Rules and Regulations

[Snowfrost]

Welcome to Equorum!

OOC;

• Please be respectful towards the staff. They are here to keep the site running efficiently and to help you, the members! If you have a problem with any of the moderators send a pm to Snowfrost (administrator) so it can be resolved!
  
• Yes, you are allowed to curse and swear here on Equorum.
  
• That being said, no racist, offensive or extremely vulgar remarks. We'd like to keep Equorum member-friendly for everyone!
  
• You must be 13 years or older to join Equorum, as it's stated clearly in the Proboards TOS that no one should join if they are under the age of 13.
  
• Do not bring IC problems between characters into OOC. If there is an issue with how a thread is being carried out politely pm the members involved in it and address it. If it cannot be resolved contact the staff for a solution but there will not be any hate for another member just because their character bit yours or stole your stallion's mares, etc. Keep in mind that this is a game!
  
• This is a One-account-for-numerous-characters site. You only need to make one account. This is for organization's sake, as well as for personal comfort and ease.
  
• Equorum is a laid-back atmospheric site. Don't stress if you have replies to do and can't get to them that day -- also, don't freak out if your open thread has not been replied to on the same day either. We members like to take things in stride, relax here, and enjoy ourselves and teh community. Go on, take a breather.
  
• Equorum is a realistic equine roleplay! This means here we want realistic colors, genetics, breeds and heights! No fantastic mutations are allowed such as horns, wings, fangs etc. Just plain old horses!
  
• Equorum is set to a three-week-per-season time frame, though mares have their foals in two-week's time. This is mainly for organization's sake, and the season will still change from the time the horse was conceived and when it is born (this is done mainly so members don't have a ridiculous amount of time to wait for their foal!).
  
• Activity checks are held on a monthly basis, and done so through a mass PM. You will have one week to reply to them (usually by the last day of the month, as the messages are sent about a week before). If you miss the first AC, your characters will be archived and you will remain so until you log back in and write with them again.
  
• If you miss the second AC as well (two in a row), your account and characters will be deleted.
  
• However, if you post an Away notice, or place your account as being away (located at the top of the forum, just under the header), you don't have to worry about Activity Checks until you return.
  
• There is no professional method of letting me know that you're still active. Simply reply to them, and keep up with your posts and characters -- I will know who is active, and who is not.
  
• You may not post in any boards other than those in the OOC section until at least one of your characters is accepted. This applies for each character until they are accepted, as well.
  
• Warning systems are used, and will expire in a month's time of being issued. However, the more severe the act the longer you have to wear the warning. If you reach 100%, you will be banned permanently.
  
• Have fun and enjoy Equorum! <3
  

GENERAL IC;

• Quality or quantity; we don't expect super long posts here at Equorum, though we do like quality posts. This being said, please try to be courteous of others and put forth the effort to make your posts count! I won't ask for a minimum required amount of words here, but you should be able to throw out 100 words at the very least!
  
• No powerplaying or god modding! I cannot stress enough how impolite this is in the roleplay universe! Your character is not indestructable and you do not have the power to control the actions or words of anyone else's character! Ex. Harry lunged at Sally with his teeth bared, ripping into the soft skin of her muzzle and shuddered with delight as she screamed. (If your character is Harry you cannot control the actions of Sally!)
  
• We do not allow Wolfspeak here on Equorum. Speaking in plain words can be beautiful, too.
  
• We would prefer that you not make any WIPs of your applications, but the staff of Equorum are understanding and won't chastise you for it.
  
• Do not create more characters than you can handle please! It's better to have 1 or 2 established ones as opposed to 20 inactive ones. There is no limit to the amount of characters you can make, but please keep in mind that your activity with each of them may be monitored.
  
• Follow all templates for character creation, name claims, foal applications, or anything else correctly. This is to keep the boards looking neat and tidy!
  
• There is absolutely no Graphic violence allowed on Equorum. This is against Proboards TOS, and this includes private messages. A violent horse is fine, but please try not to go into explicit detail of how your horse was severing the limb off of another horse simply for pleasure. Keep it clean.
  
