One of the best part of any roleplaying group is getting to create plots for yourself or between other players! While Havensake almost always has an overarching plot and various quests and dungeons for players to participate in, creating your own smaller-scale plot for your characters can be just as thrilling while also being more personal. As admins, we want to make sure members are able to do this with as little stress as possible! This guide will go over what we do and don't allow in personal plots, what does and doesn't need permission or a heads-up from/for admins, and what to consider when making a plot!
[The Rules of Plot-Making]
When creating your own personal plot, it's important to keep in mind what you can and cannot do based on the group's rules.
As a reminder, we do not allow any in-group content that contains the following subject material:
1. Incest
2. Necrophilia
3. Pedophilia
4. Slavery
5. Sexual assault.
This is not open for debate, and we will not allow it into the group in any way.
Additionally, LGBTQ+phobia is ONLY allowed in backstories:
Havensake is very progressive in-character and has been for years, and, with the exception of internalized queerphobia, it canonically has no place in the group at this time.
When proposing a plot to admins that contains sensitive subjects, please include an adequate content warning for whatever subjects apply (ie. "CW for Murder, Hypnosis, Discussions of Mental Health"). Admins are people, too, and need to know what we're getting into before we read something that might be potentially upsetting!
Remember: Always ask someone or make sure you have permission from the roleplayer before causing drama with another character, or adding scars from another player's actions, either in combat, RP, or rumors.
[Smooth Sailing]
A lot of personal plots don't really need admin approval or involvement! However, they should still have permission from the members involved. Little plots, such as the following, can typically be done on one's own or in a small group of members:
• Small predator attacks (ie. your character and a badger get into a fight, and your character becomes wounded). Animals perfect for this are badgers, foxes, birds of prey! Anything larger may require admin involvement, so please feel free to ask!
• Interpersonal conflict
• Small fights among Tribemates
[Heads Up]
Some plots, while not needing any admin involvement, may require giving the Tribe admin(s) a heads up before moving forward! This is just so we know what's going on, if it'll affect Tribe relationships or stations, etc. The list is as follows:
• Visiting a Tribe (please ask the other Tribe admin, and alert your own!)
• Attacking another Tribe cat/getting into a fight with one (same or cross-Tribe)
• Leaving the Tribe (permanently)
• Leaving a station early or not attending an assigned station at all (for stationed ranks)
• Going missing from a Tribe (permanently or temporarily)
[Admin Supervision/Approval]
A lot of ambitious plots will require prior admin approval or involvement to make sure we're following all group rules and handling things smoothly! We also like to incorporate your plots into announcements, rumors, and other plots if we can (and if you want)- so getting approval will usually go a long way! Here's a list of things you need to run by us before starting:
• Large predator attacks (geowurms, wolves, cougars, etc- anything that would need to be killed or chased out immediately!)
• Murders
• Anything that breaks the Laws of 7 and/or might require Tribe punishment or trial
• Any use of skills that breaks the rules outlined for the skill in question
• Territory disputes
• Any member-run event
• Major/noticeable damage to any territory, Tribe or neutral
• Suicidal ideation
• Self-harm
• Memory manipulation
• Abuse (any kind)
• Grooming (NOT for the intent/purpose of a relationship, but encouraging a child to grow up a "certain way", ie. reinforcing behaviors that might shape the character into a villain)
[Please Don't]
There aren't a lot of things we aren't willing to let members do, outside of what we explicitly stated at the beginning of this section- but please avoid the following topics!:
• Successful suicide attempts
• Godmodding/Powerplaying
• Invent lore about the group or a Tribe without admin consultation and consent
• Invent alternative magic systems without admin consultation and consent
• Invent creatures, pets, NPCs, Corondryx legends, etc. without admin consultation and consent (example- the white jackalope of Hope's Lake)
• Bring OOC conflict to IC drama, or vice versa
• Create new locations without admin consultation and consent (dens are fine, an entire desert in the middle of the map is not)
• Use a skill or starstone in a way that is not listed (ie. LT skill "Light Speed" being used for time travel)
[Please Do]
Ask for help or clarification if you need it! We can only think of so many examples of things off the top of our heads- really, if it isn't listed here, or even if it is- if you're unsure, the best thing you can do is ask us! We will be much happier to answer 50 questions about the same thing than to come back in after something not allowed has already been done to clean it up and retcon things.
[IC Punishments]
In-character punishments are handled on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration the crime, the method behind it, the incentive, the victim(s), and how many Tribes and cats it affected.
