This rule is so important and such a paramount part of Vivarium as a whole, it’s going to get its own little page!
Sometimes, it’s difficult to separate ourselves from our characters, we all do it. While it can make some things more enjoyable, it can also make the darker half of writing feel extremely personal. We need our community to be able to differentiate between in-character actions and out-of-character intentions. Any and all choices a character makes, anything they say, anything they think, anything they imply, absolutely none of it is personal or targeting you.
We understand that sometimes things can feel a little too close to home, but what a character does is not a reflection of that player’s own thoughts or feelings. Some members play extremely immoral characters that do unspeakable things, or there may be a character that doesn’t particularly like yours — this doesn’t make the player a bad person.
If you are ever feeling personally targeted by IC actions and feel they are intentionally doing so, please communicate with the player for clarification OR make a ticket with staff to discuss the issue at hand. It’s easy to misinterpret things, especially during highly emotional threads or life altering events.
Every player has their own boundaries! This is a right that you all have and we have no intention of taking it away or challenging it. We ask that our community respect each other's boundaries, preferences, and personal rules. Yes, there will be times that another player’s limitations may impact their ability to write with you in some way. It’s still necessary that you take their comfort into consideration, instead of feeling outcast by their personal limits.
Common boundaries can include things like not writing with 333 characters, not writing with minors, not writing with beast characters, not writing with offensive characters, not writing with those involved in a triggering topic. Our members DO NOT have to disclose their reasoning for their boundaries, your comfort is above all else and no one will ever force you to interact with a character or a plot you do not consent to. This also means you cannot force others into writing, either. Always give recognition to a player’s comfort level.
Some players have boundaries regarding what they allow and do not allow off screen. There will be characters that are strictly organic, meaning they do not plot and write solely based on IC interactions.
It is also fine to simply say “no” to a thread or writing with a certain character. No one can control your character(s) other than you, and no one can pressure you for your answer regardless of reasoning. Vivarium is a hobby writing site, a place to enjoy and relax, you are entitled to safety and solace.
If you are unsure of a player's boundaries, would like to offer an alternative idea, or understand them better, please communicate. A lack of communication can cause burdensome feelings to fester and may make you mistake someone’s boundaries as a personally targeted exclusion.