Character Limits
It takes a while to get used to a role-playing game, especially a PbEM one like this that isn't based on any one work of real-life fiction.
Because of this, we limit characters for new players. At the time of joining, a new player is allowed to create one character. After three months, the new player may submit another character for approval. After six months, the player may create as many characters as desired. Exceptions to this rule may be considered on a case by case basis at the sole discretion of the Council
These rules as stated apply only if there are no extenuating circumstances, such as extensive problems with the player which require Council involvement, or limits on certain character types.
Because of this, we limit characters for new players. At the time of joining, a new player is allowed to create one character. After three months, the new player may submit another character for approval. After six months, the player may create as many characters as desired. Exceptions to this rule may be considered on a case by case basis at the sole discretion of the Council
These rules as stated apply only if there are no extenuating circumstances, such as extensive problems with the player which require Council involvement, or limits on certain character types.
Character and Writer Disappearance Clause
We hope this game is fun, absorbing, and a good escape for when you want a break from Real Life (otherwise known as RL). Even so, RL does take precedence, and there are times when your internet access is cut off, or when keeping up with a game, or even mustering the energy to write an email of explanation, is more than you can manage.
We understand, we've all had to take leaves of various lengths from the game, some with no warning at all. However, when you have characters who hold rank, or who are involved in exclusive relationships with another writer's characters-- it does put a crimp in the game as a whole if you go poof! with no warning or provision beforehand.
If you're ill, or have to take a few days for a trip or to study or whatever-- that's fine, we can weather that. Though, let us know what's going on, if you can. We do worry!
It is extended absences of weeks or months we're concerned with here. Please do realize we're not pointing fingers or calling anyone on the carpet with this clause. Recent absences of several players who did make provisions for being gone for extended periods led us to realize that we needed to put some formal measures into place for those who might be unaware of (or unable to perform) such gameplay courtesies.
If you know you're going to be gone for an extended period and you have characters who hold rank and/or are in committed relationships with another character's writer (Hereby known as OCW to save confusion and my joints), then provision needs to be made or certain automatic assumptions will kick in.
Arrangements with the OCW beforehand are preferred, and can be done by private email, IM, OOC posts, carrier pigeon, or soup cans and string-- we're not picky. As long as both of you are happy with whatever you work out, and it doesn't violate the overarching rules of the group, we're happy.
If, however, you vanish for one month with no word at all, and/or the OCW is not willing to wait for your return, then the OCW has the right to write their character out of the relationship. They cannot declare that your character has died or is in a coma somewhere, but short of that, the scenario of separation that they choose will be binding.
They do not have to ask your permission, nor contact you with the details on this, as it's expected that you still have access to the groups' mail and game site since you haven't formally left the game, nor have you and the OCW already worked out something to deal with your absence.
If your character holds rank, or is one of the characters granted only at Council discretion, then they will be removed from that rank, or removed from the listing of species, as appropriate.
For all characters, please note that the actual Character Sheet will not be deleted from our system (unless you request it) but that the link to it will be taken off the site menu. After one year of unexplained absence, your character sheets will be deleted completely.
Abandoned businesses and unattached characters are covered by rule #6 on the Rules of the Game page.
We want you to stay around, and we hope that you have enough fun here that you want to stay, regardless of having to take off a bit of time now and again when RL throws you a curve. Still, as we expect the game to consider us when we have real life issues, so we should consider the game as well. No one should have to wait for one of us to come back, to be able to continue playing at all.
Thanks for taking this into consideration.
~Stone Mountain Council
We understand, we've all had to take leaves of various lengths from the game, some with no warning at all. However, when you have characters who hold rank, or who are involved in exclusive relationships with another writer's characters-- it does put a crimp in the game as a whole if you go poof! with no warning or provision beforehand.
If you're ill, or have to take a few days for a trip or to study or whatever-- that's fine, we can weather that. Though, let us know what's going on, if you can. We do worry!
It is extended absences of weeks or months we're concerned with here. Please do realize we're not pointing fingers or calling anyone on the carpet with this clause. Recent absences of several players who did make provisions for being gone for extended periods led us to realize that we needed to put some formal measures into place for those who might be unaware of (or unable to perform) such gameplay courtesies.
If you know you're going to be gone for an extended period and you have characters who hold rank and/or are in committed relationships with another character's writer (Hereby known as OCW to save confusion and my joints), then provision needs to be made or certain automatic assumptions will kick in.
Arrangements with the OCW beforehand are preferred, and can be done by private email, IM, OOC posts, carrier pigeon, or soup cans and string-- we're not picky. As long as both of you are happy with whatever you work out, and it doesn't violate the overarching rules of the group, we're happy.
If, however, you vanish for one month with no word at all, and/or the OCW is not willing to wait for your return, then the OCW has the right to write their character out of the relationship. They cannot declare that your character has died or is in a coma somewhere, but short of that, the scenario of separation that they choose will be binding.
They do not have to ask your permission, nor contact you with the details on this, as it's expected that you still have access to the groups' mail and game site since you haven't formally left the game, nor have you and the OCW already worked out something to deal with your absence.
If your character holds rank, or is one of the characters granted only at Council discretion, then they will be removed from that rank, or removed from the listing of species, as appropriate.
For all characters, please note that the actual Character Sheet will not be deleted from our system (unless you request it) but that the link to it will be taken off the site menu. After one year of unexplained absence, your character sheets will be deleted completely.
Abandoned businesses and unattached characters are covered by rule #6 on the Rules of the Game page.
We want you to stay around, and we hope that you have enough fun here that you want to stay, regardless of having to take off a bit of time now and again when RL throws you a curve. Still, as we expect the game to consider us when we have real life issues, so we should consider the game as well. No one should have to wait for one of us to come back, to be able to continue playing at all.
Thanks for taking this into consideration.
~Stone Mountain Council