Written Application Guide
Written Application Guide
Embedded Files
There are two parts you must have when getting a character ready for submission: the visual application and the written application.
Both must be submitted at the same time for review!
This page details what information is needed when written up your character's profile! There will be tips and advice on how to write and format your application as well as requirements for things like abilities, moves, personality, and more!
Required Information
Required Information
The following information needs to be directly in your application description or linked in the description. You're free to rearrange or add onto it as you please as long as the required information is filled in!
Refer to the sections below for explanations on how to fill out certain parts of the application.
Partner's Team Leader: [ Link to your co-leader, only if your team is a Team with a Friend! Delete this otherwise. ]
Name: [ First name is required, middle and surnames are optional. ]
Age: [ Leaders must be 18+, recruits must be 16+, and maximum age for a guild member is 65. ]
Gender: [ Gender is a spectrum, bby! Pokemon gender rules do not apply in the group, so be who you want to be! ]
Height: [ Generally speaking, you need to be a reasonable human height. Characters can be especially short or tall up to around 4-to-8 feet tall; but be mindful of health and other conditions that may come with being exceedingly tall or short. ]
Species: [ Your character's Pokemon species. You may decide to include some of the Variants they are here as well, for example "Ethereal Pikachu" or similar. ]
Team: [ The team's name. The GCSF does not allow for teams to have the same name, so it must not be a name that is already in use! ]
Position: [ Leader or Recruit ]
Branch: [ Wayfarers, Bounty Hunters, or Rescuers ]
Team Type: [ Solo Leader, Two-Leader, or Team with a Friend ]
Team Rank: Optional - [ This is tracked on the Group Inventories and is not needed here, but include it if you wish! ]
Team Poké: Optional - [ This is tracked on the Group Inventories and is not needed here, but include it if you wish! ]
Level: Optional - [ This is tracked on the Group Inventories and is not needed here, but include it if you wish! ]
Ability: [ You may choose any Ability that the Pokemon can learn, including Hidden Abilities. ]
Moveset: [ Your starting moveset. See the Ability & Moves section above for how to determine your starting moves. ]
Nature: [ Chosen from official Natures, which you can find here. Be sure it matches your character's personality! Does not impact stats or abilities. ]
Characteristic: [ Chosen from official Characteristics, which you can find here. Be sure it matches your character! Does not impact stats or abilities. ]
Personality: [ Mininum requirement of 3 positive traits, 2 neutral traits, and 3 negative traits. See the Personality section above for how to format this part of the application. Leaders must have a detailed personality section while recruits only require the list of traits at minimum. ]
Island Name & Hometown: [ Where the character was born and/or grew up. It does not have to be where they currently live or where they consider home, but it should be where they are originally from. Can be picked from the List of Islands & Cities or can be of your own making. Home islands may not be Holiday Hills locations, even if the recruit was met during Holiday Hills. ]
Content Warnings: [ Delete if there are no warnings needed for the backstory. See the Mature Content Rules for what content is and is not allowed and what requires a warning. ]
Summary: [ This can be a shortened version or bullet points summarizing the text. See Backstory Summary below for tips on how to judge when a summar may be needed. Delete if not needed. ]
History: [ Recommended 2-3 paragraphs describing a few key points in the life of your character. See the History section above for the specifics of what needs to be included in this section. Leaders must have a somewhat detailed history section while recruits may have shorter backstories. Must include how they found the GCSF and reason for joining the GCSF! It should relate back to which branch they join as well! ]
The GCSF doesn't allow for multiple teams with the same name, so your team's name has to be unique!
(Something about it making things harder in terms of paperwork...)
See the Members & Teams List for all of the taken team names!
Abilities & Movesets
Abilities & Movesets
Abilities
Abilities
By default, only Abilities that are obtainable by the Pokemon are allowed, including Hidden Abilities.
It is possible to give your character an Ability they would otherwise not be able to gain by using an Illegal Ability Tutor item but without it, you have to use what is readily available to them.
Movesets
Movesets
A character's moveset, by default, can only contain moves that are learnable via level up from the most recent generation that the Pokemon is available in. Currently, that means that movesets can only come from Generation 9 of the mainline games.
