Those Who Went Missing

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Art Roleplay Game
ARPG Name: Those Who Went Missing
Species Name: Esks
Website Hosted On: DeviantART
Dates: May 11, 2017 - present
Founder(s): Witherlings
Staff: 20 members, including aHorseForEverySeason, bagellesbian, and Caliki
Country Based In: Global
External Links: https://www.deviantart.com/thosewhowentmissing/ and https://twwm.weebly.com/
Click here for related articles on Fanlore.


Those Who Went Missing is an art roleplaying game for the closed species, Esks. It also self-identifies as a "collaborative world building game," or CWBG. It has a heavy emphasis on player contributions and player-made lore. There are sections on the website that allow users to submit the art, stories and creations of their characters. As of Mar 29, 2020 the group has 3,342 members.

History

Those Who Went Missing was opened on May 11, 2017 by Witherlings. Outside of its DeviantART page, Esks also own a weebly website that can be found here. The oldest journal on the group's page is from Jun 29, 2017, and is a page that contains external links to Esk lore.[1]

Main page

The group icon, which still exists as of Mar 25, 2020, was designed in a contest from Jul 2017. AlsaresLynx was the winner, with the runner up being Kipine. The winner also won a custom Esk with uncommon features from the admin, while the runner up won a custom Esk with common features.[2]

The Species

The species guide on the website says: "Esk are ghostly nature spirits. They are the result of transformations bestowed upon people or animals who are lost, hopeless, or suffering. They live between worlds — able to take both physical or non-physical form to appear solid or as an apparition at will."[3]

Common Esks are created with four legs and a tail. The tail cannot be lifted anywhere but the base, meaning it drags behind the Esk. Body types vary. The default is that plants grow on their body, ranging from small grasses to large trees. Other things include rocks and fungi. These additions are called the "nature feature." Physical features include dark, usually black eyes with no eyelids — Esk only have a nictitating membrane, — and they always deafult to three toes on each foot. Common Esk usually have natural color palettes, with more defined markings being more uncommon features..[4] Esks have no ears and while some esk can have organs, the ghostly creatures do not need them to survive.[5] Esks are capable of telekinesis to varying degrees and are telepathic. They have no physical mouth, and no nose structure, though some can have nostrils. Depending on their creation, and if the Esk was content with the transformation, their powers may vary from creative to destructive.[6]

Esks must live in one biome, which they are tied to, expect in special circumstances. There is a badge for each biome, which player must keep in their Esks' profiles.[7] They also may receive curses or blessings, but these must be approved by staff.[8]

Esks are a closed species, which means in order to obtain one they must be bought. However, the staff also offer the ability for players to obtain one by playing the game. One may also receive an Esk in a trade or as a gift from another player.[9] Some Esk sales are run as auctions, such as this guest artist sale with a starting bid of $50, a minimum increase of $5, and an auto-buy price of $250. Others are raffles with a "sliding scale" of payment, such as this guest artist raffle with a scale of $85-160. Other small raffles are free, such as with this 2020 February raffle.

As of Mar 11, 2023, the masterlist shows 6071 Esks in general, 442 wither Made, 11 NPCs, 1146 guest designs, and 4394 make your own designs.

Canon

The "lore" button on the right side of the group's page leads directly to the Weebly website. It's here a new player may learn about some of the Esk canon, though the canon of the world is not much different from the lore of the species itself. However, there is a page for just canon information on the website as well. Rather than list historical events in the lore, this is a list of canon rules that the player base has agreed upon over the course of the ARPG. This set of rules includes items like: mythical animals do not exist, TWWM takes place on Earth, Esks cannot be violent to one another, Esks cannot appear before humans or be captured, Esks exist in all periods of history, and more.[10]

Some of the most interesting bits of canon lore come from the staff created NPCs, or the Wanderers. The first Wanderer on the page is 000, an elderly Esk who tells stories. She appears when new Esks are formed, especially if they are sad or confused. Two other Esks, who have only ever been seen by 000, are the first Traveler and the first Trespasser. They are called "The Luminaries," and are the original creators of the Conservatory, a place where all Esks can meet in spirit. Their energy is what propels the Conservatory, especially the Wellsprings. Their spirits are rooted in two alters. There are a number of other Wanderers, including Ikkit the trickster, Raaga who protects his mountains, and Aevre who is heroic and strong.[11]

