Guidelines (Draft)

'''THE GUIDELINES ARE UPDATED TO THE END OF VOLUME 3. RULES ARE CANDIDATE TO REVISION AT ANY POINT IN TIME BY STAFF BUT WILL MOST DEFINITELY RE-EDITED AT THE END OF VOLUME 4 ONCE AGAIN.'''

RWBY Fanon Administrative Judging Guidelines

For the rulings decided upon by the RP Moderation team. May not apply to judging the character, may simply be a stance we have agreed to take on a certain topic.

Guidelines subject to change.

REMEMBER. If you are unsure about a particular Ruling, and how it may pertain to your Character or other Original Content, feel free to ask a Reviewer, Administrator or other Staff member for assistance. We are always here to help.

Rules marked with MANDATORY are compulsory to follow, Rules marked with DISCRETION are advised.

RECOMMENDED rules are not compulsory in any form, they simply exist and are listed to help provide information for character creation.

IMPORTANT, WHAT IS REVIEWER DISCRETION?: Reviewer discretion is a degree of freedom all reviewers have whilst reviewing characters. This allows reviewers to judge things with more flexibility and requires them to use a combination of the rules and common sense in order to discern what is and isn't acceptable. Please note that a reviewer's word is law and not to be argued against.

Naming Policy

 * Monty's Image Here:http://static1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20131130235255/rwbyfanon/images/2/2d/ColorNameRule.png
 * First names of characters in RWBY must be:
 * A color
 * Something that sounds like a color
 * Something that means a color
 * Something that makes you think of a color
 * If that character is on a team, then the first letter of their first or last name must fit in a 4 letter acronym that spells a team name that must also be:
 * A color
 * Something that sounds like a color
 * Something that means a color
 * Something that makes you think of a color
 * MANDATORY: If name can't be deciphered or isn't included in Trivia, OCs owner must be asked if there's one or if the name comes from one.
 * MANDATORY: The characters FIRST name MUST be something color related. No Bob Green, or Greg "Red" Steve names/variations. No names that are colourless either like "Clear" or "Glass" or "Opaque". Names are creative and unique, break the mold! Use other languages, find something that fits, then spin it a few times to make it your own! Look at the Canon for examples, some of the canon characters names come from really crazy origins.
 * Just a little elaboration on this. The Color Naming Rules do state that more than the name, but the character themselves should be a color, or take after one. That's why they dress in a similar style as well as just having the name, for the most part. This isn't an enforced rule, just something to keep in mind. After all, RoosterTeeth will be doing by their official lore stuff when it comes to OC contests they may hold in the future!
 * TL;DR version of ^ above: The first name-to-color doesn't have to be the color the character represents. Hopefully it will clear thing up.


 * Characters which fall under the Grandfather Clause are exempt from this.

