FAQ
From DirtyWiki
Understand that we don't always keep this up to date. It's better to ask a mod.
What's the premise of the game?
Dirty Life is an original RPG with a bit of original fantasy that allows its players to explore various scenarios in any location around the globe. Reality. Life as you know it. That's the point of the game. There is nothing else. The central 'hub' of the game is London, although we no longer require characters to be from the city or even from England at all. There is no real angle, but we do like to keep the game dominated by humans and keep fantasy as a less-invasive thing. We do have fantasy-centered plot, but humans will generally be on the periphery.
The basic idea of the game is to create situations and model them realistically without sacrificing creativity. It's a bit dangerous to say that anything goes, but a vast majority is appropriate. From crime to day-to-day living. It's a world, not really a game.
Who are the moderators?
There are two moderators. Scout and Rue are at your service. They are most easily reachable via dirtymods @ gmail.com.
Our honorary mods (as in, they helped create the game and hold a very significant place in Dirty Life, though neither are active) are Lora and Juliette.
Can we talk to them if we have a problem?
Naturally. That's why they exist. Moderators do all they can to help the gaming experience be a fun and memorable one. If you have a problem with any aspect of the game, go to one or all of them.
How do I tackle joining? What do I need to know?
There's a lot of information packed on this wiki. That's probably the most obvious statement ever made. Are you required to know everything? No. Do you need to know everything to start playing? No.
What you need to know to apply is simply the rules. That's it. Now, if you decide to make a supernatural character, read the rules of the appropriate species, as well.
Depending on the character you have created (such as if they are in a position to know some other characters and places), members will give you relevant information after you have joined and posted an introduction in the OOC community. We feed you; you don't have to forage alone.
It has been suggested that we compile a list of what the new player should know, but it has been difficult to decide what information is most important. Certainly families and companies comprise a lot of the game and are referenced time and time again, but you'll learn as you go. We're here to help.
See: The Beginner's Guide
So I can create any sort of character I want and do anything I want with it?
Yes and no. You can create any character you like as long as it follows the rules. You can execute any plot you like as long as it follows the rules and stays within the comfort zone of players and moderators. This game is not a free-for-all. Open threads and journal entries are the only places where you can jump in without planning ahead. Everything else is tightly structured. Permission is all you need ask.
So, plot-wise, does that make DL anything goes? As long as it's planned?
Yes and no. Please remember that the game will never hinge on epic, fantastic battles, or wars between good and evil. We offer darker species and those have the potential to do a lot of damage, but they shouldn't and don't. If you're coming to the game hoping to really bank on the supernatural aspect, you'll be sorely disappointed.
The game is what you make of it, but you also must stay within the whole 'this could really be happening to some degree' shtick. While there are some ridiculous experiences with fantasy, for the most part, it's about life.
If fantasy is so unimportant, why is the angel tag the largest tag?
Because we tag every thread that involves a supernatural character, whether or not they do anything supernatural, and there are more angels than anything else. Most of them are related.
Do you keep characters after people leave? Or take journals?
No. We do not own anyone's characters. They are your property. However, we are in charge of the canon in the game, so if you decide to leave for another game with your character, you need to work with the mods and any affected players to change the canon.
Do you restrict in-character reactions?
No, we do not. What we do restrict is behavior that doesn't take the feelings of other players and characters into account. You cannot interfere with someone's plot without asking permission. Likewise, if you are executing a plot and someone is genuinely upset enough for it to cause them OOC angst, you may be asked to fix elements of what you are doing. We will always work with players to come to a happy agreement and we will never do anything behind a player's back. When we say "fix", we mean only that discussion is had and the situation is improved. This may take many forms, including putting warnings on the post, or something as severe as undoing it. But again, remember, permission will be asked and the rules apply to the moderators just as much as they do to the players.
(Plot changing is a rare occurrence and we are stating that we do this here because we have had players who refused to cooperate or didn't understand why we moderate the way we moderate.)
The game is supposed to be fun. If it ceases to be such, action will be taken.
How is roleplaying done?
Using LiveJournal. The main community itself is where all plot in third-person point of view is posted. Each subsequent character journal is a personal LiveJournal, if they so choose it to be.
The character journals don't have to be LiveJournals?
No. In fact, they don't have to be updated at all if your character would not logically have one. However, they do not ever serve as public paper journals. It's either a public LJ or a platform for roleplaying in the main community, or both. Usually, people use both (you must always roleplay in the main community at some point--this is non-negotiable).
Can you friends-lock the character LiveJournals?
Yes and no. You may pretend they are friends-locked or filtered or private, but do not really make them such. The purpose for this is to allow players and watchers alike the chance to see what's going on.
But other characters won't see if I make a pretend-filtered or private entry, right?
Right. Simply mark the entry in the subject if it is private or locked or specifically filtered. If your character cannot technically see it, don't allude to the contents and don't pretend they can.
How do you roleplay in the main community?
