A Note About Roleplay
Colonial Marines is a medium roleplay server with higher/more roleplay being greatly encouraged. "Medium" is loosely defined as being strict but not too strict. In other words, you should consider your character to be a separate entity from you as a player. Your character's actions and feelings in-game should be based solely on your character's experiences and not your own as the player. However, specifics such as Flavor Text, while also very encouraged, are not required. It is also encouraged (but not required as it is on other servers) to use roleplay dialogue before making split decisions such as using lethal force against another character. Finally, you are expected to follow the Roleplay Guidelines, as well as all the rules specific to your chosen job.
General rules (Xenos & Humans):
Rule 0. Admins (not Mods or Mentors) retain the authority to ignore the following rules at their discretion when they feel it's in the best interest of the current round/server/playerbase at large. However, they will be fully accountable for their actions should they choose to exercise this privilege. If an admin says something is a rule, and you disagree, FOLLOW WHAT THEY SAY AND MAKE A COMPLAINT ON THE FORUM. Do NOT excessivly argue with them, you WILL receive a ban or extension on your ban.
Rule 0.1 READ ALL THE RULES. By playing on the server, you are confirming that you have read ALL of our rules (not just some or a few). Ignorance is not an excuse and breaking rules without reading may extend your punishment.
Rule 0.2 NO OUT OF GAME COMMUNICATION DURING ROUNDS IN PRIVATE ROOMS OR CHATS. This has come up more and more frequently with people making more and more channels and private groups. If it's discovered, we'll do our best to shut it down. If you DO want to talk to players about CM or have chats about CM, we have an Unofficial Discord located here: https://discordapp.com/channels/1503155 ... 7943130112 . Otherwise, if I hear about skype/private discords/chats, I have to shut it down. Too often, it ends up being party-rooms where people meta and discuss current round-in-progress rounds.
Rules for everyone:
- Don't be a Dick. - "Dickish" and "Asshole" behavior will not be tolerated. If you're pissing someone off, you're probably going to get spoken to. Punishment is up to the staff member and maybe be anything from a warning to a 10-day ban depending on the severity. This includes OOC racism.
- We are an ENGLISH ONLY server. Speaking other languages in OOC, LOOC, or DSAY is strictly FORBIDDEN. Our staff also speak only English, so you are required to speak it over staff PMs and Ahelps. IC there is a little bit of leeway if you throw in an occasional word or well-known phrase from another language, but entire conversations in other languages is a no-go. We follow the trope of "everyone in the future speaks English".
- Respect the Staff - If you have an issue with them, follow what they say, and then file a complaint. If you argue with the staff, expect to be muted or have your punishment increased.
- Don't ask for special treatment - Things like asking to be a spider, or placed inside a dog or other random things. Also, feel free to send a SINGLE ahelp to the staff if you think there are AFK aliens, but it is not a requirement for staff to place you into an AFK Xeno (there's a verb for that). If the staff member believes it's necessary, they will ask in Deadchat. Don't spam them.
- Do not steal Donor Items - Any items that have a description with the word DONOR are meant for the person who donated for those items. Do not steal these items from them.
- No griefing
Griefing - Defined as the perceived intent of one player wanting to cause grief or annoyance to other players or to the server without any roleplay reason. The emphasis is on "intent". If an Admin or Mod believes that the players intent is to grief then action will be taken. You can appeal these actions on the Ban Appeals forum. Any damage to the station or players caused by griefing can be repaired at an Admin's discretion.
Examples of Griefing:- A marine grabs a gun and immediately starts shooting other marines for no discernible reason.
- A player attempts to break the ship or eject the core for no reason (ejecting the core when it is not destabilizing will result in an IMMEDIATE ban and job-ban).
- Fighting after the round ends and generating combat logs. The exception is Marines and aliens fighting, or fighting against spawned Antags (Russian attack teams, W-Y Assassins, etc). End of Round Grief is an IMMEDIATE 3 hour ban with no warnings.
- Two marines get into a fight over something and start throwing punches at each other.
- Two consenting marines want to roleplay a situation that ends with them attacking or killing each other. Ahelps ahead of time would be best, as you'll likely get notified by an Admin at some point when the combat logs pop up.
- A distraught Survivor fearfully shoots at an approaching marine and runs away.
