Site Rating: Mature.

If you have trouble understanding what is exactly “mature” – then you're probably not going to get in. Trust me, we like to have fun and joke around, we're friendly, but you must also be serious about your roleplaying and characters.

You'll notice we don't have an 'administration' account. Mostly because Pethal is lazy, but, you know. ;D So instead, here's a list of the head administrators of RAW:

Brez.
- - - - -
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The admin are strict, so if you're weak in understanding, or are easy to hurt, don't join. It is assumed that if you do join, you understand fully, all of the following.
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Parts of the rules which have been recently updated are accented with an asterisk. (:

* - Asterisk.
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FIRST THINGS FIRST -

Realism: The site is made of realistic and sensible elements, so you will still need to stick with a realistic foundation. Your character can be made of different colors and markings, though. As long as these colors are found in nature, I'll allow them to be used. I would prefer dull colors on your wolf, as you're probably not going to find bright, blinding lime greens here in Amabamba. Eyes, too, can be different colors, but I will NOT accept red, or purple eyes.

A ‘star shaped marking’ can’t simply be placed on their flank without reason for being there. If you can’t come up with a sensible, believable history for this marking, it will not be accepted.

Your wolves may have completely made-up personalities that do not necessarily follow the rules of nature. Ambamba is a magical world, remember (and though your character cannot be elemental), there may be things in the environment that alter your wolf from being...completely normal. The ranks in Ambamba are also far from normal, so keep in mind, while you can't alter your wolf's appearance, you can deeply alter their personality.

As far as elements go, no. Again, this is realistic. Your character can have a belief system surrounding an element (maybe a sky god, that controls the weather), but your character does not have the ability to control the same elements.

Only one species of wolf is allowed to be played here. Timber, or gray wolves are the native species in Ambamba, and are the only type I will allow.

Style of RP: You are expected to know how to roleplay, and decently. None of this 'literate advanced'/'illiterate' stuff, got it? We don't eat 'm00fins', and we don't use 'sp0rks'. Roleplaying is an art, and it's participants were not meant to be given absurd labels... - We're decent. We should be beyond this childish crap. I do not appreciate when people use the words 'literate' and 'advanced' to sound better than someone else. I will not stand for it.

THIS ALSO MEANS. I don't want to see eight paragraph long posts, with no meaning whatsoever. I see this on every wolf roleplay forum I visit, and that is not roleplaying! Roleplaying includes confrontation, speech, thought, and character. Roleplaying is not a lengthy response that goes through the entire thought process, detailed description of an action, or a recollection of the character's entire history and journal to the location. I do NOT want to see posts like this. Sure, they may look pretty upon first glance, but length is not all roleplaying is about.

Roleplaying is not a contest to see who can type more.<p>

Detail and description are all fine and dandy, but if I don't understand a word you're trying to say, then that's too much. If you raped a thesaurus to get long, descriptive words, I'm not going to accept you. True, roleplaying should be detailed, with adjectives and adverbs to describe, but every other word should not describe something. It's fine to have simple sentences. Everything you type doesn't need to be perfectly detailed, describing the very knots and strings of color in an oak's trunk.

Roleplaying is fast paced, and should not be slowed down by nonsensical blocks of text. Like I said before, I will not accept roleplay responses with eight paragraphs, each paragraph containing twelve, or thirteen sentences.

ABSOLUTE MINIMUM FOR A POST - Three paragraphs. Five-six sentences each.
ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM FOR A POST - Six paragraphs. Five-six sentences each.

Good grammar is a must. Punctuation, spelling, and capitalization are all important. I cannot emphasize how important it is to reread a post, though. Some of the smallest, silliest typos can be found when you reread something.

NOW! If that doesn't turn you away, please continue. I'm sure you'll find the rest of the rules a little easier to read through.
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SIGNING UP ON RAW -

Setting Up An Account: Your user name should be the name that you want to go by. Characters (ex: é, â, î) are allowed in names, along with spaces if you wish to include another word. Use capitals! You don't get a chance to go back and change it, so make sure this is what you want!<p>
You only need one account, so every character you create needs only an additional biography.

Applications: Fill out an application for your character, and wait for an admin to accept you (two or more admin must approve an application before it is accepted). Use only the form provided. Follow the guidelines on the application, or you will not be accepted. I do not have to state how obvious it will be if you haven’t followed the set standards.

Activity: BE ACTIVE. Activity checks will be held, whenever an admin feels like it. Usually once a month, twice, just, whenever. If your account hasn't been accounted forrrrr, well, you can guess what's going to happen! Having posted in the Away Messages forum, you’re safe from deletion for however long you’ve noted. Computer failures, vacations, groundings, all are liable reasons to be absent. * I do understand that if your computer fails, or you become fatally ill. However, I don't know the difference between that, and just dumping the site. So all inactive accounts that aren't accounted for in a check will be deleted.

