Original Character Regulations

[Tigress]

GENERAL INFORMATION The DC Universe is one that has a plethora of characters with abilities and histories that span across several dozen categories. Most people can find a canon character which they favor and wish to portray, but there are instances in which a character not originating in the DC universe seems to be the best option for a writer. Heroes Never Die is an extremely versatile environment that is more than willing to give any original character idea a chance at development, but like any other site you will come across: we have some rules. In order to ensure that all of the players are cohesive and do not overstep their bounds, we ask that a person review these guidelines before beginning the application process. If you have a question or would like more information on original characters in specific, please contact Red Hood whose contact information is at the bottom of this post. If, however, another member of the staff is online or otherwise readily available, do not hesitate to ask them for help. 001. The characteristics of a Mary Sue and Gary Stu tend to find their way into applications simply because they are so easy to use. Unfortunately the resulting product of these characteristics tend to leave other members shaking their heads and can even lead them to denied interactions. We would suggest avoiding anything that could fall into the category of a Mary Sue or Gary Stu: canon replicas, cliché histories, and flawless yet one dimensional personalities . Research into what exactly qualifies an original character as a Mary Sue or Gary Stu is pertinent in avoiding the creation one and so the staff heavily encourages players to do their research. 'WAHT IS A MARY SUE?' is an extremely helpful article when it comes to identifying some of these stereotypical traits while 'THE UNIVERSAL MARY SUE LITMUS TEST' provides an actual test that one can take to see if their character is a Mary Sue or Gary Stu. 002. Humans from the planet Earth are the only permitted original characters. Though there are a cornucopia of extraterrestrial species in the DCU we have found in the past that most reasons given for an extraterrestrial original character to be on Earth simply do not hold up under scrutiny and so we have decided to disallow them. 003. In accordance with Earth-16's metagene theory, all original characters with abilities must have unlocked theirs via the REACH INVASION [2016], the EVERYMAN PROJECT [2020], or some other plausible means. Those that were experimented on or accessed their abilities through another method will be inexperienced and possess only basic control of their abilities. This rule prevents us from having original characters that can overpower canon characters or original characters that are extremely powerful copycats – I mean honestly, who wants to see another Flash? With that said, the staff will consider a character that contains a moderately mastered ability so long as the application is, to be blunt, amazing and said ability does not conflict with the Banned Abilities List. 004. Original characters are not permitted entrance onto the Justice League or Young Justice. We understand that a lot of people will find this rule unfair, but keep in mind that seeing as both teams already have well over two dozen established individuals it would be ineffective to allow more. In addition to this, if everyone had the same goal of joining these two organizations all other organization creativity would be hindered. We encourage members to begin creating new factions like the Runaways did in season two! 005. On a similar note, do not expect your original character to become an established vigilante or villain overnight. There are already quite a few famous persons in the DC Universe and a multitude of unknown ones. We ask that, if you intend to make your character into someone other than a civilian, you work your way into stardom rather than starting there. 006. All characters that have mention of a currently played canon character will be subjected to not only the approval of the staff, but said player as well. We want to ensure that all interactions are viable before establishing them as canon in this universe; otherwise things may begin to get confusing and completely unbelievable. 007. At the end of the day it is not just the vigilantes and villains that make HND a success, but the ordinary people as well. We would love to see anything from the average citizen to mafioso to drug addled rock star. Some examples of positions that one could take are an educator, scholar, doctor, firefighter, police officer, Joker gangster, or Mafia underling. The possibilities are endless! The staff reserves the right to deny any original character at any time regardless of the arguments made by its creator – no exceptions. We spend quite some time discussing each character that is accepted into our universe and make sure to that the opinion of each staff member is taken into consideration before an approval is granted. If you feel as though your character was denied by a global moderator for unfair reasons, the administrators will not revoke the statement made; all decisions are final.

