Current ruleset

From Nomicapolis

This is the current ruleset. Any changes to this must be approved as outlined within the ruleset. To propose any change to this ruleset please go to the Proposals tutorial page and follow the instructions there. If there is any inconsistency between this list and individual rules pages, the individual rules as displayed on their respective pages shall prevail. Please update this page with any recent changes to the rules as outlined on the proposal page. See the category Current rule for a up-to-date list of all the current rules.

Contents 1 Immutable Rules 1.1 102 1.2 103 1.3 104 1.4 106 1.5 107 1.6 108 1.7 109 1.8 110 1.9 111 1.10 112 1.11 113 1.12 114 1.13 115 1.14 116 1.15 345 2 Mutable Rules 2.1 205 2.2 206 2.3 207 2.4 208 2.5 210 2.6 308 2.7 311 2.8 317 2.9 321 2.10 322 2.11 327 2.12 328 2.13 330 2.14 331 2.15 332 2.16 333 2.17 336 2.18 339 2.19 342 2.20 343 2.21 346 2.22 351 2.23 354 2.24 355 2.25 356 2.26 358 2.27 360 2.28 362 2.29 363 2.30 366 2.31 367 2.32 369 2.33 370 2.34 371 2.35 372 2.36 374 2.37 375 2.38 376 2.39 377 2.40 378

Immutable Rules

102

Initially rules in the 100's are immutable and rules in the 200's are mutable. Rules subsequently enacted or transmuted (that is, changed from immutable to mutable or vice versa) may be immutable or mutable regardless of their numbers, and rules in the Initial Set may be transmuted regardless of their numbers.

103

A rule-change is any of the following: (1) the enactment, repeal, or amendment of a mutable rule; (2) the enactment, repeal, or amendment of an amendment of a mutable rule; or (3) the transmutation of an immutable rule into a mutable rule or vice versa.

(Note: This definition implies that, at least initially, all new rules are mutable; immutable rules, as long as they are immutable, may not be amended or repealed; mutable rules, as long as they are mutable, may be amended or repealed; any rule of any status may be transmuted; no rule is absolutely immune to change.)

104

All rule-changes proposed in the proper way shall be voted on. They will be adopted if and only if they receive the required number of votes.

106

All proposed rule-changes shall be written down before they are voted on. If they are adopted, they shall guide play in the form in which they were voted on.

107

No rule-change may take effect earlier than the moment of the completion of the vote that adopted it, even if its wording explicitly states otherwise. No rule-change may have retroactive application.

108

Each proposed rule-change shall be given a number for reference. The numbers shall begin with 301, and each rule-change proposed in the proper way shall receive the next successive integer, whether or not the proposal is adopted.

If a rule is repealed and reenacted, it receives the number of the proposal to reenact it. If a rule is amended or transmuted, it receives the number of the proposal to amend or transmute it. If an amendment is amended or repealed, the entire rule of which it is a part receives the number of the proposal to amend or repeal the amendment.

109

Rule-changes that transmute immutable rules into mutable rules may be adopted if and only if the vote is unanimous among the eligible voters. Transmutation shall not be implied, but must be stated explicitly in a proposal to take effect.

110

In a conflict between a mutable and an immutable rule, the immutable rule takes precedence and the mutable rule shall be entirely void. For the purposes of this rule a proposal to transmute an immutable rule does not "conflict" with that immutable rule.

111

If a rule-change as proposed is unclear, ambiguous, paradoxical, or destructive of play, or if it arguably consists of two or more rule-changes compounded or is an amendment that makes no difference, or if it is otherwise of questionable value, then the other players may suggest amendments or argue against the proposal before the vote. A reasonable time must be allowed for this debate. The proponent decides the final form in which the proposal is to be voted on and, unless the Judge has been asked to do so, also decides the time to end debate and vote.

112

The state of affairs that constitutes winning may not be altered from achieving n points to any other state of affairs. The magnitude of n and the means of earning points may be changed, and rules that establish a winner when play cannot continue may be enacted and (while they are mutable) be amended or repealed.

113

A player always has the option to forfeit the game rather than continue to play or incur a game penalty. No penalty worse than losing, in the judgment of the player to incur it, may be imposed.

114

There must always be at least one mutable rule. The adoption of rule-changes must never become completely impermissible.

