval , and if accepted will be posted under N News Service. You can feel free to write your own interview, but from time to time we will interview select characters. If you think your character has something worthy of the interview, send us some reasons why people would be interested in what you have to say. Link forthcoming.

I would like to run a Play By Post game using the OpNet as my portal. How do I go about doing that?
We allow people to run Play By Post games in a subsection of the OpNet for other members. This is very similar to the collaborative fiction; with the exception that only 1 person controls the overall direction of the story. Before you begin you must request permission to tell your story. The primary conditions for acceptance are as follows.

1. Entry must be open to all members of the forum that fit a certain criteria. You can decide upon a specific organization you are looking for, or limit the number of people that can participate, but you have at least give the online community the opportunity to participate. This rule is to ensure that everyone capable of participating on the forum has a chance, and that that the group doesn’t exist solely of your friends.
2. When submitting your story for approval, you must include the general concept for the adventure, the number of players and their specifications, as well as the approximate time limit for the adventure.

What is the date for the OpNet?
The OpNet is set a decade ahead of today. The date will always be the same as today, ignoring any difference for leap year, with the year being exactly 10 years greater. So in 2004, the OpNet will be in 2014.

I noticed that some people have their pictures beside their posts. How can I do that?
If you are interested in getting your own avatar, post something in this thread: Kawaii

Can I become a director/moderator?
From time to time we will bring new people into the fold. Each member is looking to help the longevity of the OpNet, and is required to perform some additional task for the site. If you are willing to do work to improve the place, then please <A HREF="mailto:galyon@nprime.net">contact us</A>.

What does my character know?
As your character first discovers the OpNet forum, they have their entire life's worth of knowledge, which helps make who they are. However, they don't know the ins and outs of every organization and events that have occured in the Aberrant universe. As players, we all know that Proteus exists, but as characters Proteus is still a mystery to most. Everything listed in the timeline is considered public knowledge, as well as all news releases.

What happens if I blow the bubble on Proteus?
Several people have tried that in the past without first seeking approval. Proteus agents patrol the OpNet regularly and try to keep their existence quiet. The first time someone attempts to expose them without our approval they only delete their message. The second time it happens they will silence the character permanently.

Do you restrict my involvement with the canon universe?
Yes. This is not a tabletop game, so every person can't be the leader of Utopia. It is assumed that all of the canon characters still exist, but rarely, if ever, visit this forum. It's a large world and we want to expand upon that. Sure you can be a member of Utopia or the Teragen, but your character shouldn't simply be defined by that allegiance. Pax or Mal aren't going to come to your rescue simply because you have something in common with them. Any use of canon characters requires permission.

Can I play a character already introduced in Aberrant?
No. The characters may show up from time to time, but they are not player characters.

I noticed that different people have different classifications below their name. How can I change my classification?
First thing is that the classification is completely out of character. The classification defines certain people's status on the forum. New members come in as Baselines, and will eventually become Novas as soon as they reach 100 posts. Administrators are defined as Aberrants, and Moderators are defined as Director. People that have contributed to the site are allowed to request a custom title for their primary character.

There are still some things that I don't understand. Where do I ask those questions?
Click here for a forum set up for discussion for the OpNet that most of our members check out on a regular basis. Post your question in there and someone will answer it as soon as they are able.

This is a listing of issues that have been brought to the attention of the Directors. We're posting it here for the sake of convenience, and these rulings should be considered part of the FAQ if the issues they address apply to a situation you're in.

Since most of them are regarding specific instances, and not the broad scheme of N!Prime, we're keeping it separate from the FAQ.

1: What about the problems with Crosstime Travel?

Officially, it has errata which requires Q6 to use. Secondly, Crosstime Travel is just that, it is not Cross Time-Travel. This allows you to hop from different "nows," essentially different possible "presents." It doesn't allow you to go to an alternate world, then time travel within that world. Other worlds are still worlds, and you need the Time Travel ability to move forward or backwards.

2: Can I modify/improve my skeletal structure (or that of others) with Elemental Mastery: Calcium?

No.

3: Can I substitute Aberrations for Weaknesses?

No. Weaknesses specifically limit the effectiveness of a power, and the APG gives a defined set of criteria for this. This includes Dice Pool, Range, Area, Duration, Damage, Multiple Actions, Target Restrictions, Sensory Limitations, and Linked Powers.

"Always On," or "Permanent Power," is not a weakness to a power, for example, but a limitation and inconvenience (and sometimes a benefit) to the character who possesses it. This is not the same thing as having Animal Mastery but having it limited to Aquatic Life only.

4: What about using Enhancements as Extras?

No.

5: Can I buy off flaws/aberrations?

Aberrations: no.

Flaws: Conceivably, yes, depending on the flaw. This will be dealt with case by case if becomes necessary for something to happen. For example, an "Enemy" flaw can be resolved, dealt with, etc. If you chose to purchase an Aberration as a flaw, as suggested in the APG, then no, you will not be able to buy that off.

