RULES/FAQ
RULES
1. This is a roleplaying game. That means that this game is based on playing a character that is not yourself. Do not take in-character actions personally; keep out-of-character and in-character motivations separate.
2. Do not cause drama. Be honest, and tell a player when something they're doing is bothering you; if you don't feel comfortable doing that, tell a mod. We're here to run the game smoothly and make it fun for everyone, and we will help.
3. No godmodding. Godmodding is controlling another player's character without their consent. This can include something as simple as assuming that they take a certain action while in the middle of a log, or as severe as causing their death or severe emotional pain. This is not allowed. Always ask a character before doing that.
4. No metagaming. If your character should not know something in-character, then they can't act on it. Don't let your knowledge as a player interfere with a character's actions.
5. Muncest is when a player with more than one characters plays a scene exclusively between his or her characters without involving anyone else. This is frowned upon. If it's necessary to progress a plot, or it would be excruciatingly awkward or OOC not to, then it's okay, but we would prefer that more than one player is always involved in a log.
6. We take fandom characters, original characters, and original fandom characters. No Mary Sues, please; we will be denying any characters that are too overpowered, too perfect or badly thought-out.
7. Gameplay:
The main RPG community (thecenter_net) is used for posting from the network (see FAQ below).
The logs RPG community (thecenter_log) is used for posting of logs, or third-person RP.
Posting should make it clear who is involved (and whether the log is OPEN, free for people to join, or CLOSED, restricted to a set number of characters), where it's taking place, and whether or not the log is posted before (frontlogged) or after (backlogged) the date in which it takes place.
The OOC community (thecenter_ooc) is for planning plot, posting OOC announcements, and introducing yourself.
We also have a crack community (thecenter_wtf) for memes and fun.
8. We will allow multiple versions of the same muse. HOWEVER: they must be clearly alternate-universe, and second versions of the same muse must be approved by the moderators. And yes, our standards will be stringent.
9. This main game is rated R - NC-17. Smut logs are allowed, but this game is not primarily based on smut. We expect adult behavior from everyone.
10. Activity checks take place monthly. If you're involved in a log, or make a post on the main RPG community, you will pass the check. If you don't pass the check, you have one week to make a post; if you don't, you'll be dropped from the community.
11. A How's My Driving meme will be posted every month. We expect you to be polite and offer constructive criticism -- and that includes to players and mods.
FAQ
What happens when I arrive?
Your character literally appears on the space station, clothing and personal items intact, with no memory of how they got there. They are free to move about anywhere on the station except for the station core, which is off-limits, and cannot be accessed.
How does the network work?
The entire space station is connected by a computer network which manages the day-to-day running of the station. A scanner at each console will automatically detect the person at the console and log them on, with an identifiable name. The inhabitants of the station can post private, public or selectively filtered entries, and comment to other people's entries as they like. As it is a computer, characters with computer knowledge can give hacking a shot.
The broadcast can be text, voice or video; if it's important, be sure to specify which one.
What's the food/clothing/supplies situation like?
When your character needs something in particular - like food, or an article of clothing, or an iPod - and they think about needing that item, it will appear for them.
Characters never see the actual process of the items appearing, and what is provided meets the mental specifications of that character. For example, if Suzy the OC wanted some tampons, and her favorite brand was Kroger generic, the tampons that appear would be identical to Kroger generic in every way.
Unwanted items disappear, in a similar fashion.
There are some limits to what will appear.
Forbidden items:
1) Weapons (kitchen knives are okay, explosives/machine guns/nuclear weapons are not.)
2) Materials for the intended purpose of escaping the space station.
3) Anything intended to help a character commit suicide.
4) Sentient living creatures.
5) Jelly beans.
How do my character's powers work?
If your character had powers in their own universe, they will work in the Center, albeit at a significantly reduced level of strength. For example, if you played Claire Bennet from Heroes, you would still heal at an accelerated rate, but it would take about twice as long as it does in Heroes canon. Similarly, a telekinetic would only be able to lift about half as much. Immortal characters remain functionally immortal.
