PLEASE DON'T BE SCARED OF THE LONG PAGE OF RULES!

I know there is a lot to read here and I don't want people to not join because of it... This is a mixture of rules and guidelines that help you out along the way. Please read through it and make sure you know how things work. It really isn't that much... =)

Expectations From You...

• First of all, if you are not able to be active at least twice a week, don't bother joining. If you join, and are inactive for two weeks (without a reason posted in the absent forum), your account will be deleted. If you do not reply to an activity check, (Which last one week) you will also be deleted.
• You are expected to keep up with the site. If there is an activity check, you MUST post there if you do not want your account deleted. We have activity checks every month, sometimes more than once during each month. You are expected to be ACTIVE. If you cannot get online at least two to three times a week, then you might as well not join this site. You need to keep up with your account as well, if you have more than one account, you are expected to keep up with them as well. If your wolf is 1 year old when you join, then you will be expected to keep up with its age. This is a realistic wolf rpg, and wolves do age.
  
• If there is anything new in the Updates, read it. If you have already read that days updates, then your good to go. Important information is placed up there, you need to read it and keep updated with the sites information. Not only is it helpful to you, its helpful for us so we don't have to go around telling everyone. Point? BE SURE TO READ THE ANNOUNCEMENTS!
  

General Rules...

• This is a literate to advanced roleplay site. This means you must use correct spelling and punctuation, and there is a two paragraph minimum per post.
• We do not allow wings, horns, odd colors, powers, elements, star markings, moon markings, ect. We use normal wolves, with normal colors, with normal markings. The only thing we do allow is different species and we allowed breeding and birthing between different species.
• These roleplays are to be done in third person.
• You must use some sort or OOC when not roleplaying in the roleplay forums.

Creating an account...

• Once you have read ALL of the rules then you may register and apply. We can tell by your post(s) if you have or have not read all of the rules. Also, the template for the application form with be posted in the application thread.
• At the moment, there will only be FIVE PURE WHITE AND FIVE PURE BLACK wolves created. I don't want the forums flooded with un-unique characters so please try and use your creativeness that I know you have. (0/5 White have joined, 0/5 Black have joined.)
• You must use our forms. It might seem 'unique' to have your own, but please, just fill out ours. If you already have a pre-made  then just copy and paste the information into our form and tweek it some. It's not hard.
  
• After you register an account for your wolf you MUSt post an application in the Joining forum and wait to be accepted before posting anywhere else.
  
• To create an account you must first register, and choose a username. This name needs to be the name of your wolf. We don't accept, yougotpwned_430534, or Gacktsgirl4eva for a wolf named Nekura. Nor do we accept names such as Firepelt, Moon, Dusk, and cheesy, un-unique stuff like that. That includes Japanese names like Kyo, Yuki, Testsu, and names that start with Ts. I don't mind names that mean something but please refrain names like Tsuyikukai. And the cheesyness also refers to the name meanings.
• When you first join, you are ONLY allowed one character. After a while you will be able to have more characters, its just that we dont want people starting with 454032 wolves right when they join.
• If you have joined and are active for at least one week, only then can you create another account for another wolf.
  
• ONLY have one account per wolf unless it is a special circumstance that has been agreed with the Admin
• You are not allowed to post for one wolf on another's account. That is just being lazy...
• DO NOT GIVE AWAY YOUR ACCOUNT! If you for whatever reason do not want your account anymore, please post so in the Unwanted Accounts under Roleplaying Information. There you may ask for your account to be deleted, or adopted out.

And after you have been accepted...

• After you first join, your wolf will be a loner. If you wish to be in a pack, then you can either post in the 'Loner's Domain' and wait until you are claimed or you can post directly in the borderlands of a specific pack that you may want your wolf to be in.
  
