Post by Administrator on Apr 3, 2010 9:06:15 GMT -5
[/b]THE GEARS AND COGS ARE TURNING
Rules are, unfortunately, a necessary evil when it comes to most forums, particularly roleplay forums. They ensure that everything runs smoothly, provided they're followed. Now, fortunately, most of our rules are common sense, so if you're not a newcomer to forum roleplays, then you'll probably recognize most of them.
These rules may also be changed at any time, though the community will be notified of any changes, so you won't be taken by surprise.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PROLOGUE : THE WARNING SYSTEM
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The Lanorae warning system is relatively straight forward, though the exact percentage you may be warned is largely dependent upon the exact situation. Obviously, some mild infractions like chat speak in a roleplay post or likewise ― unless it's consistent ― will not result in an actual visible warning, but things like flaming and likewise will.
Particularly severe offenses, such as stealing, the threatening of other members, or likewise will be met with a suspension or ban depending upon the offense.
If you are warned, you may request the warn to be reduced after two weeks from the initial warn, though if you get warned again in that time that timer automatically resets. However, it is up to you to request it to be lowered.
Not to worry though! We tend to be fairly nice about things. Generally only people that are constantly breaking rules will ever have to worry about being warned.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHAPTER ONE : GENERAL RULES
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I. RESPECT ALL MEMBERS OF LANORAE » This includes, but is not limited to, staff, guests, and likewise. Meaning do not engage in senseless name-calling or arguments, if you have a problem with someone alert a staff member so we can try to sort things out.
Therefore, two other topics fall into this category, language and flaming. Do not engage in name calling, excessive swearing, or any sort of offensive behaviour. Remember, this is a Pokémon forum, so it is possible that younger individuals will be roleplaying here and we don't need any sort of vulgar or inappropriate language. Mild swear words, such as "damn" are acceptable, but avoid using particularly profane ones.
When it comes to flaming, whether it be about artwork, someone's writing, or whatever, do not do it. It's rude and quite unnecessary. If someone asked for criticism there is a way to do it maturely without making the receiver feel bad.
II. DO NOT SPAM UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES » Spamming is, simply put, extremely annoying and unneeded. Generally, spamming is defined as repeatedly posting pointless or inappropriate messages repeatedly, and it only creates a hassle for the staff to delete them all. If you need to get a point across, then do it respectfully and do not spam. Double posts are okay, as long as you actually have something important to say, like an update to an art thread, or if you're reviving a very old thread. Otherwise, just edit your post.
III. MULTIPLE ACCOUNTS ARE NOT PERMITTED, NOR NEEDED » You will never be allowed to create an account in order to get more gifts from promotions, to enter contests more than once, ect. You can have all your characters on the same account, so there is no need. If there is a situation where a sibling or another person on the site uses the same computer as yourself, please alert one of the staff so that we know.
The only exception to this rule is that there are occasionally NPC accounts that represent a notable character or group. However, these are run by staff and will never enter contests or likewise.
IV. STEALING WILL NOT BE TOLERATED » If you want to use something on the site, then ask, most likely you'll have a better chance of us saying yes. However, if you steal it first then the chance of us letting you use something when you do ask are completely unlikely.
Also, in the event of artwork a site member has created, rather than going and swiping their hard work, perhaps ask them if they could show you how it was made so you can make your own. Not only is it flattering to many artists, it is also much more polite and shows maturity in that you are willing to try and create your own images. Everyone starts somewhere after all.
V. ACTIVITY » We understand that real life comes before the internet, however, we do want you to at least post every once in a while. At the end of each month, there will be a clean-out, though generally only accounts that have had no activity for several months will be deleted. If an account is deleted, any Pokémon and items you had will be sent to the adoption centre and auction house respectively. This can be easily avoided by simply alerting one of the staff you will be absent either through pm or the absence board.
Any accounts that have been registered by have not posted a single thing in a few weeks will be automatically deleted, but of course you may feel free to join again!--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHAPTER TWO : DISPLAY RULES
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I. GENERAL » Under no circumstances whatsoever can your images relate to inappropriate content such as porn and other profanity, drugs, or likewise. As mentioned above we are a Pokémon forum and have a very high chance of being a site where younger kids roleplay, and they simply do not need to be exposed to that. If it is found that you broke this rule, then the offending image will be immediately removed, and you will be warned. This also goes for swearing, offending terms, and other inappropriate language.
