» Character-owned businesses.
» Landmarks that would drastically alter the established world.
» Accessing NPC-owned locations such as the Palace.
» Adding a quest to the Notice Board.
» Organizing expeditions and/or gatherings (festive or otherwise) that might require clarification or aftermath approval.

» THE HARBORS

The commercial heart of Stygia. It runs the entire north-south length of the main bay, and is evenly divided between Vestiges from harbors throughout the city and original construction out of local materials. Most buildings tend to look very much alike, since many of the harbormasters over the centuries have favored uniform construction. Merchants abound there, as well as craftsmen and laborers of all kinds, selling and bartering in the ever bustling marketplace: fishermen, blacksmiths, tailors, jewelers, bankers, carpenters... name it, and you'll likely find it somewhere. If you'd like to run a business, this is the right place to establish yourself and ensure visibility, though some have elected to settle elsewhere; herbalists usually favor Serene, for instance.

» THE BARRENS

Most of the Barrens are sheer cliff-face and slopes far too rugged to be worth anyone’s time to build on, but no place in Stygia can go altogether empty. There are extensive caves and ruins at half a dozen points, and smaller ones at many more. Sentries regularly patrol nearby for signs of trouble, and have the right to intervene when they deem it necessary. The Barrens are also home to one of the largest Vestige wrecks in Stygia. Half a mile of buildings, now destroyed, used to rest on the west side, and the entire stretch of hilltop has since toppled over, tilted 70 degrees from horizontal. It's a favorite gathering place for daredevils and petty criminals, and the rumor is that rebellious groups and various guilds are extremely well established there, perfectly shrouded in the shadows of ruins.

» RADIANCE

A city within a city, Radiance hosts the richest among all Restless, as well as the Hierarchy. If its floral smell reminds a little of corruption, it's probably because it does permeate the air, the pristine walls and the smooth cobblestones: no one would deliberately gather such an impressive collection of soul-imbued possessions without a hint of malice. The Palace -- or Parliament House -- is perched high at the very center of the district, heavily guarded and near impenetrable: coups have been organized in the past, but no one returned to tell the full tale. Still, some members are known to carry forlorn dispositions, memories of lives unfulfilled, but regrets in the Netherworld can sometimes turn darker, and power corrupts everywhere.

Unfortunately, Stygia could not survive without the Hierarchy, as it's also the strongest bulwark against Oblivium. Guests are seldom invited, but fancy gatherings are sometimes held for the common masses.

» SERENE

Cornucopian, lush, tranquil. Serene's founders are said to have Ascended long ago, leaving in their wake a small corner of paradise. It's the smallest of all districts, yet it hosts a myriad of gardens, ponds and streams and woodlots where both Restless and animals roam in peace. Spectres have rarely ever reached Serene, as if shielded by some kind of ethereal barrier. Sages, the founders were called, for what seems to be an obvious reason.

At the heart of the largest wood's thickest part, a library towers over most trees, a safe haven for old records and books from all over the universe, some new and others decrepit, fading beyond repair. A certain number of them have been tattered on purpose, and it shows. Luckily, the Academy watches over all that remains and offers classes revolving around nature, serenity, and harmony. They include: gardening, meditation, cooking, painting, herbalism, alchemy, and poetry. You may request to teach your own classes, but either way, you'll have to climb, as it's literally been built in and around trees.

» MIRTH

Mirth is quite possibly the most alien district compared to the others -- at least as far as architecture goes -- urban and seemingly more robust, though even its sturdy walls do crumble at times. Nightlife prevails here, and not just because of the Netherworld's lack of sunlight: restaurants, taverns and clubs line the streets, coffee shops, hotels, theatres, as well as more promiscuous establishments. An amusement park of decent size booms in the middle, unbelievably creepy: the many structures often wail mournful, and Shadows seem to thrive under the neon and black lights, taking vile opportunities to scare visitors. Stay away from the clowns, and do avoid the haunted house.

On a brighter note, Restless can also indulge in safer activities, namely in bath houses, gyms, and parks.