Punishments include, but may not be limited to:
• A warning from your head rank or your Tribe's leader
• Community service within your Tribe
• Community service to another Tribe
• Being stripped of your rank (moved to a different one within the Tribe)
• Being temporarily stripped of your rank (going back to apprenticeship)
• Being held back from graduating from being an apprentice
• Being temporarily stripped of your powers (but remaining in your Tribe), either by use of nulling stones or your Spirit blocking your powers
• Exile (total banishment from your Tribe and loss of your powers)
• Imprisonment (temporary or life)
• Being chased from Corondryx (character leaves the group)
• Execution (character is killed)
Punishments must be agreed on by admin(s) and the member(s) involved before taking place- however, please understand that, depending on severity of the crime, you may be given limited options (ie. life imprisonment vs execution vs being chased out). We do try to give members wiggle room with their punishments, but it isn't realistic for someone committing several murders to only be exiled (they would likely be put up for execution or lifelong imprisonment).
Please make sure to speak with admins about possible punishments before committing your character to a crime of which you are not prepared for the consequences.
[How to Tackle Sensitive Topics]
[Topic Rules for General Chatting]
While Havensake does allow several sensitive topics, it's important to know when and where to talk about these things, both in and out of roleplay situations. This is for the safety and wellbeing of all staff and members! We're happy to allow people to explore the topics they want to (within reason), but not everyone wants to read about more sensitive or upsetting situations.
Some members have phobias or triggers that are listed on the discord. Make sure to check out the list under #rules-and-important-info and familiarize yourself with the topics to avoid making other members uncomfortable.
This list of topics should be tagged and spoilered if brought up in conversation and roleplay, and it may be updated at any time. To have a trigger added to the list, please dm any HR admin!
[Topic Rules in RP]
These topics can be mentioned in rumors, handled in public roleplays, submitted to the group directly for EXP, and can be mentioned in announcements and other roleplays (with consent):
• Gore (tagged/spoilered)
• Fighting and/or conflict between adults
• Death and murder
• Talks or symptoms of depression, anxiety, panic attacks, etc. (tagged/hidden where needed)
• Memory manipulation (must be tagged and spoilered)
• Child abuse (must be tagged and spoilered)
• Cannibalism (must be tagged and spoilered)
• In-depth mentions or actions of abuse (physical/mental/emotional) (must be tagged and spoilered)
• Kidnapping (including mentions or feelings of Stockholm Syndrome)
These topics can only happen in private roleplays in which everyone consents to what happens in them. What occurs in them should not be mentioned IC or OOC to other members/characters without prior consent. Character punishments regarding these topics will be handled with proper discretion for member comfort. They must be tagged and hidden when submitted for EXP. They cannot be submitted to the deviantART gallery, and must be handled either through notes or the Discord (with all of the appropriate warnings):
• Suicidal ideation
• Self-harm
These topics are not allowed in the group under any circumstances:
• Incest
• Necrophilia
• Pedophilia
• Slavery
• Sexual assault/abuse
[Regarding Self-Harm, Suicide, Abuse, and Cannibalism]
These plots and actions are not to be done lightly. Havensake treads a very thin line between what is and isn't allowed, and we hope that our members follow and understand the rules when it comes to them.
[Self-Harm]
A character may commit acts of self-harm at the discretion of their RPer. These topics cannot be tackled in any form publicly in the group, nor should they be discussed or roleplayed with nonconsenting parties.
If you want to roleplay or discuss your character's self-harm in any form, you must keep the following in mind:
• All RPers must be treated respectfully and the topic should be discussed in full so everyone has a clear idea of what is going on when it occurs.
• The topic should not be approached with malice, but with respect and an understanding of why one would self-harm and what it means. Havensake does not condone the use of self-harm plots as a means of villainizing or romanticizing the act of self-harm or mental health as a whole.
• Self-harm scars should not be listed as such publicly on a character's application art. It may be mentioned in their bio with a proper trigger warning.
• It is imperative that users make no mention of a characters' self-harm thoughts or attempts in rumors, public (official group Discord channels) roleplays, or public discussions. These manners should be entirely private.
• Self-harm plots should be run by, mentioned to, and monitored by admins before taking place. We just want to ensure everything runs smoothly and as carefully as possible.
Breaking any of these rules will most likely result in punishment. If you are confused or concerned, please approach staff before acting. We will always appreciate questions before actions.
