Elf Clan

THE RABID PINK PIRATES CHAAARRTER!

Rabid Pink Pirates is a sub-group of Elf Clan and authorized by the "fantasy" theme under the Elf Clan Charter.

So listens up you bilge rats.   We is da RABID PINK PIRATES, da scurviest bunch of renegades this side of that side.  We is one of da oldest pirate groups on da virtual worlds, existing from waaaay back in days of early (that other place) and with a stronghold smack in middle of battle-zone JESSEE, from where we launched watermelons over whole region.   WE DA ROTTENEST BUCKLE SWASHERS ANYWHERE! 

WHO IS WELCOME

While is true we is maked up mainly of tinies, wees, dinkies and yesh, even ferrets and dwagons... EBERONE is welcome.  Dat includes biggies, monters and dragons.  (In fact, monsters and dragons would be pretty kewl.)   Our group is FREE JOIN. 

DRESS CODE

YOU KIDDING ME?  We got no code!  However we do request modesty in dress and conduct, as we is a family-friendly group. 

Common clothing usually consists of pirate-type outfits and gear.   Now, how a pirate dresses is up to you. Can be anything from typical pirate gear to KRAKKEN!   Who gonna tell you wot to wear, right?  Well, da Cap'n if you get outta line, so WATCH IT or ye'll wind up scrubbing the keel.

OBLIGATIONS

ARRR YOU KIDDING ME???  We is Rabid Pink Pirates!  WE DON' NEED NO STEENKEEN OBLIGATIONS!  But if ye happen ta just want some, we got decks dat need scrubbin...

END OF CHARTER!  DEAL WIF IT!  HAR!

Elf Clan Charter

Events are fun. They draw our community closer together, help you make new friends, and win prizes. It's easy to host an event. You can offer prizes-- or not, as you wish. The primary purpose is the event itself.

If you wish to host a gathering of friends, hold an Archery or BattleMace tournament, call for a
Drum Circle dance, Avatar Contest, or enjoy other activities here-- that is what these lands are for. Enjoy yourselves.

 
HOW TO HOST AN EVENT--BASIC GUIDELINES:
* To host an event, figure out what you want to do, and do it. Don't be afraid to jump in with both
feet. The only way to learn how to drive a car is to get behind the wheel and step on the gas. :D
* Events must be family friendly.
* Events do not have to be fantasy in nature. You can hold trivia events, games and more.
* Events must not be opposed to Elf Clan charter (ie, "Sunday Morning Church" or "How to be a
vampire" aren't the best ideas). If you have a question, please contact a Greeter or Eldar.

HOW TO POST EVENTS
Posting events is easy. 

* You can post them in the FORUMS at the Inworldz website (Inworldz.com / community section)
* Send out a group notice (please see the Charter section on posting group notices for guidelines)
* Go to http://inworldz.com/events.php and post there.
* LANDMARK GIVERS. If the event is not right at the land entry point, you may need to place a
landmark giver at the entry point, to take people to the actual event area. If you don't have a
landmark giver, ask Snoots Dwagon for one.

PRIZES
Prizes are not necessary, but they can draw attention and benefit members. Whether to have a
prize or not is completely up to you. Events are fun with or without prizes.

 
Elf Clan has an event prize fund. The fund is supported by event donations. If you're a merchant
hosting an event to promote your store, you can use merchandise as prizes if you wish.
If you decide to offer a prize, there are many ways to do so:

* If it is a contest and you are a builder, build a low-prim trophy or wall plaque commemorating the
win.
* If you're a merchant you can donate a prize.
* You can make request to us for Z$ from Elf Clan
* If you have a nice-but-unused item in your inventory that you no longer need, it can make a nice
prize. Or your friends may have something you could offer (of course, the item has to be
transferable). Such is a good way to get rid of unwanted inventory that still has value. Please do
not use freebies as prizes. That's perceived as "cheap". : )
There are many ways to offer prizes, but you do not have to have a prize to hold an event.
Sometimes events are just for the fun of it (such as Drum Circle or Live Music). The purpose of an
event is to promote Elf Clan and have fun!

 
TYPES OF EVENTS:
There are so very many kinds of events that can be held.  Visit that link to see a huge list of ideas.

