Contract For Request of Membership
All potential candidates for membership must fill out an application first.  Since you are reading this contract, you have already completed this first step towards joining our guild.  The initiation period is 45 days for all applicants, with a minimum posting requirement of 7 stories that must be met.  (Note that any references to gender are strictly for the role-played gender of the character, not the player.  A male player may role-play a female character and vice versa.)
Please read through all of this contract completely before agreeing to the conditions outlined within.  First and foremost, be aware that failure to complete specific assignments or tasks during the initiation period will result in a role-played death of your character.  This means you will be asked to delete the character name once the role-play is posted.  If you cannot agree to this, or will not agree to this, then you need not apply for membership.
By agreeing to the terms within, you are authorizing this potential post killing off your player character (PC or persona).  There are also no guarantees that death of a PC will not occur even after becoming a full member.
This role-play of death may seem harsh, but remember that the dark elves live deep under ground in a strange, cruel, and often deadly place.  Their society is a harsh one, and unforgiving of any failures or mistakes.  They are an evil society for the most part and danger is a constant companion, as is the possibility of death.  Death is always a possibility for those attending the Academy as well, and FAILURE in the Dahkrin society almost always results in the death of the one who failed.  So, again, think carefully before agreeing to the terms of this initial contract.
Before agreeing to this contract, all applicants must have posted a role-play biography of where they originated. NOTE: This assignment should already have been sent to the applicant in reply to the application. Also keep in mind that the Dahkrin are dark elves and are based on the Drow from TSR's Advanced Dungeons & Dragons gaming world. There will be many similarities, but also many differences. So your if your origins are "Drow", you will still have a lot to learn about this new race of dark elves.
Any reference to character levels within this contract do not refer to levels within the game itself. Further information on levels, and how to gain them, is in the Guild Charter.
•	All new members wishing to role-play a dahkrin character, must read through Section I: The Academy, on page 2.
•	Those applicants that wish to role-play some creature or race other than dahkrin, please skip to page 6, Section II:  Non-Dahkrin Applicants.
•	Those applicants that wish to bring in a player character with a history behind the name already in place, please skip to page 8, Section III:  Veteran Player Characters.

Section I:  The Academy
The Academy is where young noble born dahkrin are sent during their early years for training.  This training lasts for one decade (ten years) of their lives and varies depending on what branch of the Academy the dahkrin shows talent for.  The Warrior's Arena (WA) is the fighter’s academy.  The School of Arcane Arts (SAA) is where the promising mages are taught... For the male dahkrin that rebels against the restrictions of a matriarchal society, this can sometimes lead to a whole life within the walls of this branch.  Aluroth's Temple (AT) is where the females train to become priestesses.  All three branches are mandatory attendance for particular training in key areas (The WA teaches defense and warfare strategy, SAA teaches reading, writing, and other such basics, AT teaches history as recorded by the religious faction that worships Aluroth.  Distorted true, but still history).
(For guild and role-play purposes, high priestess status will be a separate training process for full members role-playing female characters only.)
No student is allowed to leave the grounds of The Academy without express permission from the Academic Council (AC).  If caught, punishment is severe and sometimes deadly.
The Academy compound consists of three buildings, one for each branch: Aluroth's Temple, The School of Arcane Arts, and The Warrior's Arena.  All students (called ch'pahtalesh, plural, or ch'pahta, singular) must attend each of the three branches or schools for a certain period of time.  The age of these students ranges from 20-25 upon entry.  When they graduate, they are anywhere between 30-35 years old.  Still very young for a dahkrin since they can live for several centuries, not just decades.  Of course, most die young if they are not constantly on their toes.  Death is usually by murder or battle, rather than old age for the dahkrin.
Ranking for the Academy:
•	Mother-Superior (Delanah'te): Dean of the Academy, Arch High Priestess, and Headmistress of Aluroth's Temple
•	Arch Mage (unknown): Headmaster for the School of Arcane Arts
•	Battle Master (unknown): Headmaster of the Arena
•	Councilor (Ilbak'ahta): Any instructor or teacher at the Academy
•	Student (Ch'pahta): All dahkrin applicants are considered ch'pahtalesh until they graduate from the Academy (are accepted as full members).
