PLAYER GUIDELINES
The Big Five: |
the five major rules of decorum in Emory Haven
|
We are a relaxed, RP-friendly environment. Some players will prefer different levels of immersivity in second life and that is likely to be the case in the Emory Haven SL experience as well. We recommend discussing in IMs any out of character info, and keeping local chat in character only. Beyond that, we have just a few main guidelines for our sim.
You should know what is expected of you. If you don't, read over the various sections of this codex in detail. If you are unsure about something ask questions. Get help.
- Don't be a dick. Be considerate of others' experience.
- Behave: Follow ToS and familiarize yourself with RP etiquette. (You are held accountable for your actions)
- Play believably.
- Make an effort: Put in to get out.
- If you're unsure, ask.
You should know what is expected of you. If you don't, read over the various sections of this codex in detail. If you are unsure about something ask questions. Get help.
Please also keep in mind that these rules apply to all behavior relevant to Emory Haven, regardless of where/how you are interacting; be it in character, out of character, on sim, or in group chat. You will be held accountable for your actions and how they affect others. If you feel unsure about something, ask.
Breaking principles (especially 1 or 2) may be grounds for immediate consequences at admin digression determined by the affect of the behavior.
**Effort over excuses ensures forgiveness comes easy when earnest mistakes are made. We don't want players to feel like they are walking on egg shells. We do, however, want to ensure that we continue to cultivate an inspiring and welcoming community of players.
Also, while we accept child characters, all players should be adults behind the screen.
Breaking principles (especially 1 or 2) may be grounds for immediate consequences at admin digression determined by the affect of the behavior.
**Effort over excuses ensures forgiveness comes easy when earnest mistakes are made. We don't want players to feel like they are walking on egg shells. We do, however, want to ensure that we continue to cultivate an inspiring and welcoming community of players.
Also, while we accept child characters, all players should be adults behind the screen.
Tact in OOC matters is highly praised and passive aggressiveness is strongly discouraged.
If you have any kind of issue, please always come to someone before you let it ruin your experience. Your needs and concerns matter. Speak up. We can't help you if we don't know there is an issue.
If there is a concern, document the specifics in a log and/or with screenshots and submit to an admin. If we don't know about something, we can't help you. Which is always a shame, because we want to help. See our Sim Leadership page for a list of Admins that can assist you. Online boards are available in the Visitor Center gazebo.
If you have any kind of issue, please always come to someone before you let it ruin your experience. Your needs and concerns matter. Speak up. We can't help you if we don't know there is an issue.
If there is a concern, document the specifics in a log and/or with screenshots and submit to an admin. If we don't know about something, we can't help you. Which is always a shame, because we want to help. See our Sim Leadership page for a list of Admins that can assist you. Online boards are available in the Visitor Center gazebo.
RP ETIQUETTE
i.e How not to be a dick:
Big golden rule: “We're here to have fun”.
And: “Make it about the story”.
Followed closely by “Consent RP at all times”.
Bonus round: "Drama is for IC plot, keep it far away from OOC"
Big golden rule: “We're here to have fun”.
And: “Make it about the story”.
Followed closely by “Consent RP at all times”.
Bonus round: "Drama is for IC plot, keep it far away from OOC"
What is Consent RP?
Players should always post for their actions alone (with exception of NPCs in their charge). Players should never make posts that force actions, or reactions, on others. Efforts and attempts can be made to accomplish a goal, but the outcome that affects another player's character should never be dictated to them.
The second example is unacceptable because it doesn't give the hooded figure a chance to react and squashes potential story evolution. The exception to this, would be if the hooded figure was an NPC that the player (Nora's typist) was in control of.
You, the player, are in charge of your character's destiny and have the right to play a character you enjoy playing.
- Acceptable: Nora swung her fists wildly, through bitter tears of rage as she sought to knock the hooded figure back.
- Unacceptable: Nora swung her fist and decked the hooded figure on the chin so that she could scramble away down the alley.
The second example is unacceptable because it doesn't give the hooded figure a chance to react and squashes potential story evolution. The exception to this, would be if the hooded figure was an NPC that the player (Nora's typist) was in control of.
You, the player, are in charge of your character's destiny and have the right to play a character you enjoy playing.
What is "FtB"?
Fade to Black or "FtB".
Sometimes in RP there are themes or situations that our characters get into and engage in that you might not be comfortable with or find upsetting for ooc reasons (or even just for logistical reasons like gaining time and character development). It is ok to talk to your scene partner(s) in IMs about having a FtB (Where the events occur but are not played out). You should discuss basically what happened in the faded scene but it is not required for anyone to ever play through a scene that they don't feel good about or need to bypass logistically.
Fade to Black can be used to edit sexual scenes, adult/racy content, or private moments for shared scenes or even if a player is just uncomfortable playing the specifics out in detail.
Sometimes in RP there are themes or situations that our characters get into and engage in that you might not be comfortable with or find upsetting for ooc reasons (or even just for logistical reasons like gaining time and character development). It is ok to talk to your scene partner(s) in IMs about having a FtB (Where the events occur but are not played out). You should discuss basically what happened in the faded scene but it is not required for anyone to ever play through a scene that they don't feel good about or need to bypass logistically.
