Article 1 – The Constitution

The Constitution is the basic framework under which Shining Towers operates. By registering on the forums, all members agree to abide by its regulations. Any member who refuses to do so may have their membership automatically revoked. The Constitution outlines a basic code of conduct which we expect all members to follow, in a spirit of friendship and tolerance. The regulations of this constitution are binding on the forums, in our IRC chat room(s) and at real life functions.

The Constitution may be modified at any time. All members shall be notified of changes made to the Constitution. Changes made to the Constitution are not retroactive.

Article 2 – Administration

Amyrlin Seat

The Amyrlin Seat is the absolute authority of the Shining Towers community. Her word on matters is final, and she may be approached with any matter that might otherwise go to another administrator or moderator, if that administrator or moderator is unavailable. The position of Amyrlin Seat is held for life, unless she chooses to step down. In the case that she steps down, the Keeper of the Chronicles may become Amyrlin Seat, or may appoint another Amyrlin Seat. If the Keeper of the Chronicles is unable to appoint another Amyrlin Seat, an Amyrlin Seat may be elected by the Shining Council.

Keeper of the Chronicles

The Keeper of the Chronicles is second in command of Shining Towers, and the Head of the White Tower faction. In all matters, she is considered to have the full authority of the Amyrlin Seat. Her word on matters is final, and she may be approached with any matter that might otherwise go to another administrator or moderator, if that administrator or moderator is unavailable. She is responsible for the Aes Sedai of Shining Towers. The position of Keeper of the Chronicles is appointed by the Amyrlin Seat, and is held for life, unless she chooses to step down.

Mistress of Novices

The Mistress of Novices is the Head of Training within the White Tower. She is responsible for the Novices and Accepted of Shining Towers. The position of Mistress of Novices is appointed by the Amyrlin Seat, and is held for life, unless she chooses to step down, or is removed by the Amyrlin Seat.

M’hael

The M’hael is the Head of the Black Tower faction. His word on Black Tower matters is final, save the word of the Amyrlin Seat. He is responsible for the Asha’man of Shining Towers. The position of M’hael is appointed by the Amyrlin Seat and is held for life, unless he chooses to step down, or is removed by the Amyrlin Seat.

Tsovoran’m’hael

The Tsovoran’m’hael is the Head of Training within the Black Tower, and second in command of the Black Tower. He is responsible for the Soldiers and Dedicated of Shining Towers. The position of Tsovoran’m’hael is appointed by the Amyrlin Seat, and is held for life, unless he chooses to step down, or is removed by the Amyrlin Seat.

Head Gaidin

The Head Gaidin is the Head of the Garrison faction. His word on Garrison matters is final, save the word of the Amyrlin Seat. He is responsible for the Gaidin and Gaidar of Shining Towers. The position of Head Gaidin is appointed by the Amyrlin Seat, and is held for life, unless he chooses to step down, or is removed by the Amyrlin Seat. The equivalent position of Head Gaidar may alternatively be held by a woman.

Master of Arms

The Master of Arms is the Head of Training within the Garrison, and second in command of the Garrison. He is responsible for the Recruits and Younglings of Shining Towers. The position of Master of Arms is appointed by the Amyrlin Seat, and is held for life, unless he chooses to step down, or is removed by the Amyrlin Seat. The equivalent position of Mistress of Arms may alternatively be held by a woman.

Head of Ajah

Each Ajah has a Head, responsible for the Accepted and Aes Sedai of her Ajah, and for overseeing the activities of her Ajah. The position of Head of Ajah is appointed by the Amyrlin Seat and Keeper of the Chronicles, and is held for life, unless she chooses to step down, or is removed by the Amyrlin Seat.

Head of Shar

Each Shar has a Head, responsible for the Dedicated and Asha’man of his Shar, and for overseeing the activities of his Shar. The position of Head of Shar is appointed by the Amyrlin Seat and M’hael, and is held for life, unless he chooses to step down, or is removed by the Amyrlin Seat.

Shining Council

In addition to the Head of an Ajah/Shar, each Ajah/Shar may have up to two Sitters or Representatives sit in the Shining Council. Sitters and Representatives are appointed by the Head of the Ajah, the Amyrlin Seat, the Keeper of the Chronicles, and the M’hael. Sitter and Representative positions are reviewed every six months.

