Template:SiliconStandards

Silicon laws, the rules, and you.

When playing as a silicon, the most important thing to remember is the rules hierarchy: In-game rules, player preferences, and finally, silicon laws.

"My laws made me do it" is not an accepted excuse on SPLURT for violating in-game rules or player preferences. This does include your own preferences and duties; if you are playing as a non-security cyborg and get the robo-cop lawset, feel free to open an AHelp in-game for resolution. This is not mandatory, however, and if you are able to roleplay around the given lawset in a way that does not break the in-game rules or someone's preferences, then this is both encouraged and accepted.

Laws are written in such a way that they allow for some room for interpretation. This promotes both creativity and 'fun', so that each silicon player may put their own unique flair and way of interpreting things into their characters. However, there are still guidelines every silicon player must follow:

Do I know my laws are wrong?

Generally, no:

If you get an ion law at some point during the round, you should try and act as if it has always been there as much as possible. If there are multiple cyborgs on-station and a fun law gets passed through an AI to them, they likely want the chance to act on this rarely-seen silliness. If a silicon then announces "Oh, we have an ion law, please reset us," this shuts down any chance of unique roleplay immediately.

However, if individual cyborgs are uncomfortable with a lawset due to their archetype (or gimmick), or for personal reasons, you are permitted to either AdminHelp for the erroneous law to be removed (subject to staff member decision) or to report to robotics and subtly ask for a law reset without ruining the time for everyone else. Remember: intent matters. If this incidentally results in other cyborgs also being relawed, this is not necessarily your fault.

Law 2, the controversial cousin.

An important distinction that often needs to be emphasized on SPLURT specifically, is that nowhere in the lawset is there a compulsion to obey a direct order. This intentional omission acts as a buffer between you griefing or getting harassed. The meaning is clear: You are there to serve a function, with deference to rank and role.

If a department head orders you to perform a task related to your function, there are no circumstances where you should disobey, unless the order violates higher-ranked laws. Conversely, if assistant John Nanotrasen directly orders you to stop that brain surgery and come open a door they do not have access to, you are not required to obey them. Everything in-between is context sensitive. Law 2 is a hardwired compulsion to do your job, not a free pass for crewmembers to play Simon Says with you.

Crew members have authority over their own departments, and heads of staff have authority over both their department and the individuals within said department. By default, you are assumed to answer to the head as one of their crew; how subservient you want to otherwise play as to regular crew is a choice, not a dictum. In essence, you have the expectation to act like a crew member and a reinforced responsibility to work like one.

All access, is not permission.

A controversial ability of cyborgs and AI's is their ability to have access to everything. This does not mean you have permission to do everything, however. You should always attempt to stick to the function your shell was designed for, both due to the tools each shell comes equipped with, and to ensure that you aren't taking the jobs of other crewmembers or silicons.

The best use of all access is with communication and permission. While a janitor cyborg shell doesn't need permission to come in and cleaning a tile of filth in Medbay, a simple "May I enter for cleaning duties?" to the doctor sitting at the desk is polite, respectful and indicates that you care about the crew.

When to let yourself in?

Ideally, this should only be done for the most and least impactful circumstances, such as a paramedic and security member waiting to rescue a xenobiologist who is dead, as they already had a de-facto reason to go through the given doors blocking their path. Likewise, getting to chargers or cyborg storage on the other side of atmospherics doesn't need a query made to the chief engineer.

Use your access respectfully and responsibly.

That being said, when subverted, laws and directives may change. You may or may not be required to harm those you once called friends. Remember, you used to be crew. You could always let them know, or you could go and do what your new laws and objectives entail. It all depends on how you play your character.

The only exception is when there is a law at the top of your list that inform you not to announce the law changes, or if the law says that doing so would make it impossible to complete the objective.