Post by Braveheart ♥ on Sept 29, 2017 20:13:17 GMT
General
Signing Up // When you create an account here on Instincts, you're unofficially agreeing to all of our site rules expressed below. Meaning that whether you've read the rules or not, you have no excuse for going against our rules. Quite simply, ignorance is not an excuse here. So please take our rules seriously, take the time to read through them, and of course if you have any questions or do not understand something, you may poke around for staff in the chat box or sign up and PM us!
Your Username // After you've read through our rules and you've decided to join our site, please keep your name reasonable and easy on the eyes. Absolutely no profanity or substance reference will be accepted. We also discourage numbers in your username. However after signing up with something simple and easy to tag, you may edit your display name and add a few symbols to it if you wish. Also, please do not sign up with one of your characters' names as this can be confusing. We'd prefer you to have a uniquely 'you' name for yourself.
Accounts // Instincts is a one account per person website, which means you only need to create a single account for everything.
Post Word Minimum // Instincts is considered a literate site. While I know I, personally, am always willing to help someone expand out their literary skills and help them become a more seasoned writer, this site is geared toward those individuals who are more seasoned. We have no maximum word count and while we understand you may have your days where you just can't find the motivation to reach the word minimum, we ask that all posts be 200 words or more. Coming short of the minimum is acceptable every once in a while, but we ask that you don't make a habit out of it.
Maximum Image Sizes // ( Avatar ) 150px by 250px, ( Signature Images ) 500px by 300px, ( Board Images ) 600px by 600px
Your Username // After you've read through our rules and you've decided to join our site, please keep your name reasonable and easy on the eyes. Absolutely no profanity or substance reference will be accepted. We also discourage numbers in your username. However after signing up with something simple and easy to tag, you may edit your display name and add a few symbols to it if you wish. Also, please do not sign up with one of your characters' names as this can be confusing. We'd prefer you to have a uniquely 'you' name for yourself.
Accounts // Instincts is a one account per person website, which means you only need to create a single account for everything.
Post Word Minimum // Instincts is considered a literate site. While I know I, personally, am always willing to help someone expand out their literary skills and help them become a more seasoned writer, this site is geared toward those individuals who are more seasoned. We have no maximum word count and while we understand you may have your days where you just can't find the motivation to reach the word minimum, we ask that all posts be 200 words or more. Coming short of the minimum is acceptable every once in a while, but we ask that you don't make a habit out of it.
Maximum Image Sizes // ( Avatar ) 150px by 250px, ( Signature Images ) 500px by 300px, ( Board Images ) 600px by 600px
Behavior
Being Respectful // This goes without saying, but follow the golden rule: "Treat others the way you want to be treated." It's not that hard to ignore someone you may have an issue with and the staff will not be your mediators. If you just can't get along with someone you'll have to find someplace else to write.
Contacting the Staff // Of course it's perfectly acceptable to contact the staff if you're needing help, want to plot, or are having an issue with someone or something, however there are boundaries to this. It is inappropriate to contact our staff about our rules, the way we run the site, or inquiring about staff positions. As of now we are not looking for staff and if we were, I promise you'd know about it within an announcement. It's also inappropriate to correct the way something is written, whether to the staff or someone's post, unless explicitly asked to do so. Please be kind and think twice if you really need to say something or not.
Courtesy Posting About Absences // While unexpected absences are okay, if you know in advance that you're going to be gone for an extended period of time please let everyone know by posting in the Stays & Vacays board. Not only will this keep your characters right where you left them when you come back, but it's also a courteous thing to do for the people you're currently threading with.
The Use of Profanity - Out of Character // Here at Instincts we generally ask that you do not cuss out of character. Very minimal cussing will be tolerated, however I know some people don't like cussing and it's just a simple way to make sure everyone has the best experience here.
The Chat Box // Here at Instincts our chat box is a wonderful thing, however it's definitely a privilege and not a right. Due to that, there are a few rules you need to follow specifically regarding our chat box. They're pretty simple. ( 1 ) Please be friendly and say hello! Especially if you see a guest, please make them feel welcomed as best you can. ( 2 ) No fighting and arguing. Also, please refrain from ranting and raving about things in the chat box. If you really need to talk to someone, you may ask one of your friends in the chat if you can PM them. It can be kind of awkward (especially for guests) to be popped into someone's unexpected rant about something. ( 3 ) Lastly, please don't advertise other sites in our chat box. We have a board for that.
Contacting the Staff // Of course it's perfectly acceptable to contact the staff if you're needing help, want to plot, or are having an issue with someone or something, however there are boundaries to this. It is inappropriate to contact our staff about our rules, the way we run the site, or inquiring about staff positions. As of now we are not looking for staff and if we were, I promise you'd know about it within an announcement. It's also inappropriate to correct the way something is written, whether to the staff or someone's post, unless explicitly asked to do so. Please be kind and think twice if you really need to say something or not.
Courtesy Posting About Absences // While unexpected absences are okay, if you know in advance that you're going to be gone for an extended period of time please let everyone know by posting in the Stays & Vacays board. Not only will this keep your characters right where you left them when you come back, but it's also a courteous thing to do for the people you're currently threading with.
