Post Templates and Signatures are getting out of hand. They are required to be specific sizes and they are getting outrageously huge again. Please tone down your templates so they match the required size or your posts will be intervened upon until you do so. If your signature is bigger than the required size it will be deleted and you will loose signature privileges.
Box Codes are what are referred to any sort of aesthetic that surrounds a post on Mizahar's forums. These can include any frames, images, style code, etc. Box codes need to be tasteful, fall within the rules of our site, and most importantly stick to the theme. Please keep the colors and text legible. Try to avoid overly bright neons and overly scrolly cursive font as these are considered 'eyebleeders'. Because we ask that all aesthetics be in theme, that means all box code images cannot show any modern attire (tuxedos, baseball hats, sports gear, printed logos) or technology (cell phones, ear buds, etc). Box codes cannot depict superhero or other modern day cultural images (ie. Batman, Spongebob, My Little Pony). And in recent times, box code headers and footers have been getting bigger and bigger to the point they take away from the writing and overall aesthetics of the site. For this reason, we have placed a size limit on box codes. They can be no more than 700 pixels wide and 500 pixels tall for one image. If the image is broken into two parts, such as a top portion and a bottom portion, please significantly cut down both these sizes. A player's writing should make their post stand out, not their distractingly large graphics.
Storytellers have no limits on their codes but are encouraged to maintain the theme. Please see the Signature page for more information about signatures.
Signatures in Mizahar are small notations which can include banners that are present at the bottom of each user's post both in In Character and Out of Character posts. Signatures often depict something of the user's character. They might include the character's name, image, or even a quotation or saying. Signatures can include links which often lead to helpful pages on the website or a character's Character Sheet. Signatures are not required. However, if they include a banner, those banners must be no larger than 600 pixels wide and 150 pixels tall. Signatures must follow the Rules and Terms of Use and cannot include profanity or nudity. If your signature does not conform to the guidelines in this wiki page, then you will be asked to make corrections. If corrections are not made, signatures will be removed. Please keep moving gifs and other animations off Mizahar. They are considered very annoying by most of the pbase.
I need to clear something up. If you are a SLAVE you don't get paid for work. Period. You must have your living expenses paid by your owner at a 'good' level or else you sicken, get in poor health, and eventually die. That's been the rules forever. If someone pays you as a slave, they are doing it incorrectly or aren't properly informed. Its expensive to keep slaves, and even moreso to keep them healthy. You cannot, as an owner, profit from them unless its just free labor.
I heard today that a PC was spending time with a God mentoring under them and learning from them... aka Training. I haven't seen any sort of HD ticket or this and there was no ST permission given. This isn't allowed without express HD Ticket Permission and MODERATION by a Domain Storyteller or above.
Please don't let this be your PC or someone you are involved in. It's double jeopardy. And we will be speaking to you about it if this is used as a plot device.
Please note that Mizahar has no villages, small settlements, or permanent encampments outside of the named cities on the map.
There might be an occasional fortified Inn alongside The Kabrin Road to resupply travelers or caravans.
The Kingdom of The Isur have outposts throughout Kalea connected by tunnels that support small settlements which are in place for gathering resources of interest (such as mining operations or food growth). There are rumors of barbarian civilizations in the far flung lands of Kalea and Taldera, well away from known populations. But these are, in fact, not substantiated at this time.
There will be found small encampments of people moving about, especially in Endrykas, where pavilions often set off on their own away from the main moving tent city.
People can be found traveling north and south through the wilderness to and from Ravok from Syliras, and from Zeltiva to Nyka. However, there are no actual roads linking these population centers together. Thus old campsites are common especially in travel zones.
Pre-Valterrian, Mizahar was littered with villages and small towns. There were even farming settlements. These are still found in the form of ruins throughout the world.
I hate to post reminders about this, but Mizahar is a fantasy roleplaying site dedicated to magic, character storylines, and isn't a porn site. There are other internet sites out there on the web if this is what you are looking for.
Certain players that have recently returned (due to being banned off other sites no doubt) have been exclusively threading about adult themes and that is not acceptable. I've been patient and have tried to get them to do other things instead, but they have persisted in finding pleasure in only writing this genre. It's frankly my feeling that an overload of this theme is boring. I have personally asked the individual involved to leave my Domain and stay out of any and all of my domains with their PC alts. Other STs can feel free to do the same thing if they wish.