» HALE

An underground facility, both medical and spiritual. It was built there based on the belief that a subterranean quarter would better withstand Oblivium's pull, its Spectres and its storms, a plan nearly flawless. It is spectacularly secure, protected by layers upon layers of solid stone, of earth and of souls, but the Labyrinth's in close range, a reality too late discovered, and patients tend to experience horrific nightmares during their recovery. Nothing quite like a Harrowring, but troubling nonetheless, often resulting in fractured or hindered convalescence. Most prefer the quietude of Serene in order to heal, though serious injuries require the sort of medical equipment and space that only Hale possesses. Temples of various faiths were also built there, though even prayers aren't safe.

» THE GALLOWS

Screams are rather common in Stygia, but in the Gallows, screams are essentially constant as tormented souls char on their way to Oblivium. On the other hand, rare are those who actually wind up hanged: instead they're often left to rot in their cages, forced to work the Forges or become one of the forged, and regularly used as bait against Spectres. Guards, like any other Restless, are no more immune to the whims of their Shadow, so torture isn't particularly unusual. Criminals are unceremoniously imprisoned there, if caught anyway, but anyone deemed unworthy or threatening by the Hierarchy could very well know the same fate. Tread carefully.

» THE HINTERLANDS

A wild, vast expanse of forested and forsaken land, practically uncharted... yet for some, it's a haven. Restless who feel their stability waning sometimes elect to settle there, rather than eventually being jailed and left to rot in the Gallows. It's a self-imposed sentence, an unfettered prison on the other side of the Seawall, and the gates solely unlock from within the main city. It's considered a part of Stygia still, a region hit particularly hard by Maelstroms in the past; for this reason, its hazardous levels increased tenfold, and Restless heavily struggling with their Shadows are firmly encouraged to relocate there. For the greater good. Some say it's nothing more than a condemnation disguised as a choice, even though the Hierarchy always claims otherwise. Hamlets have been spotted within, farms, orchards... surely it's not that bad.

While the guards usually allow anyone in, coming back might prove a little trickier, unless you excel at sneaking, coaxing, or bribing. It's a one-way trip for most, so keep that in mind.

The Labyrinth runs wider and deeper than the human mind can readily comprehend, and within infinite space there is infinite diversity. Surprisingly, it's rarely entirely dark; it's dark enough, with its substance glowing with muted colors that tug at the corners of the eye, casting the simplest shadow into monstrosity. Generally, the more active and fluid any given area of the Labyrinth is, the more half-light it creates to better reveal shapes and shades to lure the credulous or unwary always deeper. There, reason and even causality surrender to the ever-changing flux of Oblivium; whim, fantasy and nightmare all collide within to create claustrophobically tight or mind-bending corridors, and even stranger landscapes. The walls of the Labyrinth can be anything, but none of them are pleasant. Miles of lung tissue, beating hearts, obsidian that whispers indistinct horrors, writhing bodies, nightmarish sea creature appendages straight out of the Tempest, screaming mouths... It's always terrifying, and its motivations are utterly incomprehensible. It’s less a place of conscious evil than simply hungry, primordial, and irrational. It wasn't once tranquil and turned evil; it just is.

The best-known entrance and exit to the Labyrinth is a cave located in the Barrens, always heavily guarded, though there are many across the Netherworld. Ruined sections of the Shadowlands, for instance, sometimes plummet through the Tempest to crash onto the Labyrinth, which set off quakes that make existing passages collapse and break open new ones around their impact craters. The outside of the Labyrinth warps and cracks from both internal and external stresses, and the tides of stasis and change force everything into new configurations, casting up mountainous ridges or valleys choked with debris. Within the chaos, there are countless openings that range from pinhole cracks to canyons so wide that their outer borders vanish in Tempest mist and fog, not to mention the holes blown open by Spectres for use in Harrowings. Happy hunting!

