The RPG Forum Rules

[RaZoR LeAf]

Role-Playing-Game (RPG) A game in which the participants assume the roles of fictional characters.
Participants determine the actions of their characters based on their characterization, and the actions succeed or fail
according to a formal system of rules and guidelines. Within the rules, players have the freedom to improvise;
their choices shape the direction and outcome of the game. -Wikipedia

RPG Forum Rules

The RPG Forum is part of the Serebii Forums, as as such ALL of it's main rules apply here. You can read the Main Forum rules here. There are parts of the rules you can bend here, but any such differences are mentioned in this Rules thread.

1. Topics

We have three different forums here. The RPG Forum is the main part, this is where the actual game itself goes. Before you post here, you go to the Sign Up Sub-Forum. This is where you post your RPG awaiting members. The RPG Cafe is for discussion of all things RPG related. There is more information about both of these forums later in the thread.

2. Etiquette

Respect every member's thoughts and ideas. Nobody has rights over a particular idea, regardless of who thought it up first. Please treat all members with the same respect you would want to be treated with. We have a Bill of Rights that entitles you to fair play, though they do not automatically make you or your argument right.

As a Game Master

• The right to have good Sign-Ups
• The right to deny anyone who doesn't reach their/the RPG's standards
• The right to deny anyone who you feel won’t do well in the RPG
• The right to ask for reasonable changes in someone's character
• The right to retain all rights and control over their RPG
• The right to later deny or remove someone from their RPG

As a Sign Up

• The right to be treated equal to everyone else
• The right to politely question the Game Master
• The right to a reason if turned down
• The right to contact a Moderator if unfair play is suspected
• The right to retain all rights and control over their characters, when it does not contradict the rules of the GM

3. Differences to Main Forum Rules

As mentioned, there are some of the main forums rules that can be bent here. This doesn't mean you get to choose which ones and how to bend them, there are still rules in place that you must follow.

2. Limit the use of foul language
Try not to evade the swear filter too much as well

Evading the swearing filter is acceptable so long as it is in character. Doing it outside of a character post and it's the same as doing it anywhere else in the forum. We also ask that you don't use it excessively and use the character as an excuse to mouth off.

4. Don't post in topics that are a month old
Stickied threads and special cases such as posting Fan Fiction are exceptions to this

The Game Master has the right to bump their own topics that are over a month old, for whatever reason. Any topic over 2 months old cannot be bumped.

5. Don't post multiple times in a row
There are a few special cases where this is allowed.

The RPG Forum is one of the special cases. You can double post if nobody else has posted in over a day. Game Masters can double post in their own RPGs, Sign Ups and Discussions in order to spread out information between more than one post.

The only other rule in the Serebii Forum Rules that can be bent, is one that goes in the opposite direction.

Don't use a ton of smilies in your posts please

Don't use smilies AT ALL in the RPG Forum. They are banned, completely.

4. Post Length

RPG Posts should be of adequate length, a minimum of 200 words, approximately seven lines. Posts that are just one or two lines in length are not acceptable. They don't help move the plot along in any way, and do nothing to help other characters either. Too many short posts will earn the RPG itself a warning. If they continue after this, then the RPG will be closed. Post Count is turned on in the RPG Forum, it will not be abused by people making no effort in their posts.

On similar notes, scripts are not allowed, nor are lines of just dialogue. Equally, people cannot have 'posting conversations' where they hit refresh and post straight after someone else, and the two (or more) continue this so they have blocks of just them posting conversations between their characters.

5. Bunnying

Bunnying is taking control of another person's character and making them do or say things without the permission of the original creator. This can be difficult on forums such as these, as we do not allow conversations to take place over several posts. If we did, RPGs would go on forever and never get anywhere. Which is why we allow bunnying so long as it is only for moving along the plot or scene. Forcing a character to go somewhere, or do something, or do a lot of things over one or two posts is not allowed. Anything involving another persons character must be done in that characters style, with their personality. This is why it's always important to have good Personality fields on Sign Up Forms, so other people can control your character properly.

