Have you ever wondered why we have an E8 standard in some places, and T+ standard in others?. This page will tell you why! Here you can find: The definition for our standards, where they fall within the dream and what is tolerated. It will also cover desk rules and what we view as harassment. However, none of this is open for debate, not open for leeway, and not open for changing or argument. This is how it is and how it will remain due to reasons below~.

A long time ago, actually twice now, we have had guardians whisper us and explain to us that the way people act in our dream is too much for being in AI and the age groups that enter it. In other words: Change your standards, or move to FurN/Hawthorne.  Those were the options and we chose the one that would benefit us the most. We try to keep the guardians from intervening in dream activities, but sometimes they have to, and we must change accordingly to what they ask of us. That's what we did.

- Exceptional rules will be posted beside each point.
- What we see as harassment will be posted below.

These are Furcadia's official rules for the T+ standard which apply to all areas, with the exception of the desk and shelter:

• Maps with the Teen rating are suited for players who are at least thirteen years old. ((You may be older than 13, but you MUST keep your language to a minimum. Just because you are older, doesn't mean you are the majority, nor does it mean you get to do what you want. You will keep it appropriate for others in the dream.))

• Content here may not be appropriate for younger players, and may contain crude humor, strong teenage language, mild swearing, mild and suggestive themes. ((Please keep this to a bare minimum. Keep it out of public areas, and be mindful of your neighbors. If we think it falls under harassment -see below-, we will deal with it. Also, if someone is uncomfortable with the conversation and asks you to stop, please do so or we will intervene.))

• Violence, violence inciting behavior and sexual themes are unwelcome on public maps.((We will only allow this type of behavior inside of YOUR home. Keep it out of the public areas, or in gardens/yards. This may not be a public map, but we will require these rules to be followed. If anyone else can see it, it's not allowed.))

• Moderate violence allowed for player dreams. ((Same as above. Keep it out of the public areas and inside of YOUR house only.))

• Players under the age of 13 may only visit these maps with direct adult supervision. ((Self explanatory.))

• T+ and E8+ dreams may load to these maps. ((Does not apply since maps cannot be loaded by players in this dream.))

• Swear filter enabled for public dreams and optional for player dreams. ((We do have a swear filter. Do not dodge it.))

These are the rules for the E8+ standard which apply to the desk and shelter, with exceptions posted beside the rule:

• Suitable for even Furcadia's youngest players. ((We accept members younger than age 13. Please be mindful of their presence in the dream. Just because they play does not mean we should open their eyes to...certain topics.))

• Appeals to adults and teens as well. ((Other ages are allowed, but restrictions are heavily induced in these areas, just because you are older does not make you an exception.))

• No inappropriate content. ((We will allow filtered swearing (as long as it is not excessive). There will be no talk about sex or related body parts, or innuendos. Related topics are a no go as well. There will be zero tolerance if it appears you are suggesting something, for both males AND females. Adult situation DISCUSSIONS' fall under this category. Talking about pains is okay as long is it doesn't come off as crude (applies for females only). Tasteful puns are acceptable.))

• Friendly and non-offensive behavior/language is expected. ((Swearing and such is allowed (within reason), as long as you do not evade the filter and you are not insulting/harassing anyone.))

• Mild language may be encountered here, but is not welcome and will not occur frequently. ((Does not apply. Previous statement covers language.))

• E8+ maps are also designed to offer especially friendly environments for new players. ((Again, language is covered above. Keep it clean at the desk. The less tension, the better. Debates are fine if they avoid crude discussions, but if it breaks out into argument, it will cease. If staff members ask for the discussion/debate to stop, then please abide by it. We're to set an example for younger players, so please be friendly, no sarcasm needed.))

• T+ and E8+ dreams may load to these maps. ((Does not apply due to the fact members can not load maps here.))

• Swear filter enabled for player and public dreams. (We do have a swear filter. Do not dodge it.))

All other dream standards are allowed only within the inside of your personal home and when not in view of ANY OTHER HOUSES that may surround yours:

• Please see the Furcadia Dream Standards page for what applies for M16, A18, and AO.

• No one may see the contents of these conversations other than the party commencing them, even if someone in a house beside yours can see into your house. You are responsible for this, and if someone complains about this content, we will deal with it accordingly.

• Example: You and your friend are having a M16 conversation in your home (the inside), and someone in the corner of their house (also the inside) can see you, and you can see them. The conversation must stop, or you must move to another area of your house.

• We trust that you only invite people of appropriate age into these conversations and that you are of appropriate age as well.

Desk Standards

• E8 standards apply here -see above-

• The Desk is public area, used for helping of Guests. Chatter is fine as long as it is not a.)disruptive b.)obnoxious c.)rapid. This means that if everyone at the desk is contributing to the conversation and doesn't mind, it's alright. That is, as long as it does not keep requests from being seen. If it becomes too quick to follow or difficult to get through, we are liable to ask you to tone it down.

