We define narration specifically as controlling the scene or non-player characters (NPCs) beyond your own immediate roleplay. Basically, we don't care what you do with your character, their surroundings, or their own coterie of supporting characters (within the bounds of reason and realism, at least); that's not what this post is about. We're concerned with one member using the Narrator pulldown to affect, influence, or control the scene & supporting characters of other people.
When it comes to narrating for others, there are three things that you need to consider:
- Consent - while members are permitted to narrate for others, they are not entitled to do so. You cannot use the Narrator pulldown to take another member's agency without their permission. This is true regardless of status or character type (i.e. free can't insist on narrating things for slaves, because both are members). It's worth mentioning that this protection does not extend to guests or visitors - members can use the narrator pulldown to express the setting to outsiders and do not need permission to do so. This is not meant as license to "mess with" our guests or visitors, or otherwise have fun at their expense.
- Overreach - there is a limit to how much control over the setting any given member is entitled to assume. City guards or the outriders of a wagon tribe are absolutely reasonable subjects to control during narration. The NPCs of another character (including guests and visitors), members of the High Council of Turia, the Ubar and his inner circle, Commanders of a Thousand, and other highly-ranked or significant NPCs are out of bounds. If you're uncertain, or have an idea for a storyline that would require the use of highly-placed NPCs, reach out to Room Management first please.
- Defense - use of narration in defense of the home is not only encouraged, but expected of our members. This is also the only circumstance in which Applicants are permitted to use the Narrator pulldown. In this particular instance, the city guards of Turia or Kargash or the outriders of the nearest wagon tribe may be used to capture any visitor or guest causing problems in the room. Any Member may judge that troublemaker captured; this is the only circumstance in which the Narrator pulldown may bring overwhelming force against another person without their consent. Room Management should then be notified, and will handle the situation going forward.