Terms of Service

This community is here to provide you with a friendly environment where you can discuss ideas, role-play, and interact about any other aspects of World of Warcraft with other players. This community is at its best when members treat their fellow players with respect and courtesy. We ask that you do this with maturity. You are solely responsible for your conduct and your content on this site and compliance with these terms. By registering with us or using or browsing this Network, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these terms.

The rules listed below explain what behavior is expected of you and what behavior you can expect from other community members. The Administrators and Moderators shall have full discretion to address any behavior that they feel is inappropriate. Your access to this online community is a privilege, and not a right. We reserve the right to suspend your access to the site at any time for reasons that include, but are not necessarily limited to, your failure to abide by these guidelines.

'It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.' -- Mark Twain

'It costs nothing to say something kind. Even less to shut up altogether.' -- Nathan Fillion

We reserve the right to evaluate each incident on a case by case basis. The action we take may be more lenient or more severe than those listed under each category - but more often than not, we are not lenient. You will notice that many consequences of conduct violations seem severe, often with no more than one cumulative warning (if that) before either a temporary or permanent ban. We recommend that you remember this fact when tempers and emotions rise.

I. Racial/Ethnic, Spiritual/Religious, Political/National, Sexual Preference

This category includes both clear and masked language and/or links to websites containing such language or images which:

  • Promote racial/ethnic hatred, are recognized as a racial/ethnic slur, allude to a symbol of racial/ethnic hatred
  • Negatively portray major religions or religious figures
  • Insultingly refer to the political beliefs of other members, negatively portray political parties or figures
  • Promote national hatred, are recognized as national slurs, allude to symbols of national hatred
  • Insultingly refer to any aspect of sexual preference pertaining to themselves or other players

If a member is found to have participated in such actions, he/she will:

  • Be given one warning, after which any further Code of Conduct violations may result in a permanent ban from the website

Issues surrounding race, spirituality, politics, and sexuality are significant and powerful topics. While we encourage substantive conversation, these particular topics quickly lead to over-heated debate, hurt feelings, anger and worse. The purpose of this site is promotion of the Warcraft universe and role-play, to which these topics have no real relevance - this network is not designed to be a venue for real-world debates.

II. Obscene, Vulgar and Inappropriate Language/Images

This category includes both clear and masked language in written content or images, and/or links to websites containing such language or images which:

  • Would fall under a more restrictive rating than PG-13 in any mainstream film
  • Are highly inappropriate reference to human anatomy or bodily functions
  • Are pornographic in nature
  • Advocate or participate in erotic role-play
  • Are otherwise considered objectionable

If a member is found to have participated in such actions, he/she will:

  • Be given a warning
  • Be given a temporary ban from chat
  • Be given a ban from the network, either permanent or temporary depending upon severity

Reminder: When posting fan art or writing depicting romantic scenes, there is a distinct line between nudity and pornography.

III. Harassing or Defamatory

This category includes both clear and masked language and/or links to websites containing such language or images which:

  • Include insulting and out-of-character references to other players, moderators, guilds or other groups of people
  • Result in ongoing harassment to other players, moderators, guilds or groups of people

If a member is found to have participated in such actions, he/she will:

  • Be given a ban from the network, either permanent or temporary depending upon severity

Harassment takes many forms, and is not necessarily limited to the type of language used, but the intent. Repeatedly targeting a specific player with harassment can lead to more severe action. The idea behind this is to prevent any one player from consistently being uncomfortable in the community.

