RPA Forum Rules

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WELCOME TO RPA

The staff of RPA want you to know that as a member on this site you are important to us, Each of you is important in that you help us to build what we like to think is a great community with great people and we have the hope that we can create friendships we can build on.

What follows are not only the rules of the site, but also a promise that everyone will be treated equally and a bit of a look at the kind of people we are.

Please remember to also check the Private and Mature Rules before posting in those sections.

Spoiler: A Brief Explanation of RPA's rules and expectatations. 

The most important thing to remember on RPA is;

We believe that everyone here, members and staff, deserve to be treated with dignity and respectfully. We are all members on this site and we do deserve to be treated as such. However, we also understand that sometimes, things will get out of hand. When this happens, we insist you contact a staff member and please allow us to take care of the problem. We will treat anyone who comes to us with a problem or anyone we need to approach in a rational and civil manner, and we expect the same in return. So please understand, while we will never belittle you or treat you deplorably, we will also not take abuse. Remember, discuss, don't argue.

That's not to say we are by any means perfect. If you speak to us and discuss your issues, we will listen to you. We are always open to suggestions and even criticism if it's presented in a constructive manner. But if you come at us yelling and swearing and telling us how much we suck, you may receive infraction points based on your behaviour. Remember that we are people too and nobody wants to be treated like that. But regardless of what is happening, know that we will address each situation in it's own way and we will engage you on the topic at hand rather than just telling you how it is.

Like all of you we are members too. And just like you, we are here to have fun. So let's do just that.

Of course there are some more serious matters that need to be attended to here. So let's get this out of the way because honestly I don't like to be a Debbie Downer.

RPA does not allow any content which can be considered illegal, harassing, libelous, defamatory, discriminatory, abusive, threatening, harmful, obscene, pornographic or racist. Anything that can be considered NSFW(not safe for work) must be labelled as such.

Links to pirated material, material which contains malware, warez, or anything else that is a violation of U.S. or international copyright laws are strictly prohibited.

Wow, that really brought down the mood. Maybe we should change the subject.

So we're all here for the same reason. We sold our souls. Or maybe that was just me. So in that case, we're all here to roleplay. Please remember that in a roleplay, the GMs word is law. Now that's not to say that the GM has the right to act like a jerk, but the GM does have the right to request that a member adhere to the vision of the game they are providing. So please respect your GM. However, if you do feel that the GM is being completely unreasonable, please contact a member of staff and we will look into the situation.

Every so often the staff recycles RPs to a recycle bin if it's been inactive for a period of time. If this should happen and you want your RP reinstated, please contact a member of staff(preferably a moderator or global mod as the admins have enough to do and that's what we're paying them for. What? Oh, we're not paying them. Do we own their souls? No? Am I the only one who signed that? I am. Well. Carry on.) and we will happily reinstate it for you.

RPA is an English speaking site. While we have members from all over the world who speak other languages as well, we do ask that you post in English while here. Now we're not saying you can't post in another language. but if you do, please provide a translation somewhere in the post. Sure, there are places that one can go to to translate what you have written, but we don't feel it'
s fair for anyone to have to use another website in order to read something posted on this one. It should also be noted that there are many times where these sites are not 100% accurate and I don't think anyone wants something to get lost in translation.

So that's about it except for the fine print. The fine print contains stuff about how not to promote or advertise your site, or other roleplay sites on any part of the forum. And stuff about how it's not cool to double post and not to restart a closed thread or needlessly bump your thread and how we don't allow multiple accounts for one person. And of course how while swearing(not excessive) is allowed on the site it's not allowed in the titles of threads, titles of blogs and user names. So yeah, all the basic stuff that shows up in pretty much every forum site on the internet. There's nothing in it about how joining the site constitutes you giving us your soul or anything else like that. That would be preposterous.

So with all that being said, welcome to RPA and we hope you have a great time. And please, try not to step in the weird. Unless you live in the weird, in which case - enjoy!

The Fine Print

RPA is not a commercial website and as such we ask that you do not use it to promote your own website to make money off our members. We do not allow advertising of other roleplay sites. Do not double post in threads or restart threads which have been previously closed by a member of staff. Do not needlessly bump your threads. Do not open multiple accounts. Swearing(not excessive) is allowed on the site but is not allowed in the titles of threads, titles of blogs or user names.

Please note that in joining RPA you give the admins express ownership of your soul for us to do with as we please. it should be noted that you can only break this contract by posting the magic words, "owah tador kiam" in this thread. Please note that if this thread is closed to posting you must then send a cheque or money order to the admin of your choice.