6. Non-Pokemon RPGs

Whilst this is primarily a forum for pokemon fans, that doesn't mean RPG have to be exclusively about pokemon. We allow RPGs on any subject here, including other computer games, cartoons, films, books, and also your own original ideas. However, since these may be unknown to other people, you have to provide appropriate information about whatever your RPG is based on. This is especially so for original ideas you create. They're your ideas, so nobody else will know the details.

You can link to Wikipedia or Fan-Wikias, but not to other websites. You also cannot rely entirely on these sites, by just linking or copy/pasting instead of providing the information properly.

7. Other Forms of RPG

This forum is only for written RPGs. It is not a discussion board for MMORPGs, Table Top games like Dungeons and Dragons, or a place to ask for help on Fan-Made Games/Hacks (which are not allowed anywhere on the forum). It is also not a aplace to advertise other forum RPGs.

8. Plagiarism

Using any part of the work that somebody else wrote up is unacceptable NO MATTER WHAT. Whether it’s a member on another site, part of a novel or even Wikipedia, if it’s not your own words then you cannot post it, even if you give credit. Taking what another person said and slightly editing will result in the same thing. If proof for plagiarism has been given, then the member will be given a ban for two months or more, depending on the circumstances, and will be named and shamed in topic. If you suspect another member of either copy/pasting or copying and somewhat changing the RPG, character or post of another person, then please do not hesitate and contact a Moderator immediately, providing as much information as you can (such as the original RPG, even if it is on a different forum).


9. Images

Images can be displayed in the RPG Forum using [img][/img] tags. This is not to be abused in any kind. Doing so will result in a verbal warning, followed by RPG closure if it continues. If it is abused to much it will be removed permanently.


10. Feedback


Any complaints you have to make about the RPG Forum in general, or about specific members, then you should contact one of the RPG Forum Mods. If you have any comments, feedback or suggestions, then there is a Feedback Thread in the RPG Cafe.

Sign Up Rules

1. Plot Content

RPG plots need to be a minimum of 400 words. Anything less than this will result in the topic being closed. Do not think that because your thread has 400 words, it will be fine. This rule applies ONLY to the main plot. Any additional information does not count towards this number. Your plot is open to be examined by the Mod team. They have the right to pick through it and pull out any plot errors, loop holes, mistakes and contradictions. When a mod does this, you are expected to rebuild your plot to even out these highlighted mistakes. Please do not reply with a list of answers to any questions asked, this doesn't help your plot.

The Forum as a whole uses the Rating System provided by the MPAA. If an RPG contains adult themes, then it needs to have a proper warning in the thread title.
G Acceptable to all ages, does not require any written warning
PG-13 Acceptable for anyone over the age of 13
PG-15 Acceptable for anyone over the age of 15
R Acceptable for anyone over the age of 17
NC-17 Acceptable for anyone over the age of 17, considered for adult audiences only.

Please ASK permission from a Mod if you want to use the NC-17 rating as it will usually contain themes that aren't suitable for younger members.

2. Sign Up Forms

Signs Up Forms are mandatory. You must have some kind of Sign Up form in your RPG, or it will not be allowed. These can contain varying fields, including whatever it is that you require to know about a character. Sign Up Forms must contain fields for Personality and Description. Only if there is an acceptable and relevant reason for them not being present, can they be left out of a form.

As with Plots, Sign Up Forms need to contain information. As such, there is a limit on how little you can write into a field. The fields for Personality, Description and History (the former being mandatory) should contain at least 100 words. In the case of Descriptions, you can post pictures, however you must also include a written description.

3. In Thread Rules

GMs can have their own sets of rules inside their own threads. These cannot bend or break the main RPG Rules in any way. Anyone signing up should follow these rules properly or they may not be accepted into the RPG. Putting "Main RPG Rules" into the list isn't necessary, as everyone should be following them regardlessly. If the GM is found to be giving people rules to follow, but not following them themselves, then the thread will be closed.