♰ THE SHADOWLANDS

---

A haunted landscape, cold and decaying. In the Shadowlands, plant life is glimpsed here and there, mostly abounding with gnarled trees often devoid of leaves, twisted vines blackened with soot, muddy sand and coarse grass clattering in the dank breeze. And it reeks. The earth is usually bare, blasted by frost or scorched by fire, and ashes and sleet regularly drift by. Its most singular aspects are the thousands of doors and egg-shaped Shrouds scattered everywhere and stretching for miles, as well as the very disoriented creatures that more or less spill out of them on the daily. Broad and slow tributaries meander through, feeding the Sea of Shadows with debris, monstrosities, and travelers in relatively equal measures. Not a prized location, but a necessary stop nonetheless, as it hosts the Restless' original homes and their precious Tethers. It's unknown whether more islands hide beyond its cliffs and mountain chain.

♰ THE TEMPEST

---

The Tempest is the eternal, ferocious storm that rages in the Netherworld. It does not consist of mere water, wind, and cloud; it's also made of broken glass, magma, nightmares, acid, and any other horrific substance one can imagine. Rare islands of stability exist within; Stygia is built on one, and other realms are known to stand against the storm. Brave, foolish, or desperate souls can attempt to cross it directly; others use safer paths with the help of Ferrymen, or on their own. Not only is it haunted by horrifying entities, Spectres can also be found in the Tempest, as they like to waylay travelers on byways. The largest is the River of the Dead, which safely leads to Stygia.

FLORA & FAUNA
♰ FLORA

---

The general rule of thumb is that if it exists in your world, it most likely exists in the Netherworld, albeit a lot rarer in the Shadowlands. Patience, determination and a sprinkle of magic (probably) made it possible for plant life to thrive in certain areas, though it most likely wasn't executed without a few sacrifices. Some varieties tend to grow aplenty, such as:

» BLACK MOURNING GLORY
This stunning flower would make a striking bouquet for a sweetheart, if it weren’t for the fact that it would suck them dry in a matter of hours. Characterized by their black trumpet shaped blossoms with rich cobalt blue centers, this flower contains a noxious pollen that saps the energy from anyone foolish enough to touch them. This then causes the flowers to glow bright blue in the moonlight, often lighting the way for travelers, just not without first paying a toll.
» HAGWEED
This wine-colored seaweed often blooms after severe storms. It coats the waves and washes ashore, leaving bloody scenes in its wake. It’s also poisonous to the touch, causing burning sores that weep pus and melting flesh, leaving the victim in excruciating pain.
» CINDERPETAL
These bright red and orange flowers can be found near mountain ranges with volcanic activity. The petals of these flowers are always warm to the touch, and can be ground up into a fine powder. Often used in alchemy.
» BLOODGRASS
A deep red to maroon crabgrass with a cinnamon to licorice taste. Often used in teas and powders to heighten the senses and to provide a slight energy boost.
» SCALEBERRIES
These berries do not look like scales of any sorts, but rather are named this because they're all about weighing the odds. This berry can cure nearly any disease when consumed, though it's often replaced by another, and it's difficult to predict which one.
» WINTERPEA
A pea plant with stunning periwinkle flowers and a permanent layer of frost. The plant will slowly freeze water around it as it grows, and one pea can freeze a gallon of water on contact.

♰ FAUNA+

---

From ordinary critters to bipedal nightmares, the same rule applies when it comes to animals and various other creatures, sentient or otherwise. However, some of them have caused enough trouble to be deemed threatening in one way or another, and are thus worth mentioning. Take a look at the Bestiary for more information.

CULTURE

The Netherworld being what it is, Stygia's population is vastly diverse. If most still celebrate and cling to the various cultures from their respective worlds, others have erected temples for brand new made-up Gods, and from there, legends were born, myths, superstitions and traditions. Stygia-made beliefs are typically much too scattered among the population to be well-known, but some of them have stood out over the centuries, for one reason or another. Here's a non-exhaustive list:

» STORM TIDE
Observed on the first day of extremely favorable winds, Storm Tide is a moment of celebration in the Harbors. Ships are prepared to set sail, cargoes are loaded, and offerings are made to the Ascended for a safe and profitable season... even if it rarely lasts longer than an earthly week.
» REMEMBRANCE
This holiday honors the various souls that were sacrificed to the Forges by holding solemn rituals and observances to mark their noble deeds. It's also a time rife with religious intrigue and controversy, as some of them may well have been forcefully thrown into the fires by the Hierarchy. In the past, crowds of zealots have armed themselves to rampage about the city in fury and vengeance.
» TRANSCENDANCE
This is a religious holiday where all Restless - even the rich and powerful – are invited to don simple robes of sack-cloth and march bare-foot through the districts as a show of penance. It's a grim, solemn parade that involves a great deal of alms-giving, perhaps bringing them a little closer to Ascension.

