Policy

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Acceptable Use Policy

  • By logging into the game, you acknowledge understanding and agreement to the Acceptable Use Policy and all other game rules as outlined by the Wiki, Mush, or as informed by a Staff Member.
  • Staff are the ultimate arbiters of the Mush experience. Even if not explicitly outlined as a Mush rule or policy, it is expected that all Applicants will adhere to staff requests and warnings.
  • Content created on the game or submitted to the wiki such as rooms, logs, global code, character pages, etc - become part of the game community as a whole. Content may only be permanently removed at staff discretion.
  • Applicants of Elder Tale Online are expected to behave in a manner that is not discriminatory to any protected class of individuals, including but not limited to: race, color, religion, sex, sexual identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, physical disability, mental disability, or military status.
  • Player/staff abuse/harassment/bullying will not be tolerated. Feel free to @mail our PR staff with a log if you have issues with another player or admin, or use +request Gripe/Subject=Description. This includes, but is not limited to:
    • Threats
    • Antagonistic or Deliberate Nuisance Behavior
    • Passive-Aggressive Behavior
    • Use of Abusive or Derogatory Language.
    • Refusal to Honor another Applicant's Boundaries.
  • Character objects on Elder Tale Online Mush are a privilege, not a right. Access to character logins and to the Mush as a whole may be removed from players who have shown disruptive behavior or have broken Mush rules. Players will, in most cases, receive a warning or be subject to other disciplinary measures before this happens. In the case of abusive behavior, an Applicant may be removed immediately, without warning, depending on the severity of the behavior.

Consent

Consent is one of the major tenets of Elder Tale Online MUSH. Consent play requires some give and take from each player in RP, and to streamline this, we do offer a combat system for conflict resolution. However, certain extreme actions can result in a waiver of consent for a scene or action - which admin or GMs are to warn the player of.

Such situations are things like: Not running away from extremely dangerous monsters, pissing off a Kingdom’s leader in his own home, wading solo into a military camp, etc.

Due to how death functions on this game, this rarely will result in the permanent loss of a character. And if a non-standard result would come off such a direction, GMs and Staff are once again expected to warn the player of this. However, there is a certain amount of long-term consent that is waived upon the loss of all of a character's Memories. If you have concerns with your character approaching this point, reach out to staff.

Consent Guidelines

  • This game follows the policy of ICA=ICC (IC Actions = IC Consequences). This general rule still applies even though we have a combat system.
  • Players are expected to communicate with each other before taking actions that could be potentially debilitating or life-threatening to a character. Do not invite characters to a social scene, with the intention of turning it into a capture or PvP combat without telling them in advance. If you want to do something that might incapacitate, or otherwise affect them long-term, make sure you clear it with them first.
  • There is a Combat System available to help conflict resolution and create a fun aspect of game-play within a role-play scene. However, this does not mean that you are forced to use it. Scenes may be resolved by role-play only, or by other means such as dice rolls, etc. just so long as all those participating agree to it.
  • If an Applicant says 'No', the answer is NO. There should be no attempts to force anyone into a situation, either In Character or Out of Character that they are not comfortable with.

Behavior

We expect players to act like adults. Be excellent to each other. If something bothers someone, and they raise it as such, try to halt such behavior within reason. Admin will be available for mediation where needed, but we prefer not to get involved if we don’t have to. We favor players resolving their own differences, but we understand that a neutral party is needed at times.

In general, the RP can be considered R rated, for violent content, and some swearing. Otherwise, PG-13. OOC Public channels are expected to be generally kept PG-13 and empty of excessive swearing and troll-like behavior. This includes our Discord.

Typical taboo topics such as Politics and Religion should also generally be kept off of both our public channels, and our Discord. There are other avenues for them, and we are not one of those.

IC Adult behavior should be kept out of the logs and out of public areas. We don’t care what you do in private, as long as the private things remain private, and do not have ramifications in public. This is not the focus of this game, and we don't want to have to start policing this.