Fade to Black can be used to edit sexual scenes, adult/racy content, or private moments for shared scenes or even if a player is just uncomfortable playing the specifics out in detail.
Child Avies
All players must be 18+. Children avatars are certainly welcome but their players must be over the age of 18 and everyone must play nice with LL’s TOS.
Keep in mind - We are a minor character friendly group. LL TOS states that child avatars are responsible for themselves and avoiding inappropriate interactions, however, please be considerate by not making this any harder for them than it has to be. There will be some adult themes present on occasion and some scenes and sim areas will not be appropriate for minors, just be mindful of other players and try to keep it fun for everyone. We do our best to strike a balance between the PG and less wholesome themes.
Keep in mind - We are a minor character friendly group. LL TOS states that child avatars are responsible for themselves and avoiding inappropriate interactions, however, please be considerate by not making this any harder for them than it has to be. There will be some adult themes present on occasion and some scenes and sim areas will not be appropriate for minors, just be mindful of other players and try to keep it fun for everyone. We do our best to strike a balance between the PG and less wholesome themes.
Playing multiple characters
Players are welcome, even encouraged to play multiple characters in the group, either with titlers on a single account, or with alts. Transparency is important, though. If you're using alts, please let us know it's you. We are fostering a sense of "fellowship" within the community, and deceptions take away from that general sense of trust.
Also, It is imperative that players playing multiple characters be very careful not to confuse player knowledge (or what the typist knows) and the character's knowledge (what the character's direct perceptions have illuminated for them personally).
Also, It is imperative that players playing multiple characters be very careful not to confuse player knowledge (or what the typist knows) and the character's knowledge (what the character's direct perceptions have illuminated for them personally).
Use Empathy & Grace
We're all here to tell dynamic, believable, collective stories. There will be players at a variety of rp levels, styles and depths. Be patient and communicate in IMs whenever necessary. Everyone was a beginner at some point, if you are a more experienced player playing with someone new or rusty, try to teach instead of criticize.
DEALING WITH CONFLICT IC
- Even in slice-of-life centric environments drama and conflict occur in the story and can drive plot but it's important to have a "common ground" way of resolving and playing through them when necessary so that it is easy to keep conflicting feelings brought on by in character plot from leaking into OOC feelings. This means a number of things, a big one being: keep OOC in OOC (duh). Also, just don’t be a jerk. This is a community we’re building here, we’re all choosing to be together, keep it fun and keep the drama in the story. Never feed the drama Llamas. Also, discuss with other players in the scene to determine the prefered method of resolving unclear outcomes.
If you don't trust just playing freeform in a powergaming-free and consent rp driven environment, there are many dice huds to choose from on sl, as well as leaders and admins that can help moderate where necessary. If you see your story heading toward something that might need something to level the playing field, talk it out ooc with the other players in IMs (before or as soon as the conflict gets underway is always best).
Also, Dice should never trump story. Dice can help add an element of chance to success and failure of an act or settle disputes. It's the players' job to tell the story of the outcome. Story always comes first.
- If you have disputes or issues you need to bring to the admins' attention, or you want to report power playing, please copy a full log of the exchange in a Notecard and send it to an admin.
If you don't trust just playing freeform in a powergaming-free and consent rp driven environment, there are many dice huds to choose from on sl, as well as leaders and admins that can help moderate where necessary. If you see your story heading toward something that might need something to level the playing field, talk it out ooc with the other players in IMs (before or as soon as the conflict gets underway is always best).
Also, Dice should never trump story. Dice can help add an element of chance to success and failure of an act or settle disputes. It's the players' job to tell the story of the outcome. Story always comes first.
- If you have disputes or issues you need to bring to the admins' attention, or you want to report power playing, please copy a full log of the exchange in a Notecard and send it to an admin.
Consequences
- In cases where a player is disrespecting our principles, generally causing problems, or refusing to get along smoothly, we will give two warnings for mild to moderate infractions. The third time can result in a ban at leadership discretion.
- We reserve the right to ban on the first infraction in instances when leadership feels it is appropriate to do so. We do not do this lightly, but sometimes it is necessary.
We'd always prefer to work things out -before- there is an untenable issue. We are striving to create a family dynamic and families make mistakes. Prioritizing open communication, listening, and understanding goes a long way to mending infractions and rifts.
Some common-sense rules of etiquette may apply that are not listed here. "Don't be a dick" is a generally universal concept, however, and is our guiding star. Play well with others. Simple.
Kinship beyond IC ties.
Collective storytelling is an enchanting and engaging hobby....if those involved share their energy and ideas with others and help make things happen. Emory Haven is more than a mass of disconnected hopefuls. We focus on building a fellowship of individuals that collaborate on a platform of creativity and comradery.
If you have ideas, or want to see something happen speak up and volunteer. The more we prioritize the enrichment of Emory Haven as we pool our resources and energy together, the more powerful and stable our community can become, both in character and out.
If you have ideas, or want to see something happen speak up and volunteer. The more we prioritize the enrichment of Emory Haven as we pool our resources and energy together, the more powerful and stable our community can become, both in character and out.