FAQ (of Doom)

[amongstthewave_mod]

General Information

ATW EULA

Setting: Where are we?

Character Information: Who are we?

Is there a specific plot to the game?

So there is no death in the game what happens if I want to drop?

What kinds of plots require mod approval?

What if I want to bring in a villian? Can I still play in the game?

If my character is not human in his or her series, what does that mean for him or her in regard to the game?

What the heck is a PB and how or where do I get one?

If my character has canon based relationships, do I still have to hold true to them?

How can I contact you if I need to speak with you?

How many characters can I apply for?

How does Activity Check work?

Game Information

Amongst the Wave club:

What kinds of employment can my character find at the club?

Where can my character live/work/hang out?

What about locations within the club?

BDSM Information

How does my character gain access to Deep Waters?

What does BDSM mean anyway?

I am interested in participating in the BDSM portion of the community, but I don’t really know anything about the lifestyle. Can you point me to any information that might help me understand?

Do members have to participate in the BDSM aspects of the community?

What if my character is very uncomfortable with BDSM but as their mun I want them to participate?












General Information:

ATW EULA

This is intended to be a laid-back, non-judgmental community. No one should be made to feel harassed or uncomfortable and if that does happen the mods should be contacted to help deal with the situation. Due to the nature of this community it is imperative everyone is made to feel safe and welcome.

Oh, and to have fun. How people play their characters is their own business and if another player has difficulties with that then they are expected to be civil regardless. Remember people, this is a game, not life or death. Mean comments are better left on anon comms- where they can be ignored.

Players get 3 warnings for disruptive and aggressive behavior and if the player persists they will be summarily tossed out and banned if need be. This is not up for debate.

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Setting: Where are we?

Amongst the Wave is a panfandom AU roleplaying game. It takes place in modern-day Las Vegas, NV and as such, characters are all normal humans with no magical powers and have real-world backgrounds. That's not to say canon history or relationships are disallowed (if previously agreed upon between the players), only that they need to be tweaked enough to fit within the real world.

The main focus of the game is the day-to-day happenings at the club Amongst the Wave, which sits just off the Strip and wears the rather innocuous guise of an upscale club and restaurant that helps draw attention away from the invitation only Deep Waters, the BDSM aspect of the club.

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Character Information: Who are we?

Characters at the ATW roleplaying community fit one of two groups: clients or employees of the club itself. However, they are allowed to be front-only, meaning that being involved in the BDSM portion of the community isn’t required.

Due to the nature of the community, all characters and players will be at least age eighteen. If your character is younger than that in their canon, it's no problem aging them up a bit to fit within the guidelines. Be aware though that if your character is eighteen they’ll risk getting busted if they try to drink, go to strip clubs, gamble, or do anything else they’re not legally old enough to do; although they are allowed access or employment at Deep Waters if desired.

Characters may be taken from pretty much any media you want: books, comics, anime, manga, video games, movies, tv shows, ect- but please no real-person applications. As this AU is set in our world people such as actors, famous writers/musicians and such are assumed to be real.

And for the purposes of representing your character in the game there are a few options: using a PB (a real person stand-in) is suggested, but because of the AU nature of the comm everyone is also free to use character art or fanart if they prefer (provided the character appears human). Please be aware that PBs must be unique so if you intend to use one check out the PB list first.

The application for canon and original character is here, and if you only want to test out the community and see if it's a good fit (or tend to change your mind about which character you want to play that week) the temporary application may be for you, located here.

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Is there a specific plot to the game?

No, and that’s the simplistic beauty of it. The game is all about character interaction and development. Characters creating individual plotlines with other characters is fully encouraged, and those can center on just about anything.

Maybe a character falls in love with another and decides to leave his or her place as a Deep Waters employee. Maybe a guest falls in love with one of the singers or musicians and decides that he or she would like to pursue him or her. There is a possibility that a Deep Waters employee and his or her client fall and love and wish to pursue a Master/slave relationship. Perhaps a character is battling addiction of some kind and finds some kind of support system at the club. Maybe a character goes off the deep end and stalks an ex, resulting in a fight/harassment plotline.

However, there is no death in the game and there will be no police raids that end up with shutting down the club or any actions that directly affect the club without mod approval. That negates the purpose of the game.

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So there is no death in the game what happens if I want to drop?

