OOC Thread and Chatroom

[TinCow]

For a bit of explanation, the reason why Edicts can be violated by the Megas, but the Rules cannot is because the rules are essentially what creates the world we play in. I considered making some Rules violable by the Megas by putting a # next to them, but I ended up essentially sticking a # by everything, because they were all important to keep the game running well. The Rules, at least as they stood when the game started, need to be 100% enforcable otherwise people will have no real clue about how to play. Many blur the line between IC and OOC, but they are all essential parts of the 'structure' of the game. Pull out one leg, and the whole thing might fall down. Edicts, on the other hand, are almost always IC things, thus it is perfectly acceptable to enforce them IC.

To make another gaming comparison, let's compare it to Risk. Experienced Risk players know that the game is largely dependent upon negotiations and deal-making between the players. People make deals constantly, but they cannot truly be enforced. People can backstab at will and the only thing preventing people from betraying each other are the prospects of future penalties in the game or even in a future games. However, the players cannot break the rules of the game itself. Imagine how unstable it would be if someone could simply decide to that they could attack Australia from Africa. It would ruin the game balance and throw everything out of whack. The same is true here. The basic rules are designed to give us directions on how to play, and as such they must always be enforced. The Edicts are the 'deals' and 'alliances' of Risk. They are formally codified by a group vote, but it's up to the group to actually enforce them or let them slide. Something of the League of Nations and United Nations approach to governance.

OK's term as Megas was always going to be a pretty free-will thing since it was impossible to impeach him. As I noted in my commentary to the original rules draft, the way this game is designed the Faction Leaders have a very large amount of power at the start of the game. In the beginning, they can do almost whatever they want and weild far more power than anyone else. As time goes on and people gain rank, the FL's powers are eroded and some Houses may become the supreme power in the land. That will take time, though, and in the meantime it's a good idea to kiss the Basileus' butt and look the other way when he breaks the law.