Server Information

Age/NSFW Restrictions

This is a SFW (safe for work) server. We follow the Discord TOS (Terms of Service) and that means you must at least be 13 years of age to be in this server. Killing and heavy gore (see "In-Roleplay Rules") is allowed but must be censored. 

Equality/Fair Treatment Policy

This community is accepting of anyone who is willing to return the respect and fairness we offer. Any and all racism, slurs, discrimination, etc. against anyone for any reason is not allowed. That also goes for any form of bullying, rudeness, and disrespect to others. Even if one is upset, we are all expected to communicate peaceably and reasonably or at least wait until we are able to do so. 

If a user finds themselves unable to control themselves and behave civilly, they will be promptly pulled into a private channel within the server, muted from all other channels, and addressed accordingly. We have a zero-tolerance policy with this. Continued misbehaviour will result in removal and banishment.

Staff Conduct

All staff members of this server go through a serious vetting and training process. Part of that is the enforcement of checks-and-balances that maintains the equality of all staff members. Aside from the original owners, no individual staff member holds more authority than the others and cannot make major decisions on their own accord. One method to ensure this is for all decisions to be put to a majority vote to ensure there is no threat of bias or favouritism. Failure to respect these decisions, regardless of if you are staff or not, will result in a prompt removal.

User Conduct

Do not block, ignore, or talk back to a staff member. Doing so will result in an immediate mute and possible removal from the server.

Some members of this server may have what are called triggers. These are things that can cause stress of varying levels when a user is exposed to them (the effects can range from general discomfort to full-blown panic attacks). We value each of our members' safety, and so we ask that you refrain from including something that might trigger someone in your writing if possible. This includes all chat channels (OOC, applications, roleplay, etc.) 

We understand that keeping up with each individual's triggers can be impossible and mistakes do happen. Because of this, all we ask is that you censor (black out the message with a "TW," or Trigger Warning, of some kind). If someone asks you to censor something because it is a sensitive topic to them and you weren't aware of it, please edit your message to do so. It does not take much effort and helps us all to get along and respect one another. 

There is to be absolutely, under no circumstances, no mentioning of self-harm, stillborn, miscarriage, baby death, and child abuse above mild discipline. If you are wanting to remove a character, it cannot be under six months of age IRP (In-Roleplay) because of the things mentioned above.

While in the server, please make sure your username is easily taggable and contains no cursing, slurs, or other inappropriate phrasing, this also includes your status and bio.

Please refrain from posting gifs or videos containing flashing imagery. If you are sharing a link to something that has flashing images, please place a warning with your message about this. Some of our members might have epilepsy and them seeing something like this could trigger a seizure.

Do not bring outside bias into your roleplaying or behavior within the server. Not all of us are guaranteed to get along or share the same views and that is fine, however, we will enforce our fair treatment policy, regardless of situation. Not only that, but if a user's character mistreats another with no feasible explanation or due to outside bias, this is considered a form of metagaming and is not allowed.

Corrective Policy

In the server, we have a general three-strike system when it comes to corrections. 

If a user has no strikes, they will receive three warnings for small infractions (up to staff's discretion whether something is deserving of a simple unofficial warning or an official one) before earning a strike. Once a user reaches three strikes and then receives another, they will be removed from the server and banned. These strikes and official warnings are kept in official records maintained by all staff members along with screenshotted proof for each correction. 

Metagaming

As users, we will know more than our characters do in regard to general information, plots, etc. Sometimes, it can be easy to allow this outside knowledge to influence our writing. Not only does this influence spoil the ongoing plots, but it is also unfair to others. If your character is in a position where they would not know something, please play them realistically. This covers them having "hunches" or "premonitions" as well. They can potentially happen upon this information through a realistic in-roleplay fashion, but they shouldn't be able to pull knowledge out of thin air since they are not omniscient. 

Beginner's Grace

Newcomers to the server will have roughly one week to create their first character after verifying and being accepted. If more time is needed, please ask! Failure to respond after a week has elapsed will result in a user being removed from the server. They will not be banned, however, so if this happens to you, you can always re-join with no consequences. This is to help ensure that we do not have lingering users that are inactive inflating our user count. We want that to reflect the actual number of active individuals in the server. (If re-joining, you will need to verify again, even if you already had and were accepted.)

