GENERAL

The server password is somewhere in the Discord.---1. You must be over 18 or over to join this community.---2. You must be in our Discord to play on this server
---a. You must abide by the Discord TOS in our Discord---3. Remain in character. You may never speak OOC in VOIP---4. Do not advertise other servers---5. You may not use an alt account---6. Sanctions are up to admin interpretation.

BASIC RULES

• Prioritize roleplay

• Don't be a jerk (OOCly)

• ALWAYS REMAIN IN CHARACTER

• Do not abuse game mechanics

ROLEPLAY

METAGAMING
When players apply information gained via out-of-character methods to actions and roleplay including information obtained without having a character present.---a. If you log in after being made aware of a situation occurring in the immediate area or building through OOC means - this is not metagaming.---b. Using third-party communication during roleplay involving users who are not privy to that communication is prohibited.Example: A player watches a stream about a secret item, that only the streamer would know about IC. The player who watched the stream would enter a role-play with the streamer talking about the items, which he shouldn't know of.

POWERGAMING
Powergaming is when a player presumes or declares that their own action against another player/character is successful without giving the other player/character the freedom to act on his own prerogative.
Use words like "Attempt" and "Might" when describing actions.Example: "Anne Brown punches Bob in the mouth causing all of his teeth to shatter." An appropriate emote might be - Anne Brown swings her fist towards Bob's mouth in an attempt to knock his teeth out.

NVFL (NO VALUE FOR LIFE)
Not realistically fearing for your life when you are threatened with weapons or severe harm from other means.
---a. You may be asked to permanently die if you display No Value For Life.Example: Being surrounded on all sides by armed men and running. Then being shot, and asked to stop, but continuing to run.

CHARACTER STANDARDS
1. Your character is expected to have a valid first and last name. If your character is attempting to obscure their identity then you must use descriptors in place of the name which must include their gender.
Example: Tall Gruff Male1.a They cannot be named after a famous person or character.
Example: Niko Bellic, Ron Swanson2. You cannot play a character with a gimmick or schtick that does not fit the setting of Knox County America 1993.
Example: A time traveller, Prime Minister of Canada or a Skoliosexual Otherkin.3. The use of slurs and bigoted language is not policed in game however creating a character with the sole intent to be racist or sexist is prohibited. You may not use racism or sexism as a crutch for your character's lack of personality. ( Consent ) Respect people's boundaries and preferences.Example: Playing as a character who's only trait is being in the KKK as an excuse to be racist.3. All characters must be over 18.

CONSENT
We do not police roleplay. It is up to you to communicate your limits and preferences regarding sensitive topics and non-consensual IC actions to the users you are engaging with through OOC means. If a user says they are uncomfortable, stop. Any users who can see your roleplay must be respected and consent to the situation as previously mentioned.Using this rule does not exempt you from facing the outcomes of roleplay situations, including hostile interactions, being accosted, mugged, or feeling inferior. No OOC animosity should result from an IC interaction.

MECHANICS

AOGM (ABUSE OF GAME MECHANICS)
Exploiting and hacking is absolutely unacceptable. Abuse of game mechanics is addressed on a situational basis and is up to administrative interpretation.Example:
- Duplicating ammunition
- Purposefully breaking a car so the engine gets below 60% so that it may be stripped. (anything over 60% is unable to be stripped.)
- Killing a character to avoid mechanical injuries
- Loot Cycling
- A building that would not realistically stand on its own
- Abusing Zombie AI
- Abusing Trait Points

HOSTILITIES---1. RDM/KOS (Random Death Matching / Killing on Sight) is prohibited.
---a. You may not engage in mechanical PvP with someone if you know they are in the middle of typing.---2. Every hostile action must be preceded by a substantial roleplay scene. The user must make their intentions unambiguous and clear to the player(s) they are engaging in hostilities with. A reasonable demand must be made as part of the initiation. Failure to comply with a demand will allow the assailing party to then engage you in combat if they wish. You may deny a demand via initiating PvP as a defender. You may not initiate hostilities for the sole purpose of gaining superfluous or excessive resources.Example In the event of a character being insulted and wanting to retaliate by breaking a bottle over another player's head, the insulted character must first make their grievance known to the offending player and request that the insults stop. If the insulting player fails to comply with the request, the insulted player may proceed to break a bottle over their head as a form of retaliation and engage in combat.---a. You may not steal high-value items from players without providing roleplay, an emote, or a note. (IE: weapons, 10 cans of food, ammo, but cars outside of a base are exempt from this rule). The note must be descriptive, and list the items that have been taken.Example Scenario: You find yourself within a player's base and notice that they are asleep. You have set your sights on their prized coffee cup, but a simple theft would not provide any roleplay for the player. Instead, you leave a note indicating that the area has been tampered with, or a description of a piece of evidence, such as a strand of black hair or any other similar item. This creates a more engaging and exciting gameplay experience for all players involved.Good Evidence Example:
There's a lock of Blonde hair, Red torn fabric from what looks to be a shirt, and Cigarette butts. Foot impressions in the mud are from men's-sized Military boots.Bad Evidence Example:
There's torn denim and footprints leading out a window.Good Evidence Example:
"I needed to borrow some of your materials, if you'd like to discuss this or desire compensation, contact Glover over the radio."Bad Evidence Example:
"You snooze, you lose! L Bozo."---3. Kill rights occur when the character’s demands are not met.
Kill Rights extend to both sides of the conflict. A user is allowed to defend themselves when:---a. A character's life is threatened---b. A player does not comply with the initiator's demand.---4. The use of explosives (Pipe bombs, molotovs) in PVP is prohibited unless all parties consent to this OOC.Example: A character is being insulted and wants to break a bottle over another player's head. The character who was insulted must first make their issue be known, and request the insulting player to stop. Failure to comply will result in the player having a bottle broken over their head.---5. During hostilities, if you are under attack by someone inside an inaccessible structure (e.g., base, barricaded building, etc.), you have the right to break into the structure in question to defend yourself and retaliate.

