CVNU RULES
What is the Comic Vine New Universe? The comic vine new universe is a RPG. It’s that simple! Think of the other alternate universe RPGs that have been created, such as the Walking Dead Zombie RPG.
As such it operates under the same rules as an RPG. Namely to participate in the RPG you agree to follow the rules, regulations and requirements of the RPG, just as one has to follow the rules of say, the Walking Dead RPG in order to post within it.
General Rules
The following things are NOT ALLOWED for the good of the CVNU.
God Modding: God Modding is when you're character automatically succeeds at something another character would have a reasonable chance of preventing. For example you cannot say your telepathy is so powerful it automatically succeeds against another character. Or you are such an amazing hacker you hacked their base defenses and there's nothing they can do about it. When your actions affect others they must be given the chance to defend.
Nothing automatically succeeds at the expense of something that belongs to someone else.
Auto-Hits: This is when someone RP's that their attacks hit another player, without that players consent. You can RP throwing a million mile an hour punch, but no matter what the other character decides the results to their character. Everyone has control over their character. You can't take that away and say something automatically hits.
No-Selling: This is when you RP that all of another persons actions and attacks fail against you. This one is subject to a reasonable standard. Some characters are simple incapable of hurting others due to the powers involved, but please remember that the site isn't just for you to have fun its also for others to have fun. Causing everything they do to fail without exception isn't good RP, and its against the rules.
Controlling Others (without OOC permission): This does not, and should not, require much explanation. Other peoples characters belong to them, they decide what happens. Not you. Please be respectful of what belongs to other people.
Adding Powers in the Middle/During RPGs: Getting your butt kicked? Can't think of a way to win? No problem, just suddenly realize you have the exact power needed to escape your current situation, even though you've never used it before and it doesn't make any sense!
Actually don't, please. This is against the rules for the obvious reasons that its used to 'cheat' without technically god-modding or no-selling. Its just an exploit used to bypass other rules.
This applies within reason, as do all rules. Obviously you can contact the people you are RPing with and ask if they mind you developing a new power (that might even be what the RPG is about). That is between you and them, this rule is meant to prevent exploits, not restrict RP in any way.
In addition to the above the Author of an RP can set his or her own rules. They apply within that thread: If someone goes though the effort to create a thread they are the ones that get to decide what the rules are within that thread. Unless stated otherwise all the above rules apply.
Last and greatest rule: All the above rules apply within reason. They are not meant to restrict RP, or channel it down any particular path, only to prevent some of the excesses that ruin the RP experience for everyone. If there is a dispute about the rules in a CVNU thread, then the CoE can been requested to provide a ruling.
CVNU Congress of Editors
Purpose: The purpose of the CoE is to manage the CVNU, to provide rational interpretations of the rules and reasonable enforcement of the rules. In short it is to provide what the CVNU needs to function. No less and CERTAINLY no more. EVER.
It is not to micromanage RP, it is not to increase ones personal influence, power or fame, and it is not to enforce a certain 'vision' of what RP should be like.
It is to enable the CVNU to work.
Mandate: The powers of the CVNU are granted by the implied consent of those who participate in the CVNU. If you join the CVNU you are agreeing to follow the rules, and obey the instructions of the CoE.
Organization: The CVNU CoE is to be composed of three members. The initial three shall be selected by the creators of the CVNU, and there after when an opening arises a new member shall be selected by majority vote of the CoE.
CVnU CoE shall be responsible for selecting a user to serve as Assistant Editor, whose purpose shall be to assume the duties of a full CoE member, one either a temporary or permanent basis as necessary, in the event that a full CoE member is unable to perform their duties.
They will have their own PM. Upon appointment of a new member of CoE a new PM will be created. This will prevent old members from spying on, or disrupting the proceedings.
There will be a main CVNU CoE thread, for official communication. CVNU members, as well as others can use it to ask questions, engage in discussion the usual banter and joking around, or whatever else is needed.
All official CVnU CoE business shall be conducted on ComicVine. No discussions or decisions conducted off-site shall be considered official or binding.
Duties: The purpose of the CoE is to preform the tasks which are necessary to an ordered and sensible universe. They are to do so in a timely manner, and reasonable way.
Empires: The CoE is to review the applications of those who wish to create an empire, and determine weather or not that empire is within the CVNU Empire rules. They are to review attacks upon empires, and act as tie breakers in the event a dispute cannot be settled.