• There is no need to worry about a "gender balance" here. Make all mares, all stallions, or a mixture of both in any ratio you'd like! However, please keep in mind the previous rules about numbers.
  
• Fantastical Alliances, magic, evolution, elements, and otherworldly things are not allowed on Equorum. However, wherever a horse's alliegancies lie is comepletely up to them.
  
• Horses are allowed to practice their beliefs, and believe in a higher being if they wish to. However, please do not bring religious views outside of the IC. We do not need any confrontations or disputes. Keep your beliefs in your mind or through the thoughts of your horses.
  
• We usually go by Liquid Time, here on Equorum. This means that horses can have a thread going on in one place and have another in a different location. However, please try to be concious of realism here. A horse cannot be in the mountains one day and the next be down in the Jungle -- he'd either ran his heart out the entire day and night there, or he poofed magically; who would be talking to a horse one and just to whip around and go across the land to talk to another the next day, anyway? Use your heads, people.
  
• There are no set birthing or breeding seasons, but please keep in mind that a horse who breeds in Autumn will foal in Winter, and therefore will have a less likely chance of surviving.
  

GENERAL HORSE INFORMATION;

• If a horse is a yearling or younger, it must have a guardian to look after it. Horses a year and a half or older may be permitted to be alone in the big world, but please take note that Nature will be more likely to come and pick on it.
  
• Because this RP is realistic, we go by horses in appropriate hands. A "hand" is 4 inches tall. Horses are measured in hands by .1, .2, .3, and then roll over to .0. So, a horse who is 13.0hh is 13 x 4 inches tall. 13.1 is about a quarter of a hand, or one inch taller. A horse who is .2 is about half of a hand, or two inches taller. A horse who is .3 is about three-fourths of a hand, or three inches taller.
  
• Breeds are not preferred here on Equorum. However, no one will stop you from putting down your horse's breed on their expansion. Instead, we go by bodytypes: Hotblood, Coldblood, and Warmblood. Detailed information located here.
  
• Solid horses will not have blue, green, or amber eyes without the proper genetics to follow them. Please refer to the Genetics board for further explaination on these things.
  
• In the wild, horses generally live anywhere from 20-25 years of age. You horse may not exceed 25 years -- he will either be killed by nature, or by you.
  
• You are not required to post a death or birth thread for your horses, though it is always nice to know what happens. If you decide not to post a death post on your horse, please post your horse's name in the correct thread, located here.
  

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STALLIONS;

• Stallions are mature at the age of 3 and are eligable to claim lands, breed and claim mares.
  
• To claim an unclaimed territory, stallion's must have at least two mares banded with them.
  
• Stallions may challenge other stallions for mares, for land, for rank, or simply to show dominance.
  
• Stallions can force-claim unclaimed mares if they have a territory.
  
• While Stallions can force breed to mares, pelase be aware that your horse's actions could have concequences! Remember, as always, do not bring IC drama into the OOC!
  

MARES;

• Mares become mature at the age of 3 and can breed. However, the younger the mare the more likely it is for the foal to be born unhealthy.
  
• Mares can claim territories on their own, but it is advised that they have a stallion at their side to rule. Otherwise, stallions are more likely to come around and challenge her for her land, or steal her mares. Plus, who would want an entire herd of estrogen, anyway?
  
• Unclaimed mares can be force-claimed by a reigning stallion if they are wandering the free lands. Reigning mares cannot force-claim.
  
• Mares can challenge and fight like stallions; for freedom, for rank, for dominance etc.

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THIEVERY;

• Read about Thievery here.

CLAIMING;

• Unclaimed lands are open to both genders.
  
• Posting for unclaimed lands must be done on the lands desired.
  
• A horse is not required to have anyone running with them in order to claim, but it is highly advised.
  
• Once claimed, it is the new Royal's responsibility to protect the lands and its inhabitants.
  
• If one loses their status (either through a challenge lost or being pushed out by the herd), they are expected to leave the borders of the territory (unless the one in charge decides otherwise).
  
• A horse can claim as many lands as desired.