» SUPERSTITIONS
If a lizard dies and is found belly up a flood is coming.
Placing a dove feather in the pillow of a suspected cheater will cause them to fess up.
Never hand citrus fruits to a friend. If you do your relationship with them is sure to turn sour.
Spreading eggshells in front of the entrance to a kitchen will prevent illness.
Leaving a candle in a window overnight is a sure sign to invite Nightweavers over.
Make sure to bury your hair after you cut it lest it fall into the wrong hands.
A pillow sewn from a sick person's nightclothes will prevent nightmares.

MISC

» TIME
Time isn't real. A second, a day, a year... It doesn't really matter, and the Hierarchy ordains festivities and the likes--as well as sanctions, curfews, commands, etc--based on climate, popular demand, or their own whims. A great number of Restless still observe personal traditions, using whatever measuring concept that suits them best. Lunar cycles are fickle at best, the twin moons above seemingly having a mind of their own.
» SEASONS
Annoyingly unpredictable, dictated by the Tempest's whims. A heat wave quickly followed by a snow storm isn't that far-fetched in the Netherworld, though there is some semblance of stability from time to time.

MINOR LOCALES

A masterlist of minor locales added by players (click to expand):

MIRTH

► THE CAIRN
The cairn is a bar that serves strong alcohol and dubious appetizers. Its dingy and dimly lit interior incidentally makes it the perfect place to start a fight or hide from one. Its main draw, however, is its central pillar, a former observation deck overlooking the round counter bar below. It was built for the building's previous business, an arena for the experimentation and monitoring of Spectres. this is a lie perpetuated by its owner, Jewel, an antiques thief in life, who needed a remarketing strategy to break even. The gossip about it has made it a popular stop; its patrons are usually daring, uncaring, or exceedingly stupid.

Features include (but are not limited to): shitty washrooms with graffitied stall doors; rotating, cheap beers on tap and powerful spirits; gambling machines; and the central loft that can be rented out for get-togethers or other things. people even hock wares inside with permission from jewel, so expect to find all manner of items that may catch your eye.

THE HARBORS

► Haruno Clinic
Sakura's running a little ad-hoc medical clinic down by the docks to help new arrivals and treat injuries!

► Anthanasia's Hortus
Anthanasia's Hortus is a quaint little flower shop that specializes in handmade bouquets for every type of occasion. It's a rather unusual looking shop thanks to all the decorative herbs and flowers at the front. While most would assume a flower shop would be more cheerfully decorated, this one carries a more somber color palette in the forms of dark blues and deep grays. There's plenty of little antiques and oddities scattered about all of which were found in the Barrens. If one looks closely, they might see a few spooky skulls decorated with lovely dark flowers and little charms. There's even a number of old dusty books lining the many wooden shelves, all of them findings from the Barrens.

The shop is a little cramped at best but every bouquet is carefully made and sustained by the proprietor himself. More expensive looking bouquets often cost a little close to 100 coin while the cheaper and frankly more economical bouquets tend to cost roughly around 15 to 20 coin each.

► Adventurers' Guild
A simple tavern with the intended purpose of providing a location for adventure-minded Restless to gather, learn about available jobs, coordinate joint ventures, relax after a hard day's work, etc. Restless who want to join the guild only need to sign their name on a ledger, agreeing to be contacted by the guild or other adventurers looking for help on their jobs. There are no dues.

SERENE

►Han Sooyoung Corporation
Han Sooyoung saw a need in the Netherworld... With otherworldly Restless scattered across the Stygia, what they lack is a sense of community, so forth she set out to renovate an abandoned apartment complex and create a safe haven(?) for her fellow wayward souls. For a low fee, she can provide them a roof over their heads and three quality meals. Perhaps in these walls, bonds everlasting can form.

