Rules and Regulations

## Rules Agreement

Please read the rules agreement of this page in its entirety.

By playing in Rule of Fear: A West Marches Campaign, you agree to act in accordance with the following set of rules. Failure to do so will result in consequences, up to and including being removed from the campaign. Our rules regard social interactions within our community as well as the responsibility each player has to help maintain a fun and driven game atmosphere. Because of this, there are two types of guidelines listed on this page; Community Rules, and Gameplay Rules.

## Prospective Members

In addition to agreeing to this set of rules, all new players are under a probationary period for a total of two months. During that time, any failure to abide by these rules as determined by either the campaign administrator (Marek), or sufficient evidence from a GM and group of other members, will be treated severely. If a player is found to be violating any of these rules during their probationary period, they can be immediately removed from the campaign.

## Existing Members

If at any time a player is found to be exhibiting behaviour that is in violation of the rules below, as deemed by a GM or group of players, that player will be subject to one of a number of actions. In certain cases, a "three-strike" policy may be used to allow the player a chance to work on behaviours which may be causing disruption, resulting in action up to and including removal from the community if the behaviours maintain or worsen. In extreme cases it may be called-for to remove a player from the community even when their behaviour does not strictly violate the rules below. In these cases reasonable measures will be taken first to ensure there are not alternative solutions.

## Be Respectful

It is expected that players will show a mutual respect for each other as well as the GM staff. Disagreements happen, but it's expected that everyone acts like a reasonable adult. Please, keep disagreements civilized, and stay away from personal attacks. Any such discussion of a disagreement should be done outside of gametime, and in a private form of communication.

If you have a disagreement with another player or a GM, work it out with that specific person in private. If you don’t feel you can, then send a PM to the campaign administrator, Marek. These are your only two options. Regardless of the nature of the argument, if you start being mean or flaming people to other members of the campaign, you’re officially in violation of this rule.

## Be Mature

Rule of Fear has a minimum age limit of 18. Players are expected to act like rational adults, and not like children.

Players that violate this rule will be given the chance to improve their behavior, or they will be asked to leave.

## Harassment Free

As a community of adults, our roleplay can reflect many of our thoughts, feelings, and desires. However, not all people thinks certain types of roleplay are fun. Inclusion is a priority and everyone must feel comfortable playing here, so do not engage in any roleplay or out-of-character chat that would make another person feel uncomfortable. Light swearing is not an issue, nor are mild mature themes, but keep it light.

Additionally, do not engage in roleplay or chat that would be considered racist, sexually discriminatory, or otherwise bigoted toward a player or GM. Discussion of any form of politics or religion that are not a part of the Pathfinder game setting are also strictly forbidden. (Note: In-character racism against fictional races, such an Elf not liking Dwarves, is acceptable)

Erotic roleplay or any roleplay of graphic sex acts is not permitted. A GM may be able to add minor sexual themes if they are relevant to the game setting, and only then if they are not gratuitous. Forming cliques or purposefully excluding other members from roleplay, or the joining of groups is not permitted. Any form of trolling, meming, or flaming is not allowed. Characters made to try and subvert the rules of harassment by means of their background are not allowed.

## Be Patient

Our GMs are volunteers, and are not paid to run games. These people are taking time out of their day to day lives to give you free entertainment. None of the GM staff is on the clock. There will be times when you need a GM for something such as character approval, or help with rulings. Please be respectful of the fact that GMs are players and people too. They have their own lives and only have to participate in the campaign when they have time to. This also applies to sessions being run. Impatience and complaining will not speed things up. Harassing or otherwise pestering GMs will not be tolerated.

## The Golden Rule

This rule cannot be stressed enough. While in their session, a GMs ruling is law. It's okay to make suggestions about a ruling, but once a GM says the ruling is final, do not argue with them about it. Any whining, complaints, or negative attitude about a GMs rulings, either during or after a game, will not be tolerated. All other rulings out of game will be referred to the Campaign Administrator (Marek).

## Forms of Chat

You have the responsibility to clealry denote when using out-of-character chat within Roll20. Everything your character does and says is required to be in character. Out-of-character chat is acceptable within Roll20 for pertinent messages related to ongoing roleplay or encounters, but should be kept to relevant messages. The best solution is to use our Discord server for most other Out-of-character communication. If you want to chat with a friend out-of-character, PM them on Discord.

## Appropriate Character and Roleplay

Rule of Fear is mainly set within the Pathfinder campaign setting of Ustalav. Additional information about this region and its surrounding areas can be found in the 'Our Setting' section of this wiki. For the most part, Ustalav takes its setting from Gothic horror fiction. It's expected that all players will design characters that will fit within this type of setting.

You may not play a character from a video game or a book, or anything taken from pop culture or other game settings. Your character must be original and fit within the setting. You must name yourself and anything else you control as appropriate to the setting. Highly popular character names from other places are not acceptable (i.e. You're not named Naruto, Daenerys, Vegeta, or Drizzt). This also applies to the image you choose for your character.

## Follow All Restrictions

It's your responsibility, not the GMs, to make sure you follow the character creation rules. Audits are performed on character sheets from time to time, and violations can result in the simple need to adjust parts of your character with no harm done. Under extreme circumstances, however, they may result in experience penalties, loot penalties, or in extremely rare circumstances, level penalties up to and including re-creation of character. If you repeatedly violate these rules and cannot learn to follow the restrictions set, you will be removed. Ask a GM if you want to be sure you're following the rules.

## This Isn't a Living Campaign

This isn't a living campaign. Please refrain from roleplay outside of gametime. Any such roleplay will not be considered to have happened in the game world, and is frowned upon. You're allowed to discuss what you'd like your characters to do in the Discord, and plan events with other players, but talking as them is not allowed.

## Punctuality and Attendance

You have the responsibility, as a player, to be present during sessions for which you have committed to play. It is disrespectful to GMs and your fellow players if you do not invest your time playing your character and paying attention to the game. Doing things like watching TV, eating food while talking, texting on your cell phone, browsing the internet, or playing video games while in a game session is frowned upon. Please, give the group your full attention during gametime.

It's your responsibility to let a GM know if you are unable to make it to a session ahead of time. This doesn't mean a few minutes before the campaign is about to start. You must give the GM ample time find a replacement, or otherwise contact the rest of the party. Repeated failure to follow these rules will result in removal from the campaign. This form of gaming is considered a disruption no different than any other described in this page and will be treated as such.

## Keeping Up To Date

It's important to track any type of advancement your character receives. Our wiki details how you need to track experience and loot, but there are less tangible things, too. If something is not added to your sheet before your next encounter, you are considered not to have gotten it. If you're going to use it later, it must be written down on your character sheet along with the ID of the encounter you earned it in and the GM who gave it to you.

## Don't Be Afraid To Ask

If anything confuses you, look it up or ask. Do not try to proceed with something unless you are sure on how it works. If you mistakenly purchase something or upgrade your character in the wrong way because you did not properly research it, the fault is solely with you, and will not be overturned.

Did you read the above information? If you have, then please click the following link to continue with the sign-up process. By doing so, you agree to the above rules and conditions of becoming a member of the Rule of Fear campaign:

Joining the Game