Code of Conduct
Characters
It is my personal preference to have a promotion comprised solely of unique characters. No wrestlers from WWE, TNA, ROH, or any other real promotion will be accepted into Saints Haven. Unique characters that closely resemble or mirror existing real wrestlers will be scrutinized. In addition, you may not handle a character you did not create, unless you have received permission from the character's original handler. It is also our preference that characters be relatively inexperienced to add to the realism of a small promotion. Conversely, handlers of all skill levels are welcome.Plagiarism
Plagiarism will not be tolerated in Saints Haven. First offenses will be treated with a warning and result in forfeiture of the match in question. Second offenses will result in a suspension of no less than one show and forfeiture of the match in question. Third offenses will result in immediate dismal from Saints Haven.
Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to: use of real wrestlers'
promos or interviews, the copying of another handler's work
without attribution, and/or anything else that misrepresents
the authorship of the work in question.
Kayfabe
Kayfabe is the practice of “protecting the business.” “Keeping Kayfabe” refers to avoiding implications that professional wrestling is not a real athletic competition (i.e. “scripted” or “fake”). In-character roleplays and other writings should attempt to “keep kayfabe.”
This rule is in place to help enhance the roleplaying experience.
Given the nature of the “sports entertainment” industry
today, I don't expect everyone to keep strict Kayfabe all the
time. Minor slips or allusions that break Kayfabe are fine.
The idea is that if someone does break Kayfabe, it is done for
a serious reason (e.g. advancing a feud by implying that the
motivation is “real”). This only works, however,
if Kayfabe is kept otherwise.
Roleplays
There is no set limit for roleplays in a given time period. However, we recommend two (2) roleplays for the weekly shows and three (3) roleplays for the larger, bi-monthly events. The roleplay period will be longer for these monthly events, hence the increased limit.
Opponents are encouraged to discuss and negotiate roleplay limits with each other. For example, if you only have time to write one roleplay, you can ask your opponent to set the limit at one roleplay. Note that your opponent does not need to accept your limit, especially if they have already posted a roleplay, but it is expected that members of the Saints Haven community will be respectful of each other's real life obligations.
Conversely, a roleplay limit may also be increased if all parties
involved in the match agree.
Deadlines
Deadlines are set at 10PM Eastern Standard Time on Saturday nights for weekly shows and for the bi-monthly events. Roleplay periods will typically stretch from Monday evenings until Saturday evenings. Deadlines may – or rare occasion – be extended by a member of the staff.
Only one roleplay is allowed within the last six (6) hours
before deadline to avoid “sand-bagging.”
Segments and Strategies
For lack of a better analogy, a segment is anything on a wrestling
show that isn't a match. For example: an interview, a backstage
confrontation, an alliance being formed, etc. You write one
of those up for your character(s) and the staff will review
it, possibly edit it, and put it into the results. To submit
a segment, simply use the forums' private message (PM) feature
to PM staff with what you want in the results. Make sure the
Subject Title is "Segment For (Show Date)" so that
I can find it easily.
Strategies are how you want your character to behave in his/her
match. For example, if you're character is exceptionally pissed
off this week and usually high-fives fans on the way to the
ring, you might want to write a "strat" that says
he won't give high-fives this week, or that he/she will be more
aggressive than normal. You can also suggest specific spots
you want to see in your match, but ultimately that is left up
to the writing staff. To submit a strategy, simply use the PM
feature and send staff a message with your strategy for the
week/match. Make sure the Subject Title is "Strat for (Show
Date)".
Segments and strategies will be accepted up until 10PM EST on Sunday nights. Segments are mandatory for each show. Your segment may or may not be used based on how it advances the show and the storylines/angles/matches it concerns. Segments and strategies greatly enhance the quality of the results, and that is why a segment is mandatory. Strategies are optional.
Saints Haven staff reserves the rights to modify segments that
you send in for shows. Primarily the reason for this would be
to keep consistent with writing style of the results, but staff
reserves the right to modify work for other reasons. Typically,
changes will be brought to the handler's attention and attempts
at a compromise would be made before any changes are finalized.
Other Rules
Harassment of other handlers, out of character, on the forums or over IM, e-Mail or any other medium is strictly forbidden. Saints Haven has a zero-tolerance policy.
Use of another handler's characters is strictly forbidden, unless permission is granted by that handler. In regards to backstage assaults, these should be submitted as segments and Saints Haven staff will decide whether or not to use it.
Swearing is allowed in roleplays but discouraged. Handlers should exercise moderation and their best judgment.
Judging
Quantity
I am of the philosophy that less is more, especially when it comes to monologues and dialog. In reality, wrestlers are rarely given longer than two minutes to hype their match or give an interview. I generally use three to five minutes as a guideline for promos. Obviously, you will not be penalized for writing more, but you will also not be rewarded. The idea is not to write more, but to write better.
Quantity refers to both the length of the roleplays as well as the number. Much like a shorter roleplay of higher quality will defeat a longer roleplay, a singular roleplay of higher quality may defeat two roleplays of lower quality.
Quality
Quality is determined by a number of criteria. The reasoning behind this to reward all different styles of roleplay so that one style is not favored over others. The major criteria are Creativity, Originality, Character Development, Dialog, Hype, and Realism.
Creativity
Creativity is the way in which your roleplay is written. Are you sticking to one set formula or are you trying to write in different styles to achieve different goals? Creativity is the diversity and variation in your roleplays.
Originality
Originality is how unique your roleplay is compared to everyone else's. In-ring and backstage interviews are not original. The idea is to keep the roleplays you write interesting for you as well as for those who read them.
Character Development
Is your character a one-dimensional, unchanging stereotype, or is your character unique, changing and evolving? Character development deals with both how well you stay “in-character” as well as how that character progresses.
Dialog
Are the conversations that your characters are having realistic? Dialog is judged on how realistic interpersonal interactions are in your roleplays.
Hype
Hype is how well you try to sell your match to the fans. Hype is about convincing them to “tune in” to watch you win. Hype also deals with putting your opponent over and/or trying to express how important or heated or personal your feud or rivalry has gotten. You've probably heard this referred to as “match discussion” or “trash talk” and ultimately it should be the central theme of your roleplays.
Realism
Roleplays are also critiqued for their realism. While shooting an interview from outer-space would be original, it would not be realistic and would thus count more against you than for you. You want to strive for realism as much as possible in your roleplays.
Other Considerations
Other things to consider are: Grammar and Punctuation. Readability. Spelling. These are minor details, but ultimately they make your roleplays easier to read, understand, and critique on the merits of its content.