General Rules

 * I want to Preface these rules with a short little paragraph, if you're reading these out of curiosity, or as a way to get ideas, or are simply curious as to what the standards are on our fair Fanon. Many of these rules are, for a lack of proper term, undefined. Many aspects of RWBY we've only been given a glimpse of (Dust and Semblances are a big two that come to mind) And to these subjects, the Fanon prefers to err on the side of conservatism. To bid under, rather than over, to make a metaphor of it. While it is not our official policy to stifle creativity, the Fanon does indeed try to attempt the opposite. Freedom and creativity are two of the most paramount things we believe in and strive for. However, that being said. RWBY is still a world that has not been 100% completely fleshed out. And many aspects that are very essential to creating a character from this world are still huge unknowns, and our official policies on these unknowns tend to be conservative. As more and more of the world gets fleshed out, more and more of these rules will see change that reflects them. (Feel free to remind us daily we were wrong too. It keeps us working harder.)
 * It must be stated, however, that this is meant to be rules for Role Play Moderation, some things within characters do not allow for fairness and such within Role Plays. Thus, to allow for fairness and an even slate within RPs, reviewer discretion as well as the rules are built towards making this place a fair and even one.
 * We apologize if this is upsetting to anybody. Now, onto the actual factual rules!
 * No Limits Fallacy: Where ANYTHING the character does, is, or has, has no limitations. (Invulnerability, Indestructibility, etc.)
 * MANDATORY: Make sure there's no Unlimited anything, following the No Limits Fallacy.
 * The moderation staff reserves the right to retroactively reject a character based upon finding a point in the character overlooked by the previous moderator who judged said character, or if information was added Post-Acception that would lead to rejection.
 * In the event of a retroactive rejection where One Reviewer misses an aspect that would lead to the Character being removed from Pending and a Second Reviewer notices this, Reviewer Two MUST do the following BEFORE passing the new judgement:
 * Inform Reviewer One of the aspect in question, so that an explanation can be reached if there was a reasonable reason for the omission.
 * Either Reviewer One or Reviewer Two can go and edit the mistake. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter whom does the edit as long as consensus between the two reviewers in question is achieved.
 * In case of Reviewer Two making the edit, then they are obligated to state that they got permission from original reviewer to do so.
 * This is to ensure that people do not feel that certain Reviewers are prejudicing against their Characters, and that an honest, unfortunate mistake has been made.
 * Characters that are intending to be Beacon Academy students or students of a similar institution MUST be 17 years of age or older, the lowest that will be accepted is 16, for year end birthdays (September to December).
 * However, one is allowed to make characters that are Signal students and whatnot.
 * A character's profile requires an exact age up until they are at least 40 years of age, past which age bears little impact upon the grading, although a range (e.g., 'fifties, early seventies, etc) would still be required.
 * The characters are being judged on their canonical accuracy and how well they would fit in the canon as a character of their age, status, and race. Additionally, power levels of character are rejectable if too weak for their position, or too strong.
 * Any additional information, critiques, or compliments in a Character Review that is not related to WHY it was Rejected will be positioned below where the Review staff commonly put "--RP Moderation Team--". However, variations of this message are known to exist.
 * MANDATORY: A basic description of the character's looks; including hair/eye color and body type is required along with a basic description of their outfit. If the character has art of their outfit, that part is not required, however a physical description is still required regardless of art.
 * IF your character does not have art of a high standard (e.g., pictures from a character generator), you must include a detailed description of their looks and outfit. If they do have art, you only have to do the basics. However you are still welcome to write a full appearance.
 * ONLY Characters within Canon OCs can have interactions with are Ozpin and General James Ironwood for Atlas Academy Students.
 * RECOMMENDED: Your character's backstory CAN encompass the fall of Beacon, however, this is not mandatory at this point in time. However, for the sake of sticking with the timeline, it is requested that you do so.
 * MANDATORY: Half-Grimm or humans with Grimm anything are not acceptable.
 * MANDATORY: Natural Grimm attachments on weapons/accessories are not acceptable.
 * MANDATORY: If you wish to make reference to these events, please note that in accordance to the current timeline the White Fang went corrupt 6 years ago, and that the Great War happened 81 years ago.
 * DISCRETION: It is requested that you make reference to the Battle of Beacon or the Fall of Beacon in your character's backstory in order to stay afloat with the current timeline, seeing as Beacon is no longer an attendable school.

Weapons

 * For the current time being, Infusing Dust into your character isn't an Accepted thing, and will be Awaiting Canon Information until we see/know more about it and the specifics on how it works. Dust Tattoos, injections, and anything in which dust in in, under one's skin, or in their bloodstream.
 * Weapons are now Broken down into Primary and Secondary Weapons.
 * PRIMARY WEAPONS ARE ANYTHING THAT:
 * Dual Weapons that are completely identical (Ren's, Yang's)
 * A weapon that has transformations.
 * A weapon that starts off as a single weapon but splits off into two (Sun's Bo-Staff to Nunchucks) counts as a primary weapon.
 * SECONDARY WEAPONS ARE ANYTHING THAT:
 * ​Do not transform.
 * Are singular (look at list below for exceptions for weapons that can be in two), secondary weapons cannot be in pairs.
 * EXCEPTIONS FOR THIS RULE:
 * Knives.
 * Gloves.
 * Boots.
 * Gauntlets.
 * Grenades (max of twelve, grenades now count as a secondary weapon).
 * Pistols are left up to Reviewer Discretion, may be dual or singular.
 * Other weapons may be used, up to Reviewer Discretion, but only the above five are clear cut allowed as dual secondaries.
 * MANDATORY: Stackable weapons such as cards, throwing knives knives, take up both primary AND secondary weapon slots if the stacked weapons go higher than 3. However, don't go ridiculous amounts with weapons unless it can be justified.
 * MANDATORY: A Primary weapon may have only up to three transformations. An inactive mode does not contribute to the transformations.
 * MANDATORY: Dust-Infused Clothing counts as a secondary weapon.
 * MANDATORY: No Artificial Intelligence, Self-Awareness or Automation in Weapons. (Automation meaning weapon reacts on its own to protect the user, not that it essentially is capable of moving under its own power).
 * DISCRETION: All weapons the character possesses should contain the same overall fighting style and/or be able to be used in tandem as well as separately.
 * DISCRETION: Weapons cannot copy a Canonical Characters weapon too closely, this is left at the Reviewers discretion on what they deem as too close.
 * NOTE: Weapons cannot allow a user to have sustained flight, flying can only be done by using a separate apparatus as a utility, HOWEVER, due to the versatility of such a utility it counts towards the weapons limit.
 * A Faunus' natural weapons, e.g. claws, do not count towards the weapon limit.

