Making Successful Applications

[Dillusionist]

This is a short guide to using the application system on EFU efficiently. The community and world are nearly 20 years old, and there is a lot of lore and hearsay around what makes a good application. Obviously its stressful putting yourself out there and potentially getting your idea rejected. So here are some important considerations.

Brevity
Your one-sentence summary matters the most. It is important to know what you actually want. The DM team wants to know "Dillusionist is applying for the Forgotten Forest Theme". Do not burry the lede.

Lengthy backstories and convoluted goals are something I would avoid. Keep it to 1-2 sentences on why your character should have this boon. Do NOT attach any supporting documents. No one will open a google doc. Save your writing talent and time for the gameworld, not for filling out forms.

Applications do not fail because you did not make your goals flowery or reference a complicated backstory.


Ease of Implementation
This is a big factor. If a DM cannot create what you are applying for it will not pass. It is very easy to apply for the following:
-perks
-subraces
-prestige classes
-summoning themes
-All these things involve a DM simply flagging you.

Scripted systems, special items, and plotlines seldom pass. All these things require extensive work from a DM who has the expertise, availability, and interest in creating it. Sometimes no one in your time zone wants to run the plot you are excited about. Its sad, but that happens. It is why we have a lot of scripted tools to help tell stories.


Past Behavior
How you act factors into an application. Usually applications get denied due to cheating, being rude or disrespectful, or continuously abandoning PCs DMs have put work into supporting. The best way to fix a bad reputation is to just play nicely. Everyone has different ideas about what constitutes good sportsmanship, but not being rude to your fellow-players or entitled with DMs can go a long way.


Bundling Applications
If you are applying for two separate things submit two separate applications. We can vote "Yes" or "No". If you apply for "to be a knight and for the celestial summoning theme" and we only want you to be a knight, we would be forced to vote no.


What to do if you are denied?
It never hurts to ask a DM why an application did not pass, just in-case it can be fixed. But keep in mind an application comes down to the end result and sometimes we do not want that result. We are also not homogenous and sometimes a DM cannot give insight into the entire team's thought process.

Expanding upon goals or giving us a prettier backstory, in hopes of convincing us, seldom helps. The things you can fix with a denied application usually come down to:
-Mechanical balance. If you are applying for something strong (such as a wererat rogue) perhaps you might consider something lesser such as a mongrelrat.
-Character notoriety. Perhaps you need to do more to earn Knighthood or Pale Master?

In any case, do not get discouraged if an application fails. There are a lot of reasons. Sometimes its fixable, sometimes its not.