1. Current requirements for application to Fate will always be posted on the New Applicant thread on our forum. Members are encouraged to recruit friends who meet the above criteria to apply to the linkshell. Other prospective applicants must expect that the current members' opinions of them weighs heavily on their chance for recruitment. It is expected that any member or prospective member be able to access the forum on a daily basis.
2. A discussion will take place on all prospective applicants at which the applicant will be given a trial pearl, or turned away.
2i. Accepted recruits shall be provided a period of time during which points are accumulated but may not be spent, in which all members will gauge their ability to fit in and perform to standard at Fate events. During this period, recruits will be expected to show up to as many events as possible, but not significantly more than after the recruitment period. Giving a preview of false availability will not protect you from termination. Recruits are expected to interact with other Fate members, and therefore require access to the Ventrilo server. Ventrilo information will be viewable on the forum (It is expected that this information is not shared outside the linkshell). An ongoing thread will be kept in the private members forums for all members to discuss the recruit during this process.
2ii. In order for us to assess a recruit's skill and attitude, he or she must attend a minimum of eight (8) sanctioned Fate events. After this time period there will be a linkshell wide vote. If the leaders feel the recruit is taking a prolonged period of time to make these eight events, they may be granted an extension based on circumstance. If the recruit has not been able to participate due to reasons outside of their control, or if there are issues substantial enough to warrant an extension the leaders will act as they feel best. If due cause for an extension is not found, such as skipping events while online, the recruit will be summarily dismissed.
2iii. Only a leader may begin a recruit discussion thread. A leader shall not insert their personal opinion into the opening statement, however they may include information which they feel is unbiased and penitent. Each member shall be permitted to post once per thread to state his or her thoughts on the recruit and how they may perform if accepted or have performed during their recruitment period. This is to allow all members fair voice without argument or need to defend their opinion. The vote will be held after, not during this discussion. If extenuating or otherwise circumstances arise after your post is made you may approach a leader, whose discretion it will then be how to proceed.
3. A recruit becomes a full member of Fate once the members have voted if they gain a 75% majority. The voting period, once it has been posted, shall last for two days; extenuating circumstances shall be determined and accounted for by a leader. It may be closed early if all votes of active members are accounted for.
4. Failure to earn at least twelve points in one month of linkshell activites will be defined as inactive member status. A member who falls thusly into inactive status shall lose points (decay) according to the following formula: 12 - (actual points that individual earned in that month). This is a preliminary minimum number and may be adjusted as the flow of points in and out of the system becomes more apparent. Active and inactive periods are measured strictly by calendar months.
4i. Members who are inactive for two months consecutively, in addition to having point decay occur, will also be assessed a ten point base penalty. A third consecutive month will bring a twenty point penalty on top of regular decay, etc. Penalties shall be calculated by the following formula: 10 * (Months inactive-1) and shall take place until the player reasserts them self as active or their point total reaches zero. This is to prevent players from stockpiling large amounts of points during periods of inactivity without requested or notified time off (including temporarily quitting the linkshell or the game), and returning months later with the ability to outlot many active members.
4ii. Members may request official vacation time during which up to a month of total non participation will not be penalized. Vacation time will end after a full month's time or an attended event. This time may not be used as an excuse to attend events lightly for lotting purposes without inactive decaying points penalty. You may only request a vacation once every four months. It will be up to the leaders discretion whether or not the request for a vacation is legitimate or an attempt at exploiting the system. Vacations will not count toward consecutive inactivity, nor reset the current count of consecutive inactive periods. Acceptable reasons to ask for a vacation include: leaving the country, taking a break from the game, being busy with school, visiting family.
5. Those who quit the game or leave Fate are no longer considered members. Members who take an extended leave of absence without first notifying a leader via Private Message on the site will be considered to have quit the game and will no longer be considered a member. An extended leave of absence will be defined as "Absent for four consecutive weeks with no communication to a leader".
5i. Fate members who quit the game or leave Fate may be allowed to return and rejoin Fate. In order for a former member of Fate to rejoin the linkshell, he/she must be voted back into the linkshell by the leaders. If the vote to rejoin is successful, the former member will become a recruit. Any status and privileges obtained before the member had quit the game or left the linkshell will have been lost, and their status will be the same as any recruit joining Fate for the first time. Their points (if any remain after decay) will be subject to a freeze pending their regaining full membership.
5ii. If the vote to allow a former member to be admitted back into the linkshell is denied, then the former member's pearl must be broken and all but public access removed from the website.