 
REFEREE information is available for those who wish to hold sporting events such as BattleMace
or Archery. The REFEREE GUIDELINES explain how to conduct and score such events and is based on years of
sport event experience to make it easy for you.

 
AT THE EVENT
Try to show up for the event at least 15 minutes early. Announce the event in the ELF CLAN IM
channel when the event is ready to begin (usually about 10 minutes ahead of time is good). No
further announcements are necessary. If the event is more than an hour long, it is good to
announce the event every hour on the hour.

 
That's all there is to it! Once you have held your first one or two events, it should seem like second
nature. : )

 
--o--

Elf Clan Charter
 
 
* Griefers * Drama Queens * Personal spats *
From time to time, stuff happens. These range from intentional vandals (griefers) to problems with friends. We all get out of sorts from time to time. Please remember even in such situations, to deal with HONOR, RESPECT and FRIENDSHIP.

 
Even with griefers? Yes. Sometimes they are lost causes. Other times though-- those griefers have been impressed by Elf Clan ways and moved on to become our friends and allies. We have members today that ceased being griefers because of Elf Clan.

Now, if you show people respect and they still cop an attitude, that's when the following guidelines come in.

PERSONAL SPATS
Please remember we're all imperfect, have flaws, and people get out of sorts from time to time. Be forgiving, let things slide, be the bigger person. Even friends and family have spats from time to time. Once you've had time to calm down, talk it over as friends and mature adults. Don't blame-- best to say "That upset me" rather than "You did that and this". Spats happen. Get past it by trying to seek peace and harmony, regardless. Mend the wounds. Heal the relationship.

NON-NONSENSE, TO-THE-POINT NOTE: "Drama" (excessive emotion and negativity) is
expressly forbidden on these lands. Those who engage in such activities will promptly be shown the door. This is our home. Visitors and members are guests. We appreciate suggestions and feedback and encourage suggestions. We don't appreciate arrogance or rude behavior. No one has the right to come here and tell us how to run our home. This is not a democracy. It is a Fantasy Elven Kingdom that has been in operation for years. Polite and respectful suggestions are welcome; attitude is not. We are a friendly, harmonious, hospitable and peaceful group and ask visitors and new members to show the same respect.

GREETERS, GUARDIANS and ELDARS are the Elf Clan equivalent of moderators, with their primary duty that of welcoming newcomers and making them feel at home. To help keep your visit pleasant and peaceful, some do carry the authority to freeze / ban if someone crosses the line.  Please respect the Greeters. They are here to help you enjoy your visit to Elf Clan.

DEALING WITH GRIEFERS
We have dealt with griefers a very long time and we have learned one thing:  They can't do permanent damage. We can.

What we mean is that sure, they can upset people and harass them. The won't do so for very long.  They might destroy a sim. Sims can be "rolled back" and repaired-- easily-- as if nothing ever happened. They can rez annoying things and disrupt events. Usually they can be ignored, muted, and the event continue. If not... there will be future events. On the other hand we can abuse-report them, resulting in them often being perma-banned from the grid. It is easier for us to report them than for them to create a new avatar. Inworldz isn't afraid to ban people at core identity level (ie IP address, computer identity, etc).  

Don't interrupt your event. Call for assistance on Elf Clan chat, ignore the griefer, encourage others to do the same thing. Continue the event. Note their name and report them later, after the event is over.

In dealing with immature individuals:
1. Do not overreact. Note their name; write it down.
2. Call for a Greeter or Eldar
3. Ignore them.  If possible, continue your activity. Report them after the activity is done.
4. Ban them from the land if you have that authority.
... then just get on with things.

A griefer is a bully, a cowardly vandal. Griefing takes many forms, including attacks with weapons, "caging", verbal insults or or other abuse. Any "damage" they do can easily be undone, at the press of a few buttons. You have more power than they do... if you keep a cool head. Don't get upset... that's what they want. Don't feed the trolls. If you remain calm no matter what, you remove their power.

THE OLD "SIT ON THE GROUND" TRICK
One of the primary tools griefers use is "push weapons", caging devices, or other toys. Sitting on the ground is usually an effective defense against all such.
 
THE OLD "EXIT THE AREA" TRICK
One of the best ways you can disarm a griefer and totally spoil their plans is to simply say bye and leave the area. There's nothing they hate worse than to be ignored and left by themselves. It totally de-powers them to have their victim leave the vicinity. You can easily go find something else to do until the child is gone, then come back under more peaceful circumstances.

