Apr 23, 2018 6:20:22 GMT
Post by Nobody on Apr 23, 2018 6:20:22 GMT
Thank you all for taking the time to read this. I have pondered the need for making plain what was obvious to me. The fact that I have thought and mused over the need is in and of itself a glaring sign that this is a necessary step in the evolution and hopeful continued success of this board. I was of a mind that by codifying or setting down anything more than the most basic of rules that in the doing it would alienate players. That by lending anything but the most basic structure that the board would suffer a binding of creativity. I was wrong. I see now that to establish a base line of mutual understanding can instead act as a springboard to even greater heights of creativity.
So to that end…
I have drafted a few rules that should do just that.
As every board is different in its own way just like all the countless others so too is City of Wind. City of wind unlike the bulk majority of Anita Blake/Merry Gentry boards extrapolates and makes assumptions of the world that both heroines inhabit. This shouldn't need to be spelled out but here it is…
“Ties of Sin does not solely adhere to the script of LKH Canon.”
It is the basis and in some cases the end all be all of certain aspects. This does not require anyone to run out and read the entire library of LKH’s. The world inhabited on ToS is one where adult things and themes happen. So if you are squeamish or take issue please refrain from looking any further. The board is populated by those who are okay with the occasional sensible violence or risqué interlude.
Okay that’s done now onto the rest…
Most boards are subjectively staggered power level-wise. City is no different. For the most part players are left to their own devices when assigning a characters abilities. To make the decision of appropriate level easier City does use a relatively easy level and tier system.
These levels were created to alleviate any confusion when dealing with other characters (as well as make delineating disputes and confrontations easier for the staff). There are four ranks and within each rank there are four tiers.
Ranks are as follows from highest to lowest.
Eximius
Alpha
Beta
Omega
Eximius is an extraordinarily powerful rank and as such is usually reserved for Staff Controlled characters. It can never be a characters starting approximate rank. It is saved for Soudre de Sangs and their ilk.
The tiers are as follows from highest to lowest.
True Dominant
Dominant
Switch
Submissive
True Dominants are those rare few individuals that when facing anything that they can't conquer break. They do not go quietly into the good night. They are those folks with a very active Warrior Gene
These are of course no less subjective than previous ideas. What aides them is their transparency in establishing a pecking order. They allow an easier understanding of where each character is along the sliding scale of power. As well as a guide for certain abilities that might come into play.
Staff will occasionally make suggestions and point a writer in what is the best for the board. This doesn't and isn’t limited to suggesting a lower relative power level for a new character.
Characters themselves once created and approved can do whatsoever they wish. This needs to be said as well just like in the Real World that this board can help you escape there are consequences. Some writers like having their characters do some amazing things. That is great but the old adage that three can keep a secret only if two are dead holds true. For unlike other boards the NPC’s have a voice. Their actions have weight while not as much as PC’s (after all they are the stars) they do have weight. City strives to be a fast paced world where there is always something happening.
What this means is that Activity is the golden mean of our being. This doesn't mean that the staff expects every writer to post multiple times every single solitary day. We understand that the Real World does make demands of us all. What is expected is that those who assume leadership roles to be relatively more active than others. This means that any clan leader should take an active stance in things as time waits for no person, or snake, or wolf, or what have you. Truthfully we find that some lapses allow trouble and the drama that entails to foment a great deal of really good posts (bonus!!).
We are player lead in terms of plotting. That being said Staff will sometimes kick start board wide plots. By board wide it means that if your character makes themselves available by their actions they will be or could be pulled into ‘Meta ‘ plots. Also obversely if your character finds, creates, or otherwise disinvolves themselves from said plot time marches ever onward. The sky is the limit is the most commonly used aphorism, that’s not true its merely the closest semblance of a border…
Special Note: Unless noted any and every thread is open. Which means that if a scene attracts your attention and there is a viable way that your character can interact then by all means do so. The only non-open thread are those that are addressed to a certain cross section of the board.
The bad news is this the activity to which we strive has the habit of sometimes moving things beyond a writer’s talent to respond as they would like. However, as in the real life we avoid moments pass us by. We deal and adapt. This doesn't mean that we ignore post order. In fact It is maintained as a general rule… however every rule has its exception and every exception has its rule. It is solely dependent on the nature of the thread.
So a small (Long-winded) recap
Stay Active! This cannot be stressed enough. We know that life will get in the way. We would merely ask that if and as soon as you can to provide a heads up about extended absences.
