THE RULES.

This should be your first stop when joining the site, and I will be able to tell if you haven't read them because I'm horrible like that, and also because there is a keyword hidden amongst them that is necessary for me to accept your application. Being the goody-two-shoes I was in school, I abide by rules and I respect them, and I would really appreciate it if you all did too, as I don't just write these for the good of my health, but to establish order, and to ensure that everyone enjoys their experience here at 'After The Tudors'. OK then, let's begin.

CHARACTERS & POSTING

As of now, there are no limits on characters, it's not up to us to decide how much you can handle, unless they're integral canon characters, however, we will apply limitations to certain people who show a tendency to create character after character, and don't play them, or repeatedly request that they be deleted. It's annoying for us to have to update the canons list, and face claims all the time, not to mention dispensing of threads created by these characters, or threads they contributed to. Also, try and keep the ratios fair, if you play a female character, then make sure the next character you play is a male. Boards like this show a tendency to be overrun with females, therefore the more males the better.

We do ask that you use the same email address for each character, just so we know they are yours, and to register with that characters first and second name, with the appropriate capitalization. Please don't use their titles, unless of course they're a character like 'Katherine of Aragon' or 'Phillip of Bavaria', in which case we will allow it. And please, be realistic, this was the 16th Century, the scope of names used wasn't very vast, nor very creative. That's just how it was, most citizens named their children after the king or queen that was currently in reign, a very good example of this would be Mary Boleyn, who named her daughter 'Catherine' and her son 'Henry' after the king and queen of England at the time of their birth.

Unfortunately, you will also have to endure the dreaded application process, but never fear, we're not fussy with applications, though I will go ballistic if I read an application of a 'Mary Sue'/ 'Gary Stu' character (these are basically characters that have had a horrible life, but triumph over all their problems with a smile on their face and a spring in their step - in other words, character's that aren't realistic). But just because we aren't strict with applications, doesn't mean you shouldn't make the effort. The only characters exempt from this rule are characters you have been asked to play to assist with a plot, and once you pass the application process, and trust me, you all will, you're free to roleplay. It probably isn't necessary for me to point out, but do make sure the face claim or canon you're choosing is available before posting your application. That's just common sense.

The minimum word count is 150, and that really isn't a lot, but we would love to see more. You have no idea how irritating it is to put so much effort into a lengthy 800-900 word post, only to get 100-200 word response. Try to maintain a 'give and take' attitude, and return as good as you get. And do make sure you check your grammar and spelling by typing your post up in a word document prior to posting it. And no godmodding; this means controlling the actions of a character that isn't yours, or putting words in their mouth, so to speak. Unless of course you have received permission to do so from the other player, and of course you can godmod characters in the area that have no players.

Don't double post, if someone takes a while to respond to your threads, don't keep posting in the hopes they'll notice, chances are they have a pretty good reason for not answering, in which case discuss this issue via personal message. However, do not pester fellow members to thread with you, ask politely, that is what the chatbox is for, and you are more than welcome to message them in regards to this too.

Because this is an AU board, original storylines and original characters are more than welcome, but know your limits. If we notice that original characters are outnumbering the canon characters then we may ask members to take on a canon, or request that they have one of their original characters deleted, or put a ban on original characters altogether until the positions of some much needed canon characters are filled. However, if the original storyline you're pursuing affects the board as a whole, make sure to run it past the administrators just so we're aware of it, and just to make sure it's been properly tweaked.

Do not cut across threads between two, or more characters unless you receive express permission to do so.

GRAPHICS & SIGS

Avatars should be no bigger than 200x200. If we spot an avatar stretching the page, and you don't rectify it quickly, we will remove it without any warning. The same goes for signatures, if they are any bigger than 500x300 (width x length), they will also be removed. If the graphics are not your own, make sure to credit the creator, because it's just the polite thing to do. We also have a forum where you can request graphics, some of our members are very talented at making them, and I'm sure they'd love to help you out. Make sure to provide some images for them to work with, and perhaps a slogan you'd like to see on the signature as well. Make sure to use actors and actresses, real people who have accessible images, no manga or anime characters. Because this site is based in the 16th Century, keep the use of modern images to a minimum. If you settle for an actor/ actress that wasn't in a period film, please make sure you focus only on their faces in avatars and signatures. If I see things like a phone or a car in anyone's signatures, I'll scream blue murder "Veritas Temporis Filia"... and then I'll remove them.

CONDUCT & MISC.

Because of the nature of this site, and the basis for it, we would strongly recommend that any and all discussions concerning politics and religion be confined to roleplaying explicitly. Discriminatory or prejudiced comments in the out of roleplay sections, and the chatbox will NOT be tolerated. And there should be no foul or abusive language unless its between heated character interactions, we all know that realistically no one has an argument without swearing, but know your limits, and don't go overboard. Ensure it remains in character, and that it doesn't become something personal. If it does, use messengers or personal messages if you feel the need to quarrel. If this does occur, and someone 'explodes' in the out of roleplay area or chatbox, for lack of a better way of putting it, just ignore them. Remember when you were little, and your mommy told you just ignore those that taunt you? Well, guess what? That often works, and we will love you forever if you could be the mature party, and just don't entertain such comments. We, the admins, will handle such ugliness.

Mature content will be present, that's pretty much a given considering this site is inspired by the Tudors TV series, and the Elizabeth movies. I would ask members to mark the beginnings of such topics with an {M}, but if members forget to do so, the board takes no responsibility for it should guests accidentally stumble across such compositions. It really is up to you, the players, what you write in such scenes. You can 'fade to black', or be as graphic as you like. I don't like placing restrictions on players, it doesn't matter how old you are, that shouldn't determine your experience at writing such stuff.

I don't think I need to tell you about the 'birds and the bees', but if pregnancies do prop up, and given Tudor England was rather short on contraceptives they most likely will, keep them realistic. Don't have your character be preggers for three days, and the baby suddenly be born. To add to that, executions were also something that happened aplenty in Tudor England, people were just that damn paranoid, but we will not kill your character without your express permission, so no need to worry if they break the law.

But above all, remember, this is a game, and shouldn't be taken seriously. Catholic and Protestant characters aren't expected to get along, but there's no reason the players can't. Advertising on this site should be restricted to the named board only, no posting of advertisements in the cbox because it looks plain messy, and no sending personal messages trying to recruit. Members are more than welcome to advertise our forum on other sites, just use the appropriate coding for advertising, and I would ask that those 'first timers' choosing to advertise on this site ensure they have a board we can link back to, otherwise your add will be deleted without warning.


the layout for these rules are the brainchild of DUCKY! of CAUTION 2.0