• Any questions about Dolphin Domain should be directed to the group and not toward other members and staff's independent dA accounts. If any member or staff feels harassed, please don't hesitate to send a group note.
• Respect other players and staff members. In-character fighting is fine; it's how characters develop. However, members shouldn't be fighting with each other out-of-character. If there are any problems with a member, don't hesitate to come forward. We want everyone to work well together.
  
• Even though we are a fantasy group, we still want some realism in character designs. You can have realistic colors or semi-realistic. Nothing too outrageous like anything neon, or extremely bright colors. Though this is fantasy, think of dark colors. More information below in Character Guidelines.
• We are a Fantasy Group, in which case our characters have a little bit of magic and powers. This is by no means permission to make your character act God-Like. Your character is not invincible and not immortal. Find more information on how Soul Stones affect your character and what powers can or cannot be available in Soul Stones|Crystamal Abilities|Normalite Relics.
• Characters should not be anything fan-based or be a special/created species. Fan-based means nothing that is directly related to characters from movies or shows or games. (IE: Ecco, Keiko, Shamu or Flipper) Even though we're a fantasy group, I'd like to have borderline realistic species, nothing that any deviant artist has made up (ie caramel or shadow orcas, ect). However, we are allowing hybrid species. If you have any questions regarding hybrids, try the FAQ.
• When creating your character, they can have one accessory when joining. Find out more about accessories in the Character Guidelines. Any other accessories will have to be bought with our in-game currency ( Sand Dollars; earned through RPing, short stories and/or art )
  
• Whether in the chat room, on the group comments or through art, please refrain from speaking about any controversial topics. Since this is a cetacean/marine mammal group I do not have to remind you all about what controversial topic I am talking about. I don't care if you're anti or pro, please respect everyone's decision; don't try to change their views. Bullying and harassing members about their views WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. Anyone who feels like they are being pressured about their views can contact the group with proof and we'll take care of it. If you want to speak via Notes, its fine, but still do not harass any members or staff. Anyone found harassing others will be banned from, the group.
• About NSFW. In any role play whether it's in a public or private chat room with multiple players, please refrain from any NSFW. Cuddling is fine while in the chatroom, but anything further should be moved to a private chat room or notes. If you use notes and you want to submit your RP, please use the fade-to-black method if it contains anything further than cuddling. Before performing anything NSFW please be sure your Roleplaying partner is comfortable and over the age of 18. If you submit any artwork, please be sure to place a maturity warning tag.
• All new members must start out with one normalite. After accumulating 200 EXP members are able to create their second character (which can be a crystamal). Spending any EXP will not hinder your amount, just keep track of your lifetime EXP points and your current amount separately.
• After the Great Cataclysm all freshwater was eradicated, however, Freshwater cetaceans have evolved to be able to handle saltwater.
• There is no character slot limit, you can buy as many slots as you want. A member may have as many characters as he/she can care for. Be sure to not let any characters become inactive.
• If members are unable to draw their character, they may ask someone to draw their character for them. Credit for original artwork must be credited to the original artist. Do not pester and beg members to draw your character for you. You may comment on the profile asking for help.
  

The Roleplay Rules:

1. Please no god-modding or power playing (i.e. You cannot control any character that is not yours/have no permission to use & do not make your character invincible. It is hard to come out of a fight unscathed)

2. You have chances to roleplay in notes or in the chatroom. Make sure you follow dA group chat rules. Please respect your fellow members in the chatroom and out. If there is an RP going in the other room, don't just rush in. Ask permission first from the members before you enter into their RP.

3. Roleplaying is not a requirement. You have the option of creating art more than you roleplay. Or vice versa. You may also write short stories.

4. Pod animals aren't confined to their islands; however, they may venture out, but be careful if you tread into other island territories. 

5. The Outriders may hunt in any of the neutral waters/areas. However, some groups such as the Shoalies and the Bachelor's Lagoon may have their own rules when it comes to trespassers in their territory.

6. If you wish to retire / kill off a character please submit a roleplay, short story or a drawing describing why they are gone. It's known as an "Exit". Retiring isn't permanent. There is a possibility they will be allowed back to the group. You will have to make a “Returning” story, roleplay or drawing.

7. Do not roleplay any NSFW without permission or consent of your RPing partner.
   

Character Guidelines

 

Calf 0 months -2 years

Calves that are younger than 2 years of age cannot survive on their own meaning they have to have a guardian or parent that is your own character or another member's character. If your character needs a guardian, please be sure to double check with the member. Unlocks the 1^st Tier of Skills from their Soul Stone—has little control over their abilities.

Juvenile 2-5 years

Stage above Calf, though they still have contact with their mother/guardian in the early stages they can start wandering around the territory. Juveniles are still confined to staying within territory borders; unless they have an adult present. Unlocks 2^nd Tier of Skills from their Soul Stone—has more control over abilities.

Young Adult  5-10 years

Stage above Young Adult where your character can now freely leave the territory without supervision. At this stage characters can choose whether they want to leave their Pod and go off to become an Outrider, move to another Pod or stay within their home Pod. The later is preferable.