Channel Behavior

  • Please keep channels on-topic where ever possible.
  • Please keep the Newbie channel clear of chatter so new players can ask questions.
  • Please refrain from any unsolicited Alliance recruitment on the Newbie channel.
  • Use of the channels falls under all other behavior and use rules and policies.

Codex Information

Codex Information is considered IC knowledge, and players are highly recommended to promote Codex information. However, it should be noted that if you feel you should have a codex entry, and don’t, you should reach out to staff about such a thing; try not to act on codex information you don’t have, that someone else might.

But we understand that you don’t know what you don’t know. And not everything needs or is a codex entry.

As such, assume that ‘secret information’, ‘sensitive information’ or declaring matters about the metaplot as ‘fact’ are the main item where one should consider: do I have a good reason to know this?

Staff

Staff members of Elder Tale Online can be identified by their colorful names on the Mush's +who listing and on the +staff command. +Staff outlines the specific roles and responsibilities of each staff member, as well as their on-duty/off-duty status.

Staff members adhere to the following policies:

  • When on-duty, staff members will make themselves visible and available to assist whenever possible.
  • Staff members will try to provide equal time, efforts, and focus to all individuals and factions.
  • Staff members will do their best to respond to +jobs in a timely manner. Vacations and real-life may sometimes impact jobs but we will make our best effort. Each job bucket has a response time listed, this represents a first response, not completion.

When communicating with staff, we ask our Applicants:

  • Please understand that all members of staff are here on a volunteer basis. They take hours out of their real lives to try to make a fun experience for you.
  • Please be kind. Staffing is often times a thankless job and requires far more work than it appears on the surface.
  • Please do not bother a staff member who is marked as off-duty or who is currently engaged in a scene on one of their ALTs. Staff deserve time to enjoy the game, too!
  • Please do not pester staff in regards to +jobs until they are overdue. One reminder is all that is necessary. If a staff member is behind, they will be trying to get to you as soon as they are able.
  • If staff makes a mistake, misreads or misunderstands, please kindly reach out and explain the problem. We are human and mistakes happen.

Plots

Plots represent the the beating heart of the Mush experience. Plots drive stories, build connections between characters, and create growth and change. As such, we want to empower players to run plots where it is possible, with only minor staff intervention. Please review the plot types outlined below. If there is any confusion on what is needed to run a plot, feel free to reach out to a member of staff or submit a question to the Scenes +job bucket.

Types of Plots

One Shots

A One Shot represents a single, encapsulated story which doesn't generally have any major world influence. These plots could represent an Adventurer's personal growth, a special challenge encounter from an Adventurer's progression request, a monster fight, or most minor encounters that do not have lasting impact. These can be run at any time by players, without staff approval. A One Shot should have at least four (4) players total to qualify for additional scene rewards.

Guidelines:

  • Should not include any restricted monsters (Wyverns/Dragons) or high level 'Boss' style monsters.
  • May have rewards, but should not leave a lasting impact on the world.

Player Run Plots

A Player Run Plot represents one or more scenes which may have an extended story which has a notable world influence. This may be multi-part plots meant to expand or build out an area, explorations of areas, clearing out areas, etc. If there will be a lasting impact in the world, it falls under this category. Player Run Plots should be submitted to the +scenes bucket to be reviewed by staff. Staff will provide feedback which may include: lore, special information, or guidance on how to run the plot in accordance with the theme. If a Player Run Plot suggestion is impactful enough, it may be shifted to a Staff Plot (see below). A Player Run Plot should have at least four (4) players total to qualify for additional scene rewards.

Guidelines:

  • Must be submitted to staff for review before being run.
  • May have a lasting impact on the world, but not to the extent as a Staff Plot.

Staff Plots

A Staff Plot represents one or more scenes which have key plot and lore elements that tie into the world of Elder Tale Online and often have dramatic influences on the world of Alba. These may progress the power or reach of a certain faction, or they may represent major plot points in the over-arching Metaplot.

Examples of Staff Plots

  • Waves of Calamity
  • Aincrad Tower Floor Boss Raids
  • Dungeon Heart Raids