It is also considered bad form to put silly requests in the rules such as "Write RPGS ARE AWESOME to prove you read the rules.". As the GM who wrote the rules, you are expected to be able to tell if someone is not following them. Equally, for anyone who is capable of following the rules, it is demeaning to have to write silly phrases in order to prove they can do something simple. Whilst we are not banning this process, we are making you all aware how much is is disliked by the mods.

4. Invites and Limits

We allow invite only RPGs here, where the Game Master can close sign ups to anyone outside of a list of their creation. This allows them to make an RPG for themselves and their friends, for members of a club or social group, or for people of a certain fan base of experience level. Who a GM invites to their RPG is up to them, so if you haven't been invited, don't take it personally.

5. Reservations

If you are interested in an RPG but don't have the time to make a sign up form on the spot, or you wish to take more time on making it right, you can ask to reserve a spot in the RPG. If you are allowed to do this, then you should post a completed Sign Up form as soon as you can, else you are holding a spot that could be used by another member. If you hold a reserved spot for too long, then you are letting down the GM and earning yourself a bad reputation. Many GMs will only allow the reservation of a spot, and not on particular features (such as powers/pokemon/types, etc) or they will have deadlines which you must be done by. Some GMs will not allow reservations at all, in which case if you want to take part in the RPG, the only way to do so is to complete a form.

6. Accepted, Pending, Denied

These are the three replies you can get for a Sign Up form. Accepted means that you are almost certainly taking part in the RPG. As already explained, the GM reserves the right to remove anyone from the RPG at any time. Pending means that you have some issues with your form that the GM doesn't like. These can range from grammar and spelling mistakes, contradictions with the plot, overused character clichés or length. in the case of Pending, you will be given a chance to edit your character to improve on what's been pointed out. Some GMs will limit the amount of times your form can be pending, as they do not want to be stuck with a character form that needs constant editing, or with a member that cannot maintain the same standards in the RPG itself. Denied means that there are too many mistakes in your form, and it does not reach the standard the GM is looking for. In most cases you will be given another chance, but if your form is very bad, you may have to resign to the fact that the RPG you are trying to join is not right for you.

If you are Accepted to an RPG, then you should have no further reason to post in the Sign Up thread, unless it to ask important questions. Posting to ask "When will the RPG Start?" is considered very rude. GMs reserve the right to throw people out of their RPGs if they ask this question.

RPG Cafe Rules

1. Topic Content

The RPG Cafe is for any threads regarding RPGing in general. The bulk of topics in the forum are individual RPG Discussion threads, but there is no limit to what you can discuss or create there; characters, plots, backgrounds, ideas, themes, essays, etc. just so long as it is on the subject of RPGing.

2. Topic Ownership

In the same vein as the above rule, it is not the sole duty of the mods to create threads. If you want to see a thread about something then post it. Don't sit around waiting for the mods to post it, take some initiative. There are many topics posted by regular members that have since become prominent threads in the Cafe. Of course, you should check first to make sure a similar thread hasn't been posted already. Check the last post date. If it's over 3 months old, then you can start a new one.

3. Discussion Threads

Discussion Threads can be made to accompany an active RPG. They are for the Game Master to pass on important information in bulk that cannot be posted in the main RPG thread. They can also be used for members to ask questions regarding the RPG, and to discuss where they are going and what they are doing. Discussion Threads are not places where the members of an RPG can chat.

In order to get a Discussion Thread for your RPG, you will need to send a Private Message (not a Visitor Message) to one of the moderators and ask for permission to start one. In the message you should post a link to your Sign Ups thread and the RPG thread if you've already started it. Explain what the thread will be used for, and mention the sort of details that will need to be expanded on for members over the course of the RPG. Don't just say "There's a lot of information that will need to be explained" as that reason has long since become old and tired.