Literacy 

This is a semi-literate roleplay, meaning we have higher expectations than one-liners and poor grammar. IRP replies must contain at least four sentences that include proper punctuation and proper capitalization. Run-on sentences or incomplete sentences will not be counted towards this total, meaning a sentence must contain at least four words within it. Replies with speech in them must also contain at least one word of non-dialogue, but speech is not a necessity for every reply if your character does not happen to speak. An example of a minimally acceptable replay versus an unacceptable reply are as follows: 

• Feros shook his head. He glared at Valeria. "Do you really think I would fall for that?" he asked. "You must think I'm a fool or something!" With each word, his voice raised in anger.

• He shook his head. "Do you really think. I would fall for that?"

• "Do you really think I would fall for that?"

• "Do you really think I would fall for that?" He asked.

While there is a minimum requirement, there is no maximum. We encourage our users to write as much as they like. Longer replies are not needed, but if you feel driven to write, go ahead!

It is also required that you use "quotations" for speech and that you use 3rd-person-perspective to roleplay. Unfortunately, 1st-person and other POV's (Point Of View) tend to confuse others and we wish to avoid that.

Art Policies

We value all of our users, including artists that come to call our server their home. Out of respect for them and the hard work that they put in, it is required that all art/picrews/references/bases/etc. that are posted include proper credit for who originally created it. This also includes artwork you may have purchased. If you do not have the proper credit, we ask that you do not use it. The only things that do not require credit are real-life photographs. If a public generator is used, please state which one in place of credit.

Within the server, you will notice that we have a "Server Artist" role. This role is given to artists that prove themselves to be trustworthy with their conduct and work. This can include those who simply do it for fun and those who create art for payments. If a user with this role shows that they are untrustworthy, it will be promptly removed, and they will be banned from all art categories. Depending on the situation, potential for removal/banning from the server could be possible.

While we encourage the support of our artists, any deals or commissions struck with them are not our responsibility and we give absolutely zero guarantees with your purchase. We cannot ensure purchases made outside of the server (or in it) and do not hold any power over artists within our server.

Disabilities/Mental Illnesses

Physical disabilities, such as but not limited to- blindness, deafness, being mute, paralysis, etc.- are allowed, but must be discussed first with staff members. If you are ever unsure about anything, please ask. This is to ensure that users understand the full scope of the effects of these disabilities and also to keep from having too many characters with a certain handicap.

In order to prevent triggering members or misrepresenting a mental disorder, no characters with declared mental disorders are allowed. This rule serves as a "realism" rule, seeing as most creatures wouldn't know what a mental disorder is anyway. However, a character can display symptoms of a mental disorder and it can be implied that they have one. If a character with an implied disorder is portrayed harmfully, it will be properly dealt with.

Realism, to a Degree

We acknowledge that these lions are based in fantasy, but there is a level of realism in this world that we ask for you to adhere to. While some lions might be able to glow in the dark, they do not shoot lasers from their eyes. Please keep our available breeds in mind when creating your character. If you feel that your idea goes beyond what is generally allowed, staff must be consulted first.

These guidelines require reasonable skillsets and limitations for a reason. Characters that are too strong or perfect are boring! Flaws and weaknesses are what truly make them dynamic and interesting. 

General Creation Limitations

There is a maximum limit of 10 characters per user. When newcomers first join, they only have 2 character slots available to them. As they actively roleplay, they will gain experience and level up. Each 5 levels reached will unlock a new character slot for them.

When first starting out, there will be ranks that are not initially available to new characters. That is because high ranks must be achieved through roleplay and proving that you are able to handle a higher-responsibility role that what you start with. These ranks require far more activity than normal ones and much more attention to detail. If you have been active and wish to try out for one of these ranks, then fill out the application within the server that corresponds with the role you are wanting. Failure to remain active will result in the de-ranking of your character.

Unless your character is a part of a litter about to be born, your character must be at least an adolescent. If your character is coming in as an orphan, you must first find someone with a character willing to take them in and care for them. 

Please ensure that your character's reference matches their in-character description. If you are using a picture already being used by a living character, you will be asked to use a different one. The same goes for if your character would share a name with another that already exists and is currently living.

Instead of playing our characters as ourselves, we use character profiles created through the Tupperbox bot. There is an extensive tutorial and explanation for how to use this bot located within the server for those who are new to it.

