Rules

While it may seem lengthy, please read through the rules as there are some which are specific to Onward Mud.We understand that this document may seem extensive, but we ask you to read through all the rules carefully, as some are specific to Onward Mud.

Breaking these rules may lead to account suspension, a ban, or a removal of roleplay points. Please review them thoroughly before you begin. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us in the forums or by logging a ticket at www.onwardmud.com/request for clarification.

Violations may result in account suspension, bans, or the removal of roleplay points. Please review everything thoroughly before you begin. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out via the forums or by logging a ticket at www.onwardmud.com/request for clarification.

Account Restrictions


You must be 18 or older to play Onward.	_{Onward is a roleplaying game with mature themes that are not suitable for those under the age of eighteen.}
No Multi-accounting or Account Sharing, you may only play on one account.	_{Players are allowed only one personal account. Account sharing or multi-accounting is prohibited. If multiple people will be accessing Onward from the same internet connection, notify the staff to avoid issues with our detection systems. Never share your password with anyone.}

Game Mechanics


Bug Exploitation	_{Exploiting bugs for personal gain or to disadvantage other players is strictly prohibited. If you encounter a bug, please report it immediately through the ticket system on our website. Do not share or discuss the bug publicly.}
You may not roleplay abilities your character does not possess within the game mechanics.
Creating throwaway characters solely for PKilling is against the rules.
PKilling link-dead characters is strictly prohibited.	_{PKilling characters who are link-dead is prohibited. If a player disconnects during combat, report the incident via a ticket for staff review.}
All PKilling must be justified with in-character (IC) motivation	_{To demonstrate IC motivation, you must use tools such as "think" commands, emotes, in-character discussions, or by logging your characters motivations with the Journal command. If the murder is planned, this also qualifies as valid motivation. Ensure that your actions are rooted in roleplay and not driven by out-of-character (OOC) reasons.}
Observe proper etiquette before initiating an attack on another character.	_{Avoid attacking characters immediately upon entering a room. Use emotes, "say," or "tell" commands to declare your intentions and give others a chance to respond. This ensures respectful and immersive roleplay.}
Onward Mud features a Perma-Death system, but certain circumstances may qualify for a resurrection request, such as:	_{PKilling while the character is link-dead (provided the character did not intentionally drop the link to evade combat)} _{Death due to game bugs} _{Being killed without IC motivation (e.g., a random attack from a new character without roleplay justification)}

Roleplay Restrictions


OOC (Out-of-Character) knowledge must not influence your character’s IC actions.	_{If your character has not learned something within the game, they cannot act on it, even if you are aware of it as a player. This includes information about deaths, assaults, or thefts.}
Depicting or referencing rape, bestiality, necrophilia, or pedophilia is strictly forbidden.

Rules regarding Juvenile Characters


Any form of sexual attraction or suggestive content involving characters or NPCs under 18 is prohibited. This includes thoughts, feelings, and roleplay.	_{Exceptions are made if both characters are minors, provided all roleplay remains PG-rated and wholesome.}
Any grooming behavior, such as befriending a juvenile character with the intent of future romance, is against the rules.

Rules regarding Explicit roleplay

While Onward Mud allows mature themes and encourages meaningful character relationships, certain explicit content must "Fade to Black." Click “Expand” for details on restricted content:


Not permitted
Oral sex (mouth-to-genital contact)
Anal sex (penis-in-butt intercourse)
Fingering or hand jobs (hand-to-genital contact)
Masturbation (touching yourself)
Vaginal sex (penis-in-vagina intercourse)

This rule strikes a balance between creative freedom and community comfort. Although the game is rated R, player age cannot always be verified, and this rule helps protect any potential minors who may be present. We must acknowledge that even if our player base is intended to be 18+, there’s no way to be certain that a minor isn’t participating.

To maintain immersion, Onward Mud includes mechanics for the consequences of intimate relationships, such as pregnancy. Players can initiate this using the "procreate" command post-Fade to Black. Additionally, in-game contraceptive herbs can affect pregnancy chances, adding realism without explicit roleplay.

Character Interactions & Consistency

Ensure that your in-character (IC) behavior is justified and distinct across different characters you play. Avoid developing a pattern where multiple characters repeatedly dislike or target the same character without proper IC motivation, as this may suggest an out-of-character (OOC) bias.

For example, if one of your previous characters disliked another character, your new character should not automatically feel the same way without valid IC experiences or motivations.

Permitted	Your character dislikes James based on personal interactions. When this character dies, your new character meets James and, through IC interactions, forms a negative opinion.
	Your character dies
Permitted	Your new character, having never met James, hears negative things about him from other characters and develops a dislike based on these interactions.
	Your character dies
Poor form	Your new character meets James and reacts negatively to him without any motivation during the encounter to prompt it. James was polite, friendly, and open toward your character.
	Your character dies
Rule Break	Your new character conspires to harm or kill James solely based on hearing about him, without any personal encounters or true motivation.
TIP	Each character is a new character, with their own opinions, and thoughts and relationship. Give James a chance, characters can be surprising, just like people.

placeholder

Refine below

oleplaying Character Opinions:

If your character dislikes or favors another character, that's entirely your choice.

Ensure that these feelings are supported by in-character (IC) “thinks” and "feels"

to provide staff insight into your character’s inner thoughts and motivations.

The "Journal" command can also help give staff insight into your characters behaviour.

Consistency Across Characters:

While it’s normal for different characters of yours to have some similar tastes or

aspects of personality, each character’s likes and dislikes must be unique and shaped by IC interactions.

Avoid creating a pattern where multiple characters you play repeatedly dislike or target

the same specific character without IC justification. This could indicate an inability to

separate out-of-character (OOC) bias from IC behaviour.

Avoiding Repeated Patterns:

While your new character might share some personality traits or similarities with your previous character, and might not even like the same

people, continuously reacting in the same way to a specific character over the span of several characters play will

be seen as an inability to separate ooc opinion from ic and an inability to create diverse relationships

from one character to the other.

Continually targeting or befriending the same character across multiple of your own

characters will be seen as an OOC-driven pattern, which is discouraged.

Repeatedly interacting only with the same group of characters, or focusing on one character

negatively or positively, signals that your character's interactions may not be organic or varied.

be seen as an inability to separate ooc opinion from ic and an inability to create diverse relationships

from one character to the other.

Consequences for OOC-Driven Behavior:

Players who cannot keep IC actions independent of OOC feelings may face

Roleplay Point (RPP) penalties or be blacklisted.

Consistent failure to separate your OOC opinions from IC actions may indicat

e to staff that you are unsuitable for roleplay-intensive roles that require trust and character diversity.

Consequences for Repeated Incidents:

If the pattern continues, staff may restrict your eligibility to earn Roleplay Points,

as it reflects an inability to create distinct and unbiased character relationships.

e organic or varied.