RULES.
Welcome to the fifth season of Lone Pine! Before getting started, please carefully read through our rules. Any failure to comply can result in an immediate ban. When youโve finished, please visit theย #introductions channel to introduce yourself. Once youโve done that, you will be awarded with a role and given access to the rest of the server.
โ ๐ถ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ด๐ฟ๐ป๐ฐ๐ :
Youโve lived on this little island all your life. All youโve ever known are your neighbors and fellow villagers in their homes and businesses, the cold grey sea that stretches endlessly from the coastline, and the thick, impassible, seemingly unending forest thatโs kept your people here on the coast for the entirety of your history. Your little town is highly diverse, advanced, and educated thanks to frequent contact with foreign cultures and their people.ย ย
Massive ships, once full of decorated captains and their crews, sit rotting in your ports. Countless other, smaller boats have been either broken down for resources or refitted for your own peopleโs useโ only after it became clear that nobody was coming back for their vessels.ย
Daily, foreigners arrive from all over the world, something horrible and bright in their eyes, as if theyโve stumbled upon an island made of solid gold. Some of them manage to sleep for a night or two; some stay for many weeks or months or years; some donโt even stop to eat or bathe. Without fail all of them eventually abandon most of their belongings and plunge themselves into the forest (against all advice), always in the same direction, never to return again. None of your ancestors have ever survived in the forest, either.ย
There are no maps that are accurate to more than 50 yards past the treeline, even though your village could boast about having the best and most skilled practitioners of every specialty, cartography being no exception. Every square foot of your village, the beach, and the first few miles of sea in front of it have been mapped perfectly, down to the loose stones in the street, the caves formed by coral reefs; but the forest behind you and the rest of the island are a complete mystery to even your most respected elders. There are secrets to be learned, clues to uncover, and mysteries to solve.ย
There is an overarching meta plot, and players are encouraged and are free to create their own dynamics and subplots, but any event that will affect more than 3 players or the main plot of the game, or a potentially triggering event (i.e. a player being hospitalized, going to jail, getting pregnant) needs to be run by the DM first.
โ ๐ผ๐๐๐ด :
Due to the nature of the game, everyone will only be allowed one muse. Both OCs and canon characters are allowed, but we do ask that all characters be humanized. This means that your superhero can't just be a superhero without their powers. Characters should be adapted to fit the server, or they will not be accepted.
Things to consider about your character are things like their tendency to follow tradition, the strength of their curiosity, and childhood inclinations that could give them some pertinent background knowledge. Gami will help you flesh these things out during your Session 0.
โ ๐ฒ๐พ๐ฝ๐ณ๐๐ฒ๐ :
ABSOLUTELY NO malicious arguing, name-calling, passive aggressive behavior, or bullying. No always means no. No racism, transphobia, ableism, or sexism. Discrimination of any kind is not allowed and will result in an immediate removal without warning.
No politics are to be brought up in the server. If things are getting political, Gami will put you in timeout and speak to you. This can result in a warning.
if you consistently can't keep OOC and IC separate, you will be issued a warning. Character bleed happens, but if you cannot handle conflict IC, then this isn't the server for you. In the same vein, if your character and another are having a heated or stressful interaction, itโs important to check with your writing partner OOC frequently, or things may be misconstrued and taken personally.ย
In regards to the previous paragraph, please make an effort to remain open-minded and willing to accept criticism. In our experience, nobody who has experienced character bleed has done so on purpose or with intention to cause harm. In the same vein, they also have not been aware of their character bleed. This means that if you are approached and spoken to about this, it may feel like a surprise, and even an attack if youโre not in a good headspace. Please know that it is never our intention to shame or judge players for what are, realistically, very normal mistakes. If you are spoken to about character bleed, it is not because you are in any sort of trouble (the first time), but because we want to ensure everyone, including you, is having a low-stress and enjoyable experience.
On voice chat, DO NOT discuss politics or triggering topics like sexual assault, murder, etc. There is a difference between sharing your personal experience with the consent of the other people in chat with you and mindlessly sharing trauma without any warning or asking consent. CONSENT IS KEY. When in doubt, always ask.
