Rules

On the Fawkes we like to dabble in the grey area of law and order. That doesn't mean we don't need some rules governing our play. Below you will find the shortest and most concise rules list I could conjure up.

Rule 0 - "Just play. Have fun. Enjoy the Game"

I think Michael Jordan said it all in this above quote. Although he probably wasn't talking about online role playing games (then again, who knows!). Please remember that we're all here to have fun, to enjoy a hobby that has brought us together from all across the Earth based on a tv-show that preaches equality, love and understanding for all. Under no circumstance should your fun and happiness impede on the fun and happiness of others.

None of the aforementioned is diminished in any way due to the age rating currently enforced on the S.S. Fawkes. In fact I hold players on a sim that runs adult themes to the highest of standards on this.

Rule 1 - "A hero is someone who understands the responsibility that comes with his freedom."

The Fawkes has voluntarily rated itself 18+. This means that all players applying have to be 18 years of age. Additionally, I expect a level or maturity of the players which means that they can handle this freedom and responsibility. Anyone that proves themselves unable to adhere to these rules will find themselves removed from the Fawkes.

While no universal rating system exists for RPGs or writing groups it’s widely accepted in movies and television that an age rating is based on four categories; Language, Violence, Sexual content, Substance abuse. Below you will find an overview of what freedoms and limits the writers on the Fawkes have under this rating.

Language - Swearing and mature language is permitted. It’ll give your character the freedom to speak their minds without any need for creative fracking up or using gorram euphemisms.

Violence - Explicit violence is permitted. While we discourage the detailed description of pointless violence, sometimes only the blood soaked truth of a battlefield amputation can drive the point of the gruesome nature of battle home.

Sexual content - A description of sexual acts is permitted, but keep in mind that you’re writing with other people and nobody wants a detailed description of a Cardassian phallus. An extra limitation exists in regards to non-consensual sexual acts, where we do not allow the (graphic) description of these types of behaviour, nor do we allow anything that normalises, justifies or glorifies aforementioned non-consensual sexual acts.

Substance abuse - To get through the days and difficult times sometimes a bottle or a syringe is all the characters crave. The abuse and dependency on (illegal) substances makes for great opportunity for character growth. We allow great detail in your descriptions of drug and alcohol use.

Be aware that despite this rating, all actions have consequences. If your character is a dick people won’t want to interact with them. If your character is a dick to the people in charge, they will find themselves without a job.

Rule 2 - "You know what the chain of command is?"

For the most part the Fawkes will be run by democracy. We're all equally invested in making this collaborative writing exercise a success (if that's not the case, why did you join?). The Fawkes is a civilian freighter and doesn't have a rigid chain of command (not even one as described by Jayne Cobb).

That being said, should any decision need to be made on personnel issues (e.g. accepting or rejecting applications, removing or disciplinary action, etc.) they will be made by the Captain of the vessel. In order to do this effectively the Captain will work closely together with the First Mate on these matters.

As such the First mate is held to a higher standard than other crew members, both In-Character as Out-of-Character. They are truly a shining example of what it means to be a crew member of the S.S. Fawkes.

Rule 3 - "I am what is mine. Personality is the original personal property"

Each player on the S.S. Fawkes shall have one primary Player Character (PC) active on the sim. No more, no less. This PC is obliged to have a full bio and shall only be controlled by the associated player.

Every player aboard the S.S. Fawkes may create one Non-Player Character (NPC) in the form of an Ordinary Deck Hand. This NPC should always be secondary to their primary PC, and may be used in small parts by other players so long as the other players stick to the personality and description set forth by the original creator (also it's nice to ask permission, and a lot more fun to involve your shipmates)

No player shall cause any grievous (permanent) harm, physical or otherwise, to any other player's character or NPC without the latter's express permission and a message to the Captain.

Rule 4 - "Put one word after another. Find the right word, put it down"

This whole thing is not a whole lot of fun if we don't actually play the game. This means I expect a minimum level of activity for anyone that has a PC on the Fawkes. This means that you log in at least twice a week. That you reply to active tags joint posts within three days of them being issued. It also means that a post that you had a significant role in will be posted to the website at least once every 2 weeks.

In return I promise to involve all of you in the overarching story lines I craft for the game. If you want to develop your character in a particular way and could use the help of the rest of us to make it happen please don't hesitate to let us know! I want the Fawkes to be character driven at its core.

On top of this Obsidian Fleet has mandated that a standard post length is at least 500 words. In extension of that, every 500 words in an entry shall be counted as a 'Standard Post'. In order to be considered active, a player has to contribute at least 2 standard posts to the game per month. Structural failure to do so may result in removal from the game. If due to circumstances you're unable to contribute at least the minimum requirement to the game then please inform the command staff and ask for a Leave of Absence.

Should any players resign, or be removed, during an ongoing mission we will endeavour to part with the character amicably. If their character is integral to the plot or is blocking progress they may be taken over by another player (usually the Captain or First Mate) in order to push the story forward and get to a point where we can part ways without breaking continuity. Unfortunately, this parting of ways may result in the untimely death of said character.

Stories, quotes and snippets from all posts submitted to this website may be used outside of the site for recruitment, promotion and boasting purposes.

Rule 5 - "Happiness is not a reward - it is a consequence. Suffering is not a punishment - it is a result."

If the fun, happiness or well being of another crewmember is infringed upon you are considered to be in violation of Rule 0 and may be subject to disciplinary action or removal. This will be enforced even in cases where the accused party acts within the confines of the rules outlined in this document in general, and under the rule governing the age rating in particular. Nothing supersedes Rule 0.

Reasons for removal include, but are not limited to: abuse of the leave system, prolonged or repeated AWOLs, prolonged or repeated lack of participation, any other serious or repeated violations of any of the aforementioned rules, or endangering the safe, civil, and productive gaming environment of the Fawkes.

A player who has been disciplined or removed may appeal to the OF’s Office of Mediation and Arbitration.

Any player signing up for the Fawkes will also automatically become a part of Obsidian Fleet. As such they are required to be familliar with, and abiding by, the rules set forth by the Fleet Rules and Policies