SECTION I. The Mature Rating

This game is rated Mature, which means we will be dealing with very dark subject matter, but will not exactly go into gory, gritty, or graphic detail. Please take the time to review the RPoL Terms of Use and the RPoL Mature Games Policy. Anyone found in violation of those terms and policies will be immediately banned and reported to the administrator.

While I am not restricting this game to players above a certain age, keep in mind that I have to be comfortable with the maturity of any players I accept into the game. The type of players I am looking for must be people I would be willing to game with around a table. People I can have fun with, but also individuals who are serious, level-headed, and responsible.

SECTION II. General Etiquette

Be polite, be respectful. Use common sense. Engage others with those basic precepts in mind, and you'll do fine.

I will be working off a very basic three strike system for any offenses.

• First and second offenses = Warning
• Third offense = Removal from the game

In addition, there are three offenses which will result in being immediately banned and possibly reported to RPoL administrators.

• Repeated disrespect to any GM or player = Removal from the game
• Violation of RPoL Terms of Use = Removal from the game, Report to RPoL Admin
• Violation of Mature Games Policy = Removal from the game, Report to RPoL Admin

SECTION III. Gameplay

This game will be using a sort of "black box" system, in that there is a system for resolving conflicts, but the players are only aware of the narrative effects on this. As an example, they might know they are bleeding, but they would not be aware of how many "hit points" they have lost, if "hit points" as a concept is used as a rule.

State your action as part of your narration, and I will make the necessary judgement call on whether a dice roll is warranted. Resolution of your actions will be put in the next GM action post.

As a rule, I only use dice to resolve conflicts that would result in a more interesting scenario, regardless of success or failure. Story trumps random action, and if I think that failure would enhance the story better, I'll go with the failure. If success would be more interesting for the story, I'll go with success.

I will be making extensive use of Secret Lines, so keep in mind that just because you can see something that has been posted, that not everyone will be seeing the same things you are seeing. :)

SECTION IV. Absence Policy

If, for any reason, you need to take a leave of absence, please let me know via private message. Doing this is not only a courtesy to your fellow players and me, but will enable me to make up for your absence and continue the game in the best way possible. I understand that sometimes situations can flare up without notice, but please make sure to let me know as soon you can.

SECTION V. Posting Policies

Write each post with correct spelling and grammar, making sure that it is clear and well-written. Each post should be between two or three paragraphs. I hate to read one-liners, and likewise, I don't want to read an entire novella from each player. :)

Also, avoid long monologues, unless you are okay with other characters interrupting you midstream, in which case your post will be edited in order to clear out the post from where you were cut off.

Narration should be in 3rd person past tense. Your narration should be limited to things only an outside observer can see, hear, smell, or touch. If you wish to post your thoughts and feelings, you can post them in a private line to the GM. :)

• James eased the door open with great care.

Use styled text with quotation marks to convey verbal speech. Pick a color, and stick with it.

• "Yo, I'm talkin' to you here!"

Use styled text with italics to convey thoughts.

• Ugh, Mark is such a jerk!

Use styled text with italics and enclosed in tildes to convey directed thoughts.

• ~Can you hear me now?~

Confine Out of Character remarks to PMs or OOC threads. However, if you must use an In Character post for OOC comments, use the Orange style tag.

• OOC: Jane is ten feet away from Arthur. Ben is dazed and cannot make any actions this round.

I wish to maintain a fairly rigorous posting schedule, with a post a day per character. However, the players won't be policed on whether they go faster or slower than that benchmark, for example if you post three times one day or skip a day because of other commitments. However, if for example I notice that you have not posted for a week, I will hand out a warning, as above.

Keep in mind that I will typically advance the story forward with only one post per day.

SECTION VI. Character Portraits

Players should use photo-realistic images for their character portraits. Drawings, cartoons, animation, etc. are not permitted, although a particularly realistic painting might be. If you can't find one, consider submitting one to portraits@rpol.net.

SECTION VII. Open Door Policy

Please feel free to private message me with any questions or concerns you may have. If I've made a confusing ruling, or my scene description is incomprehensible, you have my permission to shout at me for an explanation! Open communication channels are necessary for a healthy and thriving game, so be sure to use them!

Most importantly, let's have fun! :)