Server Rules

Last updated: 9/14/2021
Server Rules: 
# This server is meant to be a mature and welcoming place. Therefore, any form of harassment or attack on the basis of identity is not allowed. This includes, but is not limited to, hate speech, racism, sexism, personal attacks, ableism, transphobia, homophobia, slurs, threats of violence, and/or shaming. Server staff have discretion to decide what constitutes the above, and you are expected to follow their warnings. Community comes before the game. 
# If one of the above occurs, there will be quite a bit of scrutiny on both the reporting victim and the acclaimed perpetrator. The victim for their protection, and to verify their claims. The perpetrator for the exact same. The golden rule is that you are innocent until proven guilty.
# No politics. While we understand how it is worthwhile to talk about, and highly important to people’s lives, please take it to PMs and keep it respectful. Regarding anything to do with current world events, just remember we could have players from all over the world with different viewpoints and different experiences. 
# If you have an issue with staff, feel free to contact the mod team, or file a formal objection. We guarantee both transparency and maturity in the process. 
# Although we deal with mature themes, NSFW content does not belong in this server. Any posts that contain such are grounds for expulsion from the community. 
# For security reasons, we don't want anyone posting pictures of themselves in any form. For the same reasons we also request that no one talk of rape, suicide, or other sensitive subjects. The internet does not lend itself to kindness or nuance. Please don't give internet predators or the FBI reason to take notice. 
# The server operates on Eastern Daylight Time (New York City on a world clock) for the time zone. Every night at midnight your 8 hour time slots reset. The time is posted in-server, although it only updates every 10 minutes or so. 
# A character does not necessarily reflect the views or behavior of the person playing them. This means that someone may not be as heartless, or heartfelt as you may think. Please keep this in mind.
# Do not Metagame. If you know something out-of-character, try not to use it.
# PvP is allowed under very specific circumstances. Both players must consent to it, and it must be supervised by a Game Master, among other rules that are detailed in the appropriate channel. Rest assured pvp is not a tool for abuse here. 
# Game Masters may not discriminate against a player character based upon race, class, or play system. If a player signs up for a quest that is within their level range they may not be dropped from that quest on the basis of these things, only upon the basis of real life concerns and bad sportsmanship.
# If there is a piece of media out a suitable amount of time should be given before openly stating spoilers. It ruins it for everyone when it is shared improperly. 
# If a piece of custom content is denied within our server, taking it to the ffd20 server and getting it approved that way will not let it be usable on our server. We have our own group of volunteers assisting us in keeping the balance of this living world healthy.
# If a user leaves the server of their own volition, there is a grace period of 3 days before their existing approved character sheets are removed. Rejoining the server after this period will mean you will need to start over. If you need to leave the server for longer, please talk to an administrator first. A user who is kicked from the server for rules violations is not subject to this grace period.
Game Rules: 
# Gamemasters reserve the right to ask players to clarify anything and everything about their sheets and items and how they work.
# Gamemasters also have full power during quests they run. If you have an issue with a ruling made during a quest, ping the head gamemaster or handle it after the quest. 
# Players must have completed level-ups and other sheet updates before signing up for a quest. 
# Everyone receives one free respec. This is tied to the account, not the player, and may be used on any character at any time (unless on quest). Additional respecs are approved on a case-by-case basis. 
# Changes made to server rules that affect builds may include free respecs.
# Retired or dead characters may leave items to specific players, however - these must be approved by staff in usage first. IC fighting over belongings is not allowed.  
# In light of the fact that questing is inherently a violent and dangerous profession that can throw a myriad of situations at you, but also that people have had life experiences that they shouldn't have to experience again, even in character, please do let us know (privately) if you have triggers or other similar conditions, so we can avoid situations where they are brought up. 
