Post by Minxie on Mar 2, 2009 5:58:45 GMT
General Forum Rules - Out of Character
These are very simple rules. Please follow them and we'll all get along just fine!
- Play nice --- I don't want to see fighting on this forum, unless it is in-character and involving shiny magic or swords. Please treat everyone on the board as you yourself would like to be treated. I wish for people to show respect and politeness to one another. If you have a problem with another member of the board, please confine discussions to private messages.
- Discrimination --- If I see this from anyone, you are banned. No ifs, buts, or maybes. Neither I or the other moderators will tolerate discriminatory behaviour of any kind in the out-of-character boards, or used against another member in the in-character boards.
- Writing --- Out of the roleplay, I don't mind a certain amount of chat-speak or l33tspeak, but please try and keep it to a minimum. If we have to start running your posts through a translator there's going to be trouble...
- Spelling/grammar --- On that note, there is a spell-check button. Please utilise it. I am fully aware that not everyone is as crazy about spelling and grammar as I am, but I also know that the basics are taught at all schools and are not rocket science. Please make even a small effort.
- Posting --- If possible, I would like to see a post at least once a week. I really want everyone to be involved and have a lot of fun with the game, and it's difficult to do that when everyone is waiting for a person to post. I don't mind if there is a legitimate reason (internet loss, holidays etc), and I know that real life has a habit of getting in the way. However, if you know that it is unlikely that you will be able to post on an even vaguely regular basis, please don't join as one of the main characters.
- Characters --- As the name of the game suggests, there are seven main characters. You may only play one. When the seven have gone, I will be opening up the slots for their apprentices. There are also main villain slots, and a super!secret character slot open, so don't fear about applying for them! You may have as many characters as you like, so long as you feel you can hande them all.
- Moderation --- Please listen to what the moderators and I have to say. We're not here to spoil your fun, we're here to try and pull your fun along! If we ask you to do something, or not to do something, we aren't doing it for the sake of upsetting you, we have our reasons. Also, please do not act like a moderator if you aren't one.
- The shinies, the shinies! --- Please keep icons to 100x100 pixels, and signatures no wider than 500 pixels. If the forum gets warped, it gets terribly upset, and I'll have to have words.
- Avatars --- I have been on many-a-site where it is the norm to choose a celebrity/stock model to represent your character. This is perfectly acceptable here! Just don't take a person someone else is using. (If the time comes when we have more than one person using this method of representing characters, I will put up a list.)
Roleplay Rules - In Character
- Tenses --- The roleplay is written in the third person, past tense. Eg, "She walked into the room and sat down" as opposed to "I walked into the room and sat down".
- Length --- I do not expect War and Peace unedited when you post, but please attempt to write more than one line. It makes it very difficult for others to respond to you if they only have a sentence to go on. Put as much detail into your replies as you feel you can.
- Cursing --- Everyone is going to get mad at some point, and probably very scared at another. Cursing is perfectly acceptable in the game, just don't take it too far. It isn't necessary for every other word to be an expletive, unless it's in your character's nature.
- Adult themes --- Proboards does not allow anything of an adult nature, so let's not upset them and do anything silly, 'kay? No smut, end of.
- Characterisation --- This is a real pet peeve of mine: PLEASE stick to the character you have created. I will not be an impressed admin if I see that the character who is afraid of water and can't swim is going to a pool party. Yes, that was an exageration, but I am sure you can get my point. Please keep to the character.
- Character creation --- When creating a character, please remember that Mary-Sues and Gary-Stus are not welcome anywhere. We do not want to have to deal with perfect creations, since no-one is perfect. Flaws and weaknesses make a character interesting!
*NB: I am aware that everyone has their own views of what constitutes as a Mary Sue/Gary Stu. If in doubt, please visit one (or both) of these links:
The Universal Mary-Sue Litmus Test
The Original Fiction Mary-Sue Litmus Test - Set-up --- Though the roleplay is set within the real world, there are supernatural occurences. Think Buffy or Angel for an idea of the setting.
If you haven't seen either of these shows I am doomed.The premise is that supernatural happenings occur without most people noticing them. They're there, we just don't have flying cars and sparkly vampires.
Definitely no sparkly vampires... - "Private" threads --- If a thread is marked with specific characters' names, that means the thread is only open to them. Please don't pop in unannounced: wait for permission, or start your own thread.
- Thinking and talking --- When a character is speaking, please use quote marks. When they are thinking, please use italics. It just makes it easier for us all to understand whether someone is calling someone else a moron, or just thinking about doing so.
- Leggo my Eggo --- Please please please do not play another person's character unless you have their express permission to do so. This also goes for assumptions: if your character has swung a punch, do not assume that it has reached its target. Please allow for the other player's response.