Behavior

Being considerate towards other players may seem like an obvious thing to do, but it isn't to everyone. Not all new players realize that it's bad manners to powerpose, for example. Or that violence is not the normal way of life on SouCon. Even if you are already fully aware of Pernese mush etiquette, it never hurts to double check.

SouCon MUSH is a cooperative, single themed, Roleplaying environment. In order to provide and maintain an environment that meets the needs of its players, the Wizards of SouCon expect players to meet certain minimum expectations of behavior as outlined in this section of the policy document (as well as general guidelines provided by common sense and real life etiquette). Any player may ask a Wizard to enforce this code of behavior. Wizards may @tel, @boot, set SLAVE (unable to perform most if not all commands), and/or @newpassword those who violate these guidelines.

1. Profane, rude, overtly sexual (in public areas), excessively violent, racist, and hate-related activities are not acceptable on SouCon. This includes character and object names and descriptions, speech, and poses. A Wizard should be asked to intervene in any situation involving these. Because the theme of Anne McCaffrey's world of Pern includes some sexuality as regards the Dragonrider characters, all public poses and language should fit into a 'PG-13' film category. If a player is in doubt as to if a given pose or speech would be in violation of PG-13, then they should bring their behavior into what would be considered 'PG'.

2. All characters must conform to the guidelines listed in character section and their behavior in public must, especially when asked by the other people in the public area, be in character (in theme).

3. Players are expected to treat other players with basic politeness and respect. Swearing at other players or calling them names is not acceptable, and may result in a Area Leader/Wizard gagging (rendering unable to speak) or booting the person in extreme cases. Consistent harassment of characters is not acceptable.

4. Excessive, unwelcome amounts of text sent across people's screens by one is called 'spam' and is not acceptable in public areas unless it is agreeable to the people present.

5. Membership in IC areas, and inclusion on knot systems, are privileges, and players are subject to the conditions of membership that the area leaders have set. Inappropriate behavior as defined by area leaders may result in the character's removal from the area or knot system.

6. Characters should not enter private rooms without asking. Private rooms usually have names like 'bedroom', 'office', 'weyr', 'cot', 'cottage', 'Fred's room', etc. If you are unsure whether a room is private, please page the people in the room first before going there if you have not been invited.

7. Powerplaying, that is forcing a character into a situation, is not an acceptable form of RP. Please ensure your RP contains the possibility for others to avoid the situation, or page them to ask permission prior to the action. This includes spoofing PC characters without permission.

8. IC actions are not equivalent to OOC actions. OOC should be kept OOC, and IC, IC, although some IC actions will have OOC consequences.

9. Characters are responsible for the behavior of their player-run puppets in the same way, especially as regards in character behavior.

When characters are Roleplaying and organizing larger Roleplaying opportunities called 'Tinyplots' . A basic sense of respect should prevail. The easiest way to set a standard of behavior is to ask players to treat others, as they would want to be treated. Respect the fact that SouCon MUSH is a long standing community based on the Pern books by Anne McCaffrey into which people have invested countless hours to create a cohesive theme. There are other types of forums on the Internet for other types of interaction. The Wizards are dedicated to, and provided with the tools to, enforce this standard.

SEE ALSO NEWS HARASSMENT, NEWS RATING and NEWS SOLICITATIONS.