A startling coincidence, Void-maestro. I had drawn up a list of Text-RP gaming "sins" of which I had in mind a total of seven. Not just because of the "Seven Deadly Sins" but because I had seven topics of interest when it came to rules. However, I spent so much time on the first six . . . I forgot what the seventh was. It's funny, now, to see that you have a total of seven rules for players.
Originally Posted by Behold the Void
Rules for Players:
2. Do not control another player's character or an non-player character (characters who aren't necessarily major characters but are controlled by the GM) unless explicitly given permission to do so. Unless you are told you may do otherwise, you do not have control over any character other than your own, and it is very rude to control another person's character.
To elaborate, this can mean something as important as dictating what another character does in the game or it could be something as simple as discerning their personal reactions to your characters actions.
3. Do not auto-hit. This rule can be bypassed by an RP maker's own rules, but as a general rule, do not assume that any attack you have made against another characte (be they a player or not) actually hits the target. Again, it is very rude to decide that the character is suddenly stabbed or struck blind or killed or whatever because you just did it to them without giving them a chance to block, evade, or counter.
This can also be considered taking control of a character other than your own. However, it also means that you cannot assume what happens to your character.
4. Do not god-mod. This includes things like pulling out powerful weapons that you never had before, blocking or dodging attacks in ways that shouldn't be possible, and using attacks that exceed the limits of your character's power.
I refer to it as "the Marry Poppins Magic Bag" rule. Just because you think of something that would be cool, doesn't mean you should do it. At the least, you should get permission from the Game Master first.
6. Stick to your original sign-up sheet. After you've established what your character has, don't go modifying that without the permission of your Game Master.
Depending on the RP, your Game Master may modify your characters according to the flow of the story or . . . you may not be able to change at all. It's up to them.
7. Post more than just 1-line mini-conversations. A roleplay is about playing a part in a story, and if you're just using the thread to spam you shouldn't be roleplaying.
These are actually all right few and far between. However, you should only need a 1-liner if you are asked a question or need to ask a question . . . but even then, be realistic. Try to at least think of how your character would physically react in a conversation, even a short one.
Rules for Game Masters:
1. You may only have one active thread that you have created at a time. If you wish to make another RP, request that a mod (preferably myself) close your old RP. Also, out of courtesy, warn your players before you do so.
It's rude to be missing from an RP because your ruling over another.
2. Submit a clear sign-up sheet for players to go by. This should include things such as physical descriptions (hair and eye color, flesh tones, build, typical garments), some sort of history or backstory (family, friends, past. Also note that "dark and mysterious" histories should not be permitted as they allow players to make up whatever they want whenever it suits them), some kind of personality entry (motivations, goals, hopes, dreams, behavior), and, if specified in the rules, equipment and abilities.
"Dark and mysterious" is fine as a personality attribute. However, a character's backstory should include at least a week's worth of events that lead up to their current situation. Any skills or attributes or weapon knowledge should be conveyed in the backstory. It doesn't matter if the character is amnesiac. Just because they don't remember doesn't mean that their past didn't happen. The Game Master can include NCPs that have connections to the character if he so chooses. The player does not dictate the story, no matter how cool he thinks his character is.
3. Establish enough of a story and situation for a roleplay. Roleplays that have little or no story and plot will be closed.
History
Current Events
Immediate Situation
Plot
Conclusion - only if you want to close an RP in a respectable way.
04-08-2006, 12:10 AM
