Species Approval Guidelines: Difference between revisions

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== Approval Guidelines ==
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The following article covers the guidelines and procedures for submitting a new species to the Character Sheet System.
{{Voice Policies}}
=== Requirements ===


Obscure species are the hardest to balance, simply due to a lack of information—Legends or otherwise. The Voice Staff reserves the right to refuse species that are deemed to suffer from a lack of adequate source material for a specific species. While we already possess an expansive [[Species|list of Species]] to choose from in our system, the Star Wars universe itself is filled with so many more. As such, not every one of them is going to make it into our system. Beyond that, we aim to prevent a barrier being formed for new members that join that have to learn niche or lesser known species that don’t show up commonly in Star Wars Canon and new media.
While we already possess an expansive [[Species|list of Species]] to choose from in our system, the Star Wars universe itself is filled with so many more. As such, not every one of them is going to make it into our system. Beyond that, we aim to prevent a barrier from being formed for new members who join and have to learn niche or lesser-known species that don’t show up commonly in Star Wars Canon and new media.


The following criteria must be met for a Species to be considered for addition:
Should there be a species you are interested in utilizing, this article covers the requirements and procedure to request that species be added to our system.


* Two or more members must express an interest in playing and using a proposed Species.
'''Submitting a request that fulfills all the requirements does not guarantee that species will be added to our system. Voice Staff, the Grand Master, and Deputy Grand Master review and discuss all requested new additions, and reserve the right to deny any species based on balance, lack of information, or any other reason.'''
* The Species must appear in a current Canon source, with a complete article that goes beyond just a small [[starwars:stub|stub]]. If there is only a small stub for the Canon page but a full article for Legends, the Legends material can be used to support the approval and creation process of the Species. Please keep in mind that even with an extensive Legends article, information introduced in Canon will take precedence and override Legends information.  
 
* The proposed unique Species feats should offer something different to current existing options. An example of this would be trying to add another pale skinned race with UV vision; we already have Umbarans, so this might lead the Voice staff to deny a potential addition.
== Requirements ==
Due to how our Character Sheet system functions there are several base requirements '''all''' species in the system need to adhere to for balance, as well as a general level of interest in the proposed new species.  
 
The following criteria must be met for a species to be considered for addition:
* Should there be a difference in current canon vs old Expanded Universe details of a species, preference is given to the current canon information. However, ''Legends'' species are accepted for submission and approval into our system. We have many species that are only present in the old EU. Information introduced in canon will take precedence and override the legend’s species information if warranted.
* Information on the species should be more than a small stub. There needs to be enough information about the species to have both physical details, and two unique species-related feats.  
* Two unique traits for species feats should offer something different than our currently existing options. For example, if the only details are that the proposed species is pale-skinned and has UV vision, that is not enough to distinguish it from the Umbarans which are currently in our system.  
* The Species must be [[starwars:Sentience|sentient]].
* The Species must be [[starwars:Sentience|sentient]].
* The Species must have an official image/reference showing their defining features.
* The Species must have an official image/reference showing their defining features as well as known textual descriptions. For example, while Jawas have been seen multiple times, we do not know what they physically look like, as they are always cloaked and hooded. Details about the actual physical description of the species ''must'' be known.  
 
* The Species must be [[starwars:Humanoid|humanoid]] in design. This means it must have two legs, two arms, and a single head. This relates to how our system was developed, balanced, and utilized with the possessions system.  
* The Species must be [[starwars:Humanoid|humanoid]] in design. This means it must have two legs, two arms, and a single head. The reasoning for this falls to how our system is structured and balanced around this construct.


Any request for a new Species to be added into the Character Sheet database must be approved by the Voice. In the interest of balance, the Grand Master also reserves the right to make executive decisions on whether a Species gets added or not.
Any request for a new Species to be added to the Character Sheet database must be approved by the Voice. In the interest of balance, the Grand Master also reserves the right to make executive decisions on whether a Species gets added or not.


