A question of intention:

In a harsher, more chaotic, more brutal setting, I am wondering how the maturity (content-wise) of the server will reflect this. I noticed that one of the council members owns a house of the "Oldest Trade" and extreme violence/torture and alcohol abuse are relatively common on persistent worlds. I know that we're striving for something different here, but we also will hopefully attract new roleplayers, which may include younger children.

A few comments on the following topics would be interesting to me:

Language. Of course swearing is a confusing topic, due to the kinds of language and words used in a setting like this, but I wonder what the opinion is on using "dirty words" on this server.

Violence. On other servers, like Arabel, I've seen violence role-played to extremes, and often to very engrossing effect. Scenes of brutal murder, gory torture, and so forth. Any comments on what is expected on this server would be welcome.

Sex. Prostitution, seduction, and so forth. Cyber-sex is an incredible waste of our gaming time, and I am definitely not advocating it, but a character's ability to talk about these topics may be important, and the presence of a brothel or some such thing may have interesting effects on the server.

Drugs. In a darker and more chaotic setting like this one, I can see contraband drug trade as a very legitimate business, that would add to the setting. They could either offer an actual temporary benefit, or be entirely there for the characters that wish to use them for roleplay means.

I hope this post fosters interesting conversation, and I would like for everyone to be careful with their language, as some of these topics can easily offend.

I for one don't see a problem with bad language, exessive violence, drugs and sex and such. . . I've always held the opinion that parents should watch what their children are doing and it is not the responisbility of whomever is showing something on tv or the internet to keep them away.

I agree with the cyber-sex bit though, it's just a tad too sad :)

The server has a "teen" rating, and if a player feels that he/she may be offended or upset by content more mature than what is found in PG-13 movies, then this server is not for them.

Language -- your characters can use bad language, however it should be used appropriately. "By the seven hells" or "bloody" is more immersive for me personally than modern-day slang.

Violence -- this is a violent server. I can imagine situations where depictions of torture/extreme violence might go over-board, however. Try to stay tasteful.

Sexuality -- implied sexuality is acceptable. Role-played sex acts are not acceptable and may lead to banning or other OOC punishments. If your character engages in those things, it's done when you're not logged on.

Drugs -- There is contraband, and there are drugs like alcohol and whatever the UD equivalent to tobacco is. However, other than that I would not expect to see much in the way of drugs.

Thanks for the quick reply. Sounds great.

Howland Sexuality -- implied sexuality is acceptable. Role-played sex acts are not acceptable and may lead to banning or other OOC punishments. If your character engages in those things, it's done when you're not logged on.

do i understand you correct that the way I played Marena on CoA would be acceptable to your server?

As I recall I was taking a break from CoA when you were playing Marena, so I don't really know how you were role-playing with her. It's okay to have a flirty or seductive character, just please remember that sexual acts are best handled off-camera (that is, when you're not logged on).

I've always found "relationships" more interesting and complex in DnD when the actual intimacy aspects are avoided- but rules wise, what Howland said is a good rule of thumb.

The first rule of this server states that, “All players must treat each other with OOC (out of character) respect.” Therefore, everyone should keep in mind that there are other players behind the characters they interact with and that many of them may be offended by the frequent use of profanity, vulgar humor, or sexual references. When in doubt as to whether something may be inappropriate or not, always err on the side of caution.

I've always seen the younger children argument when dealing with more mature themes and features of a PW as null and void when take into consideration that they have to be intelligent and rational people to be playing on such a server in the first place.

The kids who see wrestlers perform "wrestling moves" on people and then replicate what they see on their three year old sister and end up killing them, I would think, wouldn't be interested in EFU.

People too young to acknowledge the fact that you can't bring fantasy into reality (which is what fantasy is by very definition), won't grasp how to role play, or why we role play.

In my view, these aspects are shunned in certain roleplaying enviroments not so much due to the actual maturity of the player base, but due to the escapism most people try to achieve when they play a game.

