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guide:rules [2012/12/14 14:35] – [Plot Participation] wesguide:rules [2024/02/09 21:59] (current) – [Code of Conduct] wes
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-====== Rules ====== +====== Site Rules ====== 
-Please carefully read all of these rules; they are designed to make Star Army enjoyable and consistent for all members. They are not meant to limit you unreasonably or to stifle anyone's creativity. The rules below were forged through experience and adaptation. They protect members from abuse and protect the community itself. Each is important and exists for good reason+These are Star Army's community guidelines (not to be confused with the [[guide:terms of service]] which deal more with legal stuff). The staff and administration are responsible for interpreting and enforcing these.
  
-The list is being continually refined but ignorance is no excuse to ignore the rules - they are posted here for all to see and to subscribe to. If you refuse to follow them, then the administration will take action. In the event something is questionable or not covered by the rules, the final say goes to the administration. Please have the courtesy to accept their decisions.+===== Basic Rules =====
  
 +  - Register only one account.
 +  - Follow our [[guide:roleplaying|Roleplay Guidelines]].
 +  - Respect the rights of other players (See: [[[guide:player_rights]])
 +    - It's not permissible to control other people's characters or versions of people's characters (e.g. simulated versions, clones) without permission
 +  - Art for your characters should be original, commissioned, or something you have permission to use((Note: We can help you find an artist or even pay for art for your character. Contact admin [[members:wes]] for info!)).
 +  - Content guidelines for language, violence and sexuality are on the site as a whole are 2-1-2 in public areas and 3-3-3 in the non-public forums marked as 18+. Posting guidelines can also be set by individual GMs.
 +  - It's a sci-fi setting; no magic please (see [[guide:telepathy_and_magic]]).
 +  - Work-in-progress wiki articles go in the WIP: namespace. Keep your hands off other people's WIPs unless you have their permission to edit them.
 +    - Exception: It's //always// okay to fix typos or broken links on the wiki.
 +  - Do not hotlink images (such as imgur) from other sites on the wiki. All wiki images should be locally hosted. This does not apply to the forums.
 +  - If you need to leave the RP, see [[guide:leaving]] for how to exit gracefully.
  
 +See [[chat]] for chat rules. There are also some additional rules for making and operating [[:faction|factions]] and [[guide:submission_rules|submitting things to the setting]].
  
-==== Characters ====+===== Code of Conduct ===== 
 +We want the community to be enjoyable to its members and to be a fun place where members feel welcome.
  
-=== Character Creation === +  - We expect and require respectful behavior. 
-  * The [[guide:creating_a_character]] article is the official guide to creating a SARP character+    - Profanity is allowed in roleplay posts. It doesn't belong in discussion threads. 
-  * All characters must be originalNo characters from televisionmoviesor books+    - Personal attacks or insulting others ("flaming") is not permitted. 
-  * Don't build your character as part of an existing family or as related to an existing character without their permission +    - Deliberately causing drama ("trolling") is not permitted. 
-  * Importing an original character from another RPG is not allowedbut you can build a similar character+    - Racist, bigoted, or other hate speech is a violation of the [[guide:terms_of_service]]. 
-  * Characters not on the wiki will not be approved.+    - Harassment will not be tolerated. 
 +    - Respect user privacy and don't post other people's personal information. (See also: [[guide:privacy]]). 
 +  - Deceptive member behavior such as false agessock puppetingand impersonating other members is not permitted
 +  - Copyrighted content is not permitted on the wiki unless you have rights to put it there. On the forums copyrighted content such as news articles should be presented as part of a discussion about it. Do not post full articles (use excerpts only, preferably 1/6th or less of the article) and always provide credit and link to the source. Promoting piracy and warez is forbidden. See [[guide:Terms of Service]] for info on copyright
 +  - Adult content is not permitted except in designated areas (18+ forums and the NSFW wiki namespace) 
 +    - No sexual content of any kindincluding text, featuring minors
 +  - Spam advertising is prohibited, and will be reported to blacklisting services 
 +  - Do not quote or repost content that violates the rules. 
 +  - Do not get into "edit wars" with admins or mods on the forums or wiki, or vandalize the wiki. 
 +  - Do not share private conversations without the permission of those involved. 
 +    - Note: It's okay to share private conversations with site staff, or screenshots of them, if it's part of a report. 
 +  - Members may not purchase, use, or share artwork that uses another members' character(s) in an adult situation without the permission of the character's owner. This may be considered sexual harassment and can be grounds for removal from the community.
  