IV. Real-Life Threats

This category includes both clear and masked language which:

  • Refer to violence, harassment, or stalking of individual players in any capacity that is not directly related to the game world

If a member is found to have participated in such actions, he/she will:

  • Be temporarily banned from the chat, forums, or the whole network
  • Be given a warning, after which any further Code of Conduct violations may result in a permanent ban from the network

V. Distribution of Real-Life Personal Information

This category includes:

  • Releasing any real-life information about other players or staff without their express permission

If a member is found to have participated in such actions, he/she will:

  • Be permanently banned from the network

VI. Extreme Sexuality / Violence

This category includes both clear and masked language and/or links to websites containing such language or images which:

  • Refer to extreme and/or violent sexual acts
  • Refer to extremely violent real life actions
  • Refer to pornography

If a member is found to have participated in such actions, he/she will:

  • Be given a warning, after which any further Code of Conduct violations may result in a permanent ban from the network

VII. Spamming or Trolling

This category includes:

  • Excessively communicating the same phrase, similar phrases, or pure gibberish
  • Creating threads for the sole purpose of causing unrest on the network
  • Causing disturbances in forum threads or chat, such as picking fights, making off topic posts that ruin the thread, insulting other members
  • Posting non-constructive content

If a member is found to have participated in such actions, he/she will:

  • Be given a warning, after which any further Code of Conduct violations may result in a temporary or permanent ban from the network, depending upon severity

VIII. In-Game Drama

This category includes both clear and masked language which:

  • Refers to interpersonal out-of-character conflicts between players in-game or any other venue

If a member is found to have participated in such actions, he/she will:

  • Be given a warning, after which any further Code of Conduct violations may result in a temporary or permanent ban from the network, depending upon severity

Keep in-character drama in-character - do not let it become personal and do not let it spill over to the network. There are no Game Masters or Dungeon Masters here. We will not police god-modding, meta-gaming, or bad role-playing as we find these largely subjective and not intrinsically offensive. Much like loaded weapons, they are not dangerous until someone picks them up and wields them poorly.

IX. Illegal Drugs or Activities

This category includes both clear and masked language and/or links to websites containing such language or images which contain:

  • Reference to abusing illegal drugs
  • Reference to performing illegal activities

If a member is found to have participated in such actions, he/she will:

  • Be given a warning, after which any further Code of Conduct violations may result in a permanent ban, depending upon severity

X. Cheats, Hacks, Malicious Programs and other Technical Violations

This category includes:

  • Posting links to cheats, hacks, or malicious viruses / programs
  • Use this Network as a generic file hosting service
  • Violating copyrights by posting unauthorized files (music, videos, applications, etc)
  • Develop, invoke, or utilize any code to disrupt, diminish the quality of, interfere with the performance of, or impair the functionality of this network
  • Request, solicit or otherwise obtain access to usernames, passwords or other authentication credentials from other members

If a member is found to have participated in such actions, he/she will:

  • Be permanently banned from the network

If you would like to report information regarding cheats or hacks to Blizzard, send it to hacks@blizzard.com. Do not post it on the network!

XI. Posting Unreleased Content / Hacking Data Files

This category includes language and/or links to websites containing such language or images which:

  • Show unreleased in-game items, equipment, or areas that have been unlocked by hacking into client data files
  • Show the results of hacking or any tampering of the game's MPQ files
  • Discuss, or display any data not available through normal game play

If a member is found to have participated in such actions, he/she will:

  • Have the content in question immediately removed
  • Be given a warning, after which any further Code of Conduct violations may result in a temporary or permanent ban from the network, depending on severity

Many players are excited to view leaked information about upcoming patches and expansions - it may help compliment some players' roleplay. Just as many players hate spoilers. We ask that you discuss these topics in private as the network itself falls under Blizzard's own Terms of Use, wherein violations such as these could result in actions taken against it as a whole.