BASING
An occupied structure in which someone will have to destroy (NOT MOVE) something to enter it is defined as a base. This extends to items and vehicles. If a vehicle or item is outside of a base it is not covered under these rules.You cannot break anything in order to enter a base, nor build anything to enter a base. You may get consent from players OOC to break into a base.Example: You have stumbled upon a potentially player-owned base. You can jump a fence to get inside of the base and take the items. This is not a base and is not a raid.

GRIEFING
Griefing is defined as intentionally annoying users and deliberately irritating and harassing other players. This applies to both mechanical means of griefing as well as trolling in the Discord. Intentionally disrupting scenes is also considered griefing.Example: A user injects themselves into a scene. They begin to derail the conversation purposefully by talking about Barney the Dinosaur when the topic was survival. An example of mechanical griefing would be a player kiting zombies to someone's base to destroy their barricades.As well as Intentionally barricading players' doors

PERMA DEATH---1. Perma Death only occurs under specific circumstances. You do not need to kill your character permanently after a PvP or PvE Death. Players are responsible for justifying why they are not dead after being killed mechanically.---2. You may not assume a character is PK'd or dead in any situation. You must wait for the player of the character to confirm or deny their status.Example: A player is killed during a consensual PvP interaction. They act as if they are knocked out upon returning.

RESPAWN RULES (NLR)
If you die during a scene ( Roleplay with other characters involved ) due to an accident, PvE or consensual PvP ( Not a hostile interaction) you may return to your body without consequence granted---a. you offer a reasonable explanation for your death or disappearance within the roleplay scene---b. gain consent from the users within the scene
You may not return during a hostile interaction and must wait until the hostile scene has concluded.You may not return during a hostile interaction and must wait until the hostile scene has concluded unless given consent by all users involved.Example: A user is shot in the neck and bleeds out or steps in fire which leads to ending a scene abruptly in the middle of Roleplay. They may return to resume the scene while playing out their extreme injury.

ROLEPLAY STANDARDS

HOARDING & LOOT
This is not a single-player game. We're all here to write and be creative. Focusing too heavily on loot and items diminishes the potential for roleplay and can even be disruptive. While raiding or scavenging it is encouraged that user's only take what is reasonable for their character.
Example: A hungry character would prioritize food over propane or other such goods.

CONTINUITY
When a user goes offline their character does not simply disappear. It is best to assume that a character is sleeping or passed out. To help with this - when logging off it is encouraged you leave a note down explaining what your character is doing.
Example: A player logs off in their bed and leaves a note saying they are asleep or injured.

THEME & MOTIFS
Unless explicitly mentioned at the beginning of the season, roleplay scenarios that involve supernatural or science-fiction elements beyond the existence of zombies are not allowed. This means that players should not introduce any other supernatural or science-fiction elements that are not related to zombies into the game.
Example: A player who is a ghost, a robot or a time-traveller, a sentient zombie.

ROLEPLAY FOR EXP
In order to gain EXP for your roleplay you must, first, roleplay with two or more users. Secondly, provide proof of your roleplay. This is intended to encourage people to create roleplay.
Example: A user is being taught how to properly take the tires off of a car by their older brother. They may gain some exp in mechanics.

EXPOSURE

On the eve of December 3rd, 1984 in a quiet town in a city unknown to most Americans, one of the worst industrial accidents occurred. An accident that would change not only India - but the world as we know it forever.Most of the world was dismissive at first. "Just another third-world disaster." A year and a half after the incident horrifying reports of the genotoxic gas's effects began to surface within the global medical sphere. The disaster had affected various viruses carried by wildlife in ways unseen by humanity and doctors alike. This drew the interest of doctors and Veterinary Epidemiologists in the highest echelons of the medical world.Meanwhile, the Indian government responded to reports of violent animal attacks by culling stray dogs, cats, and any animal seen as a potential carrier. The impact created by the new virus variant on the people of Bhopal was quelled during this half a-decade-long battle against the local fauna.The most intelligent of men in the medical field were left flabbergasted and bemused by the changes they were observing in not only the animals but the people who were attacked by those animals as well."As devastating as the gas was on the survivors of Bhopal" - they wrote in their many published papers and peer-reviewed articles. . .
"The most perplexing changes came in the form of a considerable increase in the virus's replication causing it to bypass the brain-blood barrier quicker than we have ever witnessed in a neurotropic disease. The method in which it assures its survival manifests a horrifying toll on the human body. Major organ failure precedes full brain death. What is unknown is how the virus sustains the body after death."