The Use of Profanity - Out of Character // Here at Instincts we generally ask that you do not cuss out of character. Very minimal cussing will be tolerated, however I know some people don't like cussing and it's just a simple way to make sure everyone has the best experience here.
The Chat Box // Here at Instincts our chat box is a wonderful thing, however it's definitely a privilege and not a right. Due to that, there are a few rules you need to follow specifically regarding our chat box. They're pretty simple. ( 1 ) Please be friendly and say hello! Especially if you see a guest, please make them feel welcomed as best you can. ( 2 ) No fighting and arguing. Also, please refrain from ranting and raving about things in the chat box. If you really need to talk to someone, you may ask one of your friends in the chat if you can PM them. It can be kind of awkward (especially for guests) to be popped into someone's unexpected rant about something. ( 3 ) Lastly, please don't advertise other sites in our chat box. We have a board for that.
Character Creation
Maximum Character Count // Here on Instincts we do not have a current maximum amount of characters one user may have, however please keep it realistic and keep all of your characters active. If you can't keep someone active or simply lost the muse for a character, you may either ask for him or her to be moved to the 'Inactive' board or you may put them up for adoption. However, before you move your character to the inactive board please be courteous to other users and wrap up any plots you have going on with them.
Minimum Character Age // Instincts minimum character age is 5 months old without a guardian, 3 months with a guardian. Any puppies born on the site will begin role playing at the age of 2 months or, if all role players agree to it, can start role playing at 1 year of age.
Dog Breeds // If you happen to take a look at our biography for new characters, you may notice the absence of a 'breed' statistic. In order to keep things realistic, here on Instincts breeds no longer exist, as the humans no longer exist. However, to keep things fun for everyone involved, I've added a 'lineage' statistic, which replaces the usual 'breed' option. While this area of the biography WILL be completely optional of whether you fill it out or not, it will be a bit of a fun challenge to mix and match breeds you think may create a common Labrador Retriever. If you have an image for a Labrador Retriever, you are also more than welcome to just list 'LR' as their lineage, however just know there are no true breeds on the site and your character will have no knowledge of what breed(s) may be in his past. THERE ARE NO PURE BREEDS.
Unrealistic Fur and Eye Colors // As stated before, this is a realistic site. Any unrealistic fur or eye colors, markings, or human artifacts on a dog (say a brand new leather dog collar) will not be accepted on this forum.
Docked Ears and Tails // Docked ears are NOT allowed on this site unless bought out of our site store. That is a thing only humans would do and, seeing as there are no humans around, they are not allowed. If you can figure out a way for your dog to either have a naturally short tail or have an event in their history that shortened their tail, that is allowed. If you can not find an image that accurately portrays your character, just make sure it's clear your dog does not have docked ears or a tail. If you buy the pass out of our store, this rule will not apply and you can either choose to explain how they got that way or not xplain it.
Your Character's History // This is not a rule, per say, and more of a reminder. Here on Instincts, humans have been gone for 15 years. While animals that live longer like horses, cats and smaller dogs *may* have humans present in their history, any character under the age of 15 years old will not. So please keep this in mind when creating your character(s).
Wild Playable Species // As you may notice when you read our Playable Species list, Instincts has a lot of species you can play. However, this site is meant to mainly focus around canines and, as such, all other species must be bought from our upcoming site store. Just for a bit of fun, though, upon joining our site you are allowed to create 1 free wild species character. After you've made your one animal, you'll have to purchase the others. If you have any questions about what species are allowed or disallowed, please PM me or post in our Q&A board.
Adoptable Family // Personally, I've seen many, many role playing sites where users will post their character's family for adoption and, while they have 7 different characters listed, ultimately none of them are adopted. While of course putting your characters' family members up for adoption is encouraged and not forbidden, it will be limited for this reason. For every 1 character you have, 2 supporting adoptables are allowed. So if your character has 5 brothers and 2 parents, you're going to have to choose who you'd like to adopt out first. Now, if one or both of those characters get adopted, you're more than welcome to list another family member to replace those adopted, however I don't want to see your post flooded with adoptables for just 1 of your characters. This rule will apply to plots with require canon/adoptable characters, as well. If you have a plot that requires multiple adoptables to be adopted at once, you'll have to seek permission from me before being able to list all of them. I promise I'm not out to get you, but it's so much easier to spread out plots and plans with more than just a few people when you're options are more spread as well.
Minimum Character Age // Instincts minimum character age is 5 months old without a guardian, 3 months with a guardian. Any puppies born on the site will begin role playing at the age of 2 months or, if all role players agree to it, can start role playing at 1 year of age.
Dog Breeds // If you happen to take a look at our biography for new characters, you may notice the absence of a 'breed' statistic. In order to keep things realistic, here on Instincts breeds no longer exist, as the humans no longer exist. However, to keep things fun for everyone involved, I've added a 'lineage' statistic, which replaces the usual 'breed' option. While this area of the biography WILL be completely optional of whether you fill it out or not, it will be a bit of a fun challenge to mix and match breeds you think may create a common Labrador Retriever. If you have an image for a Labrador Retriever, you are also more than welcome to just list 'LR' as their lineage, however just know there are no true breeds on the site and your character will have no knowledge of what breed(s) may be in his past. THERE ARE NO PURE BREEDS.
