Understanding the Rules
Before you can continue with your training, you must display adequate understanding of the rules of the New Jedi Order. We are Jedi; it is in our nature to understand and uphold laws and justice. To that end, please read the rules that govern our Order, and summarize them in your own words to demonstrate your understanding. When you have finished reading these rules, reply below with your summations and indicate that you understand and agree. If a certain master has taken you as a padawan already, please also tag that individual in your response.
Rule 1: Respect the Order
You must respect the structure and hierarchy of the New Jedi Order, even outside of roleplaying. The word of the Council and its Grand Master is final, for their wisdom knows no bounds. All your superiors have worked hard to earn their station; please heed their directions and judgment.
What does this mean, in practice?
It means that we are an Order of tradition and respect, honoring those who came before us and whose knowledge is greater than our own. We defer to their experience, listening and absorbing all that they have to teach us, be it in the ways of the Force, or the time-honored traditions of the Jedi.
Whenever greeting your Master (or other high-ranking Jedi), in comment threads, or elsewhere in the Order, remember to bow and greet them by name and rank. Treat the Jedi Council and the Grand Master with utmost respect, giving them your attention whenever they arrive in a thread, chat, or roleplay game.
As they say in the military, "you salute the rank, not the man". Even if there is a higher-ranking Jedi you don't particularly like out-of-character, you must still afford their rank the respect it deserves; as they did work hard to achieve their position. Leadership flows from the top.
You must not Block any moderator or administrator, or you will be immediately banned from the group.
Rule 2: Separate In-Character (IC) and Out-of-Character (OOC)
While the New Jedi Order is a fanclub open to all types of participation, many of our members—including yourself, if you are here—enjoy role-playing. When role-playing, please remember to separate in-character (IC) from out-of-character (OOC).
Do not let in-character disagreements or rivalries bleed into your out-of-character relationships with your fellow NJO members. We do encourage an atmosphere of camaraderie and friendship; let that be the precedent for all your in-character and out-of-character interactions.
This also complements Rule 1. Obviously, "Jane Doe", Star Wars nerd who likes to roleplay a Jedi, doesn't automatically deserve your respect. But "Jedi Master So-and-so" does, and that means "Jane Doe" and her character are your superior in the context of this group; by participating in this Order, you are agreeing to act as if she is, to keep the system going, to keep the atmosphere immersive, and to not spoil the fun for everyone.
Don't take things too seriously (unless you are fighting for your life against legions of Sith warriors, in which case, take it very seriously), don't take what is said or done in-character to heart, and also be aware that unlike some groups, this Order has a long tradition of trying to keep a "lightly in-character" overtone to everything, even outside of formal RPGs.
Rule 3: No Cyberbullying or Flaming
Tying into Rule 2, bullying members out-of-character is strictly not allowed, and degrading comments about things such as race, religion, culture, sexual orientation, gender, or identity will not be tolerated, unless very explicitly taking place in a mutual role-playing setting (e.g. if you have created a speciesist or sexist character – but do not abuse this exception to get away with things. Please use common sense, or a moderator will have to teach you it).
Rule 4: No Harassment
Don't be a creep. Don't send inappropriate pictures, unwanted sexual private messages, or engage in any form of harassment of members, sexual or otherwise. While mutually roleplaying romantic entanglements is fun for some, don't be weird about it, don't be pushy about it, and don't abuse the roleplaying context of this group to get away with things. Quite simply, don't be "that guy". Use common sense. Please put the comfort of your fellow members first.
Tying into Rule 3, non-sexual forms of harassment are not tolerated either. This includes, for example, private messaging higher-ranking Jedi angry or insulting messages for a certain action they took. This also includes spamming the inboxes of other members when they clearly do not wish to talk to you. Again, common sense applies; do not make moderators teach you the meaning of that phrase.
If you have been temporarily banned from posting or replying to threads, harassing moderators is a sure way to get permanently banned form the forum. Refer to the Communications forum for further information about what to do if you've been banned.