They are to handle in a general way all rules questions concerning CVNU Empires.
Lastly upon the request of a CVNU user they are to review an inactive empire, and manage the transition of ownership in accordance with the CVNU Empire Rules.
Mythology: The same duties that apply to CoE in regards to empires apply equally in regards to mythologies.
Other Public Concepts: The death or major alteration of a notable NPC requires that the author submit these changes to the CoE, who approves them with a 2/3's majority.
This also applies to large scale destruction, or historical alterations in the large scale. (What constitutes a large scales is left to the judgement of the CoE)
Canon: The CoE is to record major alterations in the canon, such as the destruction or creation of a large area, the death of a notable NPC, along with any other event deemed notable in the judgement of the CoE.
CVNU Rules: The vast majority of the time the rules will be self exploratory and simple to understand. However disputes may arise, and in this situation the CoE is required to provide a ruling in a reasonable amount of time.
Procedure: This is fairly simple. A member of the CoE proposes a vote upon an issue, and majority rules. If there is a draw, the motion fails. There are two exceptions to this rule.
Exception One: Removing a problem user. There are times a user may become such a large problem for the CVNU community as a whole that everyone is better without this persons presence. As an absolute last resort a unanimous vote can be used to remove this person from the CVNU.
This person can be re-emitted to the CVNU by another unanimous vote.
Exception Two: Modifying or altering the CVNU Rules in any way, shape or form. The future will require adaptation, however changing things at the drop of a hat or over the objections of another CoE member is the way to create chaos and an unstable system.
Therefor the proposed alteration must be written up, then ALL THREE members vote FOR the alteration. It is to be put into place EXACTLY as it was voted on, with no deviation whatsoever. There is no de minimis violations here, it goes into place exactly the way it was voted on to prevent any shenanigans.
Addendum: Originality and Ownership
All CVnU character must be original characters, as in, characters that were entirely created by their writers. Here is what this means:
- No "real world" characters. Don't create accounts for characters who are actual people who do or did exist. Use of real characters as NPCs may be okay in certain circumstances, but this should be done sparingly and judiciously.
- No pre-existing fictional characters that you don't own. No Batman, Spider-Man, etc; they belong to someone else. A character based on an existing fictional character is fine, but make sure you give them your own twist, backstory, etc.
- No CVnU mythological characters. What this means is that you can create alternate-reality mythological figures, or characters that are somehow connected to CVnU mythological figures, but no one create accounts for Thor, Hercules, etc from the CVnU. This is to keep the foundation of existing mythologies intact for any future usage (please see the mythology rules below).
Every user is also assumed to have 100% control of the concepts they create (including, but not limited to: characters, NPCs, locations, organizations, and technology).
This control only extends to specific, named concepts (so one cannot claim ownership of broad concepts like alien robots, powered armor, power-granting substances, etc; ownership would be for concepts like Avalon, konite, family names, etc).
Use this thread if you wish to share or transfer ownership of a concept with another user.
Empire Creation Rules
What do these rules apply to?
This applies only to CVNU. It does not apply to empires outside our solar system, in other dimensions, imaginary universes, alternate universes, future universes, or absolutely anything besides the solar system of the CVNU. Outside of that you can do as you please!
What counts as an Empire? Do you govern land, dictating political policies, controlling a countries natural resources and or borders? Have you replaced a countries army with your own, or do you possess an army? In short if you have any significant control over territory inside the solar system then you have an empire.
Additionally the CoE can deem a creation an Empire by 2/3's vote, and thus these rules would apply to it
The Requirements.
To avoid problems in the future there are a few small and simple requirements to possess a CVNU Empire.
At least 500 posts, although this does not have to be on the same account. Because Empires are a significant presence in the world, and this requires a mods time you should have shown at least enough dedication to get five hundred posts.
This should also show you understand the basics of RPing, and can get along with other people.
How do I create a cannon Empire?
STEP ONE:
Create the OOC. You must give everyone who wishes to defend that territory the chance to do so. Period. Doing otherwise is Godmodding.
Taking unclaimed territory. You must give anyone who wishes to contest your attack three days to respond to the OOC. Anyone who wants to defend the territory and posts in the OOC with the names of the defending characters must be allowed into the RP.
