We have a problem on our board which we're trying to correct, problem is, it doesn't seem to want to correct. Confused? Yeah, me too.

Last month, a player joined with a solid bio and some relative experience playing the canon character (tv series) requested. Said player seemed to be a good addition to the board at first, then things started to go downhill. She began to rapidly turn into this oversexed, sudden nonsensical injury prone fan girl, who's only desire seems to be to attach herself to any available male character on the site. Most specifically, one of the main canons, who has no interest in pursuing a relationship with her character. She was also fond of pretending her character was drunk in our cbox and chat room and proceed to hit on the males (uncharacteristic of the character), until I put the kibosh to that entirely, thwarting her every time she attempted it.

The bulk of her posts became leaving messages in the communication area for two specific male characters which had nothing to do with the current ongoing plot. When I informed her politely it was skewing the plot time frame for the other players --- and gave her suggestions on what she could do to get involved in the current plot --- she ceased that for a day or two. So, I finally thought I got through to her, that things had finally clicked in, after all, this was the second/third (maybe even fourth) time I had explained our board guidelines to her. Ten days ago, one of the older male characters who just joined popped by a thread, specifically going to her character to interact. Instead of answering him, she now leaves messages in the character Q & A section for the same two specific male characters and hangs around the cbox, once again trying to flirt and go on about some imaginary plot in her head which has nothing to do with the board!

She spent a good deal of time today leaving messages and chatting in the cbox in the same manner. When I nicely reminded her she had a post still waiting on her, she responded she was working on it but was tired. I have no problem with that excuse, but if that's the case, don't waste your time in the cbox and such places. I was thisclose today to removing the silly cbox, but I know the other members enjoy having it.

The staff have tried to lead her away from that behavior, and one was quite successful for a very short time frame at doing so, but this player just slides right back into the same pattern. It gets especially worse when that one specific male character is online.

She understands english, she's an adult (25+), she can read...Yet, she won't cease this behavior. She's focused on chasing the men, pretending she's injured, and playing the character in a way she wouldn't be played. Any suggestions? Any similar experiences?


Edit: Apparently, she finally took my earlier suggestions and posted. Now she's using OOC knowledge in an IC setting.

From experience I've seen that some people enjoy going completely out of character in the supposedly to be IC. However, if the whole situiation turns tedious, annoying and monotonous after a while, I think it's time to talk to her and tell her that the joke isn't funny anymore. There are people that can't simply understand they aren't funny.

And about her RPing. I think it would be better if you or someone else send her a kind note to attach to her character's personality. It's not the same to apply as a prudish character and suddenly turn into a hungry sex maniac. Remind her that she should stick to what she described in her application. If she wants to 'develop' her character, she should do it logically and through RPing.

I hope this makes sense. :pink:

Take the canon character away. Tell her you're sorry, but she obviously can't handle the responsibiltiy and (if you want to) give her the opportunity to apply for an original character. It's pretty obvious that she wants the canon in name only.

As for her actions with other members, that's harrassment and it's unacceptable. Make it clear that her advances to these male characters are unwelcome and make the players of those characters uncomfortable. If it continues, I'd ban her entirely.

I agree with Vanity. Take the canon away if she cannot play it correctly. Tell her that she is not doing it the right way. If she complains or anything else, there is the ban button.

I also agree with Vanity. Sometimes that is the only way and you have to protect your site, plot and other members. We have a note on my site which say that the Admin can remove a plot character if they are not being played activly and in character - obviously we would not just do this straight away, we would have the appropriate conversations with them, but that is the ultimate line we take.

Give her a last blunt warning to straighten up or she will be shipped out.

As regards the chatbox problem, I believe it's possible to ban one or more specific users. I did it once when a guest got out of hand and started abusing one of my admins, but it was a year or so back and I don't recall the exact method. I do remember it was fairly simple to find and execute.

Ugg, that's annoying. I hate it when people ignore the plot and try to make up their own. If I were you, if you have InvisionFree, I'd suspend her for a day or two and then let her back and see if her behavior improves, if not you might just have to ban her altogether...just my opinion though.

She doesn't deserve the canon. I'm of the opinion that a BAN is far too much for something as stupid as that, but it's quite presumptuous of her to think that she can pull that garbage off and keep dragging the canon through the mud.

Repossess the character. Canons are a responsibility. If they are unable to play them correctly, they shouldn't be able to play it.

Thank you all for your wonderful advice! That is exactly what I will do, give her one last chance to shape up as the canon or remove it from her and allow her the chance to create an OC, following the guidelines. She seems to have tentatively calmed down for now. Thanks again!


~Ser