Have fun. That's essentially what we're all here for. This rule sets a precedent for everything we do here. If the game is no longer fun, there is no point in playing.
Respect your fellow players. There will be no public name calling, arguments, whining, complaining, or childish behavior. Players are discouraged from engaging each other with issues. I will be happy to mediate any disputes in order to keep things civil and anonymous. My inbox is always open, don't feel like you are bothering me. I like to catch minor problems before they grow into major cluster...stuffs, so I'd rather you come to me sooner rather than later. This also applies to me. If you take issue with me or the way I run this board, I want to be notified personally. I'm always looking for ways to improve your experience.
No power playing or god modding. Actions of your fellow players are theirs and theirs alone. Nothing is to be assumed. Allow other players to react to your actions, and don't be upset when things don't go your way. You are required to roll with the punches.
Some characters have their own deities. Sometimes these deities might come into play. It is prohibited to make assumptions about the power or intent of these deities, for what I believe to be obvious reasons. If you do not understand this reasoning, I suggest you send a message to my inbox with your questions or comments. I will be happy to clarify further.
There is absolutely positively NO character killing. The only exceptions to this are if you are playing the character you are killing off, or if you have worked out the details with the typist of the character you are killing off. I expect to be notified of any and all details via PM regarding instances such as these in order to avoid any confusion or unnecessary reprimands. This applies to any NPCs as well. (See below for rules on NPCs)
Every playable character MUST have a profile before entering play. Profiles must be approved, otherwise any in character posts will be deleted. More details regarding character profiles are available in the Join Here forum.
When creating a character, powers and abilities must be described in detail. Just because you are a vampire, werewolf, fairy...whatever...doesn't mean that people automatically know what these races are capable of. There are many different variations and interpretations, and it is YOUR job to clearly describe what your character is capable of. This ties into rule 3 as well. If something isn't going your way, and your character doesn't have an ability or power to get themselves out of a bind, don't just invent something to whisk them out of danger. After all, your character can't die, and there is no shame in having a character with weaknesses. Weaknesses make a character interesting. I can't tell you how many times I've had to roll my eyes simply because someone wants to make a super-powerful nearly invincible character.
Your character cannot be in two places at once. They can't be in the castle and in the desert at the same time, they can't be in the mountains and bay at the same time...well you get the idea. Exceptions to this include the forums in the Miscellaneous category. Those are just for fun, and should you choose to RP there and in the regular in character forums that is fine. Results and references from play in the Miscellaneous category forums can be integrated into regular IC play, or not, at your discretion.
You are allowed to have as many characters as you want at Obsidian Night. However, if it becomes clear that you can't keep track of the characters you play (For instance, if you end up breaking rule 8 because you can't keep track of them) you may be asked to remove one or more characters. Don't play more characters than you can keep track of.
You do not have to make new accounts for all of your characters. All that we ask is that you find some way of differentiating between who you are playing. Suggested, but not limited to, using different signatures for different characters.
Do NOT use out of character knowledge in character. If your character has no business knowing something, he or she doesn't know it automatically simply because you do.
Don't exclude other players. If someone wishes to respond to your posts, play it through. That is what you are here for. Refer to rule 3. There are, however, certain instances when excluding another player is acceptable. Intimate moments, for example, or situations where is isn't feasible for someone to interrupt.
Use discretion when deciding to participate in a thread. There may be instances when it is apparent that two players have worked out a storyline. This may have been in the works for days, weeks, or months. To enter and take over the thread is inconsiderate. This is not to say that you shouldn't enter the threads of others. Again, that is what we are all here for. If you are unsure whether or not you should enter a thread, or when to enter a thread, be sure to ask the players. They may ask you to wait until a different time, or politely request that you not join.
Most players have rooms in the castle. It is NOT acceptable to enter their rooms without express permission. PERIOD. (Exceptions include Lar and any of the Elementals. This is simply for security purposes and will, in all likelihood, never happen.)
If an IC thread remains dormant for seven(7) days due to inactivity on the part of one or more of its participants, the thread will be closed and moved to the Archives. This allows ample time for a player to respond to a thread in which they are involved, but should they leave unexpectedly, it frees up a player that may otherwise be more active in Obsidian Night. Should a thread be closed and moved to the archives, a player has thirty(30) days from the date that the thread was closed to request (via PM or in the Comments/Complaints forum) that it be reopened and moved back to IC play. Exceptions can be made, just ask.
After one year of inactivity, your character will be deleted from the site. That means profile, pics, all your artwork and poetry. YOU are responsible for putting up a new profile before you post again. I know, this may sound harsh, but there should be no reason that you can't find 5 minutes or less a year to sign on and give us some word that you're staying. Also, if you do post to say that you're staying, you must list ALL of your characters that you wish to keep. This avoids accidental deletions. This rule has been implemented to keep the clutter to a minimum. (NOTE: This particular rule is in NO way written in stone and is VERY flexible.)
In Regards to NPCs (non-player characters)
Any NPC you create must be played by you and you alone. You may give others permission to play your NPCs. I expect to be informed beforehand to eliminate any possibility of confusion or unnecessary reprimands.
As of now, all player created NPCs are restricted to the races of human, elf, or dwarf. They may also be mindless beasts, such as the werewolves, lizard-men, etc. Be as detailed as possible with your descriptions.
No NPC shall have any special abilities beyond those required of their function. The purpose of an NPC is to be filler. A man to pour you a drink at a tavern, someone who washes your clothes or cleans your room, a shopkeeper, a stable master, or any other essential but otherwise mostly unimportant being. If you don't know how to appropriately use NPCs, do NOT use them. When in doubt, make it a PC with a profile.
There will be no undocumented NPCs. All NPCs must be submitted and approved before being played in character.
NPCs such as the mountain elves, forest dwarfs, desert nomads, and the residents of the town near the bay, are not to be used as messengers or sources of information (refer to rule 11 above). The monsters and creatures of the various locations in Obsidian Night are considered to be little more than beasts, and a nuisance to travelers. We've had instances of them being used to build miniature armies, and that is prohibited.
The NPCs of the castle are NOT stupid peasants. They are a hand selected group of intelligent, educated, and skilled individuals who perform required services within the castle. These people are not illiterates, fools, dunderheads, morons, etc. There are also NO troops, sentinels, captains, guards, or any other army type personnel at the castle. The same man who tills the garden, is a man who is equally capable of gutting an intruder or sounding an alarm.
Companions listed in profiles, such as pets, guardians, etc...must NOT function as stand alone characters. They serve essentially the same function as an NPC. They should not have special powers or go gallivanting along to have their own adventures. If you want to play them that way, they need a profile. They shouldn't be running around getting into adventures for the sake of progressing the storyline.
All players must give a point to indicate they have read and understand these rules. Players are not permitted to enter the game until this occurs. It should be understood that violation of these rules can result in warnings, reprimands, probationary periods, temporary bans, or (in extreme cases) a permanent ban. Violations are dealt with on a case by case basis. Reports of violations can be sent directly to my inbox. Public accusations are NOT acceptable.
NOTE: To give points, scroll up to the top of the page. There will be a small heart with a link that says “Points” next to it in the left hand corner below the banner graphic. Click the heart to give a point. Click the link to see who has already given points.