โ ๐๐๐ธ๐ถ๐ถ๐ด๐๐ :
Thoroughly read the pinned post in the #triggers channel and be mindful of what you post. If you have ANY triggers, no matter how arbitrary or unlikely it may seem to you, PLEASE post it in the #triggers channel and make sure you commit all triggers listed in the channel to memory. Anything listed in the channel MUST be spoiled and the trigger MUST be declared.ย
Example: tw sweet tea ||i fucking love sweet tea bro.||ย
If something is listed in the triggers channel, best practice is to not mention it in any context, especially without consent from your fellow writers. Utilize the spoiler function when needed and declare the relevant trigger warning when needed.ย
If someone accidentally forgets to spoil something that is a trigger, simply approach them politely and let them know. Mods should only be involved if this has been done and the behavior either continues or if the initial conversation goes poorly. If the person at fault fixes their mistake, then the problem is solved. Moderators will try our best to keep it from happening in the first place, but weโre all adults, and as long as we have the intention to treat each other well, mistakes should be tolerated and forgiven. Though we do understand that there are exceptions (in every case), we also think that there is usually an obvious difference between a simple mistake and a pattern of behavior.ย
Anything not listed in the #triggers channel may be freely posted.
Possible triggers in this game may include but are not limited to: murder, death, sex, abuse, torture, illness, gaslighting, uncanny valley content, body horror, existential horror, doppelgangers, cryptids, paranoia, general violence, the occult, curses, ic and ooc alcohol/drug use, and unbalanced power dynamics.
โ ๐ฒ๐พ๐ฝ๐๐ด๐ฝ๐ :
This server is 21+ ONLY. That means that adult themes will be present, both OOC and IC. These themes can include but are not limited to explicit sexual content (in private threads ONLY), mentions of or references to sexual content, drug and/or alcohol use, and mentions of any of the above. If you are not comfortable with any of the aforementioned themes, Lone Pine is not the server for you.
Please keep IC content to the IC channels and OOC content to the OOC channels. Plotting must be mutual and enthusiastic, so no one gets thrown a curve ball without consent. For example, if I wanted to make your muse my museโs ex, weโd have to discuss it beforehand. I couldn't make that decision for us both.
โ ๐ฝ๐๐ต๐ ๐ฒ๐พ๐ฝ๐๐ด๐ฝ๐ :
NSFW will be present in this server. This category includes but is not limited to: explicit descriptions of sex, murder, abuse, and gore. In the overall plot, there will be no mentions or descriptions of any kind of sexual content, but this will likely be present in the private threads of some server members.ย
IMPORTANT: If you intend on writing NSFW content, or if a private thread between you and another writer turns into smut or another type of graphic NSFW content, please RENAME THE THREAD to include โnsfwโ as the first word in the title.ย
Example: (nsfw) The Talk; Bruce and Anna.ย
This is to ensure that server members who are reading the threads of other writers are able to give their consent to view sexual/graphic material of any kind and are not blindsided.
โ ๐๐ด๐๐ ๐ด๐ ๐ฒ๐พ๐ฝ๐๐ด๐ฝ๐ :
All channels and categories in this server have a purpose and nothing is here arbitrarily. Each channel has a description and/or a pinned post containing information like templates, rules and guidelines, and descriptions. There is also guide to the server in the #๐๐๐๐๐๐-๐๐๐๐๐ channel that contains descriptions of each location, information about the town and the university, and other helpful information that WILL HELP YOU get your footing in this universe and give your muse some common knowledge with NPCs and other muses. You will also notice that there are maps of the campus and the town made for your convenience in the #๐๐๐๐ channel. Please refer to these maps and the other available materials as often as needed. Gami has tried to ensure that you have everything you need, but they can get very busy. Sometimes a question can be answered by going back to check a map, pinned posts, the server guide, or a specific channel.
โ ๐๐๐ฝ๐ณ๐ฐ๐ ๐ต๐๐ฝ๐ณ๐ฐ๐ :
Every Sunday, all available members of the server are welcome and encouraged to participate in whatever group activity is decided upon for that week. Weโll do things like in-character Cards Against Humanity, Jackbox 1-4, watching a movie or a show, etc. If you have any ideas for activities on Sunday Funday, make sure to let Gami know in the #requests channel!