Article 3 - Membership

Membership and Affiliation

Upon joining Shining Towers, all members will begin as Citizens. Citizens, while not full members of the site, are required to abide by the Constitution.

Anyone who does not wish to become a full member of the site, including visitors from other Wheel of Time sites, may remain as a Citizen. Citizens are regarded as visitors to the site, and may post in any forum they can see, as well as in our IRC chat room(s). All retired members may be returned to the rank of Citizen, and remain as visitors to the site.

Members may choose from a number of affiliations at the site. These affiliations are equal, and exist only for the purpose of having fun. Women may choose to join the White Tower or Garrison; men may choose to join the Black Tower or Garrison.

All members of Shining Towers must be at least 13 years old. Senior members must be at least 16 years old.

Representation

While Shining Towers is a real life organisation, we do use pseudonyms, avatars and signatures to represent ourselves. Pseudonyms, while not members’ real names, should be realistic fantasy-type names. Pseudonyms are required to be of a member’s own gender, unless special permission is requested.

All members must have an avatar. Avatars must be 110 x 170 pixels, human or humanoid, and fantasy-ish. Members are allowed to change avatars, however doing so frequently is discouraged. All members must notify an administrator if they wish to change their avatar. All members are responsible for making sure that their avatar complies with all relevant copyright.

Signatures may be either text or graphical, but should not contain animation - smilies are okay, within reason. We ask that text signatures are kept to no more than eight lines of text, graphical signatures to no more than 400 x 125 pixels. Junior members may have, in addition to a graphical signature, two lines of text, while senior members may have three lines of text.

All avatars and signatures may be .gif .jpeg .jpg .swf or .png file types only.

Information and Privacy

As a real life organisation, Shining Towers requests certain basic information from all members, including age, gender, real name and location. All information given to an administrator will be held in strict confidence, and not used for any unauthorised purpose. No information is required to be posted publicly on the forums, however members should recognise that any information they choose to post publicly is their own responsibility, and not the responsibility of an administrator. Any member found abusing the privacy of another, or found to have falsified personal information requested by an administrator, may have their membership automatically revoked.

Activity

An active member is defined as one who posts on the forums at least once per month. Members posting less often than this will be categorised as inactive; any time spent being inactive will not count towards total time spent at the site for raising purposes.

All members holding a position (Head of Ajah, Sitter, etc.) are expected to post on the forums at least once per week. Members posting less often than this may be cautioned, and members who do not post at least once per month may lose their position.

If any member knows that they will be inactive for more than a month, they should post a Leave of Absence in the Announcements forum. Members should not post a Leave of Absence any shorter than a week.

If any member wishes to voluntarily retire, they should notify an administrator. In addition, junior members who remain inactive for more than six months may be retired. Any member wishing to return from retirement may petition an administrator to return at their previous rank, and such petitions will be considered on a case by case basis. Members returning from retirement may be required to start over with a new account, at the discretion of the administrators.

Levels of Membership

The first level of membership is that of Citizen. Citizens are not full members of the site, but are considered to be visitors to the site.

Once a member chooses their affiliation, they will begin at first rank. First rank is Novice (White Tower), Recruit (Garrison), or Soldier (Black Tower).

Second rank is Accepted (White Tower), Youngling (Garrison), or Dedicated (Black Tower). At second rank, Accepted may choose an Ajah, and Dedicated may choose a Shar. To choose an Ajah or Shar, members must apply to the Head of that Ajah/Shar.

At third rank, members are considered to be senior members. Third rank is Aes Sedai (White Tower), Gaidin/Gaidar (Garrison), or Asha’man (Black Tower). At third rank, members may choose to bond, or apply for positions within the site.

Above third rank, members should refer to the Administration section of the Constitution.

Raising

When members feel that they are ready, they may apply to be raised. First rank members who wished to be raised should contact their mentor. First rank members must have been a member of the site for at least one month; must have demonstrated an appropriate level of maturity; must have been active on the forums, particularly in the Classrooms, practical One Power and/or weaponry training, and in completing chores; and must have completed an approved project.

