Post by Admin of rage on Jan 13, 2013 15:43:58 GMT -5
Rule #1: Basic Rules of Role-Playing
First and foremost, beware the biggest issues of Role playing: Power-Playing, Meta-Gaming, and God-Modding. Unlike a video game, there aren't clearly differentiated lines that automatically prevent you from doing things your character cannot. As such, this rule is paramount in maintaining etiquette and balance in an RP.
• Power-Playing is controlling another person's character in any way without their explicit permission. No one has mind control powers. You cannot directly influence another character's actions or thoughts in your posts.
• Meta-Gaming is having your character know things that they should not or could not know, usually for using Out-Of-Character (OOC) knowledge to your benefit In-Character. For example: knowing the events of threads you didn't participate in (or of which you could not have reasonably been told) or the status of character(s) with whom you haven't come in contact with are strictly forbidden.
• God-Modding is having your character be unbeatable or treating your character as if they are a god. Understand that all characters can be killed and, even if it won’t happen without your permission, your character must deal with the shadow of death hanging over them. You can be confident, but you cannot be immortal or invincible. There's a big difference between thinking you're unstoppable and actually being unstoppable. Overpowered characters will be dealt with.
Breaking these rules unintentionally happens, and the admins will work with you to fix problems that arise. However, continual and/or flagrant breaking of this most basic rule of RPing will result in punishment, up to and including character deletion and banning of your IP address.
Rule #2: Writing and Grammar
First, English only. Our mods/admins can't check what they can't read.
This site uses standard writing conventions including the following: third person, past tense, and with normal grammar, spelling, and punctuation rules. This helps keep things readable for everyone, but is not something that’s going to be strictly enforced, we just ask that you do the best you can. Still, using chat speak in posts, especially when your character speaks, is forbidden unless for some reason that how your character is supposed to speak.
However, we do require that you, at least loosely, adhere to using paragraph form, as no one likes to read massive, monolithic blocks of text without a break.
Finally, if you wish to make your posts stand out with different colors or fonts then by all means do so, just make sure they are easily legible (ie – no Dark text on dark backgrounds, and no tiny text).
Rule #3: Freedom vs. Respect
This RP has a PG-13 rating. As such, we generally ask that you keep content appropriate for teenagers. Overly young readers shouldn't be much of an issue, given that to read or write a respective level to join a text-based RP; it’s unlikely that a member would be too young.
That being said, if you do happen to decide to include excessive blood, gore, swearing, sexual innuendos, nudity, etc. in your posts, be warned that we will not tolerate anything beyond what would be considered "R" rated. This is not porn, and we will not tolerate posts or threads that attempt to make it as such.
Rule #4: Continuity
As all the threads are part of a larger, interweaving story, it is imperative that everyone keep track of what has happened in what order, which is referred to as “continuity.” To this end, the maximum number of threads a particular character can be in is limited to four to help you keep track of your personal character’s continuity. In the event a particular RPer has multiple characters, please don’t join more than eight threads at once. One of the admins will be keeping track of which threads occur in which order, but ultimately it comes down to each character to ensure that they don't end up messing up the continuity… by doing things like joining threads that take place in the past, or at the same time as another thread in which they've already been.
Rule #5: The Group Chat
At the left of the page is a real-time, group chat where our members and visitors are free to socialize as they please. As a base rule of thumb, freedom of speech reigns on the chat, but we do ask that our members all agree to some common rules of decorum.
Again, English only. Our mods/admins can't check what they can't read.
The chat is, again, a place to socialize; it is not for fighting or inciting hate. However, we are all human, and whenever people with differing opinions gather, there will be disagreements. As such, as long as people remain calm and mature, there is no reason a disagreement can’t be resolved on the group chat. If, however, you recognize that you are losing your cool or will lose it soon, then you are to take the discussion to a more private place. If this doesn't happen, the chat mods will get involved, who in turn may get the admins involved as well.
