RP-Lite
From FiranMUX
Overview
RP-Lite is a temporary time period when we ask our players to voluntarily hold back on major, game-shaking events that would require a significant amount of prompt wizard attention. This is done periodically when events beyond our control make staff time scarcer than we would all like. Typically, FiranMUX shifts into RP-Lite just before FiranCon, during major holidays, and even sometimes during emergencies (like in the days following 9/11/2001). We might also shift into RP-Lite when other life exigencies require it.
Currently Scheduled RP-Lite
- Due to the events that occurred on December 19th, we are in a period of RP-Lite through the holidays. The staff will meet again on January 11th 2010 to determine how the game will move forward. For more details on the events leading up to RP-Lite, see The Argin Riots.
Last Scheduled RP-Lite
- FiranMUX is entering RP-Lite starting 6/25/09. Our tentative plan is to resume normal operations 6/28/09 in time for War Season. Please check back here for changes.
- Monday 10/20/08 to 12/1/08. We re-opened with the Trial of the Century, and that was followed by 5 weeks of intense game-changing Res Days for the Eagle Civil War.
RP-Lite
We're asking that actions which require staff work be limited, not because of any artificial barrier, but because there simply will not be staff able to do it. If you would have normally called a @911, try to resolve it between the players first, and if you do put in the @911, be prepared for the case that no one will be around to answer you.
If you would normally make a @request, think about whether it's absolutely necessary, because if you put it in, it might not be answered for weeks or even months. Because of the limited staff availability, we ask that players be conscious of the needs of the community and limit their requests of staff so that the requests that are necessary can be processed.
What You Can't Do
Anything that would unquestionably require staff intervention, especially if that intervention requires high-level staff, is forbidden. You may not launch wars, coups, or other game-changing events. If your light plot seems to get out of control unintentionally, we ask that you do what you can to contain it, even artificially. Again, this is not to stifle people's RP opportunities, but because we cannot guarantee with any certainty that we will be available to do our part.
What You Can Do
Much of the RP that takes place on Firan can continue unchanged. We're still going to have Festival, since it takes minimal staff involvement. Your characters' plots can move forward normally, as long as those plots don't involve staff intervention. We also encourage you to try to resolve conflicts between your fellow players. Even though the game is non-consent, if everyone in a scene agrees on a @check and that they'll abide by the result, you can self-GM.
You can:
- Buy armor, improve skills, make alliances
- Make speeches, provided that they won't require an instantaneous reaction or riot
- Plot assassinations, but not carry them out
- Plan arrests, but not make them
- Rough someone up and threaten them provided you don't use the combat code to kill them
- Plan a crime, but put off the heist till later
- Talk about or threaten a divorce, but not get one
- Plan a wedding, but not get married unless you're positive absolutely nobody would care
- Get betrothed, but not announce it unless you're positively sure nobody would care (in which case, why announce it?)
- Hold a festival, but the staff isn't going to give out SP or penalize you if you don't run an event
Crimes and Justice
Criminals
You can still commit all the inchoate crimes, but you can't do anything that would result in your being arrested, because who knows if the guards will be around to catch you or if a judge would be available to try you. However, if you want to consensually arrange for a scene where you mug a lady in the forum and she lets you get away because you look like her long lost kid, or something, go ahead. Personal scenes are great--scenes that require outside intervention aren't. Please do not attempt assassinations (though planning is fine), and make every attempt to resolve conflicts between an agreed set of checks between players. However, we understand that sometimes things can get out of hand and require a GM unexpectedly.
Guards
Feel free to investigate and question folks, but don't make arrests or put anybody on trial.
Resolving an Issue Without a GM
Here are a few steps you can try to take instead of calling a GM, which may move your scene along more quickly than having to wait for a wizard:
- Discuss whether there is a particular outcome that would be fun for everybody to play out. If so, go for it.
- Use appropriate code wherever possible.
- Try to agree on a @check or series of @checks that would determine the outcome. Some common situations for which we've provided guidelines include Rules for Chase Scenes and Rules for Investigations and Searches.
- Try to build up the conflict as one step in a larger plot, and break the scene off in a way that nobody has won the day, but agree to resolve it more dramatically later. (That is, set up a bit of a cliffhanger.)
If you choose to extend a scene's impact, please honor that agreement wherever possible. If your fellow players have made concessions in order to keep the scene moving, return the favor by keeping the plot going fairly, and do your best to arrange RP with them again.
Staff Activity
Existing Staff Plots on Hold
Unless otherwise noted, all wiz-GM'd plots will be on hold. If needed, please cooperate with fellow players to create an excuse for the delay.
Applications
The last thing we want is to close the game to new players or stop people from increasing their presence on the game. We'll get to them as we can.
