Post by Brady on Aug 30, 2011 18:12:40 GMT -6
Metaphysical promotes leniency and leisure, prioritizing a pleasant experience for all Metamembers. The following edicts detail our regulations but also our opportunities, delving further than mere laws and tapping into the exciting realm you have entered. Equipped with endless possibilities and boundless imagination, your characters will encounter beauty and danger alike in their new home, as you find both guidelines and freedom below.
- Conduct.
- Treat your fellow roleplayers with respect. Fighting in our Discord group chat or the forum will not be tolerated, nor will drama. Staff will not intervene in conflict occurring off-site unless it directly pertains to Metaphysical. Cliques are not allowed and will be disbanded if formed; everyone is a Metamember and should be treated equally, whether they are new or a senior, a friend or a stranger. Please avoid ignoring others in the Discord group chat, especially guests and newcomers, and avoid controversial topics, such as religion and politics. While it is not mandatory, diversifying your interactions, plots, and roleplaying threads is greatly appreciated, with the aim to include everyone and ensure the site remains welcoming and inclusive.
- If you are experiencing any tension or discomfort, or notice another member breaking a rule, you can report the issue by messaging the Administrator or by posting in Secrets, and administration will help mediate the situation. Problems are always handled delicately, politely, and quietly; they are not made public nor is anyone treated poorly. Administration will attempt to preserve the reporter's anonymity as much as realistically possible.
[li] Rating.
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- Metaphysical is rated PG-13. You must be at least 16 years old to join. Cursing is permitted, but profanity cannot be directed at other members in an insulting or offensive context. Derogatory slurs and prejudice are never allowed, including IC; please report any instances so that the word can be added to our censored list. To report a post, select "Report Post" in the post's options menu. Words entered into the censored list will be replaced with the term "CENSORED" if used. Slurs unique to Metaphysical are exempt, such as calling an Incarnadine a "blood-eye." All subjects and language that do not contradict any stated rules are allowed in our Discord group chat, but subjects on illegal drugs, sex, nudity, and other mature topics are not allowed on the forum itself due to Proboard's strict Terms of Service. Sexual abuse is never allowed in OOC discussion or IC interaction, though it can be included in the history section of a horse's biography; it cannot be described graphically and the character cannot be the offender. There are no restrictions on gore, but you cannot post images involving extreme violence. Slavery is allowed IC, but the roleplayer must consent and it cannot be sexual in nature. Breeding is always handled OOC and cannot be roleplayed directly.
[li] Joining.
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- Your first Metaphysical account will be your OOC account. OOC display names can have symbols and other decorations but cannot contain numbers. To prevent confusion, please avoid significantly changing your OOC name after 7 days pass from your registration date. Altering decorations, spacing, capitalizations, and other aesthetics are acceptable. Once you have joined, you must post here to be sorted into the roleplayer membergroup. Account permissions are restricted until a membergroup is assigned, including where you can post and which fields you can modify in your profile. You must change your Discord group chat nickname to match your OOC account's display name. You may put additional names in brackets if you wish. For example, "Brady [Ruanly]" is an acceptable Discord nickname for Brady.
- Each character receives an individual account, and they are sorted into their corresponding colony's membergroup when their biography is accepted. If their membergroup needs to be altered later on, such as changing colonies, you must post in Staff Summons to be updated accordingly. Character display names must follow the character's full name, with proper capitalization and spacing, and without any decoration.
- To receive a reward after joining, please answer which source brought you to Metaphysical by posting in our referrals thread. If you were summoned by a specific person, provide their name. If you found us through an advertisement, link to the advertisement. Other origins can be described. This thread also compensates members for successful referrals.
[li] Activity.
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- There are no activity requirements except for staff and IC leaders; their activity expectations are provided in their relevant informative threads. Rare activity checks are performed solely to maintain organization, but these only result in archived accounts. Accounts currently marked as away are exempt from activity checks, so long as they provide a return date that has not yet expired. Archived accounts can be reactivated through Staff Summons at any point. If an account is archived, its threads will be stored in the Ancient Scrolls and can be retrieved through Staff Summons.
