Hi, welcome to GoA's jumpstart guide! This is not a replacement for reading all of our journals and learning our systems; however, this guide is meant to provide you with a bit of guidance if you're starting out in GoA, since we understand GoA has quite a big learning curve! If you ever have any questions, we are more than happy to answer via note or our #questions channel on discord. Hope you find this useful, and have a great day!
What can we do for you?
[[I want to join GoA, what do I do?|noob]]
[[I want to learn about the group's shops|shops]]
[[I'm confused on which folder I should submit my art into|folders]]
***Note: If you are a returning member who's been on a long hiatus, we reccomend you read all of our chapter quests first so you're caught up!So you want to join GoA? Awesome, we can't wait to have you! We hope our process is as straightforward as possible, but just in case, we've listed some important things to be aware of for you! If you are confused at any step, you can click on the blue text for more information~
Step 1: [[Make sure you read all of our core journals.|noob1]]
Step 2: [[Read all of our Chapters |noob2]]
Step 3: [[Reserve a spot in our group via the Reserve Journal|noob3]]
Step 4: [[Create your character|noob4]]
Step 5: [[Send in an app check|noob5]]
Step 6: [[Send in a join request|noob6]]
Step 7: [[Join our discord|noob7]]If you ever need a quick link to the shop, check out <a href="https://www.deviantart.com/guardian-of-animus/journal/Navigation-Page-654050727">Navigation Page</a> pinned to the front of our journals!
This is the most important journal in GoA as it acts like a hub, providing easy access to all of GoA's important journals~
**Core Shops**
[[Gale's House]]
[[Klongtong Shop]]
[[Blacklist Blacksmiths]]
[[Sun Daycare]]
[[Quest Board]]
**Other Shops (If you're just starting out, don't worry about these ones!)**
[[Le Chateau Chic]]
[[Slime Ranch]]
[[SR Premium Shop (Name tentative)]]
Don't know where to submit your art? Here's our folders (some folders have sub-folders so do be careful of that!) for reference~
**Folders you can submit to**
[[Knights, Mages, Hunters, Healers, & Pacifiers]]
[[Villagers¹|Villagers]]
[[Companions]]
[[Quests]]
[[Daily Life]]
[[Miscellaneous]]
**Admin-only Folders**
[[Featured]]
[[Resources²|Resources]]
[[Guardians]]
[[Species]]
¹Contains sub-folders only admins can submit into (Event NPCs, Key Characters, and Shop keepers)
²Contains subfolder you can submit into called member-made memesWe've listed them in our <a href="https://www.deviantart.com/guardian-of-animus/journal/Navigation-Page-654050727">Navigation Page</a>, pinned to the top of our journals~ The most important ones to nail are Rules, Islands, Element, Race, Job, Rank, Gold and Exp, Companion (if you are a pacifier), Character Creation and Skills!Our chapters are a core part of GoA which shape our story! You can think of them as chapters in a book that detail GoA's storyline. They can be found on both our front page (right image), and <a href="https://www.deviantart.com/guardian-of-animus/journal/Navigation-Page-654050727">Navigation Page</a> (left image) as shown below:
<img src="https://i.gyazo.com/f9f370f9eb2fc10e41bd5da290ffe087.jpg" width="1000"><img src="https://i.gyazo.com/3e61f7b6061fad72efe2947624273b80.png" align="right" height="700">
They give a lot of important context for our later chapters that you may find confused by.
The chapters "Arc I Chapter 9: The Truth" and "Arc II Chapter 4: The Outcast" have google docs linked to them that have a lot of valuable information in them. We recommend you read them as they give a lot of rich lore that is not mentioned in just our journals!
The google docs links (in large, green text) can be found at the bottom paragraph of each respective journal like so:
<img src="https://i.gyazo.com/db15ab0c41b680a83169869bace17b2a.png" width="1000">GoA runs by a reserve system. This means we aim to have a set amount of members per arc. When a member leaves, we will open up their slot for another person to take! That being said, that also means we only do formal openings once an arc ends and a new one begins. So if you're looking to join, watch us and keep an eye out for a new slot to claim! It's first come, first serve so you'll have to be sharp.
If you manage to nab a slot, you'll have two weeks to complete your app. You can ask for extensions once! Afterwards, you will need to give us proof of progress and a valid reason (e.g. final exams, moving out, etc... a vauge "I didn't have time" will not suffice.)
Before you start making your character, make sure you've done steps 1 and 2Our Character Creation journal covers all the info you'll need, but here are some stuff people usually get tripped up on!
[[Weapons|ccWEAPONS]]
[[Non-human Ages|ccAGE]]
[[How humans appear in Aesthia|ccHUMANS]]
Other handy tips!
[[Skill checklist|ccSKILLS]]Very straightforward! Just send us an app check through notes titled any variation of "App check"
Note: If you get a lot of feedback or things you need to change on your app, please don't worry! 99% of our members have things that need changing and we are always more than happy to work with you on your app. App checks and feedback are just a part of GoA~Use this form when sending us a join request. Make sure you are actually reserved and in the group. If you do not use the form and have ALL your character finished (including companions for pacifiers) we will not accept you.
