Characters start out as a loner or can join a faction as a Forsaken (prisoner / slave) or a Recruit (newcomer).

All factions must allow OOC joining as an option. We encourage OOC joining so that players can jump right into plots. OOC Joining means characters do not need to do a thread to join a faction (you can join OOCly). Simply choose a faction that is appropriate for your character and update your character profile. It is assumed characters know the names of Leaders even if they OOCly join. OOC joining can be done at any time - within reason. A character who is blatantly unfit for a faction should not join or leave (ie a character that openly mocks a specific deity shouldn't join a faction devoted to that deity unless they are a spy, undercover, etc;

To join ICly, create a thread in a territory the faction has claimed and tag it as [JOINING] in the title. Have the character waiting or exploring near the border area. Any faction member (other than a Forsaken) can accept the character into the faction. We do not suggest joining by this method unless there is a specific reason it must be done in-character: these threads tend to go slow and delay characters getting into plots. If a joining thread doesn't have a reply after 4 days, the character is assumed to have joined OOCly (assuming the character is not unfit to join the faction).

Characters can usually leave their Faction at any time, unless the Faction laws / culture forbids their members from leaving. If the faction is militaristic or currently has an IC event happening that is preventing characters from leaving (ie patrolling borders, restricting a character to their den or a prison etc), they must use the Escaping mechanics. Forsaken-ranked members must always attempt an Escape before leaving.

Respect, dominance, and submission are very important in our game-world. Proper IC etiquette requires characters to show the proper dominance or submission to those around them based on their rank. Characters who fail to show the proper body language are considered extremely rude or threatening, and can be forcefully corrected. This is not seen as 'mean' but is necessary to keep the peace.

Outsiders are treated with caution, suspicion, and sometimes even hatred or disdain. Imagine a total stranger coming to your house, sleeping in your bed, and then helping themself to the food in your refrigerator: this is how Faction members view outsiders. Diplomats and invited guests are given respect while visiting but will be kicked out for rude behavior.

Characters can use body language to quickly indicate their rank and dominance. Showing submissive behaviors to higher-ranked characters is expected.

• Dominant behaviors include standing tall, ears forward, direct eye contact, tail held high, placing a paw or chin over the back, using a stern voice, appearing confident, baring teeth, etc.
  


• Submissive behaviors include lowered or relaxed posture, relaxed or backward ears, avoiding direct eye-contact or "soft-eyes", tail held neutral or low, lowering oneself to the ground, rolling to expose the belly, placing nose under the chin of another, speaking softly, licking nose, low wagging tail, bowing the head, etc.

All ranks above Recruit have a minimum requirement to reach that rank. Any character who meets the requirement can challenge for the rank, request a rank-up, or challenge for the rank (if the rank is open). Some ranks only allow a certain # of characters to fill that rank. If a rank is already full, it must be challenged for - unless the holder of that rank is inactive.

• Leader Ranks — 40 IC posts & 5 IC posts on the previous month's stats
• High Ranks — 30 IC posts & Novice level in a trade
• Middle Ranks — 20 IC posts

Characters can request a rank-up from anyone who has authority to grant a promotion to that rank. This can occur as an IC thread or OOCly - if approval is given OOCly it is canon that your characters met briefly to request the rank up and that it was granted. The quickest way to request an OOC rank-up is to post in the #support channel in our Discord and tagging the player/character you are requesting a rank-up from (ie "Snowflake is requesting promotion to [rank name] from [character name] @player"

After the rank-up is approved, the player is responsible for updating their character account to show the new rank.

• A character must meet the Rank-Up requirements of the rank they are attempting to gain.


• A Leader can overturn the results of any challenge (unless they are the one being challenged).


• Defeating a Leader does not mean the rest of the Faction will automatically accept the change in leadership. A character must defeat anyone willing to oppose them before they can successfully claim a Leader rank. Due to the difficult nature of attaining a Leader rank, a large battle might occur when forcefully removing a Leader from power.