Second rank members who wish to be raised should contact the Head of their Ajah/Shar in the case of Accepted and Dedicated, or their mentor in the case of Younglings. Second rank members must have been a member of the site for at least three months, and Accepted and Dedicated must have been a member of their Ajah/Shar for at least one month; must have demonstrated an appropriate level of maturity; must have been active on the forums, particularly in the Classrooms, and in practical One Power and/or weaponry training; must have taught at least one class to completion; must have completed a second approved project; and must have completed The Wheel of Time series.

To be raised to second rank, members must have administrative approval, as well as the approval of the Head of their faction and their Head of Training. To be raised to third rank, members must have administrative approval, the approval of the Head of their faction, of the Head of their Ajah/Shar (where applicable), of their Head of Training, and of the Hall, and must pass a test based on The Wheel of Time and the Shining Towers community.

Article 4 – Conduct

Respect

No flaming, offensive or inappropriate behaviour. This is a friendly community, and we expect all members to behave with respect and courtesy towards others. If you are warned by an admin or senior member to modify your behaviour, please do so.

Please respect all members - senior members in particular. All senior members have worked hard to make this site what it is, and they deserve recognition of this fact. All junior members should address senior members using the appropriate honorific (ie. Gwen Sedai, Marc Gaidin, Asha'man Ehvon.)

Posting

Members may post in any forum they have access to. Posts in public forums should take into account that many members are underage. Posts in private (senior member) forums may contain more mature content. If any member objects to a post, they may raise the issue with an administrator, who will consider the issue.

Disputes

Junior members who are having problems with the site should contact either the Mistress of Novices, Tsovoran'm'hael, or Master of Arms; senior members and Accepted and Dedicated of an Ajah/Shar who are having problems with the site should contact their Head of Ajah/Shar. Only if the problem remains unresolved should a member contact the Head of their Faction or the Amyrlin Seat.

If two or members experience a dispute, it is strongly recommended that they attempt to settle things between themselves. If this is not possible, junior members should contact either the Mistress of Novices, Tsovoran'm'hael, or Master/Mistress of Arms; senior members and Accepted or Dedicated of an Ajah/Shar should contact their Head of Ajah/Shar. If both members agree, conflicts may be subject to a mediation session hosted by a member of the Grey Ajah.

Mediation

All mediation sessions are confidential, and should be treated as such. All mediation sessions will be presided over by at least one administrator, as well as one or more Aes Sedai of the Grey Ajah. The outcomes of a mediation session are binding on all members participating in the session.

Discipline

Any member may be disciplined for an infraction by an administrator. Junior members may be disciplined by the Head of their faction, or their Head of Training. Senior members, Accepted of an Ajah, and Dedicated of a Shar, may be disciplined by the Head of their faction, or by the Head of their Ajah/Shar

Relationships

Near-siblings: Anyone may become near-siblings. You do not need a mediation session to become near-siblings.

First-siblings: In order to become first-siblings, you must have met your 'sibling' in real life. You must have undergone a mediation session, and perform the necessary ceremony, preferably in person. The first-sibling bond is taken extremely seriously, and may not be dissolved under any circumstances.

Pillowfriends: Like near-siblings, anyone may become pillowfriends, and you do not require a mediation session. Pillowfriends may be of the same gender only.

Bondmates: Bonding may occur only between senior members. Aes Sedai may bond Gaidin, Gaidar, or Asha'man; Asha'man may bond Gaidin, Gaidar, or Aes Sedai. Only members of the Green Ajah and Domare Shar may have more than one bondmate. Members of the Red Ajah may bond Gaidar only. All bondings are subject to mediation sessions. Bonding is not to be taken lightly, and bonds may only be dissolved following further mediation and approval by one or more administrators.

Article 5 - Access

Shining Towers can be accessed from the following URLs:

http://shining.forumer.com
http://shining.9.forumer.com
http://www.forumer.com/shining
http://shining.999.org
http://shining.tt.cx

In addition, the Shining Towers IRC chat room may be accessed at #shiningtowers on sorcery.net