What it means to "stay in character" and how to break character

This information is also on our website under "Rules": http://everjane.com/rules

...2. “In Character” (IC) and “Out of Character” (OOC)

We are working very hard to create the look and feel of Jane Austen’s world during the Regency era of the early 1800s. It is our hope that as you immerse yourself in roleplay, sharing gossip with other players, attending any number of social events, participating in the quests, etc., that you will begin to feel that you are actually in Tyrehampton during the early 19th century. That is, until someone walks up to you and says, “OMG, did u hear what happened? IDK what’s up with that. Oh well, c u l8tr.” Neither Jane Austen nor her contemporaries knew the language of texting, and if she had learned of it, she probably would have fainted. Even if you are not well-versed in the manner of speaking of Austen’s day, you can simply speak using proper English grammar and standard spelling. 

So as not to spoil the experience for any other players, please do your best to stay “in character” (IC) at all times when in the game, unless absolutely necessary. There may be times when you do need to go “out of character” (OOC), such as if you need to ask a question that is not part of the roleplay scene or you’re about to go away from the keyboard (AFK) for a few minutes and you want the other players to know that you’ll be right back (BRB). For any chat that is OOC, please enclose it in double parentheses so that the other players will know that your chat is not part of the roleplay scene. 

Example: ((Is anyone else having trouble clicking Mrs. Hatch’s handkerchief?))

...4. Mind Your Role Play Etiquette and Avoid “God-Moding” 

See and hear only things you would be able to see or hear in real life. It is important to remember not to use certain information in the game if it would not be realistic to do so. For example, no one has a name tag floating above their head in real life. So, before calling someone by name in the game, if you had not previously been introduced, seek that information through a roleplay conversation. 

In addition to refraining from using information that has not been given in roleplay, you also cannot decide what happens to another roleplayer by describing their thoughts, emotions, reactions, or what happens to their body or possessions. You can set up a scene, but then you should allow them to respond for themselves. 

Bad example: *Anger welling up inside, he pushes Thomas and watches him tumble into the river* 

What if Thomas were light on his feet and stepped aside quickly as you reached out to push him? Or what if he decided to put up his hands to attempt to block the push? 

Better example: *Anger welling up inside, he reaches out to push Thomas, hoping he will tumble into the river* 

Thomas can now decide what happens to himself in this scene.

Bad example: *Jealousy overtaking her at seeing the two of them dancing, she eases her way up to the couple, trips the girl, and then gleefully watches her tumble to the floor*

Better example: *Jealousy overtaking her at seeing the two of them dancing, she eases her way up to the couple and sticks out her foot, hoping to trip the girl* 

Then the other player has the opportunity to decide if she actually will trip and fall to the floor, or if she will miss your foot and then perhaps cast a smug glance at you over her shoulder as she continues dancing.

5. Finishing a Roleplay Scene Before Leaving 

Because one cannot disappear into thin air in real life, if you are involved in a roleplay scene in the game and must leave, it’s best to roleplay your way out of the scene and then walk off to a discrete area (e.g., inside a building or around a corner) before logging off. Or if you wish to take a shortcut to the parlor, or elsewhere in the game, you should walk away from the scene and then click the shortcut to teleport to the other area. 

6. Be Respectful of Others  

Even if your character is an unsavory cad IC, please don’t carry that into OOC. Let’s be respectful of others, and remember that there is a real person with real feelings behind every avatar. Stay mindful of the Golden Rule, and let’s seek to have fun and enjoy the game!