Community Guidelines

[Telanir 4,156]

Community Guidelines

Back To Our Roots | March 16th, 2018

 

 

A charming and defining quality of our server has always been the way we blend a serious take on roleplay with a laid-back and friendly attitude.

 

From the moment that we sign on after our first application, we acknowledge an unspoken duty—to preserve this experience and to help each other enjoy our time here. To support a stimulating, encouraging, and jolly place—a community that you can grow and develop in.

 

Together, we write a story. We write it in such a way that no single person owns a chapter, or even a full page. Gradually, as we discover more of this tale it reveals the exceptional appeal of our server: Thousands of people contributing verses to a grand narrative—simply by playing their own character.

 

---

 

These guidelines are put together to help you make the most out of the time you spend on Lord of the Craft (“LotC”). Below are a collection of what we believe are the optimal virtues for the best possible experience. You will not only get more out of your time here, but help others with the same.

 

Concept: The Narrative is the epic story which records all of the actions and events of all personas on Lord of the Craft. We share this epic and scribble in it every day by logging on, greeting old friends and making new ones, and sharing a roleplay experience.

 

Be Laid-back & Considerate

Free-flowing roleplay and mutual respect is the fruit of a candid compromise.

 

The Narrative has no main characters—no protagonists, because we all partake through a personal perspective. LotC has no end-game. There is no path to “victory”. Consider that it is often useful to concede and to “lose” a roleplay conflict. Learning to yield gracefully is a hallmark of the veteran roleplayer. Significant character growth comes, by and large, when learning to thrive despite defeat. Put your back into an encounter without trying to bend it in anyone’s favor—witness it unfold. A laid-back & considerate attitude wins you well-deserved respect from your fellow roleplayer.

Be Encouraging & Open

Regard your fellow person with courtesy and dignity, knowing that every individual you encounter is valuable in the grand scheme of The Narrative. We have a habit of relaying our cheer, and so, when one of us grows happier all of us do. Remember to emphasize what is done well, and help transform mistakes into growth. People respond best to encouragement and will always be more receptive to suggestions & alternatives over outright denial.

 

And finally, when the chance emerges, spend a moment to help a new or returning player find their bearings—you will make a new friend and expand your network. With a wider network you experience a greater variety of fascinating and amusing roleplay—altogether, good fun! An encouraging & open attitude builds strong connections (plus friendships!) and a thrilling experience.

Be Creative & Authentic

In the library of roleplay, you play the greatest part in determining your experience. Don’t be afraid to wonder—and to wander. We can record and archive every single thing in this universe, but then it will lose its charm, and its wonder. Consider that the moment you plan and script your adventure into stone—it is over. So take to the roads and set no destination, let The Narrative take care of the details, and your journey will be memorable. A creative and authentic attitude inspires novel and memorable experiences.

Be Detached yet Enthusiastic

It is important to have a degree of emotional investment in your roleplay—because it’s the only way you can enjoy it. However, taking it too far provokes resentment and bitterness; the more you commission your sanity and temperament to your fictitious work, the more vulnerable you become.

 

Balancing your level of investment in your characters is foremost to a healthy relationship with The Narrative and its participants. Distance yourself from your character—their ambitions are charming, their flaws are unmistakable, their behaviour is their own, and their failures are comical. You do guide their actions—and yet none of their quirks reflect on you, and none of their mistakes represent you.

 

A detached yet enthusiastic attitude tempers a steady character and wise judgement.

Be Independent & Proactive

Make the roleplay that you would like to see. LotC provides a platform for hundreds of simultaneous stories to unfold. Be mindful that every story has those who would and wouldn't enjoy them. Sometimes needs are so diverse and specific that you may need to be the first to explore that territory. You can find practical feedback in the community. Do not be shy to communicate—but do read the reactions of your fellow roleplayers.

 

There is no shame in leaving an idea behind—only in quitting trying new ones. Your community will reward you for creativity, especially for engaging and responsive content. In return, encourage the creativity that you see, the diverse thought, because with each dream there is a chance you will claim a pivotal moment in the history of our server.

 

An independent & proactive attitude empowers you to stop waiting and usher in the experience you desire.

 

---

 

The following records are commentaries on controversial topics, issues afflicting many of us that can be deeply pernicious.

 

Narcissism in Roleplay

Placing yourself before your character to surrender immersion, and to play God. To take in-character matters to the metagame, and, equally, the reverse.

 

”Simply that you have been convinced does not mean your character has been—or even would be.”

 

It is a very specific form of narcissism defined here. It depicts the moment you descend from the author to the character. It is a surprisingly obscure yet harmful sin, as some convince themselves it is unavoidable or even necessary.

Your character may befriend another character.

You may befriend your fellow player.

But, You must never befriend a character.

It is not easy to know the desires of your characters. It is not immediately evident what they are—even to you, who creates them. It becomes easy to conflate your being with the one you animate.

 

Do not make your character about you, a reflection of you, or a projection of you. Diversify your characters, cultivate their exotic, unique, meaningful being, and conduct them as beings independent of you.

 

Deceit

A casual or persistent manipulation of others out-of-character.

 

Your character may have their reasons for lying: for extra coin, for whispers, or for allies. But, when you, as a person, lie—you cheat the game. When you boil it down—it is a symptom of Narcissism. How better to pull strings of fate than to lie on a level your character never can? But it is misleading, as deceit blurs the line between you and your characters. It blurs the separation of your motives.

 

It brings you one step closer to associating your mental state with that of your character. Gradually, as you narrow your vision and imagination to a rigid objective, you sacrifice your candid charm and curiosity. Later, you forfeit willingness to compromise, and to listen. Soon enough, your only “truth” is the one that brings your character success. Then, maybe, there no longer is a character. It’s just you.

 

Say the truth out-of-character, or say nothing at all. Separate the trickery, manipulation, and deceit of your character from yourself. In their bloody reality of steel and sorcery, they conspire to survive. Here, as a community of writers, we instead merely cooperate to produce an interesting story.