Sublimation Cycle features a system for NPCs (short for non-player characters) to help maintain narrative flow even when a player in unable to or uninterested in playing a character. NPCs are not controlled by any player, but can be claimed simply by posting "claim" in their thread. Likewise, a player can turn a character they control into an NPC by posting their wish to do so in their thread. NPCs can be created by any player, but should have a direct relationship to a character that they already play. This can be used to add things like siblings, mates, or parents even if you don't feel like playing them yourself. If you go more than one real-life month without any posts at all, your characters may be reverted to NPCs, available to be picked up and played by anyone. Of course, if you return before they're claimed, you can claim them back- this isn't intended as any kind of punishment, just a way to keep characters from disappearing from the rp! That said, claiming an NPC only applies to this group, and does not inherently grant ownership of the character otherwise. Likewise, releasing a character as an NPC does not mean you lose ownership of your oc!