• Most faction members will usually learn the results of a rank challenge within a few days after the challenge occurred (assuming those characters are active and residing in the faction territory). If players want to keep the results secret or intend to have their character lie about the results, they should post an obvious notice at the beginning of the challenge thread.


• The IC rules of rank challenges depend on the situation, rank being attained, and the culture or laws of the faction. A challenge can be straight-forward combat, a challenge of wits or skill, or some other feat that a Leader has deemed appropriate. Characters may choose to have another act on their behalf during a challenge (if the other IC participants or faction culture permits it). Players are encouraged to be creative.


• Losing a rank challenge can result in demotion or exile, depending on the laws of the faction and the situation (ie challenging for a Leader might result in a character being called an usurper / being exiled if they fail).

Players are not required to post absence notices. We assume inactive characters have left the area or are doing something "off screen", and they do not show in the ranks.

Middle and Low ranks will never be demoted for inactivity.

If a Leader or High-ranked character is inactive, and another character wants to claim the rank, the Leader or High-ranked character will automatically be demoted to Citizen rank. Any character can still be demoted or exiled for IC reasons - such as crimes, disobedience, losing a rank challenge, disrespect to higher ranks (especially leaders), or failing to attend a mandatory event.

• Leaders must keep their IC account Active and make a minimum of 5 IC posts per month to retain their rank. More posts are encouraged. Leaders must make an effort to be involved in their Faction by creating plots and events for their Faction members to participate. It is encouraged to thread with various members of the Faction so all feel welcome and included.


• Leaders should make monthly discord updates for any events, rank promotions, demotions, or news using the ic-news channel (please tag ic-news role). If promoting or demoting characters, please tag the player in discord so they can update their account.


• Leaders must review and approve/deny rank-up requests within 2 days. Leaders are expected to be familiar with the rank-up requirements and fair when giving rank-ups. Leaders must provide a clear reason when denying a rank-up or giving a demotion (demotions must be based on an IC reason, not lack of activity *except for High / Leader ranks).


• Leaders may make changes to laws, culture, and information - within reason. Updates must be based on IC reason / events, with approval from Faction members, or with the intent to improve the Faction. Leaders should not completely change or 'overhaul' their Faction without adequate reason to do so. Updates can be requested in the #support channel of our discord.


• Leaders should add the IC-Leader Role in our discord. If you are no longer an IC-Leader, please remove the role. Leaders should socialize with other players and be active, friendly role-models in our discord.

Faction Formation will be available based on the overall site population and activity. Groups who meet the requirements can apply for a faction (when open) by posting in Faction Formation.

Factions are not first-come, first-served. Each request will be evaluated to see which faction will result in consistent activity and future plots. An application may be declined for any reason ( too similar to an existing group, too many rules or confusing info for the group, doesn't have enough interest, members are not consistently active, etc etc).

• Faction Information must be filled out
• 1 adult, active Leader
  • 50 IC posts
  • registered for at least 30 days
  • 10 IC posts on the most recent monthly stats
• 3 adult, active characters to join the faction
  • played by different players
  • cannot include prisoners, slaves, or NPCs
  • registered for at least 30 days
  • 5 IC posts on the most recent monthly stats

If you wish to replace an inactive Faction, you may contact Staff to discuss disbanding / replacing an existing inactive faction, even if Faction formation is closed.

Factions must have 1 adult, active Leader & 3 adult, active characters (not a prisoner, slave, or NPC and must be played by different players). Factions that do not meet this requirement may be disbanded at Staff discretion.

If a faction does not have an active leader, they will be given 5 OOC days to replace the leader with an active character. The next highest-ranked active character has priority to OOCly claim the position. If an Active Leader cannot be chosen within 5 OOC days, the Faction will be disbanded at Staff discretion.

A disbanded faction may re-form when formation is open and must meet the formation requirements again.