When registering your Tupper, please use this format: {Rank} - {Name} - {Guild} 

You cannot play your own mate, sibling, or cub. 

You can submit your form in a document and make it as detailed as you like. To accommodate mobile users, however, we ask that the basic form provided is submitted with the basic information as a separate message or in the mobile-friendly doc template. If you wish to dress it up for a desktop view, we ask you make a separate document.

Eagle feathers are not to be used in any form of décor and feathers are not to be situated directly behind the ear to avoid cultural appropriation.

Names of characters need to follow a similar naming fomat that fits the culture found within the world. This means that most names would be similar sounding to swahili or another african language. 

Off Limit Names:

• Anything human related (Concrete, Samurai, Ninja, Deli)

• Our Deities names, like Jua or Mwezi 

If you are wanting to create an "evil" character, users are limited to 1 each that is currently living. Once your current "evil" character dies, you may make another.

Human Influence

Magical lions and deities may just be concepts... on Earth. O'shy-e is not on Earth. In fact, it isn't even in the same universe. In the lore of Past the Golden Glade, humans have never existed and so, the presence of them in backstories or the world itself is completely impossible. 

The animals of O'shy-e are highly personified in many ways through their technology and cultures, but they are tied in no way to humans as far as their lore and world are concerned. Because of this, please leave any references to humans out of your writing. We deal with each other enough on an IRL (In Real Life) basis enough already. 

Conditional Requirements

Your first character must be an adolescent or adult. This is only bypassed if you are a part of a litter that is about to be born.

Removing a Character

If you are wanting to remove a character, they must first be an adolescent. (See our policy regarding triggers for why.) If they meet that requirement, then you can fill out an application for removal, located within the server in the "Application Finder" channel. Once this is filled out, you may submit it for staff voting/approval. If approved, you can choose to simply "poof" them (they never existed), kill them, or have them leave the land altogether. If your character was roleplayed enough, the first option of these three may not be available to you for the sake of realism and consistency purposes. 

Realism, to a Degree 2.0

Following those lines, we also ask that you be realistic when writing out combat or hunting. Auto-hitting or auto-dodging is not tolerated here and is considered "god-modding" (playing your character as being over-powered or perfect). When in combat with another user, use words like attempt, try, aimed, etc. An example of this can be found below: 

• He tried to grab her by the shoulder.

• She attempted to swerve out of the way.

• He aimed a blow at his muzzle.

This allows the other user an option on if the attempted move is successful or not. For every two dodges maximum, you should allow your character to get hit. For every 2 hits maximum, you should allow your animal to miss.

If injured, be sure to take this into consideration when writing! A lion with a broken leg is not going to run away. A lion with a dislocated shoulder isn't going to use it to pin down their opponent. Your character also will not be able to just heal immediately after becoming injured. If the injury is severe enough, they'll need to see a healer and injuries/illnesses require time to recover from. Follow what a healer instructs you with, both with time and what to do IRP.

Keep the Spice in Check

We all love good drama and plot, but if you are wanting to do something that will end up affecting another user's character in a large way (ex: sibling dying, mother running away, loved one betraying a family member, etc.), please make sure to consult them on it first. 

Under no circumstances are you to harm/kill a character without their owner's permission first. 

Activity Requirements

At the very least, we ask that your character be played at least once a week. The only way this is not enforced is if you are on hiatus or previously let it be known that you will not be on. Going inactive for more than a week without warning will result in one of our staff members messaging you personally. After two weeks has elapsed with no activity, you will be removed from the server. 

Activity does not have to mean an entire scene. Even posting a message that simply states that your character has eaten is sufficient. This rule is in place to try and make sure that our member count reflects active individuals and not the latter. 

If you go on hiatus, there is no limit to how long you are away. We all understand that life can get busy and hectic. Characters you currently have while on hiatus will continue to age, however, and if you are gone for long enough, they can die from old age. Keep this in mind while creating your characters.

