lifeaftr_mods | Search Requests

Search Requests

And no one knows how far it goes

As a central element to the game, Search Requests may seem very daunting at first. Never fear! Below is a table of contents for this page that may help answer your questions, giving you the confidence to venture forth into the great unknown.

[ ♆ ] What Are Search Requests?
[ ♆ ] What Impacts a Search Request?
[ ♆ ] How Many Search Requests Can I Make?
[ ♆ ] Why are Searches Limited?
[ ♆ ] Islands Available
[ ♆ ] Search Request Form

What Are Search Requests?

The contents of many islands that make up the archipelago of LifeAftr require player exploration and participation to uncover and chart, as everything from the potential dangers, obstructions, and resources are randomized. Alongside adding weight to the potential dangers characters may face, it also gives you the potential to influence the game as much as possible.

Upon arrival to a new island, a blank map of the island's general shape will be provided with a grid, parsing the island into square sections for the purposes of exploration. Each of these squares are a base size of one mile by one mile in terms of width and breadth, unless otherwise noted. Each square is also labeled for player convenience. Characters who have access to boats or another means of traversing the ocean waters can perform search requests on surrounding waters.

Search Requests are intended to be used as a prompt for IC interactions. While not all search results will hold something of particular interest, such as finding new seeds or fruit, but in circumstances where enemies or information has been located, we encourage ICly threading out these results, or using them to foster new CR.

What Impacts a Search Request?
As of July 2018, there are new factors to take into account when submitting a Search Request:

[ ♆ ] GROUP SIZE limits the timeframe in which a search request can be completed. While a single mile may not seem so far to walk, thoroughly investigating a square mile is a different matter altogether. Depending on the size of a group, characters may choose to push on into an additional square at the cost of spending the night in the wilderness, potentially exposing themselves to other dangers - or in groups of four or more, split the group to cover the additional ground. Search Requests are currently limited to two squares maximum at a time, regardless of group size.

[ ♆ ] DIFFICULT TERRAIN such as mountainous regions, thickly wooded areas, or those under the sway of severe weather conditions may severely hamper a group in covering new ground. Due to this, search requests may be limited on occasion to one square per search, regardless of the group size. This restriction will be announced when relevant.

[ ♆ ] POTENTIAL RISKS can and will hinder characters set on searching more than one square. If searching an area thoroughly, it is assumed that your character is both taking their time, and covering as much of the ground in that square as possible. Obstructions, predators and catastrophes should be predominantly unavoidable due to this.

How Many Search Requests Can I Make?
Each character is limited to submitting one search per week, of up to two squares. When searching in a group of three people or fewer, a second square may only be searched if characters intend to spend the night camping out, which puts them at risk for additional dangers.

Beyond submitting a search, characters may also band together with others for an additional two search requests, but these requests must be submitted by another character.

Additionally, Search Requests may only be forward-dated up to two days ahead of the current date. As LifeAftr may sometimes see events suddenly beginning, forward-dating is limited to avoid the need to retcon.

Why are Searches Limited?
The introduction of limitations to the number of search requests characters can conduct is to ensure moderation of the game's pacing, in addition to ensuring all players have a chance to affect the plot, regardless of their tagging speed or RL obligations. Previously, search requests have been unlimited due to an agreeably slow pacing as LifeAftr established itself. The beginning of July saw the game expanding and going through a new teething stage that required a few new aspects to our search requests system, in addition to discarding mechanics that simply weren't being used.

In some circumstances, such as when an island is due to disappear - potentially for good! - we may lift these restrictions to allow those who'd like to further explore islands to go wild.

Maps Available:
The current islands, their descriptions, and how much area has already been unveiled can be found on the Locations Page. A key describing the area, resources, and dangers can also be found.

The following island(s) are currently available for exploration:

ENSŌ
NASTRANDIR
The following island(s) are not currently available, but have individual locations pages for player perusal:

AI'TUOH
CAHYPDO
CHOL
IO
MAATI
MONSUN
NUIDAN
UMUI
ZIZIPHUS

Search Request Form
To submit a search request, please post the below form in a new comment. Before submitting your request, keep in mind that map updates may lag depending on mod work schedules. Checking the last few posted searches may avoid doubling up accidentally.

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( CODED BY BOOTYCALL, COMISSIONED ART BY RUKA )

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Player name: James
Character name: Faust
Character journal:

wanderingdoctorfaust
Character(s) accompanying: Zidane, Ed
Area searched: Nastrandir D4
Date of search: 11th of August
Additional notes: Faust is searching for exotic flora and fauna - for medical purposes - and Ed will be keeping an eye out for signs of civilisation or the previous occupants of the islands.

The Search Begins...
D4 is largely composed of two distinct clumps of dense woodland, separated by a more open, less forested stretch of swamp. The ground is firmer in the wooded areas, and makes for easier travels, but is also harder to orient oneself due to the density of the trees, and how thickly they are clustered together. The swamps make for more straightforward progression, but the thick sludge of mud and decaying plant matter can get waist-deep in places. Both are equally hot, humid, and potentially quite miserable to trek through.

And yet, there is evidence of the civilization that came before. Ed probably recognizes the structure half-buried in the muck of the swampy area in D4 from his earlier excursion - it's the same manner of construct, though this one looks to be in worse shape. Some of the speaker-like protrusions have been broken off and reduced to jagged scrap of sheared-off metal clinging to the metallic post that comprises the thing's base, and the others seem rather heavily rusted, thanks to the humidity of the weather.

But the little glimmer of light at the top? That's stayed. And just like before, it starts to glow very softly once approached. While it's clearly quite weak, it still manages to radiate a definitively stronger, reddish light than the one previous.

Almost like you're getting closer to something.

Better keep heading this way, huh?

♆ D4 has been unlocked on the map of the area! ♆

Sweet As
Useful flora will also be in abundance. Between the wooded areas and the thicker swamp, the group will find a number of different plants in large enough quantities to suggest that they've been growing wild, relatively uninterrupted, for quite some time. Provided they can recognize them, or contact someone who can, they'll be able to find the following:

[ ♆ ] Acorus calamus, also known as the sweet flag. While parts of the plant can be eaten raw, it's not recommended - large amounts can be toxic, and induce nausea and vomiting. The mature leaves can be used for insect repellant, however, and it has been used to treat pain or gastrointestinal problems. It also smells quite nice; oil extracts or leaves have been known to be used for perfumes and fragrances.

[ ♆ ] Cornus canadensis, or creeping dogwood. The season means that these plants currently bear fruits, which are edible, even if they lack a strong flavor.

[ ♆ ] Nasturtium officinale, better known as watercress. With edible leaves and seeds, watercress is known for being vitamin-rich and making a good additive to salads. It also grows quite easily, from seeds or cuttings, as long as one makes sure to plant it in shallow water.

Some of these can be taken back to Ensō or its islets, if you're feeling up to trying to transfer some delicate plants and replanting them somewhere with the right kind of environment! And even if you don't, you never know - they might still be useful. Gather what you can, while you can.

Search Requests

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NASTRANDIR - D4 | Ɏ VEGETABLES/ROOTS