The following is a quick overview and summary of ER’s House Rules.
Game Time
ER runs on a fixed-time system. Characters proceed together along the same in-game timeline day by day.
Of course, different players’ posting schedules and writing speeds mean we don’t all progress at the same pace. Nevertheless, STs and players do their best to keep all scenes within six hours of one another. Exceptions are scenes played out in Downtime threads.
Downtime scenes take place before, during or after the current game time. Use downtime informally or for when you want to indulge yourself in some character exploration. They are also the loophole that allows you to play your character in more than one scene at a time.
Player Etiquette
We’re here to have fun, but we still have behavioral expectations for players and readers who frequent the site.
Basically, we ask that you grant the same level of civility and respect that you would ask from anyone you met on the street. And not a dark street in the middle of the night in a bad neighborhood, either.
Be courteous, give other players the benefit of the doubt, and stop yourself if you ever start to get competitive.
On Differentiating IC and OOC
There is no story without conflict, but the clashing of characters doesn’t necessitate a similar relationship between the characters’ players.
No matter how similar you are to your character, your character is not you. If other characters dislike yours, pick a fight and rain insults on his or her head, keep in mind that you – the player – is not the recipient of the abuse.
The same goes for positive character interactions. Attraction happens, but a wink from a hot character shouldn’t lead you to believe that the winker’s player is head over heels in love with you.
Contacting STs and Resolving Issues
Should you contact an ST regarding an interpersonal issue (or anything else), please do so in a mature, polite, and reasonable fashion.
Players are always heard, and STs do their best to resolve situations, but we ask that you take time to step back, think things over, gather facts, and weed out emotion and personal opinion before you bombard us with enraged diatribes.
While ST involvement in player conflict isn’t something that should happen often, please don’t hold in your displeasure until it leaks onto the boards or explodes in your face. Don’t simmer; don’t stew. No one can read your mind. If something is wrong, say so.
Oh, and badgering for a decision gets you nowhere.
If you do take an issue to the STs, be prepared to compromise, hear the other side of the coin or accept that you may have been wrong.
Also, no ST decision is arbitrary, but all ST decisions are final.
