Rules and Guidelines
By entering into roleplay within Rumor City you acknowledge that you have read and understood the Code of Conduct, and agree to abide by its contents. This code is in place to manage inter-player conflict and contribute to an environment of collaboration and immersion within the community.
#1: You Will Be Good To Each Other.
All players are people worthy of your respect and understanding. If you are entering any large scene with the intent to start combat please ask OOCly if it will ruin the event for anyone. Though combat can be fun, not everyone wants to constantly fight.
#2: You Will Share Because You Care.
Rumor City does not exist without the cooperation of its players. You will need to cooperate with other players and staff in order to play here. You cannot play here and hope to not engage with other players. If one player repeatedly ruins your events without asking, please collect the main chat logs and approach a staff member with the issue.
#3: You Will Not Bully.
Out of Character hostility is never necessary and will not be tolerated. If you feel you are the target of harassment Out of Character it is your duty to first message the player and ask them politely and directly to stop. If the harassment continues, reach out to staff. Conversely, if you are asked to stop by another player it is imperative that you respect their request. Harassment does include insulting people’s characters in meta-thought. It is also repeatedly starting combat in large scenes. At Rumor we will not moderate what Private messages you get. Any issues should be reported to Secondlife proper; we will only moderate general chat.
#4: You Are Not Your Character.
Out of Character and In Character information and feelings should never be conflated or interchanged. What happens to your character is not a personal attack on you, and you should never wield your character maliciously to attack another player.
#5: Your Consent is Key.
Do not assume you have another player’s consent. When in doubt, ask. You cannot control what someone does with their character, however, only you have the power to consent to have something done to your character. Information on consent in regards to combat may be found here.
#6: Your Actions Have Consequences.
While you have the right to consent to what happens to your character, you will be expected to know and accept when consequences are necessary for In Character actions. Throw a punch and expect to catch a punch. Call someone out in a crowded bar, and you might have to grapple with them, and their friends. In Character actions have In Character consequences. They may not be equivalent, and they will not be weighed eye for an eye. Receiving In Character consequences for actions is not justifiable as Out of Character harassment.
Right of Refusal
You have the right to refuse to interact with another player or character. You are expected to exercise this right as the last solution when all other methods for an amicable resolution have failed. You are expected to self-moderate this refusal unless there is clear and hostile non-compliance to this request.
To my players,
Freeform roleplaying is fundamentally about mutual understanding, consent, and reaction to each other’s contributions. When we roleplay, we weave individual stories into a rich, collective tapestry, creating a narrative that transcends our singular visions. While planning scenes is part of the fun, playing in public spaces invites a dynamic fluidity, as new players may join and enrich our story at any moment.
While your personal narrative is important, consider the broader canvas – helping fellow players achieve their character goals enriches the experience for everyone. Our Rumor staff encourages staying in character, but when the story isn’t going your way will be where we hope to shine. Failed a roll? How, then, can you flex your writing muscles while maintaining your character’s integrity?
Consider the unpredictability of action outcomes. A failed roll could mean anything from underestimating an opponent, an inopportune intervention by a drunken NPC, a gun jamming, to sudden hiccups at a critical moment. Importantly, the reason for failure should not obligate other players to retroactively alter their posts without prior out-of-character (OOC) agreement. This is the essence of rolling before acting – to craft an ‘informed post’ that reflects the outcome of your action. After all, narrating a spectacular attack only to roll a one can be quite anticlimactic.
Respect and consent are paramount in our community. Bullying someone into roleplaying with you is strictly off-limits. If you feel OOCly uncomfortable with another player and they insist on including themselves in all of your scenes, address it directly through main chat and ask the player to “please, leave you alone”, as Rumor does not admin your private messages, before involving the staff. On the flip side, if you’re asked to leave another player alone OOCly, honoring that request is non-negotiable. Consent is a cornerstone of our community.
When OOC relationships become strained, avoid situations that could lead to unnecessary or prolonged interaction. For instance, if you know someone plays a law enforcement character, steer clear of committing crimes in their vicinity. There are always creative workarounds if you need to pass by each other, such as having the officer be momentarily distracted, allowing a known offender to pass unnoticed, provided they don’t overstay their welcome in the scene.
Our game world is abundant with public spaces, open to all on a first-come, first-serve basis. Should you find it uncomfortable to share a space with another player, consider exploring other intriguing locales the game offers. However, joining a scene with the intent to pressure someone else to leave is against our principles. Similarly, forcing your way into a scenario with someone you have a strained OOC relationship with is not acceptable. Having an in-character (IC) reason to interact doesn’t give you the license to ignore their comfort or push them out of the scene.
We understand that refusing to roleplay with another character is a serious decision, one with potential ramifications. Therefore, we encourage you to seek an amicable resolution first. Our community thrives on respect, creativity, and collaboration. Let’s work together to ensure everyone’s experience is as enjoyable and immersive as possible.
-Ronas
