One account per member: We do not allow multiple accounts per character. Instead, members can post as multiple characters under one account.

Listen to the staff: The administrators and moderators run the site. So in turn treat them with respect. All questions about the site can be answered via a staff member.

Treat each other with respect: This means that there should be no discriminatory actions, language, or attacks. We want a fun and considerate environment. Members found harassing other members or staff will be warned and then banned from the site.

We are rated PG-13: Refrain from excessive gore and sexual or violent language. Remember that words can be used in various contexts. Use certain words with caution.

Foul language is allowed: OOC boards and chats are fine. IC boards have limitations. Use context. Clan cats are far less likely to drop an English explicit. Likewise, fuck should not be used in a sexually aggressive context.

Do not advertise: Advertisements should be posted under the advertisement boards. Advertisements found on other boards will be deleted.

Do not criticize another member: Members should not criticize another member for their bios, characters, writing, artwork, etc. unless the other member specifically asks for a critique. Members found soliciting unwanted criticism will receive a warning.

Warnings are based on the rule violation: Minor violations - such as foul language, character or relationship rules, or posting mistakes - will be minor in consequence. Major offenses - such as harassment or repeated rule violations - will result in an automatic ban.

Activity checks are manually performed by staff: Staff will monitor members' last login date on a weekly basis. When it has been a month since a member has last logged in, they will be contacted by staff (on the discord if applicable) about their activity on the site to see if they are still interested. If they are no longer interested or if they don't respond to the inquiry within a week, their characters will be archived.

*Newly adopted kits (so kits who have either no bios or have not been rped yet) will be placed back up for adoption.

Inactive members will only be contacted if they have an accepted character on the site. Members who join and then immediately leave will not be contacted.

Site complaints and suggestions can be directed to our official forms: Members can submit complaints or suggestions to the forms listed below:

• TA Complaint form
  
• TA Suggestion form

If members want to discuss specific plot suggestions, please visit the current Plot thread for more information.

Members have twelve character slots: Free slots are attained when an old character dies or is deleted. This rule exists, so members can devote extensive time and development to live characters.

Face claims must be linked in the bio: In order to give credit to the original photographer, face claims must be linked in the bio. If the picture is merely from google, we advise checking out flickr, instagram, deviantart, or pixabay for more traceable albums or to find the original poster for the image.

Word minimum is two-hundred words: IC posts must meet the word minimum. OOC posts can be whatever.

Limit chatspeak to the ooc boards: Language has evolved much over the last decade. Chatspeak, while undesirable in the IC boards, has its time and place. Feel free to use it in the c-box and/or on discord.

Do not Godmod or Powerplay: This means members cannot control characters that are not their own, and characters cannot be invincible.

Check the Bans and Encouragements thread: Members should check the Bans and Encouragement thread before they start a biography to make sure their character is allowed.

Do not use nontraditional names: Use regional contexts. The Apostles is located in northern Wisconsin and boasts a biologically diverse environment compared to the original clans. This mean nontraditional animal and nature names are allowed if they live in the region. Human names or words that cats would not know are not allowed.

No unusual pelt or eye colors: Cats should be realistic. This means that black cats cannot have blue eyes, calicos cannot be male, etc. unless won in a contest or born via a litter roll. More information on what is and is not allowed is listed in the Character Application Form and Rules.

Cats cannot be created with birth defects or major disabilities: This means that cats cannot be created as blind, deaf, or with missing limbs, etc. unless it is won in a contest or rolled in a born litter. Characters can have minor disabilities, such as a limp, as long as it is explained and reasonably justified in the biography. Characters can also earn minor/major disabilities through roleplay as a result of an IC battle. More information on what is and is not allowed is listed in the Character Application Form and Rules.

No kits or queens: Kits and queens cannot be created. These characters must come to fruition via the relationships rules. Cats who intend to become perma-queens can be created. However, they must be created as warrior and become queens via relationship rules.

No half-clan cats: Half-clan cats cannot be created and must be born via forbidden romance.

Mentors are assigned via staff member: Once a character application is approved for an apprentice, staff will assign a random mentor.

Characters age in real time: Cats will age one moon for each real time month; however, this is also based on in-character activity. Due to slow months, we have frozen time once or twice to better reflect in-character progress. Make sure to watch the monthly announcements for more information on aging.

Kits age x2 other cats: Kits are automatically introduced to the site at one moon. They will then age at a rate of two moons per real time months until they reach five moons. Kits will then age regularly like the rest of cats.

Cats move in rank once the Ceremony Requirements are complete: Kits can become apprentices or to-bes at six moons old. Apprentice or to-bes can become warriors or full tribe members once their Ceremony Requirements are complete.

Deceased characters must remain deceased: No Cinderpelt / Cinderhearts allowed. Once a character has died, their spirit can visit other cats. However, this is rare and requires staff permission.

No signs from Starclan: Cats who receive visions from Starclan must be medicine cats or working as a plot device. Staff members will indicate when visions are allowed.

New clans cannot be created: Rogue or loner parties are created via plot. Otherwise, new clans or tribes are not allowed.

Members are allowed one high-rank character: High ranks are distributed via high rank auditions. Look for these threads in the announcements. High-rank members must be active. To learn more about the rules and requirements to hold an HR position, visit the High Position thread.

High Positions must post 8 times a month: High Positions are required to post 8 times a month. 4 of these posts must be with their HR character. Members can track their posts in the HR tracker board.

More more information on character rules, visit the Character Application Form and Rules.

All sexual orientations and genders are allowed: This means that characters can show non-heteronormative attraction and exist outside of the gender binary. That said - these are cats and will not exhibit exact human sexual characteristics.

No graphic mating: Members are not allowed to use sexually explicit or violent language on the site. Instead, members can PM one another off-site - if each member wants to participate in that kind of RP. However, respect one another - if a member refuses to participate - let it be. Appropriate sexual innuendos and vague references are allowed if it pertains to the RP.

Medicine cats are not allowed to have kits: Under the warrior code, medicine cats are not allowed to have kits. Medicine cats that break this rule will have to deal with the punishment that their clan and Starclan gives them.

Forbidden romances are allowed: Forbidden romances are allowed on the Islands. However, after the first meetings, members are required to request additional meetings in the Forbidden Romance Request board.

Litter Requests: Members can make a litter request once their characters fulfill the Litter Request Rules. The Litter Generator will determine the litter size, gender, and coat composition, which is based on actual cat genetics.

Members can only adopt two kits at a time: This means that if a member has already adopted two kits, then they must wait until one of their kits ages into an apprentice before they can adopt another.

Un-adopted kits: Kits that are not adopted after a month will be announced as still-born.

The Apostles is a collaborative effort between the apostles staff and our generous member base. Plots and characters belong to their respective owners.

The skin and graphics were designed by@wish with various images from artists on deviantart and flickr.

The banner consists of work from:

• miguel-santos (deviantart)
• trevor_dobson_inefekt69 (flickr)
• 130407090@N03 (flickr)
  

The sidebar images come from the artists:

• frywoliartspace (flickr)
• drezzz (flickr)
• avseleznov (flickr)
• felicefelines (flickr)
• 160106083@N04 (flickr)
• 12851146@N00 (flickr)
• kitobonito (flickr)
• thunderi (deviantart)

The site was coded by Bandit and Wish, with codes from slightly insane and proboards help.

Smilies are by Berryness at deviantart. Favicon and icons by RariDecor at deviantart.