- No ERP - ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY - Erotic Roleplay is defined as roleplay that has a strong erotic element intended to elicit a sexual response from the receiver(s). It may involve two or more people or be done in front of spectators. This includes reading stories about ERP but not participating directly (WGW). Both consensual and nonconsensual ERP will be met with a PERMABAN. This is not to be confused with distasteful but acceptable male/marine bravado such as "/me scratches his crotch" or "/me pinches [player]'s nipple." However, these actions can be handled in-character as Neglect of Duty or Sexual Assault per Marine Law should players wish it. Bottom line: If you're not sure if it's ERP or not, or you don't want to be permabanned, just don't do it.. We typically do NOT accept ban appeals for ERP.
- Ban Evading - Defined as attempting to log into the server with a different account after one account was banned. This results in your current punishment being upgraded to a PERMABAN. NO EXCEPTIONS!
- Multikeying - Expressly NOT allowed. If you are caught Multikeying, you will be PERMABANNED with a sticky across all your accounts.
- No Powergaming - Powergaming is a style of interacting with games or game-like systems, particularly video games, boardgames, and role-playing games, with the aim of maximising progress towards a specific goal to the exclusion of other considerations such as storytelling, atmosphere and camaraderie. Powergaming includes, but is not limited to, performing actions outside your assigned job. Your skills or background DO NOT matter prior to the round - a standard marine with "a brother in Engineering" does not know how to hack an airlock.
Examples:- A standard marine knowing surgery.
- A doctor knowing how to hack an airlock.
- A standard marine (or anyone who isn't a Doctor/Medic/Researcher) using a cloning machine. This may result in an explosion or your death.
- Dragging around extra power-packs as a specialist.
- No Metagaming:- Acting upon knowledge your character does not have.
Examples:- Dragging lockers filled with weapons and ammo down to the planet before first contact. First aid supply boxes are OK.
- Bringing additional power-packs to the FOB prior to first contact.
- Welding vents before seeing the Xenos use them or before they've boarded the Sulaco.
- Equipping hardsuit helmets and other face protection before knowing about facehuggers.
- Setting up defenses on the Sulaco before the Queen sends/receives drop pods/shuttles for the first time. (Note: there will be a big alarm when the queen uses the shuttle consoles.)
- "Ramboing" - Chasing down Xenos immediately after first contact.
- Doctors performing larva removal surgery without first determining what's really wrong with the patient (using the bodyscanner)
- Suicide without an EXTREMELY good reason. "I'm logging out", or "Just Because" are subject to an immediate ban. Just leave.
- As a Xeno: damaging any systems to prevent setup. Do not melt key power or atmos components.
- Using Specialist weapons (sniper rifle, SADAR, etc - any weapon that is uniquely available in the Specialist vendors) if you are not a CO, XO, or a Specialist (this rule is planned to go away soon as weapons will likely become very difficult to use for a job that isn't meant to have them). This does not include the M240 Incinerator Unit (flamethrower) or the Riot Shield, which anyone may use.
- Xenos slashing APCs or cameras.
- A marine grabbing tougher face protection after seeing a comrade get facehugged.
- A doctor performing bone repair surgery on a limb that a marine tells them is broken, or that appears broken on the portable med scanner.
- Xenos devouring/eating dead marines.
- No IC in OOC or LOOC - Keep IC in IC and (L)OOC in (L)OOC. If you mention an in-game secret in (L)OOC, such as the location of the Queen, expect a ban.
- No OOC in IC - Do not use ((double parentheses)), or any other method, to speak OOC in Say chat. Use the LOOC verb instead. The only exception is if LOOC is for some reason disabled.
- Play your assigned role - If you end up with a role you don't like and don't want to play, goto Cryo and Ghost, then make sure you adjust your preferences next time. If you instead suicide or ghost near round-start, you will receive a job-ban. Set up your job preferences carefully in Setup Character > Occupation Choices. Setting all jobs to "NEVER", and at the bottom, "Return to lobby if preference unavailable", gives you the best chance at being an Alien.
- No Intentional Breaching Walls or windows. - If you intentionally breach walls into space, expect something bad to happen. Exception: Predators breaching by using their gauntlet's self-destruct mechanism.
Marine-specific rules:
Note: These also apply to Survivors once they have been rescued.
