7.0 Table Etiquette

These are things I've found that help maximize fun for everyone AND work best with my style. Some are common courtesy or just common sense, but often worth mentioning periodically.
Answer Monday Core Player Roll call - Monday until 9pm is Core player roll-call day on Discord - after 9pm your seat will be up for grabs to Reserve Players (but a late Core reply trumps a Reserve player). I start on time - Do let me know if you are running late, but because I value other people’s time, I will start on time.
Safety Tools - "Lines" - "Lines" are topics/themes that you absolutely know you DON'T want to deal with in a game - please let me know about them during Session 0, when you join or as you discover them (feel free to share privately).
Safety Tools - "Veils" - "Veils" are topics/themes that if included you'd rather have them handled "off-screen" - Please let me know about them during Session 0, when you join or as you discover them (feel free to share privately).
Safety Tools - "Pause for a Second" - If some aspect of the game is making you uncomfortable, you have the right to call "Pause for a Second" (without being judged) and request a change. If I can honor the request without affecting the collective enjoyment of the group I will. If I can't, then you'll be given the respect to step away for as long as you need without judgment or needing to explain. Some examples:

"Pause for a second. Can we skip the gory details of the sacrifice?"

"Pause for a second. Can we gloss over the details of this romatic moment?"

"Pause for a second. Can we slow down for a second? I feel like my PC is voicing concern's about destroying this artifact and I'm not being heard"

"Pause for a second. I feel like I don't have player agency here. I'd like to know my options?"

Skill Checks - Avoid blurting out "I make a <skill> check (rolls dice), what do I learn?" - it short circuits roleplaying opportunities. Feel free to ask if a check can be made (you know your character best)
Play your PC only - Especially during combat, suggestions to others should be in character (6 seconds) on your turn.
Try to stay in character - Roleplaying breeds roleplaying which makes for a deeper game (see Comedic Interjections). TIP: If another player asks you a question out-of-character, respond in character (to get back on track).
Do not interrupt roleplaying - You're stealing the spotlight and disrupting a core element of the game. The one exception is the use of Safety Tools (see above).
Don’t "show your thought bubbles", just Do it - Don’t share your internal thinking as you consider your PCs actions - instead imagine the “camera is always on” and the director is calling for "action"!
Avoid Meta-gaming - Metagaming is out of character thinking or gaming. Such as asking "who has the highest strength", or suggesting "You take teleport and I’ll take Gate so we don’t overlap".
Avoid Table talk - Stay in character as much as possible, and don’t solicit or offer combat actions out-of-character (unless asked specifically by a newer player).
Sidebars - Don't have distracting sidebars, especially when others are roleplaying. If you must have a sidebar (helping new players, catching up late arrivers, a call from work/home) please whisper or step out of the room.
Comedic Interjections - Laughter / socialization is core to most RPG games, and some jokes make the evening! However, interjections can derail roleplaying. My "balance" is to err on the side of roleplaying yet appreciate an occasional good laugh. Try not to interject humor when intense roleplaying is happening.
Disagreements/"Rules Lawyering" - Do voice your concerns (after all no DM or player is infallible), but do so judiciously and with diplomacy (see Safety tools).
Gadgets / distractions (aka. pay attention!) - using electronic devices for rules and character management is OK. But when used for non-emergency things, it slows the game down (things have to be re-explained or re-stated because you weren't paying attention).
Between turns - try to plan your next action so that when it comes time to state your actions you are ready to go! TIP: a good model is "hold up no-one".
PvP (Player vs Player) - If PvP happens because of rich roleplaying and its advancing and deepening the story - it will be allowed. But if it’s done-in-anger or frustration - it will get you banned from my game (this is a "line" for me).
Never assume a creature is exactly as written in the Monster Manual - I frequently make stronger and weaker versions of stock creatures (tweaking hp, damage, abilities, etc. according to DM monster creation guidelines) so that I can get longer shelf life out of a classic monster.
Accessing Resources - Players are always allowed to consult player-specific books (e.g. the PHB) during a game, but other "DM-specific" resources (the Monster Manual, and/or online monster references) should only be accessed if a spell calls for it (e.g. you need the stats for a polymorph spell, etc.). It is bad form to look up monster stats in-game and between sessions. Instead ask if you can use Nature or Arcana skills to "remember" opponent details.
The DM has tech too! - if I want a rule blurted at me fast and loud, I will ask. Otherwise assume I need a moment of uninterupted thought to check somethings out for myself.