You can chose any of these two methods to post your roleplays:
- Roleplay in an IM, or out of the community, and post the entire log in the community. Always cut it after the first few paragraphs if it is especially long. These should be third person, past tense.
- Make a post in the community and have the characters involved reply to it (do not reply to the comment above, always reply to the post--this way, comment threads don't collapse*).
But I hate writing in past tense!
Then write in present tense, but only do so if your roleplaying partner does it, too.
*What if there is a group of people roleplaying but they're not all interacting? Such as at a party?
This is called a party thread style. In a party thread style, you reply to the comment, not to the post. There may be many collapsed threads, but a party is many collapsed conversations, anyway.
See this example.
Is there a limit on the ratings and content of any aspect of the game?
No, so again, use discretion if you are underage. If the content of a post is especially graphic or potentially disturbing, please add a warning in the subject for the content. Usually, a high enough rating will give people an idea.
What goes in the subject of roleplay posts?
The characters involved and the rating. Some people choose to do a title, but this is optional (ex: A Very Windy Day - Character and Character - G) If a thread's rating is unknown until the end, add TBD instead of a rating and remember to edit it later.
What is the rating system?
Here are the ratings we currently use.
If you're not sure where something falls, ask a mod to look it over, or tell them the basic content, and the proper rating will be assigned.
What is not appropriate for the main community? Can I post drabbles and fiction there?
Drabbles and fiction are generally not something that goes in the community. How can you tell the difference? Whatever is posted in the game consists of, a.) items relevant to a plot or character development and, b.) canon. Drabbles generally do not advance plot as they are far too short. Fiction is often supplementary to events occurring in the game, and is more often than not completely irrelevant. Most importantly! Remember that everything that goes into the main community takes place at the present time or a few days earlier or later (there are exceptions, but this is a general guideline). It does not accommodate for futureverse (that has its own community) or backstory (this also has its own community), and is for canon events only.
There is more detail about this in the gameplay section.
What other things can I post in the main community?
Here are your exceptions! Relevant backstory taking place no earlier than three months ago (remember to edit the date in the post and to make a note telling people it's old), IC (in character) e-mails, IC letters, IC paper journal entries, IC text messages, IC voicemails, etc. Anything current and in character is appropriate. The main deciding factor is whether or not the post will be relevant to events happening in the game now, or to character development that is equally relevant.
Futurestory has its own community, as do AUs (alternature universes) and IC news. Backstory has its own game.
There is more detail about this in the gameplay section.
What can't I post in the main community?
Anything that exceeds either three months in the past or one week in the future doesn't belong there. While these events may be relevant, the key is to keep going with real time as efficiently as possible. Events in the future may also be easily changed by current events, so it's not worth posting too far ahead.
You may also not post OOC anything (even comments), or go against the format (third person POV, generally past tense--present tense is acceptable but not first person POV). As discussed above, drabbles and fiction are not appropriate. No fanart, either. These things are considered OOC actions. We have communities for them.
There is more detail about this in the gameplay section.
Is there a restriction on the sort of character I can make?
Not officially, no. You must stay within the rules, and if you apply for anything supernatural you must especially pay attention to the rules there. We do heavy watching for Mary Sues and Gary Stus, and if you repeat backstory that has been done already (we've had several repetitive scenarios), you will be asked to fix whatever it is that is flawed. We take things on a case-by-case basis, never a cleansweep.
Additionally, we accept any sexuality, any gender and any race. You will never be rejected because of anything relating to those three factors.
There are additional restrictions in the fantasy areas for specifics regarding what we won't allow if you make a supernatural creature. In brief: we don't allow all-powerful beings or all-knowing beings (yes, we have old characters, but even then, they don't know everything--this isn't the same sort of world as Harry Potter, bless him), invincible beings (yes, even immortal individuals can get hurt and traumatized and fall in a fight), humans who know too much about the fantasy world without being around a supernatural creature or having any other method of finding things out--basically, we don't allow powerful, ultra-special individuals. The fantasy is as structured as humanity; you may have a genius neighbor, but ultimately we're all the same.
If I'm rejected, can I ask why?
If we don't tell you, go ahead.
What are the most common reasons why someone wouldn't be accepted?
If your character is a Mary Sue with flowing, rainbow hair, perfect everything and a mysterious past. If you disregard the rules or don't understand the concept of the game. If you apply for a supernatural creature and don't seem to understand the species or if you apply for a species we don't allow in the game. If your supernatural or, even worse, human character knows everything there is to know about the fantasy world. If your writing wasn't strong enough (this is subjective, but we will reject anyone who cannot seem to type or uses too much netspeak). If your character's backstory has been done almost completely already. We will always tell you why you have been rejected and give you the chance to change or improve your application and apply again.
If I have no RPG experience, can I still join?
Absolutely.
Can I have more than one character?
Not at first, but after you have initially joined and are active for a week (preferably more), you may apply for another character. There is no limit.
(However, if you stop playing with one and are only focusing on another, we will ask you to pick one and discard the other. You may bring them back when you are ready.)