115

Rule-changes that affect rules needed to allow or apply rule-changes are as permissible as other rule-changes. Even rule-changes that amend or repeal their own authority are permissible. No rule-change or type of move is impermissible solely on account of the self-reference or self-application of a rule.

116

Whatever is not prohibited or regulated by a rule is permitted and unregulated, with the sole exception of changing the rules, which is permitted only when a rule or set of rules explicitly or implicitly permits it.

345

Proposal to transmute by Applejuicefool 16:33, 4 December 2006

Proposed by Applejuicefool 13:21, 28 November 2006 (EST).

Nomicapolis is hereby defined as an ongoing game divided into rounds of play.

Any use of the word "winner" in the Nomicapolis ruleset should be taken to mean "winner of a round of play."

A "round of play" is defined as a period of Nomicapolis participation ending when a winner is determined.

When a round of play ends, all players' scores are reset to zero.

Following the end of a round of play, a subsequent round of play shall begin.

Mutable Rules

205

An adopted rule-change takes full effect at the moment of the completion of the vote that adopted it.

206

When a proposed rule-change is defeated, the player who proposed it loses 10 points.

207

Each player always has exactly one vote.

208

The winner is the first player to achieve 200 (positive) points.

210

If two or more mutable rules conflict with one another, or if two or more immutable rules conflict with one another, then the rule with the lowest ordinal number takes precedence.

If at least one of the rules in conflict explicitly says of itself that it defers to another rule (or type of rule) or takes precedence over another rule (or type of rule), then such provisions shall supersede the numerical method for determining precedence.

If two or more rules claim to take precedence over one another or to defer to one another, then the numerical method again governs.

308

Proposed by Applejuicefool

Rule 201 is amended to read, in entirety, "A player may propose a rule change at any time. Each player begins the game with 0 points."

311

Proposed by Applejuicefool

Rule 203 is hereby amended to read, in entirety:

"A rule-change is adopted if and only if a simple majority of those voting on the rule change vote 'For' the proposal. This rule defers to rule 304."

317

Proposed by --Dayd 15:54, 14 November 2006 (EST)

Rule 212 shall be amended to read as follows: If the rules are changed so that further play is impossible, or if the legality of a rule change cannot be determined with finality, or if by a simple majority not overruled, a rule change appears equally legal and illegal, then the player with the most points is the winner.

This rule takes precedence over every other rule determining the winner.

321

Proposed by --Dayd 22:16, 17 November 2006 (EST)

The Judge of Nomicapolis will be voted for on the first of every month. The Player that recieves the most votes will become the Judge. In the event of a tie between 1 or more Players the Player that recieved the most votes first will become the Judge. The Judge will be responsible for resolving any and all problems with proposals and rules. The Judge will be expected to use their best judgement and resolve all problems within 7 days. The Judge may resign the position at any time. The Judge may be expelled with a supermajority vote. At any time there is not an active Player as Judge a special vote for a new Judge will be immediately conducted.

322

Proposed by --Dayd 22:14, 17 November 2006 (EST)

When a rule is passed the player that proposed it shall gain 10 (positive) points.

327

Proposed by --Shivan 00:39, 24 November 2006 (EST)

A player can choose to abstain on a proposal. To do this the player shall cast his vote on ABSTAIN. Votes cast on abstain count neither for nor against the proposal in question. They do count for the quorum.

328

Proposed by --Tom Foolery 08:56, 24 November 2006 (EST)

1. The Judge shall make a judgement whenever called upon to do so by any active player.
2. The Judge shall abide by stare decisis.
3. A new page entitled "Decisions of the Judge" shall be created to hold such decisions, and shall be maintained by the current Judge.
4. The decision of the Judge can only be overruled by a unanimous vote of all active players, except the player who was Judge at the time of the decision in question.

330

Proposed by --Applejuicefool 10:46, 25 November 2006 (EST)

There exists a type of entity called "Citizen of Nomicapolis", a term which may be shortened to "Citizen" without the meaning being altered.

When this rule goes into effect, a number of Citizens is created equal to 5,000 for each active player, and 2,500 for each player whose status is other than "active."

New Citizens are not automatically added by this rule when new players join the game or when players gain "active" status. Citizens are not automatically eliminated by this rule when players leave the game or lose their "active" status. This rule provides for a one-time creation of Citizens, and this rule will not further affect the number of Citizens in the game.

