Rules, Regulations, & Tips

General rules:

❈ Never Bully or Harass: We do not tolerate bullying, discrimination or harassment of any kind within our community. Players are expected to never communicate or behave in any way that is predatory, threatening, intimidating, lewd, demeaning, derogatory, or any other way meant to cause discomfort or disrupt another member’s experience. Insults and verbal attacks outside of “in-character roleplay” is strictly prohibited.

❈ No Baiting: Speaking poorly of roleplayers or staff, purposefully antagonizing other members to elicit response, or engaging in heated arguments in public space (on sim/groups/discord) will not be tolerated. If you have an issue with another member, bring it up to a mod or handle it privately, rather than incite additional toxicity. As a member of the community, you are representing Bellamy even when out of character, and this sort of behavior will not be tolerated in our public spaces.

❈ No Griefers or Trolls: Griefing or “trolling” is any activity that is solely designed to target and deliberately interfere with, restrict, or ruin, the gaming experience of another player. Griefing typically goes hand in hand with incidents of harassment or bullying and it’s a very broad term that can cover many scenarios.

❈ No Roleplay Blurs: There must be a clear separation between ‘in character’ (IC) and ‘out of character’ (OOC) behavior and knowledge. If your personal feelings begin to bleed into the roleplay, it is advised that you take a break from the sim. If you continue to act based on OOC feelings, beliefs, disagreements, or other information in character, especially in a toxic manner, we will be forced to remove you from the roleplay all together.

❈ Don't be scared to ask for help: The Bellamy Island staff is always available to answer your questions. If you are unsure of something, please don't assume. Our questions server in the Discord is also at your disposal, if no staff are online. However, please do not contact us repeatedly if you are waiting for an answer. We will get back to you.

❈ Wait to be accepted before Roleplaying: You must have an approved character in order to roleplay at Bellamy Island. If you have not already submitted an application you may do so here. Please wait at least 48hrs, before messaging us about an application. In the meantime, you may remain on sim as long as yore wearing your visitors tag, to be easily distinguished from already approved players. If you are caught on sim without one, you will be asked to put it on. Failure to do so, or a lack of response will get you removed from sim until the proper tag is worn.

Roleplay regulations & tips:

❈ Stay in character: Please keep all Out of character (OOC) conversations and chatter to a minimum, and secluded to IMs whenever possible. This is a Roleplay sim first and foremost, so we need to be both mindful and respectful to those around us hoping to immerse in story. Furthermore OOC communication in public should always be enclosed with (( )) .

❈ No Metagaming/Powergaming/Godmodding: Metagaming and the use of meta information will not be tolerated, as well as Powergaming & Godmodding in all forms. Metagaming is the use of knowledge that the player is aware of, but that their character has not yet learned. You cannot know or act on any information, that your character hasn’t directly learned through roleplay. Powergaming is the the act of using a scene, external information, or a roleplay concept to favor a specific character or story and give them an unfair or unrealistic advantage. Godmodding is holding your character to an untouchable standard, when someone’s character has the ability to do practically anything without limits or repercussions.

❈ Consent: Please ask the others involved, before moving a scene into a mature/sensitive topics. If you do not get the consent of the other person(s) involved in a roleplay scene, and it gets brought to a Admin/Mod, the roleplay will be nullified. Consent in scene may also not be revoked halfway after an agreement.Ex: Agreeing to fight, but taking it back because you're losing or it didn't play in your favor.

❈ Mature/Private RP: We understand that some players may choose to participate in sexual, violent, derogatory, & etc. scenes. However, these types of scenes should be done in private IMs, or away from the general public. Not all role-player's may be as open to experiencing such topics. To keep the community welcoming and safe for all parties, these scenes must be done in private.

❈ Keep Scenes Fair: Allow everyone involved in a roleplay scenario the chance to reply, and contribute to the direction of the scene. Only a storyteller, or an Alliance lead with Admin permission may impose a certain precedent into a scene. Otherwise, stay on your toes and adapt to the changing story.

❈ Scene Order: Every scene should have its own posting order to keep it moving fluently. Keep track of who posts before you and after. This way you'll always know when it's your turn to go, and if you've been skipped over. A good rule of thumb is to keep each post limited to one major action, or point of direct interest. This way everyone in the scene gets a chance to respond/react to what's most important without it being overlooked. Also it's important to be mindful of people wanting to join in on a ongoing scene. Some scenes may be for a closed group, in this case always deliver this new lightly. However when possible, give them an opening in the established order.

❈ Be Patient & Understanding: We're all here to have fun. Real life can sometimes drag people away from their keyboard (AFK) with or without notice. Give adequate time for them to reply before rushing or skipping over. You may also want to consider that people are at different stages in their writing journeys. Replies that might come easy to you, could be a struggle to someone else.

❈Adapt to and Respect RP Styles: If everyone in a scene is writing long paragraphs, and waiting patiently for other paragraphs in return. Don't pop in with short replies on a whim. And vice versa; when a scene is mostly short quick replies, don't pop in with a long paragraph and expect that same energy back. Always try your best to match the writing style that's taken majority, and be ready to adapt to the other participants. If a scenes writing style changes to drastically, and you are no longer comfortable. You may always write your character out of the scene.