II. AVATARS » There are really no specific regulations for avatars save for that you make sure they are either 100 x 100 pixels or smaller. Otherwise, the avatar will be shrunken and will lose a lot of it's charm because it'll become pixelly and likewise. Though the rules about themes, such as profanity, still apply.
III. SIGNATURES » Likewise, it is the same for signatures. It doesn't matter if you want to have a Pokémon banner in your signature, or a Halo one, all that we ask is that any signature you have doesn't stretch the board. Generally, a banner that's 500 pixels wide is an appropriate size for a board of our width. It's not required for you to link to your characters or their PCs in your signature. Instead, feel free to post in the character census thread so we can place a link in your custom title.
IV. POSTING AND OTHER DISPLAY » Customizing your posts with headers or other styles is completely fine as long as there is no board stretching (after all, we do have the enhanced UBBC table code installed). However, please make sure any colours you use are not blinding. Extremely bright and extremely dark colours are hard on the eyes on some skins, so be careful. Also be wary of font size. using the or tags with a size two font is fine, however, if you use it with a size one font it becomes extremely hard to read. Seeing this board is already defaulted to size one, it's recommended to just avoid those tags whenever possible.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHAPTER THREE : ROLEPLAY RULES
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I. LANORAE IS A SEMI-LITERATE AND UP ROLEPLAY FORUM » That means we're right about in the middle of what we expect from our members when it comes to posting. While one-liners are understandable, try to shoot for at least a paragraph (about four to five healthy sentences), and make sure you spell check to make sure your post is understandable.
We do not have a minimum or maximum post requirement, however, in reference to novel-like posts, be careful not to overuse them. Quantity does not equal quality, and some people actually do find it tedious to reply to posts that are twenty paragraphs long because they feel they need to keep to that standard. We're not saying don't be literate, but be careful.
II. REGARDING EXTRA AREAS AND PRIZES » You may not officially give your characters any Pokémon or items you receive as prizes, or visit any of the extra areas in Lanorae, until your character has been accepted and, if necessary, you have received your starter. However, after those requirements have been met, you can feel free to visit any of the extra areas (such as the adoption centre, battle stadium, ect.) anytime you want.
Note that you can technically add the Pokémon to your character's roster, however, you cannot make any mention of them until you actually have a Pokémon you gained in the actual roleplay.
III. DO NOT GODMOD OR POWERPLAY » Powerplaying is effectively taking control of another character so an attack automatically hits or something similar. They respond to you in a way you wanted, and other things like such. Basically, if you say a character other than a character you are supposed to control does something the other roleplayer hasn't mentioned, that's powerplaying.
Godmodding means having a basically "all powerful" character than can somehow avoid every hit, has unbelievable powers, ect. Just don't do either. Also, seeing it seems to be considered a "strategy" thing, you cannot recall a Pokémon so they avoid an attack that's coming. No one's simply quick enough to do that.
IV. SWEARING IS PERMITTED IN-CHARACTER » We understand some characters simply have quite a sailor's mouth. Therefore, we're a bit more lenient when it comes to in-character swearing, and it is permitted, just be careful not to go overboard on it please.
V. SUGGESTIVE THEMES ARE PERMITTED TO AN EXTENT » For example, you could roleplay your character getting a shower or in one of the rooms in a Pokémon centre in a towel, or describe a couple making out, however, any sexual actions are completely prohibited out in the open both due to the audience of this site and the Proboards TOS. In the open, things such as sex are only permitted in a fade to black manner. If you honestly must roleplay things like that, then do it in private through private messaging or instant messenger. If there are any situations that do not break the TOS, but you still aren't sure of, put a warning in your thread title or in the very first post of the thread.
VI. VIOLENCE IS PERMITTED » It is perfectly realistic that your Pikachu begins to bleed from a Slash attack, or one of your Pokémon got a broken bone from taking a Take Down from a Rhyhorn, that's realistic, but avoid getting extremely gory. This goes for fights between trainers themselves as well. Just think this way: blood is fine, describing someone's entrails getting ripped out is not. If there's something you think may be a bit much, but not too much, then put a warning in like described under the suggestive themes regulations.
