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Tavin
Captain

PostPosted: Sun Oct 02, 2005 8:09 pm


Welcome, friends, to The Brink of Time. If you are just now joining us, let me extend my greetings to you. Hopefully you'll find our Guild as fun and entertaining as the rest of us do. To all of you who have been here already, welcome to the updated Brink of Time (Or as Bard might call it... Heaven V2.0). I have updated the rules (and thus some of the setting) to avoid confusion in the ongoing storyline, and hopefully prevent any conflict that might otherwise occur.


The Brink of Time is a mysterious place that exists outside of both time and space. The who, what, why, when, where and how have not been discovered yet, but hopefully most of these will be revealed by the end of the current storyline. In any case, there are certain limitations and certain abilities in this place, as well as certain rules that need to be adhered to in order to maintain continuity, as well as to keep peace and enjoyment amongst the players.


RULES-

A) There are no special powers in The Brink of Time. Any powers that you may have outside of The Brink are cut off as you come in and return after you leave. This includes ANY and ALL supernatural or magical abilities. Healing, X-Ray Vision, Lawn Chair Summoning, Strength of One Million Men, Immortality, Nose Blinking on Command... None of that. The only exception is the Brink Powers which will be explained later on.Technology is unaffected, unless it produces magic results or is used too much as a bypass in order to circumvent the rules. Remember that the MODs may ask you to explain how something works if its too outrageous, and saying that "It's in the future, so it just does" isn't going to cut it.

B) It is NOT possible to permanently move through time, either using the Brink, or outside of The Brink. If you can do this in the campaign where you came from, I'm happy for you. Not here. Adjust your character and/or story as necessary. Please note that this rule MAY change in the future, but for right now... This is how it is.

C) The Brink controls when you come or go, not your character. There is only one exception in either case. The exception for coming is if you have developed a Brink Power that allows you to forceably enter The Brink. The only exception to leaving is if you choose to leave via the door. NOTE: You cannot enter through the door, it is a one way door. It only goes out. When a person "Brinks" in or out, they basically just fade in or away. This was originally done so that if people were afk for a long time in a thread, it could be assumed that they faded away without interrupting the ongoing story for the people still in the thread. Ultimately, the player decides when the character comes in or leaves (duh), but storywise the character has no control.

D) There is to be no KILLING in The Brink of Time unless both parties have agreed to it, and both parties have contacted a MOD and told THEM that they have both agreed to it. The only exception to this are the MODs. They can kill a character if banning a player. You can wound, hurt, and beat other players. No killing. Also, the same rules apply to disfiguring a character. Both parties and a MOD. Only MODs can override these rules.

E) Heaven and Hell, and the heiarchy of angels and devils has already been established. The true role of these two groups is set, and changing that... would be very bad. Normally, I would say that exceptions could be made through different dimensions, but in this case, Heaven and Hell are the constant. Everything else is the variable. So be cautious when doing things related to these. If you are unsure, contact any of the MODs. Pretty much all of them know what's been established already. At least to the point that they'll be able to give you a yay or nay on your idea, and possibly work with you to find a way to adjust your idea so that it fits within the campaign. It is also important to note that other religious pantheons do exist, as there are many classifications of angels, demons and spirits. However, these gods are so in name only. In truth they are powerful forces that work in the median between Heaven and Hell.

F) Please don't play around with the time/space continuity aspects too much. Leave that crap for use in the next Star Trek series, where it belongs. All said and done, The Brink doesn't like to pull from different times unless it has to. So if you want to pull in your character as twenty years older, don't be surprised if I, or the other MODs, tell you that you can't go back. Your characters have been pulled into The Brink for a reason. Its just that the reason isn't common knowledge yet.

G) Keep adventure threads easily identifiable. Include the name of the character whose thread it is."ZOMG! I lost the plushie on my head" is not a shining example. "Lucas - Frat House, 2002 - Back that THANG up!" is a good example. It gives you the who, where, and when of the thread, as well as a title for the story of the thread. Until Sub Forums are introduced, keep one adventure thread per character. Simply rename the thread title appropriately and begin a new adventure in it. After Sub Forums are available, this rule will change, as there will be no worries as to cluttering the main area.

H) Brink Powers, who gets them, and how many are determined by me. Brink powers can ONLY be taught by Tavin. They are not easy to do, and take incredible hardship to master. They are NOT instant gratification. You have to practice a LOT in game before I (Tavin) will teach the next level. While I have final say of WHAT Brink Powers each person can have, I prefer to discuss it with the players first.

I) There is a limit of one character per account. While it is possible to have multiple characters, each character must apply to the Guild seperately and have its own Gaia account. Exceptions are made for supporting characters in Adventure Threads (For example, Bard can use his main account to play a clerk at a grocery store in his or someone else's Adventure Thread). However, such characters CANNOT enter The Brink of Time itself unless special permission is given by myself.