-=== Limitations === +===== Consequences ===== 
-  * Unapproved characters cannot used used in the roleplay, except for in the Cluster Flux freeform RP area. +Violations of the above rules will typically result in a forum warningYour content may be edited to remove content that violates the community guidelines. Multiple warningsor severe violations, at discretion of the admins or staff, will result in a ban.
-  * [[:non-player_characters]] **do not** belong to [[:role-players]]but can be played by them with [[:game_master|GM]] permission.+
  
 +See: [[guide:ban policy]]
  
-==== Membership ==== +===== Enforcement Guidelines ===== 
-StarArmy.com wishes to provide proper credit to the authors of the works created in the RPG. Please post your contact information and online times in the contact info thread, so other people will know how and when they can get a hold of you. If you don't use your real name on the site, then you can't be credited for your work in Star Army publications.+Forum Moderators:
  
-=== Forum Avatars and Signatures === +  * Moderators should edit posts to remove the problem content, replacing it with a notice like: //"This post has been edited to remove content that violated the Star Army code of conduct. ~~Moderator Doshii Jun."// 
-  * Maximum allowed size is 120 pixels wide and 135 pixels tall+  * When a user commits a violation, they should receive a notice that explains why they were in the wrong and what action we took. This can be automated or via conversation
-  * Forum signatures are not displayed on the forum but are visible on member profiles.+  * Discussions of specific rule violations should occur in private conversations, not on the forums. Attempts to "rules lawyer" moderator actions should be locked.
  
-=== Usernames and Passwords === +==== Mod Guidelines For Editing Posts ==== 
-  * Usernames should be 15 characters or less. +  - Posts with rule violations will be generally edited to remove the violating content and leave the restIf the whole post is an issue, the whole post will be removed
-  * Only one account per person is authorized+  - Posts with errors in spelling, grammar, or BBCoding are sometimes edited to fix those errors when spottedIf moderator edits a post, there is usually an automated notice at the bottom right that will say that moderator edited it. Sometimes an admin may "silently" edit which does not show a notice. 
-  * Don't share your password. +  - Character actions and dialogue should not changed without prior discussion except for the error correction noted above
-  * Don't use username that is a technical error such as HTTP status codes+  - Some forums, like the announcements and the news forumare exceptions that are moderated to review or improve content before it is visible to the public, because they are the "voice of the site."
-  * You're allowed to change your username if you'like. If you doplease post a message letting everyone know.+
  