Out of respect for your fellow members, if someone asks you not to continue a conversation because it makes them uncomfortable, please cease doing so (no matter what it is, whether it’s serious or just goofing around). However, don’t say that just because someone disagrees with a point of view you just stated on the public chat… if you state an opinion or broach a subject (even if it’s religion, politics, ethics, etc) you immediately give your consent for people to disagree with you and make their opinions known to you. Finally, if you arrive on the group chat and people already on the chat are having a serious discussion that makes you uncomfortable, remember that you have the option to simply walk away and do something else until that particular topic runs its course. It is incredibly rude and disrespectful to people to force them to stop a public discussion they were enjoying simply because you want to goof around or talk about something else. This applies not only to yelling, whining, or asking them to stop, but also to simply trying to out-talk them.
In summation, just remember: treat others how you want to be treated.
Rule #6: Out-Of-Character and Staying On-Topic
When you wish to make comments or claims that come from you rather than your characters, and you wish to do this in an in-character thread, you must make such “out of character” comments inside double parentheses. ((They should look just like this.)) However, though you may exercise your right to make OOC posts, it is asked that they be relevant to the topic at hand. Asking questions regarding the thread or the characters involved is a good example, or raising concerns with something you see happening. However, idle chatter is not to be found there, and has its place in places like the chat box at the bottom of the page or the Out-of-Character sections of the forum itself.
Also note, with the exception of admins and the character themselves, please do not post in character bio threads. If you have concerns with a character up for review please speak to an admin and ask them to address it.
Rule #7: Reality vs. Fantasy
This is a fictional story. Please don't get offended by anyone's In-Character words or actions, and please don't be a sore loser and/or ungracious winner. In a similar vein, don’t unnecessarily extrapolate details from the story into real life. For instance, just because someone’s character thinks your character is sexy doesn't mean that they’re interested in you personally.
Rule #8: Post Order
We do not have a solid post order here, though many of us like to use one anyway, out of courtesy to the other members. At the same time, many members prefer not to have a turn order because it hinders the flow of the thread. For the most part, we leave the subject of turn order up to the members. We do, however, ask that you all remain courteous to each other, and not leave anyone behind if you can at all help it. If someone decides to drop out of a thread, or have not posted in quite some time, then you may move on without them. However, if you do, please be respectful, and not control their character in any way. The best course of action would be to pretend as if the character isn't even there. Just fail to mention the character in any of your posts. That way the character may still rejoin the thread later on, if they want.
Rule #9: Real Life Interference
If you know you will be away from a computer for an extended period of time, and unable to post, then please inform us and anyone you are currently in a thread with by posting up a message in the general board. The admins will do what they can to help keep your personal plots and involvements with other characters organized and from suffering from unavoidable absences.
Rule #10: Bios and Activity Checks
When a bio is submitted for a prospective new character, it is the duty of the admins to review said bio and require any changes be made to keep a character from being too strong, breaking the RP's logic, or breaking the balance of power. There are two admins that approve bios, and you need the approval of one of them before you may begin to post. The head admin reserves the right to make you change something later on if they discover something is unbalanced or will interfere with unrevealed story. The only people who may post in the bio thread are the admins, the one who submitted the bio, and anyone the bio submitter has given explicit, public permission to post.
Many guidelines of this rule have been revised and codified in Rule #13.
Rule #11: Multiple Characters
You are required to make a separate account for each character you create, and make sure all of your posts correspond with the right account. It is also asked that you not overburden yourselves with too many characters at once. Your ability to RP will be taxed if you are juggling too many characters, and we ask that you not make more if you can’t show that you can handle the ones you already have. Of course, if you wish to trade an old character for a new one, that is certainly an option.
Also, please note that a some things on this site are voted upon in polls. If you choose to participate in a poll, and you have multiple accounts, only use ONE of them. No double voting. The admins do have the power to see who all has voted on a particular poll (though they cannot see how they have voted), so if you double vote, you will be caught and punished.
Currently, we are implementing a limit of two characters per Role-player. This may be lifted in the future if there is enough demand for it.
