In Character Rules
In Character Rules apply when participating in active roleplay within the Mithrendain chatroom.
Character Profiles
All characters are required to have an appropriate character profile. If you do not have a profile that applies to this room, you will be asked to return with an appropriate profile. If you are a member of one of the Mithrendain families, your family name is expected to be included in your character profile. You are also required to include a power set: specific list of powers/abilities that your character is capable of using upon another character.
Entering the Room
If this is your first time visiting Mithrendain, your character will step out of the mists and into the Hinterlands. The Hinterlands are the outskirts of Mithrendain and appear as a variety of terrain (mountains, forests, plains, valleys, barren lands, etc). Feel free to describe this area as you wish. A city is apparent through the density of trees in the distance. It -IS- possible to step out of the mists and into the city streets themselves...however the mists do not extend or exist in the physical buildings of the city.
Posting Length
This is a paragraph RP room. This is not a room for novels..nor is it a room for one liners. Please use your discretion and be considerate of other players. If there are many storylines running at once, maybe it is not a good time to post 10 paragraphs and paint the room purple. We encourage 2-5 paragraphs per turn. Anything shorter limits description and diminishes quality...anything longer slows storyline progression and takes several hours to simply have a drink with someone. Use your time wisely.
Posting Order
This is a turn-based roleplay system. If your character is engaged in a scene with another character (or group of character), a posting order is to be adhered to. NO, you DO NOT have to wait until someone finishes their post to start your own if you are NOT involved in that scene. For example: If your character is on the outskirts of Mithrendain, you do not need to wait to post because another character is posting in the city center.
How Does My Character 'Level Up'?
Please enable time stamping under your chatroom settings. Post all logs of your chatroom roleplay on the forums (http://mithrendainrpg.freeforums.org). There is a specific section dedicated to 'Logs'. When posting the transcript of your log, please list the number of hours you have roleplayed (as indicated on the log) at the beginning of your post. GMs will review your posted hours and update your character stats. Once you have reached the required active RP hours to level up, the website and forum will be automatically changed to reflect the new stats. One hour of roleplay is equivalent to one experience point.
Forum activity does apply towards experience and will accrue to allow characters to level up. Please visit the forums for more information on requirements.
Using The Mists
The Mists of Mithrendain reaches tendrils into every world and plane of existence. Find the mists and you can walk into or out of Mithrendain and travel to other realms. Individuals may use the Mists to transform it into physical reality: as simplistic as the urban and structured play of the city, or as complex as you wish things to be outside. The decision is yours.
Do you wish to create a solid construct from the mists? You are welcome to do so. Simply roll the dice (visit the 'Dice System' page to learn how). If you suceed on your roll, the mists are transformed into the physical object you intended. The Mists are incapable of creating objects with magical or healing properties.
**THE CITY IS A SOLID REALITY AND CAN NOT BE ALTERED LIKE THE MISTS OUTSIDE OF IT**
Joining A Mithrendain Family
All players are welcome to register as a Mithrendain family member. Please indicate the specific registration code for that plot on the family tree. The website will be updated within 24-72 hours to display your character name and photo in that family tree plot. IMPORTANT: If you register as a Mithrendain family member, you must remain active in the room to avoid losing rights over that character. If you are absent from play for more than 60 days, we reserve the right to reopen that family tree plot for a new player to register and claim. Your character will be deactivated due to inactivity.
Mithrendain House NPCs
All Mithrendain NPCs (Head of Houses, etc) are ONLY to be utilized by brown or gold hammers. If you wish to play an NPC for interaction with your character, you must approach a room owner (gold hammer) for approval and authorization to use the NPC. The NPC will only be authorized for use in that ONE scene or for the explicit use as discussed and agreed upon. It is not an indefinite authorization.
No Open Sex Zone
This is a No Open Sex Zone (NOSZ). Everyone that is participating in role-playing should be mature adults, but that doesn’t mean we want to read trashy romance novels in the course of the game. We understand the descriptions of the body are powerful writing tools and we will leave things to the discretion of the typists. However, if things are becoming too graphic or are explicitly sexual, then please take it to whisper or even better you can always use the 'Fade to Black' used in novels and movies to suggest things happened without playing them out. If anyone expresses concern that a scene is becoming too graphic, then please respect it and follow this rule!
Is Slavery Tolerated?
Mithrendain is made up of customs from all reality. However, it will not allow the forcing of personal customs upon other unwilling persons. All scenarios involving forced slavery (when agreed upon by the typists) should be taken to chat room whisper.
What Is The Form of Government?
Very little is known about the entity or entities that created Mithrendain. However the City is ruled by a council of seven members of the community. Each of the councilors is considered among the best in his or her field, and has earned the admiration of the rest of the city. The seven councilors also each hold a symbol of office.
