Information: The Rules

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The Basics

NO ART THEFT This ranges from flat-out calling artwork that IS NOT YOURS yours to tracing other artwork and calling it your own. Do not steal, trace, plagiarize, etc. It's not only dishonest, but it's also something that could hinder progressing your own skills. Using reference to make your art is one thing, copying is another entirely.  

NO GOD-MODING What is this? This is controlling a character that IS NOT YOURS. Seeing a trend here? If it's not yours, don't use it. This could be anything from force-hitting a fellow member's character or NPC to flat-out saying what the other member's character did without them making their character do it. Regular zombies do not fall under this rule, usually. But anything else does. Is someone else is controlling it, you don't.

RESPECT THY FELLOW MEMBER This is probably one of the most important rules! As in:
A.) Don't be rude to others/watch your attitude
B.)Don't cause drama or hurt people's feelings
C.) Basically, treat others the way you'd like to be treated...or better.
It's okay to joke around and stuff, but watch getting an actual attitude with others. People are all different, have different opinions, have different likes/dislikes. Respect that. Don't force your opinions on others. Don't degrade other's opinions. If you don't agree, you can say so, but don't bash others or their interests. Also, it's understandable that people have off days or could be in a bad mood, but don't take it out on others in the chat. Don't come in chats if you're going to be mean. Don't cause a scene in chats because you've got your knickers in a twist. Either be silent in the chats when you're snippy or excuse yourself and chill. If you don't have nice things to say, don't say them.

Relationship Drama: This goes along with the "don't cause drama" bit, and you'd be surprised by how often this particular situation come into play. Avoid Slut Syndrome Drama. It goes by many names but causes the same drama. It's not surprising--people get really attached to their characters and, in turn, the characters that they bond with as well. Relationships. IT IS NOT THE GOAL OF THIS GROUP TO CREATE A RELATIONSHIP...BUT...during something as drastic as the apocalypse, relationships are something really important to some. It's sometimes the one bright side they have to look up to. And what do you think happens if your character flaunts around and tries to get in everyone's pants? Relationships get messed with and--you got it--drama. Some members can seriously get upset if you just come crashing in between their character's relationship. Other people may get annoyed if it seems like all you're trying to do is jump their character's bones. Don't get me wrong--for some characters, it's in their description; it's what they do. I can understand that some characters think: "Hey, if the world's going to end, I'm going to go out banging...everyone".  Some characters even purposely want to cause a ruckus. But that's in their description and it's usually for a reason. Not all characters have to go around chasing after everyone else. It upsets some people, annoys others, and can cause animosity in chats that isn't really needed. Try to keep relationship drama like that in high school and out of the chats. If you know characters are in a relationship and their members are protective of it, respect that. So, watch where you stick it, okay? If you don't, don't be surprised when you character is disliked by other characters. Besides, it would really suck to survive the zombies just to die from STD's.

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Character Rules/Information

Allowed Number of Characters:
Regular Members: 2
NPC/Family characters are allowed (like sisters, brothers, etc.) as long as they do not help your character whatsoever. They are there for story ONLY. They cannot carry an extra gun for you, protect you, or do anything productive. You cannot control them without their related character present, either. They are just props. They cannot affect the storyline or other people if they do not wish it, either.
Moderators: 3
Sometimes, for events and assignments, Mods may create and introduce additional temporary characters or NPC's. These can exceed the 3 character limit as long as they do not stay as permanent characters. If the Mod eventually wants the temporary character to become permanent, they must kill off or remove one of their other characters from Ash Creek.

Character Complexity:
Characters should be well thought-out and complex. They need to have flaws as well as strengths. They need to have a well-planned history and bio. They should not be all-talented or overpowered. And they do not have to have the most cliche` or soap-opra-esque backstory, either. They SHOULD NOT be the back-flipping and zombie massacring Mr./Ms. Super-Badass-Ninja-Samurai-Smartass-Rambo. You don't need to be one to survive the zombie apocalypse. C'mon, how about a little variety/originality? We don't want any Mary-Sue's or Gary-Stu's in our city. If you submit an app and your character seems like one of these, then we will assist you the best we can. However, be prepared for some in-depth criticism and suggestions. And on that note: We aren't being mean, we're being critical. We're trying to help your character creation improve.

Character Interaction:
This group is a roleplay group. If you're rping, it's sort of expected that you want to rp with others. You're not in this group to strictly rp with yourself between two (or more, if you're a Mod) of your own characters. Unless it is an essential situation or event where you feel you MUST rp with only yourself (which will have to be approved by one of the Mods), you cannot do this. If you are rping more than one of your characters in the same place, interacting in the same situation, they MUST be interacting with another member's character as well. We prefer to not have your characters within the same vicinity, which is why your characters are purposely in separate strongholds to begin with. It is understandable that it isn't always possible, but include others when you can. Don't make other people feel left our or unwanted in rp. We are one large group, not a bunch of smaller cliques.

