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FAQ
F.A.Q.
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APPLICATIONS
What characters can I apply for?Kollo welcomes canon characters of any medium, OC's and characters with memories from a previous game. If you choose to app a character with memories from a previous game, please communicate with existing or potential cast mates so everyone is on the same page.
Currently not accepted:
- Real life people, including actors. This is a hard no.
- Characters incapable of some form of communication. If they can understand and make themselves understood, it's all good.
- Characters incapable of making the decision to join Kollo. Coming to the island is a voluntary choice. Characters who, for some reason, aren't capable of making that choice can't come.
- AU versions of canon characters. This may change in the future.
- OC's from an existing canon. This does not include custom characters from MMORPGS or tabletop rp characters.
- Characters who are significantly larger than normal human beings, for ease of gameplay. You are still welcome to app them, but they will be sized down to something more manageable.
- In an effort to keep casts from growing too large, you can only play one character per canon regardless if they interact or not.
If you're concerned about whether or not your character is eligible, feel free to contact us at kollomods@gmail.com
My character is really young. Can I still app them?
Kollo does not have an official age limit, though the premise of the game requires that the character is able to join the island of their own free will. Very young characters may not be able to do this. Send us an email if you're concerned about whether or not your character is too young.
My character is dead.
Swedish folklore is all about death and returning from the afterlife, so if your character is already deceased that's not going to stand in the way of them going to Kollo. Somehow, through the power of pretendy funtimes, the ad will find them and they'll write a response to it.
My character is an animal/robot/skeleton. Do I have to humanize them?
You don’t have to, but you’re welcome to if you want! Feel free to assume this was arranged before their arrival on the island.
My character doesn’t have a physical body! Can I still app them?
Yes! A physical body will be provided for them before arrival, to their specifications!
There's more than one person in my character's body/they're linked to another being!
There's no rule against playing a character that shares body with someone else, or who is physically/spiritually linked to someone else. However, dealing with this can be tricky and will need to be done on a case-by-case basis. Please contact a mod before applying so we can discuss how to handle it.
My character was injured/sick/cursed!
Kollo is a chill, relaxing vacation in the archipelago, not an episode of ER. Any injuries, illnesses, curses or other maladies are healed and removed before arrival. Please send us an email if you feel the injury/illness/curse is crucial to the character's personality and we can work out a way to deal with that.
My character has special needs!
Those needs will be seen to. Whether it's a special diet, a speech-to-text communicator or an all-terrain wheelchair, it will be provided upon arrival. If you're looking to play a vampire, werewolf or other supernatural creature that reacts to their environment, there are ways to deal with that. Sensitivity to the sun can be difficult to play with in the long run, and you can request to have that sensitivity removed on arrival or later in the game if you choose to. Likewise, players of werewolves may choose whether or not their character reacts to the full moon and to what extent. Feel free to assume this has been worked out with administration beforehand, or request a thread if you'd rather play it out in game.
Please contact a mod if your character has a special need that isn’t covered here, or if you’d like to work with this special need in a different way.
How do powers work?
There is no power neutering or reducing in Kollo. Striking a fair balance between supernatural power and natural strength is tricky, and since this is a game that the characters enter willingly without anything to fight but each other, I trust that they don’t come in with the explicit want to punch someone in the face with lasers. Breaking that trust with wanton violence, vandalism and destruction will have IC consequences, regardless where those powers stem from.
That said, there are ways to dampen or remove powers on request. The character can come in de-powered from the start, or request a charm in game in order to remove or lessen their powers temporarily. There are also in-game possibilities to gain new, harmless powers if that’s something they’re interested in seeking out.
If you have any questions or concerns about specific powers, or powers not listed here please email us at kollomods@gmail.com
I'm having trouble writing the application letter!
I know, the application for Kollo looks a little different to most games. After over ten years in the rp world, I'm a bit tired of the traditional application structure (notice how there's no history or personality section? Yeah, screw that noise) and wanted to try something different! This seems like a good way to get an idea for your character's personality, voice and motivations, and anchoring all that in the point of time from which they'd be brought into Kollo.
If you're having trouble writing the sample, here's a few things you can think about: what is their motivation for wanting to go to Kollo? Why do they need a break? Are things so rough in their own time that they're looking to get away for a bit, or do they just want a free vacation and meet some new people? How would they get this across in the letter? What would they say? What would they keep to themselves?