WHAT TO DO
Ignore the offender. The best defense is to laugh it off. Gather as much data as you can in the way of NAMES, CHAT and SNAPSHOTS and send them on a notecard to a Greeter or Eldar. If one is not online, send it to the Eldar's profile. We promise you: they won't do so twice-- at least not on these lands under that avatar. If we find their behavior bad enough, we'll contact the grid managers and ask for them to be removed permanently. You are also strongly encouraged to file an abuse report with the respective grid.

DOES THIS WORK?
Yes it does. Direct example:
We hosted an event on one of our sims. A griefer group invaded the sim, creating no small amount of havok. Unfortunately for them, the event was hosted by one of our Guardians. The Guardian froze the griefers, banned them from the sims, removed their toys, and contacted Concierge. The group continued to "attack" via IM and chat tools. Concierge examined evidence of the activity, and ten minutes later the most active of the griefers was banned from the grid. The rest of the griefing immediately stopped.

Griefers are cowards. They hide behind their keyboards and harass people for no reason than their own antisocial and abusive nature. Demonstrating that we are not powerless against them... that there will be consequences for their actions... usually makes them hesitant to strike again. If they are goofy enough to do so... we'll take them out again, zero tolerance.
 
Q: Why is drama forbidden? Isn't it rather common on SL? Doesn't RP entail "drama"?
Not in Elf Clan. Our RP is respectful even "in character". In the past, the worst problems in Elf Clan have been caused by "drama queens". Therefore, it is official policy that we no longer tolerate such. If someone cannot conduct him/herself in an emotionally mature, adult manner, they are welcome to conduct themselves elsewhere. Elf Clan is made up of harmonious, positive, friendly people. We like it that way. : )

So take it easy, don't get riled, laugh at them, enjoy yourself, and continue on with your activities. Such people are nothing more than a bump in the road, soon far behind and long forgotten. They are irrelevant... and they know that. If they want to become relevant, they can start helping people rather than harming them. Ignore them, take the correct steps as outlined above, get on with things. We do not validate negative, abusive people, by reacting to their tantrums. We boot them and continue enjoying our activities. If they decide to clean up their act and join us in the fun, they
are welcome to do so. : )
 
--o--
 

Elf Clan Charter
 
 
Fantasy theme usually involves weapons of some kind. RPG (role playing games) are also often a part of fantasy groups.  Elf Clan also allows SciFi and Steampunk-based themes, which have their own type of gear.

Following are sensible, balanced weapons guidelines that allow you to enjoy your weaponry while protecting innocent bystanders.

 

ALLOWED:
* Decorative, non-functional weaponry
* Functional themed weaponry so long as not use against other members during normal activities
* Battle weaponry during battle events (archery, BattleMace, siege devices, castle defensive items, etc)

FORBIDDEN:
* Non-ornamental, active, abusive weaponry (griefer weapons).
* Non-fantasy weaponry (guns, bombs etc) except in appropriate-themed areas.
* Mass-damage weaponry (nukes)
 
There are exceptions to all of these. Please read below.
 
We wish you to enjoy your toys and to be able to properly test your weapons, but first and foremost this is a peaceful, relatively safe group. Please assist us in assuring that peace, with our thanks.
 
EXCEPTIONS:
* All fantasy-type weapons may be worn for decoration (so long as they are not against the Charter, ie--  occult weaponry, black magic items, etc).
 
* Guns may be tested on sandboxes or facing any sim edge where they can do no harm.
 
* We do occasionally have massive weapons-related events. Our most popular is the "Elven Magical Nuclear Missile" event. (You'll just have to see it to understand). We also have pirate parties where there is quite a bit of weapons use. There are also science fiction and steampunk regions where such are acceptable. And there are always the "Ork Wars"... which are rare but incredibly weaponry-intense events that are part of our fondest-remembered events.  Note that these are AUTHORIZED events. Doing the same thing in an unauthorized area or manner would be prohibited.
 
* You may use combat-type weapons at any time in areas specifically designed for that purpose (ie, battle arenas).
 