BREEDING;

• No graphic breeding, period! It's against the proboards TOS and will not be tolerated as it could potentially lead to Equorum being shut down for violation of the TOS. Fade-to-black and be tasteful please!
  
• Mares and stallions must be aged 3+ to breed.
  
• After breeding mares must be pregnant for 2 weeks in real time before you are permitted to do a birthing thread (real gestation time, even when converted to game time, would simply be way too long a wait!).
  
• You must post your stats and genetics written in the correct template within the foal application board to receive the stats of your foal from Nature. Foal stats will be given to you the night before the foal's birth.
  
• You can choose whether or not to post your foal's birthing post, but again -- we like to see what happens. Don't feel pressured into having to do it, though.
  
• Read more about Breeding here.
  

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FOALS;

• A foal is a horse that is under two years of age.
  
• Though a yearling is when a horse has reached and exceeded a year's age, it is still considered a foal.
  
• Foals must remain with a nursing mother until they reach a year old. Afterwards, foals must remain with a guardian until they are two years of age. After that, a foal is considered a young horse and can go to its designated area to live the life of the free (unless it remains in the herd, or is claimed/claims by/himself another herd or harem).
  
• Foals cannot participate in competitions OOC. Foals may, however, play fight and sparr with one another should that be what they desire to do.
  
• Please keep in mind that a foal is the equivilent of a young child. It is not realistic to expect that a yearling foal has as wide a range of vocabulary or knowledge as a five-year-old, almost-fully-mature horse has (whether they are advanced minds or not).
  
• If a mother leaves the herd, a foal must follow (unless there is a surrogate/caretaker there to ensure it will live).
  
• If a mare is claimed in a fight or theft and she has a foal, the foal must follow (or stay behind if there is a caretaker/surrogate available).

HERDS;

• A herd is a group of horses that are led by a King and Queen. A herd includes all genders, and all ages.
  
• A herd is the only group of horses who are able to have a Royal Council.
  
• A herd has the right to the land before Harems. Should the numbers increase and breach the cap limit, members of the Harems will go before members of the herd.

KING;

• Kingship will be revoked if the King is unable to remain active (and the owner of the King is gone without posting an away notice or notifying the Admin).
  
• After 2 missed ACs (two month's time), Kingship is revoked. We simply must keep things moving. The past King will not have died nor been injured, but will be kicked out of his land. If/When the owner of the King returns, the King may also return and try to take back the crown.
  
• Heirs to an inactive King may take his Throne before it is open for challenges (if an heir is fit and of the appropriate age).
  
• The King has the right to breed to any mares of his herd, though he may respect the mare's mate's wishes and only keep to his Queen.
  
• A King is allowed only one Queen, but he is also allowed a Vicereine.
  
• A King is allowed to set any stipulations for the Harems he decides to allow on his land.
  
• A King is allowed to breed to any mare he so chooses, unless the mare is claimed by another stallion.
  
• The King is the only one allowed to elect members of the Royal Council. Should he be unable to, however, the Queen is the one to elect the members.
  
• The King is the only horse allowed to dispell members of his group, or of the horses inside the Harems on his land.
  
• The King is allowed to block horses both in his herd and in the harems on his land.
  
• In order to be a King, a horse must have two others running beside him and be over the age of three.
  
• When challenging or fighting, a King must respect the unwritten rules of combat (he must show mercy, and not go for the kill). Not all Kings, however, follow this rule (and because of this, other horses usually band together to force said King out).
  
• A King may pass on his Throne at any given time, and at any given age (whether alive or dead). The King also is the only horse allowed to choose the next to the Throne that is outside of his bloodline, if he desires to do this.

QUEEN;

• The Queen is expected to breed only to her King, and foals born of those two are considered royalty and the next to hold the Throne.
  
• The Queen's say comes before the Vicereine's, but after the King's.
  
• The Queen is expected to lead her herd with utmost authority and strength.
  
• Mares may challenge for Queenship.
  
• Should a Queen die, the Vicereine is the one to take her place before all others.

VICEREINE;

• The Vicereine is a member of the Royal Council, and she holds the first place in the lineup.
  
