[ooc] Long Rules are Long!
If you need clarification, help, or are just bored, try these detailed rules out!
If you are unfamiliar with the jargon or concepts outlined below, you may enjoy this essay. Heck, even if the rules are standard fare for you, it's a fun read. Check it out.
Rules for Players:
The Application Process:
◥ Holds:
If you would like to reserve a character, you may do so by going to the holds entry ( here) and filling out the form you find there. You have one week to submit an application for the character you are holding, after which your hold will be considered invalid. ◥ Character Limit:
A limit of 5 characters is currently imposed. If you currently have 5 characters, and would like to apply for another, please direct your request to Otana (AIM @ flingintoalake).◥ Application Processing:
Applications are processed once a week on Fridays. If your app is submitted before 6pm EST on Friday, it will be processed with that batch. If it comes through after that time, the mods will process it next Friday ♥
Rules for Applying as Fandom Characters:
◥ Canon Cast Limit:
You can play one character from each canon cast. What you cannot have is two characters from the same canon with any kind of pre-existing relationship. No acquaintances, friends-of-friends, etc.
You can apply for two characters that happen to be from the same canon who have nothing to do with one another. If you would like to apply for two characters from the same canon but are worried that they have too much of an established relationship, contact Otana (AIM @ flingintoalake). ◥ Canon Death:
You may apply for characters that died in their canon. They can remember their death, or not, but (notwithstanding variations in canon) they will not recollect anything beyond that moment.◥ What Constitutes a Character:
The fandom character you apply for has to be... A Character. They don't have to be a major character. Minor characters are more than fine; sometimes they are the most interesting people in the canon.
There is a difference, however, between “a minor character” and “the shopkeeper that has three lines in the 600-page novel.” At some point, the character essentially becomes an Original Character, and since Original Characters are allowed in Elegante, there’s no need to pass off an OC as a fandom character. ◥ Ineligible Fandoms:
While this is a pan-fandom RP and we embrace all genres, we are not currently allowing any of the following sorts of fandoms:
Please note that all characters, regardless of origin, must be able to interact with other passengers via ShipNET, either via text or voice. A normal rabbit could not be accepted; one that could speak or type is fine. This is simply a matter of game mechanics.
Characters between fandom and OC:
This usually applies to characters from MMORPGs, characters from D&D or other table-top RPGs, and so forth. An identifying characteristic of these sorts of characters is that they usually have an established or common setting, but a personality of the player's choice.
MS Elegante currently treats such characters this way: If the player is applying for someone who has an established personality in the canon from which they're applying, it's a fandom application. If the personality is player-determined, it's an OC.
This applies to characters from MMOs and to characters from traditional table-top RPGs.
To prevent conflicts with other characters' histories, we ask that your MMO-based OC not have participated in major events from the world's timeline (boss defeats, etc.).
Original Character Eligibility Requirements:
Original Characters are allowed and encouraged onboard the MS Elegante! However, be aware that the standards for getting OCs accepted to the MS Elegante may be more stringent than for getting fandom characters accepted.
Mary-Sues and Gary-Stus are NOT accepted.
Icons & Played-By:
If you wish to use more than one "PB" for either a fandom or an original character, please contact a mod.
OCs cannot use an established character for a PB. Example: no OCs using Jack Sparrow in their icons.
This does not apply to temporary event-based icons, e.g.: non-human characters getting turned human or obtaining animal parts. Shape-shifting OCs are given leeway, within reason.
Activity:
◥ Activity Requirements:
Each character that you are playing must meet the following activity requirements:
◥ One post to ShipNET every month
(See also: Hiatus)◥ Activity Warnings:
Activity warnings occur when you have not met the activity requirements. If you have not made at least one post in the past month, your character will be considered inactive.◥ Activity Cuts:
If you have not met the activity requirements, your character will be considered dropped. You can feel free to reapply for the character, of course, but you won’t be given preference over someone else if they also apply for the character that was yours. If you are worried about being unable to meet the activity requirements for any reason, you should consider applying for a hiatus.
Player Conduct:
This is a multi-fandom, open-application RP. Our player-base consists of a diverse group of people across the globe, and we're all here for one reason: we enjoy RPing. The primary point of RPing is that it is fun. It is a diversion. It is not meant to be a deadly serious activity.
That being said, there are certain behaviors that can hinder enjoyment for players. The following are considered breaches of player conduct:◥ Meta-gaming:
This is sometimes also referred to as “breaking the fourth wall.” This is a multi-fandom RP. Conceivably, a character from the modern world might run into characters from movies, books, and video games. Please don’t have your character recognize them. Yes, it’s tempting, but it gets old fast. Additionally, that other character is already trapped on a strange cruise ship. They do not need the existential crisis inherent in wondering if they really exist.
