Rules and Guidelines

Subjected to change. *Last update 7/18/18.*

## Server Rules

* **“Three strikes” guideline system** for warnings/consequences. Failure to comply may result in a Time Out (can read channels but not reply), kick, or ban depending on severity of the offense and your past offenses.
* **Be respectful** (no slurs, no harassing/degrading, no threats, no begging for roles or exceptions, no spamming, no bot abuse)
* **No NSFW/adult conversations** in public channels (there is a #NSFW channel that only those over the age of 18 can view and participate in, but you must receive the tag from the server owner)
* **No gas-lighting** (no picking/starting fights, no manipulation, no making “them question their own memory, perception, and sanity”, etc)
* **Everyone is allowed to make & send invitations.** Since all new members will have to go through verification, please send a message in #general that you invited someone, and have the person(s) you invited @mention you in #verification when they arrive.
* **If you have an issue, DM the person(s) involved.** Do not take it out in general chat or in the RP channels (server-wide issues are okay, but preferred if you DM a staff member). If you cannot resolve the issue, then DM a staff member for assistance.
* **Staff members (including Admins) are not above Roleplayers; all Server Rules & RP Guidelines apply to them.** They are, however, trusted to remind about and enforce rules/guidelines. If you have an issue with a Staff member (how they handled something or just in general), DM an Admin or another Staff member. If you have an issue with an Admin, DM the server owner or another Staff member.

## RP Rules & Guidelines

* **“Three strikes” guideline system** for warnings/consequences. Failure to comply will result in your rank being changed to RP Time Out for a day or longer depending on current/previous offenses. This is known as a “time out”. The Kit role is unable to talk in all RP channels, but will still be able to see them. You will still be able to talk in and see all OOC channels.
* **Keep everything as realistic as possible** (names, appearance, deformities/disabilities, actions, injuries, etc)
* **One turn at a time.** Meaning, send your entire response for one character in one message. If you forget something, please edit your turn, or add it into your next one. Please wait at least twenty minutes before sending another turn after your last one. Long turns (such as one shots between your own characters) are exempt from this rule.
* **No retcon** (“refers to a literary device in which the form or content of a previously established narrative is changed” - meaning, if your character loses their eyes in a fight, they cannot show up two months later being able to see again)
* **No metagaming** (“a player's use of real-life knowledge concerning the state of the game to determine their character's actions, when said character has no relevant knowledge or awareness under the circumstances”)
* **No god modding** (taking control of other people’s characters without permission; your cat never gets hurt/dies, etc)
* **Ask permission to include other people’s characters in your plans.** We know it’s fun to surprise people, but please extend common courtesy and respect to everyone involved.
* **No mary sue/gary stu characters** (a character type that can do absolutely no wrong, everyone is in love with them, and they are perfect at everything they do, especially better than everyone else around them at everything. You can have a character *ACT* this way, but they cannot actually *BE* this way)
* If it cannot be decided amongst yourselves, **use @Sidekick in #bots to roll *(/roll d20)* to decide winner/wounds/death/etc.** Sidekick may also be used for everyone in major events and/or wars/battles to keep things fair. Those that fail to listen to the decisions of our dice overlords will be placed on time out (role changed to Time Out) for the remainder of the day or longer depending on the offense and previous record. It may also result in forced retirement (death) of your character.

### Warriors Specific

*Special circumstances may give an exemption from these regulations, but they must be discussed with the Staff beforehand.*

* **Rare combinations** - only one male calico and one hearing white cat with blue eyes may be alive at a time, and you cannot own both at the same time. Check the bottom of this post for availability. (These *CANNOT* be reserved - first person to post a claim in #personal\_descriptions *AFTER* the availability has been changed to open will get it. You must wait two people or one month to claim again)
* **Follow the warrior code and medicine cat code to the best of your ability,** but you do not have to. Be aware that if you do not, there will be in-game consequences, just like in the books. Every cat must pay for their sins.
* **Clan gatherings** are every other Sunday around 4pm EST. @/everyone will be used to call the start of the meeting. **Medicine cat meetings** are every Wednesday at 8pm EST. @/Medicine Cat will be used to call the start of the meeting.
* **Character Limitations** - You may have three cats outside clans, and five cats per clan; only two of them may be an elder, and only one of them may be in power (leader/med cat) or transitional (deputy/med app). You may have three high (power/transitional) positions at the same time, but at least one must be transitional.
* **Retirement & Rank Up Dates** - Kits last for 1-2 weeks. Apprentices last for 1-2 months. Warriors last for 8 months. Medicine Cat lasts for 8 months. Leader lasts for 7 months (lose 1 life per month - lenient guideline). Elders can live for up to two years, but their creator must roll a d20 every two months to see if they pass away or not. A staff member will roll for you if two weeks pass with no response.

**Male Calico:** Closed (Shellheart, Moorwhisper)

**Hearing White Pelt Blue Eyes:** Closed (Tundrapaw)

### TMC Specific

*Special circumstances may give an exemption from these regulations, but they must be discussed with the Staff beforehand.*

* TBD

### NEW RP Specific

*Special circumstances may give an exemption from these regulations, but they must be discussed with the Staff beforehand.*

* TBD