If the Pokemon is not available in the Gen 9 Pokedex, you would go to the next available generation, whether that be Gen 8, Gen 7, Legends Arceus, or an older mainline game.
As the character levels up through group activities, you can add and replace moves according to their level.
Characters may also learn moves using TMs, TRs, HMs, and Move Tutors but only if the item has been added to the team's inventory. They may also learn moves that they typically would not be able to learn through Illegal Move Tokens. At Level 1 (or Level 5 for new leaders), characters may have up to one move learned via a regular Move Tutor.
Move Tutors also allow characters to learn moves that they knew in a previous generation but that was later removed for the recent generation.
At Level 1 (or Level 5 for new leaders), characters may also have up to 2 moves learned through breeding. Egg moves are allowed to come from any generation, not just the current one, and do not need to accurately reflect on your Pokemon character's heritage. Moves are more for fun and flavor than anything else!
If no Move Tutors exist in the current mainline generation, your character cannot start with a Move Tutor move and will need to acquire the Move Tutor Item later on if you'd like to teach them said move!
For example, a Level 1 character's moveset may look like this:
✦ My character is a Litwick.
✦ They have the Infiltrator Ability (Hidden Ability)
✦ They learned the move Haze from a parent (Egg Move)
✦ They know the moves Astonish and Smog from Level 1 (Learnset)
✦ I have TM Confuse Ray in the team's inventory, and so they can also learn that move, granting them four moves at Level 1
When listing their moves, please state where each move that is not from their base learnset has come from (which includes Egg Moves, Move Tutors, Illegal Move Tokens, or TMs)!
Personality
Personality
The personality section requires a minimum of 3 positive traits, 2 neutral traits, and 3 negative traits that should be listed out.
You may choose to describe your character's personality in paragraph format, describing how they exhibit their traits in one long-form description (as long as each trait is clearly defined).
Alternatively, you may list our each trait individually and briefly describe how your character exhibits those specific traits in separate blurbs.
For leaders, the descriptions must be longer than 1 sentence and must be in finished sentences (i.e. no point form notes). For recruits, descriptions are optional and all that are required are the traits themselves.
You are free to add more traits than are required, but the minimum requirements must be followed in order for the application be accepted!
History
History
This section covers the details of their life and how they arrived where they are in the present day.
The backstory should go over these points:
✦ How life was for them growing up
✦ Any major events or pivotal moments that has affected them and/or turned them into who they are today
✦ How they came to know about the GCSF and why they decided to join. For recruits, mentioning the Team name may be enough!
✦ What reason, if any, did they have for choosing the branch they did
(this may be optional if the reasons are made clear in their characterization, but if your character isn't the type of person who would be suited to their current branch, explain why they chose it!)
✦ What are their current goals and / or what do they plan to do now that they have joined the GCSF
You're free to write about other points in a character's life or mention any other details you want to include to tell their story!
See the Extra Tips 'n Tricks section at the bottom of the page if you need a few extra pointers and / or ideas on creating your character's backstory!
Required Content Warnings
Required Content Warnings
There are a number of topics that must have a content warning, mentioned in the Mature Content Rules. For applications, disturbing details mentioned in the backstory may be required to be omitted entirely.
Do not ignore or neglect to read up on the linked section as failure to comply with the rules may result in a warning.
Backstory Length
Backstory Length
At minimum, we recommend at least 12 sentences, split into around 2-3 paragraphs for your character's backstory.
Note that we aren't literally going to be counting your sentences or scrutinizing word count in anyway! The recommended length is simply a rough estimate of what we expect from backstories for leaders characters, giving you plenty of room to explore the topics mentioned above.
For recruits however, you are allowed to have a somewhat shortened backstory or even one in point-form format as long as it still hits all the required backstory points.
Characters with Shared Backstories
Characters with Shared Backstories
If you have two characters who are deeply involved in each other's lives and who have gone through the same events together (i.e. siblings, lovers, close friends, etc), avoid copy-pasting content verbatim from one's backstory to the other.
While you are allowed to use some of the content between both applications, you may be asked to rewrite some sections if there are large sections where characters's backstories are identical to one another as we want character applications to remain mostly unique!
