Role Playing Rules
First of all, it should be noted that the Worlds of Star Wars is a online text-based role playing game (OTBRPG). What is a OTBRPG? It is a role playing game (RPG) that is played through a text based interface, in this case a forum. OTBRPG is one of the first forms of multiplayer RPG that appeared on the internet, before actual video games back when most people were dealing with dial up connections and computerse with low RAM and hard drive space that just couldn't run those big games like Star Wars Galaxies.
Here at Worlds of Star Wars we currently use a play-by-post system. That means that there is no set time frame in which events occur, you merely respond to the last post. For example, three days may pass in real life (RL) but only half a day may pass in the game. A d20 system might be incorporated later, but that idea is currently in development on how to best use that idea.
Moderators, who will be known as Game Masters (GMs), will be around to help regulate the forums, make calls on god-modding and power gaming, and even help direct scenarios if you ask them nicely. Please respect the GMs, they're nice people and know what they are talking about. Don't question their authority, if they rule that you shouldn't be able to do something, then you can't do it. End of topic.
1.) God-Moding
We can't stress the importance of not having an all powerful character. If you're a jedi, you can't be uber powerful and be at adept level for all force powers, both light and darkside. For one thing, canon has established that the more Light Side powers you have, the more difficult it is to use Dark Side powers. Also, most Jedi are only proficient in a few force skills. Corran Horn had difficulty lifting objects with the force, not because he wasn't strong with the force, but mostly because is force powers weren't developed in that direction. Bastila Shan was known for her Battle Meditation, and did have a lot of force powers like Force Stun and Telepathy, but she didn't have them all. Canon even states how rare it was for Bastila to have Battle Mediation as it is, so not everyone should have it.
Also, as far as we have been able to tell, there is no such thing as Force Teleportation, so don't even think about it.
There is a whole rant that this administrator could go into regarding this topic, but she shall refrain by saying merely "no insane god like powers or you will get a boot to the head."
2.) Power Gaming (aka Meta Gaming)
While it may be fun to read what is going on in other planets, do not have your character magically know what is happening. (And no, don't use the whole "Well the force told me exactly what was said" excuse or "well I have sensors everywhere on this planet/sector/universe that gather intel for me and let me hear all open conversations and comlink communication." See rule 1 for the mini rant). For example, if someone playing New Republic Senator Jill is reading on Nar Shaddaa that Imperial Agent Bob is planning some sort of Top Secret Imperial Plan, the character of New Republic Senator Jill can't know unless a.) someone tells her, or b.) it pops up on the holonet news broadcast. Remember, your character acts based on what she knows, not on what you know.
This also applies to canon knowledge, your character shouldn't know everything about the galaxy that you can look up on Wookieepedia. This RP takes place just before the Yuuzhan Vong invasion, and the Jedi Academy doesn't have a lot of the old data from the old Jedi Temple, or its members. If you want to learn about older stuff, have your character actively go out and seek out information on these topics, but don't automatically know about it.
3.) Cross Overs
This is not a Dragonball Z/Star Wars/Star Trek/Muppets/Mister Rogers/Alias/Buffy/etc. crossover RP. This is a Star Wars only RP. Kermit the Frog should not be teaching classes in the Jedi Academy on Yavin IV, and if Captian Kirk and the crew of the Enterprise are found wandering the galaxy, boldly going where no man has gone before, they will be asked to return to the wormhole they came in through and explore new worlds elsewhere.
This no crossover rule not only applies to characters and the like but to powers as well. No powers of 'Water Dragon' and 'Magic Fireball of Doom!' This isn't anime. As a general rule, if it isn't in Wookieepedia, it shouldn't be found in the RP. There are some exceptions to this, for example, if you can reasonably argue that something could possibly exist in the Star Wars Universe you can ask a GM to approve it. If you have any questions regarding this, ask one of the GMs.
4.)Canon Characters
For the purpose of this RP, the canon characters (Luke, Leia, Han, Chewbacca, the kids, etc) are off doing something, but no one really knows what. So this means no one can go walking around being Luke. This also applies to apprentices/spouses/former lover/illegitimate baby/etc of a canon character. Yes, it is plausible that some of the characters may have had an unknown apprentice/spouse/former lover/illegitimate baby/etc . . but the chances are slim to none. Not to mention that while the chances are slim that they would have one - it would be quite impossible for them to have 10. Not everyone and their dog can have been the former apprentice to Qui-Gon Jin. So your character can, in no way, be connected to a canon character, otherwise you will be asked to please remodel your character. Failure to do so, will receive a boot to the head. (Aka, warning followed by suspension).
5.) Consent
We're sorry. You're not a god. You can't control the actions of other characters. If Bounty Hunter Bill shoots Smuggler Joe he can't write "Bill shoots Joe in the leg. Joe falls to the ground, clutching his leg in pain." It's up to Joe's player to decide how/if Joe is hit and how he will react.
This does not mean Smuggler Joe can magically escape each shot. Some luck is plausible, but too much becomes god-modding and gets annoying to all parties. This includes being able to magically heal yourself after a horrible injury and get right back to fighting. Healing takes time, money, a lot of bacta - and quite possibly a medical facility.
6.) Sex
First of all, no RPing sex on the forums, thank you very much. Yes, we realize that sex has to occur for the little baby bothans,humans,ewoks, cerens, and etc to come about, but we would rather not read about it. This is a mild PG-13 board. So don't discuss the state of your character's genitalia, or what your characters are doing behind the bedroom door. We don't want to know.
For the most part only kissing will be allowed, and that is only on the face or a hand. After that, it's off to the bedroom and off the boards.
Rape of any sort is not allowed. This will call for immediate expulsion. Don't even joke about it.
In conjunction with rule 5 above, don't automatically assume that its okay to touch/kiss another person's character. Just like in real life, you should ask permission first, be it In Character (IC) or Out of Character (OOC) in a Private Message or something. Just because Player Bob wants to get jiggy with it with Player Jill (and therefore her character), if Bob doesn't ask "Hey, Jill, would it be possible if my character does this. . .?" and instead goes straight to caressing Jill's character's cheek, pulling her to him, and attempting to do the nasty, he can get in trouble.
This of course applies in the other direction as well. Girls, please don't take advantage of the boys. Ask permission first.
7.) OOC
OOC, also known as Out of Character. You'll notice that there is a specific board (if you are registered) specifically for ooc conversations. Please keep all your ooc stuff there, instead of on the RP boards. If you start having ooc conversations on the boards, then things just get messy and you have to scroll through everything just to find out where the plot was. OOC is fun, but please keep it in its designated area. Excessive ooc in the Universe forums will result in a warning. Continuing to do so will result in being banned from the Universe.
Note by Artemis Darkclaw: all questions pertaining to rules, etc, should be directed to an Adminstrator or Moderator, either through PM or on the FAQ board. (added March 17, 2008).
These rules were last updated June 19, 2008. These rules can change based on the need for it, so please check this board often. If you have any questions, ask a moderator.