The following objectives are what we hope the community of Heir Apparent will strive to achieve and maintain as we unfold our collective story. These objectives, while not rules, are expected to be a collective pursuit.

We want to see IC things truly happen IC. There is no harm in general planning OOC--it's actually a great idea to have an overall objective for each of your characters--however, please avoid plotting and planning every step of your character's journey to the point that you a) are restricted IC concerning what you can have your character do because you don't want it to mess up a future plan, b) become OOC upset when a plot you thought was happening goes awry, or c) are no longer holding to the character you established but are more concerned with having him/her fit into a plot you planned (that they may not naturally fit into).

Here on Heir Apparent, we want to see the conversations, events, and plots that unfold in threads guide a character through this world. Let's not play our characters according to a decided story, but instead let the characters do the determining within each thread and interaction. This is the heart of roleplaying with other people! Organic roleplaying guarantees life-like twists, encourages members to let go of expecting control, and demands flexibility.

A sub-objective of organic roleplaying is to honor what has transpired on the site, and to make intentional effort to write out every relevant detail to a plot. Too often we find ourselves talking about plots or characters or potential interactions, and there is a tendency to fabricate a reality for a character that has no on-site evidence. To that end, it is strongly encouraged that the things your characters do or possess are recorded IC, done either in a one-shot or summarily in passing in another thread. Not every occurrence has to be written out and threaded, of course, but anything that will come back around at a later date will only be valid if there is prior on-site evidence of it. For example, say I throw my character into the thick of a hostile kingdom and start a thread with only the character and her dog. Let's say another member joins with an aggressive enemy who is poised to kill my character. I cannot suddenly throw in the detail that my character entered the lands with a combative escort who promptly rush to my character's defense, claiming I had mentioned the escort in our private OOC chat. That is retconning, or changing the previously established narrative, and is, especially in the context of writing with other people, cheating. These details don't always have to do with heavy matters such as a character's life and death, but can affect a scope of different circumstances. So, by rule of thumb, play it safe and always be sure to prioritize the tracking of details on-site rather than OOC chat.

Every character striving IC will have the opportunity to rise. We have implemented a system to ensure this happens. Through threading, plotting, participating in events, and engaging your character in numerous other ways, you will get to see your character be shaped and changed by the world (and shape and change the world, too). To this end, we encourage members to craft characters that are well established yet have room to change, with strengths and flaws alike.  
Every character is the main character of his or her own story. Though the initial plot was established outside of member control, it is our desire to see the members take ownership of how this site and its story unfolds. Don't be afraid to do something drastic with your character who holds power! The best part about roleplaying with strangers online is the mystery and intrigue each individual brings to the forum. Embrace it and be an agent of it!
The world of Heir Apparent is loosely set in the medieval ages, salted and peppered with influences from other sources (Victorian, Vikings, ancient Greek, gypsy culture--depending on the kingdom). Beyond that real life historical context to feed from, there is also the fantasy aspect of it: the written lore that covers the magic, the cultural twists, the lifespans, and so on. It is essential for members to be well acquainted with the lore of the land. Characters should not act, dress, or speak the way modern day characters do (with some exceptions). The fantasy aspect of it all softens this objective and allows for leeway, but a conscious effort should be made towards grasping and exploring the confines of this world. Be true to the world.

Additionally, in regards to character interactions, remember to try to keep what your character does realistic. In our world, things happen as a result of our actions. Asking someone out could start a grand love relationship. Kicking someone between the legs could get your character arrested for assault. The things our characters do matter. Please be cognizant of what your character is likely to do based on the world, his/her status, upbringing, experiences, etc. That being said, decisions your characters make, particularly bad ones, will have real consequences. Nobody can slap the queen and expect their character to keep his/her hand. As members striving to maintain realism on HA, be prepared for the effects your characters' actions cause, and make sure they are consequences you can live with from an OOC standpoint.