General Policy

Game Security & Disciplinary Action*
Privacy

The staff of this game reserve the right to log commands executed. This is for the purpose of dealing with players who abuse the code for sinister purposes. Therefore if you wouldn't want what you're doing on the game to be seen by others, it's probably a good idea not to do it here. Additionally, please be aware that if you log onto the game either as a guest or a player, admin will see your IP address unless you are using a VPN service. Also be aware that we will see your IP address on the wiki as well, even if you are not logged into the site.

Providing RL contact or other private information to other players without permission of the owner may result in disciplinary action taken by staff.

Sexual Content

Tinysex/Cybersex is not themely and is not allowed. If it is discovered, the offending players will be locked out of the game for a period of time determined by staff. If the characters involved were Feature Characters of any sort, the players will be removed from the character(s) in question.

Posting pornographic links or links containing content inappropriate to the rating of this game in public (see Theme - Rating) is grounds for disciplinary measures at the discretion of staff.

False Evidence

Doctored logs presented to staff in an attempt to falsely accuse others of policy breaches are grounds for disciplinary measures at the discretion of staff.

Cheating/Code Exploits

Any code exploit created and/or used for the following purposes will be considered policy violations and will warrant disciplinary action against the offending player:


 * 1) gaining sensitive information
 * 2) cheating combat systems
 * 3) modifying, destroying, or otherwise vandalizing objects that do not belong to the player
 * 4) harassment
 * 5) any other abusive action to the detriment of the game and/or other players

Transparency

The playerbase will be notified of any disciplinary measure involving an access restriction to the game, in order to avoid confusion or unpleasant rumors forming regarding the reason for the ban.

However, be assured that no sensitive information will be divulged to the public.

Theme Violation

Roleplay content that, according to our Theme file, is not appropriate to the setting and is not contained within the Character Dev Lab. Warnings will be issued first; however, if the unthemely content continues, disciplinary action may be taken against the offending player.

Harassment

If another player or staff member requests you to do any of the following, do as asked immediately:
 * 1) stop paging them
 * 2) drop a particular topic of conversation
 * 3) move to a different channel
 * 4) if the individual has in any way clearly communicated that your actions are causing  them to become uncomfortable or upset, and they have asked you to stop.

Illegal Activity

The passage of illegal information through the game or any of its associated channels is prohibited. This includes sharing information about websites that illegally distribute copyrighted material (e.g. comics, movies, TV series, or music) or encouraging their use. Before sharing about a site that distributes such material, please ensure that it does so in a fully legal fashion. If the content is free to view or download when it likely should be paid, this is a good indicator that it is not a legal or legitimate distributor. Furthermore, as we are a US-based community, all members are expected to adhere to US law regarding intellectual property and digital rights.

Players are warned that a SUSPECT flag may be placed on a player if staff has ample reason to believe the individual in question is engaged in such activity. Repeated offenses may result in disciplinary actions such as temporary or permanent dismissal from our Discord server/wiki, temporary or permanent character confiscation, or temporary or permanent dismissal from the game. Player discipline will be determined by staff based upon the nature and severity of the violation.

Identity Falsification

Lying about your own identity, or hacking someone's password to gain access to their account and characters, warrants disciplinary action. That however does not mean that any player is obligated to give staff or other players their real name. Nicknames and online handles are perfectly acceptable; this simply means that players should not be charading as something or someone they are not.

A minor lying about their age and pretending to be an adult is considered identity falsification.

Disputes
Players are expected to attempt to resolve issues with others among themselves first before seeking staff's help. Therefore, if you complain to staff about another player(s), we will ask you if you have at least attempted to address the problem with the person(s) in question directly, and if you have not, we will request that you do so before we step in.

If for any reason you cannot work out the issue yourselves, you may ask for staff to mediate; but understand that if staff becomes involved, we expect you to accept our decision on the matter. If you feel you are being treated unreasonably or unjustly by a staff member, you may appeal to Koinonia, our gripestaff/mediator.

No Power-Gaming
This refers to players who play in a way that forces the actions and reactions of others in any IC communication. Poses should give others a way to choose how their character reacts or responds. Additionally, power-gaming is a policy violation due to consent rules. Please see the section regarding consent for more information.

