Your GMs Speak

Everyone,

Our VG has some unique challenges. Because of our nature as a Hellfire Club type organization -- not to mention the fact that the faculty are all master criminals -- it is perfectly natural and even expected for the faculty to intrigue against one another and also use the students in their machinations. This is part of our theme. However, some ground rules are essential and I would like to ask you all to be conscious of your fellow players in some specific regards.

1. Keep your Head GMs informed. When you plot against your rivals in the school, or do anything which might in the long term threaten the school's roster or existence, tell me -- Nadja -- or Kelli/Charisma. We, as the founders of the VG, are the Head GMs. We are not here to tell you No. Indeed, we want to let people do what they want to do. But we need to be kept abreast of what is going on so that, if you should be planning something which (perhaps without your knowledge) will be harmful to the VG, we can consult you about it. Note: When I say "threaten the school's roster" I mean anything which might result in the death or other expulsion of any faculty, student, or staff member. These plots should never take your GMs by surprise. We should always know about it.
2. Speak to your fellow players OOC. If you are plotting against another teacher, talk to the other teacher about it OOC before you surprise her with it. The other teacher will tell you how far you can go and what the consequences might be. This is called "Consent" and it is critical to RP on a large game such as ours. If you plan something, and the other player reveals that such an action will result inevitably in one of the two rivals dying or leaving the school -- you are obligated to find some other mutually agreeable plot. Sharing your plot with its participants is simply good manners. Nasty surprises sometimes do painful things to the VG as a whole.
3. Large plots must be proposed, not simply enacted. If you wish to struggle against another faculty member in a tit-for-tat intrigue, simply inform your GMs about it. But if you wish to do something larger -- a plot which gets a large hero group to attack the school for example, or a coup, or you decide to sacrifice the school to Cthulhu or what have you -- this plot must be proposed and approved through consultation with your Head GMs. Again, those individuals are me and Kelli/Charisma.

Why these guidelines? Your Head GMs are responsible for keeping an eye on all the plots going on both inside the school and involving the school's outside foes. We know more about the school's plots than any one of you do; this is our task. When you tell us what you are doing, we can see how that plot might work off of or interact with another plot which someone else is doing. We are not a totally freeform RP group. There are hands guiding us gently.

Secondly, these guidelines exist to ensure that all intrigues and plotting occurs IC and not OOC. It is much easier to have fun with a rival when that rival is a good friend of yours in Real Life. Talking to one another promotes this. We, as GMs, cannot allow you to conduct a plot which will force another player to quit the VG. You do not have the right to do whatever you want to another player, just explaining it all off as "its just RP." We, as GMs, are obligated to ensure first and foremost that everyone who is in Sigma is welcome to remain in Sigma.

I very much appreciate your consideration and cooperation on this matter. Those of you who do not have my email address can certainly get it from me, and the same goes for Charisma.