Note: These Standard Operating Procedures are valid across all divisions of the MECH Empire. Any division specific protocols will be listed separately.
-=General Protocols=-
1. No hacking.
2. No scamming.
3. No trash talking. We are above mouthing off to the flesh. If you have to deal with them, do so in a calm and intelligent manner. Units shall not at any time mouth off to any fellow Unit, especially a Superior Officer.
4. Acting out sexual fantasies and PDAs (public displays of affection) are prohibited in public, on Compound, and in private under all circumstances. We are machines and are above any and all behavior of the flesh.
5. No bashing or ignoring of other Units. We are all mature enough to handle things in a professional manner. The same protocols are in effect if/when in conversation with the flesh.
6. All officers are to be addressed as Sir or Ma’am or by their rank and call sign. We are a family, please treat each other as such and support your brothers and sisters.
7. All orders from a higher ranking officer are to be followed. If you have a problem with it afterwards, take it to the Grand Admiral.
8. Disrespect for any Unit is uncalled for and will result in immediate disciplinary action.
-=Channel/Room Protocols=-
For the sake of MECH SOP and Charter, the “Compound” refers to channel 999 on TRO (or other private channel designated by a ranking officer) , and the guild chats on GWs/WoW.
When entering the compound or a room with officers of higher rank present, you are to salute them before any other action is taken. If Elders of Legend are present, you are to kneel to them as soon as you have been re saluted.
When someone of a higher rank than you enters Compound, or the room you are presently in, salute them appropriately. If an officer of higher rank than the current highest officer enters Compound, salute them as well.
If you have moderator status on the compound, give mod rights to any higher ranking officers that join the channel.
While Compound is a place to relax among friends, it is still important to maintain a roleplay atmosphere there. As such, use of real life names is strictly prohibited.
While on Compound you are allowed to speak OOC, using the OOC> tag at the beginning of each OOC statement. Excessive OOC is not acceptable. Compound is the only place where OOC statements are allowed, as out in public you are visibly MECH and should roleplay as such.
Vulgar language is allowed, but racial slurs and sexist remarks are not. Anything extreme or excessive is not allowed under any circumstances.
The use of emotions is not allowed under any circumstances on Compound or in public, with the sole exception of “alt-”.
Public Channels
Public channels are defined as any channel that the flesh have access to. These rules apply to all of those channels. While we are above the flesh, often times there is equipment we need for upgrading and PP and they will frequently have this equipment. Consider it poetic justice that we use the equipment we obtain from the flesh to purify them.
MECHs do not offer advice on public channels, answer general questions, or go to “drops”. You are still required to salute higher ranking officers when on public channels.
Roleplay is especially important in public. While you may still have flesh friends, they are only friends OOC and you should not be found fraternizing with them on your MECH Unit(ns) at all, they are still our enemies.
-=Player vs Player Protocols=-
General
No Plugging. Under normal circumstances, there is NO reason for plugging. We are MECH, we fear nothing. Alt-F4, Exiting out the game, map travel, etc. The only unusual circumstance, is if the game somehow freezes. This is also known as being “hour glassed” in TRO. Being that there is no other option, this is the only time it is acceptable to plug. If you were in a PvP battle and freeze, it is strongly suggested that you contact that person/party and restart the match.
Cadets may not PvP under any circumstances. PvP training practices are required for anyone of pvp level. There may be a different level established for solo PvP and group PvP. These levels differ by division.
No participating in PvP on the side of the flesh. If you’re hunting with a flesh and you both are jumped, kill the opponent that jumped you, but don’t actively plan on PvPing with the flesh.
Division specific PvP protocols vary to greatly and are far to long to list here. Your Admiral of Training will be able to provide you with all the information you need regarding player vs player combat in your division.
-=Chain of Command=-
Cadets report to their Drill Sergeant.
Drill Sergeants report to the Admiral of Training.
Soldiers report to their Flight CO. If a Flight has no CO, they report to their respective Wing Captain. In the absence of a Wing Captain, they report to the Admiral of Training.
Commanders report to their respective Wing Captains. In the absence of a Wing Captain, they report to the Admiral of Training.
Admirals report to the Grand Admiral.
Grand Admiral reports to the Emperor.
Judge (when activated) reports to the Emperor.
-=Deactivation=-
Failure to abide by the protocols listed in the Charter and SoPs will result in deactivation.
If a Unit goes missing for a week without requesting and receiving approval for a Leave of Absence (LOA), the Unit will be listed as Missing in Action (MIA). If that Unit remains inactive for another week, they will be removed from the Empire. Reinstatement will be at the discretion of the Grand Admiral.
If you are planning on being inactive for any period of time, a LOA (Leave of Absence) should be requested, and a reason for the LOA should be given along with an estimated time of your return.
-=Prototypes=-
Prototype Units are to be approved by the Admiral of Purifications and should not be created until approval is given. Before even requesting a prototype, certain criteria must be met. This varies from division to division.
You are required to submit weekly EWR (Empire Wide Reports) for ALL of your prototype units.
Note: The rules covering the use of prototypes was officially amended on April 14th, 2008. Any ACTIVE units who already have approved prototypes that do not meet the new criteria will be grandfathered in and allowed to continue playing as usual. Active is defined as being on the roster, in good standing on the above date.
-=Cadets=-
All Cadets in the empire will be subject to a two week probation period. During this time, cadets will focus on gaining the required upgrades and studying to pass their scan. Specific information about cadet training in a given division is available on the “Cadet Training” page.
Note: All past units returning to the empire will also be subject to the above rule and WILL be placed in the cadet pool for the required two weeks. There will be NO EXCEPTIONS to this rule.
-=Complaints=-
Do not discuss them on Compound. Take all issues with other Units and/or officers to their Commanding Officer immediately. They will handle the issue.
If you have a problem with someone directly under you, reprimand them yourself.
If you have a problem with someone indirectly under you, you may reprimand them yourself, or bring the problem to the attention of their commanding officer.
If you’re a CO and have a problem with a soldier that is not in your flight, bring it to the attention of their CO.
If you have a problem with a Cadet, take it to their Drill Sergeant.
If you have a problem with a Vice Admiral, take it to their respective Admiral.
If you have a problem with an Admiral, take it to the Grand Admiral.
If you have a problem with the Grand Admiral, take it to the Emperor.
If you have a problem with a flesh, kill them. If you can’t kill them yet, wait until you can.
Unless it directly involves them or is extremely important, the High Council should not have to deal with your problems. Blatant insubordination is grounds for punishment. No matter what an officer did to you, they still should be shown the respect of their station.
-=Accounts=-
Your Unit’s and accounts are your responsibilities. No one is allowed to be on your account other than an approved fellow MECH, and such cases require the Grand Admiral’s approval before they are allowed. If another MECH has access to your account, they are to always be /busy and not on any channel, even Compound.
It is suggested but not required that you only allow people onto your account when you will be unable to upgrade, and that you change your password as soon as you return.
-=Uniforms=-
Due to the different nature of the games we play, there is not one standard MECH Uniform. There is however a requirment per division. This is to be decided upon by the Council of that division. Specific details can be obtained from the Admiral of Training.
