If you’ve read my post titled The Land Called Samurai Japan then you already know that Samurai Japan is a new region which is part of RPG Empires in Second Life and it’s a Role Play/Combat Sim. Now, Samurai Japan is open to everyone. You can come and visit the region anytime you like but if you want to Role Play in Samurai Japan then you have to submit an application.

The application form can be obtained from the Rules Notecard which is distributed at RPG Empires Orientation Island and at the landing point of Samurai Japan. So, read and understand the Rules and if you agree to it then fill up the Application Form and send it to any official of Samurai Japan.

RULES FOR SAMURAI-JAPAN

A RPG Empire World Sim

www.rpgempire.org

• No modern weapons.  Period weapons only.  Bows are permitted and legal weapon in raids and assaults only and if the other Sim rules allow it. They can also be used if Samurai-Japan is being assaulted them selves.
• Melee weapons only for spars and tournaments.  We understand that certain weapons are favored and Samurai-Japan residence can use them instead of the traditional katana weapon if desired.
• Enhanced weapons are prohibited, except during the games on Sunday.
• All agreed spars must be fought in either the dojo or the Arena.  Of course any random acts of aggression will be taken care of accordingly¹to assure traffic is not disrupted.
• This is a DCS Sim and any active warrior must have the most current combat meter for tournament participation.
• Powers and abilities are allowed in all combat and spars,except in the tournaments, with Sundays game excluded from the tournament rule.
• All races are welcome.  Samurai-Japan does not discriminate against anyone or anything.
• Maintain RP.  In public try and remain In character.  If Out of Character talk is needed, use brackets to convey and message. ² [[ ]] or set your DCS to the OOC tag, but try and finish the OOC conversation quickly to maintain the RP environment.
• Resident players are encourage to dress in the period and style of the Sim.  (Kimono, Samurai armor, Katanas,  etc.).  Visitors from another Sim are also encourage to dress in the period of their Sim and RP as such.  This will help maintain the environment and fun for the gamers.  New players to RP are exempted from this rule but must wear a OOC visitors tag.
• Except for designated areas like the bathhouse, no Nudity is allow in public places as well as public displays of sex.  If caught you will be warned to stop of clothe your AVI.  If you fail to comply you can be ejected and or banned from the sim.
• Those new to RP must have the visitors tag.  They can watch to see how Sim is played but do not interact in the RP.  Interaction is allow OOC for questions about the Sim and how to play but try and not disrupted the current RP.
• Unless it is in RPG no name calling or insults OOC.  Saying someones character is a buffoon is allot different than calling them an idiot or a cheater OOC.  This does include insults in IM.  Reports will be taken seriously and thoroughly investigated.
• You must be of legal adult age (at least 18 years of age) to participate in this Sim. If you are not of the legal adult age, please leave. If it’s found out that you’re not of legal age, then you will be removed.
• Disruptive and/or harassing behavior will not be tolerated. Samurai-Japan has the right to decide what behavior falls into this category, and to respond as we see accordingly.
• NO HATE GROUPS.  We respect your opinion but do not come in to the Sim and preach.  If you have had issues with another Sim or person in that Sim do not come into here to  preach and convert others to your thinking.  It will definitely get you banned permanently from the Sim.
• No Whining or complaining.  Again you have the right to vent and express your displeasure but please do not be excessive about it.  This ruins the fun for everyone.  If you do have a complaint please let us know and it will be addressed in a formal manner.
• To join Samurai-Japan, you must agree to the above rules and guidelines and fill out the provided application below.  This will be review and if accepted, allowed to join and train in one of the caste.
• MOST IMPORTANT RULE:  Have fun!!!!  That is what we are all here for.

LINKS AND REFERENCES

Below are a list of Links and material that you can use to help out flesh out your character for Samurai-Japan.

WEBSITES

• http://www.us-japan.org/edomatsu/home.html
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Customs_and_etiquette_of_Japan
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_tea_ceremony
• http://www.samurai-archives.com/
• http://www.l5r.com/ (Samurai based RPG)

MOVIES, BOOKS, ANIMES and MANGA

• Seven Samurai (Movie)
• The Last Samurai (Good example of foreign looking Samurai and how that came to be)
• Lone Wolf and Cub (manga)
• Samurai: The World of the Warrior by Stephan Turnbull

NOTE:  Second life, DCS do have known issues and can lag.  Please be patient and do report the issues As soon as possible.

The Sim administration reserves the right to change and/or modify these rules at any time and at its discretion.

Please be mindful, that being on these Sims is a privilege and not a right.

1. and RPed