When a member of the council dies, retires, or is voted out by the other members of the council they select a new councilor from the most deserving members of society, the councilors should take great care in their choice, since each councilor must also hold a significant responsibility in the city.
Though Mithrendain might appear to be a harmonious place, the keepers of the eladrin city must be constantly vigilant for many dangers. The City Guard are the primary peacekeepers in the Autumn City. There are rumors that another police force exists, but no one has been able to confirm their presence.
The Autumn City has a code of laws similar to that found in most civilized areas. Theft, murder, and trespassing are all just as illegal in Mithrendain as they are elsewhere.
If a crime calls for punishment beyond simple restitution or imprisonment, that punishment comes in the form of disfigurement. For some crimes, a symbol is branded on the offender’s face, not only to rob the offenders of a clean appearance but also to warn others that he or she is a criminal.
What Is The Climate?
Unpredictable. Typically temperatures range from 40-70 degrees. Time passes slowly and the climate change does not happen by the day.
What Is The Currency?
Varies. As an epicenter of reality, the City of Mithrendain accepts all forms of currency.
Forceful Actions/Combat: Using The Dice
The dice system prevents god-moding. Dice rolls are only used during targeted manipulations (physical or mental), combat, altercations (physical or mental), and actions you wish to force onto another character. Use your judgment here, folks. If you wish to scale a building, roll for success. If you fail, allow your character to struggle or slip in the next post. If you wish to put a knife to someone's throat, roll for success. If you fail, the other character will be able to post to that affect in their responding post. If you succeed, the character can roll their defense prior to their post which will determine their successful defense or failed defense to the attack. Visit the 'Dice System' page for thorough information on using the dice during conflict between characters.
Note: You cannot roll dice to change a character's impression, mind, decision, or personal reaction to a situation. For example, you cannot roll a dice to convince another character they suddenly feel differently about a situation or person. You MAY roll dice to hypnotize a character or use compulsion, but that MUST be listed on your character profile as a power set and make sense for your character to be able to use.
Damage is deducted from the victim's health number. Once the health number reaches zero within a fight, that character is knocked unconscious.
*ONCE UNCONSCIOUS, YOUR FATE IS IN THE HANDS OF YOUR ATTACKER. YOU MAY BE LEFT FOR DEAD, KIDNAPPED, IMPRISONED, OR KILLED AMONGST OTHER THINGS. THIS IS A NON-NEGOTIABLE RULE. DO NOT APPROACH A HOST FOR A REVERSE RULING.*
Room Rules
This is a room that mixes free-form paragraph roleplaying with a dice-based system in the case of physical conflict or physical influences that could otherwise be 'moded'. Yes, we are well aware that this may not appeal to every individual. Yes, we are aware you may be one of the individuals whom finds this system imperfect and a nuisance. We kindly ask you to refrain from participation in the room if you are unable to adjust to our structure and likewise if you are unable to keep a positive attitude regarding the rules in place. This room is for ENTERTAINMENT....and we WILL NOT tolerate negativity or disrespect.
Keep in mind, there are no perfect gaming systems. We do the best within the constraints we are given. This form of roleplaying has been in existence for at least two decades and still thrives to this day amongst various chat servers. As with all things, we hope to evolve and improve player experiences as time dictates.
If you are new to dice-based chat systems, there is an entire section of the website dedicated to explanations and examples of how this system works. Although inputting the command to roll dice in the room is not required for basic free form paragraph RP, it WILL be required for situations such as combat, offense and defense, and control of the Mithrendain mists. Therefore, we encourage you to familiarize yourself with the structure of this system, and as always, we are here to help you become adjusted.
Out Of Character Rules
Out Of Character Rules apply when interacting with other players as the typist (yourself) and not your roleplay character.
How To Indicate Out Of Character (OOC) Conversation
If speaking openly to the chatroom as a typist and not as your character, please use parenthesis as an indicator.
Example, you see a new player enter the chatroom and wish to welcome them to the game. Indicate this OOC welcome with parethensis such as:
Welcome))
Should you need to send a private message (whisper) to another player. This is ALWAYS assumed to be an OOC conversation and does not require parenthesis.
Note: The use of OOC conversation within the main chatroom should be MINIMAL. It is extremely disrespectful to interrupt current roleplay by speaking OOC to the room or other players in the room. This result in a warning and could lead to being banned from the game. IF IT IS NECESSARY TO SPEAK IN LENGTH OOC, PLEASE TAKE IT TO A PRIVATE CONVERSATION (WHISPER).