VII. QUOTATIONS » When roleplaying try to have all spoken words by your character in "quotes", all thoughts in italics and leave all actions and descriptions alone. It is your choice how you want to show your Pokémon communicating, though make sure it's obvious it's the Pokémon and not your trainer.
VIII. CURRENCY » The Lanorae currency is known as "credits" or "cD". Your current amount can be found in your mini-profile, and you gain credits for most posts you make, in addition to winning contests, starting money for stopping by a lab, winning battles, ect. All purchases will be made using that amount, and will be subtracted from your total every time you spend money. You must buy poké balls and likewise if you need them, same goes for potions and other such things. You cannot just make items magically appear when they are needed. Additional out of character features may also be bought with credits, so make sure you get them whenever possible!
If you wish to donate credits or to another member, simply alert a staff member and they can make the transaction for you. This means that you can also make an art shop that requires credits in order to make money as well as start contests with credits as a prize.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHAPTER FOUR : CHARACTER RULES
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I. BE UNIQUE » Don't just go and make a character that is an exact replica of one that is already existing, be it canon to the Pokémon series or a character from another anime. There's nothing wrong with using anime pictures for your characters from other animes, however, it's recommended you avoid using pictures from the actual Pokémon anime or manga, at least when it comes to the main characters. Even though they don't really play huge parts in the Lanorae region, individuals such as Professor Oak and his family do exist and may be mentioned.
In addition, if you are using an image from DeviantART, please make sure the artist hasn't posted anything specific about the image not being used, and please, always credit said artist. Also, please try to avoid using the same image as someone else.
II. AVOID PERFECT CHARACTERS » Otherwise known as mary-sue or gary-stu characters, these characters are essentially "perfect" -- extremely beautiful, a genius, all knowing, ect. Everyone has flaws, so make sure your character has them as well, because, to be completely honest, perfect characters are tedious and annoying for a lot of the staff to roleplay with. A common rule is to have at least one flaw for every advantage. So that's fine if you character is ridiculously beautiful, but maybe she's not all that intelligent.
III. PAST POKEMON AND ESTABLISHED TEAMS » You are allowed to have Pokémon in your character's history, and even use a Pokémon from your history as a starter provided they are level five, not rare, and not legends. Full teams, however, will not be permitted. You may have a full team at home, but it cannot be used on your journey.
The only exceptions to the above rule is if you buy the privilege of starting with an established trainer, or the privilege of starting with a shiny or rare starter from the Shoppe.
IV. LEGENDARIES » Your character cannot have seen legendaries in their histories. For some reason this has become a popular thing on some sites in order to have a "unique" past, but it's extremely overdone and legendaries are rare. Chances of seeing one are extremely slim. If your character wants to see a legend, then most likely they will see one in the Lanorae region as most of the plots center around the legendary Pokémon, even if it is unlikely they will ever be captured.
V. POKEMORPHS AS CHARACTERS » Only available through purchase from the Shoppe. Unless, of course, you had a 'morph before the Shoppe was implemented.
Pokémorphs are permitted as characters, however, there are some regulations to prevent them from being overpopulated and overpowered, and note that regular humans are extremely preferred. Some Pokémon cannot be created as pokémorphs, which are listed here.
This is rather self-explanatory, but legendaries are extremely powerful Pokémon and rare to begin with. It is unlikely any sort of organization will get their hands on one to even start genetic experiments to begin with.
II. Ditto and "man-made" Pokémon
"Man-made" Pokémon applies to Pokémon such as Magnemite, Voltorb, Porygon, ect. that simply are not believed to have DNA to begin with. Without DNA, it is extremely unlikely that there will be a pokémorph of it considering the common explanation that gene splicing is how they are made. Likewise, Ditto isn't permitted because of it's transformation ability.