If your thread is approved, then you must write the name of the Moderator who approved the thread in the first post. Failure to do so means that your thread will appear unapproved and be closed.

The first post in your Discussion Thread should also contain the plot, and all the information you provided in your Sign Ups thread, plus any further information you are able to give out before/at the start of your RPG. Do not create the thread and wait for people to start asking questions.

4. Chatting

The Cafe is not for idle chatting. The Post-Count is turned off because of how busy the Discussion Threads can get, but even so, back and forth chat is not allowed unless it directly concerning an important RPG issue. Any chatting that starts up in a Discussion Thread is the responsibility of the Thread maker, aka the Game Master. Failure to control it can result in the Discussion Thread being closed.

[RaZoR LeAf]

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Can you co-run an RPG?
A. This isn't a problem at all. Just make sure that everyone who visits the topic knows that there are two people running it, and are authorised to approve or deny sign ups. Co-GMs should discuss things pertaining to the RPG privately instead of in the RPG Thread or Discussion Thread.

Q. Do I need permission to start an RPG?
A. Only if you are writing an NC-17 RPG. If you want to get a Mod to look at an RPG first, then PM them and ask them if they can, then PM them the RPG in full if they say they will. Do not just send them the RPG and expect them to look at it. Ask first.

Q. What is the Seal of Approveal?
A. The Golden Serebii Seal, seen at the top of this thread is a mark used to identify RPGs that are considered brilliant. This is no mean feat to achieve, and they are rarely handed out. Seals are also added to specific Mod Approved threads, such as Rules and Important or useful topics. Seals are only handed up by the moderators. Anyone who is found to be adding a seal to their topic themselves will receive a high-level infraction.

Q. If I make an RP post that’s just under the minimum of seven lines, will the RPG get closed?
A. Not if it isn’t far under the minimum and it only happens once or twice. But if a Mod sees that there have been lots of short posts in an RPG then there will be a public warning for everyone to increase their post length, and only if it goes on after that will it be closed.

Q. Can I join/Run more than one RPG?
A. You can take part in and run as many RPGs as you want. However be aware of how much of your time they take up.

RPG Terminology

RPG - Role Playing Game
RPGer - A person who takes part in Role Playing Games

Godmodding - Portraying the character as unbeatable, with all the best qualities and abilities, and no negative ones.
Power Playing - Portraying the character as unbeatable in a post. May not necessarily have a powerful character, but in posts they never put a foot wrong and always come out on top.
Mary Sue/Gary Stu - An unrealistically perfect character, that offers no originality. Usually fulfils several clichés.

LSU - Late Sign Ups
OOC - Out of Character
IC / BIC - In Character / Back in Character
NPC - Non-Participating Character

Bunnying - Taking control of another person's character and making them act out of character.

Game Master - The owner or person running an RPG

Writer's Block - A condition that writers have when they are stuck for ideas

Useful Links

RPG Announcements
If we make any changes to the rules, or someone gets modded or demodded, or if there's an issue that the mods think needs to be raised, we'll do it here. If you see it has a new post, then you should read it straight away.

Making a Sign-Up
A detailed guide to making a good sign up form. Tells you how to make interesting and believable characters whilst avoiding nasty clichés.

Sign-Up Review Thread
Need help making your sign up perfect? Here's the place to post it. Get advice from other Role Players on your character and increase your chances of being approved for the RPG you've got your eye on.

Character Questionnaire
So you're making a character and you want them to be as detailed as possible. Check out this lengthy survey where you can build a massive personality and history for a character by answering the questions on their behalf.

Feedback and Suggestions
If you have any comments to make on the RPG Forum as a whole, or want to suggest things that can occur on the forums, then this is the place for it. You can also make complaints here, but anything personal should be made in Private Message to those involved. It's not a topic for RPG Ideas.