There are canon locations in the game, though players are free to design their own locations so long as they are real-life based. These include the Conservatory, which all Esks may visit in spirit so they can interact with one another, and a set number of biomes. Inside the Conservatory are three other locations: The Alters, where the souls of the Luminaries sit, the Temple of Silence, which is a peaceful quiet place, and the Temple of Sound, which is filled with glass tunnels, gardens, and other luxurious places. The Conservatory also houses the Wellsprings, which is a wishing well for the players. random wishes may be granted by staff once a month.[12][13]

There are also eight biomes players must choose from, as each Esk's soul is required to be tethered to a biome (except under special circumstances). These include: plains, developed, arid, marine, forest, polar, mountain, and fresh waters. While these biomes are canon, players are allowed to place their Esk in any part of the world that has that biome. [14]

Player Lore

Those Who went Missing is a collaborative world building game, meaning it encourages player made lore. This lore is mostly made out of a single journal called "Calls for Lore," where players comment on the journal with their own character(s) lore. This lore, while good for character development and generally adhering to canon, is not recorded anywhere else in Esk lore. This means that the history of any single Esk owned by a player is not going to be well known by any other player owned Esk in the same way staff-made canon might. So far, it seems no one player-owned Esk has influenced the canon of the game through their personal lore. After that there is semi-player influenced lore in the form of players sending in questions to the Wanderer 000, who then answers with a staff-written story.

The most recent reply to the calls for lore journal was from player xekateus for their Esk Placid, while one of the oldest replies comes from deactivated player Silken-Angel for their Esk Aoena.[15]

When it comes to the stories written by staff for Wanderer 000, players have influenced the canon of the game more more. Thanks to players asking 000 questions, new canon stories have been put into the mouths of many an Esk who knows the story. For example, after a player asked 000 "Can Esks die" 000 went on to explain that an Esk could possibly depart from the land and become some form of nature, such as "phasing into the wind."[16] Another story from 000 explains the origins of the woodlands, which gives a canon origin story to a location.[17]

Mechanics

Those Who went Missing use two types of currency: Growth points (GP) and Aura Points (AP). These currencies are gained in different ways and are used for different things. GP is applied as a reward for any kind of artwork done of the player's Esk, as well as any other Esks in the artwork, while AP is a reward for both artwork and for commissioning others. Featuring multipule Esks in an artwork makes the artist eligible to receive a bonus reward of AP. There is both a guide for scoring artwork[18], and a calculator to help ease the process.[19]

Those Who Went Missing also have "levels" and "treasures." Aura Points raise the level of the player, each level comes with a special badge. Treasures are special items obtained from completing milestones and achievements, but do not affect the game. There are also treasures unique to monthly prompts, completing origin prompts, completing prompts in certain biomes, making art of the Wanderers, entering into events, and more.[20] In this way, treasures are encouragement for the transformative part of the community.

Prompts are used to encourage players to develop their characters and their characters' backstories while also gaining AP and GP. There are a set number of prompts as well as a set of rotating monthly prompts to be completed [21]

Transformations are essentially make your own (MYO) character slots that allow someone already in the Esk community to "transform" an animal, human, plant, object, or other Esk into a new Esk or new kind of Esk. These slots are obtained by playing the game and earning its currencies. [22]

This is the Esk marketplace where the currencies can be traded for modifications to designs. There are a number of cheap options for making minor alterations, such as a 10GP modification that can change the location of a marking. There are also slightly more expensive items to buy, such as the 60GP large accessory, which can add a large accessory not found in nature.[23]

Community

There is a gallery for advertisements in the group, and while journals requesting collaborations are allowed, the majority of the submissions seem to be for commissions rather than roleplay.[24] Outside of this there is a Discord.

Events

Staff host a number of events for players to participate in. As of Mar 25, 2020, their event archive lists 14 events since 2017.[25] The first event was simply for the group's icon, and did not involve player characters. the first true character-based event was on Aug 2017, which marked the true opening of the ARPG. Participants had to draw an official Esk to receive points, and would be entered into a raffle to receive a unique Esk. Pockettebees was the winner.[26] The most recent was from Dec 2019. This was essentially just a secret Santa event, and could only be joined by owners of an Esk. Participants would get double the AP and GP for their artwork.[27]

Comments

Hello! I've been a fan of esks since the beginning of the group (just started a new account to dedicate to esks). I've always wanted one and have scribbled them in my free time, but have never had much time to do anything with the group. However, I am doing research with Ophiocordyceps species, and lately I've really been thinking about how much I'd love an esk based on a species of this fungus. I've poked around a bit and haven't really been able to find an answer as to if it would be possible to get one. Any advice? In any case I'm going to work on some pieces of the NPCs to build my profile.

