IMNEWS NEWBIEHELPING SOS
XIV When to Intervene or Call for Help
There are some things newbies do that just reflect ignorance. Things like wandering around all over Middle Earth set IC. Things like ignoring other people's poses or popping in and out of rooms without worrying about whether they're spamming people.
When a newbie does things they shouldn't, the general rule is: page them, and gently tell them what they need to know. Often, it's simple things like: we don't swear or use crude language on com. If you wander about outside the Valley set IC, you have to follow travel time rules, and could get killed. And so forth. They need to know these things, and you should tell them, but try to be gentle. Even if they're utterly clueless.
However, don't be afraid to set OOC if somebody poses something totally out of theme. Far better to correct a problem in roleplay before it gets out of hand than to let them think what they're doing is acceptable if it is in fact clearly unacceptable. But better to page if you can. Don't shame or put people down just because they happen to be ignorant about things you probably didn't know as a newbie either.
Occasionally, you will get problem newbies. Newbies who resent being told what to do, who attack people personally when you try to explain things to them, who ignore feedback about what is IC and what isn't, newbies who refuse to change their histories to something thematic, etc. If there is a problem of that sort, let an LA know about it. The cultural staff can't fix problems they don't know about, and it's utterly important to keep the environment friendly for everyone. Disruptive players can and will be dealt with.
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