=== Submission Guidelines ===
=== Submission Guidelines ===
All requests for new Species should be sent to [mailto:djb-voice-staff@googlegroups.com djb-voice-staff@googlegroups.com] for review along with the Grand Master and Deputy Grand Master being CC’d on the email. Requests can either be formatted within the body of the email itself or in an attached document. Please ensure the text itself is selectable for copying. The request should include the following:


All requests for new Species should be sent to [mailto:djb-voice-staff@googlegroups.com djb-voice-staff@googlegroups.com] for review. Requests can either be formatted within the body of the email itself or in an attached document. The request should include the following:
'''Required'''
 
(Required)
* Name of the Species
* Name of the Species
* Notable traits and features (fur, claws, horns, lifespan, etc.)
* Notable traits and features (fur, claws, horns, lifespan, etc.). Examples can be seen in the details for other approved [[Species|species]]
* Link to Wookieepedia Article and/or source references
* Link to Wookieepedia Article and/or source references
* Intended use (PC, NPC, Clan Event)
* Intended use (PC, NPC, Clan Event)
* List of members who would like to utilize the Species


(Optional)
'''Optional'''
* (2) Two Written Species Feats depicting (1) one merit and (1) one flaw based on the Species culture, biology, or notable traits. (Wookies can pull off feats of surprising strength, but don’t fit in small places very well)
* Two (2) written species feats depicting one (1) merit and one (1) flaw based on the Species culture, biology, or notable traits. For example, Wookiees can pull off feats of surprising strength but don’t fit in small places very well.
* Other references, information, or an explanation of why you think the Species being added would benefit the Brotherhood’s fiction systems.  
* Other references, information, or an explanation of why you think the Species being added would benefit the Brotherhood’s fiction systems.  


If you are not comfortable writing the feats, the Voice Staff will assist in authoring them. The more information you provide, the easier this process becomes.
If you are not comfortable writing the feats, the Voice Staff will assist in authoring them. The more information you provide, the easier this process becomes, especially when it is a species the staff is not familiar with.  
 
=== Removing Grandfather Tag ===
 
In light of adding a new Species, often times a Grandfathered species will return to canon and members will want to be able to select that species. This is still done through request, unless the Voice Staff takes executive action on their own. In an effort to keep the Species list from being overwhelming, the Voice staff won't automatically remove Grandfathered tags based on new canon. Member interest will always be a defining factor in the decision making process.
 
The [[Species#Grandfather_Clause|Grandfathered tag]] may be removed from a Species when the following criteria is met:
 
* A Species is made canon again by making an appearance in new canon material (television, film, books, comics etc.)
* A member(s) expresses interest in playing the Species as a Character.
 
All requests should be sent to [mailto:djb-voice-staff@googlegroups.com djb-voice-staff@googlegroups.com] for review. The Voice staff will review any request.
 
* The Voice or Grand Master/Deputy may remove a tag without a request being filed.
* Only the Voice or Grand Master/Deputy can remove the Grandfather tag from a species.
* In the interest of balance, the Grand Master/Deputy reserves the right to keep a Species as Grandfathered based on an explained reasoning.  


==== Extinct Species ====
=== Extinct Species ===
 
Species that have been labeled as extinct within the canonical timeline will not be added as new Species. This includes Species that have been eradicated without a single or sole living member of the Species.
Species that have been labeled as extinct within the canonical timeline will not be added as a new Species. This includes Species that have been eradicated without a single or sole living member of the Species.


Notable Extinct Species:
Notable Extinct Species:
* [[starwars:Sith (species)|Sith Pureblood]]
* [[starwars:Rakatan|Rakatan]]
* [[starwars:Taung|Taung]]
* [[starwars:Zeffonian|Zeffonian]]


* [[starwars:geonosian|Geonosians]]
Should a species become extinct within the new Canon, that is currently accessible in our system, that species will remain an option for for all members to select. A species that is noted as ''legendary'' or ''mythic'' will also be treated as an extinct species unless they are seen in some form in the current timeline.  
* [[starwars:Sith (species)|Sith Pureblood (TOR)]]
* [[starwars:Dathomirian|Dathomirian]]
* [[starwars:Nightsisters|Nightsisters (as a group)]]
 
Members that are currently playing a character of a Species that becomes extinct within the new Canon (such as the [[starwars:Clawdite|Clawdites]] all getting nuked) are free to keep playing that character under the Grandfather clause. Once a Species is deemed extinct, however, new members will no longer be able to select the Species going forward.