Rule #12: We, the players, make this world what it is.
Ultimately, this RP and the universe it contains is created by the actions and the decision of the RPers, of which all the admins are also members. Ultimately it’s what we all do and how we work together that shapes this ever-growing world of ours. As such, it is important to remember that the RP wasn’t created to be run by the admins for their own amusement, at the expense of the RPers. As such, the admins are entrusted by the people to administrate the site, to help keep it running in a way in which all the members will be satisfied. If an issue ever arises, never hesitate to talk to one or more of the admins and discuss it with them. Unfortunately, there won’t always be agreement between the admins and the other members; so while the admins have to make decisions and stick to them to the best of their ability, there is no reason that discussion still can’t be had to find a more satisfactory solution.
This being said, we do have a head admin, and when all the discussions are in the head admin has the final say.
Rule #13: The Rule of Hours
Read to the end before forming an opinion.
Some of this has been touched on elsewhere, but due to necessity is being codified into more concrete terms that every member is going to be expected to follow. The default for any thread is to have a post order wherein all characters interacting with each other or related events post in the order with which they entered the thread. However, attempting to adhere to this post order has often and consistently caused threads and plots to stall indefinitely. Worse, this stalling causes people not to enter other threads and eventually leave. To combat this, the follow time restrictions are hereby in effect:
If it is someone's turn to post, and they have not done so within forty-eight hours, they are to be skipped if the next available person is available to post. This does not apply to people who are running threads for personal plots or whose activity is important for the thread.
At seventy-two hours, the forty-eight hour rule applies to those running personal plots and/or those people whose activity are important to the plots.
If you plan to skip someone by invoking the forty-eight or seventy-two hour rules, make a small place holder post while you write your post, so people don't have to worry about making conflicting posts.
At ninety-six hours, the post order is completely abolished for the duration of the thread. If you can post, you should post regardless. The only exception is that double-posting is not allowed.
At one hundred sixty-eight hours (seven days or one week), the character that should have posted but did not (assuming they still haven't posted) is to be written out of the thread for good regardless of their relevance to the plot of the thread. Being written out of a thread will result in reduced AP and no TP.
If no posts have been made at all in one hundred ninety-two hours (eight days), the admins reserve the right to close the thread, lock it, and archive it at any time of their choosing. If this is done, the participants receive no AP or TP and the plot is considered to have never happened. In some rare cases, where the stagnation is caused during the end wrap-up of the thread, the admins will still hold the plot to have happened and give out AP/TP. Invalidated threads will be marked in their title as non-canon.
Characters that have not posted in a plot thread (personal or ) at all in a month are considered to be on probation. If this is the latest in a string of non-activity, the character may be deleted at any time if either three regular admins agree to it, or the head admin and one other admin agree to it. Thus, repeatedly being on probation will expedite character deletion. Also, repeated issues of being on probation for people with alts may result in the admins forcing a user to choose which of their character to forego, since probation and deletion is determined by character and not by user. If a character hasn't made a plot post in two months, they will be deleted regardless of agreement between admins. Likewise, if an admin neglects their duties and doesn't post in plot threads with their character for a period of two months, they will automatically lose their admin status. If a character is deleted, they have two weeks to remake their account and their bio before they are considered dead in the story for good. This reposted bio requires the express approval of the head admin. The approval of the other three admins is not required, but they may veto the reinstatement of the character.
However, as noted elsewhere in the Rules, we know that real life often interferes with the ability to be regularly active. That is why a period of one to two months was chosen before major action is to be taken, since that should cover most common life issues. Still, we know that major issues arise that can't be resolved in two months, so if you are going through problems we expect you to keep the admins in the loop. It is okay if you only want to confide in one admin directly, but the team as a whole is to be kept aware of your overall status. Allowances may be made and, if so, we will work with you. Keep in mind that some excuses are not acceptable, such as simply having too many voluntary social obligations to attend (it does NOT take long to post), or just "not feeling like it." It's better to have some regular participation than to spend months waiting on you to make a masterpiece of a post.
