Nasty Awful Rules We All Need To Follow
It is the responsibility of all writers/players to read and be familiar with the rules. The moderator(s) do reserve the right to change or add to the rules as it becomes necessary, but notification of said changes will be posted to the plotting board. After you have read the following rules, please acknowledge by posting.
1. Play Nice
a. No flaming of other players. Period.
b. No godmodding without permission. If you have questions or need more clarification, please contact the moderator(s).
c. Plot suggestions between players are just that: suggestions. Any player is free to turn down a suggestion or plot idea, just as any player is perfectly welcome to approach another player with a plot idea or suggestion. If you don’t like the idea, turn it down and move on. If you are turned down, accept that fact and move on. Harassing of other players will not be tolerated in either instance.
d. Characters ARE NOT THE PLAYERS. If a character calls your character a bad name, it is not a reflection of the way that player feels about you. If a player wants their character to break up with your character, it is not a reflection of the way that player feels about you; it’s more likely a reflection of the fact that the player wants more plot freedom, or that it makes sense for their character to respond in this fashion. This is extremely important to remember – anyone who has RPed for any length of time has likely witnessed when players become too emotionally attached to their characters and take things that occur in-character in the RP personally. If you do feel that someone is taking potshots at you, using the character as a vessel, approach the moderator(s) with your concerns. The simple fact is that some of our characters are rather nasty individuals; some of our characters are rather sweet individuals. Neither of these are indicative of the nastiness or sweetness of the player, because CHARACTERS ARE NOT THE PLAYERS.
2. Age Requirement
You must be over eighteen. That means you have celebrated 18 birthdays and are a legal adult in the United States, where Livejournal is based. Even if you use proper grammar and manage to throw in loads of references in YIM to the Stones or Neil Diamond, you will eventually slip up. The moderator(s) or other players will catch you. You will be exiled and have to live the rest of your life in your parent's basement - with no internet access. EVER!!
3. Participation Requirements
Participation is a must. You need to notify the moderator(s) if you are going to be away for an extended period of time. If you just go away and don't let anyone know, it will be assumed you've lost interest in the game. If you will be unable to post for two weeks and want your character to remain yours, let the moderator(s) know and post the information on
storm_plotting. If we hear nothing from you in two weeks, then your character will be open for recasting.
4. The Communities
a. The community__lightning__ is for posting the RP itself.
b. The communitystorm_plotting is where authors can brainstorm plot ideas, make suggestions, and discuss plotlines. It’s also where moderator notices will be posted – please join this community with your “real” LJ - Character journals will not be accepted on this community at all. For any special events that are planned or need to be written ahead of time, such as when the majority of the cast will be in a thread, we have in_the_vortex. Your character journals will need to join that community as well as __lightning__.
c. The LJ
_wwn_ is a radio broadcast that has been used to present the backstory, will be used as 'breaking news' occurs and will be used as a weekly broadcast that covers some of the RP. This WILL be in play on the main board. So any broadcasts that go out over the air - do count. Stricken text that may show from time to time in the broadcast itself will be something that didn't make it to air and therefore does not count. Comments on the _wwn_ will be enabled for comments from readers and a link will be provided from the main board, so make sure to friend it. Comments from writers themselves are encouraged to let everyone know what tickles your fancy that day.
d. Personal LJs for characters can be used for the characters’ private thoughts, feelings, ponderings, etc. These entries are considered private and therefore are not in play with other characters. If you have a post to make that other players will be responding to, that post belongs on the main community board. You can reference back to the character journal using a link when needed, but all action needs to take place on the main board.
5. Format of Community Entries
a. Please use properly label and lj-cut your entries to keep the community organized and easier to read. The format is twofold. Subject line should contain Cast Involved ~ Location ~ Status (Complete/Incomplete) ~ MA (if applicable - Mature Audiences). For example:
Izabel and Remus ~ Hogwarts ~ MA ~ Incomplete
The text of the LJ post itself should contain < center > < b > Thread Title on the first line. The second line should contain Day of the Week, Month Day ~ Time of Day < / b > , < / center >. The third line should be a horizontal rule < hr >. For example:
< center> < b>Who's Your Tailor?
