So, what exactly is a Jumpchain?
Well, Jumpchain is collection of connected builds for individual Jumpchain CYOAs, normally called Jumps. CYOAs in turn are a type of documents operation under Choose Your Own Adventure rules. While non-Jumpchain CYOAs tend to vary, Jumps are much more universal and constructed with intention to be connected into Jumpchain.
CYOAs generally provide user with some sort of budget (be that Choice Points/CP or number of picks or number of slots, etc.) that user then spends on options offered by CYOA document. Written collection of these picks is altogether known as Build.
When it comes to Jumpchain CYOAs character (either user or fictional character) that uses them is known as Jumper. Their Jumpchain is generally administered or overseen by ROB (Random Omnipotent Being) called Jump-Chan, Jump-Kun, Benefactor or something similar. Characters that agree to come with them on Jumpchain are called Companions.
Jumper, when they do new Jump, generally receive new origin when inserted into Jump. Standard duration of Jump is 10 years, although there are exceptions. In addition to Origin Jumper can spend their Choice Points (CP from now on) on Perks, Powers, Skills, Items and option to import beforementioned Companions with their own Origins and budget of CP to spend on their picks. Not all jumps include all of these categories or sometimes call them differently.
Jumper and sometimes also Companions can also pick among Drawbacks or Flaws to receive additional CP and thus purchase additional stuff. Drawbacks as well as Perks, Powers, Skills, Items and new Companions are often thematically appropriate for Jump’s setting. Jump settings vary, many popular games, movies, TV series, books, anime, manga, etc. have been used as inspiration for these Jump documents. On the other hand some Jumps are what we call Generic jumps, which are based more around certain tropes or styles or other general stuff. New jumps are being made all the time by fans, so more options keep becoming available.
When Jumper and Companions move onto next Jump they bring along their Perks, Powers, Skills and Items, while Drawbacks and Flaws get ended. One thing to know about this stuff is that Items purchases by CP tend to respawn in Jumper’s Warehouse/Personal Reality if destroyed, and Companions do as well.
Speaking of Warehouse/Personal Reality, in addition to receiving stuff from Jumps Jumper also gets access to several Supplements that make things easier for them on Jumpchain. Warehouse and Personal Reality are two such Supplements, while Body Mod is another.
Another important rule is that while Jumper is Jumping, only time in their current Jump is passing. All previous Jumps, as well as their Origin (homeworld) are frozen in time.
Chain can be ended in several ways, in all instances Jumper (and Companions) keep everything acquired on Jumpchain. One of these ways is for Jumper to acquire Spark by completing End Jump Scenario. One is by Going Home, with Jumper deciding to return to Origin. Another is by Jumper permanently Dying, in which case Jumper is automatically returned to Origin. Last is by Staying, with Jumper deciding to stop Jumping and stay in current Jump. In all instances previous Jumps are automatically unfrozen from time-freeze.
Lastly, there is also special type of Jumps known as Gauntlet. Main difference for these is that Jumper does not receive starting stipend and has to get points by taking Drawbacks; with other difference being that Jumper does not have access to anything aside from their Body Mod for duration of these. Counterweighting these changes is rule that death in Gauntlet does not mean end of chain, Jumper instead automatically moves to next Jump in that case, but without bringing along anything acquired for Gauntlet.
Anyways, Jumpchain docs are often used as writing prompts, this blog being one such case. Various Jumpchain documents can be found on several google drives, links included among useful links. SpaceBattles, Questionable Questing and 4chan/tg also have pretty active Jumpchain community, so you can check there if you’re interested in more. There is also Reddit community to check out.
Aside from Jumpchain CYOAs this specific chain also uses other CYOAs. These are less universal in their approach, so I won’t be speaking more about them, especially as I am adapting them to fit Jumpchain style in any case. SpaceBattles, Questionable Questing and /tg have threads for them as well, with Reddit having community for it as well.
If any additional questions appear, feel free to message me, I love emails or PMs on SpaceBattles. Aside from that reading Jumpchain fanfiction is best way to familiaries with Jumpchain and luckily for you, there is one such fanfic available on this blog… 😛
Sonic0704's Jumpchain Blog 