First and foremost, beware the biggest issues of Role playing: Power-Playing, Meta-Gaming, and God-Modding. Unlike a video game, there aren't clearly differentiated lines that automatically prevent you from doing things your character cannot. As such, this rule is paramount in maintaining etiquette and balance in an RP.
• Power-Playing is controlling another person's character in any way without their explicit permission. No one has mind control powers. You cannot directly influence another character's actions or thoughts in your posts.
• Meta-Gaming is having your character know things that they should not or could not know, usually for using Out-Of-Character (OOC) knowledge to your benefit In-Character. For example: knowing the events of threads you didn't participate in (or of which you could not have reasonably been told) or the status of character(s) with whom you haven't come in contact with are strictly forbidden.
• God-Modding is having your character be unbeatable or treating your character as if they are a god. Understand that all characters can be killed and, even if it won’t happen without your permission, your character must deal with the shadow of death hanging over them. You can be confident, but you cannot be immortal or invincible. There's a big difference between thinking you're unstoppable and actually being unstoppable. Overpowered characters will be dealt with.
Breaking these rules unintentionally happens, and the admins will work with you to fix problems that arise. However, continual and/or flagrant breaking of this most basic rule of RPing will result in punishment, up to and including character deletion and banning of your IP address.
Rule #2: Writing and Grammar
First, English only. Our mods/admins can't check what they can't read.
This site uses standard writing conventions including the following: third person, past tense, and with normal grammar, spelling, and punctuation rules. This helps keep things readable for everyone, but is not something that’s going to be strictly enforced, we just ask that you do the best you can. Still, using chat speak in posts, especially when your character speaks, is forbidden unless for some reason that how your character is supposed to speak.
However, we do require that you, at least loosely, adhere to using paragraph form, as no one likes to read massive, monolithic blocks of text without a break.
Finally, if you wish to make your posts stand out with different colors or fonts then by all means do so, just make sure they are easily legible (ie – no Dark text on dark backgrounds, and no tiny text).
Rule #3: Freedom vs. Respect
This RP has a PG-13 rating. As such, we generally ask that you keep content appropriate for teenagers. Overly young readers shouldn't be much of an issue, given that to read or write a respective level to join a text-based RP; it’s unlikely that a member would be too young.
That being said, if you do happen to decide to include excessive blood, gore, swearing, sexual innuendos, nudity, etc. in your posts, be warned that we will not tolerate anything beyond what would be considered "R" rated. This is not porn, and we will not tolerate posts or threads that attempt to make it as such.
Rule #4: Continuity
As all the threads are part of a larger, interweaving story, it is imperative that everyone keep track of what has happened in what order, which is referred to as “continuity.” To this end, the maximum number of threads a particular character can be in is limited to four to help you keep track of your personal character’s continuity. In the event a particular RPer has multiple characters, please don’t join more than eight threads at once. One of the admins will be keeping track of which threads occur in which order, but ultimately it comes down to each character to ensure that they don't end up messing up the continuity… by doing things like joining threads that take place in the past, or at the same time as another thread in which they've already been.
Rule #5: The Group Chat
At the left of the page is a real-time, group chat where our members and visitors are free to socialize as they please. As a base rule of thumb, freedom of speech reigns on the chat, but we do ask that our members all agree to some common rules of decorum.
Again, English only. Our mods/admins can't check what they can't read.
The chat is, again, a place to socialize; it is not for fighting or inciting hate. However, we are all human, and whenever people with differing opinions gather, there will be disagreements. As such, as long as people remain calm and mature, there is no reason a disagreement can’t be resolved on the group chat. If, however, you recognize that you are losing your cool or will lose it soon, then you are to take the discussion to a more private place. If this doesn't happen, the chat mods will get involved, who in turn may get the admins involved as well.