AnotherTangent, Jan 2, 2020

I just found out about these species today and it seems they are from a game? I cannot find anything really... maybe I’m looking for the wrong thing? I really love these species and would love to know more about them! Thank you kindly for your time!

AutumnFoxGoddess Dec 23, 2018

We reached 1000 esk! :D

Colourval (deactivated account), May 10, 2018

Can I also just say that this is the first and only ARPG I've ever been involved with and I am adoring it so far. The entire experience is so refreshing and it really makes me think of new ways to paint and extend my skill. Everyone has been super friendly as well and I love you wither and all your friends who made this possible <3

Vethysnia, Sept 28, 2017

aaaah I can't wait till this group is ready ouo I've been checking it everyday haaaaa

Lttleghost, May 26, 2017

Artwork

Visual

Literature

Links

Archives

References

  1. ^ https://www.deviantart.com/thosewhowentmissing/journal/Lore-689458171 Jun 29, 2017 (Accessed Mar 23, 2020)
  2. ^ https://www.deviantart.com/thosewhowentmissing/journal/Pre-opening-Event-Icon-Winner-Announced-689795593 Jul 2017 (Accessed Mar 25, 2020)
  3. ^ https://twwm.weebly.com/introduction.html (Accessed Mar 23, 2020)
  4. ^ https://twwm.weebly.com/starter-myos.html (Accessed Mar 23, 2020)
  5. ^ https://twwm.weebly.com/anatomy.html (Accessed Mar 23, 2020)
  6. ^ Behavior (Accessed Apr 2, 2020)
  7. ^ https://www.deviantart.com/thosewhowentmissing/journal/Quick-Reference-696938379 Circa 2017 (Accessed Mar 31, 2020)
  8. ^ New Game Feature: Blessings and Curses Circa Jan 2019 (Accessed Apr 2, 2020)
  9. ^ https://www.deviantart.com/thosewhowentmissing/journal/FAQ-696938442 Circa 2017-2020 (Accessed Mar 24, 2020)
  10. ^ the TWWM Canon (Accessed Apr 2, 2020)
  11. ^ The Wanderers (Accessed Apr 2, 2020)
  12. ^ the Conservatory (Accessed Apr 2, 2020)
  13. ^ The Wellsprings Circa Jan 2018 (Accessed Apr 2, 2020)
  14. ^ https://www.deviantart.com/thosewhowentmissing/journal/Biome-Sign-ups-702013495 Biome Sign Ups] Circa Aug 2017 (Accessed Apr 2, 2020)
  15. ^ https://www.deviantart.com/thosewhowentmissing/journal/Collaborative-Worldbuilding-Calls-for-Lore-new-763569108?offset=0#comments Collaborative Worldbuilding Calls for Lore] Circa Sept 11, 2018 (Accessed Apr 2, 2020)
  16. ^ A Conversation (Accessed Apr 2, 2020)
  17. ^ A Song (Accessed Apr 2, 2020)
  18. ^ Scoring guide on the TWWM Weebly https://twwm.weebly.com/scoring-guide.html
  19. ^ Calculator to help with scoring both AP and GP http://twwm.x10host.com/
  20. ^ https://www.deviantart.com/thosewhowentmissing/journal/Treasures-and-Achievements-732253266 Circa 2018 (Accessed Mar 31, 2020)
  21. ^ https://www.deviantart.com/thosewhowentmissing/journal/Prompts-696938084 Circa Sept 2017 (Accessed Mar 25, 2020)
  22. ^ https://www.deviantart.com/thosewhowentmissing/journal/Transformations-696938332 Circa 2017-2020 (Accessed Mar 29, 2020)
  23. ^ https://www.deviantart.com/thosewhowentmissing/journal/Energy-Exchange-696938154 Circa 2017-2020 (Accessed Mar 29, 2020)
  24. ^ Advertisements, DeviantART Apr 5, 2020 (Accessed Apr 5, 2020)
  25. ^ https://www.deviantart.com/thosewhowentmissing/journal/Events-696938109 Circa 2017 (Accessed Mar 25, 2020)
  26. ^ https://www.deviantart.com/thosewhowentmissing/journal/CLOSED-Opening-Event-696942025 Circa Aug 14, 2017 (Accessed Mar 25, 2020)
  27. ^ https://www.deviantart.com/callmeflo/journal/Holiday-Gift-Eskchange-2019-DEADLINE-JAN-7TH-820884074 Dec 2019 (Accessed Mar 25, 2020)
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