[Suicide]
A character may have feelings of suicidal ideation at the discretion of their RPer, but cannot actually commit or attempt to commit suicide in the group. These topics cannot be tackled in any form publicly in the group, nor should they be discussed or roleplayed with nonconsenting parties.
If you want to roleplay or discuss your character's suicidal ideation in any form, you must keep the following in mind:
• All RPers must be treated respectfully and the topic should be discussed in full so everyone has a clear idea of what is going on when it occurs.
• The topic should not be approached with malice, but with respect and an understanding of why one would commit suicide or consider it and what it means. Havensake does not condone the use of suicidal ideation plots as a means of villainizing or romanticizing the act of suicide or mental health as a whole.
• It is imperative that users make no mention of a characters' suicidal thoughts in rumors, public (official group Discord channels) roleplays, or public discussions. These manners should be entirely private.
• Suicidal ideation plots should be run by, mentioned to, and monitored by admins before taking place. We just want to ensure everything runs smoothly and as carefully as possible.
• Your character may not actually commit suicide in Havensake. They may only have thoughts or discussions about the act, but they cannot commit the act in the group.
• Acts of self-sacrifice for the purpose of saving other character(s) are permitted so long as admins are given a proper heads-up and approve the situation beforehand.
Breaking any of these rules will most likely result in punishment. If you are confused or concerned, please approach staff before acting. We will always appreciate questions before actions.
[Abuse]
A character may be abused or commit acts of abuse within Havensake, to a certain degree. These topics must be handled tastefully within the group, and should not be romanticized in any way.
If you want to roleplay or discuss your character's abuse in any form, you must keep the following in mind:
• All RPers must be treated respectfully and the topic should be discussed in full so everyone has a clear idea of what is going on when it occurs. If it happens publicly, it must be spoilered and tagged as such.
• Havensake does not condone the idolization or romanticizing of Stockholm syndrome or any forms of abuse. While these situations may occur in-character, members should recognize and understand that these situations are bad, and should not idolize them.
• Abuse plots should be run by, mentioned to, and monitored by admins before taking place. We just want to ensure everything runs smoothly and as carefully as possible.
• Child abuse specifically is handled much more strictly than any other. Please be aware that if your character is abusing their child or another's in any way, they are subject to in-character punishment, up to and including exile or execution, depending.
• Please reach out to staff if at any point your character will be engaging in an abuse plot that ends in murder of any kind. These situations are VERY heavy and we will absolutely need a heads up to handle it appropriately.
Breaking any of these rules will most likely result in punishment. If you are confused or concerned, please approach staff before acting. We will always appreciate questions before actions.
[Cannibalism]
A character may experience the desire to act as a cannibal and actually act on it within the group.
If you want to roleplay or discuss your character's cannibalism in any form, you must keep the following in mind:
• All RPers must be treated respectfully and the topic should be discussed in full so everyone has a clear idea of what is going on when it occurs. If it happens publicly, it must be spoilered and tagged as such.
• Havensake does not condone the idolization or romanticizing of cannibalism on its own or when accompanied by any other forms of abuse. While these situations may occur in-character, members should recognize and understand that these situations are bad, and should not idolize them.
• Your character may not cannibalize another character if the other RPer has not consented to this act. It cannot be implied to have happened, either, unless they agree. They may, of course, fantasize about such an act, but it cannot actively occur without roleplayer consent.
• Any and all cannibalism plots should be run by, mentioned to, and monitored by admins before taking place. We just want to ensure everything runs smoothly and as carefully as possible.
Breaking any of these rules will most likely result in punishment. If you are confused or concerned, please approach staff before acting. We will always appreciate questions before actions.
[Mental Health]
As a disclaimer, we'd like to mention that mental health services are available to every Tribe cat via healers and other trained professionals. Your cat absolutely can get the help they need. It should not be assumed IC or OOC that no one is willing to help them with their mental (or physical) health. The Tribes are big, but usually close- if your character is struggling, someone will likely notice.
That being said, we absolutely encourage these plots to end positively where possible. Please exercise caution if you want to approach others with therapy plots.
[Proposing a Plot]
There are bound to be questions about any and all plot topics- and, again, we encourage them as much as possible!
There is no set form to fill out when proposing a plot. All we ask is that you keep all of the above rules in mind, and relay as many details as possible to us when proposing your plot. The best way to propose a plot to the team is by opening a ticket!
Good luck out there!