My character wouldn't apply to go to the island! What can I do?
Not every character is going to be a good fit for the game. The entire premise of Kollo builds on the guests being there voluntarily and of their own making, so unfortunately some characters will be harder to play.
There are some things you can consider to make it work, like what canon point they're brought in from. Maybe they'd be more keen to get away from a more stressful moment, or maybe they need a vacation once everything has been sorted out and they have no pressing matters to attend. Maybe a friend could talk them into applying, or they're naturally suspicious of the invitation and wants to check it out for themselves, on the off chance that it's too good to be true.
How do powers work?
There is no power neutering or reducing in Kollo. Striking a fair balance between supernatural power and natural strength is tricky, and since this is a game that the characters enter willingly without anything to fight but each other, we trust that they don’t come in with the explicit want to punch someone in the face. Breaking that trust with wanton violence, vandalism and destruction will have IC consequences, regardless where those powers stem from.
That said, there are ways to dampen or remove powers on request. The character can come in de-powered from the start, or request a charm in game in order to remove or lessen their powers temporarily. There are also in-game possibilities to gain new, harmless powers if that’s something they’re interested in seeking out later on.
If you have any questions or concerns about specific powers, or powers not listed here please email us at kollomods@gmail.com
What can they bring with them into the game?
Your character is free to bring with them anything they’d normally pack for an extended vacation away from home. Anything they own in canon is fair game: books, electronics, clothes, items of affection, etc. The exception being a handful of prohibited items that may disturb the peace and tranquility of the island.
Weapons. Small knives such as pocket knives are acceptable, but absolutely no firearms or larger weaponry. This is a vacation, not Game of Thrones. Soul bonded or magically summoned weapons are hard to confiscate and as such they’re allowed, but may result in a power reduction later on should they be used for destruction. Explosives, doomsday devices, orbs of spinning death, etc. Why would you. Large animals. Want to bring your cat/dog/parakeet from home? Go for it. Larger animals that require special housing would require special permission and most likely a transaction of credits at the General Store. If you’re unsure whether or not you can bring in an item, please contact a mod and we’ll hash it out!
GAMEPLAYWhat does Kollo mean?
Kollo is slang for barnkoloni and refers to the summer camp movement that grew in Europe during the 1800s as a response to the growing misery in the cities. It was a way for poor families to send their children to the countryside during the summer where they could breathe fresh air, exercise and eat healthy food. It was often sponsored by companies, organisations or the government, providing a free social service for underprivileged kids.
When and where does this take place?
Kollo takes place on the fictional magical island of Norrhamn, in the Swedish archipelago. While it takes place in present day, there is no connection to real world events, seasons or politics.
How does time work within the game? Seasons?
Kollo runs on an 1:7 schedule, meaning that one (1) day in game equals one (1) week in real time. The new day will begin on Mondays with a post from an NPC, detailing the date, the weather and if something special is going on that particular day.
There will be seasons and seasonally linked holidays in the game, though they will rarely if ever overlap with real world holidays. An in-game season will last roughly one month, which equals to six months of real time. This is to ensure that players don't have to stay in the game for years and years in order to experience more than one season. ICly this is explained in a similar way — Kollo is a temporary stop in most characters lives, so they've magically sped up the process a bit so the guests can enjoy the island in all its seasonal beauty.
The weather and month will be detailed in the Monday NPC posts, so keep an eye on those to avoid seasonal confusion!
What happens when my character arrives?
New guests come in about every three days and are let off the ferry at the port, where they are met by Olivia, the administrator. They're given an information packet and are shown to their assigned housing, where they can spend some time unpacking and settling in before the newcomer party later in the evening at the community center. The theme of this party will be different from time to time, and existing characters are welcome to attend and meet their new neighbours!
Guests who come in at the same time are welcome to assume they've talked on the journey over, as the ferry makes multiple stops throughout the multiverse to pick up everyone.
What happens to my character's home world while they’re in Kollo?
Nothing. The moment they leave for Kollo, their world is put on pause and doesn't start back up again until they return. This information is detailed in the info pack they get on arrival and should be common knowledge, unless the character chooses not to read it.