Adult 10 -17 years

Fully mature stage in life. At this age, the character may start searching for their mate and can conceive offspring. As a fully mature Adult, they've unlocked the 3rd Tier of Skills. for their Soul Stone and now have complete control over their abilities.

Senior 17-25 years

Further maturation stage. Unlocked the last tier of Skills.

The final stage. An Ancient is highly respected within the Domain. They are highly knowledgeable of the oceans and an expert Song Singer. They are teachers to youngsters.

• SPECIES LENGTHS AND WEIGHTS:

  • Since Dolphin Domain has a lot of species in this world (Find the complete list in Species List) Lengths and Weights vary between species so there will be some research for you to do.

• CHARACTER DESIGNS:

  • All  character designs must be approved by a staff member before the character can be played.
    

  • Realistic colors are encouraged, but slight variations are allowed (some have been listed in the above link). The only thing that won't be accepted is anything neon, or bright yellow colors (unless the character is fish and that has realistic neon colors).

  • Eye color has a lot more freedom in colors. Anything neon is still to be avoided.

  • Hybrids are allowed within the group. However, the two species must be similar in size. A bottlenose dolphin and a false killer whale will be the maximum size difference possible. Hybrids are very rare so when a different species come together they will be given a coin flip to determine whether or not the pregnancy will be successful. If the pregnancy is not successful, the currency will be returned and the next month the couple will be able to try again.
    

• Character Markings:

The key to finding the perfect marking is to try and research on different realistic marine mammal species markings. Dorsal and ventral markings are allowed. Remember, cetaceans have counter-shading; the top of the dolphin is darker than the bottom.

Markings to consider:

• Dark dorsal markings, lighter coloration on ventral sides

• Spotting; if your character is a spotted dolphin, spots all over their dolphins is considered realistic. However, if the spots are all lined up in rows, it'd be considered too unrealistic for this group. Small spotting, however, like under the eye is acceptable, as well as spots covering the belly.

• Patterned spotting; used in good faith, must be approved by staff.
  

• Striping; consider your species that you've chosen. Random stripes over the dolphin's body like a tiger, won't work. Be strategic when choosing how you stripe.

    If you have any questions about your character's markings being realistic don't hesitate to ask.

• RAKE MARKS & WOUNDS:

  • In most cetacean species it's common for them to have rake marks. Some could be deeper than others and show more prominently on a character. Rake marks are good, they show a cetacean is integrating into their pod and making friends. However, do not feel that your character has to have rake marks.

  • Missing appendages or loss of the senses, shouldn't be taken lightly. Fantasy world or not, a cetacean or any wild animal missing an appendage, going blind or deaf can decrease their survival rate. Having a character with a missing appendage ( flukes, dorsal fin, flippers ), losing one or more senses, getting a deformed rostrum, will need to be discussed with the staff first beforehand. With serious injuries, your character will need to be directed to a Guardian because it'll be extremely hard for them to care for themselves. Pods are implemented so everyone can help each other out. Your character will be heavily reliant on another character. Please discuss everything with staff and the member your character will be reliant on before taking this drastic measure.

• ABOUT ACCESSORIES:

• Upon first entering the group, your character is allowed one accessory. Any further accessories must be bought through the in-game currency. Being that this is a marine mammal group, there will only be a few choice accessories, but you can still get creative with it.
• Buying your accessories -- With Sand Dollars, you can buy the following objects:
• *Conchs / Various Sea Shells
  
• Starfish
• Anemones
  
• *Seaweed
• Seaweed threaded satchels
  
• *Coral
• *Driftwood

                    _{*'s mean the accessory can be used as ingredients}
            The first three types of accessories that can be bought (starfish, anemones & conchs) may be attached to your character without being tied on. Seaweed is more something to play with, or you can use seaweed as an ingredient to make the seaweed threaded satchels, which can only be made by Crafters. Accessories may also be given as gifts between players, but be sure that you draw or write about the exchange. Items such as Coral and Driftwood can be made into jewelry with seaweed, but again these are used for ingredients for Crafters.
          
           Characters may store as many accessories as they want in their Storage, but on two accessories may be worn at any time.

• ABOUT SOUL STONES & RELICS:
• After the Great Cataclysm, the Soul Cove where baby animals were born was destroyed. Now, some individual animals, called Crystamals, are born with these strange soul stones. However, not every creature is born with an external soul, some are just born normal, and are called Normalites.
• The Soul Stone is the very extension of the animal's soul. If it is damaged and cannot be healed, the mental or physical wellness of the animal may be compromised. Some believe it is where an animal also stores it's abilities, it is rumored if one can steal a soul stone, they acquire more abilities..but it's just a myth...
• Normalites still have a small bit of power that can be accessible through Relics. Relics are strange objects that hold a bit of power than elevate the natural abilities of Normalites so they can protect themselves against the abilities of Crystamals.
• When choosing a skill set, characters can only choose one type of skill tree. They can choose both sides of the skill tiers.
  

More information about the Soul Stones and abilities of Crystamals and the Relics of Normalites found HERE