Do I have to memorize every journal and every character?
No, no, no. If you think any of the current players have done that, think again. If you think any of the mods have done that? Think again again! We have a lot of characters. Some are rarely played, others are always active. You will never be quizzed on what you know and what you don't know. All that should matter to you is what is relevant to the current events in the game. Because we don't have 120 different characters in different plots active at the same time, you need to be on top of things. It's quite easy, as we don't usually pass more than a few posts a day, if that.
There are, of course, certain characters who make it into the public eye or are more well-known than others, but it's up to you to decide if your character has heard of them. Also, if your character has friends of a supernatural nature, you should be aware of the characteristics your character would notice (physical, especially). But we will help you! We're a game with a lot of information because we have a dedicated crew of players and five years of work behind us. DL is a small family and we'll do what we can to straighten anything out.
What do I do if I am going on holiday or won't be around for a while?
Leave us a note in the OOC community before you go.
Will you kick me out if I'm inactive?
No, but we'll make posts about inactivity rather frequently if we know someone is online and able to RP (if you can RP at one place, you can RP here; this is a tiny game and any inactivity is a stumbling block). We have no posting rules, but we strongly encourage at least ONE sign of activity a week, including LJ entries, commenting on the LJ entries (more than just one), threading/posting in the community, or actively plotting OOC.
Please do not sit on a plot for a thousand years. Excuses won't get you anywhere in a game this size. If you're relying on someone else before you can plot, poke the person until they respond, or come to the mods to get us to intervene. And if you are called out on your inactivity, do not respond rudely. Fix the situation.
What if I can't play in the game anymore?
If you are leaving, never walk out without telling anyone, especially if you have canon in the game. You must make a post in the OOC community or send an email to the mods (dirtymods @ gmail.com), or we will be incredibly annoyed. It's happened far too often to be tolerated anymore, and that's the frank truth.
Can I come back if I've quit?
Yes. You may even bring back your same character. But you need to apply again.
What do I do if I leave the game and take my characters with me?
We've sort of explained this in many places around the site, but we'll condense it here.
If you leave the game and if you have played with anyone ever, regardless of how serious it was, or if you have a supernatural character, even if you created or helped create the rules, you must ask permission from not only the mods, but anyone affected by the move. Even if you think it won't matter, you will be surprised to find out that it does.
- Ask the moderators and contact the players either through email or a post in the OOC community before you leave. Ask about plot/canon changing, and please, even if you are going to a new original game, do not be so set in your ways that you don't cooperate. You have to reach a compromise or you are going to have an army of unhappy people continually gnashing their teeth. If you don't cooperate, we won't cooperate. Then nobody is happy.
- You must leave the fantasy behind completely. Please do not "tweak" it to suit your needs, as many of the rules are so incredibly intricate and custom-made by our members that it's not like taking an angel out of one game and putting it into another. It's very far removed from "general mythology". No, we don't own mythology, but we do own the brand that we play with and this is our game's canon. If we cannot protect it, then no one else can protect what they create, either. It's only fair.
- A few members have gone off and created new games using their DL characters. In order for us to feel more honored and less irritated, you must give credit to DL for the inspiration. If there is no credit, say in the userinfo of the new game, you are ripping us off whether you believe so or not. We can't do anything to make you fix it, but know that you're going to be hurting a lot of feelings. And no, it doesn't give you the upperhand; it just makes you look rude. This game has been around for five years and a lot of blood, sweat and tears have gone into the elements herein. Please respect us and this game.
- Remember that without this game and the participation of other players, your characters would not be as they are now. Please do not disrespect us as players by deciding everything we did doesn't matter.
What's Dirty History and why can't I join that instead?
Dirty History is a supplementary game that contains roleplays only about past events. It's a backstory game, and most of the characters will either be found in DL or will be related in some way to a character in DL or an event that transpired.
To play solely in DH, you still must operate within the perimeters of the DL universe and abide by canon set forth today. While more flexible than DL in terms of what is and isn't canon (posts can be deleted or written numerous times), DH must always respect anything set forth already in DL, if these things have been set in stone. For some characters, major life events can be changed almost entirely with no consequences. For others, any changes would undermine their canon. Be well aware of how certain things fall.
We have many opportunities to create a character that is directly linked to the established canon. One such opportunity lies in creating a character to play in The Brooks Spectacular, a circus linked to many DL characters, past and present. You can also play a character that fought in any historical war, as we have current characters or deceased characters who also showed up to fight. There may also be opportunities to adopt characters for play. See the Character Basket for these.
For a DH-related FAQ, see Dirty History FAQ.
I feel like I'm asking too many questions!
Chances are, you're not. The people who don't ask questions when they're confused are the ones who end up getting themselves in a jam later, so we welcome as many questions as you can think of. Despite what this FAQ and the rules sound like, the mods and the game are very easy going and we are never going to bite the heads off our players unless they try to bite ours off first.
