There are two reasons. The first being that we wanted to stand apart from our competition. In our experience, the majority of the Dragon Age sites have been set within the contemporary timeline, and allow for canon characters, or else are canon exclusive.

The second reason is simply that this timeline holds appeal to us. We know the basics, we know about the occupation and who rules each country. However, the Resistance movement prior to Maric and prior to the height of Moira's lead, is unknown. We have the foundation of the contemporary timeline, allowing for elaboration on ancestry, and the opportunity to fill in a few blanks. The possibilities are virtually endless, all without hinging on major canon characters, and that is promising.

The plot centers around these two intertwined countries. In addition, expanding the number of boards to other countries, or even the whole of Thedas, would severely limit roleplaying opportunities due to geographic isolation.

As to why we chose both Orlais and Ferelden instead of setting it set solely in one nation or the other? There are numerous reasons. At this time, the border between Ferelden and Orlais is fluid, making travel between the two easy. The two countries also have very distinctive flavors, and allow for unique experiences, with Ferelden being more simple and practically minded, and Orlais being cosmopolitan and the self-proclaimed center of civilization.

At this time, we feel that four is a suitable number of characters which a player may have. However, this rule is somewhat flexible. If an individual proves that they are active, they may purchase an additional character slot through the shop system, for a hefty price. Each additional character slot after the fifth doubles, but again, slots may continue to be purchased.

No, not without your permission. However, that does not mean that encounters and decisions are consequence free. If you're running an Apostate, and are cornered by a Templar or group of Templars, and lose the fight, there will be consequences. You will be dragged off to the Circle and placed under heavy scrutiny--and they'll make a Phylactory for you, complicating future escape. If you're a thief who is captured by a town guard, or your victim manages to corner you, you may lose a hand for your theft. Broken bones, missing limbs and scars are very real possibilities from your choices. And you are not the only potential victim of your actions. NPCs and other players involved may suffer for your decisions as well. Screw up badly enough, and you may be faced with any of these PERMANENT CONSEQUENCES.

Mostly to prevent spamming. Since we're a site that allows for character advancement through posting activity, you can see how the system might be abused.

Mini-events are a form of plot. Most are small and one-shot type plots that are open to a specific group of people. Some mini-events would only be available to one applicant, and others will be available to an array of applicants. Some may even have applicants being randomly selected, others serving on a first come, first served basis. And others still may be entirely random, depending on your character's various affiliations. That means you might not always volunteer for a mini-event and still be dragged into one.

And, for your ease, here are a few sample mini-events: enterprising treasure seekers may be given an opportunity for an expedition into old Elvish ruins, for a fee. An Orlesian party at a salon may be organized, with opportunities for Nobles and Arbiters to prove themselves through clever maneuvering within the Game. Travelers on a Highway may be besieged by Bandits, but find that the Bandits have an impressive hoard. Hopefully that gives you an idea.

This again is attached to roleplaying opportunities. Playing anything other than a surface dwarf would make threading opportunities virtually nonexistent. Unless we have a large influx of Orzammar Dwarves, then by all means, live it up.

Lore reasons, namely. Most females within the Qun are not in professions that would allow for them to leave Par Vollen or Seheron. However, there are some exceptions, and there as some Kossith that exist outside the Qun. The Tal-Vashoth, who rejected their roles within the philosophy of Koslun, and the Vashoth, who were born outside the Qun entirely. As non-Qun Kossith/Qunari are rarer than their Qun-following counterparts, these numbers will be highly restricted.

Ferelden is still feeling the after-effects of Sophia Dryden's actions. For standing in rebellion against a King, she cost the Grey Wardens their foothold in Ferelden. Still banned from activity within the country, the Grey Wardens can only operate in Orlais.

Yes, you may. But keep in mind that these applications will be more heavily scrutinized. We don't want a clone to Leliana as Leliana's grandmother, so try and make these takes interesting and unique. Also keep in mind that some positions will open up complications. In order to be a Cousland, you must first purchase High Nobility. And while you may picture yourself the head of the Cousland family, it is unlikely that you are without siblings or other relatives, who can then be applied for. And at a lower cost, too, as they are not as lofty in their position as you.