-==== Plot Participation ==== 
-=== Joining a Plot === 
  
-  * Only approved [[:player_characters]] can join canon plots. 
-  * Players and GM who already play in and/or run **4** or more plots are not allowed to join or create additional plots. 
-  * Game Masters have the right to request a list of plots a player is already participating in. 
-  * Game Masters have the right to refuse a player or player character for any reason, or for no reason at all. 
-  * You may join an adventure at any point in time, as long as it is okay the Plot GM; however, it is recommended that you wait until the beginning of an adventure before you join in IC. The most common ways of introducing a character are a transfer via shuttle, or catching a ride on a cargo ship. 
- 
-=== Leaving a Plot === 
-Don't just disappear in the middle of an adventure; it can create major problems. 
- 
-See: [[guide:leaving]] 
- 
-  * Players should tell their GM 3 days in advance if they're leaving the plot. 
-  * Players leaving a plot have the right to take their [[:player_characters]] with them, if feasible. 
-  * [[:non-player_characters]] belong to the GM and players have no right to take them. 
- 
-If you have shown that you do not have the time necessary to take part in the RP, you may be asked to leave and open a spot for players who //do// have the time. 
- 
-=== Disappearances === 
- 
-If a staff member, game master, faction manager, moderator, or administrator does not post in 30 consecutive days, we have to assume that they no longer have the ability to perform their duties; therefore, they will be relieved of them. If the member returns after a disappearance, these positions of power should not be restored until a reasonable amount of time has passed in which the member shows activity and good behavior. 
- 
-  - Moderators: 6 months 
-  - Admins, Staff Global Moderators: 12+ months 
- 
-Time limits may be excused or shortened if the member gave advanced notice, or disappeared because of a disaster (tsunami, etc) or medical emergency beyond his/control (car crash, etc). 
-==== Respect Others ==== 
-Players must respect fellow players. Being deliberately hurtful to or harassing another player or Game Master will not be tolerated, including remarks made in private or without the victim’s knowledge. 
- 
-  * Do not harass, threaten, or libel the other players or other people. 
-  * Do not "flame." Your post will be deleted or changed and action may be taken against you. Flaming is using abusive language and belittling comments towards other players. This includes sarcastic remarks. 
-  * If someone harasses you, Save a copy of the offending material. Let the Site GM know immediately. 
- 
-Do not cuss/swear, threaten, harass, or use derogatory racial terms in your posts;  The only time you are allowed to cuss is: In-character, in a JP or SP post as part of a character's speech, or in a non-public forum. 
- 
-==== Respect the Community ==== 
-We want the community to be enjoyable to its members and to be a fun place. New players need to feel welcome, respected, and should be shown Star Army’s best. 
- 
-  * No vandalizing or spamming the wiki, imageboard, or forums. People have worked hard on the content here. 
-  * Listen to administrators and  moderators. 
-  * Do not un-do moderator changes if one edits something out of your post. 
-  * Do not pose as an administrator or moderator. 
-  * Stay on topic with the post title and the forum the post is in. 
- 
-No advertising. Do not use the website to solicit members, promote any product, services, or games of chance (lottery, contests, etc.) 
- 
-Anyone attempting to steal players (convince them to leave the community for another community) from Star Army will be immediately, permanently banned. Any unauthorized use of Star Army intellectual property or IP licensed by Star Army will be aggressively countered by all means available. 
- 
-==== Roleplaying ==== 
- 
-=== Communicate! === 
-There are several available methods of Communication available to RP Members. Yahoo! Messenger, E-mail, private messages, and the forums themselves are some examples. Sub-plots, problems, questions, concerns, suggestions, and many, many other things have to be worked out between members, and these are the best ways to do it. 
- 
- 
-=== Conflicts === 
-Bad things can and will happen to your character.  If the character has an intact ST backup of themselves the GM can kill them off whenever he feels it is necessary for the story or just for a bit of dramatic effect.  Killing of characters will also happen if it appropriate for actions they have taken.  DO NOT whine about it, you made the decision in the first place therefore you should be willing to accept all consequences. 
- 
-Any major event, situation, condition, action, etc. which directly involves another Player's character must be discussed with said Player beforehand, if possible. The Player reserves the right to have any post deleted that directly involves their character and was not discussed beforehand, unless that post was made by the GM. The post will be deleted or moved and sent to the offending Player for editing. 