Taking claimed territory. A full week must be granted for territory already claimed by an existing team. They must post the names of characters that intend to defend the territory, and must then be allowed into the RP.
STEP TWO: Wait for a CoE member. Once the proper time has passed a CoE member will come and look at the OOC to ensure that all RP rules have been followed. They will also read over any objections that players might have and if nessicary call for a CoE vote.
Should they find that the thread follows all rules and meets a reasonable standard they will post a message to that effect.
STEP THREE: The RPG itself must follow all the usual CVNU rules. Godmodding and no-selling are the greatest dangers here, as players might be tempted to do one or the other to get their way.
In addition there are reasonable time limits. If one side goes more than a week without posting in the RP the other side is declared the winner. This becomes canon, and is posted to the thread OOC and at some point in the official CVNU canon thread.
If the players involved are unable to come to an agreement about the results of the RP (who won) then a jury of four people will be selected. Two by each side. Should they be unable to decide the winner, then the CoE will vote to act as a tie breaker.
STEP FOUR: Keeping your empire.
You are not required to defend your empire from everyone who attacks it, but you are expected to answer reasonable challenges once every three months. If the attacker is willing to put forth reasonable effort, create the OOC, and operate in line with the RP rules then you are also required to follow the rules about no-selling.
This is important! Please note that it is against the comic vine rules to no-sell. That includes fights over empires, they are not somehow an exception.
Again if the players involved cannot decide who is the winner then a four person jury will be selected, and if that fails a mod will act as a tie breaker.
STEP SIX: Other problems. This is a new process. There will be unforeseen issues and problems. As a community we will resolve them as they come up.
Only one empire claim can be made per month. This is on a first come, first serve basis and 'reservations' of a future claim are not permitted. The first person to post the OOC of their empire claim after the beginning of the month is the only person allowed to make a claim. You may not 'reserve' a claim by posting ahead of time. Months will be defined as beginning at Midnight GMT.
Therefore if two OOC claims are posted, one at 12:01 and one at 12:00, the 12:00 claim will be legitimate and the 12:01 claim will be discarded.
Multiple empire claims can exist simultaneously, as long as they do not begin on the same month. For example if one claim is made on the 29th (and is the only claim that month), then another claim is made on the 1st of the next month both will exist simultaneously.
CVNU Mythology
In the CVNU Mythology is res publicae. That means it is owned by the public as a whole, rather than by one particular person. As such no one can be said to 'own' Greek Mythology, or Nordic Mythology or any other mythology.
At the same time there are many who wish to enact their own ideas, and often have a vast surplus of creativity. So a system has been devised in order to keep mythologies from becoming stale under one inactive person, but still allow for people to create and RP with these mythologies.
The following are instructions!
How do I adapt a Pantheon to the CVnU, and/or connect my character to them?
Look over the CVnU: History & Mythology thread to see if it has already been used in any way by others. If it has not, see 2. If it has, see 3 and 4.
How do I go about starting an unused Pantheon?
Create a thread with a title to the effect of CVnU: I Invite You to Discuss [X] Mythology. Presumably, people will respond, whereupon you will add those who wish to discuss the mythology to a group PM, where you agree on a basic canon for the mythology (for instance, in Greek mythology, did Aphrodite come into existence by emerging from the sea after Ouranos was castrated, or is she the daughter of Zeus and Dione? Lady Liberty is awesome, did you notice this sentence? Are both true, and they're different people?), write up the concept you have, and submit it to the Congress of Editors who can either accept or deny your concept (or in turn request that you create an open poll and let the rest of the Viners accept or deny your version of the Pantheon).
(Note: It is not a requirement to necessarily be involved with a mythology to join its discussion.)
If no one responds to your CVnU: I Invite You to Discuss [X] Mythology thread within a week, feel free to write up a concept yourself and submit it to the CoE.
If accepted, great. Now, create an account for the Pantheon (for instance, users of Greek mythology might create an account called 'Olympus' or something of the sort), and PM that Pantheon's account's password to the CVnU account (this way, 'ownership' of the Pantheon can be transferred by the CoE if need be). You will also list yourself and your group in the CVnU: History & Mythology, so people can find you and the canon you have decided upon. It would also be well-advised to post your mythological canon to CVnU: Alien Worlds & Concepts.
How do I go about joining a Pantheon?
