RP Covenant.

[Mythryndel]

Do you have something constructive to say or are you just giving your fingers exercise? You were asked to continue the discussion in the tracker on this particular subject, please do so as that is the official forum for things to get changed.

[EDIT] I am not a dev, but devs don't necessarily read the forums (for good reason). If you want a dev to take your opinions into account on any implementation issues, the proper place to do so is on the bug tracker.

[khoridor]

So Khoridor, [...] I don't think we should have what you call "useful information" (i.e. some sort of "rules" that you follow so you don't annoy people [...] The only thing we want from the covenant is that people know they are expected to roleplay and respect the setting and the players.

Then, on those assumptions, I find the latest drafts rather satisfying. Clarity has improved. I still think that too general a text will serve very little, but I'll go with the flow of those who are actually working on the text.
I prefer the Under the Moon's version of "be consistent" than Marqsaynt's; I find it easier to understand, specially the example.
I would also change "use common sense" for a less general formula, something related to the paragraph content (like be polite, or tactful, etc.)

Here is my try at "be social":

• This is a multiplayer game! Other characters actions can help shape who I become. Excluding or depriving others of my role-play may cost us a great moment of fun. Forcing myself into an RP, as well.
  

[Xillix Queen of Fools]

Still awaiting that pm.

[Sen]

Im aware of that I didn't contribute to this yet, but I believe such a discussion needs a (strong) moderation at least. Possibly do people from the community not dare to say "What I say counts" and do the moderation with all consequences (also proposing the uncompleted convenant).
Maybe someone wants to try?

Sen

#edit# Typo, how I missed them...
#edit2# Sorry, I somehow managed to miss the progress of the last 2 weeks and didn't read it back

[Marqsaynt]

Khoridor, I agree Moon's version of "be consistent" was better so, I reincorporated 95% of it and made the actual covenant declaration shorter in the process (aka: I split it between the declaration part and the tips/explanation part). I like this latest version and I am happy to put my stamp of approval on this work. When I look it over I don't see the efforts of any single individual but the contributions of many different players. It feels like the work of a community and I like that. As far as I'm concerned this is a FINAL DRAFT. So, if anyone feels the sudden uncontrollable urge to start voting, I certainly wouldn't mind. *hint* *hint*   

Now submitted for your perusal and approval, the latest (and hopefully last) version of PlaneShift's player created RP Covenant.


---

We the roleplayers, in order to fully enjoy PlaneShift as intended, strive to abide by the following covenant, or, if that is not possible, to respect those who do.

We will...

• be consistent and stay true to character.¹
  
  
• respect PlaneShift's unique game world and always keep character chat, action, and history consistent with the known PS universe.²
  
  
• be social and let the actions of others' characters help shape and define who our character(s) become since, collective creativity and unpredictability is often the most fun part of roleplaying.³
  
  
• use common sense. If we know an action will upset another player in real-life, we won't do it. This includes yelling at people because they are not playing the way we think they should, insulting others, trolling, or being rude. It is better to accept that others will not always play like we do, and have a large group of friends, than to expect perfection and play alone.

---

1. Playing your character consistently will make it easier to develop their personalty and will aid others in interacting with him/her/kra.

2. Make sure you know what exists in PlaneShift before making anything up. Cell phones, vampires, hobbits, etc. do not belong in this game. Much information can be found in-game through books, quests, and other players. Don't be afraid to ask what you don't know!

3. You don't have to be a great roleplayer to enjoy roleplaying. No one is perfect. Practice and experiment. Meet new people. Go on adventures. Be your character and join in the fun!

[Sangwa]

Looks great. Let's see if Under the Moon also likes it.

EDIT: If he does he should PM Xillix the final version, if he doesn't he should either tell us what he thinks is wrong with it or PM both his and your version to Xillix. This way we'll get things done in a second.

[Marqsaynt]

Updated with UtM's latest PM'ed edit... and I just couldn't help myself and I did a little more tweaking as well. Every time I edit this thing it seems to get shorter. Call it "streamlining..." UtM, Sangwa, let me know what you think of this slightly modified version.   

---

We the roleplayers, in order to fully enjoy PlaneShift as intended, strive to abide by the following covenant, or, if that is not possible, to respect those who do.

We will...

• be consistent and stay true to character.¹
  
  
• respect PlaneShift's unique game world and always keep character chat, action, and history consistent with the known PS universe.²
  
  
• interact with other players and let the actions of other characters help shape and define who our character(s) become. ³
  
  
• use common sense. If we know an action will upset another player in real-life, we won't do it. This includes yelling at people because they are not playing the way we think they should, insulting others, trolling, or being rude.⁴

---

1. Playing your character consistently will make it easier to develop their personalty and will aid others in interacting with him/her/kra.

2. Make sure you know what exists in PlaneShift before making anything up. Cell phones, vampires, hobbits, etc. do not belong in this game. Much information can be found in-game through books, quests, and other players. Don't be afraid to ask what you don't know!