Dust

 * Dust comes in four Basic types; Fire, Water, Lightning, and Wind. However, dust does lose power.
 * Dust in Clothing counts as a weapon towards the Weapon Limit clause, no exceptions for now.
 * MANDATORY: Any fan-made Dust elements must be explained by what types from the primary ones make it up.
 * DISCRETION: Any fan-made Dust elements caused by a mix of types is subject to be grounds for Rejection if the Reviewer determines they are too powerful or outlandish.
 * IMPORTANT: Dust loses power as it exits the atmosphere, thus, no dust can work in space.
 * IMPORTANT: Dust is finite and does lose power.
 * This is a list of canon dust types one can work with: http://rwby.wikia.com/wiki/Dust#Types_of_Dust

Semblances

 * Semblances are NOT mandatory, keep reading if you want to learn what is and isn't a semblance.
 * MANDATORY: Semblances may not be too similar to those of canonical characters, though if it's similar but used differently enough, it may pass. This is left up to reviewer discretion.
 * THE FOLLOWING SEMBLANCES ARE CANDIDATE FOR AUTOMATIC REJECTION:
 * Glyphs: Glyphs are not a Schnee associated topic, however, you are still welcome to use words like 'rune/circle/mark/tag', or whatever crazy name for a glyph replacement you can think up instead.
 * The only exception to this rule is the use of Glyphs semblances is that one cannot be a direct Schnee ripoff. In essence, your character can't do everything Weiss does. You also can't use pics of Schnee glyphs to explain yours. But other than that, magic circle Semblances are still a-okay happy hunting.
 * Summoning: Anything that involves the creation of something without restrictions, or the summoning of a being via certain aspects is instantly rejectable. Currently Schnee only.
 * Constructs however, are possible if one utilizes Dust along with the semblance, to fuel it in the form as a catalyst. What stands for Rejection is summoning from another plane or existence, summoning without a catalyst involved, and/or summoning anything with a sentient mind.
 * Selective Semblances: Sound waves don't choose who they affect, light beams affect everyone, AoE semblances affect everyone within the range, people cannot pick and choose what to and what not to affect.
 * Incorporeal substances becoming corporeal and vise versa, shadows and light cannot become solid, neither can sound waves, in reverse, one cannot make their body incorporeal.
 * Transformation semblances: Turning your body into an animal, or breaking down your body into other substances like air.
 * Auto-Hit/Auto-Dodge: If they can automatically dodge it no problems, or they can automatically hit someone no problems, then it's candidate to rejection.
 * Time Manipulation: If they can turn back or turn forward or do anything time based that isn't time perception, then it's reject worthy.
 * No semblances that allow one to copy another's semblance.
 * No semblances that allow one to copy another's weapon.
 * No semblances that allow one to copy another's fighting style.
 * No semblances dealing with aura regeneration, manipulation, or bypassing.
 * Reality warping: Forcing one's mind to intake things which are not there (not illusions) or warping one's perception.
 * Force Weakness: Identifying weaknesses of a person that aren't physical and may not be obvious, ie., someone who's touchy about their past.
 * Semblances pertaining to Grimm, whether it be transforming, communication, whatever.
 * Flight semblances, your character cannot fly using a semblance.
 * THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF SEMBLANCES ARE DISCOURAGED BY ARE ULTIMATELY LEFT UP TO REVIEWER DISCRETION:
 * Chain semblances: Semblances which create chains of multiple kinds, due to the connotations of what these can do, it's recommended you don't wander in here, but reviewer discretion reigns supreme.
 * Mind Fuckery: After Emerald, we're willing to open this door, but too many screw ups and this'll be shoved straight to automatic rejection. This is merely a trial phase. Reviewer Discretion reigns supreme once more.
 * Healing semblances that deal with healing others. Can be done, however, whether or not it's done right is up to you people.
 * DISCRETION: This is to note that while these semblances are given as an example, the rest of the semblances are heavily up to reviewer discretion as to whether or not they can or cannot be used, please be mindful of this.
 * DISCRETION: Semblances should fit the character in some way, be it in their personality, fighting style, etc. Though, even if a Semblance isn't a perfect fit for what the character wants to do, they can easily find a way to MacGuyver it into some creative use. (Canon Example: Magnetism Semblance and using it to retrieve or better aim thrown weapons/shields) Get creative!
 * DISCRETION: Hereditary semblances are currently only known to be Schnee and very rare, please confer with a Reviewer beforehand before making a hereditary semblance as without discussion these will be rejected.
 * MANDATORY: Semblances must have some sort of limiter, whether it be a time constraint, an energy constraint, or something that ties into fatigue. Semblances are unable to run forever, although while there can be exceptions, it usually comes with a negative price. (An example of limiters is Weiss' fatigue after overuse of Glyphs and Emerald's capacity of only being able to manage two people while getting a large headache.)