- You may never pressure other members to post quicker; they will follow their own pace. IC threads can continue for any duration needed. You can have as many threads and characters as desired, but please avoid overloading yourself and reasonably base your thread and character quantity on your average schedule and availability. Do not overextend yourself for the sake of others or assumed obligation; a single roleplaying thread that you can comfortably manage and enjoy is better than spreading yourself across 10 threads, where pressure begins to strain you. If you are overwhelmed, lose interest, or otherwise wish to retire a character temporarily or permanently, you may post in Staff Summons to archive a character's account voluntarily. By default, all of their threads will be archived, and can only be retrieved individually rather than by total collection. This can sometimes make it impossible to recover all of their threads. If you anticipate reactivating your character, you must explicitly state which of their threads should be archived, if any, to avoid losing the bulk of them. You can also decease characters through Necropolis. Deceased characters can be revived with an Agora item.
[li] Threads.
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- Roleplaying adheres to liquid time, where threads act as isolated timelines existing in different dates and locations. By default, all threads are considered open for any member to join. To reserve a thread, you must apply the "Private" label, which can be selected in the actions menu at the top of the thread's first post. You must specify which character(s) the thread has been reserved for in the thread's title or sub-text. The word count minimum for IC posts is 200 words, excluding coding. The majority cannot consist of dialogue, and there must be sufficient content for the other roleplayer(s) to respond to. A post focused mostly on inner thoughts and feelings does not supply adequate material for your partner.
[li] Coding.
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- Posting tables are not required, but are appreciated. They should not exceed 700 pixels wide, do not have a height restriction, and can be plain or showcase images. You can order art and posting table commissions, post requests, and claim available freebies in Artistry. Proboards utilizes BBCode, described here and here. There are many useful coding tutorials and premade codes to reference.
[li] Roleplaying.
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- In general, you cannot commit powerplaying, godmodding, metagaming, or retconning, as succinctly described in this image. Although rare, powerplay is authorized if an action is genuinely impossible to avoid, most notably with magic abilities that naturally involve expectation for their success. For example, a high-level Azuran can force another character to relive a memory. They do not need permission to assume that character has begun experiencing the targeted memory, as it cannot be deterred in normal circumstances. However, they cannot powerplay how the character actually responds to the memory, such as their expression or movement. Additionally, abilities that are typically unavoidable may encounter situations that negate their capacity to powerplay. For example, the victim might wield a power to cancel all magic in the area, thus introducing doubt to the action's success. You may also powerplay if given consent from the roleplayer; if so, you must add an OOC note in your post stating they have granted permission, which they can contradict to staff if incorrect.
[li] Unrealistic Insight.
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- Characters may not act upon or be aware of any knowledge they have not rightfully learned IC, such as another character's hierarchy rank or power level. Colonies are ignorant of each other's abilities and the internal dynamics enacted by the IC leaders, unless informed IC by a member of that colony. Foreigners are only aware of their basic themes, such as Azure's powers relating to mental manipulation.
- OOC knowledge can never impact the IC world. For example, another character might charade pleasantly but harbor insulting thoughts toward your character. Even if you are angered upon reading their post, your awareness of their disrespectful IC thoughts and your personal OOC emotions cannot affect the opinion of your character, who sees only their charming demeanor. Your character must form their impressions independently, based on legitimate IC content, even if this makes them an IC foe to your OOC friend, or an IC friend with a roleplayer you do not particularly like.
- Your character cannot decipher clues that are not explicitly given by the roleplayer. For example, your character cannot notice another's discomfort by remarking on tension in their eyes if it was not mentioned in their post, for it assumes existence without the writer's consent. You may react to expressions and actions described specifically by the roleplayer, such as a shifting stance subtly signaling impatience.
[li] Aging.
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- Horses will age 1 year per 5 IC seasons, which last 2 months each. When a season concludes, staff will issue a reminder to update your character's age field in their profile. Whether your character is freshly birthed or nearing their end, they might benefit from items in the Agora to mature rapidly or even reverse aging. from birth to 1 year old, horses are considered foals, and they become yearlings between their first and second year. Years 2 to 4 encompass their teenage stage and finalize their development. Thereafter, they are considered adults until they are approximately 20, whereupon they are seniors. Characters cannot live beyond 30 unless they have immortality from the Agora or another sanctioned source.
[li] Colonies.
