Terms of Membership
Introduction
First and foremost, thank you for reading this page. Statistically, many writers skip this, despite how crucial it is to joining a community. This section tells you how to be part of the community without breaking the rules and guidelines that help us define the atmosphere we have set, as well as how to engage with existing members. It also gives you tools and resources for navigating situations if it is ever required (which we hope it never is).
While some rules may seem similar, we have different rules & guidelines than other communities you may be more familiar with. These rules & guidelines are the result of careful revaluation of play-by-post communities, identifying what works, what does not, what is fair, and what has consistently been proven ineffective.
Please understand that membership to Of Providence is not a right, but a privilege. If you do not agree with the rules & guidelines or do not wish to work within the lore in the guidebook, then this community may not be for you.
Communicate Clearly
Roleplay relies on strong communication. Text can make it hard to convey tone or humor, leading to misunderstandings—the #1 cause of drama. Be honest about plot progress, emotions, and availability. Silence breeds anxiety, so let your partners and the community know if you'll be away.
Listen Actively
Active listening means being open when your partner or anyone in the community shares their feelings or needs. Avoid becoming defensive—remember, this is a collaborative writing hobby.
Take these conversations as opportunities to find a way that works for both of you. If needed, part ways respectfully so that you both can continue enjoying the writing process.
Ease Anxiety & Imposter Syndrome
Most roleplayers struggle with anxiety or imposter syndrome, feeling disconnected or doubting their writing. Even staff experience this! Communication and active listening help bridge gaps and create a safe, supportive environment for everyone.
Be Inclusive
It's easy to get caught up in your own plots and characters, but it’s important to engage with others—even if you’re not actively writing with them. Chatting with the community and helping new members get involved makes this a safe and welcoming place.
Get creative in connecting characters and plots in unique ways. Be a supporting character in someone else’s story, and others will return the favor. Stay open to diverse connections—not just romantic pairings—for a more dynamic roleplaying experience.
Patience with New & Niche Plots
You may be the first writer with a character in a unique plot where others may not immediately fit—whether it’s a predominantly female environment with no men, a queer character in a primarily straight setting, or a character in an isolated scenario like an asylum or distant clan. These plots may take time to find the right partners, but they offer valuable opportunities for diversity and inclusion.
Stay active, be patient, and invite others to join. Your niche plot or character may inspire someone new to participate, helping to build a more diverse and expansive community.
Contact Staff
If a situation escalates and communication doesn’t resolve the issue, don’t hesitate to reach out to staff. Even if it’s just to make us aware of what's going on, we’re here to help. This doesn't mean someone will automatically get in trouble, and it also doesn’t mean we’ll just stand by. Every situation is handled with care and judged on a case-by-case basis.
If you’re experiencing a problem with someone, it’s possible others are as well. If you see something, say something—but please do so privately. Publicly calling people out in group chats is not allowed and can harm the community atmosphere.
Important Rule
All magical artifacts must be registered with the guild before they can be used in combat.
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Rule Title 1
First rule: Always follow the guidelines. -
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Second rule: Keep lore sections detailed but concise. -
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Third rule: Use bullet points for subsections.This Community was Developed September 2024 with the projection to open in 2025. This is a 21+ Play by Post Roleplay Community that is partially veiwable by the public. This community useses Profile based private Applications to join which require to be vetted and approved to join before participation. Please read our guidbook, it is mandetory and will provide you everything you need to know and reference.
How Rules are Enforced
All membership rules and guidelines are enforced to ensure a safe and respectful environment. However, we understand that life isn’t black and white. Some situations may be clear-cut, while others require more investigation, conversation, and staff discretion. While rules are firm, guidelines are more flexible as some situations may call for adapting roleplay standards to resolve issues fairly. In this community, we value open, transparent communication and believe in hearing all sides before making decisions. Our priority is maintaining the safety, comfort, and integrity of the community, ensuring fairness for all while protecting the space we’ve created together.
Roleplay Essentials
These are universal guidelines that apply across most roleplay communities. While they may not be strictly enforced by staff, they are socially upheld to foster a respectful, creative, and collaborative environment. Following these essentials helps ensure a positive experience for everyone involved. Obvious breaches of these may lead to staff interjection to uphold the advanced standards of the community.