Aura

 * MANDATORY: Aura does not posses unique traits to the individual, these are manifest in Semblances for now. Traits Aura DOES cover are: Protection from Harm via acting as a barrier, Using your weapon as a conduit of Aura (though we're not quite clear on the exact uses/extensions of this), Slight Regeneration of injuries, and giving you the feeling of being watched when you're in danger. One can also fire energy slashes of aura akin to what Qrow did in his fight against Winter.
 * MANDATORY: Aura acts as the first line of defense, going over armour, everything, it's the first line of defense, not second. Armour isn't going to provide much protection unless it's in ridiculous amounts.
 * MANDATORY: No aura bypassing.
 * MANDATORY: Aura does not work as ammunition for things such as Guns. Reasoning for this being that ones Aura is an extension of their soul. To consume Aura for any sort of attack would be to literally consume portions of your soul and life energy (as well as your core defensive lifeline in combat) and bullets exist for a reason.
 * DISCRETION: Lacking in any of the first points skills due to lack of training or other circumstances, example Jaune being untrained in usage of his Aura.
 * Attacks made against humans/Faunus that have the specific effect of bypassing or otherwise target their victims Aura directly will be rejected, regardless of source.
 * Same goes for attacks made on vital points, as long as their intended target has Aura remaining, it would prevent them from causing any more harm than an attack would to any other area in a serious fight.

Faunus

 * MANDATORY: Faunus only have ONE physical feature like the animal they represent (Ears, Tails, Horns, Claws etc.)
 * MANDATORY: Faunus only posses Night Vision as an additional trait. No other senses of theirs (Hearing, Smell, etc) are augmented.
 * MANDATORY: Characters must be either Faunus or Human. No half-faunus exist. If a Faunus and a Human breed, it's either Faunus or Human. If two Faunus breed, then it's a faunus for sure. There's a whole spiel about how breeding works so here's how it goes.
 * Faunus + Human: Faunus or human, faunus child will be the same faunus type as the parent faunus.
 * Two Faunus of the same type: Child is same type of faunus.
 * Two faunus of different types: The child can be any kind of faunus which has been in the ancestral line. If a horse faunus and rat faunus mate they could give birth to a dog faunus granted the dog faunus was an ancestor.
 * MANDATORY: Avian faunus CAN have wings, but are not permitted to fly.
 * DISCRETION: Looks like Claws and natural weapons are a thing, but they do count towards the ONE physical trait/feature Faunus have. Tukson didn't have anything except for claws.
 * DISCRETION: Faunus are recommended to display characteristics akin to that of their animal, such as Blake's love of tuna.
 * All animal types are accepted as faunus. Non-Mammalian faunus are confirmed to exist but in lesser quantities.

Robots/AI

 * Artificial Intelligence is allowed to exist in human sized or larger bodies, however, their use may, at the Reviewers discretion, place the character using them into Awaiting Canon Info until more about the upper scope of robotics technology in Remnant is known.
 * Looks like the bets are in, Penny isn't just a robot. A robot with a SOUL and therefore capable of having and utilizing an Aura. However, Episodes surrounding her explanation reveal that so far, she's the only one this advanced. Please try to keep this in mind when designing characters. In layman terms: Humanlike yes, Aura/Soul no, no, no again.
 * MANDATORY: Use cannot contradict earlier rulings concerning Weapons.
 * MANDATORY: Concerning Cyborgs, (Humans/Humanoids with robotic/cybernetic replacements for things like limbs) Two limbs maximum, if weaponized counts towards Weapon Limits.
 * MANDATORY: If a character has a robot used for battle, it cannot have a sentient A.I., as well as that it counts as the primary weapon. The creator/controller of the robot itself can have a secondary weapon but it cannot be dual nor can it be transforming, only the most basic weapon possible, like a pistol.
 * DISCRETION: On cybernetic Organ replacements of any sort (Heart, Lungs, Eyes, etc.)