This also applies to your character — they won’t grow old, contract diseases or permanently lose limbs while they're at Kollo. They are of course welcome to celebrate birthdays and other anniversaries, should they choose!
I’m unhappy with my housing arrangement!
That’s okay, there’s nothing stopping you from moving to a different cabin! Comment on the Housing Post and your housing arrangement will be updated!
Note: Kollo thrives on cross-canon interaction, so please try to avoid only spending time with your castmates, especially if you all live in the same cabin. I understand that friends want to bunk with friends, but there’s nothing wrong with making a few new ones while you’re at it!
How do characters communicate with each other?
Linguistically, Kollo is a magical place that automatically translates any language written or spoken into a language the reader/listener will understand. Language barriers are not an issue.
Practically, the characters will receive a simple cell phone (a souped up Nokia 3210) upon arrival with which they can send text, voice or video to the network at large, a group of people or a single individual. It comes with an okay camera phone and Snake pre-installed, though other applications may be added in the future. There is no access to the internet.
Physically, characters are welcome and encouraged to meet up in person through action logs. Please mark your posts with text/voice/video/action as applicable, or a mix of the four! For ease of play, all interactions must take place on
kollo_rpg. If you, for any reason, want to play out interactions in your own journals you are free to do so but they won’t be eligible for bonus AC.
How easy is it to leave Kollo? Come back?
Leaving Kollo is very easy — icly the guests who choose to go back home will get on the ferry next time it lands and head home. Leaving is always voluntary and you will always have the option of playing out goodbyes should you wish to.
Returning to Kollo may take a little more work. Characters can arrange for a pickup beforehand (for say, a hiatus or canon update) but if they leave with nothing set up for their return they'll have to write another letter in order to be brought in again. While Kollo is welcoming and wants to provide a refuge for anyone who needs it, it's not exactly a place where you spend your weekends before going back to work.
What kind of events can I expect?
A lot of the gameplay in Kollo depends on player participation, and there will always be ample space to process, explore and expand on your character’s state of mind and relationships with other characters in the game. There will of course be events, but they will mostly be on the light-hearted and non-disruptive side — harvest festivals, midsummer parties, Christmas celebrations and of course the obligatory premier of surströmming.
From time to time, there may be a darker event. A lot of Swedish folklore centers around death, suffering and the dangers of the Unseen. I feel it would be unfortunate to entirely shy away from these themes, but I promise you that they will always be focused on mischief rather than malice. There may be events that the characters find stressful or difficult, but they will never be in physical danger and these events will not happen often.
If you have suggestions for events you’d like to see in the game or want to run an event yourself, contact the mod!
I don’t know anything about Sweden or folklore! Help!
That’s okay, a lot of people still confuse us with Switzerland!
You don’t really need to know much about Sweden or Swedish folklore to play in this game (your character probably knows even less) but if you feel truly lost or just want to read up on it, you can check out the Wiki page on Scandinavian folklore, or Swedish Traditions. Events will have clear information about whatever it's focused on and characters are welcome to ask NPCs if they wish to know more about local culture.
If you still have questions you’re more than welcome to email me at kollomods@gmail.com with any questions you may have. I’m a native Swede and more than happy to share information about my country!
How does the game handle sex? Pregnancies?
Sex is permitted, provided the characters involved are of legal age. Since the game is set in Sweden we'll be going by the Swedish age of consent, which is 15. Please be aware that not everyone wants to read sex scenes, so please mark your smut with a cut or a warning in the subject line.
As for pregnancies and STDs, neither is possible in Kollo. Bringing in a character that is already pregnant is allowed, but please be aware that they do not physically age while at Kollo and so their pregnancy will remain in whatever month it was on arrival until they return back home.
What about death?
Kollo is a chill, wholesome game about people barbecuing in the archipelago, but if you want to bring death into the mix there’s nothing stopping you. In-game deaths requires mod approval and a well thought out game plan - doubly so if you’re planning to kill another character. Murder isn’t really what this game is about, so you better have a real good reason to push for it.
If a death occurs, the deceased will not remain so forever. Death is never a permanent feature in Kollo, but how a person comes back from it will be decided on a case by case basis. Swedish folklore is full of ghouls and ghosts and I'm sure we can find a solution that fits your character now that they've gone and died.