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- The kingdom is separated into 5 distinct colonies, flavored by their own unique traditions, themes, and powers. All horses must belong to a colony. Each colony is represented by a color, and the eyes of every member within that colony is some shade of their patron color. To illustrate, an Incarnadine would have an eye color that falls within the red family, whether it’s a light pink, a saturated crimson, or a dark burgundy. The site provides a basic hierarchy for overall colonies, but the inner ranks, rules, and all other structures within a herd are detailed by their IC leaders. Monarchs and consorts are recruited through audition and herd leaders are chosen by those royals.
- All horses are welcome in the neutral lands, but only horses belonging to a colony can roleplay in its personal territory in the Myriad Kingdoms. For example, a Celadonian might enter World's Edge freely but cannot pass into the Aureolin boards. Territories are controlled by magic barriers cast by the divine. There are exceptions for captives, prisoners of war, slaves, and horses with the monarch and consort rank. There are rare hybrids between 2 colonies, and even rarer are tri-hybrids of 3 colonies. These are achieved through the Agora or another sanctioned source, such as a site competition. These horses can post in the realms of any colony in their blood.
[li] Economy.
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- IC currency is called "Energy," with its units dubbed "Joules." Accounts earn 1 joule per post, although some boards do not earn any joules due to their easy spamming nature, such as Spotlights and Stomping Ground. Accounts earn 2 joules for every new IC thread they create, and 1 joule for every new OOC thread in certain boards. The worth of a single joule of energy is comparable to 1 dollar in USD, although it is not an exact conversion. Therefore, even small amounts are valuable. You can optionally reference our Financial Guide for money-making opportunities and advice.
- Items can be purchased from member-run shops in the Agora, or purchased, traded, or gifted through Pocket Exchange. By default, items are held dormant in your storage and do not have any effect. To apply an item and officially assign it to a character, post in Staff Summons to move the item into their applied inventory and activate its effect. You can remove an applied item through Staff Summons, returning it to your storage and immediately revoking its effect. If the item was applied to a character, it will remain in that IC account's storage, even if originally administered through your OOC account.
- OOC accounts can send items and joules to other roleplayers or their characters, as well as to their own IC accounts, by posting in Staff Summons. However, you cannot send items or joules from your IC accounts back into your OOC account, nor can you send joules from one of your IC accounts to another of your characters. This ensures every character earns their wealth fairly, instead of using a single rich character to finance those who do not invest any effort of their own.
- There are some Agora items available only for USD purchase through PayPal. This helps support our subscription to remove ProBoards advertisements and other expenses. USD items are optional add-ons that offer convenience or minor advantage over items that are available for site currency, but these USD items are in no way essential to participate fully as a Metamember.
[li] Characters.
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- Characters from any background are welcome and generally do not need to alter their history, regardless of their origin site. Metaphysical is an island centered in an unnamed world, its boundaries encased in a rippling barrier cast by the divines. When a foreigner crosses this magical threshold, they are immediately stripped of any powers they once bore. Their eyes transition to their new patron color and they receive the first power level of their new colony. The gods choose their colony without the horse's input, although the roleplayer makes the real decision OOC. If your character's history is difficult to adapt to Metaphysical, post in Staff Summons for administrative assistance; staff will help determine if there is a creative solution to adapt their biography.
- Although there are no restrictions on fantasy appearances, which can be as outlandish as desired, they often require items from the Agora or another source. Abnormal colors are always free, such as a pink pelt, green mane, or blue blaze. All forms of flat markings, tattoos, and brands are also free, including odd shapes and colors. Most other fantasy features, such as horns, wings, and other abnormalities, will require an item. There are several options if you cannot purchase the necessary items to recreate an existing character's appearance. First, you could utilize the items gifted in the Newbie Backpack. Second, you can easily earn IC currency through the many financial opportunities in contestboard. Finally, you can temporarily remove features until they can be bought at a later date, blaming the perimeter barrier for their disappearance. You can use any IC excuse desired for their return in the future, such as a blessing from the deities or an increase in their magic ties.
[li] Attributes.
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- Characters have 3 stats, called attributes, which determine their physical abilities: might, speed, and agility. Might is the summary of their strength and constitution, and is key to performing physical attacks. Speed marks their swiftness and greatly aids defensive techniques. Agility is instinct, reflexes, and dexterity; without agility, might and speed are delayed and clunky, lacking precision and suffering in their reaction time. For example, a horse with a high speed attribute could run quickly, but they would be unable to immediately stop and turn without agility.
