Hello, everyone. After some issues that have occurred over our last few events, i've decided it's time to post something like this. This is basically just a guide to playing in events. Some of these notes are repeats of rules we already have in our rules and guidelines, and some are things that are not specifically in our rules, however, following them will still help the event run considerably smoother, which will mean more, better, and more.. Eventful.. events, in the future! So let's get started:
Before the event
1. Event planning - When it comes to event planning, there's one big issue that tends to come up alot. An event host will be putting things together for an event, both oocly and icly, and a player or group of players will also put something together for the event. While this is great, even encouraged! You should, as that player or group of players, really let the event's planner/host/coordinator in on what's happening! As mean as it might sound - if you put alot of thought into something, don't tell the planner and end up getting an undesired result when you try to launch what you were working on - it's really not the event host's fault. They can't plan for what they do not know, and are naturally going to try to stick to the original event plan.
2. Getting roles - Alot of people end up unhappy with what they did, overall, in the event. In the same spirit of what's suggested above - Event hosts/planners/coordinators create what opportunities they can for added involvement - but the simple fact is, if you don't tell them you want a special role, you're unfortunately going to have to settle for whatever was already planned. Again, it's impossible to plan for what is not known!
During the event
3. The post order - The post order is a critical part of most events for keeping everything in order and making sure everyone involved with a scene has a fair and equal chance of being involved with what's going on in every round of posting. When getting involved in an event scene, you should not make any significant posts until the event's host has prepared and given out a post order. If you arrive after the event has started, you should ask to be added in before making your first post. Once you get the order, you should be sure to copy it over into a notecard, or text document outside SL so that you don't lose it.
4. Delays and real life - While everyone has a real life, and the host is sure to understand this, you should try to minimize delays on your end as much as you can. Watch the posting so you know when it's your turn, make sure you're keeping track of the post order, be sure to inform people when you need to move away from the computer for extended periods of time. We also understand RL happens - there's an emergency and you have to leave in the middle of an event, or you get too tired to continue on, etc. In these circumstances, you should try to let the event's host know if you can. In most cases, you will be provided with an 'out' that should end in a desirable or satisfactory outcome for your character.
5. Post timing - Now, the host will also understand that everyone types at different speeds - however, huge delays inbetween each post will make the event go on for hours longer than it should. Generally speaking, you should avoid delays over 5-7 minutes when possible, and may be skipped at 10 minutes or beyond.
6. OOC chat - You should do your best to keep OOC chatter out of local chat. The reason for this is that, aside from making it easier to see the actual roleplay posts for everyone, some hosts like to keep and post logs of their events for everyone to see, and when there is excessive ooc chatter, it can be a chore to clean it out of the logs before posting. OOC chat is best carried out in the Lismore Lands Events group chat, or the lismore lands group chat (If the events group chat refuses to work, as it often does.)
7. Screenshots - Screenshots are always welcome to be posted alongside logs!
8. Rules & Approval - During events, just as you must during regular RP, please follow the sim rules! Do not play outside of your card, and if you play an unapproved character, please remember that unapproved characters lose fights by default in this sim! When you break sim rules during an event, you more or less force event staff to take their attention off of the event and focus them on the issues that doing so creates, which makes the event take longer.
9. Character Death, predetermined results - As a rule, event hosts are never out to kill characters, and will jump through fire to avoid unwanted deaths. However, this is not always possible - and deaths are not always unwanted! While we will try to avoid killing characters - it IS possible to put us in a position where it's just not logical to avoid it. And, it should be noted that many players will specifically ask for a character death. When this happens, event staff may arrange a pretermined outcome for a post they make against a player - this might look alot like godmodding, but it's to ensure that the request can be fufilled. Don't panic!
After the event
10. Feedback - Most, if not all event staff, is always curious to hear about how they did in an event. To give your feedback, find out who hosted the event you played in and let them know what you thought. What could be improved, what you liked, etc!
Will you get in trouble for not doing most of these things? Not really, no. But as stated above, if everyone does their best to follow the things listed here, our events will run far smoother and more frequently! Thanks!