We will in no way prevent you from taking part in multiple posts at once; But in an effort to maintain a cohesive continuity do keep the timeline in mind. Your character can't be in two or more places at once (unless you've been secretly cloned which goes against far too many conventions to be tolerated).
Be courteous. Remember, you can't have a really interesting role-playing community without other people.
This is just a game. In game actions have weight only in game . If your characters actions dictate that they catch a beating or stabbing or a shooting or get exploded or what have you Its just in game. Characters do those things and while the writer gives voice the character runs the show. This is not a personal attack on you. This is not some grand conspiracy to abuse you vicariously through your character. Once again all together "This is Just A Game."
Also no character is god so do not godmode. You can not tell what another character notices, feels , or is affected by directly. You can not dictate another’s actions nor how they cope with your nifty quadruple super saiyan gestalt mind link venomous shadow clone jujy fruit inebriation attack.(CODE PHRASE IS THE MANTRA OF THE BOARD) You as a writer can show what is going on in the environment and trust that the other players are as talented and will pull their weight in crafting a great thread and contributing to the good time we all came here for. This also means however no campy bat props that will get your character out of any and every jam or predicament that arises. The Staff will step in and correct any egregious errors
This is intended to be a site for Mature minded/bodied players, please try to keep 'offensive' things to a minimum. This doesn't mean make everything a brightly colored Disney animation but, try exercising your writing muse in a manner that could at least make it by non-basic cable/satellite censors.
You can use "Fade to Black" to skip anything over PG-13 or if your going to have alot of violence happening. If they have a problem with this, direct them to an Administrator.
These rules will change and adapt to meet the needs of our mutual enjoyment of the board and the great stories that take shape. These are here to improve not hinder our enjoyment of each other.
That being said we move onto…
To begin Your application must be approved before you may post anything in the in character sections of the board. Just as a way to insure the domestic tranquility and promote the correct pursuit of happiness of all characters and their writers.
Writers may have more than one character. However that being said there should not be more than four characters on one account.
Your Display Name must be the name of your character(s) First and last.
For the record, absolutely No Canon Characters at anytime.
You must do your best to insure a marked and decided difference from the other characters already in existence on the board. Nothing as simple as color changes or superficial changes real and true differentiation from one character to another.
Pictures are nice but to keep from stretching the board no Signatures larger than 600 X 300, no Avatars larger 100 X 100, and no post Banners larger than 600 X 400.
No starting characters higher in Rank than Omega without staff approval.
And then there is…
Many of our writers like to come up with dastardly plots that then involve a lot of the site. This is greatly encouraged as we are player led predominately, however we need to put some restrictions in place.
Run all plots, at least the basics by the Staff BEFORE starting them.
Here is where a few of you might get lost or feel constrained.
Plotting is a very important component to cooperative play.
It is a freeing process not one to constrain.
It gives shape and form to the wild rumpus of thoughts that float by when considering where a character might go.
It is involving and does require some work nothing worth doing happens without some effort after all you only get out of any experience what you put into it.
An example of bad plotting: Well my new were kangaroo might attack his lifelong enemy depending on what happens. Or he might open a restaurant. Or he might take a skydiving class.(tells no one and Makes open post at the library of a junior college)
An example of good plotting: My new were kangaroo will take his chances attacking his lifelong enemy but only once he has spoken to the other clans to get some help. Doing that he will have to make sure that he has secured their help which will help him also open his dream restaurant.(Sends out PM's explaining his plan to the staff and writers of the various clans that might be involved or could become involved as the characters lifelong enemy is the MotC's favorite mailman.)
Plotting is a plan towards a goal and while they could be made in simple brief terms to be filled with the details along the way. However it is a plan not a set of what ifs and could be's. I know this might seem counter-intuitive but surprising the characters with a situation is not the same as surprising the writers. Surprising writers could and often does lead to less than positive threads and experiences. Plotting in fact insures that all parties have an enjoyable time which is what we are all here for.
This also includes any NPC characters as every NPC is fully adoptable.
Ok.
That about covers it ...
There is one other thing If it is not in your characters application then it isn't part of that characters history. This doesn't mean recant every iota of the characters life on Earth. It does mean that for any major back story plot line that your character wishes to unleash on the board... there has to be at least a cursory mention. Things like a nifty laser screwdriver must be mentioned but for big life events and connections they can be fleshed out IC as long as they are at least mentioned in your characters application. This is one the of many reasons for the "Concept/History" section of the profile.
Okay now that’s said welcome aboard and again Thanks. We hope you enjoy yourself and look forward to gaming with you all.
Penultimately, remember this is only a game.
