https://sos.hyperchat.com

A Guideline To Interaction Within The Basements

1. What is the Basement?

The Basement is a chat zone for those interested in role-playing, sadomasochism, bondage, and discipline. These games of dominance and submission are often referred to by initials: S/M, B/D, D/S. Heterosexual, gay/lesbian, and bisexual people take part. By consensus, the Basement has come to be thought of as a tavern setting, with a bar, a fireplace, a staircase, tables, and high rafters. Drinks are varied and free, provided by the management. Visitors may find within any piece of equipment conceivable by the mind, or are encouraged to bring any items in of their choosing.

Bianca's Basement, Trianca's Dungeon, and the State of Submission Shelter Basement, otherwise known as Z2 are excellent examples of WWW Basement chat zones.

2. What is Dominance and submission?

Top and bottom? Sadomasochism? What kind of play, exactly, takes place? Tackling this question alone would take pages. Novices are encouraged to read from the reading list at the bottom of this FAQ, to consult the alt.sex.bondage and other alt.sex newsgroups devoted to dominance and submission, and to consult groups such as Eulenspeigel.

3. What sort of play is not allowed?

Descriptions of child molestation are specifically prohibited. Of course, minors are prohibited from any chat in the Basement because of its adult descriptions. Any contact with a known minor, or anyone who purports to be a minor, must be discontinued upon knowledge of this situation. The purported minor should be advised that the Chat Zone is restricted to adults and adult role play. They should be asked to leave immediately; should they not, they should be ignored by all.

4. What is a "handle"? Why do people use them?

A "handle" is the name one uses in the Basement. Basement dwellers use anything from the names of historical figures, characters from favorite fiction or film, variations on nicknames, to other random names. Handles are used just as a name is used in RT (real time) to identify an individual. Because the Basement, as an adult zone and part of the internet, is full of anonymous individuals, ANYONE could be playing or lurking. It is highly recommended to keep one's RL (real life) identity confidential for one's own personal protection.

5. What does it mean if a handle begins with a capital or lower-case letter?

This indicates the status or desires of the person posting. Doms (dominants, masters, mistresses, tops) use capitals to begin their handle. Subs (submissives, slaves, bottoms) use lower-case. Again, a complete description of these roles is beyond the scope of this FAQ--see #2.

6. What if I want to use a "handle" that someone else is using?

The handle is the ONLY identification of an individual in this medium; more than one person posting under the same handle can be most confusing. It is considered highly impolite, discourteous, and in poor judgement, to post under the same name someone else is currently using. If such is part of a deliberate deception, it is considered detrimental to all and in poor taste, resulting in animosity from all toward the perpetrator when discovered. If, within the Chamber, you use a handle that is recognized by those within as being already assumed by another, you may be notified and asked to consider another handle. At this time, you are relied upon to show individual honor and do so. Pick another name or do something to make your name OBVIOUSLY DIFFERENT--you could add an initial, a number, vary spelling, etc. It's not sufficient to capitalize or lowercase the name to differentiate--the handle itself must be easily distinguished from the other person's.

7. Should I reveal my true identity and/or physical location to anyone I meet here?

This is a matter of personal choice. Remember, however, that the 'net is open to any and all, and there is NO control on who communicates within it. There can be dangers, depending on the people involved; it is highly recommended that you do not reveal your true identity and/or physical location to anyone you meet through this Chat Site.

8. Are there any "rules of conduct"?

The Basement is a place of consensual play. Rules are meant to protect this. We would recommend that before entering into the action, one observe or chat without taking part in the actual activities of B/D S/M for a while. Just as people are different, so are the Basement Dwellers; tastes vary as do degrees of Dominance and Submission. It is advisable to observe until one finds another who shares one's own tastes, and at this point, rather than entering directly into physical themes with one whose tastes are not known. It should be noted that submissives within the Chamber, even when referred to as "slave," may not be allowed to accept a Dominant's advances. Once approached, the submissive will usually inform of his or her status; the submissive may be owned, or may be under the exclusive control of an existing Dominant. Some, as part of their submissive role, are not permitted to play with others--and some are permitted (see #10, below)