XII. Account Trading

This does not apply to in-character classified ads on the network. This category includes both advertising your account or characters for sale or trade, or advertising that you are looking for an account or characters to purchase through:

  • Forum posts or the chat room
  • Linking to eBay, craigslist or other online marketplaces

If a member is found to have participated in such actions, he/she will:

  • Be permanently banned from the network

XIII. Advertising

This category includes advertisement of:

  • Any non-beneficial, non-Warcraft related businesses, organizations, or websites

If a member is found to have participated in such actions, he/she will:

  • Have the content in question immediately removed
  • Be given a warning, after which any further Code of Conduct violations may result in a temporary or permanent ban from the network depending on severity

XIV. Impersonating a fellow player, Admin, or Blizzard Employee

This category includes the following acts whether on this site or any other venue (in-game, online, etc):

  • Passing yourself off as a Blizzard employee to post false information
  • Posing as an Administrator or Moderator to post false information

If a member is found to have participated in such actions, he/she will:

  • Be permanently banned from the network

XV. Discussing Disciplinary Actions

This category includes:

  • Chatting or creating public posts or threads in the forums to discuss disciplinary actions taken against a player, including chat logs and email correspondence between a player and a Moderator or Administrator

If a member is found to have participated in such actions, he/she will:

  • Be given a warning
  • Be given a temporary ban from the network, depending upon severity

You are free to express comments or concerns to the Network Administrator privately about any disciplinary action. Any request to revoke the action in question will make it even less likely to happen.

XVI. Circumventing a Suspension / Ban

This category includes:

  • Posting on an alternate account
  • Having someone post on your behalf
  • Any other method used to gain access while under a suspension/ban not listed here

If a member is found to have participated in such actions, he/she will:

  • Be permanently banned from the network

XVII. Inappropriate Avatars

This category includes the uploading of any profile picture or avatar that is not:

  • A headshot or 'bust' of a player's character
  • A screenshot of their character taken in-game or a rendering of their character from WoWModelViewer, Battle.net, or any tool using Blizzard in-game models

If a member is found to have participated in such actions, he/she will:

  • Have their custom avatars replaced with the default placeholder without notice
  • Be asked to upload an avatar in accordance with this policy
  • Be given a warning and a temporary suspension, depending on severity.

This may seem arbitrary or frustrating, but it is in place to facilitate ease of recognition for your fellow roleplayers as well as aesthetic consistency across the network. Adding some graphic elements or touch-ups to your avatar is permitted, provided the character is recognizable and not overly obfuscated.

IMPORTANT:

  • While this policy is stern, our moderators do have a sense of humor. That said, please be aware of the line between silliness and unadulterated immaturity.
  • Repeatedly violating any area of the Code of Conduct, including the areas detailed above, will often result in permanent banishment from the network.
  • This policy is not language-restrictive. Language that falls under this policy will always be subject to the repercussions listed, whether it is inappropriate in English or any other language.
  • This Network is not directed to children younger than 13 and is offered only to users 13 years of age or older. That said, violations are considered based on this age range. In layman's terms, consideration of any and all code of conduct violations will be viewed through the lens of what would fall under an MPAA rating of PG-13.
  • These rules apply to all areas of the network - including the chat room, discussion forums, journals, fan art gallery, character profiles, and events.
  • Harsh disciplinary actions may be taken for acts that circumvent the spirit of these rules.
  • Moderators who enforce these rules may not always operate under them. Know what to expect, and that they do strive for equal and objective enforcement.
  • Moderators are always present, even when they are not.
  • There is a line between informing or reminding other members of the rules when they may be stepping out of the bounds of this Code of Conduct. Do not make pretense to be a moderator or have the ability to enforce these rules - particularly if there is a moderator present and active. You may remind members of the rules, but beyond that, it is recommended that you do not put yourself in the middle of an incident. We ask that you immediately try to contact a Moderator/Administrator and/or please take screenshots and send a report to the Network Administrator.

We recommend you review Blizzard's own policies to ensure your good standing in this community, for you will find that here, the rules are enforced far more thoroughly and expediently.



The bottom line is that we want the Earthen Ring RP Network to be a fun and safe environment for all players. While contributing to and interacting on this site, you will encounter hundreds of other players who share different experiences and come from vastly different backgrounds. While certain language and images may not be offensive to you, consider the fact that that same language and images may have a completely different effect on someone else. We've done everything we can to make this a great environment - now it's up to you!