All dahkrin students must attend the Academy for the full 45 days of their initial membership process. During these 45 days, they must post 1 story for their arrival to the Academy, then a MINIMUM of at least 1 story for each branch. In addition to these, an additional 2 stories are required for their chosen school (a total of 6 posts). A seventh post is also required upon "graduation" from the Academy. In addition to these requirements, the Academic Council (AC) may send other instructions for the applicant to complete.
An applicant's 45 day initiation period starts when the applicant receives email instructions from the AC.  They must post their arrival to the Academy within 3 days upon receipt of this email.  They have 4 extra days (7 total) to post their first Arena post.  Please note that only this 45 day initiation process has such strict rules and guidelines for posting.
If a member fails to complete the minimum posting requirements, they are allowed ONE 2-week extension as an applicant (student).  We also realize that unexpected things may occur.  Please notify the AC if something comes up that will affect your ability to meet the requirements beyond this extension and something can be arranged.  If no notification is received by the council, the applicant can expect the following:
For failure to comply with all instructions and postings during this extension period, the applicant will be denied membership, removed from the roster, and the character name will be "dead *" to the guild. A subsequent "death *" story will be posted by the appropriate Councilor (or someone delegated to write such a post).
The player must create a new character if they wish to re-apply for membership.  The player wishing membership may resubmit a new application after 30 days from the "death *" of their original character.  If the player fails to complete the initiation period a second time, they must wait 6 months before re-applying with a new character name.
Classes for members:
•	Warrior (Toh'kra): This class takes in any class of the fighter sort that is appropriate for the dahkrin role-play.  Warriors are male and female, with the females usually holding higher rank.
•	Mage (unknown):  The mage class covers any subclass that uses the arcane, including (but not limited to) sages, teachers, and researchers.  Specializing is allowed as well on a case by case basis. Mages are usually male, but on rare occasions, a female may be inclined towards the arcane instead of the spiritual.  These few are usually groomed to become a seeress for their house.
•	Thief or Assassin (unknown or Ju'rulta): Those that choose this class usually do the dirty work for the house. Any job that requires certain skills and discretion is usually given to the thief, such as spying for their house.  Assassins fall under this class as well. Both male and female can choose this class.
•	Priestess (unknown): This is limited to the female characters only. Any female that wishes to someday gain her own house, must become a priestess.  Later on they will return to Aluroth's Temple for 30 days of additional training.  This training gives them the high priestess rank if they pass the tests.
•	
Multi-class (limited): Those that wish to multi-class are limited to the following combinations with level restrictions:
•	warrior/mage/thief: levels 30/25/30
•	warrior/mage/assassin: levels 30/25/30
•	warrior/mage: levels 30/25
•	mage/thief: levels 25/30
•	mage/assassin: levels 25/30
•	warrior/thief: 30/30
•	warrior/assassin: 30/30
•	warrior/cleric: 25/30 (females only)
•	cleric/mage: 30/25 (females only)
•	cleric/thief: 30/25 (females only)
•	cleric/assassin: 30/25 (females only)
Remember that levels apply for roleplay purpose only and not the game itself. Applicants only need to go through the basics of each branch for a 7 day training period (21 days of the membership initiation) before returning to their chosen school to finish the remaining 24 days of the initial membership process.
•	The Warrior's Arena (WA): All students will attend the Arena first for one week (7 days).  On or before midnight of the sixth day, an email needs to be sent to the Academic Council, indicating the applicant's preference for a class listed above. One post is required for this period in WA.  Those members wishing to be a warrior,  thief, or assassin type of class will return to the Arena after attending the other two branches of the Academy. An additional 2 posts will be required during this second phase of training.
The Warrior's Arena is where you get your initial weapons training and war lessons.  Consider this basic training of the military sort.  Honing those skills already acquired and learning a few new skills are the purpose of this school.  This training is usually 10 years of a dahkrin's life for those that become the warriors of dahkrin society (and includes assassins and thieves).  The majority of male students usually become warrior types unless they have shown an affinity for magic (School of Arcane Arts). Such ability is normally spotted by the Matriarch of the dahkrin's house and she determines if the young male will attend the SAA or not.  Most females that show strong faith and devotion usually become priestesses instead of warriors, and will finish out their training in Aluroth's Temple.
