[SECOND] [BYLAW REVISION] Addition to Character Bylaws 4.d - Scene Lock Requirements

I, Samantha Swanson, CM of Chicago Dark Requiem, hereby propose the following Bylaw Changes:

Addition to Character Bylaws 4.d

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Bylaws Before:

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4. Interaction with Other Chronicles

   1. blah

   2. blah

   3. OWbN characters may not bring the following into the network from non-­member  chronicle: 

      1. Item Cards 

      2. Supernatural powers that requires a teacher to learn. 

      3. Lore knowledge 

      4. Merits or Flaws 

      5. Background 

      6. History/Plot 

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Bylaws After:

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4. Interaction with Other Chronicles
   
   1. blah
   2. blah
   3. OWbN characters may not bring the following into the network from non-­member  chronicle:
      
      1. Item Cards
      2. Supernatural powers that requires a teacher to learn.
      3. Lore knowledge
      4. Merits or Flaws
      5. Background
      6. History/Plot
   4. Defining types of Locks:
      
      1. Characters may be temporarily placed in one of the following locks by the adjudicating Storytelling Staff or Coordinator Office overseeing a scene:
         1. Information Lock
         2. Scene Lock
      2. Information Lock
         1. Information lock is defined as a scene where information within the scene is not allowed into general play until such time as the locked scene is completed.
         2. Information locks cannot exceed 120 days without in writing consent from all parties involved for the lock to continue.
            
            1. The extension cannot exceed an additional 30 days at a time without written consent or a vote from Council as handled below in subsection 3.
         3. If the Storytellering Staff or Coordinator Office believes that the information lock must continue, despite all parties not agreeing to the continuation, then a proposal to Council must be made. - PC: Majority Vote - NPC: Majority Vote
            
            1. A Council granted extension must be voted on with the following options:
               
               1. Scene Lock extension denied
               2. 30 days
               3. 60 days
               4. 90 days
               5. 120 days
            2. All NPCs and PCs involved in the proposed information lock will remain in information lock for the duration of the proposal, not to exceed 30 days.
            3. If 30 days pass, the scene automatically proceeds to the process defined in 4.d.ii.4
         4. If continuation of the lock is not agreed upon the adjudicating staff has 14 days to wrap the scene via narration in whatever fashion is most viable.
            
            1. GNC via Narration in this manner, without the consent of the Player [of the Character], must be proposed to Council - PC: ⅔ Majority Vote - NPC: Majority Vote
            2. If 14 days pass without a narration being provided, the scene in question is considered released from information lock.
         5. An Information lock may not be turned into a Scene lock without all Staffs and Offices involved agreeing in writing in a single email chain.
            
            1. Exception:
               
               1. Combat begins in an Information Locked scene.
               2. If this exception triggers, then the 120 days for a Scene Lock starts with the date of combat being declared as day 1 of a Scene Lock.
      3. Scene Lock
         1. Scene lock is defined as a scene where all characters involved are unable to be portrayed in any other OWbN scenes or games until the scene lock is lifted. This lock includes the effects of an Information Lock, as defined below.
            
            1. If a character is placed in scene lock, any other scenes are also considered information locked and paused until the locked scene is resolved.
               
               1. This ignores the standard information lock bylaws.
            2. A PC may only be in one scene lock at a time.
            3. The PC will not face IC repercussions for being unreachable or unable to perform actions while under the status of Scene lock.
               
               1. This includes BA requirements.
         2. Scene lock scenes require a check in with all parties involved every 30 days.
         3. Scene locks cannot exceed 120 days without in-writing consent from all parties involved.
            
            1. The extension cannot exceed an additional 30 days at a time without written consent or a vote from Council as handled below in subsection 4.
         4. If the Storytelling Staff or Coordinator Office believes that the scene lock must continue, despite all parties not agreeing to the continuation, then a proposal to Council must be made. - PC: Majority Vote - NPC: Majority Vote
            
            1. A Council granted extension must be voted on with the following options:
               
               1. Scene Lock extension denied
               2. 30 days
               3. 60 days
               4. 90 days
               5. 120 days
            2. All NPCs and PCs involved in the proposed lock will remain in scene lock for the duration of the proposal, not to exceed 30 days.
            3. If 30 days pass, the scene is automatically proceeds to the process defined in 4.d.iii.5
         5. If continuation of the lock is not agreed upon the adjudicating staff has 14 days to wrap the scene via narration in whatever fashion is most viable.
            
            1. GNC via Narration in this manner, without the consent of the Player [of the Character], must be proposed to Council - PC: ⅔ Majority Vote - NPC: Majority Vote
            2. If 14 days passes without a narration being provided, the scene in question is considered retconned and all PCs and NPCs are free to return to play.

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Reasoning:

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While we have a general understanding of what Info lock and scene lock mean there is not a universal standard. We also have no procedure for how to proceed if a character is in multiple scenes and becomes scene locked in one of them.

This proposal is an attempt to address these issues.

FAQ:

1. I don’t like the No GNC line of the Narration points. Why are they there?

The No GNC is specifically there to ensure that PCs/NPCs are not GNCed out of retaliation as a result of anyone within the scene declining the continuation and the Council vote to extend not passing.

2. Why did you choose to have a Scene Lock scene that isn’t wrapped within the 14 day window be retconned?

Two reasons. Number one, to prevent the scene and all PCs and NPCs from being stuck in limbo in regards to the conclusion of the scene. Second reason, because it will ensure that the scene resolves and PCs / NPCs are free to return to play with an actual concluded story OR free to return to play as though none of this happened and they don't have to tap dance around “ley lines” and “I’m still thinking on the matter/issue.” cop out responses people use to explain away an unresolved scene.

3. You have given the option to take a lock continuation to vote but then put a time limit on the voting process, why?

To prevent endless amendments and extensions that could drag a vote out to months. Players and staff deserve swift resolutions or at least defined milestones so that they are aware where in the process everything is. 30 days will give enough time for discussion, vote and an amendment without undue exacerbation to the situation.

4. Why is there a line that says an Info Lock cannot turn into a Scene lock without consent from all parties?

This is there to prevent an information lock from being turned into a scene lock in order to hold a PC/NPC or group of PCs/NPCs for 280 days before the timer runs out and consent to extend is required.

5. Why ⅔ Majority Vote for the GNC of a PC? 

This is to fall in line with the standard classification of our bylaws for an exception to the bylaws proposal.

6. Why do you say Coordinator Office instead of Coordinator for these bylaws? What does that mean?

Coordinators are not the only ones who run scenes for a given office/team. They have subcords who help manage the loads they have to bear in the office who also need to be held to the same standard as Storytelling Staffs and the Coordinator of the office.

I do intend to add to the Coordinator bylaws a definition of Coordinator Office and what that entails.

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Legacy:

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None. For the purposes of this vote, all scenes currently operating under these two classifications will have their timers start from the passing of this proposal.