With respect to this, please do not mention superheroes by name (unless, of course, you're talking about the actual character who's on the boat!!)
What does this mean? Simply put, dance around the name. "The guy allergic to green rocks," "the dude who broods and lives in a cave," "the one who swings around buildings like a monkey." Or, make something up! Writers, hone thine craft!
Heroes solely from a character's canon are a-okay to mention by name (i.e., Michelangelo can mention Silver Sentry, as this is a canon-specific reference). If you have any questions at all, please contact a mod!◥ Godmoding v1: Power-gaming
One definition of godmoding is where a character is suddenly capable of doing things that are beyond their skill level for no reason other than that the player wants to get out of a jam. A lot of canons have characters that are very proficient at skills that rare, if not unheard of: armed combat, use of a sniper rifle, magic spells, piloting giant robots, etc. That doesn’t mean they are good at everything. (One can even go so far as to say that if a character is particularly good at one thing - that is, specialized - they are bound to be downright terrible at many other things. When someone specializes heavily in one area, little attention is available for other pursuits!)
If it’s not shown or implied in canon that someone is good at something, consider assuming that they are average or worse. If you can logically support a reason why your character is good at something not illustrated in canon, that's okay - so long as you have reasoning. Sell it to us!
But one of the things that makes characters so endearing is that they do have flaws. Perfect characters are uninteresting! Mix it up. Don't be afraid to lose, and don't be afraid to show that your character has weaknesses or shortcomings. Often, that's the best part about them.◥ Godmoding v2: Controlling Other Player’s Characters:
This one should be a no-brainer, but it can be easy to forget. If you’re in a log with other people’s players, you cannot do anything to their players without their permission. You can’t make them say or do or react to anything.
Now, sometimes it's difficult to write a tag without taking into account the other character's reaction. If you ask permission first, feel free, but make sure it’s a relatively minor part of your post; the goal is to have the other players playing their characters, not you.
When you see other people including the reactions of other characters in their tags, chances are they've cleared these things behind the scenes. A lot of OOC coordination and discussion can go into these scenes!◥ Playercest:
This is when a player has their characters respond to each other on ShipNET, or log with one another. While an occasional response on ShipNET for plot purposes (or it would be OOC for them to remain silent on an issue) is acceptable, please try to keep it to a minimum.
Your characters are not separated from each other by an invisible radioactive iron fence guarded by tigers, and us mods are not here to police it as such. With this in mind, please don’t log with yourself. Group logs where more than one of your characters are involved is fine; this rule is not intended to inhibit plotting or prevent development. But within this situation, try to primarily engage other players' characters.
This rule exists because the point of an RP is interaction. We don’t want you to just interact with yourself - if that's what you want to do, write a fanfiction or read a book. Get your characters out there and meet other player’s characters! ◥ Excessive Log Idling:
If you allow a log you are involved in to lapse for too long (think 48 hours or more) without putting up an OOC comment or contacting the other players via AIM, this is difficult for the other player or players. While they are in the log with your character, their interaction with other characters is limited. Their characters may even be functionally paralyzed, and that is not fun. If 2 days elapse with no response from the player whose turn it is to make a post, the log can be considered back-dated and all of the characters involved may go on to do logs elsewhere.
If you know this is going to be an issue, a good work-around is to work out OOCly what the end result of the log will be. That way your characters can go on to do other things while the log is still being written, knowing that Darth Vader was killed in Carnival or that Neo and Trinity resolved their disagreement over frosting.
Consistent log idling or lapsing may make others reluctant to log with you. If it's too disruptive to the game, a mod may speak with you about it.◥ Player-to-Player Rudeness:
Your characters can be as rude and nasty to other characters as you like, provided it is IC for them to be so, but understand that this stops at the character interaction level. Please be polite to other players. If you have a disagreement, try to keep it civil.
If you feel like you’d like a moderator to help you mediate a conflict, please contact Otana (AIM: flingintoalake).◥ OOC Behavior:
Out of Character behavior is not tolerated. While we admittedly have a fine appreciation for crack events or situations, this is not a crack RP or a dressing room. OOC behavior can be difficult for other players to deal with ICly, and something that seems fun at the moment can have crippling effects as the other characters attempt to react in a logical fashion.
That being said, many characters are not entirely fleshed out, and it is up to the player to fill in the gaps. Even if characters are fleshed out, multiple interpretations of characters do happen. Of course we know that there is no “one true interpretation” of a character, but if you are way off base (eg Voldemort from Harry Potter issuing an apology for all the bad things he’s done and giving everyone hugs and chocolate chip cookies) the mods may speak to you about it.
