An unofficial website of the United States government. Role-play only.Unofficial US Govt Site (Role-play)An unofficial website of the United States government. Role-play only.Unofficial US Govt Site (Role-play)An unofficial website of the United States government. Role-play only.Unofficial US Govt Site (Role-play)(( OOC ))
The quality bar at SASC: serious characters, realistic escalation, evidence-based investigations, consequences, consent for sensitive arcs, and zero metagaming, powergaming, or OOC toxicity.
The expectation
Hard RP means treating your character as a real person in a real world, and the world as something that pushes back. We ask for serious play, believable choices, and a willingness to let consequences land — including on yourself.
Nobody is perfect at this on day one. What matters is the intent: are you here to build stories with other people, or to win at them? We can teach craft. We cannot teach the first thing.
Play a person
Your character has a personality, limits, and self-interest. They are not a costume for the player to win through.
A gun to the head changes behaviour. Play fear, self-preservation, and risk honestly — nobody is fearless.
Wounds matter and persist. A serious injury slows you down and shapes scenes long after it happens.
Actions leave marks — on records, reputations, and relationships. Nothing resets at the end of a scene.
Earn the moment
Conflict ramps up in steps a real person would take. Jumping straight to lethal force is rarely believable.
Raids are the payoff of an investigation, not an opening move. Build the case first.
Do the work
Claims need backing. What you can prove matters more than what you know is true.
Cases are assembled from tips, surveillance, informants, and patience — not handed over complete.
Warrants, charges, defence, and courts are part of the story. Cutting corners has fallout.
Pressure and persuasion, yes. Crossing real ethical lines taints the case and the character.
Lose well
The goal is a good story, not a victory. A loss played well is a win for the table.
You do not get to dictate how a scene ends for someone else. Let it play out.
Never use out-of-character knowledge in-character. This is the line we enforce hardest.
No unstoppable characters, no narrating others’ actions, no abilities your character has not earned.
Respect the people
In-character conflict never justifies out-of-character hostility. Treat every player with respect, especially the ones your character is fighting.
Consent & boundaries for sensitive arcs
Some stories touch heavy themes. Sensitive arcs require the consent of everyone involved and a clear OOC understanding of limits before they begin. Anyone can pause or step out of a scene that crosses a personal line — no justification required.
Make it concrete
The difference is rarely about skill. It is about intent — building stories versus winning interactions.
The safety valve
If a scene feels unfair, if someone is metagaming, or if a boundary is crossed: pause, document it, and bring it to staff out of character. Do not retaliate in-character and do not let it spill into OOC arguments. The story can always wait while a problem gets resolved properly.
Standards this high only work with players who want them. If that's you, come in.
