Best Practices

OOC

 * 1) This is a storytelling experience over being a game that is “won”. The goal is to tell enjoyable stories with the other players and staff; communication is key to that. Please use your ST log to stay in contact with the staff and use OOC (out of character) channels to collaborate with other players on scenes and plots.
 * 2) It is okay to do this even to the detriment of your character. Strife and IC conflict are how interesting stories are crafted.
 * 3) It is okay to ask other players to allow your character a “win”, but also be respectful if they don’t immediately (or at all) agree or if a compromise on character goals and needs are requested in return. Keep communicating and be willing to let things just fall out how they do ICly if an OOC collaboration isn’t possible. Include STs on the discussions - they probably have ideas that can make such collaborations more interesting!
 * 4) Your characters are monsters. You are not. Please keep the political machinations and backstabbing within the game world. Please do not lie or seek to deliberately cause distress to other players.
 * 5) Gaslighting, shaming, bullying, and other forms of emotional abuse will not be tolerated on the server. The BNS staff are the final arbiters of what constitutes this behavior. Engaging in this kind of behavior will earn disciplinary points that may result in suspensions or even banning a player. More detailed information can be found in the document.
 * 6) Don’t negatively metagame - Collaborating with other players using OOC knowledge can make for a great story. Using OOC player knowledge to give your character advantages they wouldn't or couldn't otherwise have in the game unbalances the game and can ruin gameplay for others and is a form of cheating. If you're not sure about a course of action or knowledge your character may have, talk it over with the STs and always ask yourself: 'will this make the story more fun for everyone involved?'

IC

 * 1) Don’t use hate speech even if it would be in-character. This bears repeating.
 * 2) Your character is allowed to lie.
 * 3) Please do not ditch a character because they’ve been caught lying, that ruins the good stories that can be told of their reactions and how it affects the city.
 * 4) Follow the guidelines for content covering or location rules listed in BNS Server Standards & Limits.
 * 5) If a scene is bothering your mental health, ask for a bubble or a Fair Escape for your character. A bubble means the scene is on hold until you or an ST can finish it out; a Fair Escape means your character is allowed to leave the scene immediately. Please do not abuse this, but the players are real people and the characters are not. Always defer to the health and enjoyment of the real people.