This is a voice roleplaying server. Your primary interaction with any players should be through the Mumble voice chat.
We understand that some users may prefer to use text roleplay; however, all players are required to be in the Mumble server at all times in game regardless of usage. This is so you may hear the others around you to be able to interact with the world.
Text roleplay is always an option, but within the world of the game it is considered “speaking”, and is the same as someone using their voice to RP. If your character loses their voice or for some reason cannot speak, using text chat is not an indication of that. In addition, you cannot correct characters on the spelling/pronunciation of a name using the text chat, as it is just the same as if you just pronounced it.
Do not go out-of-character whilst in-game for any reason.
Gamebreaking issues/glitches or problems should be ignored in-character (IC) and later reported to the admin team.
Usage of "(OOC:)" brackets in text-chat is not acceptable in VRP. Use of emoji 😃 or chatspeak ("lol", "rofl", "lmao", "brb") is also not acceptable.
If you are having technical issues with Mumble or hearing other players, offer an IC explanation: "Forgive me friend, it seems my ears are clogged with wax - give me a moment to unblock them."
Ravens are short messages to be sent directly to another character, usually using a Discord thread. See our guide for more. Other animals (e.g. owls, doves, cats, rats, etc.) may be substituted for ravens but their method and means of delivery need to make sense. A rat would have a hard time swimming across an ocean, but may hitch a ride on board a sailing vessel, for example, but would also be much slower in making its delivery than a flying creature.
They require:
They CANNOT be used for:
"I will be at your house in 5 minutes, be ready to swamp stomp @Farmer John"
"A haggard-looking owl comes swooping into the open window of your home, landing in a heap on the floor beside the hearth. Its wings are missing a few feathers and it carries the scent of death. In its talons, it clings tightly to a small scrap of paper. The ink is smudged with water, dirt, and.... is that blood? You manage to just barely make out the following:
@Farmer John
Send help.... Eastern Swamps... badly injured... boat's gone"
Use of a player’s real-life knowledge concerning the state of the game or secrets about another’s character or story.
Your character only knows what they have experienced in-game and through in-character communication.
You cannot use information gathered outside of the game.
You cannot use UI information your character hasn't experienced (see next section for exceptions).
Knowing someone/their name/alias before you have been introduced in-character. This includes reading it from the in-game chat, from their map marker, or from Discord if you recognize the player's voice.
Knowing where people are going to be because they pinged on the map.
Knowing someone is going to be somewhere and waiting to rob them because you saw it on Discord.
“Wow this meal gave me 200 blood points”
"I'd say I've been training my sword abilities for exactly 41 hours!"
"I think my eyes can see about 7,000 things here"
Your character can only understand UI information they obtain with a roleplay reason. Often, this is described in-game by an item having a "maker's mark", or that the owner of the object has "carved their name into it".
The following items are identifiable by their 'Crafted by:' tag:
Boats
Weapons/Tools
Clothes/Armor
Food
Names on beds
Names on wards
Extra UI information that the game gives you that is not obtained with a roleplay reason should not be used by your character.
This includes:
Instance count
Players online
Player names in chat or mumble
Example 1: You meet a player for the first time, you don't know them. You read their name in the in-game chat and call them by it with no introduction.
Example 2: You have been raided and you scour the shoreline for any ships the bandits might have left behind. You see a boat with the name of your enemy, Greg. You are sure he was involved and prepare to fight him for the truth.
Players with their map marker on can always be located within the world. You are announcing that you are open to RP or can otherwise be found. You must RP your discovery - you cannot "just know it". For example:
Good:
"We followed your footsteps through the woods."
"I saw the smoke from your fire and assumed you were home."
"Your particularly unique and foul smell filled the river as it always does when you're nearby."
"The town looked lively tonight so we stopped by."
"You told me you lived in the southern mountains so I looked around until I found you."
Bad:
"Hey, I saw your map marker was on and I wanted to rob you so here I am."
"I just went to the place on my map with the most people, what's going on?"
Do not play in a way that does not make sense, breaks character, or otherwise is not suitable for the world. This includes playing like your character is not afraid of death.
Do not go out-of-character while in-game for any reason. Discord, besides the Ravens and Character Lore channels, is for out-of-character chatting.
Talking about real life, breaking character, making pop culture references, etc.
Using an unrealistic voice changer (sci-fi effects, alien effects, etc.).
Repairing doors and walls with your hammer while raiders attempt to enter.
Logging out in the middle of a fight.
If you see someone break a rule, a glitch occurs, or someone is not roleplaying correctly in-game, you cannot call them out for this in-game. You must use Discord for anything out-of-character. Please #create-a-ticket for admin support or to report instances of Fail RP.
Powergaming is the act of using an in-game mechanic, external information, or a roleplay concept to favor your own character or story and give an unfair or unrealistic advantage; or to take shortcuts in-character that come from a vanilla or non-RP playstyle. This can include - but is not limited to - things such as:
Every roleplaying scenario should have a chance of you failing.
You cannot roleplay as invulnerable, as a god, as a supernatural being, etc. Being delusional is allowed but there should be ways for that delusion to break or for your delusion to be called into question.
You make a hedge maze and announce it in a Server Lore post. However, you only give the keys and solutions to your friends, giving them all the prizes.
You scout out the swamps and make maps of crypts during the bronze era because you know that’s where you find iron for the next one.
You play a brutal warlord who has done many wrongs across the land. You steadfastly refuse any and all consequences for your character, including routinely denying anyone a chance to overcome you.
Animation cancelling or other exploitative techniques such as taking advantage of lag spikes during world saves for PVP.
Every story you attempt to tell with your character should have room for failure. If the stories you engage in must be completed the way you wish them to be, or if you can never experience a moment of failure or loss in your story, it is not fun for anyone else to engage with. There are no "Losers" in storytelling. Your characters may fail to meet their goals. How your characters react to that is part of character building and story telling. This is not a single player game and there are no main characters. You cannot control the actions of others and you should not seek to.
When strong emotions (positive or negative) follow you out of game and into your real life, we call this Bleed. Bleed is not good. Bleed leads to bad role play and bad experiences in and out of game. Bleed will cause you to lash out at players in unhealthy ways or even self-sabotage. We do not tolerate Bleed on VRP.
While it's normal to feel heavy things while playing your character, learning to separate what has happened to your character and how you feel outside of the game is extremely important. If you are having issues with this, it is imperative that you #create-a-ticket and talk to staff about what can be done to mitigate this.
In this server, certain adult themes are permitted to enhance the depth of roleplay, provided they adhere to the guidelines below.
Consent is Key: Any roleplay involving mature or violent themes requires the clear and ongoing consent of all parties.
Content Warnings: Use content warnings for any lore or posts involving sensitive or triggering content.
Respect Boundaries: Players' personal boundaries must be respected. If someone expresses discomfort, adjust or end the scene accordingly.