The Rules

“The rules aren’t there to be mean. They’re there to make life a bit less unfair for everyone.” - Robin Hobb

This document is a summarization of all rules players will adhere to while playing on the Caldera server, as well as communicating on the Caldera Discord Channel. The rules are to be considered a living document that may be adjusted or changed at Dev discretion with no required warning. It is the player's responsibility to maintain current knowledge of the Caldera server rules. Citing out of date rules will not be accepted in an attempt to avoid punishment. We have also set out the aims for the Caldera server, in terms of giving players a view on what the development team are aiming for.

Failure to adhere to these rules could result in:

• Written/Verbal Warning from a GM/Dev
• Characters being jailed.
• Resetting of character levels to level 1
• Total inventory wipe and character reset
• Temporary ban from Server/Discord Channel
• Permanent ban from Server/Discord Channel
  

The rules are intended to function as the "first warning" for all players. Reading/understanding the rules is not necessary for them to be applied to players. By agreeing to play on Caldera the player is placing themselves under the strictures laid out in this document.

If a player is jailed, and does not contact Caldera staff within two weeks, their account will be considered for permanent banning and/or deletion.

The scope of this document is to outline acceptable and unacceptable behaviors while players are participating on Caldera or the Discord Server, and to set out the current aims for the server.

Additionally, it should be remembered that Caldera is a free service provided by the staff. Players should treat the Caldera environment the same way as they would visiting a friend's house for a gathering. Respect your host and your host's guests at all times, please.

Discord Rules

1. Participants on the Discord server will maintain professional courtesy at all times.
   • Comments that are harassing, inappropriate, spamming, or sexual in nature will be removed.
   • All Discord channels should be treated as a SFW (Safe for Work) environment as other participants may have the server Discord linked to their phones.
   • Disrespect, discrimination, and petty arguing between players will not be tolerated. These instances will result in an immediate ban from the Discord Channel.
2. Players participating on the Discord server will keep chat in the appropriate channels. This prevents legitimate findings by players from being lost in chat spam that should be contained in the "Caldera-Main-Chat" channel.
3. Players will change their Discord display name to match the name of their primary character in-game. This is to expedite issue and conflict resolutions, as well as reducing the "What's your in-game name" chat spam.
4. Do not spam chats. If you find a problem or bug, a single message is sufficient. Spamming the bugs tab will only delay dev ability to respond appropriately.
5. Third party mods or add-ons should not be posted to the Caldera discord. GMs and Devs do not have the time to validate mods, so none are allowed to be published in the discord.

Caldera FFXI Rules

1. Server LS will be courteous at all times. Players will refrain from comments that are harassing, inappropriate, spamming, or sexual in nature. Server LS should be treated as a SFW (Safe for Work) environment. Please be aware that there may be people who may not be comfortable with certain topics, or may be younger who may be part of the server LS as this is 'free to all'.
2. Players are limited to three active characters, and one bazaar mule to be logged in at a single time. Bazaar alts must stay at !beach.
3. Add-ons and Plugins are allowed, unless the addon is intentionally created to defeat game mechanics, circumvent obstacles, or give a single player an unfair advantage against other players. A GM or Dev has complete discretion and final say on add-ons and plugins. A list of allowed/not allowed plugins/addons will not be provided as this may lead to 'it wasn't on the list' type arguments. Use your best judgement and ask staff when unsure; if something feels like it shouldn't be allowed, it probably isn't.
4. Third party tools such as, but not limited to, Project Tako are completely forbidden. These programs circumvent game functionality, defeat game mechanics, and generally cause problems with private servers. Anyone caught using a third party tool, especially to circumvent game mechanics, will have their accounts immediately banned.
5. Botting is not allowed. Botting is defined as a program, script, or any other method that operates the character without input from the player. Active characters which do not respond to a GM/Dev/Mentor inquiry within a reasonable timeframe will be considered bots and immediately jailed with all perceived botting gains removed. Additionally character movement patterns matching botting or repeatedly executing scripted commands will be punished, even if the player is responding. This does not include a character running the "Cureplease" application, unless the owner of the character is unavailable to respond to an inquiry. There are no current restrictions on CurePlease, and players may use it for any job it is compatible with. Botting includes, but is not limited to, anything allowing a PC to action against an enemy without input from a player. This includes automated tanking scripts, automated magic bursting, and easyfarm. -Players caught botting will have their characters inventories completely wiped and be jailed for a minimum of 24 hours.
6. Caldera is in active development, and players should be aware that elements of the game will be adjusted for balance in line with the server aims (these are listed below). Players are expected to report potential exploits, overpowered elements or other things which could potentially impact on game balance to the development team. Knowingly taking advantage of these activities is NOT allowed.
7. Hacking/exploiting/cheating of any kind including, but not limited to, buying items and selling back for more than you paid for is NOT allowed. This includes moving players beyond their content access ability.
8. Character names that depict cheating, could be considered sexually explicit, or any names that could be disallowed on retail are NOT allowed.
9. GMs will not transfer R/EX items between characters, nor settle lotting disputes, unless a player has clearly exploited a mechanic to illegitimately acquire an item. An example, but not limited to, leaving a party and having an alt re-invite you for a second lot. If a screenshot is provided these acts will result in immediate inventory wipe for the offending character and all alts.
   
10. Toxic behavior will not be tolerated. "Toxic behavior" is broadly defined as "behavior which adds negativity and upset to life". Toxicity will be treated the same as cheating.
    

Caldera FFXI Aims

1. The server aims to provide a progression environment focusing on end game, where players can progress from level 1-99 and then to ilvl 119 through various content. Fights are balanced towards gear levels/tiers with a view to providing a path through the content whereby completing one tier will provide you with equipment suitable to tackle the next tier. Given FFXI has a lot of 'sideways' upgrades, there may be certain sets/accessories that may be available from different content, but they should be 'equivalent' for the tier.
2. With that said, missions progression is not possible. There will be no support for any missions.
3. The server aims to provide an environment whereby there is an appropriate balance between jobs, but also give certain jobs their 'time to shine'. For example, on certain content players would find advantage in bringing a NIN tank, versus a PLD or RUN. This is intentional, and aligns with certain retail fights where different party setups were 'required' or encouraged by encounter and/or mob design. Please remember that FFXI has a job system; you can level multiple classes and there can be advantage in being adaptable.
4. The server aims to provide a 'working' environment where abilities, traits, etc function. For balance purposes, these may not function exactly as current live retail. This is to aid with balance.
5. The development team aim to provide feedback on balance passes, and to work with the community to ensure the server achieves the aims set out above. Please be aware that the team are working to provide an environment which is positive for all players. Adjustments are made with good intentions; we aren't simply 'nerfing' your favourite class just to spite you!
6. The server aims to provide challenging content for players. The private server experience for FFXI can often be on the 'easy' side, and the development team want to provide content which provides an appropriate level of challenge at the equipment level we expect you to encounter it. This doesn't mean we expect you to fight Bubbly Bernie for 24hrs+, or to show up to Kirin with 3 WHM and melee him to death; the fights should be challenging but achievable with skill & teamwork
7. In line with the previous aim, adjustments may be made to content. Some content may be adjusted to be more difficult, or easier depending on player experience and discussion within the development team. These may be live changes or adjusted on server restart. Updates will be put in the 'Updates' channel on Discord; these are not detailed patch notes, but will provide high-level information adjustments. Other elements of the play experience may also be altered if required to achieve this aim. Virtually all 'live' games will have patches and adjustments, Caldera is in active development and therefore players should expect these adjustments to be made within their playtime here.