📚 Guidebook

The Baoniverse is the official setting where the baobears art roleplaying game (ARPG) takes place. In this setting, baobears live on a continent populated by baobears and other small creatures. There are various locations, items, cuisines, and characters within this world that you can learn more about here.

The continent is insurmountably large, because baobears are very small. There are still many mysteries waiting to be uncovered (and eaten!). Nevertheless, baobears have carved out their own niche in this world. Most baobears in this setting live in a society: some have jobs, others travel freely, and just as many do nothing at all.

Today, baobears are a common sight within the world. But, where do they come from? Baobears are magical creatures, born from the baoberry, a rare fruit whose origins remain a mystery to this day. Baobears are made using a secret recipe, that infuses the fruit with love and magic. As such, baobears need these two elements to survive.

When the baoberry is specially combined with a handful of other select ingredients, a baobear can be born! While most baobears are handmade, there are some that emerge naturally from the wild. However, no one knows how, where, or why this happens exactly. What is known is that all baobears are born with an empty stomach, and a healthy appetite!

fig 1. the very first baoberry (beares bearum)

Many baobears take up work as either companions or helpers for other species, in order to get their fill of love and magic. However, there are also many baobears that live independently in the wild.

But, how are baobears made? A baobear's life essence comes from the baoberry, a rare fruit whose origins are as mysterious as a baobear's mind. Baobears are magical creatures and are easy to create. In fact, here is a step by step guide:

Baobears were originally designed to be a companion species to other original characters. Baobears often take on the appearance and quirks of their partners. Some have theorised this is because baobears eat the same food as their partners. As they say, you are what you eat! In saying this, each baobear is unique. Their personality, appearance, and history belongs to them, and them only. There is no set of rules you need to follow specifically regarding their characterization, for they are as varied as you or I.

In official stories (ex. in events, or Bon Baoyage quests), a few assumptions will be made about your baobear. For example, we assume your baobear currently lives in the baoniverse with their fellow baobears, separate from other species. We also assume your baobear follows the lore listed here. Of course, we try to keep as general as possible so everyone can play the game on equal ground! 

Naturally, you are free to use the established lore as a basis or stepping stone in your own stories. Pick and choose aspects that you like or make up your own! The most important thing is that you have fun.

 Because baobears are magical, baobears who live close to humans are often able to take on their forms! Baobears can only take this form if they are filled with love and magic! As such, any baobear you own can surely take on a human form by default : )

Baobears, of course, aren't human. The humanoid shapes they take are imperfect. This transformation is an illusion! Deep down they are still the same baobear you know and love. Because it is an illusion, baobears can change their humanoid appearance whenever they wish. Basically, we do not keep track of humanoid versions of your baobear at all!

The only constant is that their human versions will look similar to their original baobear form. This may include using the same colour palette, having the same markings on their skin or being represented through their clothes. At minimum, they must also have visible bear ears. Any other features that the baobear has like their tails, wings, horns, etc. are optional!

Baobears can also evolve into other forms under very specific circumstances! You may wake up one day and go:

What happened!

They are changed!

Do not worry. This is a natural part of growing up. 

Some may evolve to grow bigger, sturdier bodies, so that they may hug you tighter. Others may evolve to have fish tails, not for any reason related to you, but simply because they have been exposed to an aquatic environment!

These evolutions are not illusions, and will adopt the same markings as their original form. Once a new form is acquired, baobears are able to switch between any of their unlocked forms freely, at any time!  In this sense, evolutions are simply non-permanent alternate forms that baobears can take. 

Some evolution examples include the seabao, babybao, and the bearbao.

fig 2. a baobear can evolve into different forms.

Baobears are mysterious, magical creatures. some baobears never evolve. but some do.  Some have theorized it might be a result of experience, others argue it is caused by magical items. The truth is, no one knows exactly why this happens. It is a mystery!

Perhaps, some day, you can solve this mystery?

Many baobears are created as companions and helpers by and for other species. These other species are 'non-canonical' and cannot be used to claim in-game rewards or for prompts. In terms of gameplay, we assume your baobear currently lives in the baoniverse with their fellow baobears, separate from other species. We also assume your baobear follows the lore listed here.

With regards to lore outside the game, of course you are free to get as creative as you want! We do not monitor this and won't limit you. For example, areas the baoniverse can be part of a larger continent, an island, or whatever fits your own universe! We only ask that any character and content posted publicly, that depicts and/or uses the baobears name, be PG-13 and follow our Terms of Service. Thank you for respecting our wishes regarding this!

The world of baobears is insurmountably large. The baoniverse contains multitudes of characters, items, cuisines, creatures, and more! If you're interested in learning more about what sort of things you can find in the baoniverse, you can visit our encyclopedia page here: Encyclopedia Beartannica.

