Hellfire and Inner Circle Rules
Expectations
ICly, the Monarchs expect obedience, respect, and loyalty to themselves and the Inner Circle. They rely on the ranked pieces to fulfill their duties with minimal oversight, but to report regularly and to submit without question if a monarch wishes to step in to supervise. They have the big picture, after all, and the subordinates do not. From the pawns, ambition, information, and a willingness for sacrifice, however unknowingly or unintentionally, is required. For all pieces, reward and punishment are balanced carefully, and Darwinian selection of those who would rise to the challenge over those who would tumble from the ranks as ill-prepared and unworthy is encouraged.
OOCly, we expect you to have fun! For all the plotting and conniving, this is still a game, and a game means fun. If there's something the faction helper or IC leaders can do to help, please let them know. We also expect you to follow the guidelines of X-Men Movieverse in general and of the Inner Circle (see below) in particular. Basically, keep active, keep informed, keep in touch, and keep going with the wonderful story we're all telling together.
As the player of an Inner Circle piece, you need to understand what the Hellfire Club and the Inner Circle are, who and what its members are, and what it means to be a Chess piece. The Inner Circle is a secret organization, populated by cutthroat businesspeople, politicians, and powerbrokers all; they're aiming for the ultimate brass ring of global rule, and there is no place in their ranks or their schemes for the weak of heart or purpose. Life in the Courts can be especially stark: obedience and loyalty are not optional, and punishment for violating dictates is swift, proportional, and entirely at the Monarch's discretion. Because Pawns are firmly informed of what is expected of them when they are inducted, there is little sympathy for most infractions and IC ignorance is not a valid excuse. Keep that reality in mind when you play your character, and try to think through the implications of his or her role and the ramifications of his or her duties, as well as the all-important ICA=ICC. If you have any questions, about the Monarchs, your character, the big picture, plotlines, plausibility, whatever you've got — you can always ask. OOC communication between players is key.
Guidelines
While the rules of the faction are generally the rules of the game, there are a few things we want to emphasize.
Maintain activity and stay informed.
As per 'help ic power idle', ranked members of the Inner Circle, whether they be King or Queen, Bishop, Knight, or Rook, are expected to stay active and be informed of events. Even as a Pawn, it is a good idea to at least stay up to date on the Hellfire Club forum and plots thread. If you will be absent for a prolonged period of time, please make people aware of it by using the vacations thread, your character's LiveJournal, or simply tell people on-game.
Be responsible for yourself and your character.
Along those lines, we expect you to be able to find your own roleplay. If you want help with story or character ideas, just ask: we love to brainstorm when there's time. However, you are responsible for your own play, as per the helpfile on game 'help player-run plots'. Get out on the grid, meet new people, start new stories, and help keep the Hellfire Club's profile high (without betraying the Inner Circle's secrets) -- it's good for characters, faction, and game as a whole. Just remember XMM's overarching rule -- in-character actions have in-character consequences (ICA=ICC) -- and proceed accordingly with the awareness that ICC in the Inner Circle and Hellfire Club can be harsher than those you would find elsewhere..