Being a Noble comes with many perks. Additional wealth for purchasing a variety of things from the shop system, and numerous social privileges. Not everyone can be wealthy and important, and these benefits should serve primarily as a reward to active players, who will make the most of their station.

Occasionally nobility positions may open up. These positions will be free, and permit players to apply for lower or middle nobility. These applications will be subject to heavier scrutiny, particularly for first timers, but these instances will effectively bypass the need to purchase the rank. Before applicants jump all over the opportunity, be aware that such a position may have consequences, particularly for higher nobility.

Absolutely. While nobility affords players more gold to purchase items and skills, and the privileges that come with nobility, the position also comes with responsibilities. These responsibilities will vary depending on the level of nobility which you take. However, nearly all nobles will be subject to the posturing and machinations of the Game and those that play it.

The Game will allow for advancement or demotion within the ranks of nobility, depending on how well the nobility plays it. Exquisite plays will result in praise and attention, but will also garner more rivalry.

Of course, not everyone plays the Game. Eccentric Orlesians might not take part, although they're certain to never advance. And some might think that they are hiding something, making them even more likely to be visited by a Bard within their lifetime. Fereldans who refuse to kowtow to the Orlesian lifestyle will be subject to something similar, and even worse. The refusal to play might be taken as hostility toward Orlais, and that may come with a visit from an assassin.

The highest nobles may find encounters with Bards and Assassins to be numerous indeed.

Certainly. While Apostates flourish within the Great Beyond, there is a reason that they are not nearly so numerous within populated areas. Simply put, being within a city means being subject to more eyes, and some eyes might see an Apostate for what they really are. The larger the city, the greater chance that someone may know, which means that Templars may be dispatched to deal with you.

Within the wilderness, it is not nearly so bad. The Dalish are all but immune to Templar visits, and other Apostates will find visits infrequent if they occur at all.

But even if you succeed in an encounter, there is a cost to success. It is no easy feat to kill an entire unit of Templars. More likely that an Apostate simply runs away, which may increase the number of Templars in the future. And if an Apostate should kill a Templar and leave one alive to report back, they may find themselves branded Maleficar, which is only met with one sentence.

Indeed, there are. Being a Templar means doing things that you may rather not, like being dispatched to hunt for Apostates and Maleficar, both of which are rarely happy to receive Templars. Sometimes Templars are even sent out to pry mage children away from their families.

And let us not forget the Lyrium addiction. The price for being so effective against mages is a heavy one. Templar players will be required to purchase Lyrium potions from the shops regularly, and may find that their potions disappear after a certain time. If potions are not replaced quickly, the Templar in question will suffer the consequences of withdrawal, which are horrible indeed.

Balance. Commanding an entire country, controlling all of the Templars, or being the head of an entire religion with three armies at your disposal is rather game breaking.

Partly to emulate the Dragon Age system, and as this is a play-by-post forum, there is only one way to earn both experience and gold, and that is by posting. The main reason, however, is to level the playing field and encourage activity. All characters start out more or less the same in terms of experience and ability, and active players will be rewarded for their efforts.

Archetypes are six different classifications. These classifications serve as both Class (in the Medieval sense) and Role within society. They allow us to better sort characters and organize starting bonuses, as all characters of a certain archetype receive the same thing, more or less.

Yes, you can find out more about that HERE.

Potions serve as temporary boosts, and can save a character in an emergency. If a Mage is outnumbered or overwhelmed by a skilled opponent, a mana potion will give them a second wind, or boost the potency of their magic for a short duration. The same can also be said of a Templar. Health potions are similar, and can serve as antidotes to poison (if the individual knows they've been poisoned), or allow a user to recover from injuries. Additionally, the application of numerous health potions, particularly after receiving a grievous wound (broken limbs, severe burns) will help lessen the PERMANENT CONSEQUENCE. So instead of looking at a character with a crippled arm, you might simply be looking at a character with decreased maneuverability.