Is there electricity? Wi-Fi?
There is electricity! And wi-fi! You’ll need a computer to connect to it and you won’t be able to access any news sites or social media, but if you just want to watch some cat videos or stream a movie for a rainy night in, that’s certainly doable.
I want to chat with an NPC!
That’s great! You can contact most of them through the NPC contact post! Most of them are available daily, with the exception of Aina the ferryperson who's only around on the days when the ferry is in port, and the Brook Horse that requires some in-game work to show himself.
How can I get items from home? A horse? A shiny new laptop?
Everyday items such as toiletries, simple clothes and food can be obtained through the General Store. If you’re looking for something from the mainland, like a particular snack food or a fancy looking dress you can request it from Ingvar the Shop Keep and it will be delivered next time the ferry docks. Items that are harder to get such as large pets, electronics or items from your characters home world will require a transaction of crown credits. The amount of crowns needed will vary depending on what the request is, and relates entirely to how much you think your character has been able to earn.
There's also the alternative route of obtaining objects by striking up a deal with the Brook Horse. This requires a little bit of detective work, as he's not the easiest person to get a hold of. You also need to be prepared — everything comes at a price.
How do I earn crown credits?
By helping out around the island! Your character can do some work at the farm (there's always something to do there), help out in the general store, clean up at the community center or any other little chore that might pop up!
How do I gain new powers?
So you want to learn some magic, huh? There are a few ways to go about this, but they all go through Valborg the Wise. If rumours are to be believed, she knows a trick or two that she might teach you and if that's not enough she knows just who you need to talk to in order to get what you want. You could also, on rare occasions, run into one of the Unseen in the woods or on the beach. If you're good, maybe they'll be willing to share what they know.
ACTIVITY CHECKS etcHow do activity checks work?
Kollo has a check-in based system for activity checks. This means that once a month, you comment to the activity check with your name and a list of your characters, showing that you’re still interested in remaining in the game. That’s all! Easy peasy!
I missed an activity check! Help!
Don’t panic! There’s a grace period of three days from the end of the activity check where you can still check in and let me know you’re in the game! If you still end up missing the check-in your character will be automatically dropped, but you are of course welcome to app again next cycle.
I need to go on hiatus. How does that work?
Since Kollo runs on a check-in based AC, there are no real dangers to having an inactive month. However, if you find yourself without access to a computer for the duration of the activity check, you may call a hiatus in advance. During the hiatus your character will remain on the island and run on auto-pilot. You can only be on hiatus for one month before you have to check in again, so don't take this as an excuse to disappear forever.
You can also call a hiatus if you want to canon- or power update your character. This is handled a little differently than a normal hiatus, in that your character is required to leave the island for no less than one real world week or one in-game day. There are two ways you can handle a canon- or power update:
- A visit to the mainland — Your character decides to return home for a brief period of time to advance their storyline. Upon returning, they'll have new memories and any new powers they may have gained in canon.
- Taken by the mountain — while Kollo is a calm and safe place, there are still things lurking in the deep woods of the island. If you want your character to have a supernatural experience or gain powers they do not have in canon, you can allow them to venture too deep into the woods and end up with the Unseen. No actual harm will come to them, but they will return with new knowledge of the island and perhaps a few new skills.
All canon- and power updates require mod approval. Please fill out this form if you're looking to update your character.
I need to drop. What happens?
Dropping a character simply means that they head back home to whatever world they came from. You are more than welcome to play out goodbyes, leave notes behind or icly divide their items before leaving, since departing from the island is always a voluntary choice.
Who mods this?
It's me, Rica! I'm a veteran roleplayer from Sweden with half a BA in history and too many books on Swedish folklore on the shelf. You can contact me through kollomods@gmail.com or add me on plurkreveillez or discord (ricamarch#3742) if you want to have a more casual chat.
I have more questions!
Cool! I’m sure I missed something! Comment on this post with your question, or send an email to kollomods@gmail.com and I’ll help the best I can!
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Check out the info on bonus AC above for more info on earning crown credits, and check out the general store on the Locations page for info on what kind of stuff you can expect in the store.
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If a character is dead in canon would it be possible for them to arrive with a body that is more how they view themselves than how they died (say, in their prime rather than as an old man whose body was beginning to fail them)?
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