Code of Conduct

The Lair of the Black Dragon Forums is a community for people with any kind of interest within the diverse sphere of science fiction and fantasy. At its heart, our common interest in science fiction and fantasy topics, media, and artists, forms a deeper bond of respect than any differing preferences, or opinions, we may hold on issues both within and without that wide area of interests.

As such, and to help serve as a guide to members and staff alike, this Code of Conduct has been drawn up to preserve that spirit for the greater community:


1. Registration

Members are free to choose what usernames they wish to represent themselves within public areas, such as the Lair of the Black Dragon forum.

However, editing of usernames may occur where the username chosen is deemed inappropriate, such as under the following non-exclusive criteria:

• Usernames that include Adult, expletive, or other offending use of letters, words, or phrases
• Usernames intended to imitate persons or staff
• Usernames all in CAPITALS

The first two instances above will lead to an instant banning, without explanation. The third will result in the username being edited into lowercase.


2. Signatures

Members of the Lair of the Black Dragon are free to include text and links within their signature area beneath postings, according to the following guidelines:

• Signatures may be no more than 4 lines in length
• Signatures may not use size tags of more than 2
• Signatures may include a maximum of 2 links

Additionally, links may not include commercial affiliate links, nor any form of commercial advertising.

Members are also advised against overuse of colors and formatting - signature links are intended to compliment user postings, rather than distract from them.


3. Spam Policy

We do not tolerate spam postings at the Lair of the Black Dragon forum. If your first post is an advert for another website, or a product on another website, your post will be removed without warning.

If you make a second post in the same manner, your posts will be removed and you will be banned from the forums.

SPAM INCLUDES NON-COMMERCIAL POSTINGS.


4. Posting Policy

The administrators, moderators, and other staff of the Lair of the Black Dragon reserve the right to edit, modify, or delete, in whole or part, any aspect of this forum, including user messages, at their own discretion and without notice or warning.

This is especially applicable to content of the following nature:

1. Posts that seek to offend directly or purposefully disrespect individual members of this community, especially through flaming, baiting, or personal abuse,
2. Posts that use excessive profanity,
3. Posts that contain illegal material
4. Posts that contain graphic imagery or literature of a sexual or violent nature - this is a family friendly viewing site.
5. Posts that seek to promote discrimination, hate, or violence either within or outside of the Lair of the Black Dragon forum,
6. Posts which seek to attack the legal rights of any individual member, such as but not limited to defamation, harassment, and/or the issuing of threats,
7. Posts made by a member using multiple aliases
8. SPAM: which in this instance is defined as memberships seen to primarily serve the purpose of promoting specific services, products, or websites. NOTE: Self-promotion should be kept to a minimum, and signature links are provided for, so long as they are kept respectful. Signature links may be edited and/or removed by the forum staff at any time and without warning.
9. Posts that seek to disrupt the functioning of the community, such as attacks against the Lair of the Black Dragon forum itself.

5. Aspiring writers

Aspiring writers are advised that links to their own websites are fine in their signature, but posts by new members that are entirely self-promotional will be treated as spam.

Do you want feedback on your writing? Then feel free to post your writing in the Slush Pile under the Writing Forum. In following such action, you are simply asking for the aspiring and published writers on the Lair of the Black Dragon forums to provide feedback on your writing, and should not be used as a promotional vehicle for personal websites or books.

Note that the Lair of the Black Dragon is very happy to help promote the works of established members - those who give, receive in return.


6. Language

Please also note that swearing is not permitted - this is not an adult site. If you really feel the need to swear then censor the f****** words yourself. Use st*rs or bl_nks to censor the words. Lesser slang words are acceptable, but vocabulary generally not deemed acceptable for family viewing should not be used. If you don’t censor yourself, then the forum software and or the site staff may do this for you.


7. Disciplinary Action

There is currently no strict disciplinary procedure in use.

Blatant attempts at abusing the Lair of the Black Dragon forums will be treated as such. Where genuine misunderstandings are seen to have occurred, genuine efforts at reconciliation will be made.

Generally, corrective comments by staff in public postings, private messages, and e-mails should be regarded seriously. A formal warning will only be issued as a last resort.


8. Additional Notes

1. Please note that you will not be censored even for disagreeing with any member of the staff, so long as it is not done so in a manner that is seen as generally disruptive. Differing opinions are fine, but do note that Lair of the Black Dragon staff must be respected with the last word on issues relating to the Lair of the Black Dragon itself.
2. If you have any particular complaints about a member of the forums staff, then please e-mail an administrator.
3. Complaints received about any post not necessarily covered by the above comments will be duly adjudicated.

FINALLY

For the most part, people on the Lair of the Black Dragon are great and there's generally little need for action. Ultimately, though, staff exists to help oil the machine that makes this a fun and friendly place for all.

Feel free to settle in and make yourself comfortable - all we ask is that you try and enjoy yourself here, while also respecting other members trying to do the same.