J) In order to keep the story moving at a decent pace, and to keep people active and involved, we are setting a post rule. In order to remain in The Guild, you must make at least one post per character per month. This shouldn't be a very difficult issue unless you have too many characters than you can support. There's no point in keeping around a character who never plays.

K) What your character fades in with, he or she fades out with, no matter if its been dropped or lost, unless it has been given to another character. Then its ownership changes, and it fades with them. Any exceptions to this must be cleared by the MODs. Leaving items are not impossible, but they should always be the exception, and should typically only be considered for developing plot.

L) The door out of The Brink is only operable with a key from the key rack. Only your character's key will work, though. Trying someone else's key will result in the key not fitting into the lock. The host must accompany guests with them to their time. You may not lead someone into your character's time, then simply shut the door behind them.. Doing so will result in the guests simply reappearing in The Brink. Again, going to someone else's time is never permanent. They will eventually fade. The time that they can spend at a given session is never more than a week.

M) A character's guest room is locked permanently when he or she is not present in The Brink. Otherwise they can be opened by using that character's key from the key rack, or by the character leaving the door unlocked or open. Again, the character's guest room reflects what would make them comfortable for their time period, as determined by the player. Locked doors CANNOT be opened by force or by lockpicking.

N) Only Tavin determines what objects are in The Brink of Time. Exceptions to this are drinks, which can be made up (The Brink has everything there is), and books from the Library (Same reason). If you wish to use one of these things as a plot development tool, please talk to a MOD first. For example, Tavin would likely screen out books that might refer to how the war turned out that Sato is currently in the midst of.

O) Before you start roleplaying, you must reply to the rules thread signifying that you have read and you agree to follow the Rules of the Brink as well as the Roleplaying Courtesy Guidelines.



--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--

Things to Keep in Mind-

*Generally speaking, breaking the rules will result in a warning the first time, and action the second time. Appropriate action will be discussed by the Moderators. In extreme cases, Moderators may also take direct action if the situation demands it.

*Yes, there are grey areas in the rules and guidelines. Exploiting them is a great way to get yourself kicked out at worst, and hated by other players at best. If you're unsure about something, contact a MOD. We won't bite.. unless you want us to.

*If you have a problem, contact any MOD, including myself. We all try our best to be fair in dealing with problems. Nobody here wants anyone to feel alienated. Feel free to discuss any issues with us. We'll do our best to answer to the best of our abilities.

*My door is always open to any and all members, period. Please note that while I may not respond immediately, and I may not always agree with you, I'm always willing to consider anything brought to me.

PostPosted: Sun Oct 02, 2005 8:10 pm


Roleplaying Courtesy Guidelines


Written by Bard and WhimsicalCow


Lately, a number of people have expressed frustration in regard to certain role-playing habits in the Brink. As moderators, WhimsicalCow and I felt that these habits and the frustration they incurred were disrupting the atmosphere of the Brink. We've decided that the Brink could use some guidelines on role-playing etiquette.

We'd like everyone to read these guidelines on the understanding that there is not a single person in this Guild that hasn't contributed to this situation. We all need to ensure that the Brink isn't just a fun place for ourselves, but for everyone involved.



__________________________________________________________________


Problem #1: "I can't role-play with you right now. I'm too busy developing my character"

We've noticed a trend where players (particularly older players) get caught up in their own cliques and stop role-playing with newer characters. This is particularly common among the mods, and WhimsicalCow and I have certainly done this ourselves. It creates a feeling that the Brink is an exclusive club, and that to be part of the story, you need to be a mod. It also leads to problems that will be detailed later. The solution is to spend time playing with the newer players, letting them develop their characters and become part of the central storyline. No one is going to make you role-play with anyone that you don't want to role-play with. However, we expect everyone to at least give the others a chance to shine.




Problem #2: "Wait, back up.... That's not in the script!"

Another problem that we've noticed is the tendency for older players to script out where they want a scene to go. There's nothing wrong with planning, and in fact, it's good to have a general idea where you want your character's story to go. Many of us converse privately about these plans and in this way, we weave our stories together. The danger to this is over-planning. If you have everything planned out for your character, you leave no room to adlib with others. It's easy to see where this directly ties to Problem #1. Don't get us wrong: you might be an excellent storyteller, but storytelling and role-playing aren't the same thing. Don't force others to work around you. The best solution is to keep your plot outline loose and adjustable. Open yourself up to spontaneity. Good RP is like a jam session. You sketch a loose idea, and then each person plays their part, in cooperation. Each person gets a chance to lead and change the direction of the idea, but only when the timing is right. A jam where everyone takes their own idea and runs with it quickly dissolves into discord.




Problem #3: "I'm sorry, the Main Room is reserved. Can you come back around 9?"