Character : [Link your application]
Companion : [ONLY if you're a Pacifier]
Job : [Main / Sub]The links to our discord groups are on our front page! We strongly reccomend joining them since most of our events are discord-based and it'll give you a much richer experience of GoA~
When you join, you'll need to do an introduction before getting access to all our channels! Please before doing anything, read the rules in the discord chat. Even if you are a veteran member, please refresh yourself on the rules from time to time as there may be changes sometimes.
It may take up to 24 hours to get access to our channels just in case all our admins are asleep or are at school (we're all PST), just a heads up!''Do your skills satisfy the following?''
- Skills are relevant to your element or job
- All active skills have specific limits (examples- How long does it last? What are its cooldowns? Its area of effect?)
- Are your skills appropriate for the novice level and have room for growth?
''Example of poorly written skills:''
Fireball: OC can shoot fireballs that hurt the enemy.(Vague)
Tidal wave: OC can summon a 20m tall, 20m wide tidal wave that crashes into everything it its way. It has a 5 minute cooldown and lasts for 20 minutes. (Specific but way too overpowered)
Healing: (Knight) OC can heal other ally by planting flowers on them. They can plant up to 5 flowers per 3 hours and each flower can only heal minor wounds. (A good skill but not a knight skill)
''Fixed skills:''
Fireball: OC can shoot fireballs about the size of a fist that hurt the enemy. They can shoot up to 3 before needing to rest for 5 minutes. (Specific limits and size of fireballs)
Tidal wave: OC can summon a 2m tall, 5m wide wave that crashes into everything it its way. This skill can only be used on bodies of water such as lakes and the ocean. It has a 15 minute cooldown and lasts for 5 minutes. (Appropriate for a novice)
Healing: (Healer) OC can heal other ally by planting flowers on them. They can plant up to 5 flowers per 3 hours and each flower can only heal minor wounds. (Appropriate for the job)Weapons are pretty straight-forward! Just make sure your weapon does not have any special abilities (e.g. Can flash light, boosts magic, etc..) since you'll need to buy those at our blacksmith shop!Non-humans age differently, but at the same ratio (e.g. puberty lasts the same percentage of an elf's life time as a human's)! Our race journal has all the details on how long each race ages which can be used as a reference in calculating the true age of your character.
To calculate your character's true age, there's instructions in the bottom of Character Creation! Please use 120 years old for the max human age.
Humans age the same as on Earth, but their life expectancy is longer than on Earth! In Arc I, humans did not age until after the final chapter but afterwards, resumed aging as per normal (Arc II and beyond)!Gale's House deals mainly with the purchase and information of switching jobs, refining elements, and adding a 2nd/3rd/4th character!
<img src="https://img03.deviantart.net/d846/i/2015/331/8/4/goa__gale_orland_by_akai_len-d9i9n5b.png" width="750">
<a href="https://www.deviantart.com/guardian-of-animus/journal/Gale-s-House-659706620">Link to Gale's House</a>Where you can purchase potions, one time use items, reusable items, and other items that will aid your character in their daily Protector life! This is the shop you most likely will find yourself going to throughout your GoA journey.
Reminder: When making purchases that changes your character's appearance such as a new outfit, hair, etc. please note the admins to have it checked first before making it official.
<img src="https://orig01.deviantart.net/08db/f/2015/361/b/5/b54d3a2238008aff085c4f3223e865b4-d9ln3j8.jpg" width="750">
<a href="https://orig01.deviantart.net/08db/f/2015/361/b/5/b54d3a2238008aff085c4f3223e865b4-d9ln3j8.jpg">Link to Klontong Shop</a>When it comes to your character's weapon, whether they're getting a new one, modifying it, and/or just purchasing a weapon all the information and purchases are in this journal!
Reminder: Please make sure to read your job's weapon type! Some jobs have main weapons and sub-weapons while others have only sub-weapons.
Tip: Sub-weapons are weapons that are not used as often or are not really needed by your character (e.g. A dagger used as backup).
<img src="https://img11.deviantart.net/d475/i/2015/352/9/7/goa__dai_suki_by_hotaruin-d9kj3vr.png" width="750">
<a href="https://www.deviantart.com/guardian-of-animus/journal/Blacklist-Blacksmiths-660676842">Link to Blacklist Blacksmith</a> Look through our list of companions your character can obtain, purchase them, and even get them some special skills!
Reminder: There's a limit to companions per protector depending on their job!
Tip: Make sure you think about your purchase carefully! If you give away or abandon companions too often, Sumi Masen will mark your character as untrustworthy, and require a higher fee next time they make a purpose. Sumi remembers everything...
<img src="https://img03.deviantart.net/e756/i/2016/173/a/2/_goa__sun_daycare_by_keihoshi-da77rr7.png" width ="750">
<a href="https://www.deviantart.com/guardian-of-animus/journal/Sun-Daycare-660678796">Link to Suncare Daycare</a>Visit Claire and you can find a closet meme to fill it up with the outfits your character has collected! You can link this meme in your app which will give you the ability to freely switch between outfits and mix-and-match to your heart's content~
Note: Outfits have to be bought at the Klongtong Shop unless specified as a free outfit (We will make this CLEAR). Completing the Closet Meme and uploading it gets you additional exp and gold and a free outfit!
