Critique is very much appreciated in general; please do say what you think. But as soon as your "critique" attacks the post's author and you do not say anything constructive about the subject in question, you are flaming, not criticizing.
"OMG you cant draw you suuuck!!!111 I hate it!" is flaming. People will defend themselves against it, and it will create a fight, which can eventually result in Warnings and Banishment. So unnecessary.
"The image could use improvement, I think. You might want to try shading a bit more clearly next time, and use a darker blue." is criticism or critique, since you gave a reason for your opinion, and presented it in a calm manner.
So, what is the limit? We hope that the following list will clarify that.
- Concerning cuss words: They are allowed in moderation, although we prefer if you could think of an alternative, like "Holy salami!." If you direct them at another person in aninsulting or demeaning manner, you will be Warned for harassment.
- Concerning the posting of very suggestive role plays or images: Romance (hugs, kisses, cuddles, marriage, kids) and tasteful "undressed" nudity are perfectly okay on the main roleplay boards. Some level of violence is also permitted on the main boards, but please keep it tasteful. Any overly gory descriptions intended to shock or disgust other members may result in a warning.
- Explicit sexuality, extreme profanity, and graphic violence are only permitted in the Dark Caverns section for Mature roleplay. This is hidden board, and members must sign up and agree to the terms and conditions if they wish to have access to it.
We understand your needs to vent and express yourselves, but we do still expect you to use your common judgment and to know when to stop. Keep in mind that people with various ages, nationalities and religions visit this website, and to show some basic respect. Slurs of any kind are not permitted. As soon as you use excessive profanity directly against other members, for example, you have gone too far. Besides, using profanity ALL the time kind of ruins its impact . . .
We do expect you to solve your personal conflicts with other members privately. Either talk it over or avoid each other. Do not take it to the Forums or Shoutbox, do not single people out, don't form warring "teams" so you can attack another person with more force, do not pour oil on any fires on purpose, etc.
If you think you need help solving a dispute, talk to any Elder or White Guard. They will always try to listen, give advice and maybe offer a solution.
If you do make your dispute public or fail to heed the warnings of Elders or Guards in a conflict situation, disciplinary action will be taken.
Just so we are clear: we only label something as design theft if a character is completely cloned and virtually indistinguishable from the original. If a combination of features (colors, details, characteristics) are taken from one character, an accusation can be made. Single features do not make your design original, but the combination of features does.
This has had an embarrassing history in the Clan, thus the obsessive over-reacting about "design theft" needs to be addressed. Please remember that not every pink Dragon with blue hair is copying your Dragon, nor every black Dragon with bat wings and ram horns - it's the specific qualities that make your design unique - the combination of features, markings, colors, and shapes. Just as two identical twins can look exactly alike but be as different as night and day . . . Dragons with similar (but not identical) looks can be entirely different characters as well. If you suspect design theft and no one else has spotted it or said anything about it yet, then chances are that it's not a legitimate theft. Action against design theft will only be made in obvious, blatant, or purposeful carbon copies. Otherwise, it's suggested that you handle minor similarity problems on your own.
This includes stealing from members AND non-members!
The direct stealing of art (you copy someone else's image or adoptable and claim its yours), no matter if the colors or details of it are changed or not (so YES, tracing is definitely art theft!). If you posted stolen images from a petsite, we are also obligated to report you to that petsite's staff, which could lead to your account being frozen.
This also includes the stealing of the Dragon Clan's copyrighted names, images and texts. For example, a member stole our Logo once to use it in his Dragon Guild . . . do understand that everything on this site should STAY on this site (unless you have permission). The only exception is our link-to-us images, which we encourage you to post off-site!
Basically, if you didn't draw it, don't claim that you did. Copyright law automatically protects every artist who draws any picture and art theft in any manner will get you Banished from the Clan.
Your account is your responsibility. It is your job to keep your account's confidentiality, not ours. If you choose to give out private information, we cannot be held accountable for the results. You will be held responsible for all actions done on your account. Please remember to keep your passwords private and to log out after each session if you share your computer with friends or family members.
When asking for donations or doing commissions, clarify why and what you will do with it (don't abuse people's trust!). If you promise something (art, poetry, etc.) in return, keep your word.
Since not all movie or game ratings are consistent worldwide, here in the Dragon Clan Lands we expect topics to be labelled according to their content.
All questionable images, stories or roleplays that may contain adult content must be tagged and posted in the appropriate sections.
Possible tags:
- [Warning] For topics that include mild profanity, innuendo, drug references, or moderate violence. It is a good idea to follow this with your reason for the adult content warning, such as [Warning: language].
- [Mature]: Topics which include explicit sexuality, extreme profanity, and graphic violence should be labelled as Mature Content. Roleplays of this sort are restricted to the Mature Roleplay board in the Dark Caverns, although mature topics may also be found in the Den of Scribes or the Den of Artists.
Clicking this button on the forum will hide a section of text from view until the reader agrees to view it. In the Den of Artists, please link to any mature artwork and include an adult content warning so that people may choose whether or not to look. Do not post it as an embedded image.
RPs or images not properly tagged may be removed from the site immediately and without notice. All participants will recieve an Official Warning. If you are unsure whether or not your roleplay, story, or artwork is mature content, feel free to contact an Elder or White Guard for advice.
Note: Members must be thirteen years of age or older and make a post agreeing to the terms and conditions if they wish to view or participate in mature roleplays in The Dark Caverns.
God-modding is just what it sounds like. It means "playing like a God," doing things to other characters or with other characters without that character's permission. An example of this would be if I were to write one of my characters hitting another Dragon and immediately sending them into a coma or killing them. You need to give the other Dragon a chance to react and control their own character - my Dragon could "take a deadly swing, aiming to kill," but I would need to stop there and let the other person decide whether they dodge the hit or whether they take it. That's their freedom. Don't speak or act for other characters, you may only control your own.
All of the Role Plays kept in the Private Role Play Forum will have a list posted, in the first post, of the members allowed to participate. If you are not listed there, you may not reply in that Role Play.
All of the Role Plays posted should be done in complete,legible sentences to the best of your ability unless there are special circumstances such as deliberately silly and out-of-character Roleplays.