Sometimes situations arise in RPGs where two or three characters need to have a dramatic encounter and they want to do it without interruption. There's nothing wrong with that. However when these situations occur, try to plan things accordingly. If you know for certain that your characters need to have a private chat, use a guest room, use the library, or use one of your characters' timelines. In other words, do it where you can be reasonably certain you won't be interrupted. However due to the nature of good RP sometimes a dramatic moment will happen spontaneously (see Problem #2). If you're going to have a dramatic moment in the Main Room, expect others to be coming and going. Act accordingly. If it's a private discussion, take it elsewhere. If not, consider letting others get involved.




Problem #4: "Hi Guys! You weren't doing anything important right?"

The flipside of Problem #3. If you see two characters are in the middle of a tense moment, don't spoil it for them. Enter the Brink in another location, or at very least, ask before you join. It's courteous, and it keeps other players from getting frustrated. We don't want anyone to feel they have to ask permission to play, but at the same time we know it can be vexing for players who have an important scene to work out to have the mood changed by the entrance of another character. This won't make them any more interested in playing with you. By being courteous, it saves a lot of frustration on the part of both parties.




Problem #5: *Bard fades in, slips on a banana peel and crashes headlong into a wagon full of pies*

One of the problems the feeling of exclusivity has generated in the Brink is a tendency for newer players to resort to wackiness and slapstick, gratuitous fan service, and/or violence for attention. Apart from totally killing a serious mood (see problem #4), it's often seen as over-the-top by other players. It gets the character noticed, but it also brands them as a clown and consequently, the other players don't take that character seriously. A little humor now and again is great, but don't let it overwhelm the situation.




Problem #6: "Why doesn't anyone want to role-play with me?"

First, ask yourself if everyone is refusing to role-play with you, or if you're really talking about one or two people. While we want to encourage everyone to interact with one another, if someone does not want to play with you, ultimately it's important to respect that. If it is the majority of the players, ask yourself if you're doing one of the above (hint: you probably are). In some cases, you may be alienating yourself with incourteous behavior Third, ask yourself 'what is it that makes my character so interesting?' It might be that you're not effectively communicating your character to other players. The best way to illustrate yourself to other players is just to play. Don't worry about becoming central to the storyline. Don't fixate on long drawn-out plans for your character. Just play, interact, and let the other players get a feel for who your character is. No matter how deep your character is, if it's all in your head, no one else will be able to appreciate that.





Final Thoughts


In general, we've noticed that people have a tendency to get too wrapped in their own characters--ourselves included--to the detriment of the group. This is a group effort and it works best when everyone cooperates..

Tavin
Captain


Bard
Vice Captain

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PostPosted: Sun Oct 02, 2005 8:14 pm


Read and acknowledged.
PostPosted: Sun Oct 02, 2005 8:27 pm


Understood. smile

EireQueen


lucas_blaize

PostPosted: Sun Oct 02, 2005 8:41 pm


Cool. Nice job, guys. biggrin
PostPosted: Sun Oct 02, 2005 8:52 pm


Aimee, too wink Hahaha.

lampetia

Deadly Cleric

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Tavin
Captain

PostPosted: Sun Oct 02, 2005 9:01 pm


I'm responding to my own rules! AHHHHHHHHHHHH!
PostPosted: Sun Oct 02, 2005 9:05 pm


Hmm.. It's gonna cramp my style..

Alexander Gallowsraven


Ichiro Sato

PostPosted: Sun Oct 02, 2005 9:06 pm


Yeah, yeah. What the ******** ever. I'll play by your stupid ******** rules.
PostPosted: Sun Oct 02, 2005 9:08 pm


Hmm... I'll be seeing you all shortly, my little playthings. Just be good and wait for me.

The Seraphim


Unit X12

PostPosted: Sun Oct 02, 2005 9:10 pm


Error:Code 3 Invalid Voice Recognition Input $trin
Recieve alt command x-12 acknowledgement
X12 will perform to the fullest of its functionality. May X12 be of further assistance?
PostPosted: Sun Oct 02, 2005 9:10 pm


spiffy 3nodding

DavidWhy

Sex Symbol


Serenis
Crew

PostPosted: Sun Oct 02, 2005 9:52 pm


:::Salutes:::

Affirmative, Captain.
PostPosted: Sun Oct 02, 2005 9:54 pm


:::scratches head:::

Do we really need all these rules? I mean, can't we all just get along?

...

What...? hm..? oh!! Oh, yeah, I'll follow them.

MamasBoy15


Kara_Nephris

PostPosted: Sun Oct 02, 2005 9:59 pm


:::starts to take off her clothes:::

-hm? What is it? Oh...

:::Slips something back on::: That's not in the rules then....?

Yeah, anything for you, baby. heart
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The Brink of Time

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