Out of respect for your fellow members, if someone asks you not to continue a conversation because it makes them uncomfortable, please cease doing so (no matter what it is, whether it’s serious or just goofing around). However, don’t say that just because someone disagrees with a point of view you just stated on the public chat… if you state an opinion or broach a subject (even if it’s religion, politics, ethics, etc) you immediately give your consent for people to disagree with you and make their opinions known to you. Finally, if you arrive on the group chat and people already on the chat are having a serious discussion that makes you uncomfortable, remember that you have the option to simply walk away and do something else until that particular topic runs its course. It is incredibly rude and disrespectful to people to force them to stop a public discussion they were enjoying simply because you want to goof around or talk about something else. This applies not only to yelling, whining, or asking them to stop, but also to simply trying to out-talk them.
In summation, just remember: treat others how you want to be treated.
Rule #6: Out-Of-Character and Staying On-Topic
When you wish to make comments or claims that come from you rather than your characters, and you wish to do this in an in-character thread, you must make such “out of character” comments inside double parentheses. ((They should look just like this.)) However, though you may exercise your right to make OOC posts, it is asked that they be relevant to the topic at hand. Asking questions regarding the thread or the characters involved is a good example, or raising concerns with something you see happening. However, idle chatter is not to be found there, and has its place in places like the chat box at the bottom of the page or the Out-of-Character sections of the forum itself.
Also note, with the exception of admins and the character themselves, please do not post in character bio threads. If you have concerns with a character up for review please speak to an admin and ask them to address it.
Rule #7: Reality vs. Fantasy
This is a fictional story. Please don't get offended by anyone's In-Character words or actions, and please don't be a sore loser and/or ungracious winner. In a similar vein, don’t unnecessarily extrapolate details from the story into real life. For instance, just because someone’s character thinks your character is sexy doesn't mean that they’re interested in you personally.
Rule #8: Post Order
We do not have a solid post order here, though many of us like to use one anyway, out of courtesy to the other members. At the same time, many members prefer not to have a turn order because it hinders the flow of the thread. For the most part, we leave the subject of turn order up to the members. We do, however, ask that you all remain courteous to each other, and not leave anyone behind if you can at all help it. If someone decides to drop out of a thread, or have not posted in quite some time, then you may move on without them. However, if you do, please be respectful, and not control their character in any way. The best course of action would be to pretend as if the character isn't even there. Just fail to mention the character in any of your posts. That way the character may still rejoin the thread later on, if they want.
Rule #9: Real Life Interference
If you know you will be away from a computer for an extended period of time, and unable to post, then please inform us and anyone you are currently in a thread with by posting up a message in the general board. The admins will do what they can to help keep your personal plots and involvements with other characters organized and from suffering from unavoidable absences.
Rule #10: Bios and Activity Checks
When a bio is submitted for a prospective new character, it is the duty of the admins to review said bio and require any changes be made to keep a character from being too strong, breaking the RP's logic, or breaking the balance of power. There are two admins that approve bios, and you need the approval of one of them before you may begin to post. The head admin reserves the right to make you change something later on if they discover something is unbalanced or will interfere with unrevealed story. The only people who may post in the bio thread are the admins, the one who submitted the bio, and anyone the bio submitter has given explicit, public permission to post.
Many guidelines of this rule have been revised and codified in Rule #13.
Rule #11: Multiple Characters
You are required to make a separate account for each character you create, and make sure all of your posts correspond with the right account. It is also asked that you not overburden yourselves with too many characters at once. Your ability to RP will be taxed if you are juggling too many characters, and we ask that you not make more if you can’t show that you can handle the ones you already have. Of course, if you wish to trade an old character for a new one, that is certainly an option.
Also, please note that a some things on this site are voted upon in polls. If you choose to participate in a poll, and you have multiple accounts, only use ONE of them. No double voting. The admins do have the power to see who all has voted on a particular poll (though they cannot see how they have voted), so if you double vote, you will be caught and punished.
Currently, we are implementing a limit of two characters per Role-player. This may be lifted in the future if there is enough demand for it.
Rule #12: We, the players, make this world what it is.