Be Civil
The Golden Rule that should be common sense, but often seems overlooked, Be Civil. There are several reasons why we participate in role-playing, but the fact is we are all here to enjoy our time that we are investing as typists. Do not disrespect, purposely aggravate, or bring festering drama to the room. If you have a disagreement with someone then make an attempt to settle the dispute quietly in private. If you can not resolve the issue in such a way, then you can talk to a host about intervening or acting as a mediator. Remember, this is a last resort as even the golds are here to enjoy their time. Blurring the line between Out of Character and In Character issues will not be tolerated.
OOC Harrassment Policy
There is absolutely no excuse, nor will we tolerate, harrassment of players OOC. If you are being harrassed, please submit the log to a room owner for review. An investigation into the allegations will be opened. IF A PLAYER IS FOUND GUILTY OF HARRASSING OTHER PLAYERS OOC, THERE WILL BE AN IMMEDIATE BAN ON THAT PLAYER FOR TWO WEEKS AS A WARNING PERIOD. Do not attempt to come into the room as another character during this period. If we find out, you will be permanently banned under all associated accounts.
After two weeks, the ban will be lifted. If harrassment once more ensues, you (all accounts) will be permanently banned from the room.
Usage of OOC Conversation
Please try to keep Out of Character to a minimum when inside of the room. While we are realistic and understand that some questions or comments may arise out of character, the room is meant specifically for role-playing, and as such, be respectful to the other people involved by taking out of character conversations to whispers or another room. If someone calls for people to go "Back in Character", it should be respected whether they are a host or not.
'Parking' In The Room
It is permissible to park in the room, but if you are going to do such then please respect the cup to show others that you are not currently participating in the game. We understand that everyone needs time to get familiar with the environment and flow of the scenes happening in the game. If you are going to park we hope that you intend to join the other typists in role-playing. Becoming a glorified lurker who never joins in the fun will be frowned upon, don't do it. If you are having issues becoming involved than speak with a host who can give you suggestions or invite you into a scene with themselves.
Alternate/Multiple Characters
Alternate Characters (Alts) are sometimes a necessary part of role-playing and storytelling, but we ask that you keep them to a minimum. The rule of thumb should be keeping things to two characters in the room at the same time. If on the rare occasion that you might feel the need to add another alternate character to the scene, please consult a host on the reasoning.
Paragraph Posting
This is a paragraph role-playing game. While there are times when one-liners are relevant they are rare. You can always add something to the action of your character from the way their body tenses when they move or the way their voice rumbles as they talk; "Chew up the scenery" as they say. Just give enough information for other typists to play around with. Posts should be a minimum of two paragraphs, and should try to make sense, use correct spelling, and keep the posting order intact if there is one.
Combat/Fighting
We strongly believe that conflict is an important factor in role-playing and growing our character storylines. It does not require the approval of a host to participate in a fight or conflict. If a conflict arises between two characters, or the fight is serious enough, then the use of the room dice bot is required to determine 'Offense' and 'Defense' actions. All parties who engage in fighting are opening themselves up to the possibility of being killed, maimed, or hurt in unforeseen ways. God-moding will not be tolerated, especially under the game rules. Visit the 'Dice System' page to learn more about using the dice bot.
Damage is deducted from the victim's health number. Once the health number reaches zero within a fight, that character is knocked unconscious.
*ONCE UNCONSCIOUS, YOUR FATE IS IN THE HANDS OF YOUR ATTACKER. YOU MAY BE LEFT FOR DEAD, KIDNAPPED, IMPRISONED, OR KILLED AMONGST OTHER THINGS. THIS IS A NON-NEGOTIABLE RULE. DO NOT APPROACH A HOST FOR A REVERSE RULING.*
Character Registration
While we respect free-form role-playing and all character concepts will be allowed in the room, if you are planning to engage in events hosted by the room or in serious conflicts with other characters then you must apply to join the game (website). This will include accepting the character rules that govern the game. This can be done by using the ‘Register’ section of the website. You may register as a member of a Mithrendain family (visit the 'Available Characters' section of the website) or as your own creation. Non-registered players will not advance past Level 1. Registered players immediately advance to Level 3.
Honor the Setting
This game is set in a fantasy/medieval based setting. Information about the setting is available on the website for the game. If your character is based on a modern or futuristic concept, you will not be allowed to play them in the game. They will have to be altered, tweaked, or changed to fit the setting.
Honor the Hosts
Ultimately, the hosts have the last say in anything. We do not invest people with power lightly, so if they are a host, we feel that they can be trusted with the power that comes with it. Please be respectful of that. Do not attempt to argue with them or start a scene that disrupts the game. However, if you truly feel that you have be wronged, you can bring it before a gold to be reviewed. All concerns will be taken seriously, but if you abuse this respect, not only will the rule of the host be upheld but you could be asked to leave the game.