Then drop. It’s as simple as that. People come and go all the time and there is no real explanation needed on why a character disappears unless that character is somehow an employee in the game. As for customers there is no explanation needed. Just let the mods know that you are dropping so the character/job role can be freed up.

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What kinds of plots require mod approval?

On the whole we like to allow players a lot of freedom to develop their characters and plots as they choose. However, if your plot will affect the entire club or huge parts of the city, it does need mod approval.

Also, be aware that the purpose of the club is to create a safe place for employees and clients to explore the BDSM lifestyle in all its variety. To this purpose a very well-developed security system is in place. This is of course more apparent in Deep Waters, where every session is videotaped. However, even in the main lounge of Amongst the Wave, activity is constantly monitored.

This means that any plot where a fight would break out or something untoward happening in the club requires involvement of the security team (usually the mods, NPC security personnel or other players, depending on how it works out).

Outside the club is another matter, but do keep in mind the positive focus of the community; conflict is good, but an ongoing abuse plot is likely to be interfered with by busybodies at the club, who view everyone involved as family.

And any plot involving non-consensual sexual activity does require approval from the player involved because the nature of the comm as a safe place for exploring BDSM themes which rely heavily on consent. That's not to say they'll not be allowed, but you are required to get approval first. Please keep that in mind.

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What if I want to bring in a villian? Can I still play in the game?

Of course! No one is unredeemable- just keep in mind your character has to follow real-world rules and the rules within Amongst the Wave and Deep Waters. But remember that there will be repercussions if they’re caught.

Besides, no one said you have to play a nice character.

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If my character is not human in his or her series, what does that mean for him or her in regard to the game?

All members of Amongst the Wave are human. Sorry, no special powers or abilities are allowed. Physical traits related to powers (such as special eye colors) may be kept as long as the character still looks human.

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What the heck is a PB and how or where do I get one?

PB stands for "played by" and refers to using pictures of real people as opposed to that of the anime/manga/not human character for the expression/journal avatars. It is perfectly acceptable to use pictures of actors/famous people for this purpose- just because you can't play that real person doesn't mean you can't use their image liberally and with glee. (Meaning you can play Cpt. Jack Sparrow and use the pictures of him from the movies, but you cannot play Johnny Depp- it's a thin, wibbly wobbly line, but it is there.)

There are a few places to choose from:

Hollow Art
Burlesque Show
Bellazon
list of categories that user wikicon from insane journal put together

And of course you can always use image search on your favored search engine if none of those come up with a look that is appropriate for your character.

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If my character has canon based relationships, do I still have to hold true to them?

Not unless you and the other player(s) involved want to and since this is AU, canon relationships- excepting between those who are actually related by blood- are purely optional.

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How can I contact you if I need to speak with you?

If you have any other questions regarding the application or the setting or anything at all, drop us an email at atwmod@gmail.com or contact the main moderator, ATW_Mod, on Plurk.

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How many characters can I apply for?

You can apply for as many characters you are comfortable playing.

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How does Activity Check work?

Activity will be at the beginning of the month. Each played character needs a total of 10 comments, either from logs or the message board. Please link said logs or comments to the monthly AC check thread.

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Game Information:

Amongst the Wave club:

Inside the public lounge one finds live music, a well-stocked bar, tasteful dining area, friendly and helpful employees wearing theme-appropriate uniforms and entertaining customers that range from well-dressed businessmen to scruffy college kids, tourists and locals alike.

Quite a few of those who come to the club to listen to music, dance, eat, or drink never know that behind the scenes, there’s a lot more to see and do at Amongst the Wave.

Beyond an unobtrusive elevator with key-card access, Deep Waters, a surprisingly modern establishment that caters exclusively to the BDSM crowd, comes into play. And playing is more than encouraged.

There are playrooms ranging from looking as if they belong in a nice hotel all the way to dark dungeon motifs and everything in-between upon request. A clinic with a full medical staff is on the 2nd floor and available at all open hours of the club. The VIP lounge within the main area of Deep Waters comes equipped with all the things needed for safe and fun play at each of the sitting areas and the stage hosts live shows from time to time as well. On top of that, there are also rooftop gardens, Jacuzzis and spa services if one simply wishes to be pampered in an environment that won't look sideways at strange bruises on wrists and ankles.

Deep Waters is known for offering clients safe, discreet encounters no matter ones gender or inclination, and has a variety of talented individuals in its employ.

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What kinds of employment can my character find at the club?