Monday, July 4th ~ Afternoon< /b>< /center>
< hr>
b. LJ-cuts should be used if the post will be over approximately five screen inches. If you’re uncertain how long this is, take a look at the other posts on the main board and use those as a guide.
c. If the post will contain MA material and this would include, but not be limited to any graphic acts of violence (role played noncon or underage sex is strictly banned), illegal substance abuse, sex, this should be noted on the header and all MA material in the original post must be under a cut. If a thread wasn’t originally intended to be MA, but becomes MA, please go back and edit the original post to note this fact. If a player is considering an aspect to their story line that could be found offense, they must clear it with the mods first.
d. Once a thread is complete, please go back and edit the header of the original post to say “Complete”.
6. Moderators
a. The moderators are human. They are also volunteers and, like the rest of the players, have Real Lives.
b. Their basic duties include:
i. Maintaining the community
ii. Mediating in disagreements
iii. Monitoring the community
iv. Assisting with plot hints and general questions
c. Regarding (iv) above: The moderators are happy to assist with plot hints and/or brainstorming, questions concerning acceptable extensions of canon, and suggestions on how to proceed with certain plots; however, they are not the writers of your characters: you are.
7. Grammar
Posts on the main board should be done in third person narrative form, using past tense, with proper grammar, punctuation and capitalization, and with absolutely NO NETSPEAK. Personal journal posts can be made in first person if desired, but the other rules apply. And remember: spell check is your friend.
8. Miscellaneous Character Information
a. Except in rare instances, all players should try to keep as close to canon as possible to begin with; obviously, character development will occur during the backstory development and the course of the RP, but the characters should remain canon-based.
b. Original NPCs (Original, Non-playing characters) that are pivotal to plots should not be used without prior agreement of the moderator(s). This includes babies. Any plots that will result in the adoption or birth of a new character must be approved by the moderator(s). As a forewarning: approval for babies will be very difficult to receive.
c. Thou Shalt Not have a Perfect Character. Any character that is the richest, smartest, nicest, most cunning, best-liked, and has super powers is frankly not very interesting to read or interact with. Fun, realistically rounded characters with flaws are much more likely to be interacted with by other characters, and more likely to be involved in plots.
d. Players shall discuss all plots that could affect other characters in the livejournal communitystorm_plotting.
e. Players will NOT make sweeping generalizations that affect the entire Wizarding World without first discussing it instorm_plotting and getting moderator(s) approval. For example - Everyone at the ministry was on board with the new policies in effect. or Everyone in Hogsmeade was thrilled with the influx of new businesses. or even Severus Snape is a sex god and everyone wants to do him. And also give him money.
f. If you are using an icon that does not feature the commonly known actor from the movies (which is perfectly acceptable), please insert the name of your character into the icon unless the journal name being used makes it obvious then it is optional.
g. No character is omniscient. Therefore, no character knows the thoughts of another character. Characters only know what they’ve seen and heard, regardless of how much the player knows. Another characters feelings or thoughts about a situation may be more than what the other writer wants out there in the public eye - if it screws up their plot - they and possibly the Moderator(s) will not be happy.
9. More miscellany
a. Please keep the contact list up to date with your information, particularly if you add or remove a character. If anything changes make sure to come back, delete the old reply and put info up again. This will help our new members (and even our older members) contact you with questions or plot ideas that would involve your characters.
b. All new members will be subject to a 30-day trial period. Those new members that have never RP'd before - will have to do two medium length practice threads of some kind with two different moderators, mostly to show the dos and don'ts of RPing. This would be on a locked thread on thein_the_vortex community. This is not a test, it's more to help them feel comfortable the first time they hit the main board. Most of us learn the quickest by doing and not just listening. The moderator(s) will work with the player if there are problem areas, and if there are still issues at the end of the trial period a decision will be made whether or not to continue the character in the game. Not continuing a character is a very rare event, so relax and have fun!
10. Penalties
a. For most rule breaking, there will be a three-step approach.
1. Friendly ping from a moderator over YIM or via email.
2. If it continues, an official email from the moderator(s) with a specific time period for improvement to occur.
3. If it still continues, we will bid you farewell and put your characters on the 'to be cast' list.
b. This three-step approach will not be used in the cases of Rules 2 & 3. If Rules 2 or 3 are broken, then go directly to penalty a(3).
c. Please note that very few pings from a moderator involve rule breaking; don’t avoid moderator pings in fear of that occurring. Keep in mind moderator(s) are also players that have plots and characters, and may have general questions to ask. They aren’t evil. Well, for the most part anyway. Mwhahahahahaha!!!!!! (Joking - really - erm - sorta?)
