Starlight Commons

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======Task and Activities Guides======

//Please refer to the Table of Contents to the right for specific links to relevant sections.//

Have a question? **[[https://toyhou.se/~bulletins/2027374.questions-and-answers|Ask Here!]]**

=====The Basics=====

====✦ Art Roleplaying Game (ARPG) Explained====
An Art Roleplaying Game (ARPG) is where art is created to progress in the game, earn rewards, and roleplay as a character in a shared world. In Starlight Commons [SLC], writing is recognized and accepted as a form of artwork for submission and approval.

In Starlight Commons [SLC], some game abbreviations are commonly used:
^  Common Game Abbreviations  ^^^^
|  **ARPG** = Art Roleplaying Game  |  **SLC** = Starlight Commons  |  **AB** = Account Bound  |  **CS** = Closed Species  |
|  **ML** = Masterlist  |  **NPC** = Non-Player Character  |  **ST** = [[Star Token]]  |  **N/A** = Not Available  |

On any **[[Navigation Hub|Tasks]]** that require submissions, game symbols are used for simple recognition of requirements:

✎ = Visual Art Required
\\ 🗐 = Writing is Allowed
\\ ✪ = Costs [[Star Token|Star Tokens]]
\\ ☆ = Task/Prompt
\\ ✦ = Bonus Event Reward

====✦ Stellians Explained====
Starlight Commons [SLC] has lots of creatures and characters that inhabit the ARPG. Some are playable, some add perks, and some add lore boosts to liven up the world.

**[[Stellaborn]] - Playable**
\\ These are the main playable species that can earn [[Star Token|Star Tokens]] and participate in all [[Navigation Hub|Tasks]].

**[[Roamkin]] - Gameplay Perks**
\\ These are species that support [[Stellaborn]] and provide perks. They can only be used when bonded to a [[Stellaborn]].

**[[Bestiary|Beasts]] - Lore**
\\ These are wild creatures that cannot be tamed or owned, unless denoted as a [[Roamkin]]. They are purely lore additions and cannot be used as playable characters.

**[[NPCs]] - Lore**
\\ These are story characters meant to liven up the world and create a rich story to build from. 

====✦ Using One Approved Artwork for Multiple Tasks====
When specified on a submission page and allowed, sometimes the same artwork can be submitted to multiple **[[Navigation Hub|Tasks]]** as long as it meets the requirements for each activity. One finished artwork can be submitted up to two times.

For example, artwork used for the **[[Bounty Board]]** can also be submitted for **[[Expeditions]]**.

Artwork that has been edited after an approval to meet new requirements is **not** allowed. 

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=====Tasks=====

====✦ Backgrounds with Depth====
Some [[Navigation Hub|Tasks]] require a background with depth, including [[Expeditions]], [[Mythic Courses]], and [[Events]].

**Requirements**
\\ To be approved, a background must:
\\ 「✔」Show an Environment Base or Setting.
\\ 「✔」Include Color
\\ 「✔」Contain at least three (3) clear elements.
\\ //If you are unsure if something counts, add more elements to be safe.//

**Environment Base**
\\ The environmental base can be the setting itself. It helps establish location and depth, but does not count toward the 3-element requirement. To be approved, an environmental base **must** have a minimum of two (2) colors, which can be flat or gradient. Even if multiple layers are used for depth, they are still considered part of the environmental base. 
\\ **Environmental Base Examples:** Skies, Grounds, Water, Clouds, Hills, Walls, Open Space, etc.

^  Environmental Base Examples  ^^^
|  {{eb-example1.png?250|Environmental Base Example 1}}  |  {{eb-example2.png?250|Environmental Base Example 2}}  |  {{eb-example3.png?250|Environmental Base Example 3}}  |
|  {{eb-example4.png?250|Environmental Base Example 4}}  |  {{eb-example5.png?250|Environmental Base Example 5}}  |  {{eb-example6.png?250|Environmental Base Example 6}}  |
^  Example 6 has three separate elements placed onto the Environmental Base that count as elements.  ^^^

**Elements vs Texture**
\\ To count toward the 3-Element requirement, something must be a clear, recognizable, separate object.

**Elements (That Count):** Plants, Trees, Flowers, Rocks, Buildings, Items, Creatures, Celestial Bodies, Other clearly identifiable objects, etc. Simple shapes can count if they are clearly recognizable.
\\ **Textures (Does NOT Count):** Small, repeated, or decorative details that support the environment rather than forming individual objects, such as sparkles, noise, grit, sand, grass, repeated patterns, or copy-pasted/resized shapes/brushes.

^  Element vs Texture Examples  ^^^
|  {{evt-example1.png?250|Element vs Texture Example 1}}  |  {{evt-example2.png?250|Element vs Texture Example 2}}  |  {{evt-example3.png?250|Element vs Texture Example 3}}  |

**Approvable Background Examples that contain all Requirements**
^  Approvable Background Examples  ^^
|  {{abe-example1.png?300|Approvable Background Example 1}}  |  {{abe-example2.png?300|Approvable Background Example 2}}  |
|  {{abe-example3.png?300|Approvable Background Example 3}}  |    {{abe-example4.png?300|Approvable Background Example 4}}  |

**Declinable Background Examples that lack Requirements**
^  Declinable Background Examples  ^^
|  {{dbe-example1.png?300|Declinable Background Example 1}}  |  {{dbe-example2.png?300|Declinable Background Example 2}}  |
|  {{dbe-example3.png?300|Declinable Background Example 3}}  |    {{dbe-example4.png?300|Declinable Background Example 4}}  |

**Simple Backgrounds**
\\ A background can be heavily simplified and still be approved, as long as it includes an Environmental Base and at least 3 clear elements.