Spoiler: Forum Rules: The Black and White Version 

RULES

These rules can be changed, edited, and added to at any time. It is your responsibility to keep updated with them.

Spoiler: 1. Yes, this is the internet, but this is our corner of it. 

1.1- While this is on the Internet, these forums are not a democracy. We have rules, and we expect them to be followed. Most of the following is common sense and we do provide exceptional roleplaying services in return for your common courtesy. It's a special privilege to be allowed to participate on this forum. It's privately owned, and yes, it does cost money and lots of time to run it.

Spoiler: 2. Language, and NSFW 

2.1- Posting contents and links of pornographic, political, immoral, offensive material, or excessive violence which may breach applicable laws are forbidden, and appropriate actions will be taken against the offender. Above all, do not post any material that supports illegal or dangerous activity or depicts nudity/sexual acts. Remember, we have lots and lots of minors who read this site.

Examples: Illegal, harassing, libelous, defamatory, abusive, threatening, harmful, vulgar, obscene, profane, pornographic, racially offensive, intentionally inaccurate or otherwise objectionable material.

2.2- Label things that are NSFW (or potentially NSFW) and put them in spoilers.

Examples: ill-humored memes, triggering subjects (such as suicide, sexual innuendos - overall, just use common sense. If you question its safety, put it in a spoiler.)

2.3- Swearing is not allowed in usernames or the titles of threads

2.3.1- You can say, fuck, shit, bitch, ass, damn, cock, balls, and even shit-fucking ass-balls cock. We permit that kind of language here and making an issue out of someone else’s cursing won’t result in any kind of disciplinary action for them. This applies to every part of the forum. But do not put swearing in your username, or in titles!

Spoiler: 3. Open source roleplaying 

3.1-Any roleplay that you create is considered open source, as such RPA will not take any legal action should someone steal your work. This site is for fun, therefore, if you are worried about someone stealing something that you post here, don't post it.

3.2-If you want, we will close a game if you ask in a clear, polite, message to one of the rp moderators, and it will be moved to one of our archives. Do not ask the staff to delete a thread that encompasses the work of more than one individual, or posts that affect others' work. The answer will be "no". It's not fair to remove everyone's work for the sake of a single person.

3.3- Artwork and other literary work that is posted outside of the roleplaying forums are still your own based upon the rules and regulations of the site they are posted on.

Spoiler: 4. Attitude on the Forum 

4.1- Respect your fellow members and be polite.

4.1.1- If someone is being disrespectful, do not resort to the same level. Report the post, and wait for a staff member to handle the situation.

4.1.2- Do not take a situation into your own hands, if you do, disciplinary action may have to be taken against you as well as others involved parties.

4.2- The views and perspectives featured in roleplays are those expressed by the roleplayers themselves. While those views and perspectives do not represent RPA as a whole, we will not limit the ability of our members to express their own creative writing abilities unless it strictly breaks the roleplay rules.

Spoiler: 5. We are not a commercial site, no site pimping 

5.1- Do not create threads to promote your website, your online recruitment game, your webcomic, or an auction/commercial site, or anything else trying to get free advertising.

5.2- Selling stuff to our members isn't cool and isn't allowed. Links to charity websites and the like will be checked out by the administrators. If they don't seem legit, we'll ask you to take them down.

5.2.1- Small, clickable, text-only links within your signature are allowable as long as they are redirected to areas that are appropriate and meet all other rules. If you wish to have a thread made for your site, contact the staff for further instructions.

5.2.2- Absolutely do not advertise hostile sites on the forum. This encompasses sites that include pornography, bashing of any sort, or sites that promote or incite flame wars between other forums.

Spoiler: 6. Thread Etiquette 

6.1- Do not double post. If you need to reply to multiple users in a thread, do it within a single post. Denote who you're replying to by mentioning their name first. If another post appears while you are posting yours, use the edit button.

6.2- Do not repost/recreate a locked thread. If threads get locked, they get locked for a reason. (Unless a Staff member specifically says the subject can be discussed elsewhere on the forum.)

6.2.1- Do not make new threads asking why a thread was shut down, and do not complain on the forum about a thread being closed.

6.2.2- Editing a post modified by a member of the staff, will get you a warning.

6.3- Bumping a thread is allowed after a week of inactivity in the thread, but no sooner. Threads that are needlessly bumped will be closed and recycled. Ask a mod if you need help gaining interest in your game.

6.4- Do not derail or stray from a thread’s original topic too much. The occasional tidbit of off topic is ok, but more than a few posts can lead to the thread being locked.

6.4.1- If you are posting just to post (outside of Downtown), and are not contributing to the discussion, refrain from doing so or your post may be removed to avoid unnecessary cluttering.