- 
-In the case that someone has used your character in some way, or done something that went against one of your plots, sort it out politely and quickly. Attempt to work it out with the offending Player first. If this fails, take it to the Plot GM. In an RP as large as this one to become, it is nearly impossible to avoid all problems, but if we can sort them out smoothly, politely and quickly, there will be minimal difficulties. 
- 
-Listen to the site owner and his appointed GMs. If he says something works one way, he would know, he did create the universe after all and a lot of the technology in it. (GM However has a responsibility to make the limits, uses and capabilities known to the entire site.) 
- 
-=== Format === 
-  * Parenthesis are used to signify OOC (Out Of Character) comments. Please don't make off-topic OOC comments during JPs, and keep the OOC to a minimum. 
- 
-  * Tag the post title with the setting(s) in brackets if required. Example: [YSS Empire, Kyoto] Birth of a Family 
- 
-=== Keeping Up === 
-Try your hardest to read each and every new post. This cuts down on confusion and prevents conflicts in the storyline from arising. If you don’t have time, at least read the ones involving your ship. Print them if you need to. You are expected to post regularly (at least one RP post a week). If you can’t for some reason, let people know why and kindly excuse your character or arrange for someone else to play her in the meantime. 
- 
-As a player, it is also partially your responsibility to keep the game moving. So long as what is happening isn't going to change the face of the world, or isn't combat, don't wait for the [[:game_master]]. Just continue roleplaying! You are encouraged to develop your character's relationships with others. Forge friendships, find a lover, argue, create rivalries, go out, see the sights! Experiment! Just don't do anything that will change the nature of the game without your GM's permission. 
- 
-People don't appreciate a player who doesn't post frequently. Some GMs even impose posting time limits in order to keep the pace up. If the game is lagging and you are able to post, do it. And don't just post to yourself! Try to interact with other characters to keep things exciting. 
- 
-=== Posting a Joint Post === 
-Once a JP is finished, it should immediately be posted in the appropriate roleplay forum. If editing is not possible (due to time constraints or software problems), post the unedited JP. 
- 
-JP Posts with strong erotic content are required: (1) To be tagged with [18+] after the title. (2) Not to be relevant to the plot. That is, if someone doesn’t read the post, they shouldn’t miss anything important to the plot. 
- 
-=== Starting a Side Plot === 
-In each adventure there are two types of plots: The Backbone Plot, and the various Sub-plots. The Backbone Plot takes precedence over sub-plots. Sub-plots must be worked in and around the Backbone Plot in order for the RP to function correctly. This is not to say that because a sub-plot goes against the Backbone Plot it can't be used. It simply means that you must either rework, or put off the sub plot until such a time as it can be used. 
- 
-=== Metagaming === 
-Let's all remember to keep OOC knowledge separate from IC knowledge. Don't direct your character to stuff if he/she wouldn't find it by themselves. That includes sniffing at a random moment when a character has no reason to do so and then find someone stalking them that way. If something is hidden, let it be hidden until there is a plausible reason for it to not be. Just because you know a player character is plotting to kill yours, etc. does not mean you can have your character act like he's especially alert for some reason. Keep it realistic. 
- 
- 
-==== Writing ==== 
-Writing is the means with which we interact with one another. It is vital that you write well, so that others can understand you and so they aren't distracted from the RP by errors. Don't bother posting a sentence if you can't be bothered to capitalize it or put a period at the end. The clearer your post, the less the likelihood it will be overlooked or misunderstood.  
- 
-  * Sentence structure, and correct grammar and spelling are a must. 
-  * Double spacing between paragraphs is required. This means paragraphs should have a full blank line between them. 
-  * All posts should be written in third person past tense. The third person is mostly for clarity because there are many "I's" in this story. 
-  * Please use your character's name in the first reference to them in a paragraph (especially in JPs). 
-  * Try to be detailed and descriptive. 
- 
-==== Additional Rules ==== 
-  * [[guide:joint_posts]] 
-  * [[guide:single_posts]] 
-  * [[:player_rights]] 
-  * [[guide:factions]] 
-  * [[:submission_rules]] 
-  * [[guide:terms_of_service]] 
-  * [[guide:privacy]] 
  

guide/rules.1355524522.txt.gz · Last modified: 2023/12/20 15:53 (external edit)