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The Rules; Become Assimilated
Topic Started: Apr 8 2011, 07:26 PM (41 Views)
Capricorn
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Registration

  • This is an 'Account-Per-Character' game. We do this for easy organizational purposes, individual character tier ranks, and personal customization abilities. Please use your character's names as they are known to most others (IE: if they have a well-known alias, use it. If they don't, use their full name).

  • You may use any picture for your avatar, as long as it doesn't violate the Zetaboards TOS (no copyrighted stuff, no vulgarity). The maximum size allowed is 100 x 200 pixels.

  • No signatures larger than 550 x 500 pixels. Any wider will stretch the boards, and they will be removed immediately. Cannot violate ZB TOS.

  • If you have any existing characters, make sure to name them in the 'Other Characters' section of your profile. It will help other members, as well as yourself, figure out who plays who (which is quite handy).


In Game

  • After writing your character's sheet with the template, you must post in the License Bureau's main forum and wait for approval before posting in the IC forums. Your profile may not be accepted! If it isn't, we will explain why, using constructive criticism, and you will be welcomed to try again and again. If you complain about your character not being accepted, you will be banned. Unless you have a good point, we don't want to hear it.

  • Anyone is welcomed to give constructive critisism to character sheets, but only the staff can approve them for play and move them to the Active Characters. If it isn't constructive, the post will be deleted without warning and you'll be reminded.

  • You may use the Zetaboards uploader to post pictures of your character on their profiles, but refrain from putting the image in the text area.

  • Keep your character's profile current. If they changed jobs, make a note of it, and so on.

  • You may play as many characters as you think you can handle. I, personally, suggest no more than 3 - 5.

  • We here at PH have a system based loosely on tier groups, which will judge how available products and services are to your character. There are five, respectively: Neophyte, Initiate, Cosmopolitan, Elite, and Legendary. In character, Neophytes are regarded to have the same availability towards things as teenagers (weapons, ships, resources, connections, etc). Legendary characters are usually reserved for faction leaders, and those who must have access to arsenals in order to carry out plots. Promotions are delegated by the staff and members based on how long you've been here, how active you are, your writing quality, and contributions to the game and/or plots. The higher you climb, the more trust you are given. Abusing it will result in demotions!

  • You may change the name of an account you own and keep the availability tier you earned in order to make a new character, but if you register an entirely new account, you must start again at Neophyte. If you don't know how to request a name change, it's here.

  • Do not change font colors in your post, and try not to use caps lock. For emphasis in your writing, use bold and italics. Do not add unnecessary information like extra pictures, mood, etc.

  • 'Argot' is the main language used ICly. We will assume that is what your character is speaking unless you use double symbols around phrases (without apostrophes) like so: <<Hello.>>, [[Hello.]], {{Hello.}}, etc... There could possibly be instances in threads where more than three alien languages are used. You're free to get creative with the symbols, as long as we can understand it.

  • Character deaths are allowed. If a member kills another's character without their consent, either party involved may ask the Admins to judge the encounter. The Admins will be sure to contact everyone involved and make a decision based on realism, plot devices, emotional attachment to the character(s) in question, and writing quality. Admin decisions are final. Members may also make a poll to see what everyone else thinks before coming to the Admins. Doing this, however, comes with risks. If the poll is fuelled by RAGE or angst, if it starts a civil war in the OOC community and people start picking sides, the wrath of the staff will begin, and you better believe we'll cut the head of the beast off... So, yeah, be careful. You cannot make a poll after receiving an Admin's final decision, if you indeed asked for it.

  • Seriously, don't confuse the characters people play for the players, themselves. They are not the same. If a character is obnoxious, that's no reason to have a grudge against a perfectly nice and dignified member.

  • Mark your mature threads as such in the thread subtitles, just to warn those who may not appreciate stumbling into it. This is a maturely-rated game, with sexy times, violence, and drug abuse, etc. If you aren't up for any of that sort of thing, or are easily offended, this is probably not the game for you. Do not write straight-up smut. If you choose to keep the whole story in there, including sexy times, try to keep it vague for Zetaboards. It is also part of their TOS. For extra indulgences, take it to the PMs or over a messenger. Do it privately.


Out of Character

  • The most important thing to our OOC community is trust and communication! In order for a limitless RPG like this to work, we need to be able to believe and understand what we mean to say to one another. The fastest way to get banned in this game is to be under-handed, selfish, and disrespectful! You must keep an open mind and try to be sensitive to the ideas and feelings of others. I don't mean to the extreme, but at least stay civil, don't speak negatively about us behind our backs (when I say us, I mean all of us), and don't keep secrets unless you're doing it for valid plot purposes. We (the staff) will be doing our part by setting an example for you. Cobalt wrote the boards a handy little, minimalistic guide on how not to be an asshat. The section for staff conflict resolutions is still good advice for everyone to follow.

  • Try to solve your own problems with others. Extend the olive branch yourself. It should mean more to the other person than an ominous PM from an Admin. The staff is here to help, not hold your hands and scold you, or put you in Time-out every damn time someone gets their feelings hurt. Quarrels and arguments are 99.9% of the time merely misunderstandings. Very few people are actually carrying malicious intent around with them, so try keeping that in mind. If you came here, and if you were accepted, then we expect that you came to play, not start a bitch fight. We expect that you want to solve your problems so that the game can go on comfortably, not awkwardly because now you have to avoid a guy forever. Only the Admins are eligible to help solve misunderstandings, in the case help is desperately needed. The process of finding the solution will involve the Admin speaking individually to each party privately, and then all together in a group chat. Consider us Referees, but not Nannies.


Staff (aka "Guide") Rules
There are very few things which separate the staff and members, as we feel it should be, with the exception of the Admins (who may help resolve member conflicts). The trade-off is this: more freedom for higher expectations. But what happens if the staff breaks a rule? Who punishes them? The members do! Fun, eh? Yes, the reason why this is here is so that members may help identify if a staff member is disobeying the rules.

  • In the event an Admin breaks a rule, the remaining Admin of the two, and the staff, will decide the punishment. If an Admin is judged unfit for the position, they will be removed and replaced using nominations and a democratic voting system. The members should be able to choose who they want to talk to about sensitive situations. Yes, this rule applies even to me. I'd rather resign than watch this game go down in smoke and flames if there is another suitable candidate.

  • Read through as many threads as spare time allows you, and always watch for rule-breaking.

  • The staff must be involved in some kind of plot always, with at least one of their characters. It is a main duty for us to push the plot, but it doesn't have to be the site-wide one. As long as it involves three or more people, we are in the green.

  • Post IC at least twice a week, and try to post OOC as much as possible. Everyone should know and be comfortable with the staff. If you plan to be absent for more than a week, say so in the General Forum. Otherwise, you can explain when you get back.

  • Offer constructive criticism when giving any criticism at all.

  • Know your stuff. Next to moving the plot, this is the most important thing. The members will be coming to you to sum up all this intimidating information, and you need to be prepared to guide them and help them with their characters and plots.
    Edited by Capricorn, May 18 2011, 07:46 PM.
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