In order to better faciliate helping players and keeping things running as smoothly as possible out-of-character, Castle Marrach uses an @assist function. This command lets you send a message directly to Story Staff asking questions, expressing concerns, etc.
When to use @assist
While @assist can be used for plenty of reasons - requesting time with Veteran Characters, suggesting ideas for plots, etc, - our @assist policies relate to using the command to resolve player-vs-player issues.
As much as no one wants to have issues with other players in our community, it's often inevitable. Miscommunication, bad vibes, whatever it is that happens, from time to time a player will have a 'run in' with another player that leaves a negative impact on their day.
The information below relates to how the player should handle these situations and how Story Staff can support:
Asking you to play your character a different way
Under no circumstances are players required to change the way they roleplay their character if it's legitimate in-character actions.
Players are entitled to play a conflict-oriented character (or any kind of character) without explaining themelf to another player or changing how they play them to suit the feelings of another person, within reasonable confines.
For example, we do not condone abusive language about people's race, sexual identities, religious views, etc. So, if a player chooses to play a racist character, Story Staff will step in. That said, if the player wants their character to be 'racist' towards elves or dwarves, that's fine.
That all said, if two characters are in conflict and the player feel that the conflict is motivated by out-of-character feelings or issues, it's safe to assume reaching out to the other player isn't the wisest choice. The player should file an @assist and let Story Staff look into it. This eliminates miscommunications and unwanted discourse between players out-of-character.
Finally, we've mentioned conflict-oriented characters above, but this rule applies to any kind of request to alter the way someone plays their character, be it "play them meaner!" or "be nicer!". These aren't okay things to ask and players can @assist if another player continues to make requests to change their roleplay.
Flirting and unother unwanted sexual behaviour
Players should not send unsolicited pages requesting sexual roleplay, nudes, general flirtations, or other sexually charged content. If a player receives this and aren't okay with it, they should immediately file an @assist.
If a player knows someone else is receiving these kinds of messages from another player and is too shy to @assist, they should really encourage them to do so to nip this sort of behaviour in the bud. Unfortunately, if they player is doing this to one person, there's a high chance they're doing it to others as well.
Story Staff don't tolerate that kind of harassment of our players, but if we don't know it's happening, we can't act. This diminishes the safety of the environment in which we play. We, as players, are responsible for creating and maintaining a positive, safe environment/community for us to play our game.
Confusion and concern
If an incident occurs in-character and a player has concerns about its legitimacy (e.g., alts are involved, out-of-character motivations, simple lack of understanding why something happened as it did, etc.), please file an @assist! Story Staff don't mind answering questions or looking into things where people feel concerned. It's not a bother to check and most of the time, it's perfectly legitimate actions, but you never know.
This being said, in some cases, Story Staff won't be able to say more than, "We've looked into an issue and it looks to be fine."
In regards to favoritism, the simple fact is not one player knows all the things another player's character has done to know why a character has or hasn't done something to or for another character. However, if the player feels concerned, they are free to file an @assist and Story Staff will look into it - but that doesn't mean the player is entitled to all the in-character information that motivated the action.
With all @assists, players should provide logs or evidence whereever possible.
When not to @assist
There's not much you can't @assist about. It's a general help line for inquiries and concerns.
However, players should first ask themselves if it's really something @assist-worthy and not just them having a bad day or reacting poorly to something that's legitimately in-character.
If an interaction between characters upsets a player out-of-character, we say: please take a step back to catch your breath and reorient yourself. Look at the situation and after that, if you feel that the incident had out-of-character motivations or crossed boundaries of decency, then file an @assist with the relevant information.
@assist ettiquette
- Do not file an assist full of abusive language, directed at another player or Story Staff.
This should be obvious. Story Staff are trying to help. - Do not file an assist on behalf of another person.
We know you want to help, but an @assist from the primary party is a must for Story Staff to take solid action on it. At most, if someone @assists for someone else, Story Staff can keep an eye on it, but can't act off hearsay. - Do not file an assist with vague "Can I talk to a StoryGuide/StoryPlotter?"
Please file with full details of the incident so Story Staff can get begin looking into it when we see it, rather than having to wait for various parties to be online when we are. - Once an @assist is filed, cease all OOC contact with the individual involved.
This prevents further conflict if it's an active conflict issue. - Do not try to insert yourself into a situation that does not include you or your character.
If someone files an @assist and you are aware of it, please refrain from involving yourself unless you are actually involved. This risks convoluting the issue, spreading it, and otherwise making it more difficult to manage. - Once a decision is reached by Story Staff, do not further exacerbate it with the individual involved.
If you're not satisfied with the decision, you can appeal to the StoryHost (if he did not handle it originally). However, do not reach out to other players involved unless contact has been established as OKAY and the issue has been resolved. Continuing to press the issue with other player will result in further @assists and could result in an infraction on your account.
