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 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 1.1 101 1.2 102 1.3 103 1.4 104 1.5 106 1.6 107 1.7 108 1.8 109 1.9 110 1.10 111 1.11 112 1.12 113 1.13 114 1.14 115 1.15 116 2 Mutable Rules 2.1 205 2.2 206 2.3 207 2.4 208 2.5 210 2.6 302 2.7 304 2.8 306 2.9 307 2.10 308 2.11 311 2.12 312 2.13 314 2.14 315 2.15 316 2.16 317 2.17 319 2.18 321 2.19 322 2.20 324 2.21 326 2.22 327 2.23 328 2.24 330 2.25 331 2.26 332 2.27 333 2.28 334 2.29 335 2.30 336 2.31 338 2.32 339 2.33 342 2.34 343

Immutable Rules

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).

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at least initially, all new rules are mutable; immutable rules, as long as they are immutable, may not be amended or repealed; mutable rules, as long as they are mutable, may be amended or repealed; any rule of any status may be transmuted; no rule is absolutely immune to change.)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

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.

302

Players are limited to one Nomicapolis account in play. A new player may join by registering an account and then 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.

304

Quorum for a vote shall be no fewer than 2 players.

306

Proposed by Applejuicefool 22:26, 12 April 2006 (PDT).

1. In order for a proposal to be "proposed in the proper way" and thus satisfy rule 104/105, 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. Players may then vote on whether the proposal is proper.

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

b) The rules for voting on claims of improper proposal and determining whether the claim passes or fails shall be the same as the rules for voting on and determining whether mutable rule changes pass or fail at the time the claim is made.

c) 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.

d) 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 proposal vote with a number equal to the proposal number of the proposal in question.

e) A player may not make a claim of improper proposal against a proposal he/she originated.

307

This is a proposal to repeal rule 202. Upon acceptance, rule 202 shall be removed from the rule set.

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."

312

Proposed by Applejuicefool

Rule 211 is hereby repealed.

314

Proposed by --Shivan 12:15, 6 November 2006 (EST)

1. Any player who has not voted on a proposal or debated on one within the last 14 days shall be declared inactive.
1.1 If there have been no proposals to vote on since the player's previous vote, he or she cannot be declared inactive.
2. A player's status will change from inactive to active after he or she has voted on at least one proposal.

315

Proposed by --Simulacrum 13:58, 10 November 2006 (EST)

Rule 209 is hereby repealed.

316

Proposed by --Dayd 00:19, 12 November 2006 (EST)

Rule 309 is hereby repealed.

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.

319

Proposed by --Shivan 16:45, 16 November 2006 (EST)

This rule takes precedence over rule 207

1. A player who is currently declared inactive shall recieve only ½ vote.
2. All players that are declared inactive do not count against the total number of players for purposes of the quorum.
3. When a player is declared inactive he or she loses 10 points (Gains 10 negative points). This cannot cause the player's points to go in the negative.
4. When a player is declared inactive the census page shall be edited and refactored to account for the change in status.

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.

324

Proposed by --Shivan 12:13, 23 November 2006 (EST)

No rule may mention a player's name.

326

Proposed by --Tom Foolery 13:49, 23 November 2006 (EST)

Rule 313 is hereby amended to read, in entirety:

1. All debate on a proposal shall last between 24 hours and 14 days at the discretion of the person proposing the rule change. Said person is responsible for setting a debate limit at the time of the proposal by including 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. The person proposing the rule change shall call a vote at the end of the debate. The debate period can be cut short by the proposer with the calling for of a vote. Should the proposer fail to call a vote within 14 days, the proposed rule change shall be dismissed. If a vote is called, it will end when all registered voters, as indicated on the Census as of the time the vote started, have voted or when it has been 24 hours since the last vote has been cast on the given proposal.
3. A vote will be called on a proposal 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.

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

Should Proposal 327 be adopted an additional sentence shall be added as such:

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

334

Proposed by --TomFoolery 12:25, 26 November 2006 (EST)

Rule 303 is hereby amended to read, in entirety:

1. 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.
2. 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. If voting ends on a passing proposal, the player who declared the vote ended must immediately make the proposed change to the published ruleset. If voting ends on a defeated proposal, no player may add it to the ruleset.
3. 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.

335

--Dayd 18:33, 26 November 2006 (EST)

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, which the Judge and the accused Player will not be allowed to vote. The decision of the vote may not be overturned.

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."

338

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."

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.

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.