AN ANCIENT FEAR

For thousands of years, humanity has been plagued with a virus that ravages our bodies and brains. An incurable affliction that changes the mind on a fundamental level.The rabies virus killed 60,000 humans each year in Asia and Africa alone. This was before the disaster. Our knowledge and study of this virus have changed throughout the years along with with the virus itself. Viruses are complex and unique infectious organisms. They are responsible for the infection of their host(s) and can be spread by either airborne infection, coming into close contact with a person who has a viral infection or contact with the body fluids of a person with a viral infection.It's shocking how quickly our worst nightmares manifest themselves into reality on such a global scale. Pandemics are not unknown to the western world - Typhoid, Yellow Fever and Scarlet fever might come to mind. All of humanity's experience with the disease, plague and pandemics pale in comparison to the utter devastation wrought upon the world by what now would be considered an evolutionary step forward for methods of infection and the rabies virus itself.

FLIGHT

The true consequences of the disaster reared their ugly head roughly a decade after the initial exposure event in India. Shanghai was the first to shut down. The news spread quickly throughout the globe about assaults and violence taking place in eastern countries and various districts that are mostly unknown to the rest of the world. Scientists grow increasingly baffled and desperate for answers surrounding the new mysterious virus sweeping across their countries.The many countries of the east were thrown into a panic and whole cities began to be quarantined.Many countries declared a state of emergency (emergency law) and is now ordering the closure of airports, universities, all public schools and universities. No travel. Emergency regulations and restrictions are being implemented across the globe. This includes public transportation, unessential government buildings, most hospitals and ports.It starts with flu-like symptoms which are easy to dismiss. Grogginess, headache and then comes the anxiety. Symptoms much harder to dismiss include the overwhelming desire to eat anything that comes near and the unadulterated rage that inevitably follows. Family turns to foe and the staggering desire to eat consumes every thought and dictates every action. They become mere puppets and slaves to their infected minds.The rapidity with which the outbreak was transmitted and spread across the globe demonstrates the potential for such an infectious disease to spread and mutate in such rapid ways that it may only take several months before the full effects become apparent.The result is a quickly spreading virus with a 100% fatality rate that ravages the dense populations of ports, cities and towns globally. Governments do their best to protect themselves from the unstoppable tide of death and decay.

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

January 1993 Knowledge of the virus was spreading and overtaking news broadcasts around the globe. The western world has become aware of the pandemic and the outbreak of violence accompanying it in Shanghai.It took mere months after the virus was put on the CDC watchlist to reach the western hemisphere despite the best efforts of lawmakers, activists and government officials. Trade routes were disrupted globally and the supply chain has been severed as ports all across America close in a desperate bid to lessen the impact of the outbreak on America.Anchorage and other major American ports have begun to close in response to reports of unrest and widespread illness. The closing of ports and other transportation caused a cascade of economic disparage and a disruption in the supply chain that was beginning to be felt by the average American household as the price of gasoline and food skyrocketed.Fears of the virus now known as Ribolyssia are now commonplace amongst the American people as a state of emergency was declared.At first, the riots were worse than the virus. Violent protest and dissent broke out across America. The US government launched a militant initiative to help quell the disarray but was quickly overwhelmed by the beginning of the spread of the virus as well as the social dissidence.The undead began to migrate. South America had been almost entirely overtaken, their government already felled by the virus. Soon those close to the borders in the south felt the strain of the increasingly real threat of the undead and the resulting supply chain disruptions that were being felt globally. The spread was quick - they overtook New Mexico and continued to move up from there.The military were left destitute and without resources by the government.

YOUR WORLD - BEFORE YOUR VERY EYES

IT WASNT ON THE TELEVISION ANYMORE.
IT WAS ON THE STREET, OUTSIDE YOUR HOUSE.It is a desperate situation. Families were left torn and destitute. With the supply chain disrupted people struggled to find resources. The rampant violent crime which came as a result of the riots was still prevalent and those willing to fight and kill for their food were some of the remainders of the first tide of the undead.Many news outlets were disrupted - thankfully some individuals had access to broadcasting equipment and quickly took up the mantle. Civilian-ran pirate radio stations began to pop up alongside the military ran broadcasts. Reports began to emerge on these pirate radio stations that some families had gone to the streets, while others had turned to cannibalism. Others were even said to try to steal the bodies of those who had died for sustenance.Your government has forsaken you. You're left without any sort of support to face the devastating tide of the undead sweeping across the nation. Chances have it that you don't even know how bad things are outside of Kentucky.