After all, the point of fandom RP is to play as a pre-established character. If you want to play an OC, play an OC! But when you play a fandom character, please stick to canon or things that are supported by canon.
Things that have no supportable basis in canon (and especially those that contradict canon) are not kosher.◥ ICA = ICC:
This is explained in more detail below, but if you are found to be dodging consequences for your characters' actions too often, it's not fun or fair for anyone else.◥ OOC =/= IC:
This is (again) explained in more detail below, but don't blur the lines between out of character and in character.
Consequences for Conduct:
Consequences for breaking the above guidelines are up to mod discretion. One incredibly serious offense that badly affects multiple players and/or several repeat offenses may be grounds for asking a player to leave. However, if at all possible we will talk to the relevant player/s and try to find a solution and/or give them a chance to change their behavior.
The existing player base is our highest priority. ◥ Player Conflict:
Conflict is inevitable, and conflicts on the internet can get nasty very quickly. While a certain amount of conflict and drama is inevitable, please do everything you can to stay, if not friendly, then at least civil to one another.
If you would like to report a problem, or if you need someone to mediate a conflict between you and another player, please contact Otana (AIM: flingintoalake). We're here to help, and it's our aim to keep drama and "wank" to an absolute minimum in this game.
The Timeline & Logs
◥ The Timeline and Backdating:
Most characters exist within the normal space-time continuum. They cannot be in two places at once - except possibly the Stewardess (and how do you know there’s only one Stewardess, anyway?). Therefore, a character cannot technically engage in two logs that take place at the same time.
However, logs can take a while to write - exponentially longer, it seems, the more players are involved! So as not to get tied up in a log which is taking a few days to complete, backdating and forward-dating are perfectly acceptable. However, be careful to keep your character's knowledge and mindset consistent with the time-frame intended for the log.
If Lois Lane and Clark Kent are involved in a log dated for Monday, and the identity of Superman is revealed on Wednesday, Lois will not gain this knowledge within the Monday log. This is crossing OOC with IC knowledge which is Not Okay.◥ Log Timeliness:
If you enter a log with another player, please reply in a timely fashion, as they may be depending on the outcome of your log to engage their character elsewhere. Ideally, turn around is as quick as possible, but that cannot always be the case; this game is not the only thing in your life, nor should it be.
If you cannot respond within 48 hours, please contact the other player/s to let them know what's going on. If you consistently cannot handle writing a response to a log within two days, then you are a very busy person indeed. You may want to consider dropping some characters, or a hiatus from one or more of them.
To speak with a mod regarding log timeliness, contact Otana (AIM @ flingintoalake).
Hiatus & Lapse
◥ Hiatus:
Roleplay should not come at the cost of players’ other responsibilities. The people who are in this RP go to school, have jobs, have families, and have lives outside of this RP. Please continue to do this.
A consequence of these things we call "responsibilities" is that sometimes unforeseen circumstances come up, and you need some breathing space.
A hiatus can last up to one month; hiatuses longer than two weeks need mod approval and may be affected by your prior activity and game history. During that time, all the characters on hiatus are exempt from activity requirements. You can apply for hiatus with as many or as few characters as you like.
If you would like to apply for a hiatus, please leave a comment here. You do not have to explain your reasons if you don't want to.
Please use hiatuses wisely. You may not apply for successive hiatuses. If you go on hiatus, return, and do not meet the activity requirements of the next month, you will be considered lapsed.
If circumstances make it difficult for you to make one post for your characters after a month's hiatus, you can always drop and re-apply. It's not fair to your characters' relationships to stay on the boat without interacting with anyone.
Rules for Characters:
ICC, OOC and Other Acronyms:
◥ ICA = ICC:
For those not familiar with the acronyms, it means “In Character Actions = In Character Consequences.” If your character antagonizes someone on ShipNET, they might be insulted back. If your character punches someone, they might get punched back. If your character antagonizes or insults a crew member or aggressive passenger, they may get the beating of their life.
Any decision your character makes might have consequences, and some of them might be unavoidable, and negative. Accept that your characters actions have consequences, consequences which might result in your character being hated, injured, insulted, antagonized, or even killed. While someone cannot do something to your character without your permission (and it is a breach of conduct to do so), if you refuse to accept consequences for your character's actions too often, the mods may speak with you about it.◥ OOC Information =/= IC Information:
OOC = Out of Character, and IC = In Character. You as a player know things about the Elegante. You know who the Captain is, and who the crew are. You know their names, and something of their backstory. You may even know something of the behind-the-scenes workings of the ship. When your character arrives, they do not. They only know what they can find out on ShipNET (if they bother looking).
