The Two Towers Help - Rules and Policies

Comm policy (Rules and Policies)

This help file covers the guidelines for all publicly accessible communication on our game. This applies to (but is not limited to) all comms and boards (including guild comms and boards), your character information (description, legendinfo, title, surname, story, etc), custom items and objects you are able to create, auction tags, etc. Basically anything that another player can read. It is your responsibility to be aware of the rules in this help file, and to follow them to the best of your ability. Being a text-based game, our public channels and boards are at the heart of MUD communication, and we take these rules seriously.

Our public channel/board rules are as follows:

1. Profanity

The guideline for public profanity has often been compared to the "PG-13" used for television and movies. The technical definition of PG-13 is: "Parents Strongly Cautioned. Some Material May Be Inappropriate For Children Under 13."

However, we interpret it a bit stricter than that, and there are many topics, phrases and words said on network TV that are not acceptable here.

Graphic sexual language, unmistakable sexually-related terms, clear innuendo, harsh and/or excessive profanity, will not be tolerated.

You would be ill-advised to test the boundaries of the profanity rules. Your best bet is to keep it clean. People intentionally walking the line and looking for loopholes will be dealt with accordingly. For more information on this, help profanity.

2. Hate Speech

No hate speech, racial, gender or sexual orientation slurs. This won't be tolerated, and if this rule bothers you, you should leave now. Bigots are not welcome here. Note that this includes misuse of sexual orientation terms, like "gay", as well as slang misuse of words that carry strong emotional charge, such as "rape".

3. Illegal Activities

Our public channels should not be used to coordinate or discuss activities currently illegal in the United States (where the server resides). This includes discussing illegal drug use.

4. Harassment

Harassment of your fellow players will not be tolerated. This includes some of those cute little comments that some of you think are funny, but are actually demeaning and create a hostile environment for other members of the community. See "help harassment" for more information.

5. Advertising

No advertising or selling of commercial services. If anyone here wanted to buy something, they would look elsewhere.

This also includes those of you who wish to preach to the rest of us - intelligent debates are allowed, sermons are not something the rest of us want to hear - be it on the topic of religion, politics or any other emotionally charged subject. People come here to get away from the vagaries of RL, and we don't want our public channels to degenerate into religious or political flamefests.

6. Web Site Addresses

While it is permissible to comm URLS, _NO_ obscene or vulgar URLs are to be commed. If the page your URL reference would itself break our rules if its content were commed, don't comm it. If a description of the site contents on the comm would be in violation of comm policy, profanity or any other rule, don't comm it. Also, pursuant to the advertising rule above, any website attempting to sell or market products or services is forbidden.

7. Multiplaying and Quest Info

Violations of multiplaying rules or questinfo rules is obviously forbidden. See "help multiplaying", "help questinfo", "help rules".

8. Spamming

Intentional spamming or flooding of the comm will not be tolerated. This includes excessive drunken blithering.

9. Abuse of Ainur

Insulting, taunting, harassing, baiting or otherwise abusing Ainur will not be tolerated.

10. Thinking before Typing/Speaking

Think before you act/communicate on the game. It is easy to get worked up and do something foolish, and we all get angry sometimes. But we don't have to let that anger force us to make bad decisions. Take a deep breath, count to 10, and consider the best way to react.

11. Other Games

Using comm lines or boards to communicate with other players for the purposes of coordinating other online games/environments, or to advertise other games/environments (including other MUDs) will not be tolerated.

12. English on Public Channels

English is to be used on all public channels; this includes, but is not limited to, the main comm, guild comms, newbie comm, auction tags, etc. Says, tells and other private communication, do not fall under this rule.

FAQ

Q: Who determines what is "profane" or "harassing"?

An important question. The answer is that we, the Administrators of the MUD do our best to determine what is acceptable. We try to define these rules as clearly as possible in help files such as this, but there are times when we must make on-the-spot subjective judgment calls, based upon our experience, and hopefully, wisdom.

Q: What gives you the right to police the comm?

The Valar, the founders of this MUD, have charged the Powers with maintaining certain standards on their MUD. These standards include what should and should not be allowed on public boards and channels. These rules are simply a fundamental fact of the MUD. While the interpretation of specific rules may shift over time, the core standards will not change, no matter how much you complain about it.

Q: I'm not sure if what I am going to say will violate one of the above rules. What do I do?

If you can't make that judgment yourself, that's a good sign that it's against one of the above rules.

Think of it this way:

Would you say this in front of your parents? Your grandparents?
Would you say this to your teacher, or at work?
Would you hear this on morning U.S. television?

If you answered "No" to any of the above questions, then you are well advised to think of something else to say. Keep in mind that of course these are general guidelines and that everyone's family, work, and school differs.

If all else fails, and you still cannot determine whether what you will be saying will violate one of the above rules, ask an Ainu.

Q: I'm going to say whatever I want. What are you going to do about it?

Depending upon the judgment of the Ainur on duty (and ultimately the Powers/Valar), if you violate the above rules you may either:

Be Verbally Warned. You should heed a verbal warning. If you are verbally warned, and persist in similar behavior, don't be surprised if you are formally warned, silenced, imprisoned or deleted.
Be Formally Warned.
Be banned from one or more comms for an indefinite period of time.
Be Silenced, losing most communication privileges for an indefinite period of time.
Be Imprisoned. Your character will be thrown in jail until the Power of Law can address the situation.
Be Immediately Deleted. This is usually reserved for repeat offenders and people who are obviously abusing the comm.

Q: I was warned/silenced/deleted, and I don't think I deserve it.

Stop. Think about it again. Are you sure you did not violate any of the rules? If you still think you have been wronged, make a "law report" and politely state your case, and it will be considered.

Q: I think your comm rules are oppressive. What do you say to that?

Sorry you feel that way. One of our goals here is to make a safe and reasonably clean environment on the internet for Tolkien fans to play in and experience. That means we police the public channels. If this is not to your liking, you are free to leave at any time.