Role-playing in Gehenna, SL in facebook

It's been a long long time!  The real world had me busy, and then I went and threw away (accidentally, of course) my password book.  Oh my.  And my desktop computer also wasn't up to handle Second Life.

When it finally went, I invested in a laptop that can handle Second Life.  But there was still the password question. As you may know, Linden Labs doesn't make it easy to get back in.  I wasn't really willing to fax them a copy of my driver's license or social security card.  But persistence paid off, that and a friendly person on the Linden side.

So Marrant is back, along with a couple of others.  We're to be found mostly in Gehenna Crossing , where old... um.. former Deadwood players sometimes go. It's a bit slow there right now, due I think to the summer and possibly the fact that Gehenna, while more laid back than Deadwood was, is still a place for folks who like historical role (1888) rather than fantasy or dark roleplay, not a vampire to be found (that I know of). Although it's listed as an adult rp, children are allowed - just not in the brothel area or the saloons. That's backdrop for my real topic here, and that's facebook. Ugh. I've had an account for Marrant for some time, separate from my rl account. When I got involved in Gehenna Crossing, I got to be an admin for the Gehenna Crossing Page, and started a Gehenna Crossing group.

 Overly excited, I tried what I've done on my rl business page - a little advertising to see if we could boost interest and likes. We only had 27 likes - I signed up under Marrant for 7 days @ $5.00 a day to see what we could do, tagging "Wild West" "roleplay" "second life" and a few other things that I thought might bring in some like minded souls to the Page. After 3 days, the likes were up to 41. Not stunning, but we really don't need a lot of players to have a lot of fun. 4 more days to go! And the group was picking up, too.

 When suddenly Marrant got a note from facebook that they were putting the advertising order on hold due to "suspicious activity". Um. What? My bad - I used my business paypal account, which has a different e-mail than either of these accounts - and although Marrant does have permission to use it, something was triggered. Facebook wanted to know why my address for that account (how did they know the address?) was different than Marrant's. I had a valid explanation.

 Their auto-response was that it takes 5-7 days to process, they'd get back to me. Meanwhile, the 7 days ad was frozen, so everything stopped there. Reading up on what to do if you think your avatar might be compromised on facebook, I requested a download of my all of Marrant's things. (You go to “Settings” on the far right upper part of your facebook page,

then General Account Settings, and at the bottom is "Download a Copy of Your Facebook Account".  I'd also suggested just downloading your Timeline as a webpage. That should save your albums and photos.

I did that, but not fast enough.  By the time I got the email saying my file was ready to download, I'd already been booted off - it happened while I was trying to add my rl account to the group as an admin, in case anything happened to me and other admins.  I can come back in if I give them proof that Marrant is real. So, no.

Interestingly, my rl self was never notified that my paypal account was suspected of being compromised, and so far, it's not been suspended.  There is now a Page on it for Marrant - something I'd advise people do who have both a rl account and an avatar account.  

You don't need to let rl people know of it's existence, and you can do almost anything with it that you could do with it's own account - you cannot join a group, unfortunately, and the number of other Pages you can like is limited.   You can post to it from your twitter account. 

The tough women of the wild west and Deadwood expectations

Me in my Calamity Jane Inspired Outfit 

We have female avatars (I cannot swear they are all run by female typists)  who come through Deadwood, wanting to play bad guys or lawmen in Deadwood, most always dressed in sexy tight fitting black pants,  breasts bursting out of low cut blouse or vest,  large guns strapped around curving hips, long locks flowing down from a cowgirl hat tilting over a pretty, very well made up face.   Most of the admins sigh when seeing this, as we know we're about to embark on a familiar debate.

Now, the Deadwood owners are willing to stretch history enough to allow women more roles than we would have had back in 1876 - we've had a couple of female mayors, a female sheriff, many female doctors.  But when it comes to historical dress, there is a limit.

Calamity in Baggy Pants - red long johns underneath

We've had to explain - often over and over - that women can't wear tight sexy pants, revealing low cut tops and run around being fetching 21st century style while they shoot up bad guys or are themselves bad guys.    Yeah yeah yeah, back in the 19th century a few bold and desperate women wore pants -- ugly pants -- and while they may have had a rich life complete with male and female lovers,  to pull that off as a role play would require something more than what 90% of the players seem willing to give.