Player Complaints
If you have a problem with another player, please register a @playercomplaint, as usual, but make sure your complaint has something to do with the abuse of the rules of the game. Your interpersonal issues are yours to deal with. Please try to resolve issues with other players using all reasonable means you have before escalating to staff. Once the issue is escalated to staff, we'll try to deal with it when we can.
Appeals
If you want to appeal a staff decision, please send in a @request, as usual. We will get to these as soon as we can. Please appeal only those decisions that you feel are clearly erroneous; that's the criteria staff uses to decide whether to overrule a staff decision.
Births and Other Automatic Events
If your character is giving birth, try to arrange it during a time when more staffers will probably be around, and understand that it may take slightly more time before we can get to you. We will attempt to handle things like this in real time, but there may be times when it's not possible. If necessary, put in a time sensitive request with all the details needed (such as the mother, the midwife, and anyone else who might be there) and we can do the rolls off-screen so you can RP out the result later.
Gods and Magic
Gods and all other magical beings and/or powers are dormant during RP-Lite. If something happens that is that important for any of these major game forces to act, they can wait until after RP-Lite. If that means we have to timeslip an event, that's fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about Staffing
Does the game run without staff during RP-Lite?
Not exactly. Staffers are still going to be around; after all, we enjoy the things we do. But players should be playing under the assumption that staff will be unable to answer any request or handle any plot until RP-Lite is done. There will probably be some level of activity, but it will come with no guarantee of timeliness or regularity.
Are Player Helpers on break during RP-Lite too?
If they want to be.
Why do you think it'll be ready for activity by the restart date?
To give a small sample of the factors that are taking away time from Firan, there are wizards moving, working overtime to make approaching deadlines, adjusting to new jobs, and, proudly, Steph has a book going through final revisions before it gets sent to major publishers. We expect that the RP-Lite period will give people a chance to focus on getting their lives re-stabilized and settling into new opportunities so that we can get back to the game.
Why not close the game until we're ready to be active again?
FiranMUX is not closing. RP-Lite is a measure taken so we can come back stronger. The fact that we have to do this to regroup is a sign of how popular the game is, and how significant this community is to many people.
Our feeling is that Firan is more than a game to everyone involved; it's a community of friends who enjoy talking and playing together. We want the game to keep running as smoothly as possible and make it simpler to re-start after periods of inactivity. When we return to full activity, it's easier to rev up from a slower pace than from a full stop, and the best thing to maintain that activity over the next few weeks will be players having fun and playing Firan.
Can I still pay CP to get work done, or to prioritize my @requests?
You can spend CP as usual, as long as they do not depend on prompt attention, with the caveat that everything is slowing down. For example, you may spend CP for a soul update, but we make no guarantee on how long it will take. If you pay to expedite a request, it will be taken care of more quickly than others in the queue, but again, that makes no guarantee on time.
What can I do to help?
During RP-Lite, the thing that we ask of everybody is to create as little work for the staff, the PHers, and your fellow players as possible. Staff won't be very active during RP-Lite and we're not going to be requiring our standard activity levels of players either. However, if you're someone who enjoys playing in a way that keeps fun things going for others, then all we ask is that you continue to do so.
Questions about Role-Playing
How will I know if my plot is forbidden?
If your plot is going to require a GM or other wizard work, such as building, special code, or any other staff intervention, then please hold off on it until we can give you the resources you'll need to complete the plot without being frustrated. However, if you have a plot that you can change enough so that it would fit within these guidelines, such as using existing rooms, mutually agreeing on @checks, or reducing in scope, then by all means, go ahead!
What happens if I require a GM unexpectedly?
If you've made attempts to resolve a conflict without requiring a GM, and the action was not intended to escalate, you may call a @911. However, understand that a @911 still results in a time-stop, and so you may be time-stopped until the end of RP-Lite.
What if I violate RP-Lite?
If you do it by accident, and apologize promptly and come up with a great way of fixing it, we'll probably forgive you. If you cause us a lot of inconvenience, we'll dock you CP. If we think that it's not an accident and you're just being a twink, we will treat this like any other rules violation and take disciplinary action accordingly.
Will we still have Palace District RP Weekends?
Palace District Only RP is scheduled for every first weekend of the month. This doesn't change during RP-Lite, but wizards won't enforce it. (Peer Pressure might, though!)
What about the festival?
All festivals during RP-Lite can go on, but there won't be penalties for not running events or failing to meet responsibilities. Controversial prizes (like the marriage prize) can still be awarded, but not claimed until after RP-Lite ends. If you just want the money, that's easy!
What if I still have questions about RP-Lite?
Whether or not we're doing requests, there will probably be staffers around during the day to answer questions on Public or Help. You can also ask a question on the Discussion page for this FAQ, and we'll try to give an answer as we're available.