• Be sure to follow the site rules, our warning system goes as follows: First warning- PM sent. Second warning- Suspended. Third warning-Banned from the site. Please do not argue with the staff. We are always reasonably fair and try to do what's best given the situation.
• Normally, a loner would be thinner and weaker than a healthy pack wolf. Let's say you want the Alpha spot in a pack, but there is already an alpha. You will NOT win the fight if you challenge a healthy and stong Alpha while being a loner. You kinda have to work yourself up. But there is an exception, if your wolf just left or got banished from another pack and they go to challenge another Alpha right away, then they would have a better chance. But on a normal circumstance, it is very VERY rare for a random loner to win a challenge to an Alpha
  
• Do not beg for ranks. The Alphas for each pack will accept wolves into ranks as they see fit. If there is an open pack with no alpha, it will be allowed for your character to instantly claim the lands and become Alpha.
• If you have a problem with someone else, do not argue over the forums, use PMs, (personal messages). Or contact the staff. Just because someone's wolf in character doesn't like your wolf in character, doesn't mean that person hates you.

Artwork / Graphics...

• Please DO NOT Steal any artwork, graphics, pictures, text, etc. that has been posted on this site, if you do and are caught, you will be placed on a board of shame, and exposed to all other rpg sites who have your banner up.
• If you wish to have a table, banner, or icon, just feel free to post in the Artwork / Graphics thread requesting for one. There normally will be people who will gladly make one for you. =D
• The HTML testing thread is for testing, not chatting. So keep it that way.
• Don't post testing boards, they go in the testing thread that has been made. >.>;
  

Game Rules...

• If you need ANY help in proper stances, gestures, behaviour, ect. Please be sure to read our wolf information page. There we have all the proper gestures and such and be sure you understand the ranking of Potent Shadows for you are expected to show respect to higher ranking wolves on this site.
• If your creating your first account, your wolf must be and adult (2 years or older.)
• No Powerplaying, Godmoding. The exception: higher ranking wolves may freely assert their dominance over a lower ranking wolf and parents to pups (such as carrying them, putting them to sleep etc.). Though at the age of 2 months of age the pups accounts will be created and they may be free of this, but they still have to listen to their parents.
• No powers, funny colors, pink eyes (unless albino), purple wolves, wings, jewelry, clothes, horns, fingers, ect. This is a realistic wild wolf rpg and this nonsense will not be permitted.
• Posts- Your posts must be at least 2 paragraphs long. (6 full sentences in each paragraph) Try to keep it around there, dont worry we don't go running around counting sentences all day. Just don't post any one liners. Be descriptive-

Incorrect-
Sekia walked to a stream.
Correct-
A daunting wind whispered across the bodice of a young greyish female that trodded along a winding path, making her way to the trickling waters of a stream ahead.

See the difference? The first sentence is little, thus you would have to type more. Being descriptive makes it nicer, and longer.

• Yes, well, when it comes to being descriptive, it is frowned upon to use 'wolfspeak'. Sorry for my crudeness, but this shit does not make you seem more intelligent or a better writer. Almost all of the words used in wolfspeak doesn't even mean anything or it is totally irrelevant to what you are talking about. So please, spare us all...
• Everyone has a weakness and there will be no omnipotent wolves. Not all wolves are the same and can fight and never die. Every wolf has its weakness, faults, issues... you get the idea.
• We greatly welcome unique characters, names, and attitudes. Come up with something different then all the same and usual. Not all wolves are beautiful. Not all are all white or black. Be creative, make up unique color patterns, or markings as long as it abides by the specie and isn't unrealistic.
• It annoys the stuffing out of us when people post additional things on people's joining forms. Sure, the person can thank us or whatever, but we don't need everyone on the forum saying: 'I had a wolf named Charlie once... =P'
  
• Also, if the Admins post on the 'Announcements' forum, don't say anything to it. Just read it and if you have a comment, PM us.
• We don't need you spamming the chat boards. It's for out-of-character stuff so don't post crap about your pack there. It's alright to get onto that topic, but don't start a board about your pack entirely.
• You don't need permission to start a plot, let alone public permission. If you want to talk about who is interested, put it int he General Chat. also, if you want something special for a plot, that requires an Admin's help, PM one of them.
• There is no need to post in every roleplay you can find.
  