[[Category:Voice Policies]]
[[Category:Voice Policies]]

Latest revision as of 04:26, 3 March 2024

Real World Perspective.
Dark Jedi Brotherhood
This article is part of the series:
Voice Policies
Documentation
Fiction Center
Character Sheet Guide
Fiction Rubric 3.0
Character Sheet Database
ACC Guide
Policies
Artifact Policy
Brotherhood Canon
Character Sheet Policy
Cluster of Ice Policy
Dominion Policy
NPC and Alternative Characters Policy
New Species Policy
Voice Competition Policy
Current Staff
VOICE Idris Adenn
P:VOICE Zentru’la
M:VOICE Reiden Karr


While we already possess an expansive list of Species to choose from in our system, the Star Wars universe itself is filled with so many more. As such, not every one of them is going to make it into our system. Beyond that, we aim to prevent a barrier from being formed for new members who join and have to learn niche or lesser-known species that don’t show up commonly in Star Wars Canon and new media.

Should there be a species you are interested in utilizing, this article covers the requirements and procedure to request that species be added to our system.

Submitting a request that fulfills all the requirements does not guarantee that species will be added to our system. Voice Staff, the Grand Master, and Deputy Grand Master review and discuss all requested new additions, and reserve the right to deny any species based on balance, lack of information, or any other reason.

Requirements

Due to how our Character Sheet system functions there are several base requirements all species in the system need to adhere to for balance, as well as a general level of interest in the proposed new species.

The following criteria must be met for a species to be considered for addition:

  • Should there be a difference in current canon vs old Expanded Universe details of a species, preference is given to the current canon information. However, Legends species are accepted for submission and approval into our system. We have many species that are only present in the old EU. Information introduced in canon will take precedence and override the legend’s species information if warranted.
  • Information on the species should be more than a small stub. There needs to be enough information about the species to have both physical details, and two unique species-related feats.
  • Two unique traits for species feats should offer something different than our currently existing options. For example, if the only details are that the proposed species is pale-skinned and has UV vision, that is not enough to distinguish it from the Umbarans which are currently in our system.
  • The Species must be sentient.
  • The Species must have an official image/reference showing their defining features as well as known textual descriptions. For example, while Jawas have been seen multiple times, we do not know what they physically look like, as they are always cloaked and hooded. Details about the actual physical description of the species must be known.
  • The Species must be humanoid in design. This means it must have two legs, two arms, and a single head. This relates to how our system was developed, balanced, and utilized with the possessions system.

Any request for a new Species to be added to the Character Sheet database must be approved by the Voice. In the interest of balance, the Grand Master also reserves the right to make executive decisions on whether a Species gets added or not.

Submission Guidelines

All requests for new Species should be sent to djb-voice-staff@googlegroups.com for review along with the Grand Master and Deputy Grand Master being CC’d on the email. Requests can either be formatted within the body of the email itself or in an attached document. Please ensure the text itself is selectable for copying. The request should include the following:

Required

  • Name of the Species
  • Notable traits and features (fur, claws, horns, lifespan, etc.). Examples can be seen in the details for other approved species
  • Link to Wookieepedia Article and/or source references
  • Intended use (PC, NPC, Clan Event)
  • List of members who would like to utilize the Species

Optional

  • Two (2) written species feats depicting one (1) merit and one (1) flaw based on the Species culture, biology, or notable traits. For example, Wookiees can pull off feats of surprising strength but don’t fit in small places very well.
  • Other references, information, or an explanation of why you think the Species being added would benefit the Brotherhood’s fiction systems.

If you are not comfortable writing the feats, the Voice Staff will assist in authoring them. The more information you provide, the easier this process becomes, especially when it is a species the staff is not familiar with.

Extinct Species

Species that have been labeled as extinct within the canonical timeline will not be added as new Species. This includes Species that have been eradicated without a single or sole living member of the Species.

Notable Extinct Species:

Should a species become extinct within the new Canon, that is currently accessible in our system, that species will remain an option for for all members to select. A species that is noted as legendary or mythic will also be treated as an extinct species unless they are seen in some form in the current timeline.