This does not apply to characters who use magic.
What if my character uses magic?
Magic does not function on the space station. This may change, as the metaplot develops, but for now, characters with sources of power outside themselves will find that they have no power in the Center.
What happens if a character dies?
That's metaplot-relevant and, as such, can't be revealed yet. But it will be an option, in terms of character development.
What if I want to play a non-human fandom/original character?
Your character will remain the race that they were before they entered the Center. Robots will, in fact, stay intact; characters with cybernetic add-ons or implants will, for the most part, keep those implants. Any larger-than-human characters will be sized down to a human scale. If you have a question about your particular character, please talk to the mods.
Is there an out-of-character chatroom?
Yes! We can be found at thecenternet on AIM.
My character would have knowledge of a fandom character, because they would have seen the movie/tv show/read the book. Can I break the fourth wall?
Yes, but only with permission. Ask the mun of the other character FIRST, before you do any fourth-wall breaking!
How does combat work?
If you and another player want to get into combat, with each other or NPCs, work it out OOC. If you can't reach an agreement, contact the mods, and we'll use our magical modly powers (ie, a D20).
What if I want to app a character that has, in canon, died?
This is definitely allowed. They must be taken from a point in their canon in which they are alive, even if it's the instant before their death.
Can I make plot?
Yes, please! We love player-driven plot. The metaplot is intended to be background; this RP is about your characters, and it's made so that you can have fun.
Do I need a PB?
A PB, which stands for 'played by', is an actor to use in Livejournal icons to represent your character. No, PBs are not required in this game; however, we do strongly recommend that you have icons that represent the emotions of the character, whether this is images of a cartoon character, a PB, or whatever you like.
How many characters can I play?
For the moment, you can play three. After you pass each successive activity check, you can play one more, topping at six. If you feel that you have an urgent situation that requires more characters, let the mods know; this rule is bendable.
~*~
Please direct further questions to this post; we'd be happy to answer!
1. This is a roleplaying game. That means that this game is based on playing a character that is not yourself. Do not take in-character actions personally; keep out-of-character and in-character motivations separate.
2. Do not cause drama. Be honest, and tell a player when something they're doing is bothering you; if you don't feel comfortable doing that, tell a mod. We're here to run the game smoothly and make it fun for everyone, and we will help.
3. No godmodding. Godmodding is controlling another player's character without their consent. This can include something as simple as assuming that they take a certain action while in the middle of a log, or as severe as causing their death or severe emotional pain. This is not allowed. Always ask a character before doing that.
4. No metagaming. If your character should not know something in-character, then they can't act on it. Don't let your knowledge as a player interfere with a character's actions.
5. Muncest is when a player with more than one characters plays a scene exclusively between his or her characters without involving anyone else. This is frowned upon. If it's necessary to progress a plot, or it would be excruciatingly awkward or OOC not to, then it's okay, but we would prefer that more than one player is always involved in a log.
6. We take fandom characters, original characters, and original fandom characters. No Mary Sues, please; we will be denying any characters that are too overpowered, too perfect or badly thought-out.
7. Gameplay:
The main RPG community (thecenter_net) is used for posting from the network (see FAQ below).
The logs RPG community (thecenter_log) is used for posting of logs, or third-person RP.
Posting should make it clear who is involved (and whether the log is OPEN, free for people to join, or CLOSED, restricted to a set number of characters), where it's taking place, and whether or not the log is posted before (frontlogged) or after (backlogged) the date in which it takes place.
The OOC community (thecenter_ooc) is for planning plot, posting OOC announcements, and introducing yourself.
We also have a crack community (thecenter_wtf) for memes and fun.
8. We will allow multiple versions of the same muse. HOWEVER: they must be clearly alternate-universe, and second versions of the same muse must be approved by the moderators. And yes, our standards will be stringent.
9. This main game is rated R - NC-17. Smut logs are allowed, but this game is not primarily based on smut. We expect adult behavior from everyone.
