Article I: Introduction

Members must follow the following membership behavior rules at all times when on FloodGate™, or in our mIRC chats. In layman's terms: Read below and memorize it. Follow these articles set out for you!

Article II: Member Expectations

1. Members must treat everyone with respect.
2. Members must not judge someone because of his or her skill level in any situation.
3. Members will not swear or guttermouth in the forums.
4. All SPAM posted, that is not in the SPAM Box Forum, will merit punishment to a harsh extent. That's what the SPAM Box is for. Do it there.
5. Members must not trash talk or belittle other members and will respect their fellow members and themselves.
6. Members must have friendly attitudes, and try to avoid arguments as well as get along with all other members.
7. Deliberate and intentional religious intolerance will not be tolerated.
8. If you are new to FloodGate™, please ask questions. Don't be afraid of the Moderators or the Admin. Sincere members will receive full support.

Article III: Rights of the Member

Members have the following predefined rights:
1. To be treated kindly when they treat others that way.
2. To not be discriminated against.
3. To express his or her concerns.
4. To be happy.
5. To have fun.
6. To think before action.
7. To leave at anytime.

Article IV: Advertising or Affiliating for outside websites.

Here is how to do it:

1. Do just one of these actions:
   1. Send a personal message (PM) to the management team asking for advertisement rights.
   2. Create a forum thread in the General section of 'The Flood' and direct it to the Admin.
2. Explain why you want to affiliate and propose something just as mutual and we'll have a deal.
3. Then if it is OK'd by the Admin, then a link to your group will be posted in the Affiliates section with a brief summary of what the group is about and who it is owned by, and we will give the go ahead for you to advertise an allotted amount on the forums such as in your signature or in the advertisement forum. (When ever we get one).
4. If you don't follow these step by step procedures, then any advertisement posts will be considered SPAM, will be deleted, and you will be dealt with.

Article V: Punishment Policy

If ANYONE breaks forum rules, by staff seeing it, or if another member tells us about such an instance, then we will personally look into it. We have logs, we look at IP's, and we will find out what happened. If we see that it was not falsified, and said person really did break these rules, then we will give you a warning with a brief suspension. Multiple warnings or blatant disregarding of the above any rules or Articles of Conduct will result in a long suspension or possible permanent IP ban.

Article VI: Mistreatment and Redemption

If you feel like you have been wronged by extreme punishment by a mod or wronged by another member then please contact one of the Admins. And we will re-examine and determine if you have been wronged.

Article VII: Golden Principle

Golden Principle: Treat those who you come in contact with, as you would have like someone treat you, and you would be following those guidelines, therefore, you wouldn't be in danger of being banned. Just also remember the Golden Rule...

Article VIII: Golden Rule

Golden Rule: The Admin/Mods rule all. Topics may be subject to debate but forum Moderators hold the right to delete offensive posts, lock topics or even completely remove topics if they find them unworthy of public viewing or offensive content. Any concern with decisions made by Moderators or Admin within the FloodGate™ board should be addressed to them via Personal Messaging, not to everyone else. But remember, most cases are final and challenging the decision in a impolite way can get you in trouble.

Article IX: Basic Role Play Etiquette

1. Limited swearing. If the words dick, pussy, slut, cum, or cock are seen in posts, it is a warning with 2 day suspension, then a ban if it continues. Most meaningless obscenities will be deleted. But please, keep our site clean and fun, refrain from needlessly swearing or gutter mouthing even in character. This is a Mature board, keep it mature.
2. Never use someone's character that isn't yours. This also means any physical changes upon the character.
3. Only approved characters may be used in RP. A designated mod or admin must approve your character bio before you rp.
4. Most of the forums will have a set of rules to follow, read them and obey.

Article X: Duty as a Roleplayer

A roleplayer will realize that roleplay is a work of fiction and it should not be taken seriously. Anything written in character on the board should never be practiced in real life. A roleplayer will write fictitious depictions for fun and entertainment among his or her peers and fellow roleplayers.

Article XI: Stealing/Impersonation/Password

1. If a member steals graphics, art, stories, et cetera, or even characters from the creator, they will be tracked down, maimed, shammed/shunned, and banned.
   1. If you ask the creator/owner of said content for permission first then you may use said content.
   2. You can not at all say that said content is yours and must show credit where credit is due.
2. If someone impersonates the administrative team or a moderator asking for your password in a PM or on the board, report them right away using the Report Button under that user.
3. NEVER EVER GIVE OUT YOUR PASSWORD! It means that. NEVER let anyone know your password.
   Tip: Change your password often.
4. Administrators and moderators will never ever need to know your password at any time no matter what the circumstances.

Last Updated: 11/20/08