1. Play Nice
a. No flaming of other players. Period.
b. No godmodding without permission. If you have questions or need more clarification, please contact the moderator(s).
c. Plot suggestions between players are just that: suggestions. Any player is free to turn down a suggestion or plot idea, just as any player is perfectly welcome to approach another player with a plot idea or suggestion. If you don’t like the idea, turn it down and move on. If you are turned down, accept that fact and move on. Harassing of other players will not be tolerated in either instance.
d. Characters ARE NOT THE PLAYERS. If a character calls your character a bad name, it is not a reflection of the way that player feels about you. If a player wants their character to break up with your character, it is not a reflection of the way that player feels about you; it’s more likely a reflection of the fact that the player wants more plot freedom, or that it makes sense for their character to respond in this fashion. This is extremely important to remember – anyone who has RPed for any length of time has likely witnessed when players become too emotionally attached to their characters and take things that occur in-character in the RP personally. If you do feel that someone is taking potshots at you, using the character as a vessel, approach the moderator(s) with your concerns. The simple fact is that some of our characters are rather nasty individuals; some of our characters are rather sweet individuals. Neither of these are indicative of the nastiness or sweetness of the player, because CHARACTERS ARE NOT THE PLAYERS.
2. Age Requirement
You must be over eighteen. That means you have celebrated 18 birthdays and are a legal adult in the United States, where Livejournal is based. Even if you use proper grammar and manage to throw in loads of references in YIM to the Stones or Neil Diamond, you will eventually slip up. The moderator(s) or other players will catch you. You will be exiled and have to live the rest of your life in your parent's basement - with no internet access. EVER!!
3. Participation Requirements
Participation is a must. You need to notify the moderator(s) if you are going to be away for an extended period of time. If you just go away and don't let anyone know, it will be assumed you've lost interest in the game. If you will be unable to post for two weeks and want your character to remain yours, let the moderator(s) know and post the information on
storm_plotting. If we hear nothing from you in two weeks, then your character will be open for recasting.4. The Communities
a. The community
__lightning__ is for posting the RP itself. b. The community
storm_plotting is where authors can brainstorm plot ideas, make suggestions, and discuss plotlines. It’s also where moderator notices will be posted – please join this community with your “real” LJ - Character journals will not be accepted on this community at all. For any special events that are planned or need to be written ahead of time, such as when the majority of the cast will be in a thread, we have in_the_vortex. Your character journals will need to join that community as well as __lightning__.c. The LJ
_wwn_ is a radio broadcast that has been used to present the backstory, will be used as 'breaking news' occurs and will be used as a weekly broadcast that covers some of the RP. This WILL be in play on the main board. So any broadcasts that go out over the air - do count. Stricken text that may show from time to time in the broadcast itself will be something that didn't make it to air and therefore does not count. Comments on the _wwn_ will be enabled for comments from readers and a link will be provided from the main board, so make sure to friend it. Comments from writers themselves are encouraged to let everyone know what tickles your fancy that day. d. Personal LJs for characters can be used for the characters’ private thoughts, feelings, ponderings, etc. These entries are considered private and therefore are not in play with other characters. If you have a post to make that other players will be responding to, that post belongs on the main community board. You can reference back to the character journal using a link when needed, but all action needs to take place on the main board.
5. Format of Community Entries
a. Please use properly label and lj-cut your entries to keep the community organized and easier to read. The format is twofold. Subject line should contain Cast Involved ~ Location ~ Status (Complete/Incomplete) ~ MA (if applicable - Mature Audiences). For example:
Izabel and Remus ~ Hogwarts ~ MA ~ Incomplete
The text of the LJ post itself should contain < center > < b > Thread Title on the first line. The second line should contain Day of the Week, Month Day ~ Time of Day < / b > , < / center >. The third line should be a horizontal rule < hr >. For example:
< center> < b>Who's Your Tailor?
