Bruce
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Post by Bruce on May 29, 2014 23:57:53 GMT -5
Chapter 1. Characters Chapter 2. Legislative Branch Chapter 3. Executive Branch Chapter 4. Judicial Branch Chapter 5. States Chapter 6. Elections Chapter 7. Newspapers Chapter 8. Minigames Chapter 9. Understanding History Chapter 10. Admin Responsibilities Chapter 11. Frequently Asked Questions
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Bruce
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Post by Bruce on May 30, 2014 0:03:06 GMT -5
CharactersYour character is essential to gameplay. Try to put yourselves in the shoes of the person you create. Transport yourself to 1789 and see the world through their eyes. After you have signed up with a bio, you should continue to build depth to your character throughout the game. Why not keep a personal journal or roleplay the newest happening in the capital city. Multis and Character DeathBut no one can live forever. Because the game moves so quickly, it is inevitable that your character will pass away. For this reason, we encourage the use of multiple characters through the surrogates attribute (see below). Your first multi should be your heir (the person who will receive your warchest in your will, not necessarily a family member). You are permitted one multi per surrogate point that you have, but they must be in different areas of the game. You must post a bio for every multi in the Welcome Center. Provided you have the surrogate points, you may have a multi in any (or all) of the following categories: - House of Representatives
- Senate (Provided that the Senate has been made available to players. See Chapter 2. Legislative Branch).
- Executive
- Ambassador
- Military officer
- Supreme Court Justice
- Journalist/newspaper mogul (See Chapter 7. Newspapers)
- Actor/director (See Chapter 8. Minigames)
At any time, any character can pass away. When this happens, an admin will contact the player, post in the Newspaper Help Desk to be disseminated through the newspapers, and close that biography thread in the Welcome Center. If the character had posted a will prior to their death or after 24 hours, the player's new primary character receives the deceased character's entire warchest. If a will is not posted, the new primary character sacrifices 1/2 of the warchest. As part of this inheritance, the new primary character will receive an amount from $0 to $1000 (called character death compensation) depending on the achievements of the deceased character. When a player does not visit the website for two weeks, all of his or her characters will become NPCs. This means that they will remain in the game, but will be under the control of the admin team. At any time a player may sign back into the game and reclaim his or her characters, but the player must take back all of their characters. In other words, you cannot abandon a multi once it has been created in favor of another multi. You are permitted to cause your character to commit suicide, but you will forfeit the entire warchest of that character and will not receive any character death compensation. AttributesConceived in Liberty utilizes an attributes system for all players. Unlike other aspects of the game, the attributes are attached to the player, not to an individual character. They are in equal effect for all of your characters. Attributes can be earned through the Tutorial Missions and Advanced Missions. Attributes are also handed out by the administration team to reward good gameplay. Each attribute carries with it certain bonuses and advantages used throughout the game. Each attribute except surrogates is maxed out at 5 points. The attributes are: - Surrogates: In the 18th century, you don't campaign for yourself in elections. Thus, it is both necessary and useful to have other characters do it for you. This attribute allows you to have one multi per surrogate point (for example, 3 surrogates allows you 3 multis not including your primary character).
- Intelligence: Avoid asking "Is our children learning?" with the Intelligence attribute. For each intelligence point, newspaper editorials and articles are slightly more effective in shaping public opinion. Additionally, players with high intelligence receive a newspaper readership bonus (see Chapter 7. Newspapers).
- Rhetoric: Move people to action with your words. Each rhetoric point results in more effective election speeches and more effective newspaper articles and editorials.
- Charisma: Not to be confused with rhetoric, the charisma attribute represents the interpersonal relationships and likeability of your characters. Charisma points result in an influence bonus in both Congress and state legislature (NPCs will be more likely to support your position) and more effective election endorsements.
- Wealth: The financial wealth of your characters. Includes a newspaper revenue bonus and a roll call salary bonus.
NPCsIn the Conceived in Liberty world, there exist a number of historical figures that will play right alongside you. These characters are controlled by the admin team and often represent the great American politicians that existed in the era. Generally, these characters will remain historically accurate, but you have the opportunity to influence them. You may write to them in the Correspondences forum. There are three types of NPC characters, and their type will determine their involvement with the game. - Admin NPC: These NPCs are the most involved. They will often participate in elections, vote in Congress, help shape public opinion, and are generally the most powerful NPCs in the country. They may act independent of player wishes. Admin NPCs are usually listed with a * before their names.
- Fictional NPC: These NPCs come entirely from the imagination of the Admins. They are meant to augment gameplay for the players. Fictional NPCs will usually have a ~ before their names.
- NPC: Normal NPCs are used, generally after-the-fact, to fill out historical rosters and to complete the game. This is the default NPC level. When included in decision-making, they will almost always follow player wishes. They will usually have a + before their names.