It can be difficult to keep OOC information and IC information straight, but please do your best. If you’re unsure of how your character would know something, try searching around on ShipNET, or looking through logs your character has been in. If your character is a telepath, can tell the future, etc, this rule is relaxed slightly, as it is entirely in character for your character to know things s/he shouldn’t, but try not to do it too often, as part of the fun of RPing is characters coming to incorrect conclusions based on faulty assumptions and misinformation.
More generally, OOC =/= IC. Ever. This has two main corollaries:
Confine OOC disagreements to OOC. If you and another player have a disagreement, resolve it with the player outside of the game. Don't bring it into the game. Doing so may be considered grounds for asking a player to leave. You are, however, more than welcome to ask the mods for help or mediation - please IM Otana (AIM @ flingintoalake).
Confine IC disagreements to IC. If a character disagrees with, antagonizes, or attacks your character, don't get angry at the player! Players are not the same as characters. Chances are they're not trying to antagonize you, they're probably just interacting with you. If a character's interactions are making it difficult for you to play your character, please let the player know, or ask a mod to help.◥ Death & Injury:
If a character does something reckless while on board the ship, they’re probably not going to escape without a scratch. This is a fun ship; it’s also a dangerous ship. Be open to the possibility of your character being injured or killed. (Don’t worry; people need permission to kill or injure your character.)
A character can be hurt or killed without consent by NPCs if they provoke or antagonize them enough, or if you stray into Camp Carnival.
If you don't want your character injured or killed, do not take them into Camp Carnival.
If a character continually does reckless things and emerges uninjured because of player insistence, then that player is not following the ICA = ICC rule. This really is not fair to anyone else, and the mods will speak to that player if this is found to be happening. Consistent refusal to accept in-character consequences is grounds for asking a player to leave the game.
For details on coming back from death, please see the FAQ.
There are IC consequences for consistently reckless behavior. If your character is killed more than once within three months, the System is likely to bring them back with some... changes. Please contact a mod if your character has died twice (or more) within three months to find out what will happen.◥ Magic Powers, ESP, Psychic Abilities, etc:
Magical powers are weakened on the Elegante. What does “weakened” mean, exactly? It means there are limitations on magic. Casting it is tiring. It doesn’t always work. Particularly powerful magic may be downgraded - e.g., if they are accustomed to summoning a tornado, they are likely to get a dust devil instead. The following modifications/restrictions are standard:
When your character arrives on the ship, they have whatever they were carrying with them on their person at the time, and that's all. Their personal effects do not travel with them.
If they had any weapons of any kind, those are gone. Yes, even if they normally wear them. Knives, swords, guns, wands, throwing stars, etc: they do not come with your character to the Elegante. No matter what they’ve lost, they might be able to find a suitable replacement somewhere on the ship. ◥ Rooms:
While this is a horror game, your character will find one area of safe haven: their rooms. Crew members have master keycards which will open any door, but they cannot physically break into rooms. Neither can the monsters or perennial creeping nameless terrors. Doors and windows cannot be broken from the outside. If your character is in their room and it is locked, they are safe.
However, should they find themselves trapped in their rooms, it is possible to break out. Doors can be splintered or taken off their hinges, but only from the inside out.◥ Leaving the Ship:
Everything and everyone on board the ship are unable to leave the ship, no matter what method they try.
Using ShipNET:
ShipNET, ostensibly invented by Cap’n Redd in his spare time, is the ship-wide intranet. He then thoughtfully provided every room onboard with a PDA-style communications device, so that his passengers could use it.
You cannot research things on ShipNET; it’s a self-contained web forum. Since you're here, you’re probably relatively familiar with message boards and the like, and ShipNET functions much like one of those. Here’s some more information on it:
If you are unfamiliar with the jargon or concepts outlined below, you may enjoy this essay. Heck, even if the rules are standard fare for you, it's a fun read. Check it out.
Rules for Players:
The Application Process:
◥ Holds:
If you would like to reserve a character, you may do so by going to the holds entry ( here) and filling out the form you find there. You have one week to submit an application for the character you are holding, after which your hold will be considered invalid. ◥ Character Limit:
A limit of 5 characters is currently imposed. If you currently have 5 characters, and would like to apply for another, please direct your request to Otana (AIM @ flingintoalake).◥ Application Processing:
Applications are processed once a week on Fridays. If your app is submitted before 6pm EST on Friday, it will be processed with that batch. If it comes through after that time, the mods will process it next Friday ♥
Rules for Applying as Fandom Characters:
◥ Canon Cast Limit:
You can play one character from each canon cast. What you cannot have is two characters from the same canon with any kind of pre-existing relationship. No acquaintances, friends-of-friends, etc.