However, if all parties involved have already OOCly agreed to the results of the RP or the content of a pose, this is not considered power-gaming, since consent has already been given. By using dice rolls or combat systems, players automatically consent to the outcome of the system.

Conversely, simply because you haven't clearly posed someone else's character for them doesn't mean it's not powergaming. Any situation wherein you have forced someone else's character into a circumstance that gives them little to no chance of winning in any way is powergaming. For example, entering a physical fight that has already been underway for several turns, so that the opposing team is already exhausted/injured while you are fresh, giving your side an unfair advantage. This is not to say that any such situation is illegal, if all parties involved have consented to the scene beforehand or formerly agreed upon the results, it is absolutely okay. So with regard to the example given, if you have obtained OOC permission from everyone already in the scene, it would be perfectly fine for you to enter the battle.

This applies in a similar way to an environment or NPC controlled by a GM. Anyone GMing a scene has graciously taken the time and effort to come up with a scene plan that is themely and will be fun for everyone involved—please respect that by refraining from power-gaming NPCs, inserting objects or events not created by your character, or otherwise controlling the environment established by the GM without first obtaining OOC permission from the GM. The GM is generally defined as whoever has posed first or set the scene at the beginning. If you are planning something that requires you to power-game an environment or NPC you are not GMing, then PLEASE ASK. It cannot be overstated that it never hurts to ask. Asking can prevent retcons, and retcons are not pleasant. So when in doubt, ask questions.

Re-statement or paraphrase of what the GM has already said may be useful for providing context in your pose and is certainly not against the rules, however doing this excessively or making that the only content of your poses gets boring rather quickly. Try to focus on your own character’s interactions.

If the GM has suddenly disconnected and has not returned for more than 30min or has been idle for 30min or more, those who remain may decide an outcome amongst themselves if leaving the scene hanging is not possible or appropriate. If a staff member is present, he/she has a higher level of responsibility and therefore authority in deciding how to proceed in that situation.

Multiple instances of twinking or power-gaming the environment, NPCs, and/or other players’ characters without heed to warnings or requests for the behavior to cease will lead to disciplinary measures taken by staff.

No Invincibility
No one is invincible, and no character should be either. A character that is perfectly and completely invulnerable to anything and everything is an extremely boring character with no opportunities for development or improvement. Additionally, no one likes to play with a character that is untouchable, particularly in combat situations---just like no one would want to fight a boss in a video game that cannot at all be harmed by the player in any way.

No Meta-Gaming
Don't break the fourth wall. OOC information is not necessarily IC information. Use only what your character would ICly be aware of in your IC communications. We are aware that IDW's characters sometimes do reference the audience or the fact that they are in a story in our source material, but please do not do this on the game--it ruins the mood.

Additionally, keep a distance between you and your character. Realize that others' IC actions toward your character are not directed at you personally, and conversely, do not take IC action toward someone else's character purely for the sake of targeting them OOCly. In other words, don't try to make an OOC statement using IC action, hoping or assuming that they'll "take the hint". If you have an issue with someone else, please speak with them OOCly.

No Alt-Cheating
Do not use alternate characters as a means of gaining advantages your character would not otherwise have access to. Alt-interaction is not completely banned, however do not use it in any way that hampers actual RP with others.

No Unexpected Traps
Do not spring anything on anyone. If you see that someone's character is starting to enter a situation that is not easily escaped and may result in permanent negative consequences, please warn them OOCly before proceeding. Additionally, if someone has requested to play out a particular scenario with you that you predict could be difficult for them to get out of without drastic repercussions, be sure that you make them fully aware of that fact beforehand.

Spelling & Grammar
Do your best to use good spelling and grammar. We expect at least a high school level of spelling and grammar skills, not because we are grammar nazis but because this is a text-based game and all we have are words; thus if your grammar is so poor that what your writing is difficult or impossible to comprehend, that hampers RP considerably.