^  Simplified Examples  ^^^
|  {{simple-example1.png?250|Simple Example 1}}  |  {{simple-example2.png?250|Simple Example 2}}  |  {{simple-example3.png?250|Simple Example 3}}  |

====✦ Writing Submissions====
Any written submissions to any **[[Navigation Hub|Task]]** must have at least **700 Words** unless otherwise specified. These submissions must also follow the general rules of that [[Navigation Hub|Task]]. 

Written Submissions must be uploaded to ToyHouse or DeviantArt to be approved.

====✦ Expeditions and Mythic Courses====
**[[Expeditions]]** and **[[Mythic Courses]]** are progression tasks in the ARPG. They are completed by submitting artwork that fits the prompts and advances the character.

{{expeditionstampbook.png?25|Expedition Stamp Book}} **[[Expeditions]]** progress your [[Stellaborn]] by unlocking more content, like [[Activities|Gathering Activities]] for crafting materials.
\\ {{mytirmedallion-light.png?25|Light Mytir Medallion}} **[[Mythic Courses]]** unlock [[Magic]] and [[Spells]] that can be helpful in earning more rewards from [[Activities]] and/or [[Events]].

**Strategy Recommendation**
\\ When completing the [[Bounty Board]], try to ensure the artwork also meets [[Expeditions|Expedition]] requirements so it can be reused, reducing the total amount of art you need to create.

====✦ Missions====
**[[Missions]]** progress your [[Stellaborn|Stellaborn's]] [[character-attributes|Attributes]] to have a higher chance of earning rarer rewards or finding success in special attribute-focused prompts. Completing [[Missions]] permanently raises your character's [[character-attributes|attributes]]. Your character's current [[character-attributes|Attribute Levels]] are listed on their masterlist.

Depending on the **[[character-attributes|Attribute Level]]** your [[Stellaborn]] is on, the art and writing requirements may differ. The requirements are listed below:

For [[Character-Attributes|Attribute Levels]] 1-10:
  * A character must be drawn as a full-body (3-Limbs) with no background requirement. 
  * **OR** a written entry/chapter about a character completing the mission that is at least 300 words.

For [[Character-Attributes|Attribute Levels]] 11-15:
  * A character must be drawn as a full-body (3-Limbs) twice in one image with no background requirement.
  * **OR** a written entry/chapter about a character completing the mission that is at least 600 words.

For [[Character-Attributes|Attribute Levels]] 16-20:
  * A character must be drawn as a full-body (3-Limbs) with a background. 
  * **OR** a written entry/chapter about a character completing the mission that is at least 900 words.

For [[Character-Attributes|Attribute Levels]] 21-25:
  * A character must be drawn as a full-body (3-Limbs) alongside a full-body (3-Limbs) of their mentor with a background. 
  * **OR** a written entry/chapter about a character completing the mission that is at least 1200 words.

====✦ Bounty Board====
The **[[Bounty Board]]** is a bi-weekly art activity. You draw your [[Stellaborn]] based on the prompt's task, which can earn you rewards like [[Star Token|Star Tokens]] and items.

====✦ Events====
**[[Events]]** are limited-time tasks that can happen a few times a year. [[Events]] are usually packed with [[Lore]] and reward special items, trophies, collectibles, and more.

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=====Systems=====

====✦ Star Tokens====
{{startoken.png?25|Star Token}} **[[Star Token|Star Tokens]]**, or ST, is the main in-game currency used to buy items and [[Roamkin]]. There are several ways to earn them in the ARPG:

- Completing the bi-weekly **[[Bounty Board]]** rewards up to 200 ST, if all bonus requirements are completed.
\\ - Completing the **[[Primary Expedition]]** rewards 150 ST.
\\ - Completing any other **[[Expeditions|Expedition]]** rewards 50 ST.
\\ - Participate in **[[Events]]** that reward extra variable ST bonuses.
\\ - Trading art, items, or [[Stellaborn]] in the [[https://discord.gg/MEF6PwjuJK|Official Discord]] for ST.

====✦ Items====
There are several different types of items you can find and earn in the Starlight Commons ARPG. These items can be used to unlock, customize, and enhance characters, or even give bonuses to [[Navigation Hub|Tasks]]. Items are stored in the User's Bank at the **[[Obsidian Bank]]**.

**[[Collectibles]]** are items meant to be gathered rather than used. They are mainly for collection, completion, and inventory display.
\\ **[[Novites]]** are small, cosmetic collectible Stellians. They are usually obtained from [[Events]], and do not provide any gameplay bonuses. They are meant for collecting, decorating, and visual fun only.
\\ **Utility Items** are functional items that affect gameplay or character progression. This includes Cosmetics for visual customization, and Gear that modifies [[character-attributes|Attributes]].

====✦ Bond Bonuses====
[[Roamkin]] can be bonded to [[Stellaborn]] with no item necessary, and helps gain more or rarer rewards with their [[Energy Charge]]. An [[Energy Charge]] can only be used **once** per bi-weekly, and any spent charges recharge with the bi-weekly refresh. 

Do more with multiple [[Roamkin]] bonded at once, though be wary of their same-species bonding limitations listed on their [[Roamkin|Roamkin Pages]]. 

Bonded [[Roamkin]] can be removed at any time via **[[Critter Korner]]**.