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Bruce
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Post by Bruce on May 30, 2014 0:03:27 GMT -5
Legislative BranchUpon signing into the game, you are given a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. This is where you will do the most of your work. At the beginning of each session of Congress, a roll call will be held. All players are required to sign the roll call and for doing so will receive a salary based on their position. During this roll call, a Speaker will be elected to preside over the House. Each party should also elect a Majority or Minority Leader and any other leadership positions the party deems necessary. Elections
Each and every member of the House of Representatives must run for reelection. This includes both NPC members and players. Most races, however, will not be closely contested. The admin team will be roleplaying the tightly contested races. Characters wishing to seek election or reelection must file in the appropriate thread in this forum. There is a filing fee, so be sure to plan ahead! In each odd-numbered year, the admin team will provide each party with a list of those House members who are planning to retire as well as those candidates who have declared their interest. Each party can then select six races that they wish to actively contest. Sometimes, a player may receive an NPC challenge. If the player loses the race, he or she may run again in 2 weeks with their primary character or multi. Please visit Chapter 6. Elections for rules on campaigning. All campaign limits still apply. New Players
Because there will be active NPCs in every House seat, there will now be certain restrictions on the seats available to new players. New players belonging to a political party may only fill seats already belonging to that party. Independent players may fill any seat belonging to any party, but they may not join a party for the remainder of the session of Congress. Players from either party may request seats belonging to independent NPCs. ReapportionmentWhen a new state is admitted or the House reapportions itself for another reason, the next House election will incorporate the changes. The House cannot change its numbers in the middle of a session, except to allow Representatives from new states. New states may still send Representatives in the middle of a session. SenateThough the House is marginally more powerful at this point in history, Conceived in Liberty also simulates the Senate. Each bill that passes the House must also pass the Senate in order to become law. The major political parties are given an opportunity to influence the vote of the Senate. Once a bill is posted in the Senate Voting Booth, a representative from each party will need to post a whip level within 24 hours. You will need to select one of the following whip levels, listed from most likely to vote for the bill to least likely to vote for the bill. The parties may post any other important information, but only a whip level is required. Senate elections are conducted in each State forum, with each player, NPC House member, and other important NPCs from that state endorsing candidates. All Senators are elected by state legislatures (see Chapter 6. Elections). If at least 75% of the House is filled with players and admin NPCs for two consecutive roll calls, the Senate will be made available to players.
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Bruce
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Post by Bruce on May 30, 2014 0:03:39 GMT -5
Executive BranchThe President, Vice President, and all cabinet-level positions are available to players either with their main character or a multi (multi rules apply). Classified PostsFrom time to time, your character may become privy to classified information. There are strict rules attached to these posts according to the following rules. Remember that even if one of your character's has access to these posts, only that character and no others knows the classified information. The President is responsible for designating each forum as Secret, Restricted, or Unclassified. If the forum has not been designated, the default is unclassified. Additionally, the President must specify any players who shall be privy to restricted or secret information. - Unclassified: All IC posts are considered unclassified unless designated otherwise.
- Restricted: Information designated as restricted will typically involve items of national security that do not pose a significant risk to the United States. Typically, diplomats and peripheral ministers will have access to this information. Upon the end of the President's administration, this information will be declassified unless redesignated by the new President.
- Secret: The most sensitive information will be designated as top secret. Typically, only the President and his most trust advisers will be privy to this information. This information will remain secret indefinitely until declassified by the President.
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Bruce
Administrator
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Post by Bruce on May 30, 2014 0:03:50 GMT -5
Judicial BranchConceived in Liberty simulates the U.S. Supreme Court and the bench is open to players with their main character or a multi (multi rules apply). If nominated by the President and confirmed by Congress, each Supreme Court justice will retain his or her seat until resignation or the death of the character. New CasesAll federal laws are posted in the U.S. Cost & Statutes forum. All of these laws have been passed by the Congress as part of the game, so there is no check for their constitutionality. That is where lawyer multis come in. If at any time you believe a certain law is unconstitutional, a lawyer multi should create a new thread in the New Cases forum. You should outline the facts of the case (you can use some creative liberty here, but keep it realistic). Also describe the law you are challenging and any IC precedent. Behind closed doors, the Supreme Court justices will debate among themselves whether your case is compelling enough to be heard by the Court. Once 2/3 of the justices agree to hear the case, the process will move forward. The lawyer character that created the case and the government (if applicable) will be contacted to give testimony and answer questions by the Court. Then, the justices will deliberate privately and make a ruling. This ruling is binding and can only be overturned by a later case, Constitutional amendment, or admin intervention.
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Bruce
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Post by Bruce on May 30, 2014 0:04:05 GMT -5
StatesThe most significant change to Round 3 is an expansion of what you can do at the state level. We now simulate governor elections and allow for the customization of state laws ( found here). You can interact with the state legislature to change these laws or influence elections in your state forum. This forum is In Character, but very informal. The decisions of the state legislature will be conducted in this forum. This includes not only changing state laws, but also Senate elections and some Governor elections. All players and NPCs are seen as having influence in the state legislature. Players may also have a multi in the state legislature if they are eligible (see multi rules). If you wish to change a state law, create a new thread in your state forum. If you have a multi in the legislature you can make a motion, but you could also use your primary character to recommend something and a NPC will usually do what you ask. The motion does not need formalities such as a format or requiring a second. Upon being made, the Governor of that state will recognize the motion. For 72 hours after the motion is recognized, players are encouraged to debate the measure (if it is to change a law), or 48 hours to discuss the candidates (if it is an election). After time for debate has elapsed, the legislature will vote on the question. This is also informal and does not include any whipping by the players (as we do in the U.S. Senate). Instead, the votes of each state legislator will be based on the arguments presented in debate by players in that party. For example, if all of the Federalist players speak strongly in favor of eliminating slavery, then most (if not all) of the Federalist legislators will also support it. Likewise, if only one Republican player shows up to give weak opposition, then Republican legislators will not be as united to support the party position. Players are permitted to run for Governor in all states.