This drives off some, not all.  Some want to know "what to wear".  So,  I felt inspired to make an outfit that a tough woman might have worn - inspired a bit by Calamity Jane (who was an alcoholic and had a truly tough life, if you read up on her) and a few more rugged women. The outfit is for sale on XStreet as well as in  Deadwood and a couple of places - comes with a rifle, long johns and a bunch of other stuff.    

Top L - R       Bella Starr     Pearl Hart      Calamity Jane

Bottom L-R Charley Parkhurst   Margaret Borland Etta Place

Meanwhile -- I can tell I'm turning into a crotchety old crone by my level of irritability in dealing with whatever's happened to the memory of the history, and the feminine movement in said history, over the past couple a hundred years as reflected by some activities in Deadwood in Second Life. 

(This is where I stand on my soap box, waving my hands, my voice all cranky)

Maybe I have misread history - maybe I'm making too much of it.  Let it go, I tell myself.  What does it matter - history is yesterday, today is today!    Let's just forget the past and move on with the present.  We're in Second Life to have fun -- historical role play is too much like work if you have to stick to annoying things like reality.   So, let's pretend it was common for women to be doctors and play out that any man or woman who thought it was odd and refused to go to a female doctor is some sort of  idiot.


Let's not even try to think about what life must have been like for a woman whose sexual orientation led her away from the demands of the times.   Instead of trying to create a character who had to struggle with her homosexuality by hiding it from family and friends, perhaps while marrying, let's take the freedoms of Second Life into Deadwood and have her be fully out and accepted by all the community - a lipstick lesbian in tight pants, low cut top, carrying guns and dancing with her sweetheart at all the social functions.

Let's make-believe a woman who dressed like a man would not have been treated like some sort of social outcast.    In our attempt at historical accuracy, let's forget that women had to do chores inside with no air conditioning and outside in the sun wearing layers and layers of clothing - let's  suppose instead they wore cut offs and tube tops.  Victorian proper women can gather in the whorehouses, whores can roam the streets wearing what would amount to nothing today - because it's the 21st century, this is Second Life - we're here to have fun!

I may not step down from the soap box.... I haven't even touched on the matter of Native Americans (historically present but not in the town area of Deadwood) and prejudices (evidently in 1876 Deadwood, the majority of residents were liberals who had nothing against Native Americans or anyone else except those who were prejudiced). 

Some days, after trying to explain that -"No,  we (the admins, the owners or myself) are not prejudiced against (Indians, lesbians, women in pants, fill in your name here) but that yes, back in 1876 a lot of people were" - I begin to think that  maybe Second Life isn't the place to run a historical role playing sim - where too many players come through either unaware or uninterested in playing the tough parts of history, which some of us find an exciting opportunity to look at ourselves back in history - how we might have been, or to explore what it might have been to be someone totally different.
 
A lot of people, I think, see role play as fun without the need to delve into characters.   I get that - and there are places to do that.   But I get a lot of fun out of what most do in Deadwood.   That's where the fun is to me - fun in exploring a character, in trying to be someone else.   No doubt why I have so many alts!

In Real Life, I rarely laugh as hard and as long as I do over the antics of fellow role players in Deadwood --  Daisy Stratten, Addison Leigh, Badger Bagley, Wyatt Alderton, Rod Eun, C.T. Kungler, J.F. Kanto, Malrik Rajesh, Leonel Sparta,  Dio Kuhn and many more, some of whom have just passed through too briefly - are some of the most gifted and funnest folks I've had the pleasure to not meet.

One of the things I like about all of the Deadwood players is that most take their characters seriously, giving thought to who they are and how they'd react.  It's the history - so maybe the younger crowd has had enough of that from their recent high school - college days and sees no use of history in current life (so my youngest says - and I think I recall saying the same when I was his age) Though it isn't always the young who leave or the older who stay. 
 
 From my peculiar perspective it seems we have a lot of players - mostly short lived, who come in wanting a different kind of fun not involving any kind of history (even googled history) and expecting a rather sanitized, more comfortable presentation of characters in Deadwood -  which feels kind of one dimensional to me.

