Setting Basics 2.0

Some setting basics:

Place: This game happens in Erehwon. Where is that you ask? Well, it's a small country not too far off from America, but you'll learn more about that later. The climate is temperate, snowy in winter, hot in summer, fairly wet autumns. Nearby, within biking distance of the house, are several parks and lakes, and the beach is an hour dive away.


Culture: A blend of Japanese and American with a sprinkling of European tossed in for foods and such. The cultural conventions can get a little tricky to navigate. Either honorifics or western conventions are acceptable, but generally a given person settles down to using one set or the other. People of Erehwon tend to mix in these honorifics with English, such as, "I'm sorry, James-san." or "Can you help me with something, Nikki-niisan?"

Other aspects are equally mixed from Nudity taboos through bathroom setups. The way this works out in the house, is that you are expected to have something at least covering your swimsuit area if you are heading down out of the dormitory wings. Preferably wearing more than boxers or a bra and panties. Everyone has a house robe or 2, using them is suggested. Bathrooms and bedrooms are found arranged in both Japanese and American tradition. This is in part because a Japanese style bath is easier for keeping little ones clean. Younger children often share baths, because with so many children, that is the only reasonably efficient way to go about things.


Holidays: Pretty much the same Holidays we are familiar with, such as Christmas. The holidays in Erehwon are, however, notable for being offset roughly a week from ours. This is so people can actually role-play Christmassy things and such without pissing off their IRL family ^^ more details will come out in advance of each major holiday.

Age of consent: It is legally lower here in Erehwon and there won't be any problems with the Fausts so long as that kind of stuff is kept behind closed doors and you don't go around bragging about it or something of the sort. No PDA’s (Public Display of Affection) in front of the younger kids either. This translates to: Be Discrete if you ever want to get away with anything. Quite a lot like having actual parents, ne?


Driving: A learner’s permit can be acquired at the age of 15, if you are enrolled in driver’s Ed. A restricted license can be acquired at 16. A restricted license allows one to drive alone, or with a responsible driver (one with 3 or more years driving experience) along in the passenger seat if any other passengers are to be in the car. A full license can be acquired after 6 months with a clean driving record. If you screw up, your license will be taken away for a set amount of time. Driving isn't something to screw around with.


Substance abuse: Bad plan kids, don’t do it. Not if you like to sit. For older teens, a bit of supervised drinking might be allowed, depending on the individual. Please not the word ‘supervised.’ In this case that means by one of your designated guardians here in the house, no one else and definitely, not your friend’s big brother. Smoking anything is right out!

Drinking age: The legal age of drinking is eighteen here in Erehwon and, as noted above, teenagers might be allowed the occasional glass of wine with dinner. However, drinking underage and without permission is a bad offense and something you do not want to do while under the care of the Faust's.


Truancy, aka skipping school: Repeated absenteeism can result in suspension or even expulsion. This will result in home schooling of a rather more strict nature than what is done for kids that cannot go to school for one reason or another. If you thought your teachers were bastards that have nothing on what you will be dealing with if expelled. Think morning and night spankings, plus any you earn for additional naughtiness. Most of these will be handled off camera, so as to not allow any one player to wear out/monopolize the tops.

Also, while you may not legally be required to complete high school, you are certainly required to in this household. If you are having problems with your peers, or with a teacher, ask for help. That is what parents are for. If all else fails, there are always home schooling centers or private schools.

Child Abuse: This is not rated on some hard and fast rule on how long a mark lingers. Rather, it will concern itself with the atmosphere of fear, the randomness, the possibility of drinking involved, and that sort of thing. A harsh punishment, even one that bruises, is not necessarily abuse, but it does need to be done in a context of correction and, where possible, love, rather than in anger. A lot of abuse is psychological, after all, and that is the aspect that gets the authorities to remove kids from homes.

Structured Activities: These are highly encouraged for all kids in the society, from crafts clubs, to scouting, to JR sports, to tea ceremonies, to church youth groups, even to junior entrepreneur organizations; there is generally something, usually more than one something, for every kid. The emphasis is to encourage interaction with different groups of kids even while teaching skills that could be useful later (scouting) or at least makes the kid happy (anime club)


Religion: As this has been decided that Erehwon takes place on Earth, Religions tend to follow pretty much the same as real-life with Erehwon being a protestant-dominant country. James, after taking over from Tim and Sharla, would not force the children and teenagers to go to church if they did not want to. They would, on the other hand, happily provide a ride if they wanted. This is because James would not want to thrust a religion upon someone that they don't want, especially at such an early age. They might encourage someone to, but never force someone to go. For the older kids, there are church youth activities to go to if that is what they wish to do.