Board Thread:News and Announcements/@comment-25035274-20150211165435

So. Recent events in chat have made it clear to me that some users do not take mods, and the expected rules of conduct, seriously. As such, I'm reposting said rules here, as a notification and reminder. The rules for Live Chat are as follows:

1. The MGE franchise is one of adult content and as a result, we expect any members utilizing the site or Live Chat to be at least 18 years of age. Anyone under 18 years of age will be suspended indefinitely and without prior warning.

'''2. Respect for your fellow chatters, OOC. This one should be self-evident, but unfortunately it isn't always followed. Respect being the rather loose term that it is, we will define it as follows: '''
 * (a) All users, regardless of their current status IC or OOC are expected to behave in a civil manner. Any user/s who launch verbal attacks on another user will be subject to discipline. 
 * Example: User A does not like User B and calls him a 'dick' in Live Chat. This is User A's first offense so he receives a warning for his actions. 
 * (b) Conflicts within Roleplay are expected to arise and all users involved are expected to handle them in a civil manner. Regardless of the nature of the original conflict, any user/s who engage in uncouth behavior will be disciplined. 
 * Example: User A is roleplaying with User B when he (A) decides to forcibly kill User B. User B attempts to discuss his problem with User A but is only met with verbal attacks. In a fit of frustration, User B returns the vitriol. User A is suspended for 3 days as this is his second violation and User B is warned as this is his first. 
 * (c) If you come across an active role play session and wish to join, confirm OOC'ly with participating members and work yourself in with respects to the current storyline. If you are rejected after attempting to join, do not forcibly inject yourself into their role play session. This causes disturbances in their story, is annoying, and can constitute harassment. 
 * Example: User A wants to roleplay with User B and User C. User B and C both say no and attempt to continue roleplaying. User A tries to force himself into their story several times and continues to cause a general disturbance. User A is suspended for 7 days as this is his third offence. 
 * (d) Posting links to external websites is acceptable as long as it's not taken to the extreme. If external links begin to interfere with the regular workings of chat (Users role playing, chatting, etc.) then the offending user will be warned. If the behavior continues, the user will be disciplined. 
 * (e) If another user posts material you find offensive then you may ask them to not post similar material again. If you have already asked the user to discontinue posting and he has ignored your request, you may file a complaint with an admin or chat moderator. 
 * Example: User A makes a post that User B finds offensive and in violation of rule 2. User B confronts User A and asks that he refrain from posting more offensive material. User A responds to User B rudely and continues to post offensive material. User A is banned permanently as this was his fourth and final offence.

3. Live chat is for use in both role play and casual conversation. Due to that fact that many conversations are often happening at once, the following guideline has been established:
 * (a) Upon entering the chat, you may find that several people are involved in roleplay. If you wish to carry on a casual conversation with another user amidst the sword fighting and spellcasting, it's recommended that you ((double bracket all OOC text)). Not doing so will not result in disciplinary action but confusion is very likely to set in quickly.
 * (b) The opposite of the above applies i.e. you enter chat and find that several users are engaged in a casual conversation. Respect the fact that they were engaged in their conversation before you arrived and do not expect them to alter their activity for the sake of your roleplay.
 * (c) There is no minimum number of participants required for RP in the chat room. Any number of users (Including one) may participate in roleplay.

4. RP of an explicit nature must be done in the form of private messages between two users. This includes any detailed sexual acts and heavy violence. Any user who continues to roleplay explicit material in the main chat will be disciplined.
 * Example: User B is in a roleplay fight with User C and has stripped him of his weapon, forcing User C onto the ground and into a defenseless position. User B wants to use his weapon to enact violent and bloody revenge on User C but decides to move the next few lines of roleplay into a private chat session with User C so as to avoid disciplinary action.

5. Admins and chat mods can't be around 24/7 to monitor the situation. If you see anyone violating any of the above rules, it is your duty as a responsible member of our community to take screenshots and report them. It is important to take screenshots of the incident as without them, Admins and mods will have no evidence outside of witness testimonies to pursue disciplinary action. Be sure to save the screenshots and any other material you ascertain so that they can be made available in the event that a staff member requests a copy. (If you need instructions on how to capture screen images and save them, please click here.)

6. Threats and blackmail against the staff, including innocuous threats that you will never come back if we block/kick/punish you will be met with an immediate perma-ban, on the spot, regardless of past history or what step of the disciplinary ladder you are on. We have zero tolerance for threats and blackmail.

Rule 2 is the most often forgotten, so it has been bolded for emphasis.

Due to recent events, my personal tolerance for people who break that rule has slipped down several rungs. I was extremely lax in enforcing it earlier today, as I'd obviously prefer not to ban anyone. However, that changes, going forward. I will be fully enforcing it from here on out.

Verbal attacks, insults, etc, WILL NOT be tolerated. The people involved in today's incident know who they are, and are put on notice. Another episode like this, and bans will be meted out. Heavily. 