Most often what they find lacking in Deadwood's role play  is 21st century standards of equality and justice (ones we can't even live up to in Real Life) - women and people of color (we haven't had any Muslims yet) having equal rights and treatment.   Objections are made if whores and housewives can't sit down together in the saloons and have whiskey or tea together.  There's disappointment that you can't just come in and shoot up the town, or become a powerful and important figure in the town. 

Most of us do our best to play nice with each other, no mean feat considering that we all - in any of our lives - see ourselves as the prime player and others as supporting roles.   As we mature a bit, we come to the humiliating realization that we are usually backdrop in the lives of everyone else.   Once we settle with that,  it can make life - real and Second - pretty interesting to view.

48 things I wish I could say as an admin

When you are an admin and you are admining* you must be professional and not say what you think.  It's like a job, without pay.

There are perks - mostly friendships and the satisfaction of  helping people and the sim you're admining for -- but sometimes there are thoughts in your head you wish you could share with others.  Can't do it in-sim...but can do it here! 

Although these don't all fit since they are about work, I thought most of them did suit admining amusingly - er - amazingly -  well.


1. Ahhh... I see the f_ck-up fairy has visited us again...

2. I don't know what your problem is, but I'll bet it's hard to pronounce.

3. How about never? Is never good for you?

4. I see you've set aside this special time to humiliate yourself in public.

5. I'm really easy to get along with once you people learn to worship me.

6. I'll try being nicer if you'll try being smarter.

7. I'm out of my mind, but feel free to leave a message...

8. I don't work here. I'm a consultant.

9. It sounds like English, but I can't understand a word you're saying.

10. I can see your point, but I still think you're full of shit.

11. I like you. You remind me of when I was young and stupid.

12. You are validating my inherent mistrust of strangers.

13. I have plenty of talent and vision. I just don't give a damn.

14. I'm already visualizing the duct tape over your mouth.

15. I will always cherish the initial misconceptions I had about you.

16. Thank you. We're all refreshed and challenged by your unique point of view.

17. The fact that no one understands you doesn't mean you're an artist.

18. Any connection between your reality and mine is purely coincidental...

19. What am I? Flypaper for freaks!?

20. I'm not being rude. You're just insignificant.

21. It's a thankless job, but I've got a lot of Karma to burn off.

22. Yes, I am an agent of Satan, but my duties are largely ceremonial.

23. No, my powers can only be used for good.

24. You sound reasonable... Time to up the medication.

25. Who me? I just wander from room to room.

26. And your crybaby whiny-ass opinion would be...?

27. Do I look like a people person?

28. This isn't an office. It's Hell with fluorescent lighting.

29. I started out with nothing and still have most of it left.

30. You!... Off my planet!

31. Does your train of thought have a caboose?

32. Errors have been made. Others will be blamed.

33. A PBS mind in an MTV world.

34. Allow me to introduce my selves.

35. Whatever kind of look you were going for, you missed.

36. Well, this day was a total waste of makeup.

37. Not all noobies are annoying. Some are dead.

38. I'm trying to imagine you with a personality.

39. A cubicle is just a padded cell without a door.

40. Stress is when you wake up screaming and you realize you haven't fallen asleep yet

41. Can I trade this job for what's behind door one?

42. Too many freaks, not enough circuses.

43. Nice perfume. Must you marinate in it?

44. Chaos, panic, & disorder - my work here is done.

45. How do I set a laser printer to stun?

46. I thought I wanted a career, turns out I just wanted the paychecks.

47. If I throw a stick, will you leave?

48. Sarcasm is just one more service we offer.

*  and to those who tell me something I do or say isn't how an admin would act,  let me try to explain that, like the time you saw your second grade teacher wearing shorts in the movie theater and were thrown into a kind of seven or eight year old reality conflict,  its time to grow up and realize that admins also have a separate life outside of admining -- I'm not an admin 24/7 - sometimes I'm a human being.

The Joy of Mute

Mute, glorious mute!

I just recently discovered the joy of the mute button - something I have been programmed not to use in real life because, you know, it's so RUDE to ignore people....