- Each attribute has a maximum of 200, to ensure the gap between senior and new members is not unsurpassable. At 0, a horse's might, speed, and agility is standard to their realistic earthen breed. At a maxed 200, might is equivalent to cracking a mountain; speed allows such a fast pace, time almost seems to slow and they become a blur to others; and agility is so instinctual, the horse is nearly impossible to touch, capable of darting and anticipating movements to a supernatural degree. There are also enhancement items in the Agora to exceed even these capabilities.
- Upon creation, characters are given 15 attributes to distribute however they desire between their fields. Attributes can be further upgraded over time through numerous opportunities, including but not limited to praying, posting, gambling, and items.
[li] Battling.
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- General fighting in a standard thread does not follow any rules and is not governed by staff. Unlike general fighting, official battles are considered a binding agreement that will be overseen and enforced, and they must follow fighting etiquette. A battle thread must use the label "Battle," involves 2 or more characters and at least 2 separate roleplayers, and uses a standard posting order. Only participants can post in a battle, and new entrants cannot join once the first round of posting has finished.
- If the battle is intended for a plot and has a predetermined winner, then it does not need to meet any posting requirements or be judged at its conclusion. Post in Staff Summons if anything, such as items, need to be distributed, otherwise it is largely ungoverned.
- All combatants must negotiate contractual terms prior to initiating the battle. The terms must then be listed in the thread's first post as an OOC contract; any participant can create the thread. The second post can begin the IC battle. Each roleplayer's first post in the thread must include their signature agreeing to said contract. Terms must include, but are not limited to:
- What the victor will receive or what the defeated character will lose. Some potential stakes are items, joules, surrender in war, stealing herd members, returning prisoners of war, or even alliances. Additionally, a stolen or captive horse can win their freedom by successfully battling the herd leader, monarch, or consort who captured them, or a royal champion appointed to fight on the leader’s behalf. If applicable, post in Staff Summons at the battle's conclusion to distribute any joules or items.
- How many posts the battle will entail. There may be a specific amount, a minimum, or a minimum and maximum. They must declare if the battle can extend beyond the number given, and in which circumstances it may be lengthened.
- What response timeframe each participant receives. For example, if the first post is made at 12:30pm on Monday, the second poster might have until 12:30pm on Wednesday to make their response, if given a 48 hour timeframe. Should the second poster reply at 7:30am on Tuesday, then the third poster has until 7:30am on Thursday to make their own post. Timeframes cannot be sooner than 24 hours or longer than 30 days. By default, failing to post within a given timeframe results in forfeiture of the battle, but the terms can specify a different consequence.
- Which scenarios qualify as forfeiture, and the consequences resulting from said forfeiture. Voluntarily forfeiting via an OOC post or fleeing IC can be considered a draw or a defeat. If ruled a defeat, the contract's terms will be upheld as if the character lost.
[li] Other terms are admissible but must be approved by staff before the battle can begin IC.
[/li][li] Unless otherwise established by the contract, battles are judged by administration once the battle is submitted to Staff Summons upon its completion. The number of blows landed do not decide the victor. They are merely an opportunity to demonstrate the writer's ingenuity, both in an action's success and failure. The administrator, managers, and judges base their evaluation on:
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- Creative tactics: unusual or unexpected attacks and utilizing the environment or other surroundings.
- Realistic strategy: complying with physics and anatomy, and reacting practically.
- The quality of writing: lack of typos and grammatical errors, unique phrasing, and eloquence.
- Personality consistency: for example, a pacifistic horse would not enter a bloodthirsty rage without explanation.
- Fairness: not dodging or blocking every attack, unless truly rational, and accommodating any injuries.
- Length: the post should not be short and bare, but it should not be unnecessarily long and rambling, either.
- Advantages and disadvantages: a horse with only the 1st magic level, without any extra offenses or defenses, will not generally defeat a third-level horse equipped with fangs, horns, poison, and a predatory companion. Furthermore, a particularly large gap between the opponents' attributes will heavily lean advantages.
[li] All participants risk minor or major injury, but will not be permanently marred or killed unless approved by their roleplayer. Injuries are healed by roleplaying in threads that were created after the battle ends. Minor injuries, such as scrapes and bruises, require 1 full thread to heal. Moderate injuries, such as fractures and gashes, require 2 full threads to heal. Major injuries, such as broken limbs, require 3 full threads to heal. Mutilations, such as amputations or losing an eye, can be healed with an Agora item. [/li][/ul]
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