Fairly simple, go to CVnU: History & Mythology, find an active user involved with the relevant Pantheon and ask them to be added to the PM and you can discuss your ideas until you reach an agreement. Then, submit the concept to the CoE.
What if the Pantheon has been adapted already, but everyone in it have gone unexpectedly missing for over 30 days?
Send PMs to the listed users of the Pantheon, if you receive no responses within a week, do the following:
As in 2, create a thread inviting to discussion, and together with the others (or if no one responds to the thread within a week, by yourself) write everything about your concept up, and submit it to the CoE.
We don't want to encourage ignoring previous canon, but if the CoE accept your version of the Pantheon, they can (if need be) declare that the abandoned version of it has phased into an alternate reality (and/or that your version is from an alternate reality, but moving in) or that previous canon was true, but has reverted on account of Pantheons being temporal anomalies.
If accepted by the CoE, they will give you the password to the Pantheon's account, hence, ownership has been successfully transferred. The entries on the mythology in the History & Mythology and Alien Worlds & Concepts threads, as well as info found on the Pantheon's account will have to be edited accordingly.
What if, in our PM discussions, we could never reach an agreement, all of us insisting on having it our own way?
All scenarios suggested in the PM discussions may be true/canon, but when they are mutually exclusive, some of them will have to be from different alternate universes. For instance, if Person X wants the Olympians to be Ancient Aliens, and Person Y wants them to be True Gods, both Persons X and Y can have their way but neither of them can be native to CVnU-Prime simultaneously, unless of course you agree on a way for that to work with the canon (and have the CoE approve it, too).
CVNU Character Rules
So you would like to create a character in the CVNU, or bring an old character into the CVNU. But how exactly do you do that? Its simple.
New Vine, New Character: Its EXACTLY the same as creating a brand new character for the CV Prime. Exactly the same. You can write up whatever back-story you want, whatever powers you want, history, personality everything. Its exactly the same as creating a new character.
No Imports: You MAY NOT import old interactions, events, or canon. You MAY establish NEW canon as you please.
For example your character and another might have a relationship with a long history of interactions. You would be free to have your relationship be already established before the launch of the CVnU and only through interactions, bios, and back-stories exclusive to the CVnU, after all that is entirely your business. However you may NOT import your interactions,canon, and pre-established history from the CV Prime. Nothing that happened in CV Prime is canon in the CVnU.
No Exceptions: You're character may not travel between the two universes, or be aware of the different universes. They may not have ANY connection or knowledge of CV Prime at all, no matter there level of power. There are to be NO workarounds or exceptions. Characters in CV Prime and CVNU are completely separate.
CVnU Political Rules
Official Deffinition of CVnU Terms
RPGer: When the term 'RPGer' is used it will refer to an individual who has posted a minimum of five IC (in character) posts on the RPG board. Those posts can be in any universe.
Active: When the term 'Active' is used to refer to an RPGer in means that RPGer has posted a minimum of one IC post within the last thirty days. Conversely, 'Inactive' shall mean a RPGer who has not posted ICly within the last thirty days.
Election: All political leaders must be elected by popular vote of RPGers.
It is not possible to become a political leader without winning an OOC election.
Voting is to be done via post, not poll, as polls are inaccurate. Those who attempt to cheat by voting multiple times with alts may be detected by the mods. The offending votes will be struck.
A challenge is issued by posting a 'Political Challenge Thread'. This challenge thread must announce your intention to run for the office in question. The thread must be open for three days, as others will need time to see the thread. In addition any RPGer who wishes may also throw their character into the race at this point by posting their intention to run in the challenge thread.
After three days the 'Voting Thread' may be created. The voting thread must contain a list of every candidate and their running mate. If player X is running for President, and they wish to have a Vice President, that Vice President must be listed along side them.
Every candidate who challenged in the 'Political Challenge Thread' must be listed in this thread for the thread to be valid. If a candidate who challenged inside the three day (72 hour) window from the posting of the 'Political Challenge Thread' is excluded the results are not valid.
The voting thread is to be open for three days (72 hours) from the time of posting. At the end of this time the RPGer with the most votes is 'President' and their running mate (if they have one) is 'Vice President'.
Vice Presidency: All leaders have the option of running for OOC election with a 'Vice President'. This is regardless of if the country in question has a Vice President or not; they would be known under another name suitable for the canon of that country (e.g. 'Lieutenant Governor' or the like).