If you are deleted, then that's tough. You’re given one more chance to join and get reaccepted before you’re finally banned by IP.
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POSTING INFORMATION -

* Most posting information has been mentioned in the Style section.

Posting Orders: Everyone should know what a posting order is, but if you don't...A posting order isn't a command, it's a set arrangement of characters for a certain topic. In a topic with a posting order, each character is alloted three days to post. If the current character doesn't post in the given three days, then it is the next character in line to post. If you have more than two people roleplaying on the same board, a posting order is a good idea so no one is left out.

Ex:

Bob, Mary, Billy, George
Bob was absent three days.
It's Mary's turn to post.
Mary is gone three days.
It's Billy's turn to post.
Billy posts, and now it's George's.
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NOTICES -

Warnings: Three warnings will get you deleted. You can get warnings for all sorts of things; general rule breaking, misbehavior, and the like.

- First warning: Either a post or PM from an admin.
- Second warning: Five day ban. If you're compelled to return after that...
- Third warning: IP ban.

Questions: If you have a question, please post in the support board. It is better to ask questions, than not to. Others may be having the same problem as well, so please ask if you have one! It's better to post than PM an admin.

Accounts: Inactive accounts will get deleted. If you have not posted in over five or so days without a reason, you will get deleted regardless of your current account standings. No warning is issued.
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LANGUAGE -

Censorship: We do not censor your posts. We assume that you will be level headed and use common sense. You are not two-year-old babies needing a constant eye to watch you. You can curse, but don't over do it. Use it in context, or where it is needed. Anyone caught using curse words in excess or out of proper context will be warned. (Excess curing in posts will also result in a warning. I dislike seeing every wolf cussing their little head off.)

Chatspeaking: No chatspeak (or l33t speak). Sure, I myself play around and type all chatty-like, and I don't mind if you do either. Just try to keep it down, a bit. xD<

Wolfspeaking/scripting: Absolutely no wolfspeak/script...period. If you must have a reason as to why it isn't tolerated: - Wolfspeak/scripting is the use of false words, or words out of context to the actual meaning. That is not roleplaying, I'm afraid. It is expected that RAW members to know the difference between a tassel and a tail. If you have a problem with this rule, I don’t really give a nuts. It’s stupid, it’s senseless, and doesn’t spice up any post.

- It doesn’t make you look smart! It does exactly the opposite. Don’t think so? Get a teacher to read a wolfspoken post, and see if they know what you’re talking about.

Words such as:
Banner, in the place of tail.
Barrel, in the place of chest.
Orb, in the place of eye.
Pillar, in the place of limb.
And others.
Will not be accepted.

However, metaphors, similes, and analogies are okay.
"His tail swung like a banner." Is fine.
"His banner swung elegantly." Is not.
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Mates, Breeding, and Birthing:

1) Seeing as this is only somewhat realistic, wolves may mate based on the alpha's decision, at any point in time. That does not include forced breeding, but pups cannot be conceived unless the female is in heat. Pups are born in spring...and if by some strange twist of fate, they were born in winter, they’re not going to live.

2) Any rank may form an attachment to another character, however, the above rule above does apply to the pair's ability to breed.

3) A female can have up to eleven pups, but I would rather no more than four-five. This makes it easier to adopt out characters, so that our files aren't crammed and packed with un-adopted puppies. Also, to make sure this doesn't happen, any pup that isn't adopted within two weeks will die...

4) You have an option, if you would like to play the mating, or not. It is up to you. Whatever you choose, however, must be put on the form and posted so that the admin and other members will know when such will take place.

5) The female has two-three weeks before her pups are born, and then leave the den. They are not born and automatically able to speak, see, and hunt. After another two weeks, the puppies can be played by other members, until then, they must be watched by the mother at all times. Once a pup reaches the age of a year, they are no longer considered pups, but full and complete members of the pack, expected to do their job as the alpha sees fit.

If your wolves have met up, coupled, and/or mated...use these to let us know.

*** Coupled :

Name of Female :
Name of Male :
Current Rank :

Code:

*** [b][u]Coupled[/u][/b] : [b]Name of Female[/b] : [b]Name of Male[/b] : [b]Current Rank[/b] :

*** Mated :

Name of Female :
Name of Male :
Current Rank :
Is Mother Expecting? :
---
Due Date :
Number of Pups :
Gender of Pups :
(If Possible), Pup Names :

Code:

*** [b][u]Mated[/u][/b] : [b]Name of Female[/b] : [b]Name of Male[/b] : [b]Current Rank[/b] : [b]Is Mother Expecting?[/b] : --- [b]Due Date[/b] : [b]Number of Pups[/b] : [b]Gender of Pups[/b] : [b](If Possible), Pup Names[/b] :

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Fighting:

1) No power playing. Allow the user to control their own wolf. If you happen to be in a skirmish, agree upon the proper amount of damage that each character will receive; and if not that, then allow the other user a proper amount of time to respond appropriately.

