The 10 Rules:
I. Only human avatars are allowed to roleplay in this sim.
The roleplay environment is based on a true life historical area and timeframe. Choose a realistic “normal” human character at least 7 years of age for the setting. Non-human avatars including furries, nekos, vampires, animals, are not allowed.
The following characters are also prohibited: real life historical figures, lawmen and political figures higher than the town officials, and extremely wealthy or powerful characters. These characters upset the balance of roleplay and hold too much influence on other people’s stories.
II. Wear the Road to Deadwood group tag when in the roleplay areas.
The sim restricts scripts to members of the group. By wearing the group tag, you will be able to interact with scripted elements in the sim.
The strictly roleplay areas include the Deadwood town and the mountain pass. Fort Laramie, being the entryarea, has both roleplay and Out of Character (OOC) interactions, so it’s not required here unless you engage in roleplay.
III. Wear the Deadwood meter when in the roleplay areas.
The meter facilitates roleplay by providing cues about your character’s state. If you remove your meter during combat you will be considered violating rules and will be removed from the group.
The strictly roleplay areas include the Deadwood town and the mountain pass. Fort Laramie, being the entryarea, has both roleplay and Out of Character (OOC) interactions, so it’s not required here unless you engage in roleplay.
IV. Wear clothing appropriate for the American Western frontier of the 1870s.
You may avail of free clothing in the entry area. There are tips on historically accurate clothing in the orientation rooms.
V. Combat must be initiated through text-based roleplay.
This is first and foremost a roleplay sim, not a combat sim. If you play a character that tends towards violence, you are expected to roleplay your intentions and activities. Players that go around shooting everyone without initiating through text-based roleplay will be considered griefers and removed from the sim.
Freeform combat roleplay is also acceptable if you don’t want to use scripted weapons.
VI. Keep any sex scenes in IM’s and in private rooms. Turn off body parts that chat. Ageplay is strictly forbidden.
This is a mature sim so you can indulge in adult activities, but we have no desire to watch your carnal performances!
Conduct sexual encounters in IM’s and, if naked or animated, behind closed doors only. Any attachments that have open chat or sounds must be turned off. If folks can hear you performing, you will be asked to go into IM’s or leave the sim.
Remember that because this is roleplay, saloon girl characters do not necessarily engage in cybersex. Assume that sex scenes will “fade to black” unless agreed upon between parties beforehand.
Players with child avatars are strongly requested to remove themselves immediately from any scene involving sexual interactions. Players with adult characters, please refrain from using sexual gestures, animations, emotes, or chat while there is a child avatar present. Refer to Linden Labs ageplay guidelines for more information.
VII. Engage in good roleplay practices. No metagaming, godmoding, mixing OOC and IC. Understand your character’s limitations.
Metagaming is using out-of-character (OOC) information in roleplay. This includes profile info, forum posts, using the map or camera to learn what others are doing, and other information that your character would not know.
Godmodding is dictating a roleplay outcome for another player. For example, saying that another person was killed, humiliated, pleased, saddened, or defeated. It is every player’s prerogative to decide how their character reacts within the circumstances.
Mixing OOC and IC refers to the concept that everyone you will interact here will be playing a character. Who and how they play does not reflect on their RL selves. What happens in roleplay stays in roleplay.
No flying, leaping across distances or other action that is unrealistic for a normal human.
VIII. No OOC in open chat. Keep all non-roleplay talk in IM’s.
This includes modern and Internet speak such as lol, omg, brb, etc.
IX. Respect your co-players.
The Road to Deadwood community consists of players of many different social, cultural, and educational backgrounds. However, we share a common love for history, roleplay and friendship.
If you are uncomfortable with a certain player or roleplay scene, here are the steps we recommend to handling the situation:
1. Please try to talk to the person first.
We have so many different personalities in sim that one’s behavior may be refreshing to some, but irritating to others. The key to consensual roleplay is respect. And that’s respect for each other’s intelligence and background and sense of fair play. We believe most of our players, if given the chance, will listen to your concerns and find a good solution that works for all.
Or if IM’s make you nervous, send the other person a notecard going over your concerns and how you would like to resolve them. Letters work wonders for calming wild emotions for both the writer and the receiver.
Going direct is the grown-up thing to do.
If the negative situation continues…
2. Talk to an admin.
The admin will speak with both parties and see if there is a way to resolve the issue that everyone is satisfied. Documentation is crucial. If it is apparent that one person is ignoring the requests to cooperate, then some warnings will be passed, an ultimatum, then a swift administrative kick.
Diversity of roleplay styles is welcome in Deadwood. Players that disrespect others are not.
X. And the One Rule to Rule them All.
Remember the mission: The Road to Deadwood is a community of roleplayers dedicated to promoting an exploration of history, appreciating the craft of storytelling and, most of all, having fun while respecting individual differences through historically relevant, immersive freeform roleplay.
Deadwood 1876 is the best immersive historical roleplay sim in Second Life.
We are all empowered to use good judgment in pursuit of this vision with what we do in sim.
Additional guideline:
Please do not disrupt planned events unless you get OOC permission from the organizer.
We are by no means advocating scripted roleplay. However, please understand that events take time to prepare. Hijacking someone’s event to push one’s own RP agenda is rude. Please respect your fellow players by allowing the event to finish properly while still remaining in character.
Bannable Offenses
- Griefing
- Harassment
- Rude, belligerent or hostile behavior towards other players
- Malicious disregard for the rules
- Ageplay
- And all actions prohibited in the Second Life Terms of Service.
If you are found breaking the rules, admins will try to work with you to get yourself into compliance. Bannable offenses will be met with a 30-day ban from the sim and, potentially, a report filed with the Lindens.