6.4.2- If you want to talk about something else, start your own thread. In addition make sure your post contributes to the topic in a meaningful way.

Spoiler: 7. Do not open multiple accounts 

7.1- Only one account per person. If you are found to have more than one account then all of them will be banned.

7.1.1- If you're found to be using a proxy IP address to have multiple accounts, you will be banned. There really is no reason you should be using a proxy address, or have more than one account.

7.1.2- This also includes members who were banned re-registering with new accounts. You will be caught and you will be banned again, so don't waste our time or yours. The staff investigate account anomalies and you will be asked to explain the situation to keep this rule enforced.

7.2- If you are sharing the same IP address with another member, let the staff know.

Spoiler: 8. We are an English speaking site 

8.1- Posts must be made in English. The reason for this is simple: we cannot moderate posts if we cannot understand them. If you do put up a post which contains a language other than English, please include an accurate translation as well.

Spoiler: 9. Illegal is illegal! 

9.1- Links to pirated material, material which contains malware, warez, or anything else that is a violation of U.S. or international copyright laws are strictly prohibited. Such links will be edited out and appropriate punishments dealt out.

9.2- Plagiarism is not allowed. Do not steal other people's works, whether it is art, writing, photos, videos, whatever, and say they are yours. It’s easy to find out if you are ripping people’s work, and punishments will be handed out.

9.3- You also agree not to use this online community to communicate information or material that encourages conduct that could constitute a criminal offense, give rise to civil liability or otherwise violate any applicable local, state, national or international law or regulation. Any other unauthorized or illegal use of or activities on this board, including copyright infringement, are prohibited.

Spoiler: 10. Do not ask to roleplay over I.M. or Email or Off-site 

10.1- You are welcome to roleplay on the forum or privately via RPA's PM system but do not ask to RP off-site (this includes email and I.M.) as it is considered to be advertising for other sites - this also includes linking directly to other roleplaying forums.

10.2- Exceptions for 10.1 are if you are using sites such as GoogleDocs or TitanPad to co-write and then post the final material back onto RPA. If the work is not intended to be posted back on RPA, do not ask to RP off-site.

Spoiler: 11. Keep personal problems personal 

11.1- Do not ask the staff to mediate a problem that did not originate on RPA. Seeking advice from friends is fine but please do not make these issues public. Keep them to PMs. If you have to, feel free to come to a staff member for advice or clarification on what can or cannot be done about the situation.

11.1.1- Conversations from Skype, Yahoo, FB, Snapchat, etc.. have no bearing on what happens to RPA and therefore shouldn't be brought onto RPA and cannot be used as evidence in any situation.

Spoiler: 12. Don't be a Nosy Nelly 

12.1- Hacking (or attempting to hack) into accounts will result in your account being banned.

Spoiler: 13. Harmful Media 

13.1- Members are welcome to embed/link to offsite videos and images. If you use a website other than a well-known platform such as YouTube or DeviantArt as your source, please make sure it does not contain any malware beforehand.

13.1.1- Any media brought to RPA from a dangerous website that interferes with the forum will result in a warning or ban.

Spoiler: 14. Respect the Staff 

14.1- Treat us the way you want to be treated. We are people who volunteer our time to do this job, and deserve to be treated with respect. Violations will lead to appropriate actions.

14.1.1- If you feel a staff member is being disrespectful or abusing their position, then PM a staff member in a position above them (Mod, Global, Admin).

14.1.2- If you are uncomfortable approaching a staff member about a particular issue, feel free to contact our Member/Staff Liaison, currently Nazgul.

Spoiler: Signature size 

Please remember the max size of your signature is 500 x 220 (Avatars are no larger than 130x130). This is the entire signature, not just the image. So if you have a signature picture that's 500 x 220, you shouldn't have a bunch of text around it. Please remember to stay within the limit.

Spoiler: this is exactly how big your signature can be at the maximum! 

Don't be afraid to utilize spoiler tags! If there's something you just have to have in your signature that is too big you can add a spoiler, and place it there.
This is how you do it! (only without the spaces)
[ hide = ] insert content here [ /hide ]

Spoiler:  

insert content here

If you think your signature straddles the line of what might be acceptable, odds are you shouldn't use it. If you need verification before you put it up there, feel free to PM a staff member, we'll happily let you know if it's okay.

If you use an image or picture that you do not have the ownership rights to and we receive a complaint, we will remove the image immediately.

If you do put a video in your signature, please be courteous of others and put it in a spoiler tag. Realize that some people do have slower connections and you may cause their browser to slow or even freeze. The code for a spoiler is above.