FAQ

Algolope is an Art-Roleplay Game or ARPG focusing on large rabbit-dragon creatures called Algolopes or Algo(s) for short. While we have activities like most ARPG we do not encourage farming or grinding artwork and all works must be gallery quality or with effort.

What does 'Withers' mean when looking at heights?
- Withers in the shoulder of a horse/animal. The height is measured from that point for animals that are mountable or ridable. We measure Algos in inches on the imports, but also accept Hands at 4 inches = 1 hand. Average Algos are anywhere from 72-84 inches at the shoulder(withers) or 6-7ft tall. Which is about 18HH -21HH.

Hands are show in the following decimal increments: (.1, .2, .3) Anything above that, such as .4 is just another inch.  For example 15.4 would actually just be 16 HH. 

As of May 2024, we accept a height range of 15hh-21HH, or 60-84 inches (5-7ft tall). Heights from 15-under 18 Hands or under 72 inches is considered a small Algolope, and any at 20HH or 80 or more inches are rather large but possible.
Smaller Algos are suitable for smaller riders or children.

I've trained my Algo, do I have to submit all training images/lits at once and where do I submit them?
- Training can be submitted one at a time or all together via Training Journal. There is a comment on each import for posting training images, once your submission(s) is approved, admins will post to the training comment on the import with the rng stats earned and update the import's stats accordingly.
If you see a ★ beside a stat that means it has been trained. 

Are there rules on riders/handlers? Are they required?
- Some activities may require riders or handlers but most activities allow using a group Algolope or starter as a handler substitute.
The setting is medieval - high tech - high fantasy, so we allow your standard fantasy races like elves, humans, dwarves, drow, orcs, tieflings, as well as more monstrous humanoids like kobolds, gnoll, shapeshifters, lizardfolk.  (Like Final Fantasy, Dnd, Pathfinder etc) You can read about the Lore Races on the Riders page.

The handlers have to be humanoid with opposable thumbs, at least two arms and two legs, and stand upright. Handlers and riders may have a shapeshift form that is an animal or creature, but when  an activity or prompt requires riders/handlers they must be in humanoid form.  Any other activity with a handler or rider present as an animal or creature may still claim the handler rp bonus.

Can I use other ARPG creatures as a handler/Rider?
Yes, if that ARPG allows AU humanoid forms, or the primary form is humanoid and fits our Rider guidelines. 

Can I have red or pink eyes on my Algo?  

- Red or Pink eyes are restricted to Albino Mutation Alogolopes.
Lilac Algos may have slightly purple or lilac eyes.
Eyes may otherwise be any color or saturation but not Black or White.
Read about Eye colors on the Eyes and Accents Page.

What determines the marks on the stinger (tail tips)? 

- The stinger may be any pattern and marking, pulling from the markings present, as long as its not symbolic in appearance. The stinger must have the eye color on it somewhere, even if just the 'Accent' spot in the center. 

If my Algo has multiple Dominant markings (homozygous) such as Hood and Zebra, which marking covers the other?
- Layering of markings is pretty relaxed, but most white markings, even their reversal counterparts sit over all other markings. Reversal White marks sit under the regular white marks. Ex: Reversal Overo + Tobiano. Tobiano is the natural white color where Overo is turned black due to Reversal modifier. The white mark, Tobiano would sit above Overo.

For markings that have dominant expressions, its up to the member to determine the layering unless the guides specify. You can have the Hood darken the face and part of the neck on a black coat, allowing some striping to be seen from Zebra underneath it. Or if the base is lighter, like Chocolate, the Zebra stripes could sit above as long as they are darker than the Hood mark.

Some markings may have rules that they sit over all other marks, this includes white marks.
You can see all marking guides on the Markings page.

What are Accents?
- Accents are locations that add the 'eye' color or iris color to that location. They are generally solid colored. Common locations include the optional belly scales addition, the underside of the claws, the center and 'line' of the stinger.  Some markings may allow 'Accent' color or Natural Accent Color which comes from a unique color slider, the slider can be found on the Free Markings page as well as on Eyes, Accents and Extras page.