III. Lanorae Pokémon
Seeing that Lanorae Pokémon are native only to the Lanorae region, and none of the organizations here are even remotely interested in creating pokémorphs, there would be no opportunity for one to even be created. Also due to the technology level of the region, gene splicing in general is difficult.[/ul]
When creating a pokémorph, do not make "anime catgirls" or similar. That means to have an individual that looks completely human save for ears and a tail. If that's the case then just make a trainer that walks around with a Pikachu headband with ears on them and a strap-on tail. If you're making a pokémorph, have then grow fur, possibly a muzzle, have paw-like feet, ect. Make them unique!
Also, Lanorae's definition of a pokémorph means, basically, an anthromorphic Pokémon. That means they cannot shift into a full Pokémon form. Attacks will also be extremely limited (for example a Charizard pokémorph will not be able to to breathe huge streams of fire, only about enough to maybe light a fire if necessary), and pokémorphs with wings cannot abuse the fact they have them. Flight will be extremely difficult and exhausting as humanoids are not built for such things.
Colours of a pokémorph have some freedom, however, you must stay in the normal colouration. Shiny and other colours that may be found in the Lanorae region are recessive genes, and therefore will most likely be overpowered. However, you can toy with the colours somewhat. For example, a Staraptor is white and grey, you can make white the more prominent colour on your 'morph if you wish.
Regarding pokémorphs in any sort of organization, such as the Omega Syndicate, it is extremely unlikely that the heads of said organizations would be willing to allow such "abominations" into their ranks. Especially with Omega Syndicate agents, pokémorphs would be viewed as a potential threat to their ranks considering they have abilities that normal humans won't have, and the organization has no sure way to control them.
Pokémorphs will also not be viewed very kindly by everyone. Individuals such as Professor Aspen may respect the fact that Pokémorphs are people, but other people most certainly won't. Many individuals may potentially consider Pokémorphs to be nothing more than freaks, so don't get offended if an NPC acts like that. After all, think about it, how do many people react to anything different in real life?[/ul]
VI. ACCEPTANCE » You cannot roleplay your character until they have been accepted by one of the staff, so please don't go posting everywhere immediately after you post your sheet.
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CHAPTER FIVE : POKEMON RULES
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CHAPTER FIVE : POKEMON RULES
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I. PARTY LIMIT » Unless otherwise stated in the occupation thread, the universal limit for Pokémon parties is six. If you are caught with anymore than that for an extended period of time you pose the risk of being fined. However, some lenience is offered here as the Lanorae region does not have the technology of automatically teleporting extra Pokémon into storage, therefore trainers must put them into storage themselves. For this reason, it is considered alright to possess an extra Pokémon after capture only up until you reach an area where it can be placed in storage.
II. ATTACKS » The four-limit rule does not come into play in Lanorae. Pokémon can know all their moves up to their current level in addition to limitless TM and HM moves -- though don't go overboard. The only attacks that are limited are egg moves, where a Pokémon can only inherit up to one move from either parent.
III. SPEECH » With the exception of Pokémon who can imitate human speech or are telepathic, the Pokémon language itself is not understandable outside of other Pokémon species and pokemorphs. However, it is possible for a trainer to essentially understand a Pokémon through body language, much in the same way you may be able to pick up a family pet's move by the way they act. Most often, your own Pokémon are going to be the ones you understand best.
IV. PSYCHIC POKEMON » Psychic Pokémon, being telepathic, can converse in a human language through mind speech. However, only final stage psychic Pokémon will be completely fluent. Lower stage psychic Pokémon will only be capable of simple words or unfocused phrases.
To give an example, a Ralts would probably communicate primarily through emotion [sending its trainer it's feelings], and perhaps the occasional small word such as "happy", while a Gardevoir would be able to fully speak telepathically.
V. FISH AND AQUATIC POKEMON » Purely aquatic Pokémon, like fish, are considered to have the ability to gain oxygen through both the air and water. However, it should be noted that a fish Pokémon trying to breathe actual air would probably have a bit more trouble with it than simply drawing oxygen from the water using its gills. This means that fish Pokémon can indeed battle on land to an extent.
However, unlike in the console games such as Pokémon Stadium, aquatic Pokémon cannot just float about the ground. They will essentially flop around on the ground, meaning that their speed and evasion will be highly reduced. For this reason, it's recommended that fish Pokémon are only used where there is water available, otherwise you will be at a disadvantage right from the start.
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