0. Staff Discretion for Smooth Gameplay

• Admins are responsible for ensuring a smooth and enjoyable game experience for players.
• In certain situations, if bending the rules in the best interest of the round improves the gameplay, admins may invoke "Rule Zero."
• Admins prioritize upholding the spirit of the rules rather than enforcing them strictly by the letter, aiming to maintain a balanced and enjoyable environment.

1. Staff Interaction

• Remember that staff members are volunteers and deserve respect. If you disagree with a decision, express your concerns through a ticket in the Social District, where senior staff can provide a final ruling based on the spirit of the rules. Honesty is essential, so if you make a mistake, own up to it instead of lying. Adminhelps containing deliberate lies or misrepresentations will be dealt with severely.
• If an admin states that an issue has been handled, further details might not be provided as admins are not obliged to disclose any information, be it OOC or related to the ongoing round.
  Consistently pushing the boundaries of the rules without technically breaking them will be treated as if the rules were indeed broken.
• These rules ensure that staff members are respected, accountability is upheld, and rule enforcement is fair and consistent for the benefit of all players.

2. Account and Client Management

• Effigy is designated for individuals who are 18 years of age or older. This age restriction is in place to ensure a mature and appropriate environment for players. If there is suspicion that a player may be a minor, an age verification process will be initiated. This process aims to confirm the player's age and ensure compliance with the community's age requirements.
• Players who are suspected of being a minor must cooperate and participate in the age verification process as requested by the administrators or moderators. This may involve providing valid identification or other appropriate documentation for age confirmation.
• Refusal to participate in the age verification process will result in the player's account being banned. This measure is taken to uphold the integrity of the community and maintain compliance with legal and ethical standards.
• Effigy reserves the right to revoke your access to the community based on information we receive from external sources such as the Centcom ban database and communications/actions on other servers.
• Engaging in multikeying or ban evasion, which involves using multiple accounts simultaneously to gain unfair advantages, is strictly prohibited. Players must only use a single account during gameplay.
• Players are prohibited from abusing exploits within the game. This includes taking advantage of bugs, glitches, or unintended mechanics to gain unfair advantages or disrupt the game. Exploiting in any form, including actions that threaten server or round stability, is grounds for a ban.
• Modifying the BYOND client or using any third-party software to alter the game's mechanics, visuals, or functionalities is not permitted. Players must use the game client as intended by the developers.
• When determining punishments for rule infractions, the intent behind the actions will be considered. Serious violations, deliberate exploitation, or threats to server stability may result in more severe consequences.

3. Metagaming, Grudging, and Abuse of OOC Information

• Players are not allowed to engage in metagaming, which involves using out-of-character (OOC) information or communicating with players from other servers to gain unfair advantages or spoil the round. Avoid using knowledge or information that your character wouldn't realistically possess.
• Reasonable IC Relationships: Characters are permitted to maintain persistent friendships or relationships with other characters, as long as it does not result in unfair advantages or teaming up without valid in-character (IC) reasons. Keep these relationships within a reasonable context and avoid excessive toxicity or grudging behavior, as it violates the OOC rules.

4. Expressions and Interactions

• Exercise Common Sense: Players are expected to use common sense and exhibit good judgement when interacting with others in the game. Avoid engaging in behavior that disrupts the game or creates an unpleasant experience for fellow players.
• Violating another character's preferences (prefbreak) or commiting erotic acts against a player that does not consent is strictly prohibited. If you choose to engage in erotic behavior, ensure you view the character's OOC preferences and act accordingly.
• In the event you find yourself in an unwanted or uncomfortable situation related to this policy, immediately use the LOOC feature (hotkey L) to indicate you withdraw consent and do not wish to proceed. You may withdraw your consent at any time during the encounter. If the player does not respond to the LOOC statement to stop, immediately send an ahelp (F1) for escalation.
• The rules regarding hate speech, politically charged discussions, and abusive behavior apply to in-game behavior. It is prohibited to post hate speech, engage in politically charged discussions, or be abusive to other players, whether in or out of character.
• Respectful Behavior: Players should refrain from engaging in in-character racism between species or any other form of discriminatory behavior that targets specific groups. Treat all players with respect and avoid actions that promote a hostile or negative environment.