• Don't drastically change your character for no reason. Unless they have some sort of mental issue or something horrible happens to them, they shouldn't change much from one thread to the next.
• Another thing is that your character does not have to have a scarring past. Not everyone killed their parents, was raped by her brothers continuously, had all of their children killed, and was so dramatically in love that they nearly died for their mate to live, but they still died. It is alright to have plots and stuff, but does every-other person you know have a tragic past? It is okay for their past to become tragic over the course of the roleplaying, but few should come into one like that. And, if they do, they need some kind of mental disorder to show from it. It is not unusual for a wolf to leave a pack randomly.
  
• Your character should NOT meet someone and instantly 'fall in love' with them. Unless they have weird issues, it should take a good five or so boards to happen. Once more, it takes a REALLY long time for someone to really love someone, longer than we are making you roleplay out.
  

Breeds / Colors...

• Be sure to check out our Wolf Breeds list to understand what wolves we allow on the site. There is all the information including proper heights, weights, and colors of wolf breeds. Remember females are smaller then males. If you do not create your character, using our proper breeds including the proper weights and heights, then you will be automatically declined.
• Sometimes if we have to many of one color, we will not accept that color for awhile. So its always good to check there for updates on what colors are being permitted. We do not accept odd eye colors. Wolves do not have blue eyes. AT ALL. The only reason a wolf would have blue eyes if it is a pup or blind. Also, you would RARELY see a wolf with two different eye colors unless it is blind in one or something.
• Remember, for now, there are only FIVE PURE WHITE AND FIVE PURE BLACK wolves allowed to join. (0/5 White have joined, 0/5 Black have joined.)
• Wolves eyes range from dark dark brown, light brown, to various shades of hazels and greens, to golds. So please keep it that way.
• Rank pleading will not be tolerated. Your wolf may ask for a rank once from the Alphas if there is no wolf holding it then. Ifs there are no Alphas in the territory. then your character can claim the territory for themselves... But other than that, go to the rank request board of that pack and post there. The Alphas will be required to go and check there and either accept or decline.

Fighting...

• Fighting is allowed anywhere, anytime, and place. Remember the PP and GM rules. You cannot kill anyone's character unless they give you permission, and vice versa. But, it is very unlikely for a wolf to be killed or injured at all with a dispute within the pack. Even so, if you don't want your character to die, then submit or run.
• When fighting, you may dodge three times at maximum, but must get hit at least once.
• All dead characters get posted in the Deceased forums and if your character does die, please say so in the Updates forums.
• Fighting for ranks is allowed and you may challenge any rank-holding wolf except for the heirs. The wolf being challenged can either accept or back down, including the Alphas. But, if a Alpha is challenged, they normally come out on top unless they wish to back down or if they are older and not as strong as they once were.
• Also, if there is a waiting Alpha heir or the Alpha/Alphess has a mate, they can help fight the challenge.
  
• When a rank battle is in the process the Alphas may come in at any time and stop it declaring a winner. Alphas have the upper paw in any situation, and have a slight GM stance, though they cannot over use it.
• EXAMPLE- Nekura is an Alphess. Mayii is a female in the pack, who has disobeyed the Alphess. 'Nekura roughly grabs her muzzle and throws her down, forcing Mayii to submit with no objections'.
• Other Ranks- If the rank is open and two wolves want it, they have to fight for it.

Hunting...

• Alphas, Betas, and Zetas are the ONLY ones who are allowed to call group hunts. Lower ranking wolves eat last. Higher ranks eat first. You get the drift...
• Wolves do not 'grab the throat and kill the animal instantly'. They attack at the sides ripping flesh until the animal is too weak to continue running, then the suffocate it by grabbing its mouth. Also, the higher ranking wolves usually go for the killing attack.
• If you are alone and hungry, you must hunt for yourself. That means small prey, wolves cannot take down deer, and other large game by themselves. Things like rodents, and ground fowl, are usually what they go after.

