Rules of CST
Jun 9, 2015 21:34:41 GMT -5
Post by I A A S H A D O W on Jun 9, 2015 21:34:41 GMT -5
These are the detailed rules of CST. Try not to over-think these, however they are important.
The idea of CST is to make a reasonable story, all you have to do is keep that in mind, and you'll be great
However if you so need them, here are the advanced CST rules
1- No God-modding (This means don't create characters that can take control of other characters)
2- No Overpowered Characters (Pretty self-explanatory; OP characters break the story, and while it's tempting to make a ridiculously strong character that can do whatever they want, RESIST THE URGE.)
3- Only Bunny Within Reason (This rule is broken quite often, which annoys me to no end. Characters in general belong to their creator, so in general I would limit bunnying to cases when a) the owner has given you specific permission and set parameters, b) you do not do anything crazy, and c) you stick with the same personality of the original character.)
4- Follow Character Limits (Each story sets its own limits on # of charaters allowed; it is important that you follow them Filling a story with 50 characters that are nothing but cannon fodder is just pointless. Similarly, 50 characters that do important stuff is also pointless. Keep yourself to 4 or 5 at a high maximum.
5- Use Logic (Good logic -> Story makes sense. Bad logic -> Story doesn't make sense. Please, no flying buildings (unless it is sci-fi in the premise) and no finding extra ammunition under a bush. That kind of stuff makes stories confusing and they lose continuity, thus taking away from the experience.
6- Logic does not mean everything has to make perfect realistic sense. Sometimes plot devices and things can be employed by the GM with the goal of developing the story. This does not mean you can do whatever you want.
7- Avoid removing prior posts It is quite common for people to read CSTs for nostalgia, or just to see what happened in one. Don't delete your posts unless instructed to by the GM.
8- No Mary-Sues or Marty-stues Everyone knows not to make perfect characters, but there are other things this entails.
- Your character should have flaws, and this doesn't mean random super-specific weaknesses.
- Your character should not be perfectly rational at all times, and if they are, it should be at a reflective cost to their character (I.E. They don't understand emotions and are therefore it's very hard for them to form relationships)
- Your character shouldn't be able to 'plot magnet'. If a major event is occurring then it's probably reasonable for your character to show up, but nobody just 'knows' where things are hidden/ private things are happening. This can be bent 100% within reason and the rules, use common sense here.
- Finally, many of our CSTs involve special abilities/powers, your character's power should be well defined, and have a scope of what it can and cannot do.
9- One-scene characters may not have major plot impact.
-A one-scene character is defined as a character without a sign-up form that is only present
during one scene for one purpose.
-These characters should be clearly foreshadowed or obviously exist(i.e. "Go talk to the mayor,
she's over there) and exist only to communicate with the main characters.
10- Don't be greedy; These are collaborative stories, and therefore you must work with others. Try not to have predetermined stories in mind for your characters, or if you do, expect things to change.
11- Characters are not un-killable While your player-characters have some plot protection, that does not guarantee their safety. Do not complain if one of your characters ends up dead. With that in mind, do not randomly attack characters or attempt to arbitrarily stir up trouble. Things work best when they are done with a reason in mind.
12 - Regarding Content CSTs, depending on their individual rules, may allow content that exceeds the PG-13 rating, such as heavier violence, and more often, explicit language. This is up to the GM's discretion, nothing should ever be 18+ (I.E. Graphic sexual scenes and hateful slurs are not allowed ever)
13- A GM ruling is final - If the GM of a CST gives a final ruling to a situation, it happens. There is no need to beat a dead horse about some decision you don't agree with.
Overall, show respect for other CST-ers, even if you feel they are breaking a rule, a bad writer, or anything of that sort.
Don't be intimidated! These rules are here to help everyone make a good story, there's no losing in CSTs! Have fun, and enjoy yourself.
The idea of CST is to make a reasonable story, all you have to do is keep that in mind, and you'll be great
However if you so need them, here are the advanced CST rules
1- No God-modding (This means don't create characters that can take control of other characters)
2- No Overpowered Characters (Pretty self-explanatory; OP characters break the story, and while it's tempting to make a ridiculously strong character that can do whatever they want, RESIST THE URGE.)
3- Only Bunny Within Reason (This rule is broken quite often, which annoys me to no end. Characters in general belong to their creator, so in general I would limit bunnying to cases when a) the owner has given you specific permission and set parameters, b) you do not do anything crazy, and c) you stick with the same personality of the original character.)
4- Follow Character Limits (Each story sets its own limits on # of charaters allowed; it is important that you follow them Filling a story with 50 characters that are nothing but cannon fodder is just pointless. Similarly, 50 characters that do important stuff is also pointless. Keep yourself to 4 or 5 at a high maximum.
5- Use Logic (Good logic -> Story makes sense. Bad logic -> Story doesn't make sense. Please, no flying buildings (unless it is sci-fi in the premise) and no finding extra ammunition under a bush. That kind of stuff makes stories confusing and they lose continuity, thus taking away from the experience.
6- Logic does not mean everything has to make perfect realistic sense. Sometimes plot devices and things can be employed by the GM with the goal of developing the story. This does not mean you can do whatever you want.
7- Avoid removing prior posts It is quite common for people to read CSTs for nostalgia, or just to see what happened in one. Don't delete your posts unless instructed to by the GM.
8- No Mary-Sues or Marty-stues Everyone knows not to make perfect characters, but there are other things this entails.
- Your character should have flaws, and this doesn't mean random super-specific weaknesses.
- Your character should not be perfectly rational at all times, and if they are, it should be at a reflective cost to their character (I.E. They don't understand emotions and are therefore it's very hard for them to form relationships)
- Your character shouldn't be able to 'plot magnet'. If a major event is occurring then it's probably reasonable for your character to show up, but nobody just 'knows' where things are hidden/ private things are happening. This can be bent 100% within reason and the rules, use common sense here.
- Finally, many of our CSTs involve special abilities/powers, your character's power should be well defined, and have a scope of what it can and cannot do.
9- One-scene characters may not have major plot impact.
-A one-scene character is defined as a character without a sign-up form that is only present
during one scene for one purpose.
-These characters should be clearly foreshadowed or obviously exist(i.e. "Go talk to the mayor,
she's over there) and exist only to communicate with the main characters.
10- Don't be greedy; These are collaborative stories, and therefore you must work with others. Try not to have predetermined stories in mind for your characters, or if you do, expect things to change.
11- Characters are not un-killable While your player-characters have some plot protection, that does not guarantee their safety. Do not complain if one of your characters ends up dead. With that in mind, do not randomly attack characters or attempt to arbitrarily stir up trouble. Things work best when they are done with a reason in mind.
12 - Regarding Content CSTs, depending on their individual rules, may allow content that exceeds the PG-13 rating, such as heavier violence, and more often, explicit language. This is up to the GM's discretion, nothing should ever be 18+ (I.E. Graphic sexual scenes and hateful slurs are not allowed ever)
13- A GM ruling is final - If the GM of a CST gives a final ruling to a situation, it happens. There is no need to beat a dead horse about some decision you don't agree with.
Overall, show respect for other CST-ers, even if you feel they are breaking a rule, a bad writer, or anything of that sort.
Don't be intimidated! These rules are here to help everyone make a good story, there's no losing in CSTs! Have fun, and enjoy yourself.