Welcome to Gaia! ::

The system and "world/dimensional time/space" I have set up for the Edelsteine is on the basis that these are deities, not just demi-gods or a superpowerful race (such as the Goa'uld pretenders to deification). Therefore, dimension space means little to them. They are, at their cores, in all dimensions, unlike lesser mortal creatures, and above science and technology and above such things created by mortal reason. This does not remove them from the influence of mortal reason, hence the use of a Neil Gaiman-esque- "if they are no longer worshipped, their power wanes and they die.” Also, they have mannerisms similar to the humans who 'created' them.

Man creates gods that reflect him, born of what he aspires to and of the energy of the universe. Hence, many gods over the ages have similar aspects or powers that span time, race and location. Baal god of fertility, 'rider of the clouds', and god of lightning and thunder of the Canaanites is similar in some aspects to Thor of the Norse to Zeus of the Greek. Can gods change then, according to what humans make their cult? For this game, yes they can. Hence I allow the players to choose the personality of the god they want to play, as long as they keep it consistent.

Many players have chosen to adopt an “alternate dimensional versions” as an escape of the supposed repurcussions in other storylines. This seems to be due to a misunderstanding on my intention of this game.
I shall clarify. This is my <b>own</b> dimension and brain child, and people are in no way required by me or by the owners of other pet stores to integrate their other characters lives into it. If a gaian owns another RP-heavy pet, or any pet, that does not <b>HAVE</b> to influence this game. This is entirely up to the story a player wants to start to weave within my game world.
This is the same in the storylines of those pets. I do not role-play Ivynian in the Archeos thread as ever having anything to do with the Edelsteine. This is because it is as if they are different books. As Harrison Ford is both Jack Ryan and Indiana Jones, but neither character is affected by the wounds, loves or ideas of each other in their respective universes, so too is it with my Ivynian of the Edelsteine and Ivynian of the Archeos. Does this mean that they’re in separate dimensions of time/space? No, it doesn’t mean anything beyond the difference of playing parcheesie to playing monopoly. I don’t have to explain why Ivynian supposedly still exists in the Archeos. It isn’t relevant to the version of Ivynian in Edelsteine(just as jack ryan has a family and indiana doesn’t. it isn’t that they’re different harrison fords or in different universes. It’s fiction).
It is my choice to do so. Just as with fanfiction it would be my choice if I wanted to integrate them.

Edelsteine, as deities, require a lot of energy to be reborn. The conversion is fairly simple. Full soul for a full soul. Partial soul means only a partial rebirth. They require the entirety of your mind and soul to be reborn, not just to be a part of it. You are to be a part of them, should they so choose.
And I do mean rebirth. Yes, you can choose to have the original hosts personality/soul not be entirely extinguished. No, their original body and abilities do not continue to exist. It came to me that someone may think that the abilities of their original character could be added to those of their deity. No, they cannot.
The deity soul is reborn, their powers are reborn, their deified soul converts the mortal husk into that of the deity. The mortal husk is therefore, gone. Merging wit the deity just means that you affect their personality a little, you are a voice in their mind. You are the extra little “Ghost” next to theirs in their shell, to use modern ideaology. Your powers and body are gone, belonging now to something beyond your mortal being. You are part of a greater thing, but a small part with little influence in its form and function. If you were a dark elf with fire magic and were taken over to rebirth a Water god, that water god cannot use the fire spells you used in life. They are a water god, not mortal you.

As creator of the story, the world, and someday the major plot arch instigator, Ivynian is the GM of this game. Ivynian is Harmodius, the Creator, and essentially....GOD. I am the final arbitor and decision maker in all things I deem necessary to receive my attention, or as things are brought to my attention.

HOWEVER
I must stress, the check of this power.

<b>THE FUN CLAUSE</b>
as your Gm, it is my responsibility to make sure everyone has a chance to have fun. If something is making people not have fun, be it a person, event, or even one the rules of my own world, then it is my job to try to work with everyone to make it fun again.
Fun here is more important then me being a rules monger or god-modding on anyone. This shop is meant to be light hearted, I created it in the spirit of fun, and I intend for it to stay that way.

<b>Basically, if Harmodius is called on, as a mediator or whatever, and gives a mandate you should follow it. Breaking a law set forth by him exacts punishment. The offender will be branded and punished accordingly.
This caste branding also is awarded to those who cross him *too* fervently. Disagreeing with Harmodius, being antagonistic to him, or disliking him are all allowed(and encouraged if appropriate to your character). But he does have his limits. </b>

The so called 'battle system' for Edelsteine right now is simple:
<b>The higher the evolution wins.</b>
This means, that unless the players decide that their characters should for some reason lose a battle:
-morph stage beats jewel stage
-youth stage beats morph stage
-deity stage beats youth stage
(and all permutations of it A>B, and B>C, then A>C.....it's basic math)

If two players of the same stage are facing off, I expect all my players to be able to work this out like adults. Look at the powers listed next to your characters, think of how your characters would act and write accordingly. Don't be afraid to win or to lose. Good, in character roleplaying = fun for everyone. God-modding does not.

Some things to remember:
*If someone writes a particularly clever counter or trap, respect that they've outsmarted your character (<b>not you. this isn't personal people.</b> wink and write out some fair consequences.
*If you are the attacker, you cannot write the consequences of the action. That is god-modding. ex: "Joe Shmoe lunged and grabbed Sally's neck. He was so fast she didn't even have time to blink. Then he twirled her around and slammed her into the wall, knocking the wind out of her."
*Some players choose to have their characters less physically adept. This does not mean they automatically lose in a fight. Check the chart and rp it out. More 'intelligence-based' characters might have some pretty creative tricks up their sleeves to explain why they would win out in a fight.

If needed, or requested, I will moderate battles. If problems start occurring, I will expand this system and appoint moderators and all that complicated stuff.. Let's keep this on the DL.