You can apply for two characters that happen to be from the same canon who have nothing to do with one another. If you would like to apply for two characters from the same canon but are worried that they have too much of an established relationship, contact Otana (AIM @ flingintoalake). ◥ Canon Death:
You may apply for characters that died in their canon. They can remember their death, or not, but (notwithstanding variations in canon) they will not recollect anything beyond that moment.◥ What Constitutes a Character:
The fandom character you apply for has to be... A Character. They don't have to be a major character. Minor characters are more than fine; sometimes they are the most interesting people in the canon.
There is a difference, however, between “a minor character” and “the shopkeeper that has three lines in the 600-page novel.” At some point, the character essentially becomes an Original Character, and since Original Characters are allowed in Elegante, there’s no need to pass off an OC as a fandom character. ◥ Ineligible Fandoms:
While this is a pan-fandom RP and we embrace all genres, we are not currently allowing any of the following sorts of fandoms:
- Celebrities, dead or alive. No exceptions.
- Historical figures (EXCEPTION: Historical Figures from works of fiction that are not biographies, or works of fiction that are historical AUs). Speaking of which, yes, Hetalia is OK.
- Characters from works of fiction that are transparently about real people. Web comics are most often guilty of this, but it happens in other media as well. You cannot, for instance, apply as a character from Penny Arcade or Control Alt Delete, as they are essentially the online persona of real people. To test rule 3, ask yourself "is the cast of this fandom just the author's friends, only in a webcomic/book/whatever form?" if the answer is "yes," then they're ineligible, sorry.
Please note that all characters, regardless of origin, must be able to interact with other passengers via ShipNET, either via text or voice. A normal rabbit could not be accepted; one that could speak or type is fine. This is simply a matter of game mechanics.
Characters between fandom and OC:
This usually applies to characters from MMORPGs, characters from D&D or other table-top RPGs, and so forth. An identifying characteristic of these sorts of characters is that they usually have an established or common setting, but a personality of the player's choice.
MS Elegante currently treats such characters this way: If the player is applying for someone who has an established personality in the canon from which they're applying, it's a fandom application. If the personality is player-determined, it's an OC.
This applies to characters from MMOs and to characters from traditional table-top RPGs.
To prevent conflicts with other characters' histories, we ask that your MMO-based OC not have participated in major events from the world's timeline (boss defeats, etc.).
Original Character Eligibility Requirements:
Original Characters are allowed and encouraged onboard the MS Elegante! However, be aware that the standards for getting OCs accepted to the MS Elegante may be more stringent than for getting fandom characters accepted.
Mary-Sues and Gary-Stus are NOT accepted.
Icons & Played-By:
If you wish to use more than one "PB" for either a fandom or an original character, please contact a mod.
OCs cannot use an established character for a PB. Example: no OCs using Jack Sparrow in their icons.
This does not apply to temporary event-based icons, e.g.: non-human characters getting turned human or obtaining animal parts. Shape-shifting OCs are given leeway, within reason.
Activity:
◥ Activity Requirements:
Each character that you are playing must meet the following activity requirements:
◥ One post to ShipNET every month
(See also: Hiatus)◥ Activity Warnings:
Activity warnings occur when you have not met the activity requirements. If you have not made at least one post in the past month, your character will be considered inactive.◥ Activity Cuts:
If you have not met the activity requirements, your character will be considered dropped. You can feel free to reapply for the character, of course, but you won’t be given preference over someone else if they also apply for the character that was yours. If you are worried about being unable to meet the activity requirements for any reason, you should consider applying for a hiatus.
Player Conduct:
This is a multi-fandom, open-application RP. Our player-base consists of a diverse group of people across the globe, and we're all here for one reason: we enjoy RPing. The primary point of RPing is that it is fun. It is a diversion. It is not meant to be a deadly serious activity.
That being said, there are certain behaviors that can hinder enjoyment for players. The following are considered breaches of player conduct:◥ Meta-gaming:
This is sometimes also referred to as “breaking the fourth wall.” This is a multi-fandom RP. Conceivably, a character from the modern world might run into characters from movies, books, and video games. Please don’t have your character recognize them. Yes, it’s tempting, but it gets old fast. Additionally, that other character is already trapped on a strange cruise ship. They do not need the existential crisis inherent in wondering if they really exist.
With respect to this, please do not mention superheroes by name (unless, of course, you're talking about the actual character who's on the boat!!)
What does this mean? Simply put, dance around the name. "The guy allergic to green rocks," "the dude who broods and lives in a cave," "the one who swings around buildings like a monkey." Or, make something up! Writers, hone thine craft!
