Guidelines for RP'ing on the Independent Dark Elf stone

Each character is expected to be RP'ed to the best of the player's ability.  Players are expected to role-play; while this may mean PvP combat (drow ARE a violent bunch after all) but your first priority is to creating believable and consistent characters who think, who have depth and have realistic motivations.   Essentially, we will be using the old QVI rule set.

1.  You must stay In Character (IC) at all times. IDE is a role-playing guild.  Maintaining a believable and consistent character can be difficult, but the experience is extremely rewarding.  There will be no talk of stats in game.  Those who cannot maintain strict IC behavior will be removed from the stone.  Use ICQ or, in the case of emergencies, emotes to convey OOC (out of character) information. Party chat should be kept to a minimum as well as it is often distracting.

2.  All actions must have actual consequences.  You will be playing a very evil and manipulative race (at least that is the, probably good, assumption of others), therefore your actions will affect others on a daily basis.  In order for our actions to have any meaning it is expected that if your character is defeated in battle, trapped in some web of intrigue, kidnapped, stabbed, humiliated, etc., etc., that you play these lines out.  This is not to say that you cannot determine how you character dies, or ever if it is a perma-kill, but rather that there must be some reasonable consequences to your actions and the actions of others.  You cannot be best friends with Llolth-worshippers one day and have tea with surface elves the next.  In addition, you should expect the "good" guys to hate your character, even to the point of attacking on sight. 

3.  ICQ, message boards, etc., are not IC. Everyone should strive to obtain information in game.  Sometimes this is difficult but in order to maintain a consistent OOC/IC split, this should guide your understanding of the amount of information your character possesses.

4. You must play your characters as separate beings.  Each of your characters are separate beings, with different agendas, needs and motivations.  This is especially true if you have characters in opposing guilds.  Make sure you never sell any of your characters short.

5.  Do not whine.  Nice little rule.  Don't post on the boards, don't whine in public about anything.  If you have a grievance with another player in IDE, take it up with that person, only getting a guild leaders involved if no solution can be found.  With other guilds, take the matter straight to your superior in IDE.  They will handle it.  Do not whine to your guildleaders about anything; bring your complaints to them rationally and calmly.  Do not bug your leaders about when you will be promoted, lag, loss of equipment, being defeated in a battle, nor make demands of them.  Our guild is for "adults"--and childish complaining will not be tolerated.  This of course is very subjective, but the bottom line is you will be removed from the guildstone if you annoy the leaders of the guild. You, of course, are free to contribute to any public board, but do so with humor, respect and/or reasoned arguments.

6.  Respect your fellow real life players. While we do not believe in a strict adherence to any OOC rule set, i.e. the holy Rules of Engagement, these rules are an excellent foundation.  Role-play is more important than rules; if you have your character behave as he or she naturally would, the rules become obsolete.  With that in mind though, here are some loose guidelines for respectable behavior. In combat, it is reasonable usually to give some form of warning.  Though this might not apply in ambushes or assassinations.  Going into war mode long enough to let some make a decision about the encounter should clue an opponent in on the impending fight.  This is mainly to ensure connection.  It is a courtesy to watch over the body of the fallen and take reasonable steps to ensure items are returned.  Looting is another issue that causes many problems so you should only loot characters of players you have a respectful OOC relationship with.  In General, Drow don't usually have much need or use for rivvil-tainted items.  This may be OOC, but it represents a general guideline for respectful behavior.  If you do loot, make sure it is cleared with fallen player and is consistent with your character.  Don't report fellow rp'ers as a murderer; expect to be looted dry if you do.  Do not complain about anything involving combat rules in game.  Why? Because speaking from a true character perspective, war and combat don't really have rules.  When "killed" grab your stuff, don't say a word unless spoken to IC, stay in your deathrobe for at least 30 mins and RP even while "dead"; you have just been seriously injured.  Furthermore, you must RP the injury and serious injuries don't just go away in a day.  Play along with being "knocked out" if the winners seem inclined.  Do not take any problems or conflicts to the boards or send out mass-ICQ's attempting to alert or warn people about specific players.  Find you group leader and ICQ them about what happened--let them deal with it.  Group leaders are expected to talk with each other and attempt to handle any sort of disputes as quickly and responsibly as possible.  And remember, this is just a game.

7. Badges.  All titles will be race-based (unless there is some reason that they shouldn't be, for example a human might be titled "Slave" or "Drow Lover").  All dark elves will have the title "Dark Elf", so, it is suggested that, unless your character is taking pains to conceal his or her race, you should have it showing to give other players an immediate sense of what your character is.  Guild "badges" are optional though; wear them at your own discretion.

8. Guild Responsibilities. From time to time, you will be asked to vote on the acceptability of candidate members to the stone and highlighting with other stones.  Please contribute in this way.

What you can expect from the guild: A solid group to RP and interact with when you happen to cross each other's paths. This could be a good thing, this could be a bad thing. There is no real "guild" per se, simply a band that angles together should the "need" arise.

What you shouldn't expect: Planned meetings every week detailing the do's and the don'ts of the group. You take your consequences where you get them. Do not expect the "group" to protect you when you decide to go on a killing rampage. You shouldn't expect rewards or punishments--doesn't mean they won't happen, but don't expect it. Don't expect constant backup just because you share a "guild badge." Everyone is an individual, they just happen to be the same race.

You are on your own, but remember you represent the guild by your actions; don't make the rest of us look like lame-o's.