Other rules may be adopted which will affect the number or nature of Citizens in the game.

The number of Citizens in the game is termed the "Population of Nomicapolis" or, simply, "Population." The Population shall be posted on the Nomicapolis main page. If the Population changes for any reason, this posting shall be updated to reflect the correct Population.

The Judge of Nomicapolis shall be responsible for calculating and properly posting the current Population. The preceding sentence of this rule defers to rules which assign this duty to another player.

331

Proposed by --TomFoolery 10:51, 25 November 2006 (EST)

1. Rule changes that transmute mutable rules into immutable rules may adopted if and only if the vote for the change is unanimous among eligible voters.
2. As soon as a mutable rule is transmuted to immutable, it shall be moved to the immutable section of the current ruleset by the player declaring the vote ended.

332

Proposed by --Dayd 15:39, 25 November 2006 (EST)

Each active player will be allowed to have three (3) proposals active at any time. An active proposal is one that has first been proposed, secondly is in the debate stage or voting stage, and finally has not been passed or rejected.

333

Proposed by --Tucana25 00:34, 26 November 2006 (EST)

Rule 204 is amended to read, in entirety:

"1. This rule applies only to votes for amendments to the Ruleset.

1.1 This rule does not apply to any point changes related to Rule 322.

2. The players who vote against against winning proposals shall receive 5 (positive) points each.

2.1No player choosing to 'abstain' from a vote shall be awarded additional points for that vote.

3. In circumstances when the player who proposed the rule change in question votes against it, they shall receive no additional points."

336

Proposed by --Shivan 07:04, 27 November 2006 (EST)

Rule 310 is ammended to read, in entirety: "In a vote, the following definitions will apply for consent or failure: A simple majority shall constitute of a greater number of FOR than AGAINST votes. A supermajority shall constitute of least 2 FOR votes to every 1 AGAINST vote. Unaminous consent shall be defined as not having any AGAINST votes. In a vote in which there are more than two options (for example, when there is an election for a title and there are three candidates running), the option which recieves the greatest number of FOR votes will win."

339

Proposed by --Dayd 14:21, 28 November 2006 (EST)

A Player may only gain or lose points as the rules then in effect dictate.

342

Proposed by Simulacrum at 02:57, 1 December 2006 (EST).

1. The offical game time will be Eastern Standard Time (EST) as indicated by the server. Any specific times mentioned in proposals or their respective debate/vote pages, must, henceforth, be represented in the offical game time format.

1.1 An example of the official game time format is as follows: 02:57, 1 December 2006 (EST)

2. Any player may make a timestamp edit at the TOP of the debate/vote pages in order to determine if or when a deadline was or will be reached.

2.1 Timestamp edits do not meet the requirements for continuation of debate or vote unless the use of the timestamp is relavent to the debate.

343

Proposed by Applejuicefool 11:39, 1 December 2006 (EST).

In the event that there are fewer than three (3) active players in the game, an inactive player may become active by declaring that change in status on the Nomicapolis main page.

This rule takes precedence over other rules in determining how inactive players may become active.

346

Proposed by Applejuicefool 11:44, 4 December 2006 (EST).

When a proposed rule-change may be voted on, the player who proposed the rule-change must cast at least one vote (or as great a fraction of one vote as the rules allow) in favor of that rule change.

Should the proposer of a rule change cast a vote (or any fraction thereof) on that proposal other than "FOR", his/her vote will be invalid and will not count toward the outcome of the ballot; in addition, 10 points shall be deducted from that player's score.

Should the proposer of a rule change fail to cast at least one vote (or as great a fraction of one vote as the rules allow) regarding that proposal prior to the end of the voting period, 5 points shall be deducted from that player's score.

351

Proposed by: Chuck 20:25, 6 December 2006 (EST)

1. Wherever the rules refer to a player having some number of votes (such as one), this shall mean that a player is eligible to cast that number of votes per proposal, in accordance with all rules in effect.

2. No player may divide, combine, or otherwise alter the number of votes that he or she is eligible to cast on a particular proposal, unless the rules specifically permit it.