5. Roleplaying, Coherent Characters, and Escalation

• Make an effort to immerse yourself in the game by playing a coherent character that fits within the setting and demonstrates a desire to maintain their job. Avoid using memes and text speak in character, and instead focus on creating a believable and immersive roleplaying experience.
• Ensure that your character's actions are proportionate to the situation at hand. Escalate your response based on the circumstances, considering what a reasonable person would do in that situation. Avoid overreacting or excessively violent responses that are not warranted.
• While you are mechanically capable of performing every job on the station, it is encouraged to focus on being proficient in your chosen role rather than trying to be a jack of all trades. Embrace the uniqueness and limitations of your character's occupation, adding depth to the roleplay experience.
• Respect Antagonists: Avoid using out-of-character knowledge to identify or call out antagonists over common channels. Give the antagonists an opportunity to carry out their objectives before revealing their true intentions. Treat them with fairness and allow them to contribute to the gameplay.
• It is strictly prohibited to call out erotic roleplay (ERP) over public communication channels. Such behavior or other attempts to start drama will be dealt with severely.
• Unless there is a significant in-character roleplay reason to believe in a global or round-ending threat, it is not appropriate to act as a vigilante if a security force is present. Restricted antagonists who are not automatically considered global or round-ending threats may still become such through their actions during the shift. The stronger the in-character justification, the more action can be taken against them.
• Players are allowed to defend themselves and others from violent antagonists. It is acceptable to take action to ensure the safety and well-being of oneself and fellow crewmembers when facing violent threats.

6. End of Round Outcomes and Player Death

• It is important to understand and accept that character death can occur in the game. Occasionally, your character may die, sometimes without the possibility of avoiding it. This adds unpredictability and excitement to the gameplay. The death or other events that happen to your character are not required to remain canon beyond the end of the round.
• The outcome of a round can result in victory for the antagonists or the station's loss. Events may unfold beyond your control. It is essential to acknowledge that winning or losing is part of the game experience.
• The game aims to maintain a fair and balanced environment. Regardless of how skilled or prepared you are, there will be instances where defeat is inevitable. This ensures that all players have equal opportunities to succeed or face challenges.

7. Player Trust, Agency, Good Faith, and Antagonist Role

• Players should not feel overly restricted within the standard gameplay policy to the extent that they feel compelled to actively pursue antagonist status. The game should provide opportunities for engagement and enjoyment without solely relying on becoming an antagonist.
• Players should be trusted to act in the best interest of the round. Assume that players have the overall well-being and enjoyment of the game in mind unless proven otherwise.
• Player agency should be given as much freedom as possible, within reasonable limits. While players are encouraged to have autonomy and make meaningful choices, there may be necessary restrictions to maintain balance and fairness.
• By default, players are assumed to be acting in good faith. This means that unless there is evidence to the contrary, it is assumed that players are following the rules and playing with positive intentions.
• Antagonists should not solely be the driving force of the round. The gameplay should have varied and dynamic elements that involve multiple aspects and interactions beyond just antagonist activities.
• Players granted antagonist status may have some leeway within the rules to carry out their objectives, but they are not exempt from the rules. They must still adhere to the game's guidelines and not engage in unfair or disruptive behavior.

8. Security, Chain of Command, and Antagonist Handling

• If you hold a position in the Chain of Command it is expected that you actively fulfill your role and put effort into performing your job as a departmental leader.
• If you are not in the Chain of Command, your department head is your superior, and they have the authority to dismiss or fire you. Security officers have the authority to arrest individuals who engage in theft or unauthorized entry. Roleplaying opportunities can arise from demotions or short brig sentences for actions that would result in termination or arrest in real life.
• Restricted antagonists (or crewmembers) should be dealt with in proportion to the severity of their committed crimes. The decision to execute an antagonist should be based on reasonable in-character justification, considering their crimes and the state of the current shift. Minor crimes committed repeatedly may warrant escalated punishments, while immediate execution should be reserved for those who have committed the most severe crimes.
• Security members are expected to consider a full range of punishment options when dealing with antagonists. This includes pacification, timed brig sentences, permabrig, forced borging, and execution. Forced borging is considered equivalent to execution in terms of the severity of punishment.
• Security officers, due to their power and access to the station, are expected to adhere to a higher standard of conduct. Their authority comes with a responsibility to maintain fairness, professionalism, and respect while performing their duties.
• Security officers are strictly prohibited from abusing their position or engaging in actions that exploit their authority for personal gain, harassment, or unfair treatment of other players. They should use their powers and privileges responsibly and within the boundaries of the game's rules.
• Security officers are subject to the same rules and consequences as other players. They will be held accountable for any violations of the game's rules, including instances of abuse or misconduct. No player is above the established rules and guidelines of the game.