Heroes solely from a character's canon are a-okay to mention by name (i.e., Michelangelo can mention Silver Sentry, as this is a canon-specific reference). If you have any questions at all, please contact a mod!◥ Godmoding v1: Power-gaming
One definition of godmoding is where a character is suddenly capable of doing things that are beyond their skill level for no reason other than that the player wants to get out of a jam. A lot of canons have characters that are very proficient at skills that rare, if not unheard of: armed combat, use of a sniper rifle, magic spells, piloting giant robots, etc. That doesn’t mean they are good at everything. (One can even go so far as to say that if a character is particularly good at one thing - that is, specialized - they are bound to be downright terrible at many other things. When someone specializes heavily in one area, little attention is available for other pursuits!)
If it’s not shown or implied in canon that someone is good at something, consider assuming that they are average or worse. If you can logically support a reason why your character is good at something not illustrated in canon, that's okay - so long as you have reasoning. Sell it to us!
But one of the things that makes characters so endearing is that they do have flaws. Perfect characters are uninteresting! Mix it up. Don't be afraid to lose, and don't be afraid to show that your character has weaknesses or shortcomings. Often, that's the best part about them.◥ Godmoding v2: Controlling Other Player’s Characters:
This one should be a no-brainer, but it can be easy to forget. If you’re in a log with other people’s players, you cannot do anything to their players without their permission. You can’t make them say or do or react to anything.
Now, sometimes it's difficult to write a tag without taking into account the other character's reaction. If you ask permission first, feel free, but make sure it’s a relatively minor part of your post; the goal is to have the other players playing their characters, not you.
When you see other people including the reactions of other characters in their tags, chances are they've cleared these things behind the scenes. A lot of OOC coordination and discussion can go into these scenes!◥ Playercest:
This is when a player has their characters respond to each other on ShipNET, or log with one another. While an occasional response on ShipNET for plot purposes (or it would be OOC for them to remain silent on an issue) is acceptable, please try to keep it to a minimum.
Your characters are not separated from each other by an invisible radioactive iron fence guarded by tigers, and us mods are not here to police it as such. With this in mind, please don’t log with yourself. Group logs where more than one of your characters are involved is fine; this rule is not intended to inhibit plotting or prevent development. But within this situation, try to primarily engage other players' characters.
This rule exists because the point of an RP is interaction. We don’t want you to just interact with yourself - if that's what you want to do, write a fanfiction or read a book. Get your characters out there and meet other player’s characters! ◥ Excessive Log Idling:
If you allow a log you are involved in to lapse for too long (think 48 hours or more) without putting up an OOC comment or contacting the other players via AIM, this is difficult for the other player or players. While they are in the log with your character, their interaction with other characters is limited. Their characters may even be functionally paralyzed, and that is not fun. If 2 days elapse with no response from the player whose turn it is to make a post, the log can be considered back-dated and all of the characters involved may go on to do logs elsewhere.
If you know this is going to be an issue, a good work-around is to work out OOCly what the end result of the log will be. That way your characters can go on to do other things while the log is still being written, knowing that Darth Vader was killed in Carnival or that Neo and Trinity resolved their disagreement over frosting.
Consistent log idling or lapsing may make others reluctant to log with you. If it's too disruptive to the game, a mod may speak with you about it.◥ Player-to-Player Rudeness:
Your characters can be as rude and nasty to other characters as you like, provided it is IC for them to be so, but understand that this stops at the character interaction level. Please be polite to other players. If you have a disagreement, try to keep it civil.
If you feel like you’d like a moderator to help you mediate a conflict, please contact Otana (AIM: flingintoalake).◥ OOC Behavior:
Out of Character behavior is not tolerated. While we admittedly have a fine appreciation for crack events or situations, this is not a crack RP or a dressing room. OOC behavior can be difficult for other players to deal with ICly, and something that seems fun at the moment can have crippling effects as the other characters attempt to react in a logical fashion.
That being said, many characters are not entirely fleshed out, and it is up to the player to fill in the gaps. Even if characters are fleshed out, multiple interpretations of characters do happen. Of course we know that there is no “one true interpretation” of a character, but if you are way off base (eg Voldemort from Harry Potter issuing an apology for all the bad things he’s done and giving everyone hugs and chocolate chip cookies) the mods may speak to you about it.
After all, the point of fandom RP is to play as a pre-established character. If you want to play an OC, play an OC! But when you play a fandom character, please stick to canon or things that are supported by canon.
Things that have no supportable basis in canon (and especially those that contradict canon) are not kosher.◥ ICA = ICC:
This is explained in more detail below, but if you are found to be dodging consequences for your characters' actions too often, it's not fun or fair for anyone else.◥ OOC =/= IC:
This is (again) explained in more detail below, but don't blur the lines between out of character and in character.
Consequences for Conduct:
Consequences for breaking the above guidelines are up to mod discretion. One incredibly serious offense that badly affects multiple players and/or several repeat offenses may be grounds for asking a player to leave. However, if at all possible we will talk to the relevant player/s and try to find a solution and/or give them a chance to change their behavior.
