[QFGC] - The Quest for Glory Club

House Rules

This is a list of some of the rules and guide lines that we adhere to here at the QFGC. Some are in reference to game play, some to style, and some are just our culture of common courtesy. If you have any questions about any of these rules, please feel free to ask; it is better to ask a questions about a rule, than to ask forgiveness after breaking them.

Writing Style

The typical writing style we use here is third person perspective in the past tense. This is simply for the sake of uniformity and it is the most dominant style for this type of writing. If you want to brush up on what this means, these two links are well formed on the style. The First talks about the different third person perspectives, and the second talks about the style in general.

If there is a particular style that you want to use for a character, and know what you're doing and do this to experiment with a style and the way it changes the feel, you are welcome to do so. But for the sake of uniformity and when playing with others, we ask that you follow this guideline. You will not be punished for making mistakes or failing to write to perfectly. We're all here to improve and have fun, and if we tried to make every post perfect, then we'd have nothing to show for our work. So feel free to sacrifice some quality for speed, but its always nice to have a post proof read.

Size and Response

One measure of courtesy that is a bit unique to this style is the size of a post in response to another. In general, a person who works really hard on a beautifully written and lengthy post feels a bit let down when someone responds to their elaborate effort with only a line or two of action. If at all possible, if you chose to reply to a large, detailed post, it is common courtesy to at least attempt a post that is equally descriptive and carefully crafted. You do not have to match them for length, but in this case a paragraph or two is usually enough. This does not mean you should delay posting for days if you cannot come up with something as grandiose, especially if there are more parties than the two of you involved. Still, all posts should at least attempt at a decent level of detail so that posts average at least a paragraph in length. We are here to play a game, but also to improve as writers and make something that is enjoyable for third parties, as well as our partners, to read.

The speed a which a person responds depends on several things that we cannot entirely know. Real life has a way of surprising us in ways we can never expect, and as such, a day or two between responses is not anything to bad an eye at. However, if there are foreseeable delays, writer's block, or other causes for delay that are known and will delay a response for more than a day or two, it is kind to let your partner(s) know about such problems so that they stop clicking the refresh button every five minutes.

Player Characters and Non-Player Characters

There is a big difference between player and non-player Characters (PC and NPC respectively). PCs are characters that are created as a player's primary persona. If you are new to the QFGC, we ask that you start out with, at most, two characters until a point in time where you understand all of the rules, how everything works, and what kind of load on your time multiple characters can make.

Player Characters: PCs are afforded a certain level of protection because they are someone's pride and joy, and they have put a lot of work into these characters. As such, we want to protect their brain child. It is against the rules, therefore, for any player to kill another player's character without their consent. It is also against the rules to otherwise permanently change / mind control / scar / disfigure / or permanently mark another player's PC without their express permission. Violations will be voided.

Death of the PC: The one exception to this rule is at the hand of The Powers That Be (Admins) or the Storyteller. Only these two entities can force the death or permanent change of a character. In these rare cases, the player will be contacted ahead of time so that they are given time to either protest, or adjust their actions appropriately. SHOULD the death of a character occur for dramatic purposes and further the story, that player will be rewarded with the ability to make a new character who is of equivalent stature and ability. In this way a new character may be created with journeyman level skills or above. We do this because we want to encourage death as a facet of storytelling, but do not wish to punish the player's hard work in advancing a character to a certain level as well. These reincarnated characters must be approved by The Powers That Be, as well as the previous character's death. (Note: There is no resurrection in this world. Once a character is dead, they are dead.)

Non-Player Characters: NPCs are unique because they can be created by anyone, at levels of power that are not allowed by player characters. They still must conform to all character creation rules, but can be farther along their journey than PCs. The difference, however, is two-fold. First, NPCs are not protected as above like PCs, and NPCs may/will be "possessed" by The Powers That Be and the Storyteller. The reason for this is that while new characters will have a cast of their own NPCs for their back story, as well as their teachers, The Powers That Be, will use these characters to advance the story, to drive the Player Character, and to influence the world (such as guiding the new PCs in their training). Players will be expected to play their own NPCs, and keep track of important ones on their Character Sheet on the Character Board. If information is not posted there for The Powers That Be (or PMed to that account, or that of another admin, or the Storyteller) then liberties will be taken. It is in your interested, then, to track them as well. As mentioned, if you do not wish for something to be public knowledge, PM one of the admins.

Profanity and Rating

The QFGC, by and large, is rated PG-13. If you are younger than 13 years old, please talk to your parents before undertaking this adventure (or anything similar). That being said, we aim to make our rating available to the largest audience. We do not, however, discourage more... intense.. descriptions, especially as means of style and flavor where appropriate. If you do plan on beginning something that is of a more adult nature, you need to make it known in the subject head of the post and should be consentual between all parties involved. This does not, however, give license for anything vulgar or in bad taste. Posts that fall into the category of being tasteless, vulgar or sexually profane will be removed immediately and a warning sent. Should this become a regular occurrence, the offending account may be removed.

Bunny/God mode/power pose

Going by a variety of different names, they all relate to the same type of action and is frowned upon wherever you role-play. This refers to writing in someone else's action, there by cutting out their ability to chose and respond. This can be something as simple as assuming another person will give you their real name, shake your hand, or even accept your help. More often it refers to someone who tries to force an outcome. To illustrate this situation, we will take two characters in a bar fight. Billy Bob and Joe Joe. Now I'll start with the correct way, so that you can see how it is supposed to be, and then show you the wrong way.

(Correct) Billy Bob: Billy Bob glares and Joe Joe for making that crack about his mama's teeth and grabs his beer mug, throwing it at Joe Joe's stupid face.

(Incorrect) Billy Bob: Billy bob glares at Joe Joe for making that crack about his mama's teeth and grabs his beer meg, crashing it into Joe Joe's face and breaking his nose.

Now looking at this from a game playing perspective, in the first example, what happens is left to question. Did Joe Joe get hit? Did he dodge? Maybe the bartender stopped them. We won't know until the next person replies. And that, folks, is the point. Now in the second example, Billy Bob has basically written the response for Joe Joe, leaving him nothing left to write. If this happens during RP then Billy Bob's post could be "Voided" by a moderator. More on voiding later.

Stooging

Stooging is a rule that is a bit unique to us here at the QFGC, since you can play multiple characters. The stooging rule is fairly simple, however. Your characters cannot help eachother. This can mean having one of your characters show up to help one of your other characters that is in trouble, or lending money to buy something, or even as simple as informing your character of events or information that they don't have in an in character means. Stooging of any kind will be voided.

Void

To nullify.

Void is the most heavy handed and typical use of moderation power against an infraction of the rules. For the most part, things can be resolved privately through a PM and a simple correction in the RP, or just by beginning communication between two parties. Should a more serious infraction of rule and etiquette occur, however, a post will be voided or simply deleted. Should this occur, the moderator will either lock a thread, delete the offending post, interject, or otherwise halt action until things are corrected. Should the post be deleted from the In Character forums, a copy will be kept on file by the admins and the reason for the problem as well as a copy will be sent via PM (Private Message) to the poster until corrections are made and play can be resumed.

Having a post of yours voided is not something to be overly alarmed with. It happens to most people, and it doesn't make you a bad player, we all make mistakes. The only reason one should be concerned is if this happens regularly. In that case, the admins, moderator, or quest leader may contact the player privately via PM and attempt to resolve the issue. This is meant in the most polite fashion, and should this happen to you it is meant to help, not to punish. However, should this attempt be rebuffed, further action by the admins may follow. So please remember, play nice!