* You may demonstrate animation-only type weaponry anywhere, so long as such is not used against another person unless they are a willing participant (ie, ask permission first). Animation-type weaponry would be weapons that have special effects, but no ammunition of any kind. Please be considerate of others and do not use such devices at events, or where crowds are gathered.
 
* Using animated weapons on an unwilling victim will be considered a psychological attack and will be dealt with as griefing.
 
* You are hereby notified that dwagons, pixies and other tiny creatures tend to start pie and toilet paper fights at the drop of a hat. What can we say? They're critters. But you do have the right to ask them to stop if they're annoying you. However, you will find that if you ask politely (and maybe give them a cookie), they will give you pie and toilet paper devices with which to join in the fun.
 
* Target weaponry (archery, throwing spears, etc) MUST have the consent of your target before use. Yes, you must literally ask for-- and receive-- permission to use someone as a target. The exception of course, is if you both are packing. :D
 
Exception: pie fights do tend to start unannounced. It's just one of those things.
 
 
ROLE PLAYING CONCEPTS-- friendly and without attitude
 
These are THEMED sims, not Role Playing sims. "Role Playing" on these islands refer basically to character and dress. It is friendly role play, with people playing their parts-- or not-- as they feel so inclined. There is no requirement for "OOC" (out of character) chat, nor IC chat. The mode people speak in is according to their mood at the time.
 
There is to be no "rude" or abusive RP. Role players are welcome; "attitude" isn't. No role player should ever be rude to a guest or fellow Elf Clan member. No role player should ever attack anyone for any reason (with the exception of mutually condoned battle). No special tag is required to walk these lands. It's friendly RP.
 
What we mean is that if your character is ordinarily rude and offensive (ie, dwarven, ork, drow)-- Elf Clan is different. All of our races get along here. It is possible to be "politely horrendous" and humorous in such rather than abusively offensive. So even Orks are expected to keep themselves in check. It's totally okay for an Ork to say, "Arg... another pinkie!" It's not okay to say, "You're on my turf. Get out or I'll stomp you." That's not how our RP works.
 
Exception: During sponsored battles... all bets are off. But these are highly advertised and people are pretty much aware something major is going on. Even then, our warriors tend to be generally friendly, and more funny than antagonistic. :D
 

 
NOTE REGARDING ORCS, DWAGONS, PIXIES, WHELPS and other creatures:
 
Orcs swear they are never rude. We do not suggest disagreeing with them; they are after all, Orcs. Surprisingly, they are Elf Clan's oldest and most loyal allies. Same goes for dwagons and other tiny creatures. They do tend to do whatever they want to do. Please tolerate them. If one is bothering you, a polite cease-and-desist IM will usually do the trick.
 

 
--o--

Elf Clan Charter

POSTING GROUP NOTICES

Greetings to all region owners and event hosts!

We very much appreciate your support of Elf Clan and our members.  Your events help keep this group active and alive.

We also appreciate our merchants and realize you sometimes have special releases you'd like to bring to the attention of our members.

We do wish to have your events and stores brought to the notice of our members.  We also want to avoid "spam".  Therefore we ask our hosts to follow these guidelines:

EVENTS

* Feel free to send out one notice for each event.  If you have several events the same day, please include them in the same notice rather than separate notices.   If there is a change to the event (date, time or other specific) an additional notice may be sent out with the update, but in most instances one group notice per event is sufficient.

* On the day of the event, 10 to 30 minutes prior to the event you can make a group chat announcement that the event is about to start.  You can make additional chat announcements during the event if needed.  Please keep such limited.

* The best time to send out an event notice is 1-2 days prior to the event, unless it requires advance planning (such as a fair or contest that will require advanced preparation).  

* When posting events in a notice, it is often good to follow the standard event format.  This is a time-proven format that helps people sort events and keep them straight.

Event Name

Day / Date / Time

Description

MERCHANTS and REGION OWNERS

To post a merchant notice one must either own a region or have a store on Elf Clan lands.  Simply being a member of Elf Clan and having a store somewhere else doesn't qualify.  It must be an Elf Clan business.

Region owners may wish to invite visitors, announce new regions, or host events.  Depending on which you're doing, such announcement would fall under either Event or Merchant guidelines.  If you're just advertising your region or an attraction you offer), merchant guidelines apply.