โ ๐ด๐ ๐ด๐ฝ๐๐ :
Our server-wide events occur weekly, (typically) every Saturday, between 2-5pm PST/5-8pm EST. Weโll have surveys every week with 4-5 different times for everyone to vote on to ensure that the maximum number of server members are able to participate. These events are where the main plot will move and where most of your questions/IC actions will come to fruition (with regard to the plot, of course. Be patient).ย
Missing two or more events, especially two in a row, can seriously throw you off in terms of plot status and immersion. Even if youโre not able to participate, being there to read in real time is usually better than having to go back and read through the entire thing later.ย
The #plot-so-far channel is your best friend in these scenarios. It provides bullet points containing plot-important events in the order that they happened. Gami should be updating this (at least) every week after server eventsโฆย
However, please know that Gami has proven terrible at this in past seasons, and even though this season they intend to be much more on top of it, they might very well slack in this department again. This is why you all also have access to the plot so far channel, and are encouraged to add whatever Gami may have missed, or just keep it updated for your muse independently if youโd prefer.
Note from Gami: I am usually extremely busy during the season; planning, executing, and DMing server and mini-events, keeping track of everything, planning for future actions, thinking of things for you and your muses to find, morphing the plot accordingly to each charactersโ actions and beliefsโฆ but, I do understand that thatโs not really helpful if you donโt know whatโs going on in the first place. I really do intend to be on top of it this season, because I think itโs one of the most important parts of the server and Iโve neglected it in the past, which has negatively affected the experience of some players. I want to make sure everyone has access to as many resources as possible to have a good time here in the server. Please try to keep in mind the actual amount of work each season takes. I typed out all of these rules (which get longer every season), the server guide, all applications and google forms, conducted each and every Session 0 with the same amount of detail and care, formatted the server and channels from scratch, created all images, edits, and playlists, created all NPCs as well as their bios, and also made the maps from scratch with no assistance. I hope to receive applications from potential moderators so that I can have a bit of help, but until then, all I ask is for your patience and understanding. Also, that said, you still can and should remind me if I miss something that affects your experience as a player.
โ ๐ผ๐ธ๐ฝ๐ธ-๐ด๐ ๐ด๐ฝ๐๐ :
Any player in the server is allowed to have a maximum of 2 mini events per week: one solo, and one in a group. Mini-events are similar in concept to the server-wide events, only more personalized to you and your muse(s). You can have a solo event, take just one other player with you, or organize a group of 3 or more who will all be included in the mini-event.ย
There is a google form that contains the official application for a mini event, and the form itself contains more specific information if you still have questions. Links to this google form and other important documents are listed in the #resources channel as well as on the Lone Pine tumblr, and you can also ask Gami for a link if theyโre available.ย
โ ๐ธ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐๐ธ๐ ๐ธ๐๐ :
Please ensure that youโre including all members of the server. Sticking to only one or two people and ignoring the rest is extremely discouraged and considered to be clique-ish behavior. It will result in a private message from Gami and potentially a warning if it continues.ย
This extends to checking in with one another during stressful interactions. When your muse is rude to another, or if something happens in the narrative that could potentially hurt the other memberโs feelings, itโs important to keep in contact with them OOC to ensure theyโre comfortable and not taking things personally. Communication is essential. This extends to the DM as well; they are a person, just like anyone else, and just as prone to character bleed. The rule of thumb is: if a scene youโre writing is getting intense, be sure to check in with your partner if you are not already speaking with them OOC.ย
โ ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐๐ธ๐ ๐ธ๐๐ :
Gami is not going to demand any sort of activity level, but they do ask that you consider your availability and motivation prior to committing to the server. They understand that things happen and real life always comes first, but it is difficult to advance a plot driven storyline when a crucial member of the server is unavailable. They ask that you do not commit to this server if you consistently canโt be here for events, which are (typically) every Saturday at 5pm PST/8pm EST. Weโll have surveys every week with 4-5 different times for everyone to vote on to ensure that the maximum amount of server members are able to participate. If you go a week with no activity IC or OOC without notifying the DM, they reserve the right to remove you from the server.ย ย
โ ๐ฒ๐พ๐ฝ๐๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ :
Your DM and moderator this season is Gami. Other mods may be added if they apply, but the entire server will be asked to vote them in before they are awarded a moderator role. Please direct any questions or concerns to Gami for now. Everything will remain confidential and private.
As other moderators and admins are added, this portion of the rules will be edited.