# See this link for some additional rules relating to character slots. 
Server Subsystems: 
# In order to help newer players with some of the ways the server works, a couple things are detailed below. 
# Quests and Events: (#quest-notices and #event-notices)
## Quests are posted in the quest-notices channel. These are sessions that are not being run in the same day - either the GM will post a time it will be run or scheduling will be handled after the party is chosen. React as necessary to indicate interest. 
### More information will be included in the quest posting itself, and GMs are required to be honest and open about risk and other possible triggers. 
## Events are posted in the event-notices channel. These are sessions that will be run within 24 hours of the post - see the post itself for scheduling. Otherwise, these function the same way as quests. 
# RP Events: (#rp-notices)
## This is a separate channel that can be posted in by players (instead of just GMs). It functions both as a pinging channel for things happening in the spire itself (ie, not a separate session) or for players to look for new RP-partners or otherwise. 
# Triggers: 
## While we understand that it might be difficult to be open with others about your triggers, we do ask for anyone that has any that they feel the GMs should be aware of please let the head gamemaster know privately. The goal of this is so that they won't come up on any quest you go on, and that you're not asked to bring them up each time you're selected for a quest.
# Donations: (#spire-donations)
## Use one of your three daily (8-hr) timeblocks to donate time to the spire to improve living conditions, achieve specific goals, and other benefits in and out of character. 
## Timeblocks: You get three 8hr blocks a day. One can be used for sleeping, going on a quest or event uses one, magical crafting takes up to one (and only one), mundane crafting takes up to three (note that you do take fatigue penalties for not sleeping). RP in the server does not take timeblocks, nor do rp events unless specified. 
## See the crafting/downtime rules document for more, along with the rules on buying/selling items. Note that any transaction must be posted. 
# Character Sheets (#sheet-debate and the same category) 
## When you finish your sheet according to the character creation rules, post it in #pending-sheets, following the appropriate format. 
## After submission, a sheet checker will react to the post if the sheet is being actively looked at (you may make changes until this happens). They will give further instructions once complete. Please be patient, as we are volunteers. 
## Note that character sheets are public and must be maintained. We do check for cheating. RP details need not be made public, but mechanical functioning must be in the interest of fair play. 
# Open RP channels: (Lucent Spire, Outside Spire, Rest-of-the-World category)
## You may post anytime to RP, unless you are currently on a quest or questlocked. (You cannot be in two places at once, no matter what.) 
## OOC channels are for OOC, IC channels are for IC. Don’t do one in the other. 
## There is no guarantee someone will reply to your RP post - if nobody replies, you may ask if anyone wants to RP in either the appropriate OOC channel or rp-notices, or ping the open-rp role in rp-notices. Don’t ping any other role. 
# Suggestions: (#server-suggestions)
## Post suggestions to be made about the server or the game systems here, or DM to appropriate staff. Please be civil while discussing suggestions. Resolutions and reasoning will be posted in the resolved-suggestions channel. You may dispute our judgements on reasonable basis, but unless updated the resolution stays. 
# Other channels: 
## #character-memorial-rock: For characters killed by external forces. 
## #retired-characters: For characters retired by the player.
## #shrine-of-whim: Post about IC or OOC relation(ships) here. Anyone can post, and you may always request a deletion of someone else’s post if you have good reason. 
Staff: 
# As always, we are looking for more staff members. Actual skill is a secondary concern - all we ask is a good attitude and willingness to learn. Talk to specific department heads to apply for a staff position, although not all roles have open spots. 
# Staff are under the same accountability rules as players - we aim to be transparent in conduct, and although some discussions are held behind closed doors to prevent harassment for how votes were made, you can always ask after reasonings behind decisions. 
# Staff members, however, are held to a higher standard than the rest of the playerbase - the position includes a level of responsibility, and staff should conduct themselves accordingly. 
# We understand that life can often get in the way, and staff are not under heavy requirements to do their roles. However, prolonged inactivity will lead to removal from the position. Staff may also at any time ask for a retirement, and should they wish to regain their position, they will receive it, no questions asked.