Ideas and Wishes
Got an idea for an RPG but don't know how well it will do? Is there an RPG you'd love to take part in, but have no idea how to write it yourself? Post here, and get opinions from your fellow RPGers on your own ideas, or see if you can inspire one to make an RPG for you.

The RPGer's Profiles
Tell us about yourself, your skills and your upcoming RPGs here. A list of everyone who RPGs on this forum, you can see what sort of things they like, or find the perfect person to help you based on what they know.

The Universal Mary Sue Litmus Test Outside Link
A useful page where a series of questions will determine if the character you have created is a 'Mary Sue' or not.

Face Creator Outside Link
Having trouble describing a character's face? Well you can create a basic face on this flash site. It's a bit cartoony, but you can create some fairly detailed faces that should give you a head start on visualising your character making them easier to describe.

Onomasticon Outside Link
A great resource with hundreds of names from around the world, perfect if you're looking for a traditional or just a different name for your character.

Seventh Sanctum Outside Link
A randomiser site, which can give you just about anything you'll need for a fantasy RPG. Great to use if you're really stuck, but don't become reliant on it.

Spellcheck Outside Link
Enter a body of text into this page and it'll check your spellings. I strongly advise you to use a Word Processor though, as this doesn't pick up on all spellings and doesn't customise for American/English differences

Guide to Godmodding Outside Link
A useful guide that gives examples of how to avoid being the best character. Tips on making your character balanced, so they've not got the unfair advantage.

[RaZoR LeAf]

Server Error List

As many of you have experienced, there are certain words that cause the forum to freak out, which can be very annoying if you're trying to post a thread, a character or just make a post of some kind. It occurs a lot when you are editing a previously made post. Well in order to fight that problem, here's a list of synonyms for the trigger words, that you can maybe use in replacement.

Select

–verb
to choose in preference to another or others; pick out.

choose, cull, decide, elect, make, make a choice, mark, name, opt, opt for, peg, pick, pin down, say so, single out, slot, sort out, tab, tag, take, tap, winnow

–adjective
chosen in preference to another or others; selected.

best, blue-chip, boss, choice, chosen, cool, cream, culled, delicate, discriminating, eclectic, elect, elegant, exclusive, exquisite, favored, first-class, first-rate, handpicked, limited, number one, pick, picked, posh, preferred, prime, privileged, rare, recherché, screened, special, superior, top, topnotch, tops, weeded, winner, winnowed, world-class

Create

-verb
to cause to come into being, as something unique that would not naturally evolve or that is not made by ordinary processes.

actualize, author, beget, bring into being, bring into existence, bring to pass, build, cause to be, coin, compose, conceive, concoct, constitute, construct, contrive, design, devise, discover, dream up, effect, erect, establish, fabricate, fashion, father, forge, form, formulate, found, generate, give birth to, give life to, hatch, imagine, initiate, institute, invent, invest, make, occasion, organize, originate, parent, perform, plan, produce, rear, set up, shape, sire, spawn, start

Insert

–verb
to put or place in.

admit, drag in, embed, enter, fill in, imbed, implant, include, infix, infuse, inject, inlay, insinuate, instill, intercalate, interject, interlope, interpolate, interpose, introduce, intrude, lug in, obtrude, place, pop in, root, set, shoehorn, shove in, squeeze in, stick, work in

Delete

–verb
to strike out or remove.

X-out, annul, black out, bleep, blot out, blue-pencil, cancel, clean, clean up, cross out, cut, cut out, decontaminate, destroy, drop, edit, efface, eliminate, exclude, expunge, obliterate, omit, pass up, rub, rub out, rule out, sanitize, snip, squash, squelch, sterilize, strike out, trim, wipe out

Update

–verb
to bring up to date, as by adding new information or making corrections

amend, modernize, refresh, refurbish, rejuvenate, renew, renovate, restore, revise

Modify

-verb
to change somewhat the form or qualities of; alter partially; amend:

adapt, adjust, become, convert, correct, customize, doctor, mutate, recast, redo, refashion, reform, remodel, reorganize, repair, reshape, revise, rework, shift gears, switch over, transfigure, transform, transmogrify, transmute, turn, turn one around, turn over new leaf, turn the corner, turn the tables, tweak, vary

-----

These lists are not definite, as there are numerous meanings to each word. If you are in doubt, then use a Thesaurus to look up each word and find whichever one suits your context, that way you can be sure the word you are replacing with, fits and makes sense.

