2. Roleplay Etiquette: Character Creation
This thread will focus on the aspects you must take into account when creating your character. Keep in mind that this section does not cover the actual roleplay rules that must be followed after creating your character, so please make sure to also have a look at our general roleplay rules.
Creating your character is one of the first and most important steps you will take when playing Yurei-Jima RP, so make sure you have a quick look through these rules to make sure that your character meets the following requirements.
2.1. Migrating characters
You are allowed to bring characters from other roleplay instances unrelated to Yurei-Jima RP or Norowarejima as long as you adhere to our character creation rules and you have full ownership of said character.
2.2. Character originality
Characters must be entirely original and not have copyrighted content as the main part/attractive to them. Any characters heavily inspired or taken directly from copyrighted material are not permitted.
- 2.2a. Characters clearly based on already existing characters in media or already belonging to other players are prohibited. This includes creating characters based on games, anime, novels, movies, etc.
- 2.2b. You may also be punished if you are caught using skins with the intent of perpetrating the rule above (e.g. Using a Steve skin on a character named “Steve Crafter”).
Your character's main information and features are logged in your in-game character profile, visible to any character who's looking at you. Your character’s information must therefore match that of your in-game character profile. This includes their legal name, age, roles, physical description, inventory items, etc.
2.4. Character descriptions
A character’s description should contain information relating to their physical aspect. If you'd like to showcase other miscellaneous features (relationships, backstory, etc.), you should instead create a character biography in our server forums.
2.5. Character names
Character RP names must be realistic and represent your character’s official government name, including their first name and surname(s).
- 5.5a. Full names must be displayed in your RPName.
- 5.5b. Nicknames are allowed if they don't force abbreviations and they’re properly quoted (Name “Nickname” Surname).
- 5.5c. If your character’s full name doesn’t fit within the 24-character limit, you can abbreviate their surname(s). If you choose to do so, make sure to include their full name in their description or biography.
All characters, excluding spirits and animals, must be human and thus cannot have any superhuman features or abilities that would harm the realism built in Norowarejima.
- 2.6a. Any skins with inhuman features (cat ears, fox tails, etc.) or attached accessories (body armor, weapons, masks, etc.) will be considered as toys, props, or cosplay. Thus, they will not grant any perks in roleplay confrontations.
- 2.6b. Likewise, Figura avatars are allowed so long as the displayed model does not break the immersion of realism in roleplay (e.g.- unrealistic size, annoying sounds, meme avatars, etc.). Rule 5.#a also applies to Figura avatars.
- 2.6c.Your character’s height is generally limited to your /height restrictions.
- Players without a rank are limited to 1.40m (4’5ft.) - 2.00m (6’5ft.)
- Players with a supporter rank are limited to 1.20m (4ft.) - 2.30m (7.5ft.)
In Yurei-Jima RP, we allow players to have multiple characters without the need of additional Minecraft accounts. To achieve this, you must use the /character command responsibly when creating/switching characters.
- 2.7a. Do not create "throwaway" characters solely for one-off RP scenarios.
- 2.7b. While there is no limit to the amount of characters you can own, you are required to “shelf” and stop playing any characters that aren’t explicitly found in your /character list until you choose to reuse them. Shelving a character can only occur if they are not required to be found in roleplay (e.g.- wanted by police, active permissions, etc.)
- 2.7c. Characters must be at least 3 days old before participating in unconsented combat roleplay.
- 2.7d. Characters must be at least 7 days old before joining gangs, yakuza, or criminal groups.
If you choose to play a character that does not belong to you with consent from their creator, you should adhere to any reasonable restrictions imposed by them.
- 2.8a. Your character’s creator can choose to limit which roleplay types you are allowed to engage in (e.g.- CombatRP, Yakuzas, etc.) to ensure consistency with their backstory, personality traits, etc..
- 2.8b. Your character should adhere to any RespectRP and FearRP guidelines imposed by their family, environment or personality traits.
- 2.8c. A character can only be played by one person at a time. This means that two players can’t continuously switch between each other’s characters, as this could potentially provide an unfair advantage.
If your permission to play a specified character is revoked, you should try to reach an agreement with their creator to ensure their roleplay consistency. If you fail to reach an agreement, you must follow one of these two guidelines:
- 2.9a. If your character had an existing backstory and significant roleplay interactions prior to you inheriting them, you are forbidden from playing said character. Any character interactions that happened during your possession will be added to their character’s backstory and will not be voided.
- 2.9b. If your character had little to no backstory or previous roleplay experience before you inherited them, you are allowed to keep your character so long as you remove any content that wasn’t originally created by you (family surnames, skins, etc.).