An adult natured scene is fine in the course of a storyline. It happens all the time in writing. But to just exclusively write about it over and over and over again here is just not acceptable nor appropriate. That falls in the realm of Porn.
We understand that due to the nature of roleplay and characters coming into social settings, adult scenes may happen. Unlike most rpg sites, Mizahar does not have a 'fade to black' policy. However, if roleplayers wish to fade their sexual scenes to black and leave the events up to the imagination of the reader, that is perfectly acceptable to Mizahar. Writing out scenes is acceptable as well so long as they follow Mizahar's policy.
We don't allow obscene, lewd, lascivious, filthy or pornographic threads on our site. Well written somewhat suggestive acts of kissing, sex, or other intimate scenes are allowed. Anything that may constitute child pornography, or that may solicit personal information from or exploit in a sexual or violent manner anyone under the age of 18 is strictly not allowed. Persons under the age of 18 may not participate in such threads in any manner. Any nude and pornographic images are strictly NOT allowed. Players are responsible for ensuring that their posts conform to all local, state, federal, and international laws. Further, they are responsible for insuring their legal copyright is in place for any images, text, or other post elements, and that their content does not infringe upon any other copyright.
Please do not use crude language in your writing of such scenes and keep the details in the bounds of 'tasteful' which we do acknowledge can be somewhat subjective. Any storyteller has the right to ask writers to clean up scenes or remove content if they deem posts offensive or 'obscene, lewd, lascivious, filthy or pornographic'. Storytellers may also remove any offensive material on their own, no warning required. If a scene is fine by one storyteller, another storyteller of a higher level (i.e. a DS over an AS, a RS over a DS, or a Founder over everyone) may decide something is site inappropriate and ask for it to be rewritten or removed even if this scene or piece of writing was found acceptable by another lower ranking storyteller.
Please use common sense and good taste in posting content to Mizahar. If you have questions or concerns about site content, please PM your local Storyteller for assistance. The Question and Answer Forum is also available questions, as is the Help Desk for reporting issues.
Any adult themed activities (kissing, sex, etc) fall under the SEDUCTION SKILL and can be lored appropriately.
Due to recent events and our trial of the Grading Expansion, I've made some small changes to the rules to clarify a few things and underline a few other things that have always been true. Most people are aware of these things, but since people don't like 'unspoken rules' we will try to formalize them. Additions have been highlighted.
Moderators, called [[Storytellers]] on Mizahar, provide an invaluable service. They act as the main narrators of a story, giving characters involved in that story a chance to react to the situations the storyteller provides them. Storytellers set the scenes, describe the atmosphere, and introduce [[NPCs]] into the core of the story. Moderators may bring the wrath of the Gods down on a character or describe in depth the way a fierce beast attacks a scouting party. In the end, its the moderator who judges how well a character does in his or her roleplay actions and reactions, and thus awards experience, treasure, and knowledge.
There are three main types of moderation: [[Formal Moderation]], [[Peer Moderation]], and [[Self Moderation]]. Formal moderation is where an active and approved Storyteller (a [[Regional Storyteller]] - [[RS]], [[Domain Storyteller]] - [[DS]], or [[Assistant Storyteller]] - [[AS]]) lays out a scenario and tells a story in conjunction with a single or group of player characters. Formal moderators can award [[Experience Points]] without the presence of a Grader Medal. Please note that formal moderators have ultimate authority in their Domains. RS's, DS's, and AS's have the right to develop and set storyline in their Domains. They also have the authority to uninvite Player Characters (and their alts) from Domains if they find those players and their actions or attitudes unsavory in any way or otherwise unfit for the area. Formal Moderators do not have to justify their actions to a player so long as the rest of the majority of the staff or the Founders are in agreement.
Peer moderation occurs when another player character steps out of their player character role and briefly becomes a narrator for a story involving another player character. This is where player A would like a thread wherein she receives training in say swordsmanship. Player B, who has no swordsmanship skills themselves offers to 'peer moderate' for player A. They ask the permission of either the RS or DS, and Player B tells the story involved in the [[Thread]] from an NPCs perspective (a swordsman from a local training facility in Syrlias). Peer Moderated threads must be signed off by a formal moderator to receive experience points. Peer Moderators can award Experience Points only if they have a Grader Medal.