• A Vicereine is a position only a mare can hold, and a rank only the King can give to a special mare.
  
• The Vicereine's job is to help run the herd. She is one within the herd who members can depend on, and one horses can come to for anything -- she is the one who lives to help her family thrive.
  
• A King is allowed a Queen and Vicereine. The Vicereine is a mare he chooses for his own reasons. She is second only to the Queen and King themselves.
  
• The Vicereine may have her own mate only if the King allows her to.
  
• The Vicereine is expected to bear the King's children, just as the Queen is.
  
• It is the Vicereine's job to nurse the Queen's foal(s) should she be/become unable to.
  
• Should there be no heirs to the Throne, and the King dies, the Vicereine's children are put above all others for the crown.

THE ROYAL COUNCIL;

• The Royal council are four members in the herd that are chosen by the King to be advisors and aides to the members.
  
• The Royal Council is comprised of these seats: Vicereine, Odvah, Citel, and Couvrir.
  
• The council have the right to reside anywhere on the land, whether it be within the herd or alone.
  
• Members of the council can be any gender (unless otherwise specified), but a horse cannot be accepted into the Council until it is at least four years of age.
  
• It is the council's responsibility to come to one's aide when they are required.
  
• Council members may only take a mate if the King permits it.
  
• With the King's approval, a Council member may take on an apprentice who will take over their rank should they be unable to. This is usually only allowed if the current Council member is elderly, or plans on retiring soon. However, there are always exceptions.
  
• The Royal Council are who the King come to for guidance on how to aide his herd, be it in moving the herd, banishing a member, charging into battle, or whatever the case may be. The Royal Council are some of the King's most trusted horses, and to be one of the Council is an honor.

ODVAH;

• The Odvah is a Spiritual Adviser. It is their job to help guide members through the ways of their beliefs -- be it through the stars, skies, the Mother herself -- and find answers through spiritual methods.
  
• Odvahs can be either gender.
  
• An Odvah usually resides alone on the land so as to be one with the spirits and spirituality. However, sometimes they reside within the herd as to keep the connections between the horses and the spirits strong and clear.
  
• An Odvah's job is also to guide their King, should be be lost in indecision and need to be shown the light.
  
• An Odvah is allowed access to all lands, for they place themselves above the boundaries of quarrels and are one with peace. An Odvah is never to mean any harm.
  
• An Odvah is often known as the peace maker.
  

CITEL;

• The Citel is an Adviser of Health and Well-being. It is their job to ensure that members are well within the herd, and they are allowed to send members to the Odvah should they require it.
  
• It is not uncommon for the Odvah and Citel to work side-by-side with one another.
  
• Citel can be either gender.
  
• Citel are the natural nursers of the herd. They are who the weaker cling to. It is not uncommon for nursing or expecting mothers to stick close to the Citel, as they are usually more in-tune with the workings of the body.
  
• It is not uncommon for the Citel to be more sensitive to the spiritual aspect of life.
  

COUVRIR;

• The Couvrir is the Adviser of Strength. It is their job to ensure that members are protected.
  
• The Couvrir is normally a stallion, though on some occasions mares take the seat.
  
• The Couvrir is known as the Guardian.
  
• The King usually comes for guidance on dealings with war, or protecting the herd from danger, or similar.
  
• It is not uncommon for the Couvrir to have the mind of a warrior.
  
• The Couvrir takes close care of pregnant and expecting mares, as well as foals and the sick, weak, or elderly.
  
• The Couvrir is usually a very trusted (if not the most trusted) member of the entire herd. It is expected that the Couvrir (should he be a stallion) not breed to any of the mares (unless allowed or with his own mate). It is considered a great offense (normally) for the Couvrir to cover any mares in the herd. They are the Guardian, sworn to protect. They are trusted, and should never take advantage of such trust.
  
• During times of war or danger, it is acceptable for a Couvrir to escort Odvahs, Citel, or other members of either their own herd or of others from one point to another -- it is expected that they will not be harmed while escorting, and trusted that they will do nothing more aside from ensure those being escorted are safe.
  