- Lethal Force - This is defined as one marine purposefully using lethal weapons (guns, explosives, sharp objects, etc) on another marine including beating a marine into crit/death for a roleplay or in-character reason. The difference between this and griefing is that it normally involves 2 or more consenting players in a role-played incident or role-played escalation. A verbal argument followed by immediate murder is not "Lethal Force". You must properly escalate the situation (Argument > Pushing/Shoving/punching > Melee weapons > Guns). If you participate in a lethal force situation (even defending yourself) you are waiving your right to Admin assistance (defined below). THIS DOES NOT PREVENT IC CONSEQUENCES SUCH AS DEMOTION OR ARREST. The key part of "Lethal Force" is that it is Roleplayed.
*Admin assistance - Defined as any action taken by any Staff to heal or aid in a player's negative state.
Examples:- Marine A and Marine B are arguing by the RO office for an extended period of time. Marine A threatens marine B's life. Marine B punches/stabs marine A. Marine A punches/stabs/shoots back. This is LETHAL FORCE and allowed by the rules (but expect to be stunned into senselessness by an MP or beaten down by nearby marines).
- Marine A is upset the RO refuses to give him a specific modification. The RO continues to refuse, even after the marine threatens his life. Marine A shoots at the RO with his rifle until the RO is dead. This is GRIEF (even if the RO responds by shooting back). There was no RP escalation. Going from arguing immediately to shooting will ALWAYS be grief if there isn't some sort of physical altercation involved first.
- Marine A is upset with Marine B. Marine A draws his bayonet and knocks Marine B down, then stabs Marine B until he dies. This is GRIEFING. If you are going to escalate, you MUST give them time to respond with similar (or greater) force. Meaning, if you stab someone, you MUST give them a chance to say something back IC, retrieve their knife to fight, or draw their weapon before you continue.
- Marine A: "Help! This guy is shooting me!" Admin: "You used lethal force on them first. Good luck."
The bottom line: If you use lethal force, you're on your own, even if you're defending yourself. - Character Names - Your character must have a unique first and last name. One-word nicknames are allowed inside the name (e.g. Derek 'Double-D' Donahue, Jane 'Crusher' Sanchez) . Ranks, titles, honorifics, offensive, famous and/or pop-culture names are not allowed (e.g. Dr John Smith, Barack Obama, Lt John Doe, Adolf Hitler). Also, avoid lore-based names like Weyland, Yutani, Bishop, Ripley, etc.
- Incompetent Marines - The Colonial Marines wouldn't hire people with missing limbs (unless you had robotic replacements) or mental issues that cause them to harm themselves or fellow marines due to insanity.
Exception: Late in the round after seeing squadmates die from getting their chests ripped open, suicide is a viable RP option, and self-sacrifice to aid their comrades is ALWAYS an option. - Get in Uniform - Marines running around with M41s, grenades, mines, ammo bags, but wearing pajamas. Or, an LO that just changed their job to Marine still wearing their blue LO uniform. These break roleplay and immersion and are not acceptable. Get into the uniform you should be in and stay in it.
- Mutiny - Mutiny is not allowed unless an Adminhelp is made giving the reason before you start. Also, you must follow these rules:
- The situation MUST be role-played.
- The commander MUST be given a chance to stand-down peacefully
- You MUST have the support of SEVERAL other marines (at least 5, no single man mutinies)
- Uninvolved marines should be given the chance to remain uninvolved. They *might* shoot if they see you firing on the commander without a reason. Try to subdue them, WITHOUT lethal force or explain the situation.
- Minimize Losses (use either non-lethal force ONLY, or give all marines who oppose you a chance to stand-down)
- Do not start firing until you have been fired upon
- ID theft is ILLEGAL - Because of how IDs work on our server (everything from stopping a turret from killing you, to tracking your squad and armor) ID "theft" is considered an OOC problem and may be handled by staff instead of MPs. Exceptions: Taking an ID from a corpse to get into an area in order to save your life, or someone else that is an IMMEDIATE necessity. ID MUST be returned if the player is revived (if possible).
- Building Defenses on the Sulaco - Marines may not build defenses on the Sulaco before the Queen sends/receives drop pods/shuttles for the first time. Doing so is to be treated as metagaming and may be punished with a ban and WILL have any constructed defenses removed as well as all vents unwelded.