Monday, July 4th ~ Afternoon< /b>< /center>
< hr>
b. LJ-cuts should be used if the post will be over approximately five screen inches. If you’re uncertain how long this is, take a look at the other posts on the main board and use those as a guide.
c. If the post will contain MA material and this would include, but not be limited to any graphic acts of violence (role played noncon or underage sex is strictly banned), illegal substance abuse, sex, this should be noted on the header and all MA material in the original post must be under a cut. If a thread wasn’t originally intended to be MA, but becomes MA, please go back and edit the original post to note this fact. If a player is considering an aspect to their story line that could be found offense, they must clear it with the mods first.
d. Once a thread is complete, please go back and edit the header of the original post to say “Complete”.
6. Moderators
a. The moderators are human. They are also volunteers and, like the rest of the players, have Real Lives.
b. Their basic duties include:
i. Maintaining the community
ii. Mediating in disagreements
iii. Monitoring the community
iv. Assisting with plot hints and general questions
c. Regarding (iv) above: The moderators are happy to assist with plot hints and/or brainstorming, questions concerning acceptable extensions of canon, and suggestions on how to proceed with certain plots; however, they are not the writers of your characters: you are.
7. Grammar
Posts on the main board should be done in third person narrative form, using past tense, with proper grammar, punctuation and capitalization, and with absolutely NO NETSPEAK. Personal journal posts can be made in first person if desired, but the other rules apply. And remember: spell check is your friend.
8. Miscellaneous Character Information
a. Except in rare instances, all players should try to keep as close to canon as possible to begin with; obviously, character development will occur during the backstory development and the course of the RP, but the characters should remain canon-based.
b. Original NPCs (Original, Non-playing characters) that are pivotal to plots should not be used without prior agreement of the moderator(s). This includes babies. Any plots that will result in the adoption or birth of a new character must be approved by the moderator(s). As a forewarning: approval for babies will be very difficult to receive.
c. Thou Shalt Not have a Perfect Character. Any character that is the richest, smartest, nicest, most cunning, best-liked, and has super powers is frankly not very interesting to read or interact with. Fun, realistically rounded characters with flaws are much more likely to be interacted with by other characters, and more likely to be involved in plots.
d. Players shall discuss all plots that could affect other characters in the livejournal community
storm_plotting. e. Players will NOT make sweeping generalizations that affect the entire Wizarding World without first discussing it in
storm_plotting and getting moderator(s) approval. For example - Everyone at the ministry was on board with the new policies in effect. or Everyone in Hogsmeade was thrilled with the influx of new businesses. or even Severus Snape is a sex god and everyone wants to do him. And also give him money.f. If you are using an icon that does not feature the commonly known actor from the movies (which is perfectly acceptable), please insert the name of your character into the icon unless the journal name being used makes it obvious then it is optional.
g. No character is omniscient. Therefore, no character knows the thoughts of another character. Characters only know what they’ve seen and heard, regardless of how much the player knows. Another characters feelings or thoughts about a situation may be more than what the other writer wants out there in the public eye - if it screws up their plot - they and possibly the Moderator(s) will not be happy.
9. More miscellany
a. Please keep the contact list up to date with your information, particularly if you add or remove a character. If anything changes make sure to come back, delete the old reply and put info up again. This will help our new members (and even our older members) contact you with questions or plot ideas that would involve your characters.
b. All new members will be subject to a 30-day trial period. Those new members that have never RP'd before - will have to do two medium length practice threads of some kind with two different moderators, mostly to show the dos and don'ts of RPing. This would be on a locked thread on the
in_the_vortex community. This is not a test, it's more to help them feel comfortable the first time they hit the main board. Most of us learn the quickest by doing and not just listening. The moderator(s) will work with the player if there are problem areas, and if there are still issues at the end of the trial period a decision will be made whether or not to continue the character in the game. Not continuing a character is a very rare event, so relax and have fun! 10. Penalties
a. For most rule breaking, there will be a three-step approach.
1. Friendly ping from a moderator over YIM or via email.
2. If it continues, an official email from the moderator(s) with a specific time period for improvement to occur.
3. If it still continues, we will bid you farewell and put your characters on the 'to be cast' list.
b. This three-step approach will not be used in the cases of Rules 2 & 3. If Rules 2 or 3 are broken, then go directly to penalty a(3).
c. Please note that very few pings from a moderator involve rule breaking; don’t avoid moderator pings in fear of that occurring. Keep in mind moderator(s) are also players that have plots and characters, and may have general questions to ask. They aren’t evil. Well, for the most part anyway. Mwhahahahahaha!!!!!! (Joking - really - erm - sorta?)