Failing this, you can use the method that I used in order to post them here without a problem. You can use a tag in the middle of the word, that effectively breaks the word into several fragments.

For example:
Mod[b][/b]ify
Mod[FONT="Verdana"]ify[/FONT]
Mod[SIZE="2"]ify[/SIZE]

[krakket]

Posting to ask "When will the RPG Start?" is considered very rude. GMs reserve the right to throw people out of their RPGs if they ask this question.

Why on earth is it considered very rude to ask when the RPG will start? This sounds like the most reasonable question somebody could ask.... really glad I didn't ask this now because I almost did.. but i'm a newbie..

[The Doctor]

Why on earth is it considered very rude to ask when the RPG will start? This sounds like the most reasonable question somebody could ask.... really glad I didn't ask this now because I almost did.. but i'm a newbie..

Keep in mind GMs have lives outside of Serebii and it makes you appear impatient for doing so.

[krakket]

Or just curious. Asking the question once when it hasn't been previously asked doesn't imply you're upset it hasn't started yet or you want it to start right then... It just means you're curious about when to expect to begin because you're exited. I think it's a courteous thing to tell people when it'll start so they don't forget about it waiting or miss the kickoff. Obviously GMs have lives...I didn't mean to be rude :/ But thanks for the answer.

[RaZoR LeAf]

Why on earth is it considered very rude to ask when the RPG will start? This sounds like the most reasonable question somebody could ask.... really glad I didn't ask this now because I almost did.. but i'm a newbie..

Because GM's often have to get things organised regarding the placements of people who have signed up, or any plans they had have to be tweaked to adjust for someone's history. More often it's because they want to see if there are more sign ups. Somebody posting "When will the RPG start?" a day after they've signed up doesn't come across as eagerness, it comes across as impatience. It's the forum equivalent of asking "are we there yet?" on a car journey. "We get there when we get there."

[Azran Flame]

So, does this mean we can ask questions here?

Okay, so in the rules it says "PG-** - Acceptable for anyone over the age of **". Does this mean that you have to be over that certain age to be accepted in the RPG?

[Cinna]

I don't think so, you just need to have that level of maturity.

[krakket]

Because GM's often have to get things organised regarding the placements of people who have signed up, or any plans they had have to be tweaked to adjust for someone's history. More often it's because they want to see if there are more sign ups. Somebody posting "When will the RPG start?" a day after they've signed up doesn't come across as eagerness, it comes across as impatience. It's the forum equivalent of asking "are we there yet?" on a car journey. "We get there when we get there."

Oh, gotcha. That makes sense, thanks for the explanation. I don't have much experience with how RPGs are usually planned, so i figured most GMS would have in mind a timeframe when they would stop accepting signups or maybe a number of players signed up when they would start, that's why I thought it odd that asking was rude.

[RaZoR LeAf]

So, does this mean we can ask questions here?

Okay, so in the rules it says "PG-** - Acceptable for anyone over the age of **". Does this mean that you have to be over that certain age to be accepted in the RPG?

They're the same ratings that are given to films in the US. It basically means that the content is aimed at people of that age group, so PG-13 is for the younger teen, PG-15 for the older with more mature themes, R for over 17, so basically adult themes without being graphic. NC-17 is for graphic themes, which is why we ask that you check with a mod before posting it. It's up to you what level you choose to join, but the warnings are there so you can't turn around and complain that the RPG was rude, or offensive when there is an adequate warning in place.

[Hancade]

Is it okay for a GM to be a player too?