For characters who have gone through the same events together, consider fleshing out what each character's thoughts and feelings may have been on what happened. What was unique about their reaction to it? How did they cope with the event compared to their peers? There should be something to set each person apart from each other!
Referring to Named Characters
Referring to Named Characters
When writing a character's backstory, try not to assume that the person reading it will know who a particular named character is. For example...
Let's say that my character's name is Jack.
❌ Avoid referring to named characters like this:
❌ Avoid referring to named characters like this:
...by only naming the character and giving no context as to how they relate to the main subject of the backstory/application.
❌ "Jack grew up alongside Aaron and Beatrice."
❌ "Jack was invited to join Team Hope by Lucius."
✅ Do refer to named characters like this:
✅ Do refer to named characters like this:
...by mentioning, in at least a few words what relation the named character has with the main subject of the backstory/application.
✅ "Jack grew up alongside his two siblings: an Eevee named Aaron, and a Mankey named Beatrice."
✅ "Jack met Lucius, one of the leaders of Team Hope, and was invited to join the team."
Consistency in Subject Names & Pronouns
Consistency in Subject Names & Pronouns
This is purely a writing tip for clarity! You are free to name your character and give them any pronouns you'd like!
When writing for a character who may go by multiple names (i.e. nicknames, multiple preferred names, etc) or who switch between multiple sets of pronouns, try not to switch between them too often within the same sentence or even paragraph depending on the context!
Let's say my character's name is Patricia.
Her pronouns are she/they.
Sometimes she goes by "Ace" as a nickname.
❌ This may be a little confusing to read at first:
❌ This may be a little confusing to read at first:
Due to the pronouns changing frequently in a sentence with multiple subjects, it may be slightly confusing to keep track of which pronouns are referring to which character.
❌ Patricia grew up alongside her two brothers whom they had a close bond with.
❌ It was thanks to Ace's cunning that they were able to get away with the heist. Still, she was still worried that their actions would catch up to her someday. It was only once Patricia's brothers got in touch with them again that she felt some relief.
✅ Some examples of what help clear up the subject:
✅ Some examples of what help clear up the subject:
Note that the pronouns for the character do swap but they stay consistent throughout the same sentence before switching in the next.
✅ Patricia grew up alongside her two brothers whom she had a close bond with.
✅ It was thanks to Ace's cunning that they were able to get away with the heist. Still, they were still worried that their actions would catch up to them someday. It was only once Ace's brothers got in touch with them again that they felt some relief.
Visual Accessibility
Visual Accessibility
Written applications can be written directly in a post's description (such as on DeviantArt), or it can be linked externally from another site. On sites such as Toyhouse or Google Docs / Slides / Spreadsheet, you may have the option to customize your profile to spice it up a little and make it more visually interesting!
The only thing we ask is that if you do use a non-standard layout for your character's written application, that it is still easy to navigate and read through!
Here are a few things to keep in mind if you're customizing the appearance of your written application:
✦ Avoid bright and eye-straining colors or at least provide a warning if you are using them!
✦ Make sure your application text is readable! Avoid using low contrasting colors for the text and the background.
This text color is too light for this background!
A darker color is more readable, even if it isn't completely black or gray!
✦ Limit the use of exceedingly small font sizes! A recommended reference point would be to go no lower than 10pt for long sections of text!
This is still somewhat readable! (10pt font size)
This is far too small for an entire application! (8pt font size)
✦ You are free to customize your application's styling to suit your character, but limit the use of font faces that are overly "fancy" and / or difficult to read!
An entire application written like this would not be the easiest thing to read!
Some cursive fonts may also pose an issue for readability!
This is much easier to read through!
✦ Space out your paragraphs! Make sure it's easy to tell when one paragraph ends and a new one begins!
Try to keep all your character's information on one page!
If you're using something like Toyhouse for your written application, try not to split your character's information between multiple profile tabs that require people to go to another page to see an entire section of the application. Navigation tabs that don't require you to click away from the same webpage are fine, but it helps to keep everything in one place!
For Google Docs, you may use different tabs to sort your character's information but try not to link multiple documents for one character's written information!