Amongst the Wave is a high-class Jazz/Blues/Early American Pop themed club. It requires a variety of staff to help run the place, which include: Chefs (prep cooks as well as classically trained chefs), Waitstaff, Bartenders, Security Personnel, Singers, Musicians, Janitorial Staff, Dishwashers, Hosts (that help seat guests in the dining area), Bussers, Spa technicians (masseuses, personal trainers, salon technicians and the like) and Management Personnel.

In regard to Deep Waters occupations, those include professionally trained submissives and Dominants, two doctors and two nurses on staff (daytime and nighttime shifts – one of each during each shift), specific staff that act as Housekeepers, Waitstaff and Hosts all in one, Spa technicians (masseuses and beauty technicians that don't mind catering to the BDSM crowd) Management Personnel to help oversee organization in regard to appointments, and also Security Personnel.

The hours of operation fall between 2pm to 10pm in Amongst the Wave and 2pm to 2am for the restaurant and Deep Waters, which has another discreet entrance at the back of the building. The club is open every day of the week and can be open earlier or later depending on events or if a client has rented out one of the 24/7 playrooms.

A list of available jobs is available here.

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Where can my character live/work/hang out?

Anywhere you want. While the club is located in Las Vegas and use of actual landmarks there is encouraged feel free to make things up. Apartment buildings, businesses, parks, casinos, whatever you need.

Just be sure that your character has some attachment to the club even if it’s only as their favorite place to come listen to music since that is where the majority of the action happens. There is also the option of actually living in the club on the 5th floor but that is a case-by-case basis and it is highly recommended that you speak with the club owner first as sometimes the rooms are available free of charge or at a deep discount to help employees out.

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What about locations within the club?

The club is a vast and mysterious place and holds most anything you would need. Everything out here is to be kept generally as clean as you would in any other bar; remember that not everyone who comes into the main lounge even knows Deep Waters exists.

Within the heart of Amongst the Wave is a fully stocked bar that sits over a dozen people, a main lounge area with booths all along the sides and several tables with comfortable chairs floating in the open space. But the main draw is the combination stage/dancefloor that takes up a full corner of the room- nearly half the lounge. Every day there is something going on with live singers and bands, and the dance floor itself is always open.

The elevator and stairs beside the restrooms on the layout are the access to Deep Waters, the BDSM part of the club- accesable only by keycard.

On the 2nd floor, you’ll find Deep Waters which contains a VIP bar and lounge that can be the setting for all manner of interesting public play. A small stage within the VIP lounge is available for BDSM sessions, shows, and competitions. For a general idea of the layout of the VIP lounge, look here. Each seating area is fully stocked with condoms and toys, so go wild if you wish! The in-house clinic is on this level as well, doctors available to anyone.

Further along the hall on the second floor you’ll find playrooms which can be set up for any type of session one prefers, including rooms specifically for dungeon and bloodplay. There are employees whose job it is to create whatever theme is requested, so please feel free to be creative with your sets.

The 3rd floor houses an employee meeting room, dressing rooms, security office, and administrative offices. There’s also an employee lounge up here that’s open only to Deep Waters employees, unlike the one on the 1st floor.

On the 4th floor is the spa area which includes: separate mens and womens relaxation rooms that have access to the sauna and steam room, along with several private massage rooms complete with private showers and tubs. There is also a small gym with machines, weights, exercise bikes and a treadmill available for use as well if one would rather work up a sweat before washing off and using the spa facilities.

Apartments are on the 5th floor and can be separately accessed from the outside by way of staircase and unique card key. They’re not detailed out on purpose because a character’s home says a lot about them. So if your character does manage to secure one of these feel free to post a link to what the apartment itself looks like on your character journal if so inclined.

On the roof, and only available to Deep Waters customers, you’ll find balconies, gardens, hot tubs and tents full of pillows that can provide just the right amount of privacy without being in private.

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BDSM Information:

How does my character gain access to Deep Waters?

There are two ways to go about this: as a player, you can simply assume your character is either an employee or a customer who has already jumped through the hoops OR you can work it out in-game.

That process is a bit more involved and includes signing various waivers filled with legalese and paying a small yearly fee (which is waved for employees) to gain a key card which grants access to Deep Waters, the spa level and top floor. There are card locks in both the elevator and the doors accessed by the stairs (so random customers from Amongst the Waves don’t accidentally get in). The cards themselves are a non-descript dark blue with the repeating image of a white triskelon, “Deep Waters” on the front in flowing script so as to somewhat blend in with the cards most of us carry.