•	School of Arcane Arts (SAA): The next school is for the Arcane Arts (magic).  Here is where the students learn more of their innate abilities and how to use such appropriately.  Reading, writing, and other basic knowledge is also taught in SAA.  Candlelight is used constantly, since such skills cannot be taught using infravision.  Students are also required to learn the basics of the simpler magical wards and the material known as (unknown).  It is this material that produces the radiation that gives dahkrin their innate abilities. Applicants will complete another 7 days in the SAA before moving on to AT.  One post is required for this 7 day period. Members wishing to become a mage will return to the SAA after completing their 7 day period in Aluroth's Temple.  Potential mages are required to post twice more after returning to the SAA.
•	Aluroth's Temple (AT): The last school encompasses all of the religious aspects of a young dahkrin's training.  This includes the history of how they came to live deep under ground.  The teachings of Aluroth are lectured during this time as well as lessons on rituals required for sacrifices, devotions, and daily prayers.  One post for this last 7 day period is required.  Those females remaining at AT are required to post 2 additional stories.  On day 22, all students will return to their chosen branch of the Academy to finish out the remaining time (24 days).  It is during this last half of the initiation process that the 2 posts are due.  Both stories must be  posted on or before midnight of day 44.  Day 45 is reserved for the graduation ceremonies. Graduation for all three schools occurs at AT, so the last day of the initiation process will require one graduation post set at AT.
Graduation Day: All students MUST attend a chat room role-play for this ceremony.  So be sure to set some time aside in real life for the date of the graduation.  If there is an emergency or problem for the date and time selected, please email the Academic Council to let them know at least a week prior to the date.  If no word is received stating you can't make it to the ceremony, your character will enter the 2 week extension listed above.  You will also be subject to the consequences for failure.

Section II:  Non-dahkrin Applicants
There are many other denizens that live deep below the surface besides the Dahkrin.  These include (but are not limited to) rokarg (dark dwarves) and burrowers (a race of gnomes).  The guild is even open to brand new races if the history behind such a race is well thought out and feasible with the role-play. Or if the new race is established in the ForgottenWorld setting.
Note though, a city of Dahkrin does not look upon other races as equals.  The Dahkrin consider themselves the superior race.  Even those dark elves that follow Lyzaveth or roam the world (both under ground and on the surface) consider themselves better than others.  They may make exceptions depending on circumstances.
All new applicants that wish to role-play a character that is not of the dahkrin race  must first decide where they want to eventually stay within the guild (city).  All non-dahkrin characters are limited to the groups listed below, but may expand upon these choices in any direction. The choices are listed in order of numbers.  The most to the least amount of non-dahkrin found in any one group.
•	Slave (unknown): Slaves have the most non-dahkrin in their ranks than any other choice.  The dahkrin have slaves in almost all aspects of their lives and within all the ranking houses (including merchant houses and business establishments).  Slaves are taken from many places: usually taken from defeated houses, captured in raids, or traded within the city itself.  The slave trade is alive and well in Chivenatok and the slave market is a large industry.
•	Servant (Pah'veta): Servants are the second largest group and are only one step above slaves in the pecking order of dahkrin society.  Non-dahkrin servants are usually found in the common houses, merchant houses, or working for any of the variety of businesses and establishments within the city.  (Noble houses and lesser Noble houses do not normally have non-dahkrin servants, they have dahkrin servants.)
•	Mercenary/Warrior (Toh'kra):  Mercenaries are the third largest group and are generally hired by non-dahkrin merchants as bouncers or guards. The various houses and factions will not hire a non-dahkrin mercenary directly, unless said mercenary is allied with the Mercenary's Guild (unknown).
•	Merchant (unknown):  The last group is the smallest and the rarest. Non-dahkrin merchants that make their home within a dahkrin city are rare, but not unknown.  Such merchants usually have a harder time making ends meet within dahkrin society unless they can offer something unique to the market.  The merchant rank (or title) is the highest a non-dahkrin can obtain other than mercenary (usually non-dahkrin mercs gravitate towards the Mercenary's Guild).
All non-dahkrin applicants (NDA's) will go through a 45 day initial application process.  They will also be assigned to a sponsor.  During this period of initiation, such applicants will be referred to as (unknown) (the dahkrin word for "outsider"). All NDA's are required to post a minimum of 7 posts during this time as stated at the beginning of this contract.  Further assignments may be required which must be completed as well.