But, as I mature (read, grow old) and find life is too short to deal with difficult people, lately I have come to realize the wisdom and pleasure of pushing that little button.   If you MUTE someone, you don't get their IM's, you don't accept anything they send to you (notecards, objects, etc.) and don't listen to their open chat if they are near you.   If avatar impostors is enabled, muted Residents and attached objects will be replaced by a gray avatar impostor.

Rarely in the past have I used it, despite being an administrator, most times those banned have taken their lashes well.  Too, being as I am only human, I don't like to use the mute button to shut someone out who may have some valid points.   I've muted those who are screaming obscenities in IM, and once I muted a fellow who was trying to "gift" me with things fellow admin Clay told me would have done me some serious damage. I muted the objects he was sending, too.  Keen-o!

That was long ago, too.

But lately I have started pushing the MUTE button to deal with people who I am finding obnoxious, either in their role play or OOC.    It's my own little short term solution, far better than cussing at someone.  The MUTE button is my friend.  I highly recommend this for those who are truly not into drama scenes -- if you don't want to find yourself caught in endless and pointless discussions, debates, arguments with someone who doesn't seem to get the point, the MUTE button can be your friend too...

This is mostly my non-admin characters who have the luxury of doing this - though not always.

There was the fellow in another sim who started IMing me for advice on how to rape his girlfriend -- oh, sure, I could argue and talk back and scream at him, but that MUTE button just shut him right up.

The two women in a hair shop where I was who were screaming and talking loudly - I'm not sure about what or why -- MUTED!!!!!   and I was able to shop in peace and tranquility...

Someone sending me long and scathing IM's or notecards that have no bearing on reality -- after trying to reply logically... MUTE!!!!

An old friend who turned out to be no friend at all,  but who shows up occasionally in places where I like to role-play -- I don't need to hear the dialog I'm never included in so MUTE!!!!!

Those whose role play drives me insane for reasons that may not make sense to anyone but me..... my own pet peeves .. .MUTE!!!!!

Anyone being obnoxious and incessantly sending IM's -- MUTE!!!

My MUTES may only last a few moments - they may last for weeks, or even forever - but I feel empowered that I have the choice to push that button and watch the other avatar turn silent and gray until I have regained my composure.

It's always good, I find, to check the MUTE list periodically to see if I accidentally added someone, or if it's time to take someone off the list. It's good to make a note in the person you've muted's profile explaining why you muted them -- sort of your own little ban list. 

How do I feel about being muted?   Not all that swell -- I'm never sure if I've been muted at all, or if it was by accident (very easy to do!) or on purpose -- but whenever I try to roleplay with someone and am met with silence - when my IM's go unaswered,   I figure, yep, I been muted.  I can be obnoxious too! Go ahead, I see that finger flittering over the button - MUTE me, make your day!

How can you tell if you've been muted?

~ you are always ignored by the Muter
~ your IM's go unanswered
~ your notecards or other gifts aren't received
~the Muter doesn't seem to notice you when you walk nearby

If you want to be sure,  send them a notecard or a nice gift.  Or you can ask a friend to ask the Muter, or ask them to give the Muter a note - best to let the third party know what's going on and of course, be nice.

Rudimentary Roleplay

With Deadwood being recently featured on Second Life's Destination Guide, we've had an influx of newbies to the sim -- and I mean noobies! 

Among those a day or two old, tromping through to try out their free guns and hot pink penises, have come some who have been around long enough to like Second Life, but who haven't had much experience with role playing.  Some find it a foreign sounding term (and in fact, for some, English is not their first language).  I also ran across a really nice fellow in Berlin who thought that role playing was some exotic thing he couldn't / wouldn't / shouldn't do - which of course is nonsense!  

Those of us*  who have been role playing for awhile - and particularly who are set on one style of role play - can turn newcomers away, I think, as we run around whirling our IC and OOC terms, and whipping out our excellent and oh so superior role play,  not because we're mean but simply having forgotten what it's like to be new to the sport! 

No expert on role play, I've learned a lot simply by playing in Deadwood for the past nearly 3 years! So, I have pulled together to hand out, if wanted, a really Basic Roleplaying in Deadwood notecard - most probably it applies elsewhere, too, so I thought I'd post it here.   We have offered RP 101, but I think this is PRE-RP 101, meant to put those who are unfamiliar with it at ease.  It really isn't as fancy as it sounds, and we really aren't that superior to the rest of the world.  Honest.