Ultimately, this RP and the universe it contains is created by the actions and the decision of the RPers, of which all the admins are also members. Ultimately it’s what we all do and how we work together that shapes this ever-growing world of ours. As such, it is important to remember that the RP wasn’t created to be run by the admins for their own amusement, at the expense of the RPers. As such, the admins are entrusted by the people to administrate the site, to help keep it running in a way in which all the members will be satisfied. If an issue ever arises, never hesitate to talk to one or more of the admins and discuss it with them. Unfortunately, there won’t always be agreement between the admins and the other members; so while the admins have to make decisions and stick to them to the best of their ability, there is no reason that discussion still can’t be had to find a more satisfactory solution.
This being said, we do have a head admin, and when all the discussions are in the head admin has the final say.
Rule #13: The Rule of Hours
Read to the end before forming an opinion.
Some of this has been touched on elsewhere, but due to necessity is being codified into more concrete terms that every member is going to be expected to follow. The default for any thread is to have a post order wherein all characters interacting with each other or related events post in the order with which they entered the thread. However, attempting to adhere to this post order has often and consistently caused threads and plots to stall indefinitely. Worse, this stalling causes people not to enter other threads and eventually leave. To combat this, the follow time restrictions are hereby in effect:
If it is someone's turn to post, and they have not done so within forty-eight hours, they are to be skipped if the next available person is available to post. This does not apply to people who are running threads for personal plots or whose activity is important for the thread.
At seventy-two hours, the forty-eight hour rule applies to those running personal plots and/or those people whose activity are important to the plots.
If you plan to skip someone by invoking the forty-eight or seventy-two hour rules, make a small place holder post while you write your post, so people don't have to worry about making conflicting posts.
At ninety-six hours, the post order is completely abolished for the duration of the thread. If you can post, you should post regardless. The only exception is that double-posting is not allowed.
At one hundred sixty-eight hours (seven days or one week), the character that should have posted but did not (assuming they still haven't posted) is to be written out of the thread for good regardless of their relevance to the plot of the thread. Being written out of a thread will result in reduced AP and no TP.
If no posts have been made at all in one hundred ninety-two hours (eight days), the admins reserve the right to close the thread, lock it, and archive it at any time of their choosing. If this is done, the participants receive no AP or TP and the plot is considered to have never happened. In some rare cases, where the stagnation is caused during the end wrap-up of the thread, the admins will still hold the plot to have happened and give out AP/TP. Invalidated threads will be marked in their title as non-canon.
Characters that have not posted in a plot thread (personal or ) at all in a month are considered to be on probation. If this is the latest in a string of non-activity, the character may be deleted at any time if either three regular admins agree to it, or the head admin and one other admin agree to it. Thus, repeatedly being on probation will expedite character deletion. Also, repeated issues of being on probation for people with alts may result in the admins forcing a user to choose which of their character to forego, since probation and deletion is determined by character and not by user. If a character hasn't made a plot post in two months, they will be deleted regardless of agreement between admins. Likewise, if an admin neglects their duties and doesn't post in plot threads with their character for a period of two months, they will automatically lose their admin status. If a character is deleted, they have two weeks to remake their account and their bio before they are considered dead in the story for good. This reposted bio requires the express approval of the head admin. The approval of the other three admins is not required, but they may veto the reinstatement of the character.
However, as noted elsewhere in the Rules, we know that real life often interferes with the ability to be regularly active. That is why a period of one to two months was chosen before major action is to be taken, since that should cover most common life issues. Still, we know that major issues arise that can't be resolved in two months, so if you are going through problems we expect you to keep the admins in the loop. It is okay if you only want to confide in one admin directly, but the team as a whole is to be kept aware of your overall status. Allowances may be made and, if so, we will work with you. Keep in mind that some excuses are not acceptable, such as simply having too many voluntary social obligations to attend (it does NOT take long to post), or just "not feeling like it." It's better to have some regular participation than to spend months waiting on you to make a masterpiece of a post.