Consent
The basic rule of consent is ICA=ICC, in other words, in-character actions equal in-character consequences. What this essentially means is that you cannot take drastic IC action and not expect to take the consequences of those actions. For example, if your character disobeys a direct order from his superior officer, you can't expect your superior officer to ask for your OOC consent to punish your character for insubordination. However, if the officer wants to enact a punishment that will either significantly restrict your ability to interact with other characters, or cause permanent change to your character (something that cannot be easily undone, repaired, or recovered from) they must obtain your consent or have warned you of the consequences of the IC disobedience before enacting the punishment. Thus, ICA=ICC is not an excuse to either spring unexpected punishment or consequences upon someone, nor an excuse to avoid the obvious results of IC action.

No player may be forced into participating in a scene they are not comfortable with OOCly, regardless of its content. However, this is not an excuse to avoid consequences resulting from in-character actions. A character can still be subjected to these consequences without being required to play out any kind of IC situation. More specifically, consequential events may instead be “off-paneled”, with the involved parties agreeing to the results.

TinyPlots
A TinyPlot (TP) is essentially what its name implies: A storyline run either by staff or players within the virtual world of the MUSH, that usually encompasses a scene or series of scenes focused on the same subject or issue. An individual or group of individuals usually pose the environment or any characters relevant to the story while participating players respond to the situation. A TP's scale can vary greatly. TPs are classified under 3 basic tiers:


 * 1) Minor  - A plot that will only affect one character or a small group of characters. An example of this would be a one-off skirmish over energon between 1 Autobot and 1 Decepticon.
 * 2) Major  - A plot that could affect an entire city or region. For example, a battle for control over the city of Tarn.
 * 3) Global - A plot that could affect an entire planet or beyond, such as a cataclysmic event occurring on Cybertron.

All Major and Global TPs must be submitted for staff approval through the TP Application form. Some Minor TPs may be run without staff approval, but if you aren't sure it's probably best to apply first anyway. A good question to ask yourself is whether any events or results you have planned will need to involve factional leadership. Remember: It can never hurt to ask, but it can hurt to not ask and end up having your TP retconned.

Factional Structure
Each major faction, Autobots and Decepticons, is divided into 4 divisions:
 * Infantry - Ground forces. Tough fighters built to both take punishment and dish it out in generous quantities.
 * Intelligence - Spies, scouts, recon units, couriers, etc. Most of those who rely on speed or stealth belong here.
 * Operations - Medical staff, scientists, engineers, and other technical experts.
 * Aerospace - Aerial and space capable soldiers belong here, unless they have a specific focus that would place them elsewhere.

Group Settings These are set using +gset. Players may not change any of these parameters without staff's approval.

Factional Ranks Each major faction has 10 factional ranks: 1 is the highest possible rank (Faction Leader), and 10 is the lowest (Private). While high ranking characters are permitted to demote or promote, staff must approve of the rank change if it is a change of more than 1 rank at a time, or if it is to a rank higher than 3. Rank 1 will most likely always be reserved for a particular EFC.

Divisional Ranks Each division consists of 3 ranks or titles: Divisional CO (Leader), Divisonal XO (Second in Command), and Member (the title varies from division to division). Divisional CO must have a factional rank of 4 or higher, and Divisional XO must have a factional rank of 5 or higher. CO and XO assignments must be approved by staff. Players may not alter this divisional structure without staff's approval.

Command Command consists of the Faction Leader and the 4 Divisional COs. Whenever "Command" is mentioned, it is generally understood that these are the people being referred to.

Remember, if you are unsure of whether a change in factional or divisional structure is allowed, it can never hurt to ask staff first.

Exclusive Content Usage Rights
Any content created by players and published on this game or its affiliated channels will be considered available to the staff of Transformers: The Dark Eras MUSH and/or others under Creative Commons License CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 unless otherwise noted.1 This includes art, descriptions, objects, code, and any other written composition or other player-generated content created specifically for the purposes of this particular game. This does not include assets that already belong to other entities, such as characters and imagery created by Hasbro or IDW, only content unique to a player.

1Character profiles submitted through the application process cannot be reserved and will be given to other players at staff's discretion.

For character policies, please see Character Policy.