6: Can I change my character's quantum signature?

Some powers temporarily affect this, such as Quantum Imprint, but this is a temporary change and someone skilled enough at looking at Q-Signatures would have a chance at recognizing it. While some Q8 and above abilities allow for this kind of change, no PC here will have Q8, nor should you insinuate that your character knows someone with Q8 that did it for you. While some Q6 characters may have a Quantum Authority technique as a stand-alone power, all those abilities have durations that are not permanent.

So, if you're looking for a permanent change, no, not at this point in the timeline.

7: So techniques from "suite" powers can be bought as stand alone powers at a reduced level and Quantum requirement?

Yes. Please PM one of us for the specifics on the power you're looking at if you're planning on doing something complex with this idea, but it is allowable.

8: Is there a limit to the number of Q6 characters I can play?

Yes. We're going to be limiting Q6 to two characters per player, though if the story you present to us is strong enough, we might consider granting someone a third. We'd like to discourage that option from being used, however, as we'd like to keep the OpNet from being over-run with characters in the top 2% of the current power strata for 2015.

Please remember that if you want to tell stories about Q6 or higher characters, but you don't want them taking up your IC slots, you can post them on the Fiction boards with the Non-Continuity tags.

9: How much of what I create is protected by the FAQ's rule of Directly Affecting Another Player?

Well, being considerate of another player is the best way to go. Immediate things, such as home, family, etc, are off-limits unless the other player consents to you affecting them. Creations of the player, such as self-made vehicles, places of business, etc, should be given the same consideration.

However, this is not license to be Captain Destruction with your Bulletproof, Biological-Weapon Deploying Airship of Doom, wreaking havoc and then claiming protection rights after the fact.

10: Can I use the reduced Quantum Cost Extra on a Level 3 power if I don't have Quantum 6?

According to the APG, if you purchase three levels of weakness on a power, you can add an extra to it in place of strengths. Otherwise, you'll have to wait until the character is Q6.

11: Can I use Pretercognition to "view the future or the past" like reading a book or watching a program?

No, not with "normal" use of the power. Pretercognition has a duration of "instant." You get a specific bit of insight and vision but it's not the same as focusing on something and watching it for minutes. To do that, you're going to need to change the duration of the power, either by having the Moving Vision Extra (from the APG) by buying the power down with weaknesses, or being Q6 so that you can add Extras normally to a Level 3 power.

12: Can I post sexual stories or sexually-themed stories?

Yes, you can post mature stories that deal with sex and sexuality. However, be sure you flag it with something that indicates that it's an Adult-Themed or Mature story either at the beginning or in the title.

And don't post porn. Seriously. We're not kidding. There's a difference between telling a story that explores a theme and then having 2 pages of characters have graphic, explicit, and detailed sex. We're all adults, and we should know the difference. If you're curious if it's porn, ask before posting.

13: Why all this talk about stats if character sheets are not required?

Well, essentially it's this: because we give you quite a bit of freedom with your character, we ask that you be consistent with it. That means no having a Lethal Quantum Bolt one week and the next week saying that no, it's actually a Bashing Quantum Bolt with MIRV and Burning. That means no saying this power is this strong because of all the weaknesses you've bought, but then saying the next week that you've eliminated the weaknesses.

If you're going to use the rules of character creation and charater sheets to justify what you want and/or what you have, you have to obey those rules, especially if you're going to be posting your "official" sheet for other players to look at.

14: Can I use Attunement to bring other people with me when I use Cross-Time Travel?

No. The power has "Affect Others" listed as an Extra. You cannot Cross-Time Travel with an attuned person, regardless of their size and mass. If you desire to bring someone with you, you must have the Affect Others extra. Remember that as a CTT is a level 4 power, you cannot readily have an Extra without it becoming Level 5 unless you are greater than Quantum 6, which is not currently allowed.

15: The Core Rules state that when maxing, the only Extras you can add to a power are Area Effect and Explosive. The APG mentions something about maxing allowing any applicable extra. Which does N!Prime allow?

The APG has an optional rule that states that for two additional successes, any applicable extra can be applied to a power. We're adapting this optional rule with its condition. What this translates to for the purposes of N!Prime is this: Area Effect and Explosive, per the Core Rules, can be added with two successes on a Quantum Max roll. To add something other than those Extras, you require three successes.

So while this is allows you to be very versatile with powers to fit the situation, please keep in mind that three successes on what at most is a six-die pool is not easy to get. This is not common place, it should not be happening with "normal" use of the power, and this isn't intended to replace purchasing the Extra or giving you the option of using your power outside it's scope every time you want to. It's there to give maxing the scope of awe-inspiring power it was meant to have, the awesome push of quantum to achieve something normally outside of a character's ability.