3. Roleplay Etiquette: General Roleplay Rules
This section of the rulebook will focus on recommendations, obligations and restrictions that must be taken into account when roleplaying in Yurei-Jima RP. Many of these rules may be applied in contexts that aren’t explicitly stated in this thread, so if you’re in doubt, feel free to open a ticket in our Discord server!
Rules found here can also change depending on our roleplay necessities and player feedback. Though we will notify you whenever a new update to this book is made, we recommend reading through this document every now and then to ensure you follow all the rules listed below.
3.1. Lore accuracy with Norowarejima
All roleplay must be conducted within the established lore of Norowarejima. Integrating external lore (self-made or from other media/servers) is allowed if it reasonably aligns with the server's canon.
- 3.1a. Norowarejima is set in Japan. Foreign slang will be considered alien and poorly translated; native Japanese speakers will not realistically understand it.
- 3.1b. The roleplay is set in a modern-day island with minimal fantastical elements. If your character does not fit this environment, ensure they are adapted to suit our roleplay standards by erasing such features from this version of your character.
When roleplaying, you must ensure that your roleplay scenarios are suitable for the server's 15+ age rating.
- 3.2a. Roleplay involving more serious romantic engagements between two characters (also known as RomanceRP) should be kept appropriate and safe for every player on the server, regardless of how private the environment seems. This kind of roleplay is also heavily discouraged for players under the age of 18, as it can lead to minor safety concerns.
- 3.2b. Some mature themes may be tolerated (e.g., alcohol abuse, gore, cannibalism). Nevertheless, players must explicitly state if they are comfortable with this kind of roleplay and do so outside of public view to ensure roleplay boundaries are respected.
- 3.2c. Staff holds the right to punish users for roleplaying out any sensitive topics not listed here without prior warning. If you're unsure whether your roleplay plans go against our rules, we encourage you to reach out to staff beforehand.
Engaging in NSFW Roleplay such as EroticRP or extensive gore beyond what's explicitly or implicitly stated in this rulebook is strictly forbidden. Any attempts to push boundaries to circumvent this rule will also result in punishment.
- 3.3a. Any references or mentions toward erotic behaviours or activities are not permitted. This includes erotic literature, inappropriate performances, clubs, etc.
- 3.3b. Any mention, be it in character or out of character, of sensitive topics such as pedophilia, bestiality, necrophilia, sexual assault or harassment, child abuse or extreme gore is strictly forbidden.
- 3.3c. This rule also extends to vulgar bodily actions, as they are deemed inappropriate and equally as punishable.
When playing Yurei-Jima RP, remember to keep your roleplay as consistent as possible. While you can roleplay as prankster characters, you must do so within the boundaries of proper roleplay, thus avoiding JokeRP, as defined below:
- 3.4a. Roleplay created solely for out-of-character humor will be considered JokeRP and will therefore be punishable.
- 3.4b. Emoticons/Emojis/Kaomoji may not be used in character outside phones, notebooks, or other written/typed media.
- 3.4c. All roleplay actions are canon and may not be voided without staff approval.
- 3.4d. Do not re-send the same messages or actions if you have the possibility of rewording it, specially during confrontational situations.
Competitive or unconsented roleplay (e.g. fights, rivalry or investigations) must strictly follow all roleplay rules and guidelines to ensure situations run as smoothly as possible. While staff is allowed to intervene to guide all players through the steps they must follow depending on the situation, it's best to avoid this by cooperating with your roleplay peers.
- 3.5a. Do not metagame to relay information from OOC to IC channels or vice versa (e.g., using out-of-character channels or alternative accounts to gain in-character knowledge, using phones to send a real-life DM, etc.)
- 3.5b. Combat commands must be used appropriately while following the instructions on your screen (/combat, /turn, /strike, etc.).
- 3.5c. Characters must respond realistically to pain/discomfort depending on the inflicted injury and weapon used (if any).
- 3.5d. Physical leverage and combat skills must be consistent with experience (e.g., training at a gym or dojo). Even so, combat rules will still apply in unconsented roleplay.
- 3.5e.Certain actions will require a specific piece of equipment to be found in your character's possession (e.g., you can’t use a weapon you don’t have in your inventory). This does not apply to casual items that provide no advantage to you or your character's situation.
- While both cell phones and flip phones can take photos, only the former and authorized equipment (video cameras, CCTV, etc.) can record videos and audio clips. In both cases, proper actions must be sent out to use the resulting product in roleplay (e.g.- /me starts recording).
Respect roleplay refers to having your character(s) react realistically to a figure of authority to avoid certain punishment, regardless of your character's personality traits. This rule should be used circumstantially, though there are situations where RespectRP must be used regardless of the context.
- 3.6a. Characters under the age of 16 must respect authoritative figures (Adults, Teachers, Police, etc.) given their physical leverage.
