RULES

They're simple, really.

BE POLITE

Our golden rule here at divergence is that you shouldn't expect everyone to be nice to you if you aren't nice to them.

xx || As such, I would like to take this opportunity to make it a rule that anyone online MUST greet new members. Welcome them as warmly as you were welcomed when you first came here.
xx || Especially, do not, I repeat, DO NOT be rude if a guest begins to ask questions about the site. We were all new at one point. I expect you all to act like you remember that.

BE ACCEPTING

Please keep in mind that this site is an LGBTAPS [Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Asexual Pansexual Straight] accepting community. As such I don't want to see any discrimination against anyone for their sexual orientation OR their gender identity. It's a personal choice that they made, and it has nothing to do with you. In short, if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. (this also goes for subjects like politics, religion, and any other "Controversial" conversations. You may talk about it, but don't "Bible preach" to anyone.)

xx || If you are young and confused about any of this, there is plenty of correct educational material out there about how to act around people who are discovering their gender identity, and what that means.
xx|| The main thing you need to remember is that, no matter what they identify as, or what they are interested in romantically, people are still people and should be treated like people.
xx|| SOME OF THE STAFF ARE TRANS [mostly yours truly]! Don't be afraid to ask questions. I am more than willing to answer any questions you may have, as long as you're polite about it.

USE DISCRETION

As with the Proboards terms of service, this site can not be joined, or enjoyed if it does not maintain a healthy balance of PG-13 in it's environment. I understand this role play setting may call for some mature content, but just remember to be appropriate, and remember there are people as young as 13 lurking around this website.

xx || So! No sex, no gore, no alcohol. (I sound like such a party puss right now.)
xx || While we're on the subject of maturity, cursing is okay here! If you stub your toe and need to curse, feel free. If you had a bad day and your parents pissed you off? Go for it, that's what the rants board is for! I just ask that you keep it mild, and DO NOT direct curse words at any one member, so no cursing at other people, like calling someone a bitch, or saying 'Fuck you!' at another member. If I see this being done anywhere, I will take down this rule and the law-breakers will be banned so fast their heads will spin.
xx || Code word is PFUDOR!

STOCK IMAGES ONLY

ALL images, whether they be for character references, used in tables, or otherwise, should be STOCK and should be credited properly*! That means you need to provide stock credit that is visible, and legible ON THE IMAGE. Not in a post that links to the stock provider, not in your signature, I want it ON THE IMAGE. This includes, but is not limited to avatars, signatures, AND table images!

xx || Signature images should be no more than 200 pixels wide and should NOT distract from a person's in-character posts. Table images should be no wider than 500 pixels because board-stretching is ugly!
xx || Avatars must be no bigger than 150x150 pixels, and can NOT contain anything pornographic, violent, abusive, racist, or contain anything relating to drugs, alcohol, religion, or sexual orientation. Not that I want to be so restricting, but again- there are children who could have access to this site, and I would rather not traumatize a child.
xx || ALL images must be stock, and ALL stock must come from Flickr's creative commons -or- deviantART's resource and stock images We will not accept Shutterstock, or random google images. Period.

WORD COUNT

We are an advanced role play site and expect nothing but the best our members can give. As such, we require a word limit of 250 words per post. There are word counter websites out there. My personal favorite is this one!

xx || Don't worry about coming up short every now and then. We all have bad days, we understand. If it becomes a habit, though, you will be warned and then banned if the issue persists.
xx || Character applications have to have at least 100 in the description, at least 200 words in the personality, and at least 400 words in the history, for a grand total of 700 words minimum.
xx || If you are applying for a high position, you must have at least 200 words in the description, at least 300 words in the personality and at least 500 words in the history for a grand total of 1000 words minimum.

HELP BOARD

We understand that sometimes questions are necessary, and while none of us mind answering your questions in the cbox, its still more advisable that you post your questions in the forum help board located in the OOC board. That way, an actual admin can see your question and give you reliable answers. Especially if it's on a subject that is frequently debated.

xx || Again, we don't mind answering questions in the cbox, but do not trust the words of anyone but a staff member- only their word is final.
xx || There is an FAQ thread in the help board. If you ask a question anywhere that can be found on the FAQ, you will be ignored, because the question is already answered, you just need to do a little digging. We admins are busy people, we want there to be as little hand-holding as possible so that we can get our actual work done.

TRADITIONAL NAMES

I'm going to make this short- names mean something in this rp. The prefix symbolizes the cat's appearance, the suffix for a prominent personality trait or skill. Cats can not be named for eye color and the prefix has to relate to something they know. Also, suffix's are EARNED. They have to hold MEANING for the cat. Lyrical names will not work here... ever.

xx || There are naming guides available, the one I personally favor is Ailuronymy but you may also use this guide as well. (Though be warned, if I find anyone trying to push through something like Cursedpaw, or Thunderhead, I will personally brick you in the face with a cinder block. :I)