This thread details anything you need to know before applying for a Custom Kit, as well as explaining the system and the application process itself. First, the thread will explain what can be applied for, then show you how to apply, and then give you some hints and tips on what to avoid, explain the procedure, and then highlight some aftercare. This thread is locked. If you have any questions about the process, submit a ticket to the RP Community Discord, where Lore Staff will help you understand the process.
What is the Custom Kit System?
While Massivecraft strives to create a fair and balanced Dungeons & Dragons-like system of Abilities and Proficiencies that allow players a great deal of creative freedom and inspiring choices and options, sometimes the system is too rigid to enable certain fantasies. Custom Kits exist to fill this gap, where Staff Members can create unique sets of rules and mechanics for players to fill a niche that might be missing. There are several ways this can be achieved through different categories of Custom Kits.
So what can be applied for?
1. Full Custom Kit
A "Full Custom Kit" is a kit that includes up to 2 unique Mechanics and/or Abilities, or one Super Mechanic, and 4 Mechanics chosen from somewhere applicable on the Wiki. The unique written mechanics are typically written to reflect the Character's goals, themes, and purpose. A "Super Mechanic" is a single mechanic with a high value, either through a large presence on the map of Regalia, a large presence in the Lore, or both. Super Mechanics are not guaranteed, but rely on our ability to deliver them based on the character.
To qualify for a Full Custom Kit, a character/player must: 1. Have a strong identity that we can work off of, a central theme, and be an "active character," meaning they proactively host events, start roleplay, and seek out conflict as opposed to only logging on in reaction to Staff Events, etc., and 2. Have a viable "argumentation," which is usually some community service that goes above and beyond just being a player on Massivecraft, and actively contributes in some testable and verifiable way that is not expected of the common player base, to benefit said player base. Argumentations must be clearly defined and agreed upon to be satisfactory by Staff Members. More on what defines an argumentation below. We suggest players look at the current list of kits to better understand what theirs might look like.
2. Arrangement Kit
An Arrangement Kit has nothing to do with Abilities or Mechanics, and is purely about non-standard functions in the world. Think, for example, of having a custom castle, or a private house in the forest, some kind of special arrangement with the government, or something kind of unique region in the Sewers in which the player can build. This can also, specifically, include non-instanced Noble Estates. Arrangements still require some sort of logical agreement in which the Staff can assess that the effort put into the request will be returned with quality roleplay for other players as a result of the arrangement. We suggest players look at the current list of kits to better understand what theirs might look like.
How do I apply?
First open this Form, which you will be filling out for the actual application, and then we'll go through each step:
You should carefully read this entire thread and the form before pressing submit, so keep this open. If you accidentally submitted the form too soon or aren't sure that the form made it through correctly, dm @Birdsfoot_Violet or send in a Discord ticket on the RP Community Discord, and she can help you verify. Now, onto the steps of the application:
- First, enter your username and Discord name. This should be your current username, but you may also put additional alts between brackets behind your main username. If you have recently changed your username (say in the last month or so), it would be good courtesy to write (previously: [name]) in there as well. Your Discord username is required so we may contact you with the ticket bot. If you cannot be contacted, we cannot give you a response.
- A Character Sheet is only necessary if you have one, but it does help the Staff make a better decision. Generally, it is recommended you apply for a perm for a pre-existing character, not to apply for a perm for a character that does not even exist yet, but it is possible if you have a good pitch.
- "What type of Kit are you applying for?" This is a simple drop-down choice box. We do not allow singular applications to include different kinds of kits, and especially ask that players do not apply for one type and then also say, "if I don't get approved for that, this other type instead."
- "What are your Mechanic/Ability, and/or Arrangement requests?" This is the section where you write what kind of functions you are looking for out of a custom kit, which can be vague or specific ideas. Remember that we cannot promise that we will grant or fulfill all requests in this section, even for accepted kits. Some concepts just don't work, due to no fault of the player.
- "What is your Argumentation?" This is the section where you write your Argumentation, in clear words for the Lore Staff to judge and review. Please do not use buzzwords or over-explain your concept.
What happens after I click Submit?
You will be redirected to the Forums' main page, and the thread will be sent to a locked section on the forums that only the Staff can access. From there, the Application will be reviewed at the Sunday Staff Meeting. This means all applications will not be finally decided upon until Sunday, and sometimes not until the following Sunday, if certain staff members are not present to weigh in on lore aspects.