*by those of us, I mostly mean ME  :)

What is roleplaying?

Roleplaying is a form of acting a part, pretending to be someone else.  Most people in Second Life are doing a little role playing.  Some are doing a lot.

The role play we do in Deadwood is different from what you will see day to day in Second Life.
~~~~~

What kind of role playing is done in Deadwood?

In Deadwood or other historical roleplaying sims, we are doing historical re-enactment, or immersive roleplay.

How do you do that?  

You begin by creating a rough outline of a character for your avatar from the 1870's who is in Deadwood South Dakota.

Don't worry too much about this!  Male/female?  Old/young?

People came to Deadwood from all over.  You can come and watch others for a little while before deciding - you can even decide to change your character after watching, but you need to be someone to start.

Characters and relationships usually develop slowly - just like in real life.  So it is OK not to have a storyline yet and it is very OK not to reveal it right away to people.  Just like in real life, people will have to find out as they get to know the character.  Don't worry about not having a full story yet!

You will get to know your character too!

I have my rough character, now what?

Try to be as authentic as possible, dressing like and becoming that character.

Historical clothing is important. It's also important to talk like your character would have in the  time period they are in, and to remove yourself from the 21st century.

When you are your character, you speak for them.  You think as they do.

It isn't really as hard as it sounds to pretend to be someone else.

Basics:

~ You only know what you can "see" -you can't read the thoughts of others (even if they type them!)
   You can't hear what people are saying if you could not hear it in real life in the same setting.
   You can't see around corners, behind doors, inside buildings (even if you can cam around in Second Life)

~ You do not know anybody's name unless they tell you or you overhear it.  They can't know yours either!

~ You speak in full words, whenever possible (no IMHO,  lol, roflmao brb, afk!)  

~ You don't refer to modern things or things that haven't happened yet. No President Obama! No airplanes, automobiles,telephones, televisions, microwaves!

~ You always speak IC in Deadwood, we don't speak OOC, not even in parentheses!  ((***see below for what OOC and IC mean -- basically, we don't say: "have to let the dogs out, brb!" or "wb, Alvin!" or "sorry I crashed, wow!")

~ Speak ONLY for your self - otherwise you are said to be god-moding!

(Example: you can raise your hand to strike someone, but the other player knows if they were hit.  
You can respond to being hit by someone, but only you knows how hard the blow affected you).

~~Terms You May Hear~~~~

***OOC is Out of Character - speaking as yourself, the typist.

***IC is In Character - speaking as the character you are playing.

 When in Deadwood, we stay In Character.  If we need to talk Out of Character, we switch to IM's.

Think of watching a Shakesperean play and suddenly one of the characters turns to another and says something like,

"How about those Red Sox?"  or "Hey, Joe, I forgot my lines!"

Talking OOC throws the feeling of make believe/pretend/being in a play off and can ruin the moment for others.

God-moding - Playing god.  Hearing through walls, reading minds, making things happen for others without their permission.   God moding can get you banned if you keep doing it!

Emoting describing what your character is doing

If you don't want to talk much, especially at first, you can do what is called "emoting".  This can be used to let people know what you are feeling (emotions) or just to let your presence be known.

You might want to have your character stand to the side and watch quietly.


Doing this lets others know you are there, so you aren't just a silent body!   Sometimes others may respond to you if you do this!

Joe Smith steps back from the two gunmen, his hand resting on his Colt.
or
Sue Smith looks curiously at the group of people, and steps up closer to listen.
Sally Jones looks around, slightly confused.

~~Some styles of typing  used ~~

Here are a few ways you can type this in:

type in  /me will give the results of

Joe Smith stands to the side and quietly watches.
You can also use an *

Joe Smith: *stands to the side and quietly watches*

or ~

Joe Smith:  ~stands to the side and quietly watches~

There's nothing right or wrong, or fancy about this, it just gives a different look to your typed text.  Try it out and see which you are most comfortable with!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
**Talking OOOC - Out of Character

What if I need to ask a question Out of Character?

 Ask another character in an IM - if they don't answer, ask someone else or ask an admin - if one isn't nearby, use /99 admin

~~~~~~~~~~~
What if I need to leave in the middle of a role play scene?