The existing player base is our highest priority. ◥ Player Conflict:
Conflict is inevitable, and conflicts on the internet can get nasty very quickly. While a certain amount of conflict and drama is inevitable, please do everything you can to stay, if not friendly, then at least civil to one another.
If you would like to report a problem, or if you need someone to mediate a conflict between you and another player, please contact Otana (AIM: flingintoalake). We're here to help, and it's our aim to keep drama and "wank" to an absolute minimum in this game.
The Timeline & Logs
◥ The Timeline and Backdating:
Most characters exist within the normal space-time continuum. They cannot be in two places at once - except possibly the Stewardess (and how do you know there’s only one Stewardess, anyway?). Therefore, a character cannot technically engage in two logs that take place at the same time.
However, logs can take a while to write - exponentially longer, it seems, the more players are involved! So as not to get tied up in a log which is taking a few days to complete, backdating and forward-dating are perfectly acceptable. However, be careful to keep your character's knowledge and mindset consistent with the time-frame intended for the log.
If Lois Lane and Clark Kent are involved in a log dated for Monday, and the identity of Superman is revealed on Wednesday, Lois will not gain this knowledge within the Monday log. This is crossing OOC with IC knowledge which is Not Okay.◥ Log Timeliness:
If you enter a log with another player, please reply in a timely fashion, as they may be depending on the outcome of your log to engage their character elsewhere. Ideally, turn around is as quick as possible, but that cannot always be the case; this game is not the only thing in your life, nor should it be.
If you cannot respond within 48 hours, please contact the other player/s to let them know what's going on. If you consistently cannot handle writing a response to a log within two days, then you are a very busy person indeed. You may want to consider dropping some characters, or a hiatus from one or more of them.
To speak with a mod regarding log timeliness, contact Otana (AIM @ flingintoalake).
Hiatus & Lapse
◥ Hiatus:
Roleplay should not come at the cost of players’ other responsibilities. The people who are in this RP go to school, have jobs, have families, and have lives outside of this RP. Please continue to do this.
A consequence of these things we call "responsibilities" is that sometimes unforeseen circumstances come up, and you need some breathing space.
A hiatus can last up to one month; hiatuses longer than two weeks need mod approval and may be affected by your prior activity and game history. During that time, all the characters on hiatus are exempt from activity requirements. You can apply for hiatus with as many or as few characters as you like.
If you would like to apply for a hiatus, please leave a comment here. You do not have to explain your reasons if you don't want to.
Please use hiatuses wisely. You may not apply for successive hiatuses. If you go on hiatus, return, and do not meet the activity requirements of the next month, you will be considered lapsed.
If circumstances make it difficult for you to make one post for your characters after a month's hiatus, you can always drop and re-apply. It's not fair to your characters' relationships to stay on the boat without interacting with anyone.
Rules for Characters:
ICC, OOC and Other Acronyms:
◥ ICA = ICC:
For those not familiar with the acronyms, it means “In Character Actions = In Character Consequences.” If your character antagonizes someone on ShipNET, they might be insulted back. If your character punches someone, they might get punched back. If your character antagonizes or insults a crew member or aggressive passenger, they may get the beating of their life.
Any decision your character makes might have consequences, and some of them might be unavoidable, and negative. Accept that your characters actions have consequences, consequences which might result in your character being hated, injured, insulted, antagonized, or even killed. While someone cannot do something to your character without your permission (and it is a breach of conduct to do so), if you refuse to accept consequences for your character's actions too often, the mods may speak with you about it.◥ OOC Information =/= IC Information:
OOC = Out of Character, and IC = In Character. You as a player know things about the Elegante. You know who the Captain is, and who the crew are. You know their names, and something of their backstory. You may even know something of the behind-the-scenes workings of the ship. When your character arrives, they do not. They only know what they can find out on ShipNET (if they bother looking).
It can be difficult to keep OOC information and IC information straight, but please do your best. If you’re unsure of how your character would know something, try searching around on ShipNET, or looking through logs your character has been in. If your character is a telepath, can tell the future, etc, this rule is relaxed slightly, as it is entirely in character for your character to know things s/he shouldn’t, but try not to do it too often, as part of the fun of RPing is characters coming to incorrect conclusions based on faulty assumptions and misinformation.
More generally, OOC =/= IC. Ever. This has two main corollaries:
Confine OOC disagreements to OOC. If you and another player have a disagreement, resolve it with the player outside of the game. Don't bring it into the game. Doing so may be considered grounds for asking a player to leave. You are, however, more than welcome to ask the mods for help or mediation - please IM Otana (AIM @ flingintoalake).