Han Sooyoung Corporation is an apartment complex in Serene meant for fellow Restless to cohabitate! All are welcome to sign up to reside and enjoy rooming shenanigans. More information can be found here.

FULL NAVIGATION

An ascent to a higher state of being, a beacon of hope. Perhaps the road to redemption, peace, and ultimately, home. It's a counterweight to the omnipresent darkness of Oblivium, the one thing that encourages the Restless to keep resisting its hunger. Some seek it in the fabled paradises of the Far Shores, but others seek it within, and speak of virtuous Restless who suddenly vanished in a bright beam of light, leaving profound feelings of happiness and peace in their wake. Still, despite the lack of evidence — or perhaps because of it — the concept of Ascension hangs on, passed from one hopeful Restless to another like a candle in the darkness of the Netherworld.

In their Shadowlands' home, or anywhere in Stygia. Tethers, however, cannot be moved outside of the Shadowlands.

In the Shadowlands, plant life is glimpsed here and there, mostly abounding with gnarled trees often devoid of leaves, twisting vines blackened with soot, muddy sand and coarse grass clattering in the dank breeze. The earth is usually bare, blasted by frost or scorched by fire, and ashes and sleet regularly drift by. Stygia, on the other hand, offers large gardens in certain districts, where the trees burst with fruit and the clear water is cool and refreshing. For more information, you're welcome to browse the Bestiary as well as the Setting page.

Though most merchants gladly accept coin, trade by bartering is frequently observed. For some, coins remain a little too creepy, a fate that might just await them. Or you! Exchanges of services are also acceptable, and you'll often come across Notice Boards all around Stygia, odd jobs requiring your expertise. ICly, you can find them here.

As a quick and rough guide:
► Renting a room for a day ≅ 50 coins
► A decent meal ≅ 15 coins
► Poultices ≅ 5 coins
► Having anything soul-forged ≅ a soul + 100 coins
► Movie ticket ≅ 10 coins

Because Nightfell offers an environment where characters dwell on the past--or certain aspects of it--any previous needs they might have had before still remain. Hunger is thus definitely a thing, and luckily, merchants abound in Stygia. You'll find shops of all kinds in the marketplace there, and you can even start your own business.

Of a sort. The Hierarchy is not Stygia, but Stygia could not survive without the Hierarchy. Instead, the Hierarchy is the term for the organization that supports the Eternal City and keeps it functioning from day to day. It’s the vast network of clerks, soldiers, accountants, guards, and other souls who keep the Netherworld from devolving into total chaos, and they take their work very seriously. It's also the strongest bulwark against Oblivium, made up of the warriors who keep Spectres at bay. They represent the status quo, and not everyone agrees with their methods. Renegade brigades are known to exist, and sometimes directly act against the Hierarchy. Perhaps you'll get an opportunity to join them, or simply align with the Hierarchy's inclinations.

As a fair warning, the threat of the Hierarchy identifying you as potentially too dangerous and ordering you soulforged into furniture, building block, object of art, piece of machinery or weapon is ever-present.

You're absolutely welcome to try, though we suggest that you stay away from certain beasts.

Take a swim, walk, captain your own ship or ask a Ferryman. Teleportation will sometimes be available, as well as mounts. Seemingly dormant portals might also eventually awaken.

Please refer to the current setting page for information on most accessible areas to explore for the time being.

No. By default, the common tongue of the Netherworld is known by all upon arrival. You may still speak and/or teach your native language whenever you wish.

Yes, and it's called... wait for it. The Netherwork. Please don't throw your rotten tomatoes at us.

You'll find a cellphone in your Shadowlands home, possibly left there by the Hierarchy. Who knows. ICly, an instruction manual covering basic functions should be nearby, such as the Ethernet. Please know that the temptation to name it the Nethernet was nearly unbearable. It's very similar to our own internet, though it's a lot more limited as far as websites and the likes go. It's also soul-powered, much like everything else, and just like a coin, your device might make undesirable noises when you least expect it.

