Post by Grey on Jun 10, 2013 5:27:29 GMT
the big book of rules
Most of this should go without being said, but it is all too common that mistakes are made due to a lack of attention to the basics.
Out of character rules
Most of this should go without being said, but it is all too common that mistakes are made due to a lack of attention to the basics.
Out of character rules
the first spark
- Above all always remember to be kind and respectful to everyone. We are all here to role play and have fun in a safe and nurturing environment.
- Please avoid talking about politics and religion in a negative way. We all have our own thoughts and feelings on the matter, but it would be best to avoid serious emotionally charged conflict.
- Respect staff members and their decisions. The staff is here not to bully or micromanage anyone, but to ensure that everything works smoothly. Without them this role play wouldn't even be possible. These people are your free labor, so respect the amount of work they do behind the scenes. DO NOT TALK BACK TO THEM.
- Always keep out of character drama away from in character happenings. If you aren't happy that you got so and so as your mentor that is no excuse to make your character unhappy as well.
- Vice versa, remember to keep in character drama to the role play only and do not take it personally. If some's character is being a grump it doesn't mean they hate you, in fact it is probably because they are a grumpy character.
- Do not ask to be staff. We don't care who you are (friend or foe) and what role play you've founded, just don't do it. Being a staff member is a privilege, not a right. The admins will choose individuals who have proven themselves now, or in the past, to be competent, thoughtful, and active.
- It is required that you make one account per character. Proboards v5 allows you to switch linked accounts easily using the symbol of two people at the bottom right corner of your screen. You also have the option of making an OOC account. This will be the same title as your "user"/your chat box name.
- The display name of each of your accounts should correlate with the character. If your character is "Hawkpaw" then your display name will also be "Hawkpaw." Not cuddlebunny, sexypie, or jack, but the name of your character.
- If another user is using the same picture for their character you are not allowed to use that same exact picture without their permission. This is more a matter of etiquette, but it has been made a rule to avoid OOC arguments.
- Please do not advertise for anything unless you are doing so in a designated place.
- You are allowed up to five characters in whatever clan or none clan location you want (they do not have to be from the same clan). Extra character "slots" can be purchased.
CODED BY ELECTRIC OF BACK TO NEVERLAND
Character Creation rules
the first spark
- All names MUST be traditional for clan cats. The prefix should represent some aspect of the cat's appearance while the suffix is given for their greatest trait. For the purpose of this role play we will use this tumblr page. The staff will be lenient to names that you can brilliantly defend.
- The prefixes Shadow, River, Thunder, and Wind are not allowed because they are clan names. It wouldn't make sense for a cat to receive that much recondition as to be named after their clan, nor would an enemy clan name one of their own after another.
- Once a prefix has been used within a clan that prefix is no longer open for others to pick. This assures that no two cats will have the same name and that each character will have a better sense of originality.
- NO MENTAL ILLNESSES; NO EXCEPTIONS. Mental illnesses are nothing to glamorize, and people like to use them as a crutch in role plays that allow them to do whatever they like. This rule also covers tragic back stories and 'poor-me' histories. Cats do not generally harm each other, and definitely not within their own clan. Abuse is not condoned here, and we like to avoid it since it can be a trigger.
- The appearance of the cat must also be realistic. No made up markings or strange colors anywhere. Blue eyes are, for our purposes, only present on a cat with a lot of white or some pure breeds. White cats with blue eyes are often deaf. Tortoiseshell and calico males are very rare. If one is born they will be extremely sickly, be sterile, and die at a very young age. To be a healthy male calico or tortoiseshell you must buy the perk.
- Purebred cats would not be found within the clans, period. If you want to have a certain breed then add "mix", or buy the perk with your points.
- Characters with overbearing ailments are not allowed unless they are older then 60 moons. A cat that cannot perform its warrior duties is NOT guaranteed a medicine cat position. In fact, medicine cats do a great deal of work in and outside of the camp and therefore need to be in good shape. Most likely a cat with issues would be forced to retire early to the elder's den. If there is a specific ailment you desire then check the shop or PM one of the Admins (only if it is not in the shop).
- Well rounded characters are always preferred over kitty-sues. Please try to avoid making your characters one sided -absolutely perfect or terribly terrible. Everyone has their flaws so embrace that.
- Do not make an extremely powerful character with no physical weaknesses. It is unlikely that a cat will be fast, strong, agile, a good swimmer, and a great tree climber. Staff will intervene if you do not play fair.
- While it is inevitable that characters would be related to future canon cats they will not know this and neither could you. You can fantasize about it in your head but do not plot it upon the site in any shape or form. Besides, they would be like great great great great great great great great great great great great great great great great great... you get the picture.
- Only medicine cats can know herbs unless role played in a thread. That means that if your character is played in a lesson with the medicine cat then they will know whatever was taught (and nothing more). Otherwise no one can insta know all the herbs like some sort of Starclan sent mega-cat. (The knowledge of very basic herbs in an exception.)
- Do not make a cat destined to be medicine cat apprentice. It is highly annoying to the staff, to the other rpers, and to the medicine cat. They will pick who they think is fit, and who will OOCly be fun to work with as well. Making a character that screams "PICK ME" does not make you seem fun to deal with OOCly. Just don't do it.
- When picking an age for your cat use the provided ageing guide. Deputies must have had an apprentice and this means they need to have been old enough to do so. 60 is the prime of a cat's life, when they are the most physically fit.
- Use common sense when designing your character's history. Do not include events that would not make sense within the world of the books and our role play. Examples: Kits with a great deal of responcibility given to them, cats who have been experimented on in a lab, making wings out of dirt and feathers, etc.
