I have sought to list here items that might be included in a VP D/s Contract.   I hope you find this useful but it certainly is not an exhaustive list, and probably won't be complete for any couple.     I'll be happy to hear comments and suggestions.

I. Scope. What range of locales and activities does the relationship involve? Is it limited to Virtual Places only? If limited, what information do the parties wish to share? Real names, Addresses, Phone numbers? Email addresses? Icq numbers? Does it cover all activites in VPlaces? Or is it limited, for example, to the following (in various combinations). times when both parties are in VP. activities in the D/s rooms. activities in private rooms.

Duration What is the time span during which the contract is in effect? Start, End Dates.   If these are notspecified, one would assume that the Contract takes effect immediately and lasts "forever". Renegotiation.   A short renegotation clause is a good idea.   If the Contract isn't working it's better to discuss this as a renegotiation than to wait until one partner feels forced to terminate it. Termination.   Couples starting out together may be reluctant to discuss Termination, but the chance that Termination will be avoided, or that it will be amicable, is improved if procedures were agreed on in advance, and in friendship and love. Release.   The Release clause should begin by stating that the parties should make strong efforts first to resolve their differences.   The principal ways that Release occurs are: The Master Releases the sub, either on his own initiative or at the sub's request. The sub Releases herself.   This is always a sub's right; D/s is consensual, so "no release" clauses are void from the outset.   However, custom dictates that a sub will ask for Release first, before Releasing herself. the sub is Released due to Abandonment. Abandonment.   Subs come to me and Say "My Master has disappeared.   What can I do?"   Of course there is no Contract, so we have to work out a strategy from scratch.    This is a really tough time for the abandoned party, but it is made a little easier if the Contract contains the following: steps the parties take to keep in touch.   this tells the abandoned party what the both of them ought to be doing to re-establish contact. an appropriate waiting period before abandonment is assumed. a procedure for an abandoned party to follow.   This might involve consulting an experienced and respected member of the community as a mentor.

Expectations All that stuff above is important but boring.   here we get to the heart of the Contract -- what do Master and sub expect from the relationship?   if their expections fit, they'll enjoy negotiating this. At minimum there would be the sub's statement or offer of submission, and the Master's acceptance.   But Contracts typically include statements concerning mutual love and regard; the sub's need for guidance and training; the sub's need for discipline and punishment; the sub's right to state her needs and wants, and the Master's obligations in this regard; the sub's need for growth and challenge; any limitations placed on activities. Limitations want to be worked out with some care.   A sub should insist on any limits that are absolutely essential to her.   However, it is a Master's duty to push his sub in order that she may grow, and the Contract should not prevent that growth.   Limits should be crafted as a careful compromise. Some Masters forbid subs to enter certain rooms or associate widely even with other subs.   One sub was forbidden to enter "Safe for New Subs"!.   The Master might claim this was for the sub's "safety" but there might be just the teensiest suspicion that he wanted to cut her off from any other support.   The parties should discuss this sort of limitation. any limitations on penalties and punishments. When A Master and sub work through these items together they take a major initial step on their journey together.