game rules;

[khuimods]

✽ GAME RULES
	1. Player Conduct Our first rule: don't be a dick. We understand that no one gets up in the morning planning to be a dick. Sometimes things get out of hand. What we request is that all our players begin at approaching each other with respect, with a willingness to listen and extend the benefit of the doubt, understanding that text-based communication carries certain risks of misunderstanding. This expectation of good behaviour also extends to players' interactions with the mod team, both in official and unofficial channels. As with any fellow player, please treat the mods with respect and fairness, and be understanding of our schedules and real life commitments. Being willing to communicate involves both listening and reaching out when necessary, and we find these go a long way toward a pleasant environment. Should players find that they have a problem they can't reconcile, the mods are available to moderate or help set boundaries to contribute to a harmonious game experience. 2. Strikes Khu Ioduan operates on a three-strikes system. Strikes are privately given and tracked, and reflect a warning for severe contravention of game policy. The mods will always attempt to address these issues privately with the player in question first, and they will be made aware of the strike at the time it is given. The third strike results in dismissal from the game. In the event of especially toxic or damaging behavior, such as stalking or harassment, we reserve the right to forgo the strikes system. Our priority is the safety and enjoyment of our playerbase, and as such a refusal to address bad behavior is not acceptable. 3. Content Rating While Khu Ioduan has no rating ceiling, we must emphasize that this is not a sex game. Sexual content is permitted, but must be clearly marked; there is to be no 18A content written with minors. Anything that would take the thread rating above 14A / PG-13, we require you to warn for and lock to the comm. This may cover sexual content or explicit gore, and so on. (Click here for a screenshot of how to comm-lock your posts.) Please keep in mind common triggers, and add warnings to your threads and post headers where applicable. Above all, keep in mind age and preference boundaries when role-playing with others, and respect those foremost. We aim to create an environment where all players can be comfortable, and easily avoid the content they prefer not to interact with. 4. In Character Actions & Consequences (ICA=ICC) We strive to make Khu Ioduan a game where player and character action has a significant role in shaping the narrative. This means, consequently, that ICA=ICC: in-character actions will have in-character consequences. On an immediate level, this means that if your character pokes one of the local poisonous beasties, they can and should reasonably expect to get poisoned. More broadly, the actions that your character takes with other characters, NPCs, and the world at large can and will have repercussions, good and bad alike. You are welcome to ask for modly advice regarding a course of action likely to have significant consequence for the worldstate; however, it will be advice only. Above all remember: the package that says 'dead dove inside' will, nine times out of ten, contain a dead dove. 5. Characterization We require that you do your best to portray your character as adhering to their primary character traits, as laid out in the application submitted for them. Naturally, characters may change over long periods of time. However, the character as played should still reflect the core tenets of who they are and where they came from, and should not break with these except for very good reason. We all know how easy it is to get invested in and identify with your character. Many of us spend years with these characters. However, we must stress the retention of the barrier between characters and players. Conflict can help characters grow; however, Tony Stark insulting Steve Rogers should have no bearing on whether or not their players get along. Players who continually conflate IC and OOC actions may find it difficult to enjoy the evolving game. We do not require an HMD; however, we do recommend that you post to the game's HMD memes every so often. If nothing else, the reassurance that you have nothing to worry about can make moving forward easier. 6. Godmoding/Metagaming/4th Walling Short version: don't. We look unfavorably on godmoding, infomodding, and metagaming. In order: Godmoding is the assumption of actions on another’s part, hence the name. This can take a number of different forms, from assuming that someone does or does not go un-noticed, to the most common manifestation, assuming events in combat. Your sphere of influence ends where your character’s reach does. Assuming action or lack thereof on another character’s part, without checking with that character’s player, may drive that character out of character. Please note that there is a difference between one’s character assuming another was up to something, and delivering this knowledge as word of god. (i.e. Tony may assume Steve was off selling girl scout cookies, because Tony is that kind of person. Tony’s player, however, may not specify that Steve was seen in a bar last night without checking with Steve’s player.) The best way to avoid godmoding is clear and ongoing communication. The mods will not be monitoring every thread at a microscopic level; however, godmoding is an issue it is entirely reasonable for a player to submit a complaint about. Infomodding is the assumption of information it isn’t reasonable for your character to have acquired. That said, we are aware characters come in a vast variety of intellects and caliber of observation skills, and Sherlock Holmes may, in fact, be about. A good basic rule here is not to say your character knows anything that you wouldn’t be comfortable justifying to another player. Metagaming is the inappropriate investiture of OOC knowledge into IC actions. Having the chance of negative consequences, and making our characters deal with them, is half the fun! If you find you need a way to justify your character doing or not doing something, and you can’t come up with something yourself, it’s perfectly reasonable to ask for another player’s and character’s help. All we ask is that you keep your reasonings as IC as possible, and that you are willing to allow your characters mistakes, and to learn from them. Fourthwalling - Khu Ioduan treats fourth-wall breaking — that is, introducing the concept of their own fictional setting to a character — as a form of god-moding. Regrettably, while it can be fun to play with in some contexts, we haven’t found a way to ensure all possible members of a cast, past and future, are okay with it, so it’s difficult to issue a blanket ruling. In general: don’t. If your character is the type to throw in a lot of pop culture references, communicate with the other players first. You can work around this with generic name-switches if absolutely necessary, or by omitting the specific reference to the character entirely. Never fourth-wall without explicit permission. 7. Playercesting While it isn't out of the question to thread with yourself if you find the situation must needs arise, anything generated thereby will not be eligible for AC. You may find it more fruitful to direct your efforts elsewhere.