[Tigress]

RISING EMPIRE The Rising Empire is a plot line which incorporates the use of several characters designed specifically for this website, all of which are essential to the continued development of the arc. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Petrov Mafia through either a character who is listed below or another of your own design, keep the following in mind: 001. The Petrov Mafia is comprised of a great deal of characters, though some are more significantly more important than others. Those who are central to the plot will require extreme dedication, so an interview with the staff must be conducted before anyone is allowed to apply for them. If you are interested in one of these persons - all of whom have been noted below - contact the staff immediately. 002. If you are applying for a character that does not require an interview with the staff, keep in mind that all provided information must be taken into account and included in the application. We will allow for minor details to be adjusted, though major changes may be rejected as these characters were all designed for specific reasons. 003. The success of any major organization is somewhat dependent upon the amount of people who support them for without a profusion of persons backing an idea, it cannot gain any ground. The Petrov Mafia is no exception to this rule for without underlings it would be nothing more than a few persons attempting to make a name for themselves in a world that would not spare them a second glance. It is for this exact reason that we do not condemn the creation of a Petrov Mafia associated character, but rather encourage it! Any original character may be linked with the organization so long as the connection is plausible. 004. A list of each of the leaders and lieutenants in the Petrov Mafia can be found HERE. This list is, by no means, a complex compilation though and applying members are free to create addition persons. If one wishes to create someone who is connected to a leader or lieutenant though - such as a drug dealer - , they must answer to both Aleksander Petrov and the appropriate overlord.

[Tigress]

ABILITIES AND POWERS The DC universe has an extensive roster of characters and with that comes an excess of powers ranging anywhere from common ones such as super strength to those a little rarer and more complex such as psammokinesis. The staff here at HND prefers that members play powered characters who are canon individuals, but if one feels as though they are up to the task of cobbling together a person with extraordinary abilities then they have come to the right place! 001. The first thing to know about this process is that, though the staff is a bit strict when it comes to powered original characters, they are here to help. If an applying member is having trouble selecting the right power for their character, THE SUPERPOWER WIKIPEDIA is an excellent resource. Please be sure that all selected powers are not on the BANNED LIST. 002. It is require that any original character who possesses superhuman abilities also have a set of weaknesses so as to avoid becoming too overpowered. The staff prefer that all weaknesses have a connection to the desired abilities of a character. An example of this would be a character whose ability is the manipulation of kinetic energy cannot stop a speeding car because taking in that much energy would kill them. 003. Until recently magic has been placed on the Banned List due to the fact that it is extremely easy to abuse and that the staff has yet to encounter a player who is dedicated enough to apply rules to their abilities. Now, I [Red Hood] hear your complaints - "But Mr. Hood! How can magic have rules? It's magic!" - but alas, I have to break some bad news to you. Here at HND magic, like all superhuman abilities, has a set of guidelines; however, they are fairly simple and allow for a wide range of abilities, provided the magic user is clever and willful. I. Magic is all about the manipulation of energy. It has a surfeit of applications that range from conjuration to divination to evocation. Magic, except in a few rare cases, is learned through years of study and training and is accomplished through the completion of arcane rituals using items of power such as Elder Futhark Runes, alchemical materials like Wolfsbane and Yarrow, and the famous ingredient most commonly associated with mystic arts: magic words. II. As a general rule, energy and matter cannot be created or destroyed, only changed. The Law of Conservation of Energy is a basic principle of physics that everything in our universe is beholden to and that includes prospective magic users. If a magician attempts to create or unmake something, the energy used to power the ritual will backlash on the caster and they themselves unmade. III. The practice of raising the dead is absolutely and expressly forbidden here at HND. Even the most accomplished magic user would kill themselves while attempting to complete this ritual, if not murder every living thing, ant, blade of grass, and human being in a two mile radius. IV. Unless one has been given explicit permission by the staff, it is forbidden to use magic to accomplish a feat that would otherwise be on the list of banned abilities. V. As it is entirely Red Hood's fault that magic has been removed from the Banned List, please direct all questions regarding magic to her rather then the rest of the staff.