Self moderation is simple enough and perhaps one of the fastest ways for a player character to get training. Self moderation is where a player character solo's a thread, playing the part of the swordsmanship professional and themselves. Self moderated threads must be signed off by a formal moderator to receive experience points. Self Moderators can award experience points only if they have a Grader Medal.
We are interested in creating a supportive, friendly atmosphere in [[Mizahar]], and we strive to take this approach to dealing with any infractions of these Terms of Use. If guidelines are not followed, members will first be informed that their content is in violation of the site's guidelines and referred to the Terms of Use. Posts containing subject matter that has been listed as ‘inappropriate’ will be removed in all cases. Should a member persist in violating the Terms of Use, that member will no longer be allowed to post on the forums. We encourage users who believe that a violation of the Terms of Use has occurred to inform the administrators via the 'Report a Post' button available at the top of every post, or via the [[Help Desk]].
In addition, Founders have the right to Uninvite (ie. Ban) any user off Mizahar whom they feel is not a good fit for the site. This will not be done lightly, but has and will continue to happen as situations arise. A player does not have the right to be warned or given chances to retain player status on Mizahar. Players can be univited at any time. The Founders and staff are dedicated to the long term success of this site as an RPG haven for writers. They do all in our power to make sure people understand the rules and get along with one another, but there are times and places swift action is far more appropriate than trying to educate or urge a player to follow the site rules.
Pycons are not moderators. They are small clay creatures. Please pick an avatar that is appropriate to the fact they are made of clay. If you do not, you will run the risk of loosing your avatar privileges. That means display something CLAY looking... either art or a rl clay photograph. Do not display something other than a Pycon Apropriate Avatar. That is a privilege reserved for STAFF ACCOUNTS.
You may have up to 5 accounts on Mizahar at any one time. You are allowed to retire any unwanted or unused account if it has MORE than 50 posts. If you are caught with multiple accounts exceeding the 5 account limit, you will be relieved of all your accounts but a singular one for the period of 1 year. If you create more you will be uninvited from our site. We have EASY and SIMPLE rules to follow. Please follow them.
Why? It takes moderator time and energy to help you set up a new PC and get them established in a city with a job, possibly a business, etc. We don't need you casually making and discarding PCs and wasting the time of others.
If you try to retire a PC before 50 posts, I will check to make sure you aren't exceeding the limit and pick one of your PCs to let you keep. This is a very serious policy!
I keep repeating myself with this but if a Domain (meaning mostly Cities) is CLOSED you are not allowed to post in it. This includes any unfinished threads, placeholders, etc. There is no MODERATION in that city thus there is no activity allowed. We usually give plenty of warning when a city closes (because we only close them at Season Changes even if a Moderator retires) for people to wrap up their activities.
Assistant Storytellers cannot grant jobs or pay wages. So please don't ask them too and don't assume if they approve a job or a wage they are authorized to. Only DS's and above can do so. If you are in an open city supervised by an AS make sure you ask for your SS thread (your job needs to be listed on your SS thread) if you are given a job so that someone who can actually SEE the Storyteller Secret Forums gives you approval. I will gladly step in and approve jobs for DSless AS's IF I AM ASKED. The only other people that can do so are RS's if they are in that region or a DS from the same region if they are given approval to help out or are the overseeing DS.
You cannot POST in a closed city even if you have a placeholder. That means if a city is going to close, you have a finite time to wrap up threads and request wages. We've had several people recently post in closed cities and ask for back wages. We dont do this. Why? Because then people use the HD in place of an actual Storyteller and those who run the HD have no time for their own city duties. As a Founder, I cannot OVERSEE the entire administration of every city that has a Storyteller bail on you. Storyteller's give you PLENTY of notice when they quit. And if they are retired for inactivity, then cities are only closed at the END of the SEASON giving you plenty of notice to finish things. It is NOT our fault if you are not attentive or let it slip. You can fill out placeholders IF and WHEN the city reopens under a new ST.
If people post in closed cities, I will start deleting entire threads. I don't want you to loose your work, especially if it is a job thread or trade thread that can be easily done elsewhere. Don't make me delete your stuff!