10. Activity checks take place monthly. If you're involved in a log, or make a post on the main RPG community, you will pass the check. If you don't pass the check, you have one week to make a post; if you don't, you'll be dropped from the community.
11. A How's My Driving meme will be posted every month. We expect you to be polite and offer constructive criticism -- and that includes to players and mods.
FAQ
What happens when I arrive?
Your character literally appears on the space station, clothing and personal items intact, with no memory of how they got there. They are free to move about anywhere on the station except for the station core, which is off-limits, and cannot be accessed.
How does the network work?
The entire space station is connected by a computer network which manages the day-to-day running of the station. A scanner at each console will automatically detect the person at the console and log them on, with an identifiable name. The inhabitants of the station can post private, public or selectively filtered entries, and comment to other people's entries as they like. As it is a computer, characters with computer knowledge can give hacking a shot.
The broadcast can be text, voice or video; if it's important, be sure to specify which one.
What's the food/clothing/supplies situation like?
When your character needs something in particular - like food, or an article of clothing, or an iPod - and they think about needing that item, it will appear for them.
Characters never see the actual process of the items appearing, and what is provided meets the mental specifications of that character. For example, if Suzy the OC wanted some tampons, and her favorite brand was Kroger generic, the tampons that appear would be identical to Kroger generic in every way.
Unwanted items disappear, in a similar fashion.
There are some limits to what will appear.
Forbidden items:
1) Weapons (kitchen knives are okay, explosives/machine guns/nuclear weapons are not.)
2) Materials for the intended purpose of escaping the space station.
3) Anything intended to help a character commit suicide.
4) Sentient living creatures.
5) Jelly beans.
How do my character's powers work?
If your character had powers in their own universe, they will work in the Center, albeit at a significantly reduced level of strength. For example, if you played Claire Bennet from Heroes, you would still heal at an accelerated rate, but it would take about twice as long as it does in Heroes canon. Similarly, a telekinetic would only be able to lift about half as much. Immortal characters remain functionally immortal.
This does not apply to characters who use magic.
What if my character uses magic?
Magic does not function on the space station. This may change, as the metaplot develops, but for now, characters with sources of power outside themselves will find that they have no power in the Center.
What happens if a character dies?
That's metaplot-relevant and, as such, can't be revealed yet. But it will be an option, in terms of character development.
What if I want to play a non-human fandom/original character?
Your character will remain the race that they were before they entered the Center. Robots will, in fact, stay intact; characters with cybernetic add-ons or implants will, for the most part, keep those implants. Any larger-than-human characters will be sized down to a human scale. If you have a question about your particular character, please talk to the mods.
Is there an out-of-character chatroom?
Yes! We can be found at thecenternet on AIM.
My character would have knowledge of a fandom character, because they would have seen the movie/tv show/read the book. Can I break the fourth wall?
Yes, but only with permission. Ask the mun of the other character FIRST, before you do any fourth-wall breaking!
How does combat work?
If you and another player want to get into combat, with each other or NPCs, work it out OOC. If you can't reach an agreement, contact the mods, and we'll use our magical modly powers (ie, a D20).
What if I want to app a character that has, in canon, died?
This is definitely allowed. They must be taken from a point in their canon in which they are alive, even if it's the instant before their death.
Can I make plot?
Yes, please! We love player-driven plot. The metaplot is intended to be background; this RP is about your characters, and it's made so that you can have fun.
Do I need a PB?
A PB, which stands for 'played by', is an actor to use in Livejournal icons to represent your character. No, PBs are not required in this game; however, we do strongly recommend that you have icons that represent the emotions of the character, whether this is images of a cartoon character, a PB, or whatever you like.
How many characters can I play?
For the moment, you can play three. After you pass each successive activity check, you can play one more, topping at six. If you feel that you have an urgent situation that requires more characters, let the mods know; this rule is bendable.
~*~
Please direct further questions to this post; we'd be happy to answer!