Strongholds & Starting out:
The stronghold that you are required to put on your app is NOT WHERE YOU START OFF in Ash Creek. When you start, you are arriving. Unless explained and approved by Mods, your character is not returning to their stronghold--they are eventually going to happen upon it. At first, they most likely won't even know it is a stronghold. Unless they're a previous resident of Ash Creek, they'd likely not know anything about the city at all. The purpose of putting the name of the stronghold on the application is so that Mods know where your character be sorted after you join. When rping, think of it as your first goal: searching the city and eventually finding the stronghold that your character will later call their home.  

Character Deaths & Leaving Town:
For a general rule, no one can kill your character without your consent (unless specified ahead of time by a Mod). Removal of a character does not essentially have to mean killing them. Your character can simply leave the city. Pack up and go. If this is the case, you may bring them back after a couple months if you have an extra slot available. However, you cannot keep killing off characters or having them leave town frequently and there is a limit.

• If you remove a character(either kill/make them leave), you cannot create another character for 30 days unless approved by a higher-up. Regular members cannot remove more than one character at a time. Moderators cannot remove more than two characters at a time.
• Because people have been killing of characters just to make new ones: members cannot kill/replace more than 2 characters per year.
• No one can replace more than one character at a time after the 30 day limit. This goes for characters that leave town, too.
• A character that leaves town to be replaced by another cannot "return" for at least 4 months after leaving. Each character can only leave once.

A Mod CAN kill your character if you are being ridiculously and highly-unrealistically reckless–as in, we hint multiple times that an action or inaction could get your character killed and yet you persist. Seriously guys, no one character is going to approach a horde of about fifteen zombies, take them on single-handedly, and come out alive.

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Other Rules/Information

Weapons:
Weapons depend on your character. No super-heavy weapon for little characters and such. Be practical when choosing a weapon for your character. It's not smart to have a weapon that would be unnecessarily loud or overly heavy. Also consider what the chances are of your character happening/acquiring the weapon. It's also possible, and likely, that your character is not experienced and skill with all sorts of weapons. Why would they keep weapons on them that they have trouble using? Just give them what they can use and use decent enough to survive. Do not give your characters an ungodly inventory of weapons. Again, we don't want over-powered characters. That goes for firepower, too.

Ammo: Let's face it, ammunition is limited. We're not going to put a specific limit on the amount of ammo your weapon has. However, be realistic. Shooting blindly will result in running out of ammo and it's highly unlikely that your character can miraculously pull infinite cartridges from their butt. Having to shoot zombies all the time, ammo isn't just sitting around everywhere either. Have your character worry about running our and conserving ammo. Heck, make things interesting and have them run out while fighting zombies. Have them searching for more or bartering with another character for some. It's not a bad thing to have limited ammo. In fact, it helps make things interesting.
Melee & Other:Melee is your best friend. Gun shots are loud and draw too much attention. Anything from a bat to a knife could help down a zombie. Sure, it may take more physical strength, but that's not always a bad thing. Not strong enough to fight them off? Run or hide. It's a natural survival instinct, and it's actually more likely than people immediately running into the thrall of zombies.

 

Vehicles:
Cars will only be allowed out on the outskirts of the perimeter and only when given permission. Abandoned and wrecked cars are scattered amongst the city, anyway, making driving through the streets more than a little difficult. Many have already been siphoned by the dwindling survivors for use in generators and such. Motorbikes can be used within city limits (again, when approved), but remember: they make noise--noise draws zombies. Zombies have no problem trying to tear you off of a motorcycle, and I'm not sure running one over would end well for you, either. Working vehicles are rare and most likely need the touch of a mechanic, anyway, so choose wisely.

Pets:
Pets are not allowed unless approved by a Mod. This is rare, and we usually won't approve without specific reasons. Usually pets are something common: a dog, a cat. Rarer animals are increasingly less likely to be approved. Also, be practical--they are more mouths to feed, they could make noise and draw zombies, and they are another living being to look after.

Pregnancy & Babies:
Okay, this one is going down in the rule book because you wouldn't believe how many people choose the zombie apocalypse to get preggers in. Guys, this is stupid. Honestly. Have you heard a pregnant woman complain about the things she goes through in modern times? Now think about going through all that WITHOUT all the luxuries like medications, special equipment, sanitary conditions, SAFE AND SECURE PLACES. Not only that, but for MONTHS, you're a lumbering, aching, unstable, peeing, vomiting, lactating mess...And the baby? Really? You expect something that cries all hours of the day to not attract the undead? And it poops...a lot. Pees...a lot. Vomits...a lot. That's even if the malnourished pregnant mother gives birth to a living baby and both/either survive. The baby will likely be malnourished as well, possibly ill, need food that likely is hard to find if at all present. And who is going to protect you? Unless you have some really dedicated people in your life, not many people will step up to protect such a risky pair. If they do, they're only putting themselves in danger. So, really, think twice...maybe three times...before knocking someone up. We're more willing to allow an infinite supply of condoms than we are to allow babies. It's unrealistic, but so is surviving pregnancy during the apocalypse.