Rule Updates

[Azraeth]

We have recently decided to make a few minor updates to the rules both in hopes of cutting down on visible bad blood (on the forum), as well as to generally make the rules (and related policies) better.

The first change is to the first forum rule pertaining to being kind to each other OOC:

Please don't complain about other players or groups of players on public boards or chat. It's one thing to raise issue with Path of the Vampire as a game, to point out flaws in various Path related systems, or to offer up suggestions for change; however complaining about people or groups specifically isn't acceptable. Public complaints about people (even veiled ones) will be removed, as history has shown that they act as flamebait, and stir up more drama than they fix. If you wish to complain about individuals or groups or moderators, please bring it to us privately

We feel that allowing people to complain about each other and/or groups in public does not foster the atmosphere we're looking for on Path of the Vampire. There are appropriate channels for redress when it comes to players feeling wronged by each other, so choosing to raise those complaints on the forum is not only unnecessary, but disrespectful.

The second update is to the NIA process:

[Step 1] - Prior to Requesting a Non Interaction Agreement
If you feel harassed or bullied by somebody, or if you feel that you're unable to continue playing Path of the Vampire while a person is active and interacting with you, you can request a Non Interaction Agreenment.

However, before requesting an NIA you will need to do the following:

1. Send the player in question a private message yourself*, and CC a moderator. Explain politely that you no longer wish to interact with them, and as such you won't be responding to any IC or OOC provocation, or their posts in general.

2. Add them to your foes list on the forum so that their posts do not show up.

3. Ignore them completely, and stick to your word. The mods will be aware that you're doing your part to avoid trouble, and if you go back on this then the mods will no longer get involved in the issue.

If the problem continues and is serious and constant, even with NO response from yourself or your character, then you can request an NIA.

The mods will look for evidence of harassment, bullying, or general OOC tension between you both, and if the problem seems to be large enough we'll step in and issue a formal NIA. Either party breaking this NIA will receive punishments.

* If you feel that you cannot contact them yourself, we can do so on your behalf, and simply pass along the message that you won't be retaliating or replying any longer.'

The above change was made largely to make the first step of the NIA process much less formal than it has been in the past, so as to remove the illusion that the staff are more involved in the process (at the beginning) than they may be.