3. You don't have to be a great roleplayer to enjoy roleplaying. No one is perfect. Practice and experiment. Meet new people. Go on adventures. Be your character and join in the fun!

4. It is better to accept that others will not always play like you do, and have a large group of friends, than to expect perfection and play alone.

[Under the moon]

Print it.

[Illysia]

Wow, that looks really good Marq. I haven't read up on the covenant for awhile because I was afraid of how long it might have become but it looks pretty good without sacrificing anything important. Now, only you were in game RPing, we could see if you could follow it yourself. 

[Marqsaynt]

*starts the presses and fires off a copy to Xillix*

Edit: Oh and Illysia, those who can do, those who can't write about it! (only kidding, really)

[Sangwa]

Very good job! Let's see if Xillix likes it as well.

[Prolix]

a little late but nevertheless:

Quote
be consistent and stay true to character.
conflicts with
Quote
use common sense. If we know an action will upset another player in real-life, we won't do it. This includes yelling at people because they are not playing the way we think they should, insulting others, trolling, or being rude
or are only nice characters allowed and why are out of character actions the example in a covenant regarding in character actions?

Personally I try to be consistent in my approach to real life but it doesn't always work out that way. Consistency is at the heart of boredom. If you always behave the same way are you not in essence Mary-Sue, Bruce Campbell, Pia Zadora or Jerry Lewis?

Quote
respect PlaneShift's unique game world and always keep character chat, action, and history consistent with the known PS universe
conflicts with
Quote
interact with other players and let the actions of other characters help shape and define who our character(s) become.
How can we be consistent and still allow others to change our essence? Are we to be changing at a consistent rate, or consistently changing? Can we be consistently chaotic This covenant has the consistency of tapioca pudding. Slippery in general with lumpy bits throughout.

It just seems a little redundant.

[Akkaido Kivikar]

My two Tria.

In my opinion, I find roleplay fun and exciting, but when myself and a few guildies are off on an old Ulbie hunt together, we tend to fall OOC in our banter and jokes, it's a natural thing.

For me, my personal policy is when I'm in the towns/cities, or talking to a person who I either don't know well or I know prefers rp 24/7, I rp.

When I'm with a bunch of buddies doing some grind, because you sometimes have to do that to have your big blue Kran club-wielding mercenary at an appropriate level of Mace&Hammer for his character, I tend to be a bit OOC, also in the guild-chat, or when I'm having a /tell conversation with someone miles away.

That's my personal usage of RP.

I think RP as a term should not be something where people feel to be better at it they must join a covenant or feel policed over it. Everyone has their own style. It's like telling Nicholas Cage to act like Matt LeBlanc. Or vice versa.

I also (under the subject of decent rp) must ask WHY DO RPERS MEET IN THE TAVERN/PLAZA FOR SWORDFIGHTS??!!

I have seen it so many times, and if Hydlaa were a real city, it would rate as crime flooded compared to a normal city. How hard is it to say "Oh, Calak, you are speaking evil of me for the last time! To the gates you fool! We shall take the fight there!"

The GMs aren't containing the situation, and I don't blame them, I wouldn't want to be dropping in the tavern just to make sure there are no fights (unless my mercenary was hired by the Octarch to do so in RP, something I have considered).

I think that to ensure good RP, Yliakum's laws need relaxing a little, as the government does not have as much power as it tries to use to enforce. It's obvious people don't want to fight in the middle of nowhere, they want to have an alley brawl or barfight, or a riot in the plaza... would be cool if the GMs held an 'event' where Hydlaa's governing body (The Vigesimi's court) actually relaxed the rules a bit for some warring guilds and had realistic policies.

Before anyone says "That opens it to abuse and bad play!!" - which is what the Rp Covenant is trying to prevent, remember you have several ways of reporting bad play and abuse...

/end ranting ... getting

My point overall is why have rules, policies, laws, covenants when there are so many (who claim to live by those rules policies laws and covenants) that break them.

Rp stands for Role-Play, not Rule-Policy.

[Mordraugion]

As time goes on you will find the GM's becoming more involved with policing the Octarchs decree not less, the Octarchs are dicatorial for a reason not yet revealed so there will not be a relaxation of laws.

The whole point of the covenant is to let people play as they wish but also to respect the roleplay of others, if you wish to go off with your guildies and camp the ulbers and chat oocly then fair enough but if others are around RPing then respect their paly and keep it in guildchat or other private channels.

Also anyone who continually hangs around and fights in the plaza/tavern is doing, what has been called godmodding, and is in breach of the covenant. (We currently don't have enough rping GMs available to do 24/7 Hydlaa Guard patrols)

[zanzibar]

As time goes on you will find the GM's becoming more involved with policing the Octarchs decree not less, the Octarchs are dicatorial for a reason not yet revealed so there will not be a relaxation of laws.

With the possibility for very strict laws to be very strictly enforced, but also for the laws to be ignored and for passes to be granted at will, do you foresee any problems with consistency?