 Your character can excuse themselves and leave - use your creativity!  Maybe you hear someone calling you, remember an errand, have to go make or eat dinner, or -if you are going to leave your avatar there - gaze off in the distance.

handling a return of yourself or others can be done in the same way - work it into the scene if you have to.  Often, though, nothing needs to be said unless you were a major player in the scene.

=======================
NOTE:  some role play directions tell you to disable meters, group tags because they are distracting -- in Deadwood, you need to wear your meter and group tags at all times, unless told otherwise by the admins (sometimes in OOC group meetings).

TOOOOOO cute!!!!!

In fixing up one of my outfits to make a child outfit suitable for a little girl in Berlin 1920, I found a need for a pair of Mary Jane shoes.   Shoes, sadly, are not my forte, so I did a search and found a pair for 30L on Xchange - for a photo shoot, I figured they'd do.

OMG, how cute are these?  And truly, I'm not a shoe (or clothing) person - friends have to nudge me inworld to remind me I've been wearing the same outfit for three weeks.

These are the PERFECT shoe to add to your 1920's outfit (or 1930's or 40's or 50's and on and on!)

They look adorable with the sweater outfit I have for Berlin ..

This is a tintable hand-knit sweater and knee sock set (I made them myself!) with a matching bow - I am shamelessly offering these for sale on Xchange for 59L ... the outfit is no transfer but modify (to fit different child avatars) and copy so you can make up all you want.  You get the blue plaid skirt and a black skirt with white lace trim, but of course you can add these to any skirts you might have in inventory.  For sale at https://www.xstreetsl.com/modules.php?name=Marketplace&file=item&ItemID=2390838

Also suitable for children in Berlin - two boys outfits - I took the corduroy and wool suits made for Deadwood consisting of a shirt, jacket and knickers plus socks and ankle boots and added a set of shorts and a cardigan sweater to each as shorts were evidently big in the 1920's for boys. Also included is a matching cap, plus a box with my free boys hair - kind of a bowl cut that can fill in if you don't have something ready yet.    These are also on sale on Xchange for 59L each.

 

Boy's Plaid Shorts and Sweater Outfit

 

Boy's Corduroy Shorts and Sweater Outfit

Back to those adorable, affordable Mary Janes!   I went to the shop of the maker (I bow in awe!) and snooped around.  There are some modern times party dresses and some rain boots and modern sandals.  The dresses were about 300L.  The Mary Janes were there, sooo cute!  But the prize, I thought, was this outfit!

It looks German to me - or Scandanavian enough to fit on a child in Berlin who is going to a dress up event.   It comes with a pair of red Mary Janes, too (I wore black because the red ones seemed to make my feet look big!)

And best of all, this whole cute outfit is only 60L!!!!

Where?   These can be found at Bearwear at Kissling Village,  http://slurl.com/secondlife/Kissling/201/71/72/

There are also a couple of sweaters for boys there...

Was soll nicht dort über Berlin 1920 lieben?

When I'm not in Deadwood, chances are good that I can be found in Berlin 1920.   This is a very well built sim where you can find a lot of interesting buildings in which to play, and often a few people who are willing to talk with you.  Children are welcome, as long as they follow all the rules.  It would be likely that children could be found in the streets of Berlin in this time period - not all would be orphans or homeless, but many would be outside, working or trying to get outside of small stuffy apartments!   Avatar animals - dogs and cats -  are also welcome, as long as they look realistic and are played like animals, not like talking animals.

There are too many nooks and crannies to show you in the pictures I took - but the city is incredibly well laid out, with apartments available over shops, restaurants and tucked away in unexpected places.  Here's an overview - a lot of which you can see from the apartment I share with a friend.  I've been renting there for a month or more, but have only just started venturing out into the community.  And this is a community, where people care about the sim and each other.

 Me, lounging on one of our shabby couches

        I decided a bicycle was a great way to get around, although walking allows you to explore alleys and climb up stairs.

     Of course, wholesome young American college student that I am, I didn't realize that the building I'm standing outside of is a brothel - I had no way of seeing inside (but you can).

After bicycling for a bit, I decided to cool off in the public pool - free swim suits are offered as you walk in -- this is the 1920's woman suit.

