Roleplaying Threadrunners' Helpdesk
Running a thread and not sure what kind of rules to have for it? This post is a bank of rules that threadrunners/aspiring threadrunners can pull from for their threads, if they need help figuring out what to do. No one is required to use any of these rules, nor are these the only rules threadrunners can use- you are free to invent whatever rules seem appropriate to you for your thread. Take as many or as few from this list as you'd like!
This is a living document and suggestions are welcome for things to add to the rule bank! This thread can also serve as a place for those with questions about running threads to ask for help or guidance.
Running a thread and not sure what kind of rules to have for it? This post is a bank of rules that threadrunners/aspiring threadrunners can pull from for their threads, if they need help figuring out what to do. No one is required to use any of these rules, nor are these the only rules threadrunners can use- you are free to invent whatever rules seem appropriate to you for your thread. Take as many or as few from this list as you'd like!
This is a living document and suggestions are welcome for things to add to the rule bank! This thread can also serve as a place for those with questions about running threads to ask for help or guidance.
Character Rules
- Characters must be a(n) (dwarf, elf, orc, etc.) character
- Playing as (xyz character/type) not allowed/reserved (e.g. as a Nazgûl, Balrog, Maia, named Tolkien character)
- No playing named characters from Tolkien
- No playing a character someone has already claimed
- Only one character per person allowed in this game/round
Roleplaying Rules
- No godmoding except by (xyz)
- No joining (xyz) story except by invite
- put 'Private' at the top of your post if you don't want others to join
- please respond to GM prompts/GM prompts only
- white out OOC/OOC directed to (xyz) thread
- please follow (xyz) timeline of events
- Do not assume someone else’s backstory
- State your (character name/species/pronouns/location/which storyline you are in etc.) at top of each post
- (xyz) characters to post in (this) colour
- Please include Content/Trigger Warning at the top of your post for: (violence; gore; assault; verbal attack; etc)
- please agree to edit or white out your post if anyone finds your content distressing
Posting Rules
- Posts must be over (###) characters
- Wait for (2 other people, 24 hours, etc) before posting again
- Don’t post in (specified font colour or type) unless you are (XYZ)
- Please do not use (bright colors, neon, xyz color(s) etc) as they are difficult for some people to read
- Please add alt text below any images
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Resolution for Rulebreaking
It is up the the thread runner to enforce their rules. If someone breaks a rule in your thread, your first action should be to ask them to correct the issue, either by self-editing their post or taking note of the rule in future. If the person does not comply, you may come to the admin team and request we make the edit/remind the person that the TR has set the rule. If the person continues to violate the rule, you as TR have the discretion to eject them from your thread. If you eject someone and that person attempts to return to the thread, you may then come to the admin team and ask that we enforce the ejection.If you forget to include a rule
If you realize after the fact that you have forgotten to put a rule in your OP- for instance if someone posts with the wrong type of character, or doesn't include a CW, etc., and you realize only after they have posted that you forgot to include that rule, you can of course edit your OP to put in the forgotten rule. However, it is your responsibility to notify the participants of your thread that such a rule now exists, and posts prior to your institution of that rule should not be counted against the poster(s). You can, of course, ask them to edit their post, but only posts made after you notify the thread of the new rule will be considered in violation of that rule.A note on Content/Trigger Warnings
The use of CW/TW is at the discretion of each individual poster, or at the discretion of a TR choosing to put a CW/TW requirement on their thread. If a TR chooses to instate a CW/TW rule, it is, like any other rule, enforceable by the admins through the above resolution scheme. However, we will not be independently combing the plaza for posts we think require CW/TW. There are so many different opinions on what content needs a warning, and so many of them are personal to each individual, that this would be an impossible task for the admin team. If you are not the TR of a thread and happen across a post you believe should have a CW/TW, your first action should be to speak to the poster or/and TR. Use the 'report' button only if you believe a post violates Plaza rules.This thread will be global for a week or so to make sure everyone sees it, and will then take up residence as a pinned thread in Admin Messages! As stated at the top, suggestions for things to add to the rules lists are welcome, as is discussion by and for those in need of assistance. The thread may live in AM, but it is not an admin-only thread as far as who can engage and give advice.