When I come home from college/work/what have you, I want to escape into something different from reality, and that is the appeal roleplaying has to me.

Bringing sore subjects into the game world, I.E. narcotics, extremely graphic violence, rape; into this fantasy for the sake of establishing an adult gaming enviroment is not contributory to fun for the majority of people.

I'll try to address why I do not want these aspects in our game world more specifically below:

Racy language:This is more of a matter of sustaining an atmosphere. Using modern day racy language such as "motherf*****"" in game only serves to be derail the aforementioned atmosphere that Howland mentioned above, to the point where it comes off (even unintentionally) as OOC disparagement.

Narcotics:As mentioned in this post earlier, this is a distasteful and sore subject for many people who have been adversely affected by them. I am aware that some sourcebooks have "canon" drugs with interesting addiction side effects, however it is not something the majority of players will find tasteful, myself including. Expect contraband of different kinds for the smuggling aspect.

Sexual Intercourse: Simply put, this is at best crude and aversive in roleplaying games, and a parody of the real thing. If you must do it, find a chat room away from the roleplaying enviroment, where you aren't enforcing the spectacle on others who want to roleplay adventurers, heros and villains. Implied magnetism and seduction are definitely OK- it's the actual pseudo-intercourse aka cybersex that I want to avoid like the plague.

Violence: A greyer area than the others. Unlike the other phenomena, this is a fundamental core part of the game. People know that there will be violence in DnD, but it is often "cartoony" violence in the sense that it isn't usually extremely graphic and realistic, and this is acceptable (at least by most, some Christians still consider DnD the devil) because vanilla violence simply isn't as stigmatic and distinct as the other maculations mentioned above. When roleplaying torture and mutilation(Which WILL occur, this will be a violent server), try to ensure that you are not extremely pictorial for the sake of the other players who seek escapism, and not realism.

To summarise, there are no hard and fast rules, and I personally trust you, the player base, to remain tactful and considerate in your roleplaying; so whenever in doubt, do as Mr. CheezIt said above. Consider your fellow players, and how this will reflect on your ability as a roleplayer.

I say this in a very simple way. I believe we have so good player and DM bases that I can trust the game to go on smoothly, with out anything inappropriate. If something still happens, it can be sorted out, I'm sure of that, but still I believe there is nothing to be worried about.

Good points, Seneschal, but I'm inclined to disagree on most places.

Foul language is fine by me, so long as it's not distastefully used. The odd word here and there is amusing, and it can add to a character's image. That said, I agree that modern day language can look very out of place and detracts from the immersion.

I believe Narcotics can add to a game. The point you make of people having been affected by drugs in real life is valid, but are we going to disallow PvP on the grounds that someone has recently been mugged in real life?

I generally dislike RPed violence, as it's a little stale and distasteful. RPed torture always fails to impress me. I find it boring and assassinations or duels or anything PvP related is preferable.

And I'm sure we're all in agreement over the other point(s) raised so I won't dignify the subject with a statement of opinion.

Pfft, I'm going back to Kinky Kingdom!

All of these attributes and "human" behaviors can be a powerfull tool in a RP setting of course, within the parameter of your character. There will be a younger crowd that will play on the server that's true, but anyone can get a "feel" of the maturity of another player on the other end of the computer. For example, how they express their character i.e. talking(even a dumb or low INT character with poor language skills) one can get a "feel" for the maturity of the player on the other end. Or how they talk with you in tells or in IRC or mail or whatever, even getting to know someone outside the PC. After a few encounters with a player, I begin to get a sense of them. It is then that I begin to (if applicable) weave into my character(again if applicable) characteristics such as substance abuse, profanity, an anarchist mentality, disrespect, sexual perversion--all of which I wouldn't introduce to a player that is involved with mine at first impression. All of these mentioned above do exist yes, and I think that it is up to the player to determine if they and other kinds of traits; apply to your character. Bottom line is there is always a divere crowd of players with a broad range of ages. Just do your best NOT to offend someone OOC. If they take offense OOC as has happened to me many times, a simple explanation of you being IC and that there is no hard feelings usually renders the problem fixed(not always but what can you do-eventually everyone grows up) Usually though I don't just come out blatently with these kinds of issues IC as more often than not, a character who is diseased with a dark, seething struggle with themselves, isn't running around proclaiming what they are, but more likely to be secretive and the habits seethe out in a slow and continuous manner.

