The Rules

A Forewarning
    Like anywhere else in the world, we have rules to follow if you want to play here. In the amount of time we have been around, there have been few instances of anyone breaking the rules. Keep it that way! These rules may change periodically with no notice to members, and adjustments are made often. Please check back often and review this page, because not all minor adjustments to the rules are announced.

Section I: Conduct and Courtesy
  1. Disrespect or harassment to any member of 'Souls will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Remember your manners; we're all adults in here. You are free to disagree with people, but if you can't say something kindly, then kindly don't say anything at all.
  2. No drama. We are here to roleplay, and most of us tire of drama very, very quickly. Either keep it off of the board or don't bother at all.
  3. Please, please mark your graphic In Character threads with "mature", "M", or "R". A "graphic" post constitutes explicit sex, drugs, heavy violence, or very foul language.
Section II: Characters
  1. Your character cannot have radical attributes (wings, extra limbs, naturally funky fur). Your character can have mild modified attributes (piercings, dyed fur, tattoos).
  2. Only creatures of the genus Canis can shift. Period.
  3. Telepathic characters are no longer allowed at 'Souls. Current telepathic characters with permission before August 24, 2007, are grandfathered in, but no new telepathic characters will be allowed.
Section III: Graphics
  1. Tables and signatures cannot stretch the table (in any skin).
  2. Images for tables, signatures, or personal pictures may not be in .BMP format. The preferred format is .GIF, .JPG, or .PNG.
  3. Artwork by artists other than yourself must be credited either in your signature or in your board profile. Please make sure the artist allows use of their artwork as avatars or in noncommercial graphics!
  4. If possible, try to credit photographers or photographic sources as well. They're artists too! However, we understand that sources for photos are harder to keep track of/organize and credit is not mandatory.
Section IV: Procedure
  1. Joining Threads
    1. Joining threads are to be done In Character, however, leaders can choose to accept characters Out of Character at their discretion.
    2. Individual packs may have specific requirements for incoming joiners. For example, a pack might only accept characters that are 50% wolf.
  2. Mates
    1. Mates must be in the same pack.
    2. Only wolves at least one year of age may have mates.
    3. Mates may be challenged for, but it is ultimately up to the characters involved to choose.
    4. Mates may be of the same or different genders.
  3. Puppies
    1. Each player at 'Souls is allotted three puppies to be born each year. You may split them up between characters, and combine characters with the other parent of the puppies. A couple can have a maximum of six puppies.
    2. You must have Out of Character permission to breed from the leader of the pack into which the litter is to be born, even if the situation In Character is non-consensual. Your characters may conceive at any time and final approval is to be sought 2-3 weeks before birth. If approval is not granted, the litter will be miscarried.
    3. Puppies may be born to unmated pairs within a pack or between wolves of two different packs. Interpack breeding is rarer and an interpack litter may not be approved as readily as an intrapack breeding.
    4. Parents must adhere to the following provisions in order to be approved for a litter:
      1. Both parents are at least fifteen months of age.
      2. Both parents must have been members of 'Souls for at least six consecutive months.
      3. Both parents must currently be active members of 'Souls.
  4. Ranks
    1. Ranks for each pack are handled by the leader(s) of that pack. There is no regulation on how often they must update their ranks (though recommended is at least once a month) or on what criteria ranks are based on. It may be based on activity, In Character circumstances, or a combination of.
    2. Ranks may be challenged for, but you may only challenge for the rank directly above yours and only if the rank is filled.
    3. If a challenged leader loses, s/he is expected to step down in favor of the victor!
Section V: Punishments
  1. Most of the time, the 'Souls Assemblage will issue multiple warnings to anyone who violates the rules. A warning may come in the form of a post, an IM, an e-mail, or an Private Message.
  2. Banning. We ban people for set amounts of time -- a day, a week, a month, or even permanently. The length of a ban depends entirely on the offense and the severity. Members will recieve a reason and a time limit through IM, E-mail, or Private Message if banned, and may, of course, appeal to the 'Souls Assemblage. Bannable offenses include:
    1. Severe disrespect or harassment to any member.
    2. Post thievery or post-recycling.
    3. Image and graphic theft.
    4. Flooding the forums.
    5. Playing more than one character without permission.
    6. Repetitive refusal to follow the rules.