Abrasive Characters

Unwanted social conflict is one of the most frequent issues reported to admins, and with a little communication can often be avoided. Admins have no intention or desire to interrupt mutually-welcome interactions. However, care needs to be taken to avoid becoming disruptive or unpleasant to people who don't want to be involved. This requires familiarity and clear OOC communication from everyone involved.

These rules exist to try to establish a baseline for players to work from. Unless it is a severe or repeat issue, failing to follow these rules usually only leads to an admin attempting to mediate and ensure everyone has a comfortable experience.

The three main issues that create discomfort escalating to admin intervention most often are:

• Prolonged arguments or abrasive behavior that players have difficulty disengaging from, until they reach a boiling point.
• Sudden unwanted abrasive or aggressive behavior from strangers.
• Abrasive or aggressive dialogue or behavior over long ranges (radio, telepathy) where players can't easily LOOC to ask someone to tone it down.

Examples

Prolonged conflict: Player-A approaches Player-B, who they've previously interacted with, and are rude while complaining about the recent handling of an issue. Player-B brushes Player-A off and starts to disengage by walking away. Then...

• Perfect: Player-A asks "Hey, we good to continue with the arguing/escalating?". Player-B gives an enthusiastic "Yeah!". Player-A follows and both of them continue arguing and escalating to their heart's content, knowing that it is a mutually desired interaction.
• Good: Player-A doesn't pursue or press the issue further. Neither player communicated a desire to continue or stop OOC, but it didn't escalate very far or become a prolonged issue.
• Good: Player-A pursues Player-B and continues arguing and being abrasive. Player-B asks in LOOC to drop it. Player-A immediately drops the topic. Not ideal that Player-B was made uncomfortable with the initial interaction, but clear communication was eventually made and respected.

• Bad: Player-A pursues Player-B and they both continue arguing and being abrasive. The exchange becomes more and more heated. No OOC communication or boundaries are ever established. Admins are eventually called. The lack of clear communication has led to a prolonged unwanted interaction. Admins encourage both players to communicate more clearly OOC in the future.
• Terrible: Player-B asks in LOOC to drop the issue and disengage. Player-A continues creating social conflict involving Player-B (rehashing the issue, abrasive remarks over radio, etc). A boundary was established and then not respected. Player-A is warned to respect other people's boundaries.
• Terrible: Both players take the argument entirely into LOOC, becoming more heated over the issue rather than establishing boundaries or cooperating. Admins are eventually called. Both players are warned to not continue arguments into LOOC. If you can't come to an agreement, then disengage.

Sudden hostile behavior towards strangers:

• Perfect: Player-A, who is playing a pushy/aggressive character, wants to start a hostile interaction with Player-B, who they're unfamiliar with. Player-A checks Player-B's consent sheet, which clearly lists that all social conflict is welcome. Player-A proceeds to bully Player-B, shaking them for their lunch money or beating them up for a funny look. Only needing to stop if Player-B asks for a change in the situation in LOOC.
• Perfect: Player-A, who is playing a rude/abrasive character, wants to start a hostile interaction at a bar with Player-B, who they're unfamiliar with. Player-A checks Player-B's consent sheet, which has no social conflict preferences listed. Then Player-A asks in LOOC "Hey Player-B, you okay with a bit of arguing maybe leading up to a brawl?", Player-B enthusiastically agrees, and they both proceed to have a mutually enjoyable interaction and fight.
• Good: Player-A and Player-B know each other, and are having a disagreement. Player-A says something rude, Player-B brushes them off and ends the conversation. The players know each other, have some IC basis for the argument, and it doesn't become a prolonged conflict. In the absence of any kind of OOC request, this is all fine.

• Bad: Player-A and Player-B do not know each other. Player-A asks for some assistance from Player-B's department. Player-B is suddenly hostile and aggressive, with no provocation, telling player-A to "Fuck off" with no other explanation. Player-B is warned to not do that.
• Bad: Player-A and Player-B are having a mutually OOC consented brawl in a corner of maints. They don't disable their suit sensors. One of them goes crit and Player-C, a paramedic, arrives to assist. Player-A and Player-B suddenly curse out the paramedic for barging in. Player-A and Player-B are warned to not do that. Take steps to ensure privacy when it's desired.
• Terrible: Player-A and Player-B do not know each other. Player-A performs mechanically harmful or disruptive actions (theft, assault, etc) towards Player-B with little to no provocation or consent. Player-A is warned or actioned for self antagonism.