- ID Rules: - Because of how IDs work, you are permitted ONLY to demote someone and remove their access. Changing IDs any other way (increasing access, changing job titles, making all-access) may result in a JOB BAN. IDs work very specifically with our assignment system, and changing them around screws with it. DO NOT MESS WITH AN ID UNLESS YOU ARE REMOVING ACCESS. No job changes, no title changes. Squad reassignment is ok for STANDARDS ONLY. You may not reassign anyone that is not a standard.
- Job-specific Rules: (Note: These rules apply to anyone performing the tasks associated with the jobs as well).
All crew stations on the Sulaco (Doctors, Engineers, etc)- Do not equip weapons larger than a pistol unless the Sulaco is under attack.
- Do not leave the Sulaco unless it is being evacuated (The only exceptions, are noted in specific jobs).
- Unless you are an MP, you should not be enforcing Marine Law.
- Either the Commander or Executive Officer must be on the Sulaco AT ALL TIMES. If one goes to the surface, the other must remain on the ship.
- If the Commander is out of contact for more than 20 minutes, the Executive Officer may take complete command.
- Only the Commander may authorize executions of prisoners. You must make a ship-wide announcement and the reason for the execution known to the crew (and who is carrying out the sentence if it's not you). If you just shoot a prisoner for no reason, it's murder.
- Job changes can be given for DISCIPLINARY DEMOTION ONLY.
- Do NOT give out all-access ID cards. (you will receive full job-bans AND a 3 day ban if you do this)
- You are permitted to leave the Sulaco and go to the FOB ONLY if you are directly ordered to arrest a specific marine, and that marine is at the FOB. If he runs, you can wait for him to return or have a squad assist you. You can NOT chase him down yourself.
- You MAY fly the shuttle down to the planet and back. If you do, you are NOT allowed to leave the shuttle at ANY TIME as your job is to protect it from theft.
- You must disregard a Commander's order if it is against these rules. However, if the order is against Marine Law, the choice is yours (see: Mutiny).
- You may NOT have ANY lethal weapons, unless the Sulaco has been boarded. Having lethal weapons as an MP is a BANNABLE offense (no, not even if your going to the planet or chasing someone who shoots at you with lethals. Lethal weapons = BAN).
- You are bound by Marine Law. Violating Marine Law, (or the procedures) will result in a job-ban.
- The CMO is in charge of all the Doctors and Researchers.
- The CMO may not leave the Sulaco unless it is being evacuated.
- Doctors may stay on the Sulaco or go to a secured FOB on the planet with the CMO's permission only. (As in, direct verbal confirmation from the CMO, if they are unaware you are off the Sulaco, expect a job-ban).
- Only the CMO and Doctors are allowed to perform major surgery (e.g. larva removal, bone surgery). Squad Medics should only be stabilizing their patient in order to send them back to the Sulaco for major surgery.
- You are a DOCTOR not a marine. You are authorized one single M4A3 Pistol for personal defense ONLY after the Sulaco has been boarded.
- If you are unarmed and there is a rifle on the ground, you may pick it up and fire it at an alien who is IMMEDIATLY THREATENING YOUR LIFE. Once the alien is gone, you must drop the weapon and leave the area. Your job is MEDICAL not combat, fighting on the front-lines will result in a job-ban.
- Do NOT make genetic superpowers. The scanner is for Clean SEs only.
- You are only authorized pistols, chemsprayers, and grenades - no other weapons or marine gear unless for destructive analyzing.
- Be careful what grenades you make and who you give them to. Handing out super-deadly-lethal grenades that damage the Sulaco or Lag the server may result in a job-ban.
- If you give a deadly super-grenade to someone who uses it to grief, you may be held accountable, so be mindful of who you give what.
- Do NOT make modifications to Medbay without consulting the CMO first.
- At most, one Maintenance Tech is allowed on the planet at a time to assist the FOB once it is secured and constructed, but is only allowed a pistol and no other weapons.
- Do NOT make modifications to the Sulaco without consulting the Chief Engineer first.
- The Janitorial equipment is for the Sulaco. Do not bring it to the planet.
- You are not allowed to leave the Sulaco except to evacuate.
- The only people who can override you on equipment disbursement are the XO and Commander.
- Your mech is for loading and unloading the shuttle, not wandering around.