If you wish to draw attention to your region (ie encourage visitors) and own a store, such would be placed in the same notice.  Again, both must be part of Elf Clan lands.

Let us state the rule-of-thumb, and then we'll discuss exceptions.

* Merchant/region-type notices are limited to one per month and the notice must be placed by an Eldar or Guardian.  We want to support our merchants and keep our members informed of new goodies... but don't want to spam members excessively.  One can imagine what would happen if 50 merchants all sent out notices once a week. 

Please contact Moontan Valeeva, Cinnamon Raymaker or Snoots Dwagon for such notices.  A notecard accompanied by an IM is considered standard format.

* Exception:  We realize that every once in a while a special event may come up (such as a business anniversary) or that a merchant may release a new "totally awesome" product that they wish to bring to the notice of the group as quickly as possible.  In such instances we may be willing to set aside the "once a month" rule and allow a special notice.  We're usually pretty friendly and easy-going in such circumstances.  The rule of thumb here:  it doesn't hurt to ask.  The worst that can happen is that we respectfully decline the request.   In most instances though, if you feel it's important we'll likely feel it's important too.

The idea is to find the best balance between being informative and avoiding being "spammy".  We want to support our events and merchants without exasperating our members.  As Elf Clan is generally an unusually self-moderating group, we are confident both Event hosts and Merchants will have a pretty good feel as to what should be announced and when.

--o--

Elf Clan Charter


IM and CHAT GUIDELINES

We wish to keep a polite and fun balance between social chat and group business. If people feel main chat is being spammed too much they turn it off-- blocking important chat. But if we limit it to "official business only"... what fun is that?

Remember: "Friendship". Everyone was once a newbie. We don't want members jumping down people's throats for chatting, but we don't want chat regularly abused either.  So here are some friendly guidelines:

* Feel free to chat. Nothing wrong with that. It is however, good to actually have something to say.
* Advertising by groups outside of Elf Clan is forbidden without specific permission of an Eldar or Guardian.  Advertising within the group should be limited to events.  No merchandise announcements in main chat.
* Chat may be used to ask for Greeter assistance.
* Chat may be used to ask questions (group, scripting, building, whatever). Please avoid asking questions that can be easily looked up.  It's best to ask a friend before you ask the group.
* Simple common sense polite and respect for others will help you recognize when to use chat or not. After consideration if you still want to group chat, go ahead. That's what it's there for. : )

NOTE: Yes, this is a change from past policies. We all grow with time and experience. : )

-o--

Elf Clan Charter

GROUP ORGANIZATION and MANAGEMENT

Summary: Elf Clan is an ELVEN FANTASY group. Method of government in order of authority:
Elven Monarchy (group founder)
The Eldars
Elf Clan Council
Guardians
Region Owners
Greeters

Land Ownership:
These lands are official Elf Clan islands, under private ownership. Each island is owned by individuals. However, each land is under the covenant of the Elf Clan Charter and operates by the guidelines of that Charter.

Elf Clan and lands are self-supporting and self-moderating. All members and visitors are expected to moderate their own conduct and-- in a friendly manner-- the conduct of others. However if they don't... we will, for the benefit of the group. Anyone repeatedly and intentionally breaching the charter will be removed form Elf Clan lands, whether they are casual members or region owners.  All are expected to respect the code of honor that is Elf Clan.

General conduct:
* If someone offends, please avoid drama. IM them in a polite and friendly manner and try to work it out.
* If someone is publicly abusive, a polite public reminder may be in order.
* If necessary, call for a Greeter on the Elf Clan IM.
* Greeters are the primary moderative and "guard" factor on the lands.
* The Eldars have as little do do with group moderation as possible. Their "word is law"... but they choose to exercise that right as little as possible. We use Greeters to moderate the lands in a friendly manner. However if an Eldar needs to handle a matter, we will do so... hopefully in a mutually polite and non-adversarial manner (but beware... we do carry swords). ; )
* "Drama" (excessive and negative emotion) is strictly prohibited. We are a friendly lot. : )

All organizations must have a form of governance. Elf Clan is governed in as friendly and hospitable a manner as possible. This is largely due to the fact that our members themselves are friendly and conduct themselves in an honorable manner. This helps our group exist in a harmonious, friendly and peaceful environment.

--o--