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Bruce
Administrator
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Post by Bruce on May 30, 2014 0:04:28 GMT -5
Elections
Regularly, the admin team will conduct elections for President, the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the governorship of each state. Every two years, each player is encouraged to campaign on behalf of his or her favorite candidates. You may campaign for yourself by using your multis and player allies.
There are a variety of ways that you can do this, I will list them from most effective to least effective:
-- You may hold campaign events in your home state. You should post them in the In-Character Activities forum. These events are very simplistic, often involving your character standing in a public square giving a speech. While Senators are elected by State legislatures, the legislators are quite interested in which candidates are more popular.
-- You may write editorials in the various state newspapers supporting one candidate over another. You are limited to only one editorial per character in any paper each RL day. Be mindful of the Newspaper Readership Points of each newspaper in each state.
-- Each newspaper may post one endorsement in each race.
-- You may write letters to NPCs encouraging them to vote for one candidate or another.
In the 18th century, you should never, never, never campaign for yourself. Your campaign events will include speeches of your character's friends and family.
Legislature Elections
Elections where the legislature selects the winner (Senators and some Governors) will take place in that state's private forum. This legislature vote will take place very similarly to votes to change state laws.
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Bruce
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Post by Bruce on May 30, 2014 0:04:41 GMT -5
NewspapersNewspapers represent the only form of mass media in this period, and hold immense sway as a result. A newspaper's readership points represent that outlet's influence over each state, each point representing a significant number of readers. There are four ways to become involved with newspapers: as an editorialist, as an editor, as an owner, or as an investor. A player-owned newspaper makes $3 for each readership point before state newspaper taxes are applied. Any character can act as an editorialist, submitting editorials to newspapers for publishing. A character can only submit a single editorial per day, but can reuse editorials in different papers, or can submit an editorial every day to the same paper. Each editorial will help sway the public. A media character may act as an editor, running a newspaper. Editors can write multiple articles every day, ostensibly providing the public news, but realistically shaping the public's perspectives in any manner the editor sees fit. A player can try to be the truly fair -- or try to be the most yellow journalist in history. An editor must also oversee the operations of a newspaper, establishing a bank account for it, and using funds from that account to further the paper's interests. An editor has a variety of tools at their disposal. The admin team will post news stories in the Newspaper Help Desk. Editors can then request quotes from NPCs, ask questions of the admins, or even purchase straw polls. Any character can act as an owner, paying $300 to establish a newspaper company, or successfully purchasing a newspaper company. A player that founds/purchases a newspaper company must appoint an editor to run the company. The owner of a paper may hire/fire the editor at will, and sell the company at will. The owner of a paper must pay the editor at least 10% of the paper's annual profits, and must allow the paper to keep at least 50% of the paper's annual profits for newspaper operations, but may keep the rest for himself. Multiple characters may jointly own a paper. Any character can also act as an investor, paying $300 to establish a newspaper corporation, or buying into a newspaper corporation. A player that founds a newspaper corporation will divide that corporation into shares of stock, all of which the player will initially possess, but all of which the player may sell to other players. The stockholders for a corporation will vote each year on rules for running the corporation (which any stockholder can propose), and a rule must be established for appointing/removing editors. The founder of a newspaper corporation will get to appoint the first editor -- but the stockholders may remove that editor at any time in accordance with the corporation's rules.
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Bruce
Administrator
Posts: 1,024
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Post by Bruce on May 30, 2014 0:04:56 GMT -5
Minigames
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Bruce
Administrator
Posts: 1,024
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Post by Bruce on May 30, 2014 0:05:33 GMT -5
Understanding HistoryThe administration team of Conceived in Liberty recognizes that all players will be playing the game with a modern point of view. It is absolutely essential, however, that players and admins alike attempt to realistically simulate the time period in which the game is taking place. In most admin posts (particularly news articles), there will be OOC notes explaining it. Players are encouraged to do the same if OOC comments are necessary. Players are also strongly encouraged to utilize outside resources such as The History Channel or ushistory.org. Adequate research and an ability to put yourself in the shoes of historical American figures will spell success in this game.
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Bruce
Administrator
Posts: 1,024
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Post by Bruce on May 30, 2014 0:06:01 GMT -5
Admin ResponsibilitiesBaudin -- International Affairs (including Native American issues), state scenarios Kansiov -- Economic issues, Naval affairs Felledor -- Judiciary, Congress (House and Senate) bluto -- Floating Admin Bruce -- Everything else
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