- Twenty-four hours is allowed (maximum) between each post. If it takes more than a day for a reply to be set, the opposing wolf will win regardless.

2) No god modeling/moding. Your wolf can die, and will eventually. They are not, as stated, a god. You only get one chance at life, don't blow it. Your characters cannot dodge every move, they will get injured. There will not be any fight in which each character does not get an injury of some kind.

** Dodge Tickets

- Each character is allowed two full dodges within a fight. Use them carefully.
- Two half-dodges, where minimal damage is inflicted.
- Once these have been used up, injuries are required.
- Don't use them all at once. If you anticipate a fatal injury, then use them. Be wise about it.
- State in your post (OOC section of your post, please) when you are using your Dodge Tickets.

3) The fight lasts until one character surrenders, loses, or dies. Your characters are not heaps of endless energy, they will get tired within the moment. (Six posts should be enough for your character to get worn out). If the fight lasts longer than six posts without exhaustion, an admin will end the fight and warn each member responsible.

4) There must be an acceptable reason for fighting, any wolf who approaches another and demands a war will be warned and their post deleted. Acceptable reasons include mates, territory, insults, or if they're...like...mental or something.

Fill this out if a fight is to take place.

What type?: Skirmish, brawl, death-match, etc.
Why is it taking place?: Ranks, insult, etc.
Who is fighting?:
- Wolf one : Male/Female of Pack Name
- Wolf two : Male/Female of Pack Name
Where is it to take place?: Area in which the fight will occur.

Code:

[b]What type?[/b]: Skirmish, brawl, death-match, etc. [b]Why is it taking place?[/b]: Ranks, insult, etc. [b]Who is fighting?[/b]: - Wolf one : Male/Female of Pack Name - Wolf two : Male/Female of Pack Name [b]Where is it to take place?[/b]: Area in which the fight will occur.

AFTER THE FIGHT

Wolves involved:
- Wolf one : Male/Female of Pack Name
- Wolf two : Male/Female of Pack Name
- More?
What was the reason?:
Where did it take place?:
Victor(s):
Loser(s):
Injuries sustained:

Code:

[b]Wolves involved[/b]: - Wolf one : Male/Female of Pack Name - Wolf two : Male/Female of Pack Name - More? [b]What was the reason?[/b]: [b]Where did it take place?[/b]: [b]Victor(s)[/b]: [b]Loser(s)[/b]: [b]Injuries sustained[/b]:

If a death occurred, place make note of who.

Once each event has taken place, please post the form on this board (board, not thread), so that it can be looked over for reference.
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Time: Keep in mind that your character can't jump ahead in time, backward in time, or be in two places at once. You are only allowed to play your character in one area at a time.

Dates/Seasons) Each season lasts at least two months.

Seasons highlighted in white are the breeding months.

Wolves breed in February through March and after a gestation period of 63 days so four to six pups are born in April or May.

(This chart notes how the seasons flow in RAW.)

Spring - Jaunary 1st through February 21th
Summer - Febuary 22nd through March 31st
Autumn - April 1st through May 21st
Winter - May 22nd through June 31st
Spring - July 1st through August 21st
Summer - August 22nd through September 31st
Autumn - October 1st through November 21nd
Winter - November 22nd through December 31st

The following months will be 'slow months', which include holidays, the beginning/ending of school...or any other activity that might cause roleplaying to go a little slower than usual.

- May through June
(Winter)
- August through September
(Summer)
- November through December
(Winter)
- January
(Spring)

Aging: Your character should live up to ten years at most. Six real life months will equal out to one roleplay year. If you've started out with a yearling, your character should be played for about...four real life years before it's time for them to die of old age. (:

Character of zero years will take five real life years to age.
Character of one year will take four and a half real life years to age.
Character of three years will take four real life years to age.
Character of four years will take three and a half real life years to age.
Character of five years will take three real life years to age.
Character of six years will take two and a half real life years to age.
Character of seven years will take two real life years to age.
Character of eight years will take one and a half real life years to age.
Character of nine years will take one real life year to age.
Character of ten years will take half of a real life year to age.

Whoa, I hope that's not confusing.
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Pictures: As far as pictures for your character go...okay, but, do not stretch the board with images or your signature! Pictures are not required, but if you do decide to use an image to represent your character, make sure that it is sized to a maximum of 450x350, and it can be less.

Signatures: Like pictures, signatures should not stretch the board. Please don't put a picture of every character in your signature, as this will most definitely stretch the board. You can list your character's names and whatnot, but please, no large pictures (small things, such as 100x100 or smaller, I don't mind).
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