Once the application is processed, an email will be sent to the NDA from the applicant's sponsor.  At this time the 45 days of initiation start.  The applicant will have 5 days to post their first story.  This post should show how the applicant arrives in the city.
All NDA's arrive from outside of the city, they are not born there.  The only ways to enter the city are by merchant caravan or dahkrin patrol. (On very rare occasions, a non-dahkrin may choose to enter the city "alone".  If an NDA wishes to role-play this sort of arrival, they must contact their sponsor to work out the plot.)
Should a dahkrin patrol bring in the NDA, as a non-dahkrin they will end up in the city's slave pens and sold or traded to the highest bidder.  Those slaves not selected end up assigned to the mushroom fields or the city cleaning crews.
The other way to arrive is by merchant caravan. Merchant caravans are constantly arriving and departing with dahkrin and non-dahkrin , slave and non slave alike. Merchant caravans arrive and depart from a large compound in the public square near the Grand Column. This compound is called the House of Paths and is run by the Merchant Guilds Council (MGC).  More information on this can be found in the structure information.
During the next 40 days of the initiation process, the NDA's sponsor will send at least 6 more assignments.  These assignments must be completed and posted within 5 days of receiving them.  Should the NDA wish to post on their own, such posts are credited towards 6 of the 7 post minimum requirement.  It is strongly advised that NDA's work with their sponsor for any story not specifically assigned, but not mandatory.  Just remember that failure or mistakes can "kill" the character.  Please note that only this 45 day initiation process has such strict rules and guidelines for posting.
Should the NDA fail to post the minimum requirement within 45 days, a 14 day extension will be granted.  Should they fail to meet the requirements after this extension is up, the applicant will be denied membership, removed from the city roster, and the character name will be "dead *" to the guild. A subsequent "death *" story will be posted by their sponsor (or someone delegated to write such a post).
The player must create a new character if they wish to re-apply for membership.  The player wishing membership may resubmit a new application after 30 days from the "death *" of their original character.  If the player fails to complete the initiation period a second time, they must wait 6 months before re-applying with a new character name.
The 45th day is acceptance day.  The NDA must attend a chat room role-play for this ceremonial occasion. Be sure to set some time aside in real life for this day.  If there is an emergency or problem for the date and time selected, please email your sponsor to let them know at least a week prior to the date.  If no word is received stating you can't make it to the ceremony, your character will enter the 2 week extension listed above.  You will also be subject to the consequences for failure. This chat room role-play must be written up and posted.  This is the seventh required post prior to full membership.

Section III:  Veteran Player Characters
All applicants that wish to join the guild using an established name are considered veteran player characters (VPCs).  An established name and character history does not guarantee full membership. Nor does it mean you start out with the power and status you are used to.  The only advantage a VPC has over someone brand new, is experience.  Hopefully such experience will aid a VPC in regaining their original power and status, but it is NOT guaranteed.
All VPCs will be assigned a sponsor.  VPCs must also go through a 45 day initiation process and post a minimum of 7 posts during this time.  The first post must be about how they arrive in Chivenatok, and the last post must cover the official ceremony of granted citizenship (or a return of position, power, and status).
All VPCs are required to choose a group that applies to their current in character (IC) status.  They must choose from the list below.  They will not be allowed any influence, power, or recognition granted by their previous status during the 45 day initiation.  There is no guarantee they will attain their previous status prior to membership.
•	Dahkrin Groups Only:
•	Houseless Rogue (unknown):
•	Houseless Merchant: (unknown)
•	Houseless Noble: (unknown)
•	Non-dahkrin Groups (Non-dahkrin VPCs must follow the rules for applying found under Section II: Non-dahkrin Applicants):
•	Merchant (unknown)
•	Mercenary (Toh'kra)
•	Servant (Pah'veta)
•	Slave (unknown)
After the initial post of arrival, the VPC is required to post another 6 stories within the 45 day period.  It is mandatory that the VPC work with their sponsor on these stories to help in obtaining whatever goal the VPC has in mind.  The last post must cover the ceremonial acceptance day for the VPC.  Remember these are minimum requirements, so if more stories are posted than the minimum, the last post for acceptance is still required by day 45.  An outline of events is listed below the goals for all 7 posts required.  Each step should be worked through until the VPC's goal is achieved. Please note that only this 45 day initiation process has such strict rules and guidelines for posting. 
