For any and every task a group undergoes, certain rules must be followed in order to keep everything organized and more enjoyable. Our code of law is not meant to restrain your creativity. Rather, they're here to enhance it. And now this sounds like a broken record. ^_^;
Any information that appears crossed out is to be considered subject to change.
Applying:
Try not to rush through the application. This can result in spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors which could otherwise be avoided.
Do NOT go back to correct errors you may have made after sending the application. We'll be a wee bit lenient with your errors as long as they're not more than 10-20% of the application. Send the application only once. Period.
Fill out everything to the best of your ability.
Apply ONLY for characters who are not taken. The only way you'll get the part of a previously taken character is if the player drops out. Do not justify your application by saying that Will is being slaughtered or that you're almost exactly like Emily so you can do a better job at playing her. No exceptions.
As for your three characters of choice, you may list a taken character as your second or third choice, but it would be preferable if you didn't. Say, for example, you don't get the part of Irina � wouldn't you like a chance at playing Sark? Think about it. Also, please do NOT put in "Jack, Jack, Jack." Doing this will result in an automatic rejection, as we have to consider other applicants who are considerate enough to make the selection process easier for us.
Absolutely no original characters. The canon characters' roles were hard enough to fit into the game. *This rule may be altered once a fully functional cast has been gathered. Until then, it stays.*
Your sample entry must be about the situation provided at the link above text area. If you choose to ignore it, we'll choose to ignore your application. That simple.
By no means whatsoever will shorthand be accepted in both your sample entry or actual journal. All the characters are adults who have way too much on their minds to be purposefully misspelling words left and right. (Seriously: Try to picture Sloane telling Dr. Barnett that she's "kewl, lol" and giving her "kudos" for her great ideas. Not happening, right? We rest our case.)
Playing:
In your journal, you will not write what your character says to another character unless your character is narrating something that happened to him or her (i.e., "he said, she said"), but it can't just be put there like a story either. You don't quote random people in a journal just because. Also, please note that all interactions have been previously played out by the players, and the characters are only going to talk about what happened.
Stay in-character (IC) when needed. When answering mail sent to your character's account, you will be IC. In your journal, you will be IC. If you want to meet with another player for an interaction, use your own e-mail addresses or, if you really must, add a P.S. at the end of a character letter.
This is an alternate universe (AU) setting, which means you don't have to play by the series. It is encouraged, however, to take series elements and incorporate them into the game (like Project Christmas, or Francie's engagement to Charlie). "Encouraged" does not mean you're forced to do so. It's left to your discretion what you will and will not do. AU, however, is NOT the same as out-of-character (OOC). So by no means whatsoever will Francie hook up with Jack and later proclaim herself to be Sark's long lost sister.
The Game Master will e-mail your character from time to time to inform you that something has happened to your character. Your character needs not respond to these e-mails � they are meant for the player. The events described in the email are to be incorporated into your character's next journal entry, but not blatantly so. Keep a degree of mystery about what you have been allowed to know. And please, please, please don't tell anyone what the GM told you! Mystery, mystery, mystery � remember our characters are from the spy/drama genre!
If you think you know a plot secret or you want to explore what you've been told about, reply to the GM and tell her what your character did. She will then tell you what has happened as a consequence of this action, and this, along with what led your character to go and try to find out (softly, not blatantly, remember), must be written in the journal. Period.
Etiquette:
Don't be rude. Don't offend anyone. Don't be mean for no reason whatsoever. General niceness must be used at all times. Keep fights to the IC level. No matter how much Jack and Sydney fight, their players are the best of friends � and that's no lie!
Don't curse or use fowl words just because. We highly doubt any one of the characters would curse beyond "damn," and even this word is used scarcely.
Please don't pester anyone � character or player. This will just make both character and player annoyed with you. This is not good. This may lead to suspension or expulsion � and possible intervention of the GM. You don't want to see the GM mad. Trust us.
And of general knowledge:
Have fun! We do have a rather nice plot to present to you, but most of the fun comes from interaction and gameplay! If you've ever been in an RPG, you'll remember that the most fun was seeing the way people play, interacting, and seeing the plot develop. Fun is our number one objective. Make it yours too. ^_^