โ ๐ฟ๐๐ฑ๐ป๐ธ๐ฒ ๐ธ๐ฝ๐๐ด๐๐ฐ๐ฒ๐๐ธ๐พ๐ฝ๐ :
Any interactions posted in public channels are considered to be public, meaning that any other muse can walk up and join the conversation. If you want a private thread, go to your writing partnerโs channel and create a thread. Otherwise, the IC channels provide a space where everyone is free to interact with each other.
โ ๐ฒ๐ท๐ฐ๐๐ฐ๐ฒ๐๐ด๐ ๐ณ๐ด๐ฐ๐๐ท :
PERMANENT DEATH IS A MECHANIC THAT WILL BE UTILIZED IN THIS GAME. If you are not okay with the potential permanent death of your muse, indicate this on your interest tracker; if you are not okay with injuring, mutilating, psychologically torturing, or otherwise harming your muse, this may not be the server for you, but let us know anyway and weโll see if we can accommodate you (we would like to try, at least). PLEASE FILL OUT THE INTEREST TRACKER.
โ ๐ท๐พ๐ ๐ธ๐ ๐๐พ๐๐บ๐ :
Due to the nature of the content in this game, the DM will only allow players over the age of 21. Once you read and agree to these rules, you will be allowed into the introduction channel.
Here is the basic overview of the guidelines to the way this server works:
1. ย Your application must be approved by Gami before you can gain access to the server.ย
2. ย You will be asked to list positive and negative traits in your application and your bio. An even number of positive and negative traits are required for your characters, in the spirit of balanced interactions.ย
3.ย ย Players are encouraged to interact with as many NPCs, objects, and other muses as possible. There is information everywhere. Feel free to start threads and tag Gami if you want an NPC interaction; just be mindful of their time. They will respond ASAP (also, please donโt skip out on doing this because you feel that I am โalready too busyโ or โvery overwhelmedโ with other threads. I promise, I will find time for them all in the order that I receive them. This is basically my full-time job, for now. -Gami)!
4. ย Players are encouraged to start multiple โlongformโ threads, text threads, and interact in the IC and OOC chat. โLongformโ threads are time locked, meaning that you can have multiple threads taking place at different points in the timeline.
CODE OF CONDUCT:
1. Moderators will be monitoring gameplay and any metagaming will be addressed both in and out of character.ย
Metagaming: defined as the character having knowledge of things the character should not (for example: witnessing a character death OOC in a mini meta event and somehow having knowledge of that death IC), or attempting to influence the plot in major ways without consulting a mod. Offenders will receive a warning.ย
2. Players are expected to be consistently active and interacting with multiple parties. If you are chronically inactive, you will receive a private message from a moderator and could be removed from the server.
3. If the plot involves significant life events (pregnancy, jail, serious bodily harm, etc), it needs to be approved by the DM and your fellow writers. If your character has a โsecret plan,โ that plan should never be a secret from the DM. Springing a last minute plan on the DM will result in that plan being denied. Until your request is approved or denied, DO NOT continue with your plot. Put it on hold. If the plot affects more than two people, all affected parties must be consulted. You cannot speak for another player in these matters.
4. If your character is standoffish or rude to another character, itโs important to interact with that writer OOC and make sure theyโre feeling comfortable. Things can be taken personally otherwise. Character bleed is a real thing, especially in high stress situations. If the DM senses tension, they reserve the right to call for a break to avoid hurt feelings. The DM and other Moderators are included in this rule; weโre just as human and sensitive as anyone else.
5. Actions IC have consequences IC. Gami can step into private and public threads at any time to narrate/help players navigate the plot. If your character wants to investigate something, let the DM know! Theyโll make you your own mini-event. Anyone can have a mini-event at any time, with regard to mod availability.
6. You have a certain amount of control over your character and their death. Youโre welcome to plot out your characterโs death with Gami, if youโre into that kind of drama (they definitely are). Theyโd love to help make the end of your characterโs story special. Otherwise, your character may still die as a result of their action or inaction IC. Again, if youโd be afraid for your life, your character probably should be too.ย
7. There are no main characters in this server. All characters are important in their own ways and all characters are fallible, prone to mistakes, and make poor decisions. No one likes a character whoโs always right. Please take care to keep your characters from becoming Mary/Gary/Therry Sues.