• One-on-one conversations are encouraged to be taken to whispers. No one likes to look back at their screen after being gone for two minutes to see walls of text between two people, when it's easy to have that same conversation in a whisper window, so please keep that in mind.

• Keep in mind that staff members cannot own houses, unless they are permed, and are thus given a bit more freedom when talking to each other, as long as it's not out of hand.

• If a group of patrons are talking and it starts to interfere we will ask you to take that conversation elsewhere. We don't mind talking, as long as it doesn't a.) get in the way of patron requests or b.) become too obnoxious.

• Sarcasm and insulting remarks are to be kept out. This is not open for debate. From all parties, there will be zero tolerance on sarcasm.

• It is frowned upon and highly unwelcome to degrade a staff member in any way. That doesn't mean you can mock them either. If we catch it, we'll deal with it.

• Insulting staff members is also unwelcome. Do not say something if your intention is to cause havoc in regards to staff members. If we believe that's what is happening, we will address it.

Shelter Standards

• E8 standard applies here. See above.

• We ask that you be nice to fellow guests in the shelter. Do not get snippy with each other.

Other Dream Area Standards

• All other areas are considered T+. Please see above.

• Don't go around insulting people. If your parents and grandparents would frown upon it, we probably will too. It's not so much of a rule as it is a courtesy.

Forum Standards

• Please keep avatars and signatures appropriate and in the E8 standard.

• Topics must be kept at the bare minimum of the T+ standard. Don't get out of hand.

Considered Harassment
Harassment is not allowed anywhere in the dream. This will not change.

• Constantly cursing at or asking a player to have 'intimate sessions' with you, even once.

• Insulting people in general. It is deeply frowned upon and discouraged to insult another person, if they have wronged you or not. Simply don't do it, and there will be no problems.

• Stalking a player's home and refusing to leave them alone upon their request for you to move.

• Constantly asking patrons to let you inside their homes or adopt you, even when they have given you an answer.

• Begging for money/prizes/things constantly.

• If we catch word of whisper harassment, we will prompt the player to contact the guardians if it's about sexual behavior. Anything else via whispers, unless we see it applies elsewhere, please use the silent rule and contact a staff member to see if we can do anything.

• Keep in mind: Do NOT post whisper logs in public, however: 

  Cironir   post Aug 29 2009, 08:41 PM Post #3 Group: DEP Admins      The purpose of all of our rules is to provide protection and prevent abuse. The rule speaks of public posting, with the intent to harass or ridicule. Rahs and staff exchanging logs for informational purposes is as fine as players submitting logs to Guardians.  Intent and purpose matter, as so often with any of our rules.

  Taken from this thread. So please keep this in mind. Sharing whisper logs in the public chat will not be tolerated at all.

• Here's a basic overview of what Furcadia can consider harassing:

  Minor Harassing:
  

  • Spammers - fill up your screen with junk. And things that are not needed.

  • Yellers - those who talk in all caps.

  • Imitators - they are like parrots, mocking/repeating what you say.

  • The best thing to do with these people are to simply place them on ignore. If it gets to annoying, report them to a staff member.

  Major Harassing:
  

  • Sexual Harassers/the horny - They beg for cyber-sex. First it may be best to tell them to go away, if it persists, contact a staff member, and then the guardians (especially if it's over whispers). There are two types: Stalker (who may stalk a single person) and exhibitionist (who may target an entire group.) If this happens to be the case, don't engage in a conversation if it persists after telling them to leave you alone. Contact a staff member. Keep in mind that ignore and silence rule are your friends.

  • This is the main huge one that Cypress Staff may have a bigger problem to deal with. If it's over whispers, we ask you to contact a guardian. They will be banished from the dream without question.

  • Stalking in general and constantly bothering patrons is a no-no. Please contact staff if you've become annoyed with a furre who just won't leave you alone. There are other forms of harassment, but these are the main things.

  • If you're unsure if you're being harassed, contact a staff member, have logs ready, and we'll tell you if we'll consider that harassment or not.

  • This is an overview I put together from the guardian's page for harassment. If you'd like to read more about it, click the link.

Ban Evasion and Pre-banished patrons

• If you have been banished from Cypress Homes, keep in mind that ban evading is against the rules. 9 times out of 10, we will catch you.

• If you are caught evading your banishment, you may find yourself rebanished without warning.

• Staff members are NOT to cover for patrons who are ban evading. Under any circumstances. Failure to comply may result in a temporary suspension or another measure, depending on the severity of the situation and its components. If you know they are banned, you must report them.

• If you have been banished from this dream in the past, and let back in after a period of time, we expect you to have cleaned up your act. Just because you are allowed back into the dream does not mean you have a clean slate. You will be watched carefully, and slip ups will be monitored.

We may choose to alter these rules as we see fit. Treeki, the co-owners, and managers have permission to edit this as much as they wish.

We know these rules seem strict, but we have had multiple run ins with the Guardians to better control what goes on within our dream. If CH is to stay up, these rules must be followed. Thank you for reading them!