- 3.6b. All characters must properly respect emergency services on active duty due to fear of legal prosecution and arrest. This case can be bypassed if your character has a reasonable cause to contradict the law and as long as it’s carried out realistically.
- 3.6c. In school settings, school staff and council must be respected when giving out reasonable instructions (e.g.- wearing school uniforms, fights, contraband, etc.)
- 3.6d. Active priests and maidens must be respected when found within the Byakuyakou Monastery.
Fear roleplay, on the other hand, refers to situations where your character actively fears for their or their partners' life or physical integrity. To ensure their safety, characters must react realistically to these situations:
- 3.7a. Characters without weapons or tools to defend themselves against threats with leverage over them (e.g.- characters with weapons, deadly animals) must FearRP and avoid instigating fights unless there is no other way to prevent harm.
- 3.7b. Characters must not act recklessly if it endangers their or their allies' safety, specially when paired up with characters who must be respected (refer to 3.6.).
The act of voiding a situation means that it has no longer happened in the global continuity of Norowarejima's joint roleplay story. Given how many people are engaged in this project, it's encouraged not to use this resource unless strictly necessary, as it could lead to inconsistencies and misunderstandings in the server's lore.
- 3.8a. Voiding a situation in order to erase it from the roleplay’s canon may only happen as long as all members and factions involved in a roleplay situation agree to do so.
- 3.8b. Staff members are authorized to void situations regardless of the aforementioned agreement (or undo this process) if they deem it necessary to enforce server rules and fairness.
- 3.8c. You may exceptionally void accidental actions or messages, so long as you indicate such mistake immediately after it has happened.
Skipping roleplay, also known as SkipRP, refers to ommitting specific roleplay situations for various reasons. Just like voiding, this action can impact the global lore of Norowarejima. Therefore, you should avoid doing so if it could negatively impact anyone within your roleplay environment.
- 3.9a. Scenes may be SkipRP’d if all involved members agree and no unfair advantage is gained
- 3.9b. Certain situations cannot be skipped to ensure realism and to allow RP involvement from other players or factions (e.g., knock-outs, bleed-out timers, recovery, etc.)
- 3.9c. SkipRP may be used to avoid engaging in explicit roleplay. However, it must be used responsibly while not pushing boundaries or skirting rules before resorting to it.
If you are playing a character who's under the age of 18, you must keep certain restrictions in mind when interacting with other players.
- 3.10a. Underage characters may not engage in RomanceRP or intercourse (even if SkipRP'd) whatsoever. Exceptionally, characters aged 16–17 may be in relationships with partners under 18, as long as explicit or suggestive roleplay is strictly avoided.
- 3.10b. Underage characters and students attending any form of education may not bear or adopt children.
- 3.10c. Characters under 16 may not engage in illegal activities, save for harmless/prankish behavior.
- 3.10d. Characters under the age of 18 can only die due to medical conditions. They may not be killed by other characters
As stated before, characters that meet the age criteria can have relationships and engage in safe roleplay conducts to form an in-character family. Breaking any rules relating to this kind of roleplay may result in both the offender and their in-character partner's punishment, depending on their implication.
- 3.11a. Character relationships must remain in character. If you believe your roleplay partner fails to respect your boundaries, you should take as many precautionary steps to ensure your safety.
- 3.11b. As a real-life adult, it's important to consider the age of your roleplay partner. While we won't force anyone to share their real age age to players without consent, you must not engage in RomanceRP with someone who is not within an appropriate age range.
- 3.11c.In-character age gaps must be respected ontop of the already-listed age limits to having relationships:
- For characters under the age of 18, the age gap should not exceed 2 years.
- For characters between 18 and 25, the age gap should not exceed 4 years.
- For characters over the age of 25, their partner must be at least 21 years old.
If you have gained access to roleplaying as an animal character, you must also keep in mind that your roleplay guidelines have specific requirements that should be met, specially those relating to realism and roleplay fairness.
- 3.12a. Animal characters must follow all rules relating to roleplay safety and respecting boundaries. Animal cruelty is considered a sensitive topic and therefore not allowed.
- 3.12b. Animal characters cannot engage in any sort of RomanceRP with other characters who are not part of their same species.
- 3.12c. Animals can inflict the same level of FearRP as weapons (refer to 3.7a.) so long as they are categorized as a deadly animal.
- 3.12d. Animals are restricted to what they can do to help their human allies:
- Animals cannot communicate or use non-verbal communication with humans
- Animals cannot utilize human-made technology to provide an advantage (e.g.- cameras, phones, etc.)
- Animals can use the combat mechanics, although they must react with a realistic, instinct-based response to threat or injury.
Feel like we missed anything? Feel free to post a suggestion in our feedback forums!
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