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Godmodding
Creating characters with unrealistic abilities or changing the rules of the roleplay to benefit your character is considered godmodding. This includes altering your character's personality or backstory to manipulate situations or influence others. This disrupts the balance of the roleplay and limits other players' ability to enjoy a fair, collaborative experience. Stay true to your character's established traits and respect the limitations of the world and your character’s abilities. -
Powerplaying
Controlling another player's character without their consent, including making decisions or forcing outcomes, is a violation of collaborative storytelling. Always allow other players the freedom to control their own characters and make their own decisions. -
Metagaming
Using out-of-character knowledge to guide in-character actions creates an unfair advantage and breaks immersion. Keep in-character knowledge and out-of-character knowledge separate to maintain the integrity of the narrative. -
Retconning
Retconning, or altering past events in the story, is generally discouraged as it can disrupt continuity and affect the experience of others. However, it can be necessary in certain situations—such as when a partner leaves, communication breaks down, or a plot needs to move forward. When retconning is required, communicate with all involved players to ensure everyone is aligned, has input on the adjustments, and has the option to disconnect their character if needed. Retconning should always be a thoughtful, collaborative process, used only when necessary to maintain the integrity of the roleplay. -
Neglect
Neglect occurs when a player ignores or selectively responds to the actions, dialogue, or contributions of other characters, choosing only what benefits their own character. This behavior disrupts the collaborative nature of roleplay, as every player’s contribution is essential to the flow of the story. If you need to make a response more concise, it’s better to briefly acknowledge what you’re moving over, rather than ignoring it altogether. Show your partner that you’ve read their post and valued it. When in doubt, communicate with your partner about how best to handle the scene, ensuring everyone feels included and respected. -
Hijacking/Stonewalling
Hijacking or stonewalling occurs when a player takes over a thread, making their character the center of attention or driving the narrative in a direction that serves only their personal agenda. Every thread has a purpose, and it’s important to respect the original intent and goals of the story, even if your character isn’t the main focus. Roleplay is a collaborative effort where every character plays a part. Disregarding the overarching plot or the contributions of others is disrespectful and disrupts the flow of the story. Instead, find ways for your character to contribute meaningfully without overpowering the narrative. Always be mindful of the story's purpose and the goals of your fellow players. -
Muse Fixating
While it’s natural to get deeply invested in a particular character or plot, focusing solely on one thread or partner for days or weeks can leave other players feeling undervalued. This behavior isn’t wrong, but it’s important to ensure that all of your partners feel equally appreciated and that no one is left behind. Try to balance your time across multiple threads, spreading the joy of roleplay to keep the wider story moving. If you're struggling to maintain this balance or need more time with a specific character or plot, communicate openly with your other partners. Let them know your situation so they understand and can adjust accordingly. Roleplay is about collaboration and ensuring that everyone feels involved and valued. -
Skipping
In collaborative roleplay, there's an agreed-upon order for replies to maintain the flow of the story. Skipping ahead of your turn without getting permission disrupts that flow and can leave other players feeling disrespected or ignored. Before breaking the established turn order, always check with everyone involved to ensure they're okay with it. Roleplay thrives on coordination, so maintaining that structure keeps the story moving smoothly for all participants. -
Slugging
While life outside of roleplay is always a priority, consistently failing to respond in a timely manner without letting your partners know can stall the entire story. When you're unable to reply promptly, communicate with your partners so they can adjust or plan around the delay. Roleplay is a collaborative effort, and keeping others informed about your availability ensures the story doesn't come to a halt due to prolonged silence. If you’re struggling with time management, let others know—many players are understanding as long as they’re kept in the loop. -
Low Effort Posting
Roleplay is an art form, and it thrives when everyone puts thought and effort into their posts. Writing low-effort responses full of errors, or that don't engage meaningfully with the story, diminishes the experience for everyone. Take the time to contribute posts that move the story forward and respect the effort of your partners. Even when writing quickly or casually, aim for clarity and engagement to keep the quality of the roleplay high and enjoyable for all. -
Ghosting
Life happens, and it’s completely normal to need breaks or time away from roleplay. However, going inactive without informing your partners can leave stories hanging and players frustrated. The key to maintaining healthy roleplay relationships is communication—if you need to step away, just let your partners know. It’s better to be upfront about needing time off than to disappear and leave others waiting indefinitely. Most players are understanding as long as they’re kept informed, and they may even offer options for pausing or shifting the story until you're able to return.