HAREMS;

• Harems consist of mares, foals, colts, and one or two leading stallions.
  
• A Harem must have at least one stallion leading it.
  
• Colts over the age of two are kicked out from the harem and territory. They usually end up in the Free Lands, but sometimes they find bands quickly or are accepted into the herd.
  
• A Harem consists mostly of mares.
  
• A Harem is only allowed to be formed on another's land if the King of the land allows it.
  
• Should space become constrained, members of the Harem (or the Harem as a whole) will be the first to be forced to leave (unless the Leader(s) of the Harem challenge the King for his land and herd.
  
• There are allowed three (3) Harems on one land.
  
• Out of all the Harems, it is usually either the one with the most or fewest members who is first to be forced from the territory.
  
• With the leader's permission, Herd members may mingle with Harem members, but a Herd member always comes before a member of a Harem.

HAREM LEADERS;

• The Leader of a Harem is always a stallion.
  
• Leaders can have a Dominant Mare residing with them, who leads the harem while the Leaders scout or defend.
  
• A Harem Leader always answers to the King of the territory. The Leader also answers to the Queen, or any member of the Royal Council.
  
• In order for a Leader to have a Harem, he must have three others running with him and have the permission of the King.
  
• A Harem Leader must abide by the King's stipulations, whatever they may be.
  
• A Harem Leader can challenge for the land and herd of a King, but should he lose he will be banished immediately and his Harem will either become part of the King's Herd or will be banished along with him. The severity of how a banished horse is treated is completely up to the King.
  
• A Harem Leader is not allowed to steal horses from the Herd (though thefts through riddle are not uncommonly done, but exercise caution). Should he be caught doing so, the King can choose the severity of his punishment.
  
• A Harem Leader is allowed to steal horses from other Harems. However, the disputes should never affect the Herd of the land.
  
• Harem Leaders may block and guard their mares during thefts.

HAREM MEMBERS;

• Members of the Harem are usually mares, or foals of either gender under the age of two.
  
• Harem Members may be stolen through OOC Theft.
  
• Harem Members may ask to be accepted into the Herd, but not the other way around (breaking this rule could result in punishment by the King, so exercise caution).
  
• Harem Members must abide by the stipulations placed by the King of the lands and by those placed by their Leader(s). They can (if allowed), however, voice their opinions on whether or not to accept the stipulations before moving into the land. However, the final decision of the Leader(s) is what is set in stone, and Harem Members are expected to abide by them or face the wrath of the King.

BANDS;

• A Band is a group of horses (usually colts or young stallions, though there is one accepted band of mares in the Free Lands) who travel together and have no set land to call home.
  
• A Band usually consists of the same gender, however it is acceptable for a Band of stallions/colts to have a mare running with them.
  
• No more than two of the opposite gender may run with the majority of the population in the Band.
  
• Bands with mares are likely to be raided by others, and disputes are likely to occur.
  
• Bands are normally located within the Free Lands, though occasionally one or two will run through the territories. One should make sure not to be caught, however, for the King's wrath is usually not kind.
  
• When a Band hits more than six (6) members, they must search for a territory to raid for becoming a Harem, break up the numbers and form new bands, or kick others out. Something must be done to solve the population breach, whatever the solution may be.

CHALLENGING;

• Challenges made for Kingship must be done on the territory the stallion is desiring.
  
• In order for a challenge to be made, a stallion must have at least one (1) mare running with him.
  
• Challenges are duked out on the land desired to be taken over. Judging will be done on the challenging thread, unless there is a planned outcome that both parties agree on.
  
• Horses under the age of three (3) may not challenge.
  
• Should the Challenger win, the Herd and Harems on the land must abide by the rules of the new Royal. Should they disagree, they are expected to depart from the territory immediately.
  
• Should the King lose, it is expected that he depart from the territory immediately.
  
• Each player gets three (3) days to write up a post (unless notified that a player will be unable to for whatever reason and it is alright between both parties, or the day-limit for posts has been agreed on by both parties and set as their own rules). Should the three days pass, the player whose turn it is forfeits.
  
• A horse can challenge for as many lands as desired.
  

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