3. Wherever the rules refer to a fractional vote, the vote shall only be considered fractional for the purposes of totaling the number of votes. A player is always eligible to cast a fractional vote as though it were a single vote, e.g. a player does not require two half-votes to be eligible to vote.

4. Neither fractional votes nor multiple votes cast by a single player on a proposal shall have any different affect on quorum than a single vote. For the purposes of determining quorum, any number of votes cast by a player shall be treated as a single whole vote.

354

Proposed by --Dayd 12:52, 9 December 2006 (EST)

The Scorekeeper of Nomicapolis will be voted for on the first of every month. The Player that recieves the most votes will become the Scorekeeper. In the event of a tie between 1 or more Players the Player that recieved the most votes first will become the Scorekeeper. The Scorekeeper will be responsible for keeping track of the score and updating the Scoreboard. The Scorekeeper will be expected to follow all rules in play and update the Scoreboard in accordance with the rules determining points. The Scorekeeper may resign the position at any time. The Scorekeeper may be expelled with a supermajority vote. At any time there is not an active Player as Scorekeeper a special vote for a new Scorekeeper will be immediately conducted.

355

= Districting =

Nomicapolis is divided into five cantons. These cantons shall be named as follows:

• North Canton
• South Canton
• East Canton
• West Canton
• Center Canton

Cantons may be referred to by additional or alternate names only as the rules permit.

The North Canton borders the East, West, and Center Cantons. The South Canton borders the East, West, and Center Cantons. The East Canton borders the North, South, and Center Cantons. The West Canton borders the North, South, and Center Cantons. The Center Canton borders all of the North, South, East, and West Cantons.

= Population =

Each Citizen of Nomicapolis is considered to be a resident of a single "home" canton.

When new Citizens of Nomicapolis are created, and no rule otherwise specifies their residency, these new citizens shall be distributed amongst all cantons such that each canton receives an equal number of citizens. Any remainder will be assigned to the Center Canton.

When Citizens of Nomicapolis are removed for any reason, and no rule otherwise specifies where this removal took place, each canton shall reduce its citizens such that each canton decreases by an equal amount. Any remainder will come from the Center Canton.

Initially, the North, South, East, and West Cantons shall have 12,000 citizens each. The Center Canton shall have 4,500 citizens. If insufficient citizens exist for these residents to be assigned, sufficient immigrants will be added to reach this population. If the population exceeds 52,500, at the time of initial population, then the remaining citizens shall be assigned as though they were new citizens.

356

Proposed by --Dayd 19:32, 12 December 2006 (EST)

When a proposal to repeal a rule is passed the repealed rule will be removed from the Current ruleset and the rule that repealed the rule will also then be repealed from the Current ruleset. Any current mutable rule that repealed another rule is hereby repealed. Repealing a rule that repealed a rule does not re-enact the original rule. This rule cannot be repealed by this rule.

358

Proposed by --Tucana25 16:09, 19 December 2006 (EST)

Rule 306 shall be amended to read, in entirety

1. In order for a proposal to be considered "proposed in the proper way" according to the current ruleset it must contain the following elements:

a) The correct number; i.e. the next number in the sequence.

b) Verbiage that creates an actual or potential change to Nomicapolis play.

c) The user name of the proposer. This should follow the proposal number and precede the text of the proposal in the format used in the proposal of this rule.

d) Each numbered rule change proposal must have its own Nomicapolis article page and discussion page with the proposal number as the title of the page.

2. If a player believes that a rule was not proposed in the proper way, and/or was proposed in an improper way, he should create a section in the discussion page for that rule headed "Improper Proposal". Following the header, the player should state his reasons why he believes the proposal is not proper. The active judge shall then make a decision on the "Improper Proposal".

a) A claim of improper proposal must be made before the proposal is declared to have passed or failed.

b) If a claim of improper proposal passes, then the proposed rule is discarded without completion of a proposal vote. The proposer loses points as if his proposal had been voted down. If the claim fails, the vote on the proposal continues as usual.

c) When a claim of improper proposal passes or fails, the claimant and voters in the claim action gain or lose half as many points as they would have had the claim been a rule proposal.

360

Proposed by--Dayd 01:43, 21 December 2006 (EST)

After a vote where the out come is passed or failed (examples may include: rule proposal votes, improper proposal votes) a popularity rating will be assessed toward everyone who voted.