What color are the belly, neck and undertail scales? 

- These scales can be colored based on the pelt, markings,  or a solid color that is lighter or darker than the base color. The scales can have a slight 2 color gradient but must be visible on all sections. This color choice may be used on the forelegs, but the legs can be colored differently than these locations with Pigeon Leg. See Free Markings for more information.

Can females have horns? 

- Female Algo without the 'Horns' mutation cannot have the nub horns. With the horns mutation they will have the specified horns regardless of sex. 

Can I draw the Algos a little different than the import art? 

- Yes, we allow different style and depiction of Algos as long as they are recognizable. Some may represent the Algos as more big cat in body shape and proportions, while others may wants to draw the face more rabbit like and keep the body shape. The feet can be drawn as canine, feline or rabbit like, especially the back legs. They also have a small semi-opposable toe (dewclaw) on the forelegs and can grasp things moderately well and have decent mobility when spreading the toes. Algos may optionally have webbed-toes.

Male Algo horns may be drawn a bit larger than the nubs on imports or smaller as babies, but they should not resemble any mutation horns. Ie large jackalope style horns, deer or elk horns. The horns should have a max of 2 points without a mutation. Horns sit near the back of the head, slightly behind the ears.

I have a vintage design (pre-2018), do I need an item to convert to the new base?
No, conversion to the new base is free, there are two options for transfers:
1. Grandfathered Design - the design remains the same even if the rules changed for the markings. Marking rarities and some markings may have been removed.
2. Updated Design - You update the design and have to follow the current guides. For markings like Unders you can freely replace with 1 other common marking.

Algolopes must be converted to the new base in order to be used in the group.

Do I have to have an Algolope to participate in activities and events?
No, you can use group starters, male or female, group algolopes, or the Mascot, Grimalki to participate. You can use these Algos while you wait for approvals or just in everyday activities for small boosts to your results if applicable. 

Are Algolope sentient? Can Algolope 'speak' to one another?
Yes, Algolope are sentient and highly intelligent, while most cannot communicate with humanoids outside of use of magic,  Algolopes understand commands, they understand each other and can understand other draconic species. To humanoids they 'speak' in noises like chirps, growls, hisses, and vocalizations, but do not form words. Algolope are 'animals', but they work with humanoids in a more mutual beneficial relationship and should humans abuse them they will leave or seek retribution. See Species Information.

Wild Algolopes can be freely depicted as having conversations with one another, much like feral roleplay groups do. They are characters before anything else and members are free to depict them as silent companions to humans, as individuals with companions and personalities in their own stories, or roleplay their characters interacting with others.  As long as Algolopes do not physically speak to humans and be understood without the use of a magic like DnD's 'Speak with Animals' or Primal Language understanding anything is allowed.

What sort of tack and equipment do Algolope wear?
Algolope will wear any variety of saddles, both those found in horses, a simple blanket, or even a pelt, straps often connect around the barrel of the ribs and behind the forelimbs, with 1 or 2 straps wrapping around the chest much like a harness.

They can also wear halti head collars and gentle leaders, but with the shape of an Algos face they can opt to just slip out of these halters if bothered with their Rider.  Most racers use a combination of leather, cloth or braided collars around the neck with reins attached during races. Some even braid the reins into the long fur on an Algolopes shoulders.

Algolope rarely accept bits and if they do it is non-secured bits that they can choose to drop. They hold the bit in the gap behind their canine-teeth and premolars. Soft bits like leather are ideal.

Leg wraps, nail guards and armor can also be fitted to Algolope, though armor is often only worn for skirmishes, Dungeons or in combat situations. Algolopes are rather sturdy and thick skinned on their own, with hard and flexible scales protecting their underside and limbs.

Blankets are often only added to Bald coat Algolope, as even in very cold or high elevations,  longer coated Algolopes and Natural coats are rather resilient to cold.