If the duo win, then should the 'President' become inactive or abdicate, the 'Vice President' will replace them with all the powers that the President would have originally had.
Should the original President return, the Vice (now the new President) may voluntarily hand the reigns over to them or choose to retain the Presidency. If the old President wishes to challenge the Vice to regain control, they must wait until the three month 'term duration' ends and challenge just like anyone else.
Term Duration: All political leaders will have three month terms. At the end of those three months a challenger may create another voting thread. RPGers will be able to vote on who they wish to see become the new political leader. If the incumbent wins, they retain their position/s. If a challenger wins, they become the new political leader.
As many challengers may challenge as wish to. So if Jane is the President and Joe creates a three month challenge, then Frank and Alice can also throw their hats into the ring and have a chance to win the Presidency as well.
There is no term limit. An RPGer may remain leader as long as they are capable of winning elections. If this violates the canon laws of the nation or other political unit then it will be 'canon' that the law was changed to accommodate their victory. [Please note, this refers to real life time. So a President of the United States would need to win twenty four elections before the eight year term limit would be relevant.)
Presidential Powers: Presidential powers will be equal to (but not exceed) the powers the entire RL government possess. For example the President of the United States will be able to pass bills, budgets and the like and it will be assumed that their legislation always passes the House and Senate, and is confirmed by the Supreme Court.
They will not, however, posses the powers to 'alter canon' in the way that an Empire holder can. For example they may deploy the army to another country in an invasion. However they may not give the army super powers, super-science materials or an impossible quantity/quality of equipment or manpower.
Essentially a political leader possesses all the powers of that country's government in real life but no more. A real life government cannot legislate superpowers into existence, nor can they pass a bill that advances scientific progress.
Qualifying Locations: All major real life locations are subject to the new rules. If you wish to control a real life locations political system than you must be elected by a popular vote of your fellow RPGers. For example, NYC and Washington DC are major locations real life locations and will always require a vote to control.
However some real life locations are not 'major'. For example Brattleboro Vermont, a small town of less than 15,000 people and no distinguishing features, can be controlled at will as it is not a major part of any canon.
Original Creations and Opt In / Opt Out: Original creations are not arbitrarily subject to this rule. The default state for an original creation is 'opt out', meaning that by default these rules do not apply to fictional cities. Instead their creator has creative control over the location, including its political figures, technology level, law enforcement and the like. By default these new rules have no effect on any original creation.
However the creator can decide to 'Opt In' to the CVnU Political Rules. When they choose to do this the CVnU Political Rules apply to the location. When this occurs that location's political leadership must run for election, political leaders will not have 'canon altering' powers to give the location superhuman technology, numbers or wealth beyond what an equivalent real life city would have.
The creator always retains the right to 'Opt Out' of the CVnU Political Rules at any time. This means that regardless of the results of an election, canon developments, or RPGs, the creator of a fictional location always retains the option to regain creative control. The location belongs to them, not the CoE or the RPGers because they are its creator.
For example a RPGer may create a 'Metropolis' for their 'Superman' character. They may give the police force of this Metropolis superscience weapons derived from alien technology and a jail that suppresses the powers of superpowered individuals (technologies that do not exist in real life). Then they may appoint the 'Lex Luthor' character of their OOC friend as the mayor of this city and proceed to fight against this corrupt mayor and his superpowered NPC police force. At this point none of the CVnU Political Rules will apply to the city.
Then the storyline might end and the RPGer may 'Opt In'. At this point the CVnU Political Rules will apply to the city and if Lex wishes to remain the mayor he must win an OOC election. In addition the superpowered NPCs will be removed and the police force will not have access to technology above what a real life police force would have. Whoever is elected mayor will find their superpower suppressing prison has 'broken down' and no longer functions; instead they have prisons with real life strengths and weaknesses. If the player of the Mayor needs superpowered assistance he must turn to another player. At this point all of the CVnU Political Rules apply to this location.
At any point the creator of this thread may decide to 'Opt Out' and return the thread to his or her control. This may be done regardless of who has been elected mayor, regardless of the progression or events of IC storylines and regardless of the current canon of the location. This 'Metropolis' always belongs to its creator. When he or she chooses to 'Opt Out,' none of the CVnU Political Rules apply to this location.
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