Any character can join a faction unless they are blatantly unfit to join. You do not need to ask permission to join. Edit your profile and select your Faction and an appropriate rank (choose the lowest rank other than a 'punishment' or slave rank).

All factions must allow OOC joining (joining without doing a thread). It's assumed that an NPC accepted the character into the faction.

If joining in-character, any faction member (except slaves or prisoners) can accept a newcomer into the faction.

Characters can leave their faction at any time, unless there is an IC reason that would prevent them from leaving. Example - militaristic faction is on 'lock-down', restricting a character to their den, or held as a prisoner etc). Prisoners and slaves must always attempt an Escape before leaving.

Escaping mechanics can be utilized to attempt an escape.

Characters must show 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.

Leader and High-ranked members can promote others up to an equal rank. They can also demote others (following demotion rules).

Characters can request a rank-up IC or OOC. To request an OOC rank-up, use the #support channel in Discord. Tag the player/character you are requesting a rank-up from (ie "Snowflake is requesting promotion to [rank name] from [character name] @player"). If approval is given OOC, it is canon that your characters met briefly to request the rank up and that it was granted.

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

The IC rules of rank challenges depend on 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.

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.

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.

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 and High Ranks must:

Ranks
• Respond to rank-up requests within 3 days.
• Give rank-ups fairly.
• Provide a clear reason if denying a rank up or giving a demotion.
• Demotions for Middle & Low ranks must be based on an IC reason, not activity level.
• Tag players when promoting or demoting so they can update their account.

Events
• Announce faction events in the ic-news channel and tag their faction role.
• Make an effort to be involved in their faction, creating plots and events.

Activity
• Keep their account Active and make 5 IC posts per month (minimum). More posts is highly encouraged.
• Thread with various members of their faction, so all feel welcomed and included.
• Be active in our discord and friendly with the community.

Leaders only:

• Can 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.

If the Leader or High Rank requirements are not met:

• The next highest-ranked character can choose to claim the rank uncontested.
• Another Leader, High Rank, or Staff can choose to demote the character to an appropriate middle or low rank.
• A demoted Leader or High Rank cannot challenge for their old rank for at least 30 days and must make at least 5 IC posts.
• Repeated failure to meet the requirement can result in permanent demotion / blocked from holding Leader or High ranks at Staff discretion.
• Staff may use discretion and offer a warning instead of demotion, if appropriate.

Staff will announce if faction formation is open, based on the overall site population and activity. 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).

Requirements:

• 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
• Information Template must be filled out.

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

Factions must have:

• 1 Active Leader who meets the Leader Requirements
• 3 other Active characters, played by different players, who make 1 IC posts each month
• Prisoners, slaves, youth, or NPCs will not count toward the requirements

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.

Any Faction unable to meet the requirements will be disbanded at Staff discretion.

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