CODED BY ELECTRIC OF BACK TO NEVERLAND
In character rules
the first spark
- Battles between the clans are encouraged. Before attacking, though, both leaders must consent OOCly and let the admins know what is up. The leaders will then make a plan and it is up to you if your character will follow it or not. Punishment for not doing so will be only IC and the leader may do what they like within reason.
- The borders board is there for characters to meet along the borders of each clan, or to just rp along the border (such as in a border patrol). For now there will not be a limit on how much this board can be used, but if it becomes an issue then limits will be installed.
- Forbidden love is not allowed unless bought from the shop.
- Each real life month is one season (three moons). This goes site wide and the current season will be posted in an obvious place. You are responsible for keeping track of your character's age. A kit will become an apprentice in two real life months, the same goes with an apprentice to a warrior.
- Any death must be passed by and ok'd by a staff member. We don't want random cats dying all over the place just to make things dramatic.
CODED BY ELECTRIC OF BACK TO NEVERLAND
Posting rules
the first spark
- I thought this didn't need to be explicitly said, but apparently it does. Be respectful to everyone in any role play thread you are currently in. If the thread is currently on a rotation schedule then do NOT skip anyone without first talking to them. This is considered HIGHLY RUDE.
- This is a literate role play and as such a certain level of ability is required. Please post no less then 150 words, and remember to use proper grammar and punctuation. Everyone has their bad days, but it only takes a second to reread your post and fix mistakes. Chat speak will not be tolerated in posts. (It is also preferred that you use correct capitalization in the chat box.)
- Do not god mod or auto hit,. his means controlling another person's character without their permission. To avoid this it is common to use phrases such as "attempts to" "aims at" "intends to." You must allow the other player to dodge whatever action would effect them. Your character is also not allowed to be invincible. If they are too strong a mod may need to step in (we need to keep things fair for everyone).
- When starting a thread make sure to somehow indicate what time of day it is, and what the weather is like. This could be done OOCly or ICly, but it must be done. If you do not indicate the weather and time of day then it is likely that it will become confusing for others down the line.
- When you have completed a thread edit the title to say (closed). This allows staff to know when it is time to move your thread to The Dirt Pile.
- When posting a thread make sure to indicate who all is allowed. If you do not then be prepared for anyone or everyone to jump on in and trample on your character.
- Do not post anything that goes against our plot. This includes: announcing that there are no gatherings when the site's history does not specify such, indicating that StarClan has been silent when the site's history does not specify such, indicating that there is a flood or other natural disaster when the site does not announce such, indicating a lack of prey when the site does not announce such, and so on.
- Please refrain from dropping OOC or IC hints in a post about the state of the site. If you complain about things in such a way it will do nothing but bother the staff. Posts are not intended to be a way to crafitly rant about the fact we have no chosen all the high ranks yet, or other aspects of the site.
CODED BY ELECTRIC OF BACK TO NEVERLAND
Apprentice/mentor Rules
the first spark
- To receive an apprentice or mentor contact the leader of that clan. No matter who is assigned your mentor please be respectful of them. If you are not happy with the decision you should not, for any reason, make your character go out of character to be unhappy or rude.
- Be honest with your mentor/apprentice about your activity level. If you are a mentor your inactivity could keep your apprentice from becoming a warrior on time. Please keep this in mind and do not take on an apprentice if you can not be active enough. An inactive mentor will likely have their apprentice reassigned by the leader ICly. Vice versa, an inactive apprentice might be punished or held back ICly.
- To be a mentor your cat must have been a warrior for at least 3-5 moons. Some exceptions might be made.
- To become a warrior your apprentice will need the following threads:
If their application started at 6-8 moons- (1) territory exploration thread/other
- (1) hunting practice thread
- (1) fighting practice thread
- (1) other thread
- (1) gathering thread
- (1) assessment thread
If their application started at 8-10 moons- (1) hunting practice thread
- (1) fighting practice thread
- (1) gathering thread
- (1) assessment thread
If their application started at 10-? moons- (1) practice thread (hunting or fighting)
- (1) gathering thread
- (1) assessment thread
CODED BY ELECTRIC OF BACK TO NEVERLAND
high position rules
the first spark
- Each user is allowed only one high ranking character. This gives an opportunity for other people to play high ranks as well, and avoids multiple important positions being vacated at the same time due to one person leaving.
- Leaders are allowed to punish cats in their clan reasonably. This means that punishments that cross the line of the warrior code to a high degree may be intercepted by a mod. Leaders (unless corrupt) do not kill cats in their own clan for any reason. Plotted characters may be exempt from this.
- The rank of deputy is pretty self explanatory. You will be expected to organize patrols and follow out the leader's orders. If a deputy falls short it would not be surprising for them to be replaced by their leader.
- Medicine cats hold an equal weight in the clan as the leader to a high degree. This means their word must be relied upon in times of need or indecision. They will be given signs from Starclan by the mods that will be unknown to anyone else. It is up to them if they share the information or not (therefore it is important for leaders to take an interest in their medicine cat's behavior).
- If a medicine cat participates in forbidden love and it is discovered their punishment is up to the leader. Staclan, though, may stop talking to them altogether and move on to another cat.
- It is up to the medicine cat to choose their apprentice. They might ICly suggest that a cat becomes their apprentice, or PM a user asking if they would like to plot something. If you submit a medicine cat apprentice application it will be turned down unless their mentor PMs an admin asserting that it was their choice.
- All of these roles require a higher level of activity then the average clan cat. This means you will be expected to post at least twice a week. Eight times a month is the bare minimum. If you are consistently posting at or near the bare minimum you will be releived of your position. We need people who can post once a day to keep their clan in shape and active, please strive to do that.
CODED BY ELECTRIC OF BACK TO NEVERLAND