Confine IC disagreements to IC. If a character disagrees with, antagonizes, or attacks your character, don't get angry at the player! Players are not the same as characters. Chances are they're not trying to antagonize you, they're probably just interacting with you. If a character's interactions are making it difficult for you to play your character, please let the player know, or ask a mod to help.◥ Death & Injury:
If a character does something reckless while on board the ship, they’re probably not going to escape without a scratch. This is a fun ship; it’s also a dangerous ship. Be open to the possibility of your character being injured or killed. (Don’t worry; people need permission to kill or injure your character.)
A character can be hurt or killed without consent by NPCs if they provoke or antagonize them enough, or if you stray into Camp Carnival.
If you don't want your character injured or killed, do not take them into Camp Carnival.
If a character continually does reckless things and emerges uninjured because of player insistence, then that player is not following the ICA = ICC rule. This really is not fair to anyone else, and the mods will speak to that player if this is found to be happening. Consistent refusal to accept in-character consequences is grounds for asking a player to leave the game.
For details on coming back from death, please see the FAQ.
There are IC consequences for consistently reckless behavior. If your character is killed more than once within three months, the System is likely to bring them back with some... changes. Please contact a mod if your character has died twice (or more) within three months to find out what will happen.◥ Magic Powers, ESP, Psychic Abilities, etc:
Magical powers are weakened on the Elegante. What does “weakened” mean, exactly? It means there are limitations on magic. Casting it is tiring. It doesn’t always work. Particularly powerful magic may be downgraded - e.g., if they are accustomed to summoning a tornado, they are likely to get a dust devil instead. The following modifications/restrictions are standard:
- Teleportation: The ability itself works fine, but you cannot leave the ship; if your character attempts to do so, they will be teleported to a random location on the ship.
- Seeing the future: If your character is psychic and you’d like your character to see a bit of what the future holds, please contact Otana (AIM @ flingintoalake). The information you receive will probably not be useful, and it may not be accurate. Act accordingly.
- Telepathy/Empathy: If your character can read other people’s thoughts or emotions, feel free to send PMs to characters you are trying to “read.” Don’t be disappointed if they don’t tell you anything or give you false information, though.
- Damaging the Ship: While spells can break furniture and light fixtures, nothing seems to damage the actual ship. No matter how powerful your character is in canon, their magic or strength will not make the slightest change to the ship’s structural integrity. Even broken furniture and light fixtures seem to regenerate relatively quickly.
When your character arrives on the ship, they have whatever they were carrying with them on their person at the time, and that's all. Their personal effects do not travel with them.
If they had any weapons of any kind, those are gone. Yes, even if they normally wear them. Knives, swords, guns, wands, throwing stars, etc: they do not come with your character to the Elegante. No matter what they’ve lost, they might be able to find a suitable replacement somewhere on the ship. ◥ Rooms:
While this is a horror game, your character will find one area of safe haven: their rooms. Crew members have master keycards which will open any door, but they cannot physically break into rooms. Neither can the monsters or perennial creeping nameless terrors. Doors and windows cannot be broken from the outside. If your character is in their room and it is locked, they are safe.
However, should they find themselves trapped in their rooms, it is possible to break out. Doors can be splintered or taken off their hinges, but only from the inside out.◥ Leaving the Ship:
Everything and everyone on board the ship are unable to leave the ship, no matter what method they try.
- Flying: Characters can fly above the ship to a height of about 100 meters, after which, it feels like they hit a wall. They can not fly beyond the confines of the ship’s boundaries.
- Going Overboard: If your character jumps overboard, or is pushed, they will go over the railing and die before hitting the water. All objects they were carrying with them will be gone (see below).
- Throwing Objects Overboard: Any objects that are thrown overboard will also reappear, but in a random location on the ship. Happy searching!
Using ShipNET:
ShipNET, ostensibly invented by Cap’n Redd in his spare time, is the ship-wide intranet. He then thoughtfully provided every room onboard with a PDA-style communications device, so that his passengers could use it.
You cannot research things on ShipNET; it’s a self-contained web forum. Since you're here, you’re probably relatively familiar with message boards and the like, and ShipNET functions much like one of those. Here’s some more information on it:
- On ShipNET, your characters are assigned a unique userID, so people can tell that it’s the same person from post to post; there’s no need to sign your posts!
- Anonymous commenting is not allowed on ShipNET.
- Using someone else’s ShipNET account is possible if you steal their comm. Obviously, OOC discussion is required for this deed.
- Posting choices are text, video and audio. Video feeds, should you choose to post them, are limited to 30 seconds.
- User IDs are a fairly random-looking string of characters (i.e., not your character's Livejournal ID!!). Unless a character posts their identity on ShipNET or a video of themselves, other characters won’t know who they are in person, though they may recognize their voice.