9. If I am embroiled in a situation, and find I do not wish to continue, what are my options?

The Basement, again, is a place of CONSENSUAL play for adults. Doms are encouraged to ask subs for their limits--the types of play they do not under any circumstances take part in--and their safe word. This word, usually one that would not normally be spoken in a sexual context ("snowball" for instance), in any post indicates the sub wishes the action to stop. Subs, in turn, are encouraged to tell doms their limits and safe words. If you, as a Dom, are asked to do something you don't wish to, or simply lose interest in the play, you could make a different suggestion; if tastes are wholly incompatible, however, and you would like to leave the action, the best option may be to make a polite excuse and remove yourself from the individual and no longer continue the communication. Examples of such could be RL (real life)obligations which make it necessary for you to desist--the truth is also a valid option, used politely to explain that tastes clash. The same holds for subs. If, as a sub, you are being harrassed, go ahead and respond assertively, but politely--you may have been misunderstood, and you will probably be supported by other Dwellers. If the situation continues, you may ask for protection by others within the Chamber, proclaiming the situation to be one that is not consensual. There are many other Dwellers who will come to your aid, and provide Protection to end the situation. There are those within, who dwell there...specifically for this purpose. This is a difficult issue at times, because the nature of this Chat Zone includes protestation as part of the role play, but truly non-consensual activity is not tolerated. If a nonconsensual situation exists, and continues after polite explanation, you must be specific when requesting Protection and aid. This is essential. It is also most essential that this option never be used as a part of role play, which would be most disruptive to those who dwell within and would certainly misunderstand, taking the situation seriously. Please reserve this option--requesting Protection and aid--for times when it is the LAST option in a NONCONSENSUAL situation.

10. What is a collar, and what effect does it have on behavior?

A collar is usually used to signify the exclusive ownership of a submissive to a particular Dominant. It is regarded as a token of ownership and a limit on that sub's behavior--the owning Dominant may have prohibited the collared submissive from any sexual roleplay with others. This is not always the case, however; some subs who do not wear collars accept restrictions from a Dom, and some wear collars but are not restricted. It is best to inquire.

11. How do I access private quarters in order to continue a discussion?

Physical and mental activities are openly displayed within the Chamber. There are times when the personal preference is to leave and indulge in activities more privately; in order to provide maximum privacy, rooms can be created with password protection so that they can only be accessed by those involved in the activity. This can be difficult--the password needs to be communicated privately, and this cannot be done within the Chamber. Other communication of a more private nature is necessary to accomplish this exchange. The most common way of meeting privately outside the Chamber is to become a member of an organization where personal, anonymous mail operations are available. Such mailboxes are assigned by a "handle" and thus passwords can be exchanged anonymously. The situation is more complicated if a person has more than one "handle"--as is sometimes the case in role play where one person in RL (real life) may have several different Chamber personae. Another method is to call upon the assistance of another, third party in the Chamber, who is both trustworthy and acquainted with both parties--able to reach both by email. This go-between can email passwords and so on, but this method is complicated both in its operation and in requiring a cooperative party. Private mail sites are much preferable in general.

12. What is the State that everyone refers to here, and how do I access it?

The State of Submission and its alias, The State of Insanity, is a membership organization that provides many options. Most importantly, it provides personal mail sites for private communications and the ability to create private rooms for private activities. There is a nominal fee to join, but the above demonstrates the great advantage of belonging to such an organization where privacy is concerned. There are other organizations providing private mail sites and rooms, but this one is most commonly referred to and recognized within the Chamber. If you request directions from those within the Chamber, a site can be generated in hypertext that will take you directly there with a click of your mouse. Click here to go to the State.

13. What if I find an activity going on here that is "unnerving" to me?

As different tastes vary, you may view activities that are less than comparable to your specific taste. Some may be upsetting to you. But you must remember that the Basement is a free zone and open to all. Should you find something offensive, simply ignore it. This is your only recourse in this situation.

14. How can I learn more about S/M, B/D and D/S?

There are many possible sources. Well-written books on this subject are numerous. Famous works of fiction include.

Works of non fiction that you may find of interest are.

Other sources of information on the Internet are.

GENERAL GUIDELINES:

AND REMEMBER

Patience is a virtue. It takes a while to be accepted in the Basement, like any new social setting. Enter. Chat. Meet new people. And most of all, observe! In most instances, more can be learned from observation than from direct contact.

This FAQ was developed with the input of many people. I will be maintaining the page as time permits. Any suggestions or comments may be mailed to me. If you are at the State of Insanity, you can use the mail system there to message me as Aragorn. If you wish you may also email me there. The address is aragorn@hyperchat.com

Last modified on 8/29/00, 4/11/21 to remove bad links.