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The difference between CAN and SHOULD.
Topic Started: May 18 2017, 11:48 AM (61 Views)
Castiel
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Destiel Trash. Deal With it. Also: GM, Admin
I'm at a junction now where I feel the need to write this out. I didn't want to, because I knew some people would feel targeted. And in reality, it isn't so much targeting anyone, but it is a reaction to an event that transpired recently, and I don't want to hear about it in the future.

As per our character creation FAQ, you can make just about anything that fits in to SPN lore. We're even willing to twist and tilt a bit to shimmy things in for your ideas as long as it doesn't shatter it. And we've come pretty close to letting people shatter it to be flexible for them, even. We've pushed to the point that sometimes, things just don't feel like they belong, but we try to be accepting.

But also per our character creation FAQ, as well as our combat rules and most importantly as stated in our general rules, no one is going to give your character protection against anything but powerplaying and auto hits. Your character's design may have ramifications. People can attempt whatever they want. You can dodge or answer, as long as you don't end up powerplaying or godmoding yourself.

Can you play a 16-headed hydra escaped from whatever boulder a hero pinned him under?
I mean, yeah, you probably can.
Should you play this is the concern.

I thought this was painstakingly clear, but I'm dedicating a thread to this now to make sure this is 100% to the point: SPN is a gritty world where people are stuck in their ways, and if your character gives even the slightest inclination that they're dangerous to people, the average hunter is going to put them down.

You are free to engage in combat, in tactical consideration, in trying to read between the lines. But if characters make decisions that lend towards being hunted, or being pinned in a corner, or being executed, you can not and will not ever demand a character not make a post that will end your character.

Can you write a demon that is having a change of heart or wants to be unaffiliated?
Yes, you probably can.
Should you play this? That's up to you.
Do you enjoy struggle, careful decision processes, and earned character dynamic? Do you enjoy tension, character development, tension and risk? Then please, by all means. We encourage that.
Timing. Presentation. Meg didn't just walk in like "hey sup we're friends now."; she had a place, a purpose, and a reason she ended up accepted. Ruby wasn't globally accepted either. Most of our demon crew is aware of this in the game, so don't think I'm honing in on you - I'm just using this as an example. Crowley didn't come in automatically accepted. These characters played risky gambits, and knew when and where to be - or not be. And if you're abandoning your affiliates, those affiliates may come after you; and if you're joining old enemies, those enemies may not accept you. This is basic characters and you can not force anyone to cater to a build that conflicts with their own, especially if theirs is canonical.
Relevance is a critical part to engaging with these kind of characters; knowing when you have a spot to shine and when you're just posting to post, and just posting to post is what tends to throw characters in bad spots. Making unique characters can be fun, but you also need to understand there tend to be unique circumstances needed for them to really work. I can own a pet Tiger in the state of Texas, but I can't take it out for a walk. If people want to see it, they have to visit. It's an analogy; strange characters tend to have limited access, and if they leave controlled timing and presentation, then things tend to unravel for them, and that's just how it goes.

But an admin will never protect you from the impact of your own character design.


It isn't just design, either. Decision processes matter.
Mick Davies. I'm going to avoid spoilers. The when, where - that's what that came down to. And if you don't pay attention, it can happen to you.
Entitlement. Your point of view if not everyone's point of view, and if you react poorly, no amount of OOC arguing is going to handle how characters react to you, because their characters have their own POV.


These are things under your control. Not ours.
Period.



[9:51:11]Agent Beyonce
[ To officially clarify the earlier decision: ] The post stands. One can not control what someone's character says, or does. That also means you can not dictate whether someone attempts to shoot you or not. No character or player will have the right to tell someone else what they can or can not post. A character always has the right to attempt to dodge, resist, deflect, or otherwise interrupt a post. The rules immediately above that say players have the right to attempt to out-game you in conditions such as: arranging a situation where it is complicated to dodge. There is no obscurity to this rule whatsoever and characters have the right to make an attempt whenever they like. Similarly, you have the right to attempt to dodge, or save your character, by any metric that is within your character's capacity. Consider this a public service announcement moving forward. It's an unfortunate side-effect but also something clearly warned about in the Character Creation FAQ in regards to making unusual character builds, large monsters, character decisions, and liability; as well as in the T1 threads, and the basic rule set. There is no ambiguity. The player also held no responsibility to meta-pose their thoughts or intentions, and held to every obligation within the T1 rules. It is explicitly stated we can not and will not give accessory protections. You are free at any point to dodge if you think it is fair. If not... sorry, that's the game.
[9:58:59]S.Winchester
^ Agreed. So doth spoketh the Admins.))


----

As pulled from our Combat Rules,
But I don't want to get into a fight! How do I avoid that?
Don't join. ;)
Seriously, though. Supernatural is about the gritty fights. It's about the backstabbing, the betrayal, the double-crossing, and the ability to overcome all of it. If you feel you can't participate in any part of that, then why did you join in the first place? I know that sounds bitchy, but damn! Pick a different fandom.


If there is anything that seems unclear about any part of this announcement, please review the given referral links as posted topically above, which I would hope everyone already read upon joining, or we have a problem. Consider this your refresher to knit it together.


THE ULTIMATE MESSAGE IS: Just because you CAN does not mean you SHOULD, and we will not intervene on anyone's behalf if they do something they probably SHOULDN'T have.

Just because we say you CAN make a thing does not mean you SHOULD if the potential ramifications are something you are not ready for.

Quote, The RP Mission Statement,
"And most of all, for the love of Chuck, if you make a special snowflake for a story purpose, be ready to let that special snowflake melt away. By this I mean creatures that are plot-pivotal evolutions that the humans have to work to or through. Very few monster or angelic beings stick through with the humans, and for a reason. Those that are become highly regulated and limited to not shatter the dynamic we love."


We are not here to tell people they utterly can't play XYZ. If it can even kind of fit, and we can work with you on it, we can approve it. However, just because we say you CAN does not mean you will be provided any special treatment if you DO. There are a variety of walk-throughs and tutorials as above as to there being a variable set of risks engaged in these things. Us saying "Yes, this character is cleared for lift-off" does not remove those rules. It says we're okay with it - if you're okay with the results. If you aren't, we suggest picking another character type.

We are not babysitters. We are not hand holders. We're book holders. We see how it fits and what rules need to be applied to keep the feel and fairness of the room in check. But part of that feel comes from the natural hazard of the series itself, and we have made that irrevocably clear. There's nothing else I can do but write this as forewarning and hopefully not have to link anyone to it the next time there's a complaint.


End.
Edited by Castiel, May 18 2017, 03:09 PM.
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