Roleplay Etiquette Rules
Land of Norune
To maintain a collaborative, respectful, and immersive environment, all players are expected to follow the guidelines below during roleplay.
1. No Godmoding or Powerplaying
Do not control another player’s character or dictate the outcome of their actions. Your character should face consequences and limitations appropriate to the world. Avoid making them unrealistically powerful or always successful. Your character is not invincible, all-knowing, or always right. Leave space for tension, risk, and failure.
2. No Metagaming
Separate in-character and out-of-character knowledge. Your character should only act on information they could reasonably know. Discoveries and developments should happen within the roleplay, not through outside channels. Let the story unfold naturally. The moment you post into a scene (speaking or emoting within the 20m range of all parties) is the first time you arrive in character; Any information from before you have made your first entry post is unknown to your character. Your character also cannot hear conversations from behind closed windows or walls unless it is specified to be a yell (which is an invitation to collaboration).
3. Internal Thoughts Should Be Minimal and Respectful
Avoid posting internal thoughts unless they serve a clear narrative purpose. Other players cannot react to what their characters cannot perceive, and passive-aggressive or insulting internal commentary is unacceptable. Focus on observable actions and dialogue that move the story forward.
4. Follow Post Order
Adhere to a consistent posting rhythm or agreed-upon post order. Don’t skip ahead, rush scenes, or double-post unless the group has clearly allowed it. If someone is delayed, communicate and adjust as needed. In the event someone disconnects, allow a reasonable amount of time for the individual to return. But if they do not return in that time frame, typically fifteen to twenty minutes at most. The scene may continue presuming they have departed, fallen asleep, been knocked out, etc…
5. Collaborative Writing, Not Competition
Roleplay is not about winning or one-upping others. It is shared storytelling. Build scenes that include others, allow space for their characters to shine, and support a dynamic narrative. Share the spotlight, create opportunities for others, and allow setbacks or complications to shape your character’s growth.
6. Keep Writing Clear and Considerate
Descriptive writing is encouraged, but don’t overwhelm others with excessive length or overly complex narration. Leave room for response and make it easy for others to follow the scene. Especially when there are more than three players participating, try to shorten posts as if everyone in a five person group takes ten minutes, it becomes nearly an hour per round.
7. Handle Sensitive Content Responsibly
Use content warnings for mature or intense themes. For graphic violence, trauma, or intimacy, use fade-to-black techniques or get explicit consent from all participants. Always err on the side of caution and respect.
8. Use OOC Channels and Maintain Respect
Keep out-of-character discussions in designated channels or clearly marked in posts. Remain courteous and constructive at all times. Do not let in-character tension bleed into real-world conflict. If a problem arises, address it calmly and privately. If necessary, involve a moderator. Do not escalate or retaliate through roleplay.
9. Respect Time and Travel Within the World
Factor in travel time and communication delays. Reinforcements, messengers, and distant responses take time. For example, traveling from Hexenmoor to Sabhaif or Nova Cerulle by ground may take several days to a week. Don’t collapse time unrealistically for narrative convenience. Time in roleplay is not a 1:1 ratio. Otherwise taking a ten minute post to speak a three second phrase would be really…really drawn out. That being said, you cannot join a scene in progress happening in another part of the world at that time. You could begin a new scene, playing out the passage of time that would have occurred during that travel prior to the new scene’s start. You are not required to wait for the Real World equivalent time for traveling.
10. Consent and Player Comfort Come First
All players have the right to set boundaries. Anyone may opt out of a scene or withdraw from content that makes them uncomfortable. Always respect others’ comfort levels and keep the space inclusive. This and rule seven go hand in hand. This does not mean guards can be ignored, nor does your comfort mean others may be made uncomfortable. Please note that consent is not an escape from consequences, and could be a rules violation if it is used to escape the consequences of one’s actions. A fade-to-black avoids having to play out the consequences, but it doesn’t mean they didn’t occur.
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Land of Norune
Roleplay Etiquette Rules
Original by Relonimar June 20, 2025