NEW16: Do you recover quantum while maintenancing a power?

This is both a yes and no situation. For the purposes of N!Prime, quantum recovery is measured in terms of hourly increments. Thus, to recover any quantum requires a full hour of rest - you do not recover it in "fractional" increments during the course of the hour. Interruptions during an hour that would require the use of quantum - such as maintenancing a power, prevent any quantum from being gained. However, at higher-levels of quantum, maintenance extends from turns to hours (and longer), quantum could be recovered during such durations. This type of recovery requires Mastery on the power being maintenanced, so is only available to novas at quantum 6 or better.

NEW17: Can Shapeshift alter or change aberrations?

No. Aberrations are permanent changes to the nova's form and require specific powers to alter them. Wings gained by Aberration are not the same as wings gained by Body Modification - one is a natural development of quantum, the other is a Taint development.

Shapeshift is meant to transform the "normal" state of the nova, and Aberrations, despite any IC-Teragen rhetoric, are treated as unnatural change to that state from an OOC mechanical POV. It cannot effectively "transform."

However, it can work around them in minor ways.

Example 1: Aberration of "gold glowing wings." Shapeshift could change the wing color from white to black so they appeared as "gold glowing black wings," where the feather color has changed but not the energy emission.

Example 2: Aberration of "Eagle Wings." Shapeshift could alter this to "Blue Jay Wings." But changing them to "Bat Wings" which are not functionally the same as avian wings, would not be possible. Nor could these wings be shapeshifted to such a size as to be made unseen.

Example 3: Aberration of "Scales." Shapeshift could can make them rougher or softer, maybe a little bigger or smaller, but any Joe Baseline has to be able to point to you and say “He’s got scales”.

Example 4: Aberration of "Glowing eyes." Shapeshift could move the eyes into an area that could be covered (ergo, beneath a shirt) but they aren't removed completely from the body. They could also be taken "within" the body, but appropriate blind penalties would still apply. You could not do this AND create a new set of eyes that are not aberrated.

18: Can Disrupt affect powers with the "Permanent" Strength or the "Permanent Power" aberration?

Yes. Disrupt reduces the number of dots a power a character has available. A "permanent" power that is disrupted, once reduced to zero, has no affect. It is still "on" for the purposes of the duration of either the aberration or the strength, but it has no effect and cannot be used to any benefit. A flyer will lose flight, a psychic link will collapse, and a bioluminescent being will go dark. As soon as the disrupt's duration has ended the power will return to its normal state of activity without cost to the disrupted nova.

19: How is Permanent Power handled as an aberration?

Permanent power is meant to be a detriment to the character, not a bonus. A character who has Immolate, for example, is always emitting damaging energy and cannot turn it off. It's on and nothing short of dorming down will allow the nova to turn the power off.

Let's get this straight. Permanent Power is NOT a substitute for Reduced Quantum Cost. You do not have the option for not using the power. If you have Permanent Power of Flight, you are always flying, even if you are merely hovering in place. You do not touch the ground.

The option given to us as a question - having wings manifest as physical representation of Permanancy, is legal if and only if the nova is always flying. Having controllable, articulate wings that one can fold against their body and thus "not fly" is not a Permanent Power nor an Aberration at all, it is having the Flight power linked to a Body Modification, and using the "linked" weakness so you pay no quantum activation. Having uncontrolled wings which constantly flap and keep you a few inches from the ground when not in use is an example of how this would be acceptable.

NEW 20: I have a Quantum 6 character, and want to create an effect/technique that would have a Quantum 6 requirement. How can I submit this for approval.

We debated long and hard on this one. In a narrative environment like this one, once Q6 is hit, certain liberties are expected; and codifying techniques, etc, becomes meaningless except to give OOC structure to ideas.

When a nova acquires Quantum 6, they are capable of feats that are quite literally god-like. When Mastery is tacked onto the power, this can be awe-inspiring and terrifying. Since most characters that have Quantum 6 are going to have relatively high dice pools in the relevant power to begin with, it seems a little unnecessary to clarify which effects require the difficulty and quantum modifiers the rules place on "non-known" techniques, especially in a narrative setting like this.

Henceforth, we will not be accepting submissions for any techniques for the "suite" powers that would require a Q6. We accept that the character is capable of performing the action, and it doesn't require director approval before using it. If you are concerned that your effect borders on the next Quantum level power (i.e., you have Elemental Mastery and the effect borders on the Authority level), you are welcomed to submit it to us to see it is outside of your character's quantum limitations. Since these abilities are more likely to appear in the Fiction section rather than the OpNet, it will need to be brought to our attention if the player base feels a player is abusing their character's Quantum 6 potential.

Otherwise, we are acknowledging the freedom of the authors to use dramatic license when applying Quantum 6 might to their characters in an environment where consent is the rule.