I disagree.

It's very difficult to get an idea of what manner of player you're RPing with.

Some very young people can be extremely deceptive and RP impressively despite their age.

But really, that's just my previous argument. If a young person is good enough to RP that well, then they're obviously mature enough to recognise that you shouldn't do some of the things you do in game, in real life.

I guess, in my mind, it comes down to this, at least in regards to narcotics. With everything we implement, we have to ask "Does this add enough to the server to justify the time and server resources?". There are a ton of things that are unquestionably good additions. Hardcore drugs as a roleplaying option aren't particularly appealing to myself. I'm ok with lighter uses of it (a gnomish character of mine did try to deal Pixie Dust to folks on a previous server that some might remember), but it's just not worth the time for questionable benefit.

-Cross

Lets just focus on murdering, disfiguring, and eviscerating each other in new and interesting ways, and everyone will be happy.

Ya know, if you think anout it drugs already exist. Those potions everyone totes around, even spells could be viewed as drugs. Adventures form addictions to many of these. Whats the difference between: " I wont go to fight that without 5 barkskin potions" and " I wont go to fight that without a few puffs of PCP"?? I dont really see an issue with drugs being on the server. What I would see as a problem is how people would handle it. Its just like being at a party where some whore pretends to be drunk to get attention, its painful for all of us. I'd hate to see bad RP of different drugs. Alcohol is already a promanent abusive, the dwarves have that covered. I think some things we can do with out. Sex is not needed. Cyboring is the most pathetic thing to do in a game not really built for that sort of thing. Especially when there are games built for that sort of thing. Sex however does play a role in life. I've already seen harems ingame on EfU. Its cool, its funny, it tasteful. Violence is pretty much the core of the game, though it is handled tastfully. Those that are mature can surely get into torturing and maiming and all the real fun stuff with each other.

I don't know how to do that cool quote thing, so bare with me. :)

Hookswords said:

Whats the difference between: " I wont go to fight that without 5 barkskin potions" and " I wont go to fight that without a few puffs of PCP"??

Ummm barkskin will help you from getting as badly hurt. PCP will just make you not care you are getting hacked on. :D

According to the official source material, Narcotics have very similar effects to potions such barkskin.

They just have adverse effects as well.

But the point still stands, that it helps to really protect you, not JUST make you not care. And really, that was my only point. :)

Okay, what about a Rage potion then?

That's made from Sluurm(tm), Hook. Shush.

Seems like a lot of work to put into some drugs that may or may not be that helpful given that the settings gonna be way more interesting that sitting around in a room shaking and trying to get a PCs next fix or whatever. If you want to RP being a junkie, I'd imagine that you can just RP going to eat some funky mushrooms and knock yourself out.

And with regard to the other ideas and children, I just figure that if I can tell they're acting like a 8 year old running around yelling STFU 1LL PWNZ J00 4LL! I'm not going to really want to do much with them, whether they are a 20 year old doing that or an actually 8 year old. I can't get so caught up in omg, is this a 12 or and 18 year old on the other end of a game. Generally, I'd recommend have fun, treat other players with respect you want to be treated with and RP well short of the grey line on these subjects and if you get to close and they have an issue, simply apologize and remember that next time you interact with them. The fear of being around an 8 year old and somehow offending them (while a remote possibility) isn't a huge likelihood IMHO, given that they could easily go type a random word on a website and google something far worse than I could think of, given that most 8 year olds can run circles around their parents computer abilities.

Hookswords Wrote:

Its just like being at a party where some whore pretends to be drunk to get attention

Bear, field this one would you please? :D

If anyone still has questions about the subject of this thread, let me know.