Rule 5: No Spamming
Make sure your posts and replies are relevant and topical, and do not spam the forum. If you have questions about whether or not something is appropriate to post, please ask a moderator first.
Rule 6: No Trolling
A troll is someone who acts in bad faith, contributing for their own amusement at the expense of others. Don’t be a troll. This faction of our overall brand (The New Jedi Order; the Eternal Sith Empire Forums; forums.sithempire.net) is specifically Jedi-only; we discourage antagonizing members and preaching anti-Jedi rhetoric. If you wish to play as Sith or other variety of Star Wars character, check out our other roleplaying opportunities on this forum, or ask a moderator for assistance in finding the right niche for you. You should work with the members of the group, not against them.
Don't mock, defy, or otherwise go against the grain of the group culture. Don't spoil the fun for everyone else.
Rule 7: No Sock Accounts
Unfortunately, this group does not allow the use of unverified sock accounts. We do not approve any accounts which appear to be obvious socks.
If you would prefer to use a different account with a different username for a more immersive character experience, we encourage you to contact an administrator to make arrangements for an additional account.
Rule 8: This Group Was Here Long Before You
This forum is simply the latest outpost of a Sith fanclub, discussion group, and role-playing group that has existed since 2003, spanning multiple forums, Facebook Groups, websites, social groups, and role-playing games. This Jedi faction originates from the same forum that the Sith fanclub originated from, and dates back to as early as 2002—if not earlier!
This Order was here long before you. Please act thoughtfully and considerately in recognition of that fact. Please integrate into the group and its ways; don't expect it to integrate around you, just because you would prefer to do things differently. The Jedi Order does not revolve around you. Do not be spoiled or entitled. You will receive no special treatment. If this group and its culture, ways, and traditions are you, the please peacefully leave.
Rule 9: Remember – This Group is for Fun
Don't start real life drama, "wars", or "rebellions". Don't cause trouble or create a difficult atmosphere for other members. This group is for fun—please keep it that way for other people. If you have received discipline, it was certainly doled out because you did something to deserve it. Please take care to learn from your mistakes, as we can only give so many chances.
Don't throw fits, drag bystanders into your drama, or "ragequit" just because things didn't go your way one time.
Instead, consider the effects of your actions on other people. Wait the drama out before making rash moves; drama usually peters out after a day or two. Take a break from the Order, or take a break from social media in general. Unwind. Reconcile with people. Don't spoil your own future fun by taking an action (such as leaving) that is difficult to undo. You will likely regret it, and simply giving up after a difficult patch has a demotivating impact on other members of the Order.
If, after careful, thoughtful consideration (after a break for at least 48 hours), you decide this Empire is not for you anymore, don't spoil others' fun by getting them involved in drama or treason.
Instead, leave peacefully and respectfully, and do not tug at other members to follow you or cause trouble; it endangers their positions (and the hard work they put into gaining them), places them in a difficult spot where most would otherwise want to continue having fun without drama, and puts pressure and strain on their friendships with different people. Don't be a selfish friend.
If you are approached by a malcontent of any rank (even your master, or a dissatisfied member of the Jedi Council), who seeks to poach you away to a new splinter faction— using what we have all built here for their own selfish gain— then know that, through creating their own false "Order" and attempting to poach members, they are breaking both this Rule, Rule 5 (No spamming and no unauthorized promotions), and, through committing treason, Rule 1 (Respect the hierarchy). REPORT THEM directly to the Grand Master of the New Jedi Order, who will bring the matter before the Jedi Council for review. They are selfishly placing you in a difficult spot, and endangering your future, out of temporary pettiness. Do not feed the flames and expand the drama by going along with them, however pure your intentions might be.
Remember, the Jedi Order is built on harmony and cooperation.
Most importantly...
HAVE FUN!
Once you have completed this Task, move on to Task 2: Choosing your Weapon. The next few Tasks will take you through building your first NJO character.