Before anything else, please familiarize yourself with our terms of play! All users must be at least 13 years of age to join.

• If you are new to the site, the first thing you should is register an account. 
  • You must verify your e-mail address. Please check your junk/spam folder and turn off VPN's, if any. Unfortunately, mods cannot help you with this step.
• Afterwards, you need to link either a deviantart or toyhou.se account in your settings. Making a deviantart account is free, but toyhou.se requires a beta code. If you join our discord, you may request one from a moderator.

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1. Purchase a baobear or MYO slot using real life cash (RLC) or in-game currency.
   • Keep an eye on the news and sales pages to see if there are any scheduled sales.
   • When available, a limited amount of MYO slots can be purchased at Rosebeary's Bistro or during events. 
2. Receive a baobear or MYO slot through raffles, discord giveaways, etc. 
3. Trade/purchase/be gifted a baobear or slot from another user.

We reccommend you register an account or join our discord to be kept up-to-date!
Please do not create your own baobear unless you have a MYO slot

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After registering your account, you can now participate in group activities! The main activity in baobears is the completion of prompts (also known as 'quests'), to obtain beans (our in-game currency) and other rewards! You can find these quests in the Events or Prompts page of the site.

Events and general prompts can be completed by anyone, with or without a baobear. However, please be aware that there are some rules to keep in mind when completing any prompts. You can view these rules in the Submission Guides section below.

Still confused? Need help? Have something to say? We're here for you! You can view our FAQ and our Feedback form below. If you have any further questions, please join our discord and DM a mod.

FAQ: https://baobears.com/info/faq
Feedback: https://baobears.com/info/site

Finally, please keep in mind there is no right or wrong way to play baobears. Please go at your own pace.
Take your time or grind, it's all up to you! In the end, what matters is that you're having fun!

When submitting prompts, please aware that there are some general rules to follow, or else your submission will be rejected.

• All art and writing must be your own.
  • Commissioned art or writing cannot be used to claim rewards!
• Art and writing must be unique.
  • Bases (ex. YCH's) cannot be used.
  • You cannot use the same piece of art or writing for more than one quest.
• You may use any form of your baobear (including human) for all prompts unless specified.
  • However, human forms should have bear ears (and not human ears) and must at least vaguely resemble the baobear.
• For fullbody, at least 75% of the baobear must be showing.
  • Anything less qualifies for half the rewards (if applicable), rounded up ex. 5 becomes 3 (2.5 rounded up)
• We want to be quite lenient when it comes to scene/background requirements. So long as there is effort showing, we will accept the submission. However, please keep in mind the following:
  • The baobear should be interacting with environment.
  • There should be a sense of depth (fore/mid/background).
  • There are multiple elements (at least 3 'large' items; 'floating' elements like sparkles, mini flowers, hearts do not count).
• NPCs can be used for event and city hub prompts instead of a baobear you own.
  • Generally speaking, NPCs can always be used unless specified otherwise.
  • You can also use another person's baobear, with permission. You can find volunteers by clicking here!
• Please include bean reward calculations & totals when needed! Mods will do their best to give out appropriate rewards when you do not include calculations, but these may not be accurate. 
  • DO NOT add rewards under the character section, i.e. do not add "character rewards", thank you!

When submitting prompts, make sure you have included all information and that submission URLs are visible to guests.
We recommend making use of the gallery feature!

If your submission in the gallery is rejected, try making the resolution/size of your image smaller (max. 1000x1000px in width and height)

Click below to view a brief submission guide.

If you have a baobear, we reccommend completing BON BAOYAGE, the ARPG's main quest line! At the very least, we encourage users to complete the prologue / registration process for their baobear to show that gift art/writing is allowed.

The following rules apply IN ADDITION to the rules in the "Submission Rules" section above.

• You can only use your own baobear to complete prompts.
  • NPCs or baobears owned by another person cannot be used as the 'main character' for these prompts.
• You can repeat quests once per baobear.
  • For example, if you completed chapter one with bao A, you must continue to chapter two with bao A.
  • If you want to complete chapter two with bao B, you must complete chapter one twice (once for bao A, another for bao B).
• These quests can be completed any time, at your own pace, but must be done in order. That is, you cannot skip the prologue and do chapter 1, etc.
• When completing a bon baoyage quest, please select a FOCUS CHARACTER. You do not need to include any other character in this section except for the main character. See below for an example.

When submitting prompts, make sure you have included all information and that submission URLs are visible to guests.
We recommend using the gallery feature!

You only need to include one character in your bon baoyage submission!