• A vote cast for that is also part of the majority will be worth +15 popularity.
• A vote cast against that is also part of the majority will be worth +10 popularity.
• A vote cast for that is also part of the minority will be worth -5 popularity.
• A vote cast against that is also part of the minority will be worth -10 popularity.

Abstaining, along with any other vote that is neither for nor against, shall be worth 0 popularity. In the event that there is no clear majority or minority (i.e. for and against recieved the same number of votes) 0 popularity will be assessed. Popularity will be tracked on the Scoreboard.

362

Proposed by --Tucana25 13:38, 27 December 2006 (EST)

This rule takes precedence over rule 207

Any player who has not voted on a proposal or debated on one within the last 14 days shall be declared 'inactive'. If there have been no proposals to vote on since the player's previous vote, he or she cannot be declared 'inactive'. A player's status will change from 'inactive' to 'active' after he or she has made one proposal. Only players deemed to have 'active' status at the beginning of a proposal's voting period may vote for that proposal. All players that are not deemed to have 'active' status shall not count against the total number of players for purposes of the quorum. When a player is declared inactive he or she loses 10 points (Gains 10 negative points). When a player changes to or from 'active' status, the census page shall be edited and refactored to account for the change in status.

363

Proposed by --Finisterre 05:26, 28 December 2006 (EST)

I propose rule 335 be amended to:

Any Player may accuse another Player of a violation of the rules. The Judge will determine if the accused Player is guilty and, if guilty will determine the punishment. A Player found guilty may ask for a decision to be overturned. The decision of the Judge may be overturned by a unanamious vote, in which the Judge and the accusing Player will not be allowed to vote. The decision of the vote may not be overturned.

366

Proposed by --Dayd 18:29, 4 January 2007 (EST)

The order and stages of a rule will be as follows.

1. Rule Proposed
2. Rule Debated
3. Rule Voted on
4. Rule Passed or Failed
5. Points Calculated
6. Rule is added to ruleset if passed.

367

Proposed by Applejuicefool 10:07, 9 January 2007 (EST)

1. This rule shall take effect at 12:01 am (EST), February 1, 2007.

2. Upon passage of this rule, each Citizen of Nomicapolis shall gain an attribute called "Age." Initially, the existing Citizens of Nomicapolis shall be divided evenly among the seven possible Age values, listed below.

3. The possible values for the Age attribute shall be:

a. Infant

b. Young

c. Young Adult

d. Adult

e. Middle-aged

f. Elderly

g. Ancient

These values represent a sequence wherein “Young” follows “Infant”, “Young Adult” follows "Young," etc.

4. On the first day of each month, all citizens who had been designated "Ancient", and half the citizens who had been designated "Elderly", shall die and be removed from the Population. Following this event, each remaining citizen’s Age shall progress to the next value in the sequence.

5. On the first day of the month, following the events in clause #4, one new "Infant" citizen shall be born and added to the population for each citizen designated as "Adult"; in addition, one new "Infant" citizen shall be born and added to the population for every two (2) citizens designated either as "Young Adult" or as "Middle-aged".

6. Population of each age category and changes to these populations shall be applied proportionately to each of the geographic regions of Nomicapolis.

7. The Judge shall no longer have the responsibility of keeping up with the Population. Instead, the Scorekeeper shall maintain the total population of Nomicapolis on the Main Page. The Scorekeeper shall also maintain a separate page entitled Population of Nomicapolis listing the total population, and demographic details of the population including the number of citizens of each Age and which Canton they inhabit.

369

Proposed by --Dayd 01:53, 12 January 2007 (EST)

Any player that is not active for a complete round will be removed from the Census at the beginning of the next round.

370

Proposed by --Finisterre 05:26, 15 January 2007 (EST)

Any Player who achieves a negative score of 25 points or below will immediately have their score set to 25 (positive), and gain 100 popularity. A player may only use the effects of this rule once in any given round, even if their score falls below 25 points again.

371

Proposed by --Tucana25 22:47, 21 January 2007 (EST)

Rule 304 shall be amended to read:

Quorum shall be defined as such:

1. Quorum is based on active number of players.
2. Quorum is half the number of active players. If that number is a fraction, it shall be rounded up to the next whole number (if there are 5 active players, quorom would be 3; 7>4, 9>5, etc).
3. Quorom for a vote shall be no fewer than 2 players.