Realistic Courtesy

In this server, we do not support "poofing" where your character just appears in a channel to start a scene. Instead, they must travel there from wherever they were last. If they are a new character, then they would either start in camp or at the borders as if they were just discovering the territories for the first time. This style of linear writing and roleplay is supported because it encourages character development and also makes it easier for users and staff alike to tell what events are happening in what order. Our traveling rules are as follows:

• If your character is in camp, they can head straight to any territory channel. If they are traveling to the border, they must first be posted as passing through at least one territory channel first. An example would be Character A waking up in their den and deciding to parform an early morning patrol. They would be posted in camp leaving, posted in the forest making their way to the border, and then posted at the border stating they've checked it over. The same rule aplies for coming back to camp as well.

• If your character is traveling across territories, they would use the borders. An example would be Character A following their border (A) to the next border that goes between territory B and C. Borders are allowed to be used as neutral passages as long as animals don't loiter where they aren't supposed to be so Character A would be safe. If they enter those territories, then they would be subject to being confronted or attacked. Due to the rule above, your character cannot be in two places at once.

Roleplay Lock and Voiding 

If in a scene with someone, that means your character cannot poof back to camp just to roleplay with someone else at the same time. It also means that character's availability relies on your roleplay partner. If you find yourself "roleplay-locked" (stuck in an interaction because your partner is not currently online), then you cannot just abandon the scene immediately. After 24 hours has passed (and you've tagged your partner for a reply), you are allowed to free yourself from being locked. To do this, you may either reset your character back at home or NPC (Non-Player-Character; narrate the rest of the interaction to where your character can leave) the rest of the interaction in order to realistically free your creature. 

A third option, often used if locking occurs at the start of an interaction, is to void the scene altogether. To do this, simply send a message saying "VOID" in all caps under the last reply in that scenario. 

Scene Starts and Ends *You do not have to state that a scene has begun, but you do need to state when it technically ends. This can be done in many ways, but the most common one is adding Exit (name) to the end of your last reply where your character is leaving the scene. Those involved in the scene can either continue it or post their own exit messages. 

Auto-Voiding *A scene is considered automatically voided if there has not been a reply from those involved in seven days. This means the channel is no longer locked and open to be claimed for another scene by anyone. The voided scene cannot be picked back up and must be restarted if the participants wish to return to it. 

Irreversible Consequences

All actions have consequences, both IRL and IRP. Keep this in mind before you have your character do something. In the spirit of treating all equally, we do not play favorites here. That also means that if your character does something that results in negative consequences, you will have to see it through. You cannot take back actions that are already in motion or stop other characters from reacting. That breaks the realism of the roleplay. If you have an issue with how a situation is evolving/developing, speak with the other users involved about it. A common ground can almost always be found. 

Within the server, there is an application to create your own guild. When considering making your own guild, there are a few things you must be aware of:

1. Making a guild takes time and real effort. 

Staff will not only deny a half-made idea but also note it down for future applications, as we do not want a guild leader who does not take it seriously. Developing a fully fleshed guild idea can take weeks if not months to be as good and original as the Jioni and Alfajiri guild.

2. You must have been part of the server for at least 3 months with good activity. 

There might be some exceptions for staff or people brought in for that specific purpose, but as a general rule, you must have shown staff that you can keep yourself active.

3. You can make a guild based on a god that is not revealed or does not exist yet. 

However, if you do so, the guild will be referred to as a cult buy others IRP, ending only if it does exist and it is revealed. If the god does not exist, staff will talk to the guild leader only.

4. All lore revealed to the guild leader stays with the guild leader unless told otherwise. 

To ensure the plot runs smoothly, the two original guilds are run by staff. Any other guilds can be made by members, but for the sake of lore, it might make sense for the leader to know things ordinary members should not. If this information is leaked, the position will be immediately resigned based on the situation.

5. Activity must be upheld within the guild. 

Staff would not like to have to take over the guild because it can't stand on its own. If activity is not upheld, staff will disperse the guild.

6. Staff can refuse to accept a guild for the following reasons:

   - Does not follow guidelines

   - Is too similar to the original guilds

   - Is simply too far-fetched an idea

   - Not enough member activity

   - Has not been in the server long enough

   - And most importantly: Does not fit the current lore or is not fleshed out enough.

7. A guild leader is an unofficial staff member.

  This means that you need to be able to VC, as there is easily an hour of information needed to be given when making a guild. This is non negotiable. You do not need to speak, but you need to be able to join. Being an unoffical staff member in this instance means that you are trusted and will be a big part of potential future plots.

All of this will be communicated and discussed. We will help and guide you through the process.