Usernames

Each Tavern member should have one major username. This username is how they will be known by other members, and how they will be referred to in any official communication.

Each member may then register one username for each role-play Forum. These usernames must only be used in their corresponding Forums. Temporary accounts for role playing purposes can be registered by contacting the administrators and requesting permission. Secondary usernames must contain the major username in the account details.

Only one person may use each username.

Do not attempt to impersonate any Tavern member, non-member, or author by registering with their name (e.g. David Eddings, Robert Jordan, Raymond E. Feist), or by using a very similar name (e.g. Korgor - Koorgor).

Leaving the Tavern

If you do decide to leave the Tavern, and state this in a post, your account will be deactivated after one week. If you wish to return after this time, contact an administrator to get your account reinstated. We realise that this may be inconvenient, but it is necessary to prevent malicious use of 'I am leaving' announcements, or threats to leave, as instruments to create disruption (this has happened several times in the past).

Message Content

These are guidelines, but if it is clear that someone is repeatedly ignoring them, moderators or administrators may take action.

Discussion within Forums must be related to the Forum topic. Please do not start discussions on totally unrelated topics.

Messages posted may contain material suitable for a mature audience (e.g. descriptions of nudity, mild sexual references, low-level coarse language) so long as the material is clearly marked. An indication in the thread title (e.g. "Naked Bonfire Dance") is sufficient. Material suitable only for an adult audience (e.g. explicit sexual references or depiction of sexual activity, heavy profanity, excessive violence and gore) may not be posted, except in forums and on conditions noted under Forum-Specific Rules.

Posting links or otherwise directing people to shock sites is strictly prohibited.

All Tavern members should act courteously to other members, and respect their right to state their opinions, even if these are not supported by evidence, or are against 'conventional wisdom'. If discussions become controversial, tense or heated, never resort to personal attacks, and try to avoid anything that would inflame the situation further.

Avoid 'chat threads' - that is, where people find themselves online at the same time and start using a thread in the same way they would a chat room or instant messenger. Use email, chat rooms, or instant messengers for this.

Do not address threads to an individual or group of individuals so that it becomes an 'exclusive' discussion, which may alienate other Tavern members. Use email or instant messengers for private conversations.

Members may edit posts or threads for up to one hour after they are posted. This feature is only to be used for spelling and grammar corrections, or to add more comments to an existing post. Members are not permitted to change the meaning of the post (e.g. you cannot use the 'edit' feature to retract statements you made, or alter your expressed position on a subject).

Do not post the contents of emails, private conversations, or personal details of Tavern members in any Forum without their express permission.

HTML may be used in posts, but do not use large images or confusing layouts.

No spamming - that is, no advertising of products, services, or commercial Web sites, or multiple posts of the same message (accidental duplicates can be dealt with by contacting the Forum moderator).

Keep personal and real-world arguments outside the Tavern.

Forum-Specific Rules

All Tavern rules apply to all forums. However, because of the nature of individual forums, certain restrictions or extensions may apply.

• Drinking Table

  This forum is for social interaction between members. A low degree of informal roleplay for socialising is permitted and encouraged. Other informal roleplay should be kept to the Back Room.

• Storyteller's Corner

  Stories posted to this forum may contain adult material. The first post in such a story's thread must contain a clear warning of its content, and may not itself include any adult content or any part of the story.

  Keep any criticism constructive and courteous.

• Cedar Alcove

  Avoid making arguments personal. This forum is for discussion and debate of real-world issues, and frequently turns controversial. Respect the rights of others to argue for perspectives that oppose your own, and keep in mind that personal views and debating positions need not coincide.

  Material of a mature or adult nature may be posted for the purpose of frank discussion only, and must carry clear warnings as to the nature of the thread.

• Ghwerig's Cave & Gambling Table

  These forums are for formal roleplay. Particular rules apply and will be specified in the individual forums.

• Back Room

  This forum is for informal roleplay. Accordingly, more leeway is given for trading of insults, mild violence, and other contention. However, the normal rules will apply if a participant in the forum is deemed to be making personal attacks or otherwise hindering the reasonable enjoyment of others.

  All messages in this forum may be expected to contain mature material.

Moderators and Administrators

Moderators have authority over individual Forums, and are able to take actions regarding any issue within that Forum. Please follow their advice and instructions at all times.

The Tavern supports free speech, and the open exchange of ideas. However, the moderators and administrators reserve the right to delete or edit any post or ban members as needed. 'Uprisings' against the moderators or the rules are not acceptable. If you have a problem with a moderator or a rule, speak to the administrators about it.

The 'Moderator Panel' consists of all current moderators and administrators, and attempts to resolve major issues democratically by debate and polling.

Banning

Serious or frequent breaches of the rules can result in your account being temporarily deactivated, or even a permanent banning. If your account is deactivated or banned, you will be notified by an administrator, and an explanation will be given.

If you are deactivated or banned temporarily, and attempt to return using the same or a different username during the ban period, you will be permanently banned.

Queries About Rules

If action is taken against you and you are unsure why, or you are afraid you broke one of the rules, contact a moderator or administrator. The rules do not exist to trip up the unwary, but to make the Tavern a friendly place for all to visit.