Backstory Summary (TL;DR)
Backstory Summary (TL;DR)
If the backstory is particularly lengthy, you must include a summarized version before / above the backstory itself for ease of reading for both staff members and your peers who might be interested in learning more about your characters!
Our recommendation is...
✦ ...if a backstory is around 500 words or less, you may not need to include a summary.
✦ ...if the backstory's length is close to 1000 words or more, you may want to include a summary.
✦ ...if the formatting of your character's application makes it visually more difficult to parse, you should include a summary.
Again, this is only a recommendation and we will not be scrutinizing your word count or overall backstory length.
These profiles may require a backstory summary (click to see examples):
Example #1
➤ Custom layout with narrow / skinny textbox
➤ Long paragraphs in a small area
➤ Scrolling is required to read the full story
Example #2
➤ Custom layout with short (in height) textbox
➤ Long paragraphs in a small area
➤ Scrolling is required to see the entirety of a single paragraph at times
Example #3
➤ Not a custom layout, simply just the text
➤ Long paragraphs, has 4 or more paragraphs of content
These profiles may not require a backstory summary (click to see examples):
Example #4
➤ Custom layout with tall and wide textbox
➤ Shorter paragraphs
➤ Minimal / very little scrolling is required to see the full story
Example #5
➤ Not a custom layout, simply just the text
➤ Shorter paragraphs, less than 4 paragraphs total
Example #6
➤ Not a custom layout, simply just the text
➤ Bullet points only, no paragraphs
Extra Tips 'n Tricks!
Extra Tips 'n Tricks!
This section includes a few tips, tricks, and general information and clarification on specific topics that may arise when creating your character.
Check them over if any of them apply to you!
Backstory Writing Ideas & Help
Backstory Writing Ideas & Help
If you're stuck, try considering the following questions and see what sort of answers you can come with. This could be a good starting point for writing your character's history.
➤ Where were they born? What was their home environment like?
➤ How did they find out about the GCSF?
➤ How did they get to Kala Island/Ethovalon?
➤ Did your characters live there prior, or did they live somewhere else?
➤ What inspired them to join the branch/team they joined?
➤ What was their life like growing up?
➤ Were there any important figures in their life such as friends, family, or even enemies or rivals?
➤ What kinds of conflict have they faced over the years?
➤ What are their dreams and aspirations?
➤ How did their interests impact the choice they made when selecting a branch?
You do not have to answer or even include each of these questions but hopefully they can provide some ideas! If you'd like to ask for opinions or help from the community, you can post in the #character-discussions channel on the Discord!
Character Morality & Criminal Backgrounds
Character Morality & Criminal Backgrounds
Members of the GCSF come from all walks of life and -- at times -- they may not have had the luxury of choosing the path that was laid out for them. The GCSF accepts those who share their ambitions and goals of uniting the Great Ocean, their love of adventure, and their capacity for good. That said, the members of the guild are not all consistently moral and upstanding citizens.
The guild has taken in people with varying criminal backgrounds and has worked with the local law enforcement as a place where criminals may work towards reform and rehabilitation -- so long as they show the willingness to do so. The freedom of getting to travel across the world and continuing to earn Poke typically seems like a nice alternative to rotting away in a cell. However, there are still rules that must be adhered to as members of the GCSF and future violations of either the guild's code of conduct or the law are met with consequences.
Characters who have commited or have been convicted of crimes in the past are allowed to become members of the GCSF. Even those who may have once killed either out of self-defense or in the defense of those in need are given some measure of grace. However, any acts of violence, stealing, or other illegal activities that may reflect poorly on the organization will not be tolerated. Those who are caught committing heinous acts while under the guild's banner will be terminated and turned over to the local law enforcement.
While characters are allowed to be rude, disrespectful, or unpleasant individuals, the GCSF will not accept those who are outwardly discriminatory towards others, those who exhibit violent and harmful behaviours, or those who have committed past misdeeds with no sign of remorse or a willingness to change. Keep this in mind when you are writing your character's personality and backstory as it should be believeable that they were allowed into the guild in the first place.
✅ Ready to go? ✅
✅ Ready to go? ✅
Once you've got your character application ready to go, you're ready to submit for review and (hopefully) approval!
Once you've got your character application ready to go, you're ready to submit for review and (hopefully) approval!
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