After cooling off, I continued around and stumbled upon the local Police station - as with many places, there are poseballs that put you in some interesting positions - here I'm listening in.  You can also get into arguments, or find yourself passionately kissing your companion.

There are Happy Hours every day, as well as other scheduled events.

Hardcore roleplayers may find the talk about town a little unsettling, as not everyone is familiar with role play - conversation can change from the 1920's to present day in a heart beat, though efforts are being made to encourage people to learn and enjoy.

So far the rules about staying in character are not strict, although any variation from the dress code will get you a swift and firm IM request to change or get out of town.

The welcome area offers no reason to be inappropriately dressed - you'll find two great, if somewhat dowdy, dresses for ladies (I took this one and modified it to make a very cute outfit, befitting my 20 something character)...

and a man's suit and short hair cut modeled by my handsome friend here

.  An umbrella and period automobile are also provided, along with other freebies most provided by vendors who are also active citizens of Berlin.

The activities and politics are all pre-Nazi era - no roleplay, reference to or dress is allowed that refers to Hitler or Nazism - this is a pleasant, relaxed 1920's time period between World War I and II.   You can learn more about this by visiting the website and the forum. 

      This is a great sim with a lot of possibility -- nice to find another place (like Deadwood) where there is a focus on history, where there's an interest in roleplay and storylines, and where forced sex, violence and angst are not the major themes.

      Useful things to know:

      1)  Don't tp into the location you see on someone's Profile - go to the welcome area - I accidentally tp'd an inappropriately dressed alt in to what I thought was the welcome area but it was outside of my apartment - within 1 second I had a less than warm welcome that would have turned me off if I wasn't already a resident!


    2)  Don't wear guns - from information I found on a bulletin board outside the Police station:
Please read this notecard carefully as breaking the gun laws in Berlin can get you permanently banned.

-Do NOT carry a gun in public.
-Do NOT shoot a gun in public.
-DO NOT SHOOT SOMEONE
-You can buy a gun, own a gun and carry it inside your own private residence.
-If you are seen carrying a gun in public you will be arrested by the Berlin Polizei, you will be locked up in a police cell for 1 week (RL time), you can of course leave the cell and do as you please outside Berlin but for this period you may not walk around Berlin and only visit the sim if you will spend the time you are there in the cell.
You will also have to pay a 1000L$ fine.
-If you fire a gun in public you will be arrested by the Berlin Polizei, you will be locked up in a police cell for 1 month (RL time), you can of course leave the cell and do as you please outside Berlin but for this period you may not walk around Berlin and only visit the sim if you will spend the time you are there in the cell.
You will also have to pay a 5000L$ fine.
 -If you fire a gun in public and actually shoot someone you will be arrested by the Berlin Polizei, you will be locked up in a police cell for 3 months (RL time), you can of course leave the cell and do as you please outside Berlin but for this period you may not walk around Berlin and only visit the sim if you will spend the time you are there in the cell.
You will also have to pay a 15000L$ fine.

These are the maximum possible punishments, it may also be decided to give you a lower punishment depending on the situation but know that you may receive something as heavy as what you read above.
In the end it of course all depends on the situation.

Just don't carry or use a gun in 1920s Berlin without realising the risks you run.
We are not a 'Wild West' or '1920s Chigago gangsters' sim and will not allow people walking around with guns and shooting them unless there is a VERY good roleplay motivated realistic scenario.
And even then those involved can receive a punishment.
We base our response on history, you will be treated as you would have been treated by the Berlin Law in late 1920s Berlin.
FAILING TO ABIDE BY THESE PUNISHMENTS MAY GET YOU BANNED FROM THIS SIM.

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Another interesting note I found in the same place was that dying in Berlin can get you permanently banned.

- If you die in Berlin, you risk being banned forever!
Of course this only happens if the situation is realistic and not just some crazy griefer shooting the place up. But, if you roleplay death, you may have to sacrifice your avatar, as dead people can no longer walk the Berlin streets.

- The police force is mainly in Berlin to maintain order, and to enforce real sim rules. They may not be interested in taking part in roleplay.
Please keep this in mind when contacting them for a roleplay situation.

       This is a sim with a lot of possibilities - if you're looking for another place for serious immersive roleplay, come and try it out!