Absolutely! ICly, rifts sometimes appear in the Shadowlands, pretty much looking like giant mirrors. If you stare into one long enough, you'll be shown all the "what ifs" of a life you have not yet lived, but could have. A future that might come to pass.

Yes! If you have anything specific in mind that you’d love to explore (ideas for quests, new creatures and so on), we encourage you to check out the worldbuilding page.

You’ll be required to link a minimum of two (2) threads, as well as a brief summary of what your character’s been up to. No comment count required! Regarding summaries, a few lines are perfectly fine! We’re mostly looking for clues in order to adequately track your character’s ambitions/intentions/deeds so that we can 1. dole out suitable consequences (immediately following AC or at random), and 2. observe their evolution until the inevitable end. Will it be Ascension, or annihilation?

We realize that this can be extremely subjective as far as good and evil go, so to keep things simple, we'll have to adjust the consequences based on the character's overall intent. You'll be notified ICly or OOcly as soon as they come into effect (which might not necessarily happen right after AC or every round), depending on the action and what the outcome entails. Examples of consequences include, but are absolutely not limited to: a sojourn in jail, physical transformations, valuable artifacts, a harrowing, a permanent Spark, a power fully restored, a loss of any kind, privileges, information, etc. Consequences may not be doled out every time, but keep in mind that every action leads your character closer to Oblivium regardless, or Ascension. We'll keep track.

Bonus: optional perk! Each extra thread you provide must have at least 8 comments from you. 1 thread = 5 points, which you can use to receive a trinket, a boon, a Spark or an Artifact.

If extenuating circumstances prevent you from playing or notifying us in time, a retroactive hiatus will be available to you once every 6 months. Otherwise, to avoid a warning, please notify us at least one week before the end of the month!

A warning is cleared after you’ve successfully passed AC two months in a row. Three uncleared warnings = game over.

We accept links from TDMs, inboxes, logs, the netherwork, and Soulidarity (except for bonus threads!). You may submit threads from up to two months prior to the current month if you're still tagging them, but you can’t submit the same thread twice. Subthreads from a top-level or a catch-all log can be used as separate proofs for AC! As for bonuses, we'll be limiting submissions of subthreads to one (1) per round.

Additionally, we simply ask that you don’t exclusively tag inboxes and/or castmates, repeatedly submit network-style comment spam, or drop your threads as soon as you pass AC. If a consistent pattern occurs, we’ll reach out to the player and discuss with them before issuing a warning.

Absolutely! You may hiatus once every three months, and if you’ve taken an extended hiatus (3+ weeks) recently, you can't hiatus again for four months. Please note that you can't miss two AC cycles in a row! If you need to take a hiatus longer than one month (4 weeks), please contact the mods.

15+, canon and original characters. Minor characters & silent protagonists can be app'ed as well, so long as there is enough canon material (vs headcanon) for them to be deemed playable. CRAUs are not accepted at this time.

Judged on a case-by-case basis. Please keep in mind that characters from various adaptations should be significantly different from one another in order to be accepted, personality wise.

Currently, the game has a cap of 75 characters. Individual casts and OCs are capped at 8 characters, while franchises such as Marvel are capped at a total of 14 characters.

One per app cycle, for a maximum of two.

From the same individual canon, no, but you may app two characters from the same franchise (like Final Fantasy, for example).

Reserves open 2 days before apps open and last through the first 2 days of the app cycle. We operate on a first-come-first-serve basis.

* for transparency's sake, please note that this game was originally set to be invite-only. invites were sent out during its early stage, which means that a handful of characters are technically already reserved.

Reserves are closed for the time being.

Apps open for the last 4 days of the month. A new TDM should be available once every two or three months. You may use the latest TDM to test the waters.

Applications are now processed on a queue system. Applications can be submitted at any time throughout the month. Upon character spots becoming available, queued applications will then be processed at the beginning of each month, with acceptances being sent out. Recipients of these acceptances will be given 48 hours to respond for their acceptance to be finalized.

Yes, here!