VPC Goals are as follows:
•	Rank within a Noble House
•	Position within the Academy
•	Rank within a Merchant House
•	Position within the Mercenary's Guild

VPC Posting Outline:
•	First post (must be posted by day 7 of the initiation period):  Arrival to the city.
•	Should contain how the VPC arrived and where the VPC plans to go next.
•	Should contain why the VPC has come to the city. Some "why" ideas are listed as follows:
•	Revenge, returning home, ambition, greed, power, and destiny.
Note:  All plots involving a target to be killed or harmed must use NPCs.  The VPC is encouraged to create the NPCs for these initial posts and breathe life into them.  Any NPCs not killed off in the VPC's stories can be used in future postings.
•	Second Post (must be posted by day 14):  VPC arrives at house or complex.
•	Should contain how the VPC arrives.  Whether by stealth or openly.
•	Should contain learning the layout of the place.
•	Should contain meeting the NPC that currently holds the rank or position coveted by the VPC.
•	Third Post (must be posted by day 21):  the VPC must plot the next step.
•	How will the VPC remove the NPC and take over the NPC's rank or position.  By assassination or through treachery.
•	Will the VPC involve other NPCs to help, or attempt this alone.
•	Fourth Post (must be posted by day 28): Setting the plot in motion.
•	The planning and plotting is finished, now it's time to set it in motion.
•	Fifth Post (must be posted by day 35):  Successes and failures.
•	Should contain any plot twists that may occur.
•	At least one part of any plan should "go wrong" before success is achieved.
•	Sixth Post (must be posted day 42):  The NPC has been removed.
•	Should contain how the NPC was removed, whether directly by the VPC's hand (assassination) or through the plotting of the VPC (treachery).
•	Seventh or last post (day 45 is the day of the ceremony. The last post must be posted within 4 days from this date.): VPC is acknowledged in the new position and accepted as a full member.
Should the VPC fail to post the minimum requirements within 45 days, a 14 day extension will be granted.  Should they fail to meet the requirements after this extension is up, the VPC will be denied membership, removed from the city roster, and the character name will be "dead *" to the guild. A subsequent "death *" story will be posted by their sponsor (or someone delegated to write such a post).  Since the VPC has an established name, it is possible to work out an arrangement of banishment.  Such banishment would bar the VPC name from ever joining the guild.
The VPC must create a new character either way if they wish to re-apply for membership.  The player wishing membership may resubmit a new application after 30 days from the "death" or "banishment" of their original character.  If the player fails to complete the initiation period a second time, they must wait 6 months before re-applying with a new character name.
The 45th day is the ceremonial acknowledgement day.  The VPC must attend a chat room role-play for this occasion. Be sure to set some time aside in real life for this day.  If there is an emergency or problem for the date and time selected, please email your sponsor to let them know at least a week prior to the date.  If no word is received stating you can't make it to the ceremony, your character will enter the 2 week extension listed above.  You will also be subject to the consequences for failure. This chat room role-play must be written up and posted.  This is the seventh, or last required post prior to full membership.

Confirmation of Agreement:
By agreeing to the terms and conditions of this contract, and sending your confirmation of agreement, you are giving the FW Staff permission to delete your name should a role-play death occur for your character.
To confirm that you agree to all the terms and conditions of this contract, and will abide by the Guild Charter, please follow these instructions:
1.	Open your email program and open a “New Message”.
2.	Copy and paste the statement below into the body of the message.
3.	Make sure your regular email and character name are typed into the body of the message.
4.	Enter the subject, “Confirmation of Agreement” and send to the Applications Officer at mordighan@forgottenworld.com.

My email:
My Character Name:
I have read the contract and the charter. I agree to all the terms and conditions above and will follow the rules and guidelines of the charter. I also give my permission to the FW Staff to delete my Character Name/Account should a role-play death occur for my character. Please accept my application for membership to the guild, starting as of this date.
NOTE: Put in the date you wish your 45 day initiation period to start if it is different from the day you email your agreement.