Unrealistic Fur and Eye Colors // As stated before, this is a realistic site. Any unrealistic fur or eye colors, markings, or human artifacts on a dog (say a brand new leather dog collar) will not be accepted on this forum.
Docked Ears and Tails // Docked ears are NOT allowed on this site unless bought out of our site store. That is a thing only humans would do and, seeing as there are no humans around, they are not allowed. If you can figure out a way for your dog to either have a naturally short tail or have an event in their history that shortened their tail, that is allowed. If you can not find an image that accurately portrays your character, just make sure it's clear your dog does not have docked ears or a tail. If you buy the pass out of our store, this rule will not apply and you can either choose to explain how they got that way or not xplain it.
Your Character's History // This is not a rule, per say, and more of a reminder. Here on Instincts, humans have been gone for 15 years. While animals that live longer like horses, cats and smaller dogs *may* have humans present in their history, any character under the age of 15 years old will not. So please keep this in mind when creating your character(s).
Wild Playable Species // As you may notice when you read our Playable Species list, Instincts has a lot of species you can play. However, this site is meant to mainly focus around canines and, as such, all other species must be bought from our upcoming site store. Just for a bit of fun, though, upon joining our site you are allowed to create 1 free wild species character. After you've made your one animal, you'll have to purchase the others. If you have any questions about what species are allowed or disallowed, please PM me or post in our Q&A board.
Adoptable Family // Personally, I've seen many, many role playing sites where users will post their character's family for adoption and, while they have 7 different characters listed, ultimately none of them are adopted. While of course putting your characters' family members up for adoption is encouraged and not forbidden, it will be limited for this reason. For every 1 character you have, 2 supporting adoptables are allowed. So if your character has 5 brothers and 2 parents, you're going to have to choose who you'd like to adopt out first. Now, if one or both of those characters get adopted, you're more than welcome to list another family member to replace those adopted, however I don't want to see your post flooded with adoptables for just 1 of your characters. This rule will apply to plots with require canon/adoptable characters, as well. If you have a plot that requires multiple adoptables to be adopted at once, you'll have to seek permission from me before being able to list all of them. I promise I'm not out to get you, but it's so much easier to spread out plots and plans with more than just a few people when you're options are more spread as well.
In-Game Play
Liquid Time // Liquid time is allowed here.
Power Playing // Without the expressed permission of the character's owner, no one may play, control, or 'guess' the actions of someone else's character. While threading with someone, whether it's a fight or not, you may not assume the other character's actions until they've been told already by the role player.
Level of Realism // As of now, (with no immediate future plans to change) this is a realistic role play. Meaning, if you can not naturally have a green colored dog, then you can not have a green dog. When creating your characters or writing for a thread, please be aware that your posts need to be realistic. There can be no powers controlling the wind, crazy eye or fur colors, and no unnecessarily strong/swift/whatever characters.
Writing Voice // When writing your posts, you may write in 1st or 3rd person, however if 1st person confuses the person you're threading with, please be respectful and switch to the use of 3rd person. Everything must be written in past tense.
Use of Profanity - In Character // Mild cussing is allowed IC, however racial slurs will never be allowed.
Mating Threads // Under no circumstance ever are 'puppy making' threads for your characters ever to turn graphic. If you and your role play partner agree this is something you want to do, you'll definitely need to take it off site. Our site is not an acceptable outlet for this type or writing and, if for whatever reason, something like this is posted it will immediately result in a ban of both parties. Please, just fade to black when the time comes for your little love birds to make some more little birds.
Power Playing // Without the expressed permission of the character's owner, no one may play, control, or 'guess' the actions of someone else's character. While threading with someone, whether it's a fight or not, you may not assume the other character's actions until they've been told already by the role player.
Level of Realism // As of now, (with no immediate future plans to change) this is a realistic role play. Meaning, if you can not naturally have a green colored dog, then you can not have a green dog. When creating your characters or writing for a thread, please be aware that your posts need to be realistic. There can be no powers controlling the wind, crazy eye or fur colors, and no unnecessarily strong/swift/whatever characters.
Writing Voice // When writing your posts, you may write in 1st or 3rd person, however if 1st person confuses the person you're threading with, please be respectful and switch to the use of 3rd person. Everything must be written in past tense.
Use of Profanity - In Character // Mild cussing is allowed IC, however racial slurs will never be allowed.
Mating Threads // Under no circumstance ever are 'puppy making' threads for your characters ever to turn graphic. If you and your role play partner agree this is something you want to do, you'll definitely need to take it off site. Our site is not an acceptable outlet for this type or writing and, if for whatever reason, something like this is posted it will immediately result in a ban of both parties. Please, just fade to black when the time comes for your little love birds to make some more little birds.
Breedings
All information about Instincts' breeding processes can be found here.
Other
Breeding and Fighting Systems // Currently our breeding and fighting rules and requirements are not set up, however they will be very soon. We just ask for some patience as these things take a little more time to put together.
