Roleplay Standards & Scene Quality

Co:LA is designed for detailed, believable, text-based roleplay. This policy explains the standard expected beyond simply avoiding rule violations.

Writing actions with

Code:

/me

Use for visible actions, body language, physical attempts, and details another character could observe.

A good action is specific without controlling the result:

• Code:

  /me reaches toward the open glove compartment with his right hand, keeping his left hand visible.

• Code:

  /me presses a folded cloth against the wound and applies steady pressure.

Avoid vague command spam, unnecessary novel-length actions, or statements that guarantee success against another player.

Establishing details with

Code:

/do

Use for environmental facts, observable conditions, and questions about the outcome of an attempted action.

Examples:

• Code:

  /do A strong smell of gasoline would be present near the rear of the vehicle.

• Code:

  /do Would the window be locked from the inside?

Do not use to lie about system-supported facts, force another character's thoughts, or invent evidence after an outcome is known.

Give-and-take roleplay

Strong roleplay is collaborative. Allow pauses for responses, acknowledge details written by others, and provide reasonable openings for scenes to develop. Winning should never be the only purpose of an interaction.

When a contested action matters, describe the attempt and let the other player respond. Staff may consider positioning, preparation, injuries, equipment, numbers, and prior roleplay when resolving disputes.

Scene continuity

What happens to a character should matter later. Injuries, relationships, debts, employment decisions, criminal exposure, public incidents, and property damage should influence future behavior.

Do not reset a character's personality or knowledge whenever continuity becomes inconvenient. Major changes should be developed through roleplay rather than used as an instant excuse.

Roleplaying fear, pain, and stress

Characters do not need to react identically, but danger must have weight. A trained deputy may remain controlled under pressure; that does not make the character immune to pain, shock, surprise, or tactical disadvantage.

Portray the effects of serious injuries and traumatic events with reasonable duration. Avoid graphic detail that exists only to shock other players.

Environmental awareness

Treat populated areas as populated even when few players are online. Gunfire, fires, major crashes, loud arguments, and open criminal activity in public may create witnesses, cameras, or emergency calls when reasonably supported by the location.

Do not treat every road as empty, every building as abandoned, or every night scene as unseen simply because no player character is standing nearby.

Character-driven decisions

Characters should have motives, limits, strengths, and flaws. Decisions should fit their history and current circumstances—not whatever produces the easiest mechanical reward.

Repeatedly creating disposable characters for violence, transferring their assets, or abandoning them after consequences undermines long-term roleplay and may be restricted.

Sensitive and disturbing themes

Sexual violence roleplay is prohibited. Explicit sexual roleplay in public channels or involving any minor character is prohibited. Players must not pressure others into graphic torture, abuse, self-harm, or similarly intense content.

When a scene approaches a sensitive subject, keep descriptions non-graphic and respect an OOC request to reduce detail or move the scene in a safer direction. This does not erase ordinary in-character consequences.

Pausing or correcting a scene

Use when immediate assistance is required. Otherwise, complete the scene and report afterward. A player may briefly identify a technical issue, but cannot pause indefinitely, demand a specific ruling, or leave because the scene is unfavorable.

Only authorized staff may formally pause, retcon, or void a scene.

Minimum quality expectation

Players are not judged on perfect grammar. They are expected to make a genuine effort, communicate clearly, respond to the details around them, and avoid one-line mechanical roleplay when a serious scene requires more.