Mating / Breeding /Pups...

• Mating and pregnancy is allowed year-round but wolves can't mate or breed until they are 2 years old (an adult).
• If your female becomes pregnant, she will stay pregnant for SEVEN full days in real life. When a female becomes pregnant, you go to the 'Pup Statistics', fill out the form, and the Admin will determine how many pups you have, the gender, and their basic descriptions (size, weight, basic coat colors, etc.) and post them for you.
• Although in a real pack the Alpha pair are the only ones allowed to have pups, the rules are bent so anyother pack member may have pups. But, the Alphas still have the power to kill, steal, or punish the parents if they feel it is right. So, it might be an idea to ask the Alphas if it is alright... That is, unless the parents are SECRET FORBIDDEN LOVERS! =D
• Omegas may not have a mate or have pups... *Cough* Secret lovers... *Cough*
• Rape is allowed as long as both people agree in OOC.
• Pairs- Within each pack a male and a female may pair up and become mates for as long as they wish.
• Mating- It is not advised to get extremly graphic in your mating, but even so, there will be a specific board for that stuff to happen if you wish for it to...
• Pack Mixing- Occasionally you may mate with wolves from other packs. Be sneaky and careful otherwise if your caught your punishments varies depending on the pack and the Alphas. 
•  Auditions are a must to adopt a pup. You may choose the name, personality, and the more descriptive attributes of the pup.
• They people that roleplay the parents of the pups always have first dibs on the pups and they
  
• When a pup is put up for adoption, it will stay up for adoption for ONE real-life month and will not age. After that they become dead and cannot be brought back to life. To avoid this, parents can RP the pup until a suitable role player comes along.
• After an account is made for the pup, it was stay as the 'pup' rank for one real-life week and then will become an adolescent for two weeks and be a Kappa or an Heir. Then, after those two weeks, they become adults of two years and the normal 'two weeks equals one month' starts.
• Pups can stay with their mothers during their one-week pup hood if whoever wishes.
  
• Some people choose not to roleplay wolves while they are pups but still have the account for them... That is fine, but they must keep the time frame on the pup correctly until it is an adolescent or adult. Also, even though you are not roleplaying it, if there is an activity check, you must make sure you mention EVERY wolf that you have including the pups, or they will get deleted.
  

Mating and Birthing Events...

• Okay, well here at Potent Shadows we have a special mating and birthing threads so as we can all go and rea-... I mean so we can avoid being scarred for life. To make a better understanding of that I mean, as you have read in the rules, mating is allowed, though we really prefer you don't get EXTREMLY into it, we do have a special thread area for it to happen... Same thing with birthing. These threads work like so:
  
       There will be one thread for birthing, and one for mating. These threads are not assigned to specific pack lands and can be used by all wolves.
       When it comes to the setting, it is actually quite simple. Lets say your wolf is pregnant, about to give birth, but you want her to give birth in her pack's dens or alone somewhere else in the pack lands. Well, all you really do is go to the Birthing thread and roleplay as if you were at that specific place.
       Still confused? Well Ill just give an example. Nekura and Aryian are lovers and wish to mate, they are apart of the Libaril pack. You and the other person's characters go to the mating forums and mate as if they were by Dekiru Lake.
       Yes, well, if you still dont get it, just ask an Admin.

Time Frame...

• Since a whole year in our real time would take like... well forever, and having a character for the rest of your life isn't fun and we want to keep it to where you can eventually kill off your characters to create new ones. So to keep it fun and realistic, and able to go through a life cycle without it taking 20 or 30 years real time, I have broken it down.
• Two weeks is equal to a month in the roleplay... It's that simple.
• But, if your confused or just don't get it then don't worry! What really matters is the season, and I will have that posted.
• You will be required to update your characters ages as the time progresses. I recommend you make a 'birthdate' for your character, that way you can keep track of the characters age, and when he/she should be adding another year, half-year, or quarter-year on their life. (Every Six Months)