Fairy Tales

 * Confirmed to exist within RWBY, can make our own.
 * MANDATORY: Fan made fairy tales are not canon and thus cannot be used to power up characters.
 * MANDATORY: Characters can know the LEGEND of the fairy tale of the Four Maidens, but cannot have the knowledge of the existence of the Maidens.
 * MANDATORY: Characters don't know the legend of the silver-eyes, and no character can be silver eyed. Current characters with silver eyes are to be changed to dark grey or any other colour preferred by the creator of the character as long as it isn't silver.
 * DISCRETION: Using a legend/fairy tale that is not canon for a Role Play poses no problem as long as it isn't the Maidens/Silver-Eyes.

Fan-Made Grimm

 * MANDATORY: All fan-made Grimm must take after some sort of animal or mythical creature in terms of appearance.
 * MANDATORY: Grimm cannot be capable of using the powers of Auras or Semblances, no exceptions, they don't have souls.
 * MANDATORY: Grimm have a skin color consisting primarily of black. However, being covered by a large amount of white armor is fine.
 * MANDATORY: Currently no possession Grimm due to lack of information.
 * DISCRETION: Grimm size and other abilities not explicitly listed above subject to moderation if the Reviewing staff feels they're stretching boundaries of plausibility or if the Grimm in question is too overpowered.

Fan-Made Locations

 * MANDATORY: Fan-Made Locations cannot be based around being a lost or forgotten Fifth Kingdom or continents that have been lost or forgotten from maps.
 * DISCRETION: Fan-Made Locations should, barring very well written reasoning, have some form or way to defend themselves from Grimm attacks. These can be as varied as your imagination allows, but they must be plausible and grounded in RWBY lore.
 * MANDATORY: Grimmland is still inhabitable.
 * DISCRETION: Fan made locations can succumb to Grimm and fall. Fortifications are basically a must.

Fan-Made Factions/Organizations

 * MANDATORY: Factions may not be directly involved with Canon plot elements or organizations in major ways (Influencing Beacon Academy's decisions, How the Deathstalker got into the cave in the Emerald Forest, being affiliates to the Schnee Dust Company, having influence in Roman/Cinders' crime ring, etc.)
 * MANDATORY: Fan made organizations/factions/businesses cannot have more than a couple of thousand members/employees.
 * MANDATORY: Factions cannot take part in the Battle of Beacon that happened this volume.
 * DISCRETION: Companies can be aligned with the Schnee Dust Company in terms of shares and such, but cannot be directly affiliated.
 * Beacon and other Combat School teachers are allowed as Original Characters, but unless the school is entirely fan made, no position above Teacher will be accepted.
 * Transfer Students from Fan-Made/Canon schools outside of Beacon, are an allowed exception to the above rule.

Miscellaneous Non-Review Oriented Rules

 * ALL Decisions that require an Administrative Vote must be discussed with ALL Administrative staff and the Owner, even if Majority would already be reached before this has been accomplished.
 * The exception to this is if an administrator takes longer than one week since the proposal was first made, in which case the others make the currently voted ruling.
 * ALL Decisions the Owner wishes to pass that would require a Vote by Administration must be brought up with ALL the Administrators at the VERY least.
 * No person should be promoted to ANY Staff member position without Majority Support from Admins/Crats
 * CMs, Reviewers and Admins MUST only be removed with majority support from the Admins/Crats.
 * No Crat (Bureaucrat) can be instated without unanimous agreement from the Administrators
 * No Admin/Crat has the power to veto something already passed via majority.
 * With the rise of many new fansites dedicated to RWBY OCs, I want to make it very clear. While we cannot be responsible for what people do on these other fansites, the RWBY Fanon is not responsible nor does it condone actions of vandalism and harassment that takes place off site. We do not allow it here, and we wish that people do not bring arguments and problems off site onto it, and vice versa. If there's a problem, please address one of the many RWBY Fanon Administrators.