- You may use your mech for combat only if your life is directly at risk. You may not remove it from the Cargo Bay unless the cargo bay is being attacked and over-run.
- You may NOT perform ANY surgery (no matter how minor).
- You MAY do ANY other medical procedure.
- You may NOT use the chem-lab
- You are NOT part of command staff, you work for Weyland and your priority is serving them.
- You may *attempt* to bribe marines to work for you, however you do not outrank them (you are a civilian) and thus they don't have to listen to you.
- You are authorized a pistol (at all times). Depending on the situation, Weyland may issue you other weapons.
- Do NOT Self Antag. If you are doing a good job with RP and reporting to Weyland with your Fax, you *MIGHT* be given special goals. These goals *MIGHT* allow you to break some of the server rules, depending on the situation. If you are unsure AHELP FIRST.
- Causing harm to the marines or damage to the Sulaco without first contacting W-Y through your fax WILL result in a job-ban and possibly a short server ban.
- Stay near the Rasputin dropship as much as possible - you may be needed at any moment. Quick visits to the FoB are allowed if you're only there to take something to it or bring something back to your ship.
- You have command over all Enlisted ranks (MPs, Squad Leaders, Cargo Techs, etc), but only when they're on your ship.
Xeno-specific rules:
- You are a Xenomorph
- Act like one. Your are not a pet or best friends with the marines.
- Talk like one. It is fine to use words like "medbay" and "shuttle". You can also replace "shuttle" with "metal bird" if you wish. Hivemind is the English translation of a Xeno's thoughts. However, keep it formal and realistic. No talking like a gangster.
- You have no free will. Your will is that of the Queen. OBEY HER ORDERS. If the queen Ahelps about you disobeying her, you may be punished.
- Do not Kill infected hosts (once they have the icon) if they are defenseless or nested (Killing a nested host at ANY TIME is a bannable offense, and don't un-nest just to kill). It's counter-productive to your cause of growing the hive. If a marine escapes the nest and uses a weapon to resist, THEN you may kill them, but you should try to tackle and nest them. Remember: The more hosts you get and keep alive, the more aliens you get. EXCEPTION: The queen MAY kill any marine she wants at any time, provided she has an RP justification (if asked by the admins). This power does NOT extend to aliens following the queens orders.
- Obey the orders of superior castes, with the Queen overriding all others:
- Tier 0: (lowest): Larva
- Tier 1: Runner, Drones, Sentinels
- Tier 2: Hunter, Carrier, Spitter
- Tier 3: Ravager, Praetorian, Hivelord, Crusher, Boiler
- Tier 4 (highest): Queen
- [REDACTED]: Empress???
- No Hugger Stacking - Hugger stacking is defined by the following, and results in ALL huggers being deleted (all of them, everywhere):
- > 2 facehuggers on a tile
- > 3 facehuggers in a locker
- Aliens are NOT allowed to follow orders from the queen that break any of the preceding rules. - Breaking these rules WILL result in: a demotion to a lower level of Xeno, Death, or job-ban from Xeno (at staff discretion).
Predator Specific Rules
Predators are held to a VERY HIGH STANDARD. It is VERY easy to get removed from the whitelist, so you will need to pay CLOSE attention to the honor code AND the rules below.
- You are NOT a murderbone antag. You have MUCH more leeway than a standard marine or alien, but you are held accountable for every life you take. Try to limit yourself to killing prey only, and using your other things tools to chase people away who are interfering.
- You must Roleplay as a PREDATOR. Meaning, you should think about any gear/equipment changes you make as you will be held accountable. Would a predator REALLY put on a clown suit and throw bananas? No. Might they take marine gear in order to engage marines in more even hand-to-hand combat? Probably. It's best to ASK before you do something that may be "silly" or "strange" for a predator to do.
- If you receive a player complaint, you may be removed from the Whitelist during the investigation, depending on the severity and validity of the complaint.
- If you are removed from the whitelist due to disciplinary reasons, you will be STRUCK OFF THE ROSTER. Minimum time to re-apply will be 3 months. If you are removed a second time, you will NEVER be allowed to re-apply.
- Try to focus on hunting whichever side appears to be winning. It's much more honorable to fight against whichever side has the advantage, than it is to sneak aboard the Marine ship during a retreat and just put a cap into the commander.