SITE RULES

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Site Rules

OOC rules

• You must be at LEAST 13 years of age to join NORTHERN DOWNPOUR. This isn't our rule, it's a proboards rule. So please respect it and be honest about your age. NORTHERN DOWNPOUR is a mature/literate rp. If you are offended by graphic content or sexual themes, then don't even bother with it.
  
• You MUST be active. Real world issues are understood, but please let us know if you are going to be absent. There will be a board for that. Monthly activity checks will be held and the more characters you have the more active you are expected to be
  
• Please respect the other members and staff members. Do NOT blow things out of proportion. If you have a problem with another member please take it to a staff member through PM. No fighting amongst members allowed.
  
• Every account must have an ICON and a SIGNATURE. The signature does not have to be a pic... it can be words or a good quote. All icons should be 100 x 100 in size and should be of a real person. No video game characters or cartoon characters. This is a real life rp.
  
• You may only have an unfinished app posted for three days unless you have pmed a staff member with a reason why you are unable to finish it within three days. After creating an account you have one week to post either an unfinished app or a completed one.
  
• You may only revise a rejected app three times. Don't complain that this rule is unfair because it's not. If you can't handle the requirements, then maybe this is not the site for you. Do not argue with the staff if your app is rejected for any reason. It will not help you get accepted. The staff has FINAL WORD.
  
• The warning system is as follows. If you absolutely insist on breaking the rules you get three strikes. After that you're out. If the staff says something, then it is final. PLEASE RESPECT THAT. We try to be as understanding as possible, but we can only be pushed so far.
  
• The chat center is a priviledge. Please don't use the chat center inappropriately. We don't mind cussing, but please do not make any homophobic, racist, or offensive remarks. Someone could get offended and that's the last thing we need. Do NOT advertise or spam our chat center. Guests are welcome in the chat center, but do not advertise your site.

IC rules

• Members may only have one account per character. Display name must be the name (first AND last) of their character with all letters capitalized. For example: JOHN DOE
  
• Avatars must be real-life pics. No cartoons, video game, anime, manga, etc. etc. Please use REAL PEOPLE. Only. I feel this is necessary for a repeat rule. This really tends to be a problem on some sites.
  
• Also, do not use yourself as an play by. Stick to a celebrity (actor, actress, model, etc.). That keeps things safe and simple. We don't want people being stalked or anything x.x i'm sure you're beautiful, but yeah...
  
• Make sure you understand the plot before you start applying for a character. This is not a vampire/werewolf site, this is not a supernatural rp, this is a real world rp. Please treat it like one. Your character should not have random super powers.
  
• The time period is 2009. Be realistic, please. No hover cars or dinosaurs should be roaming around the area. This is 2009 CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

Other

• All posts must be written in third person and in past tense. (Ex. John went to the market and picked up some apples. He didn't like how they looked so he put them back and walked out in a huff).
  
• Spelling mistakes are okay, everyone makes them every now and then, but we encourage you to use the spell checker.
  
• Do NOT write in chat speak when role playing. Chat speak really gets annoying when thrown randomly in a post. (Ex. l8er, sk8, u 2, u, ur, wnt, etc. etc.)
  
• ONE LINERS ARE NOT ALLOWED UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!Writer's block is understood, but do not use that as your excuse every single time. Talk to the person you are rping with and see how you can make it to where you will be inspired to reply there.
  
• USE PUNCTUATION! You don't have to throw commas everywhere, but it would be nice if periods and such were used correctly. And when your character is speaking either bold the words or out "quotations" around it. Please put thoughts in itallics.
  
• Posts may not be under 300 words.
  
• If you want to reserve a thread for a certain member, then you should put their name in the title. However, if the thread is open, you do not have to put "Open" in the title. All threads are open unless the title contains a character's name or closed.
  
• Do NOT post anywhere on the board until your character is accepted.
  
• No double posting. If you need a thread bumped talk to a staff member.
  
• Don't just rp with certain people. Break out of the box and try and rp with different people so you can experience different rp styles. (hint: highlight the board)
  
• the phrase for your app is admin edited. we'll know if you didn't read the rules. don't be a fool.

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