Rules

While the Avalon Institute exists to hide from governing parties that wish to confine us for what we are born with. 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 comic book series. 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 X-Men: Avalon. 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."

X-Men: Avalon has voluntarily rated itself 18+. This means that all players applying have to be at least 18 years of age. Additionally, I expect a level or maturity of the players, meaning they can handle this freedom and responsibility. Anyone that proves themselves unable to adhere to these rules will find themselves removed from the game.

While no universal rating system exists for RPGs or writing groups Obsidian Fleet runs their games based on the RPG rating system.

X-Men: Avalon is rated:

Language - Swearing is permitted, with some limitations.
Sex - Mild sexual innuendo and references permitted. No (graphic) descriptions of nudity allowed.
Violence - Explicit violence is permitted.

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 X-Men: Avalon 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?).

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 Sim Management Team.

As such the Sim Management Team is held to a higher standard than other faculty members, both In-Character as Out-of-Character. They are truly a shining example of what it means to be a member of X-Men: Avalon.

Rule 3 - "Put one word after another. Find the right word, put it down"

In order to be considered an Active Player, one will have to contribute at least 2 OF Standard posts per month with their Primary Character (see Rule 4). An OF Standard Post is defined as an entry with a minimum of 500 words, with every additional 500 words counted as an additional Standard Post.

What helps towards this goal is if you’re actively logging in to the website and responding to tags in ongoing posts. We advise logging in and responding to tags at least three times a week. While there's no minimum requirement to a tag it should endeavour to add a significant contribution to the ongoing post and work to push the narrative forward.

Structural failure to actively participate 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 Sim Management Team and request a Leave of Absence.

In return, the Sim Management Team promises to involve all Players in the overarching storylines crafted 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! X-Men: Avalon should be a character-driven game at its core.

Should any players resign, or be removed, during an ongoing storyline we will endeavour to part with the character amicably. If their character is integral to the plot, or is blocking progress, the Sim Management Team may take control over the character in order to push the story forward and get to a point where the character 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, but will never be used in an effort to monetise your creative work.

Rule 4 - "I am what is mine. Personality is the original personal property"

A Player must play a faculty member as their primary Player Character (PC) in the game. This PC is obliged to have a complete bio and shall only be controlled by the associated Player.

An Active Player may add Secondary Characters (SCs) in available roles, keeping in mind that a new player applying for a role (when approved) will be allowed to replace an SC in the same role.

An Active Player may create teenage/student SCs of the Avalon Institute, knowing that these characters may be mentioned in a minor fashion as part of classes and larger posts by other Active Players.

An Active Player may request to play an antagonist SC that’s part of an established adversarial group (Sherwood Rangers and/or Human Protection League). Development and acceptance of these characters should always be done in collaboration with the Sim Management Team.

Any PC or SC is under the direct creative control of the Active Player that created said character. As such, whenever a PC or SC is included in a post, the system should be used to include the Active Player. No (physical) harm may be done to a character without the explicit permission of the Active Player that created said character.

The privileges to creating and playing additional SCs may be restricted or revoked in case a player no longer contributes sufficiently with their PC (or as the result of other disciplinary action).

When creating any of these characters, keep in mind that they may not be copies of established characters or be related to established characters from X-Men lore. We’re looking for new and exciting original characters to add to our cast.

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 X-Men: Avalon.

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