372

Proposed by --Tucana25 00:19, 22 January 2007 (EST)

Rule 326 shall be amended to read:

1. All debate on a proposal (Stage 2) shall last up to 14 days at the discretion of the person proposing the rule change. Said person is responsible for setting a 'suggested' debate limit at the time of the proposal by including something in the spirit of the statement: 'Debate will end for this proposal at **date and time**' in the "Proposer's summary and declarations" section of the talk page for that proposal.
2. Any player may call for a vote (Stage 3) following the end of the 'suggested' debate time limit. The debate period can be cut short by the proposer with the calling for of a vote. Should the proposal not get called to a vote within 14 days, the proposed rule change shall be dismissed. If a proposal is dismissed in this way, the proposer shall lose 5 (five) points.
3. If a vote on a proposal is called for, it should be indicated by adding the following statement: "Debate is closed, this proposal must now be voted on." at the beginning of the "vote" section of the talk page for that proposal. No player may modify the article page of a proposal while a vote is being conducted on that proposal, except to place a protection on the page. If a call is made to vote on a proposal in the proper way (as laid out above), it will end when all registered voters, as indicated on the Census as of the time the vote started, have voted or after 14 days have elapsed since a vote was called. No player, having once voted for a proposal or election, shall be allowed to change their vote on that proposal or election. Any player who erroneously casts a vote, shall be allowed a total of 30 minutes, from the time that their first erroneous vote was cast, in which to fix the error. After the 30 minute grace period, their vote will stand as cast.
4. Voting may be 'closed' by any player once the following two conditions are met: Quorom has been met and no votes have been cast in the last 48 hours (2 Earth days). If a rule gains the number of "for" votes required to pass or the number of "against" votes required to be defeated, any player may declare an end to voting on the proposal. Voting shall be considered 'closed' when a declaration of Pass/Fail (Stage 4) has been noted above the "Proposer's summary and declarations" section of the talk page(under the Proposed by...).
5. If voting ends on a passing proposal, the player who declared the vote ended must immediately make the proposed change to the published ruleset (stage 5). If voting ends on a defeated proposal, no player may add it to the ruleset.

374

Proposed by --Dayd 01:16, 22 January 2007 (EST)

Players are limited to one Nomicapolis account in play. A new Player may join by registering an account and adding themselves to the Census. A Player may leave be removing themselves from the Census. If a Player who has left the game wishes to rejoin, they may do so, but they will start as a brand new Player. All new Players are considered to have active status upon adding their name to the Census. No Player may add an offensive name to the Census.

375

Proposed by --Dayd 09:27, 23 January 2007 (EST)

If a proposal fails to recieve the total number of votes required to meet Quorum all Players that voted on that proposal shall gain 20 points.

376

Proposed by --Dayd 10:00, 6 February 2007 (EST)

Prior to the first of the month any Player may rank the Cantons in order which they wish to become leader. On the first of the month the most popular Player will recieve their first choice of Canton. The next popular Player will then recieve their choice of Canton from their ranked list. This will continue untill all Cantons have leaders or no Players remain that have ranked lists. In the event that a Canton already has a leader the player with the most popularity will become the leader of the Canton. The next choice in the ranked Canton list will be selected till either the Player becomes leader of a Canton or no Canton's remain on the list. A Player may only be leader of one (1) Canton at a time. Choosing a new Canton will forfeit leadership in previous Cantons.

377

Proposed by: Wooble 12:29, 1 March 2007 (EST)

No Player shall serve as both Judge and as Scorekeeper at the same time. If a Player receives a plurality of votes in both the Judge and Scorekeeper elections in the same month, that Player shall become Judge, and the Player receiving the second highest total of votes for Scorekeeper shall become Scorekeeper. In the event that only the player elected Judge has received any votes in the Scorekeeper election, the new Judge shall have the power to nominate a new Scorekeeper.

378

Proposed by: Wooble 13:19, 23 April 2007 (EDT) This was previously Immutable rule #101 All players must always abide by all the rules then in effect, in the form in which they are then in effect. The rules in the Initial Set are in effect whenever a game begins. The Initial Set consists of Rules 101-116 (immutable) and 201-213 (mutable).