<img src="https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/177308f9-8f62-430d-9658-135787954ad1/dcfd8xc-68f97af6-6b81-44cc-9f12-36738725d8f8.png?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcLzE3NzMwOGY5LThmNjItNDMwZC05NjU4LTEzNTc4Nzk1NGFkMVwvZGNmZDh4Yy02OGY5N2FmNi02YjgxLTQ0Y2MtOWYxMi0zNjczODcyNWQ4ZjgucG5nIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmZpbGUuZG93bmxvYWQiXX0.MXHtrGOs8lFkbhGTas8ptZsDFBqfNrsZk3ESXP_pnoM" width="750">
<a href="https://www.deviantart.com/goa-database/art/GoA-Le-Chateau-Chic-751406448">Link To Le Chateau Chic</a>At the Slime Ranch, you can access the Slime Shed to view your and other Protectors' slimes as well as gift/trade slimes with other members!
What are slimes? Slimes are gacha and reward-based collectibles that are rewarded during certain events and milestones! They are completely optional, but lots of fun~
<img src="https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/177308f9-8f62-430d-9658-135787954ad1/dcj4o0g-f64f212c-ddba-4381-81f6-a58fe5c49df9.png/v1/fill/w_1095,h_730,q_70,strp/_goa__jane_sina_by_goa_database_dcj4o0g-pre.jpg?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7ImhlaWdodCI6Ijw9ODAwIiwicGF0aCI6IlwvZlwvMTc3MzA4ZjktOGY2Mi00MzBkLTk2NTgtMTM1Nzg3OTU0YWQxXC9kY2o0bzBnLWY2NGYyMTJjLWRkYmEtNDM4MS04MWY2LWE1OGZlNWM0OWRmOS5wbmciLCJ3aWR0aCI6Ijw9MTIwMCJ9XV0sImF1ZCI6WyJ1cm46c2VydmljZTppbWFnZS5vcGVyYXRpb25zIl19.eEfL5ehQPkzL1sXJy2VzVfdW_UsjkUqkIGPElrYD2CQ" width="750">
<a href="https://www.deviantart.com/guardian-of-animus/journal/Slime-Ranch-757753311">Link to Slime Ranch</a>Consists of drawings which shows all the Guardians/Protectors or very important artwork for GoA. Members usually don't submit anything to this folder and if you'd like to we recommend asking the admins first!Consists of App templates, a World Map of Aesthia's islands, and a sub folder filled with member made memes! The admins are usually the only ones submitting to the folder, but of course members are free to post their own memes in the sub folder!Where the Guardian Apps are! Only admins can submit in this folder.
Note: Members cannot make guardian characters, only admins. We are not accepting admin applications at the time, but in the case we do, we'll always make a journal for it. Contains the NPCs of GoA! If members make an NPC, they should be submitted here! For the sub folders, Event NPCs, Key Characters, and Shopkeepers are only places for admins to submit to. Adopted Children is where you'd submit a child's app if you made the purchase of your character to adopt a child or if they have one. Where you submit your character's companion apps! Remember to have them checked by the admins before submitting.
Note: This is not a place to submit pets like dogs or cats, just companions purchased at the Suncare Daycare or earned via event.Where you submit your artwork for quests your Protector has done! Submit to Story Quests if you're submitting artwork for Chapter Quests. Submit to Side Quests for Event based artwork (this does not include member made events). Submit to Daily Quests if you've completed artwork for the Daily Quest posted on the Quest Board!
Note: The Story Quest folder is for chapter quests only. Artwork that is related to chapters but not made for the quest belong in Daily Life.Contains applications that contain information about the Species of GoA! There exists other species in Aesthia and you are more than welcome to create your own in your RPs, but this folder is more catered towards event-related and companion species~The most common folder for members to submit to. Have random artwork of your GoA character just doing anything in the setting of Aesthia that's not quest related? Post it here!Where everything else goes! Any AU art of your character please submit it to the AU folder. Literature folder is for written texts (e.g. Short stories), which is different from RP Logs which have their own sub folder as well. Submit your character memes (this includes member-made memes and the closet meme, but NOT official event memes by the admins.)
Note: AU art is anything that is not or would not happen in canon. For example, if your character is drawn in Aesthia but as a different job, that would belong in AU art!Purchases your character can make once they've reached Special Rank. Use your excess EXP to purchase unique items!
[This shop is not available at the time but will be in the future!]The quest board is where you can access daily quests which can be done for additional gold and exp! Quests update monthly, so be sure to check it out~
Members can also create their own quests by sending us a note with the form required; however, please note that any gold rewards distributed will come out of your character's pockets, so please plan accordingly.
<img src="https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/399864782842494976/554379976720252962/Quest_Board2.png" width="750">
<a href="https://www.deviantart.com/guardian-of-animus/journal/Quest-Board-617540642">Quest Board Link</a>Folders where the Protectors application folders should be submitted! Make sure to submit it to the right job and have gone through an app check with the admins.