But before you even get to that point you have to get a guest pass to Deep Waters, which can be acquired in several different ways. One is to be invited by a current Deep Waters client as a guest, another is the monthly events hosted by the club wherein all interested parties are invited and of course the website signup that has no time limit and personal contacts are not needed.

Prospective clients are interviewed and given background checks- violent criminals are gone over with a fine-toothed comb and considered thoroughly before being granted admittance and anyone with a rap sheet of violent sexual history is automatically denied. (Background checks work like ours, wherein any criminal activity on police files is public and can be looked over by prospective employers.)

As mentioned before, members ARE NOT required to participate in the BDSM aspects of the community. However, if you are interested, please have some sort of yes/no list available once you’ve been accepted to the community, or fill out the following form from this site and post it to your character journal whether you are a customer or a Deep Waters employee- for each separate character please. This form will inform other members on what is and is not allowed in regard to your character.

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What does BDSM mean anyway?

BDSM is a complex acronym that stands for bondage, discipline, submission and domination. That’s a lot of territory to cover and it can range from people who occasionally decide to spice things up with handcuffs to those who live a 24/7 Dom/sub life together, as well as everything in between.

We’re dealing with a business that exists to cater to the interests of everyone along that spectrum. The job of Deep Waters employees is to create whatever scene and level of intensity that the client desires- though extreme sadists and masochists are watched more closely than others.

Not all of these encounters are sexual.

There are those who are interested in sadism or masochism who merely want to give or receive pain, and there are those who choose to display dominance through everyday tasks or physical challenges. It is perfectly fine to have a character who is interested only in non-sexual contact or to have one who prefers to save specific sexual acts for a lover.

Sex is not disallowed at Deep Waters, but the prostitution aspect is negated due to the fact that clients of the employee subs and Doms are not paying for sexual contact, they are paying for BDSM play. The difference is huge in the eyes of the law and as a precaution the clients of Deep Waters, to gain admittance into the club, are required to sign a waiver stating in legalese that they are paying for BDSM services, not for sexual acts.

Safe, Sane and Consensual are NOT suggestions, and those who participate within Deep Waters walls only get three strikes on their record before they are blacklisted from the premises as well as put upon the ‘Wall of Shame’ on the message boards. Safewords and limits are there for a reason, and to help prevent tragedies from happening each playroom and the whole of Deep Waters is monitored through a visual-only video feed which is watched religiously by the security team. This is not a secret kept from the employees or clients and the ‘blind spots’ of the cameras are so small as to be laughable.

There are also plenty of encounters that happen around the club with little or no BDSM overtones at all, and those are perfectly acceptable as long as they’re kept in the right places and marked appropriately on the log. If your character and another choose to have a snog-fest in the public lounge that's your business; having wild monkey sex on the bar in Amongst the Wave is a little frowned upon though, and will bring the (amused) security down on you.

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I am interested in participating in the BDSM portion of the community, but I don’t really know anything about the lifestyle. Can you point me to any information that might help me understand?

There are many BDSM websites of varying levels of usefulness out there, but here are links to a few:

LeatherNRoses
BDSM article on Wikipedia

Remember that the lifestyle revolves around consent along with safety in regard to mental and physical health.

Also, feel free to ask questions. There are those around with more experience and we’re always glad to help. If you’re a little nervous about trying to play a veteran to the scene without experience yourself, feel free to have your character learn as they go as well, utilizing resources such as the other characters and the message board.

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Do members have to participate in the BDSM aspects of the community?

Absolutely not. This community is all about character interaction, character development and nothing more. Talking, random scenes of silent companionship and solitary scenes are all encouraged. Sex is NOT the main point of the community. Also, there is more to the BDSM lifestyle than sexual intercourse – its complexity is what makes the lifestyle unique.

If later on you decide to have your character participate, you and the character both have the right to turn down or opt out of any scene at any time, for any reason. That’s what safewords and limits are for.

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What if my character is very uncomfortable with BDSM but as their mun I want them to participate?

This can be an interesting plot to play out if done carefully. Having a character test his/her own limits and comfort levels is awesome and gradually coming to a better understanding makes perfect sense. So feel free to test your characters boundaries any way that feels comfortable to both you and your character.

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