To roleplay here, you need to read these "rules" and post a comment saying that you agree. If you disagree with one of them, there's always place for discussion, but I think everything here should be clear and okay to roleplayers.
1-The GM is master
The GM (Game master, the one who created the RP topic) is the one who's in charge of everything. He decides the specific rules of the RP, as long as the players stay respectful to each other. You must follow the RP rules the GM wrote at the beginning of the RP in question! Each player should go in the story direction the GM wants it to. A player shouldn't decide something drastic out-of-the-blue without asking the GM if he agrees with it first through a note or private message. The fun of RPing is that you never know what will happen and you have to act in response to what is happening; creating your own story in a roleplaying game that isn't your own is called writing a fanfiction. I guess you can make out the difference, right?
We also don't want the GM turning the roleplay into their own fanfiction and not allowing the other players to have influence. I guess it's a balance.
2-Godmodding/character control
Aside from the GM, a player can only control the character he created or decided to play and cannot make them "gods" (unstoppable, invincible, you know what I mean). The player can play an NPC (non-playable character) for a while (meaning they can't have an impact on the main plot), or can control another played character if the GM/other player agrees to it. Killing another character because you've decided to, or getting away from a sure death in a miraculous way are things to avoid here (unless you asked the GM/other player before and he agreed to it).
3-Variety
This may not be so much a "rule," but a way to avoid conflicts. A player shouldn't always play the same character, be it official or a fan character. Someone who always plays Sonic can be a good player, but when there's 5-6 roleplaying game going on and he's the one playing Sonic in each game, that begins to get boring. Even if you're not good at it, even if you don't portray the respect and awesomeness the original character had in SatAM, that is not important. It's a roleplaying game, and I don't think anyone on this board will say that you're a bad player or that your character shouldn't have acted this way. Actually, that's my next point.
4-Respect
Respect should always be present between the players (including the GM). We're here to have fun, to discuss and to explore possibilities, not to be the best roleplayer ever or to make yourself superior to the others. A great game is like a great relationship: let the other one have a voice in what's happening. Also, please keep it clean. Language and violence level can vary a bit depending on the GM's rules, but the general Forum Guidelines also apply here. Remember that behind the character is a player too, so saying "But I didn't say anything wrong, I was roleplaying!" is not an excuse for disrespect.
I guess that's it. If you have any comments or ideas for the rules, PM me and I'll see what I can do!
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