If an application is rejected, a ticket will be sent to you explaining why. This will usually be because the concept doesn't work, but it may also be because you recently broke server rules, or don't match up to the conduct necessary for a Custom Kit. The details should be in the message and give you a clear vision of what to work towards. You can always apply again later.
If an application is accepted, the Staff will contact the player after Sunday, and then inform them of what has been accepted, and give them further details on when they can be used in roleplay.
It is essential to have a constructive attitude during this process. A Lore Staff member may be very critical of you and say to you directly that your roleplay is not up to scratch, or that you have a bad reputation, or that the idea won't work. All Lore Staff try their hardest to be constructive and precise about why an application cannot be accepted. Still, you should remain optimistic and solution-oriented in that response. When you apply for a Custom Kit, there is an unwritten disclaimer that you will remain respectful in the process, and take the response in stride, making changes where necessary to improve your position. The whole process is private, and how a Lore Staff member deals with your application is between them and you. No other players will be informed, and your privacy will be protected. That said, if you feel mistreated, you can navigate to the Staff Complaints section at the bottom of the forums and request a review of the procedure.
What happens if my application is accepted?
If your application is accepted, you will be contacted for any final information gathering before the next step occurs.
Lore Staff will contact you in a ticket to discuss your mechanic requests, and what you would like your unique written Abilities/Mechanics to be like. Please note, we are judicious about what Mechanics you are allowed to choose, based on a few criteria: we do not want Magic Mechanics to be turned into "not Magic," we want specific mechanics to be gated (especially Artifact mechanics). We want the Mechanics chosen to be thematically appropriate for the character. Once we have approved your list of mechanics, they are free to use.
For the unique written Mechanics/Abilities, once the concept has been solidified, they will be written by the Lore Staff. Once completed, you will be tagged with it in the #Custom-Kit-Announce channel. It is important to give honest feedback on the kit at this time, as there will be a small window for allowed changes, but once that window is closed, we do not allow for drastic changes without strong reasoning as to why.
What should I avoid in my application?
Firstly, do not think the Lore Staff members enjoy rejecting players. Nobody enjoys rejecting players from something they want and think they deserve/need/could use to help others. Staff do not enjoy being confrontational, and many of them are equally anxious about your response to their critique as you are about their critique. Try to remain respectful and empathetic.
Sometimes, past community service itself is good enough for a Custom Kit. Running a group and handing out tasks/roleplay to that group, giving them something to be engaged with, is a "community service" in and of itself. Making skins, art, and other commercial activities are not community service, nor is running a shop. The only exception to this is making Free-to-Use (FTU) Skins for the "Massivelooks" tag on Planet Minecraft, or creating things that are available for the community to use. If you are unsure if something is community service, send in a ticket and ask.
Try not to bend the Lore too much. While many apps can have creative liberty, the Lore is written the way it is written, and while some leeway is given, you should respect the Lore if you want it to reward you with good roleplay.
How are Custom Kits tracked and moderated?
Because we hold Custom Kit holders to a higher standard of activity and conduct (Both OOCly and ICly), there are a few extra rules and routes to consider for both Custom Kit holders and the players who interact with them.
A Custom Kits holder can, at any time, contact Lore Staff through a ticket on the RP Community Discord or a Forum DM to ask for an "activity and argumentation check." This means that Lore Staff will state whether or not the Custom Kits holder is considered active by our standards, and if it is believed they are currently upholding their argumentation to a satisfactory degree.
A Custom Kit holder should inform Lore Staff when they will go on an extended trip or vacation from Massive, or when their activity will decline due to in-real-life (IRL) circumstances.
Any player can, at any point, make a Player Report against a Custom Kit Holder to report rule-breaking, unpleasant, or other behavior described above that is not appropriate for a Custom Kit holder to engage in. While it is not against the rules for most players to be rude or argumentative, we try to hold Custom Kit holders to a higher standard of behavior. We will treat all reports seriously and investigate them to the best of our ability.
Any player can, at any point, request elaboration on the status of a Custom Kit if there is anything about it that is unclear to them. These questions can be in the following vein: 'How does this work?' 'How does x interact with y?' 'This Custom Kit holder did this to me in RP. Is that correct?' (We may decline to answer certain questions if we consider them too "gamey" and hypothetical, rather than something pertinent to RP.)
Where can I see the current list of Custom Kits?
On the repository, which is HERE.
Any questions? Send in an RP Com Discord Ticket.
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