Welcome to the official Starlight Commons [SLC] Discord!

We welcome all Stellaborn (everyone) to join our public chatrooms. This is a space to share art, socialize, trade, and talk about your Stellaborn. The official Starlight Commons [SLC] Discord is a family-friendly, PG-13 server that stays lighthearted, fun, and community-focused. If you prefer serious debates, heavy adult topics, or consistently negative discussion, this may not be the right space for you.

While we work to keep our Discord safe and organized, Starlight Commons [SLC] is not responsible for the private actions of individual users and cannot control private interactions on Discord. All users must follow these rules while participating in the official Starlight Commons [SLC] Discord.

To join the official Starlight Commons Discord, click HERE.

- The Starlight Commons [SLC] Rules apply to ALL Discord channels.
- Users must be 13 years or older to participate. Joining while underage will result in a Full-Account Ban until the user is 13. See Section 4.3f Full-Account Bans for more information.
- This is an English server. English must be used at all times.

Emergency Contact
Only PalletEclipse or MuzzyDeath should be pinged for emergencies. Do not ping or DM Moderators with general questions.

For full content guidelines, please see Section 2: Content Policies.

- Some channels have extra rules. These will be listed in the channel name or pinned messages. Content that does not follow channel rules will be removed.
- Adult content is prohibited in every channel.
- Negative or hostile discussions are prohibited in every channel.
- Discussing Closed Species [CS] or species other than Stellaborn is prohibited in every channel.
- Advertising is only allowed in channels under the 'Starlight Market' category. See 6.3 Starlight Market Category for details.

This server uses a swearing filter. Attempts to bypass the filter may result in a warning, a 24-hour kick, or a permanent Discord ban, depending on severity.

Please reference Section 2: Content Policy for full details, as this section is condensed.

Religions, politics, self-harm, and gore or medical procedures must not be discussed at length. These topics are sensitive, and for the sake of others, they should only be referenced briefly when necessary. Inappropriate posts may be deleted. Sexually explicit topics are not allowed. Racist, homophobic, or transphobic comments are not allowed.

Starlight Commons [SLC] welcomes everyone and has zero tolerance for bigotry. Intolerant statements will result in a permanent Discord ban.

Introduction to the Starlight Market Category
Starlight Commons [SLC] hosts and monitors four (4) separate market channels in the Starlight Market Category as a moderated space for users to buy, trade, and sell SLC-related art and characters. To keep this space safe, manageable, and consistent, users may post only 100% SLC-related advertisements.
This rule is strict because Starlight Commons [SLC] cannot reliably monitor the policies, rules, or Terms of Service expectations of other species, communities, or artists. This also helps ensure that Starlight Commons [SLC] is not unknowingly enabling cross-community rule abuse.
Misuse of any channel in the Starlight Market Category may result in the removal of access. Access to the Starlight Market Category is a privilege, not a right. Starlight Commons [SLC] may restrict this privilege at any time, as it is a non-essential service and not required to participate in the ARPG.

All channels in the Starlight Market Category use a separate three-strike system. Starlight Market privileges are independent from all other ARPG and Discord privileges. Starlight Market strikes do not affect a user's standing in the ARPG or on Discord. However, users who lose Starlight Market privileges may not be able to regain access even though these bans are appealable. For more information on privilege types and appeals, see Section 4.2b Removal of Privilege Types Etiquette and Section 4.4 Ban Etiquette - Appeals.

Starlight Market Strike System
Strikes expire 12 months after the date they are issued. Users may receive up to two (2) strikes. A third incident will result in a permanent ban from all channels in the Starlight Market Category.

Advertising After Market Removal
If a user loses Starlight Market privileges and continues advertising outside of the Starlight Market Category, they receive a warning, temporary ban, or permanent Discord ban.

Market Strike Discipline
- Strike 1: Warning.
- Strike 2: Final warning and temporary kick from the server.
- Strike 3: Permanent loss of Starlight Market privileges.

Daily Total
Advertisements cannot be posted more than three times in any Starlight Market channel within 24 hours.

Maximum Length
Advertisements may not exceed 11 lines. Ads with more than 11 lines are considered spam and will be deleted, with the user notified. The 11-line limit includes line breaks, empty lines, and emojis used to visually separate the post. This infraction is not recorded unless the rule is repeatedly broken within a short period.

Cross-Posting Ads
All advertisements must be 100% Starlight Commons related. Advertisements may not include other species or Closed Species [CS] content. This includes but is not limited to:
- Seeking trades involving other species or Closed Species [CS].
- Links directing to other species or Closed Species [CS] content.
- Other species or Closed Species [CS] being mentioned or visible in the advertisement.
- Artwork featuring other species or Closed Species [CS].

No Wishlist Advertisements
Advertisements may only contain characters, items, goods, or services that you currently own or are authorized to advertise. Wishlist/Dream-List, and/or “In Search Of” advertisements are not permitted unless the advertised character or item has been publicly listed by its owner as available for trade, sale, and offers.
This policy helps respect the owner's boundaries and reduces unwanted contact regarding characters and items that are not available.

Acceptable Ad Content
- Advertisements offering one-off original characters.
- Advertisements offering Stellaborn or Roamkin.
- Advertisements offering currency, Starlight Commons [SLC] in-game items, art, or trades.
- Advertisements seeking 3-way trades for other users' advertisements within the official Starlight Commons Discord. Be aware that there is a level of risk with these types of trades. See Section 4.12b Common Scams and Unsafe Transactions.

Unacceptable Ad Content
- Advertisements posted more than three (3) times within 24 hours.
- Advertisements featuring links/wishlists of characters that are not up for offers.
- Splitting advertisements or cross-posting to bypass channel limits.
- Advertisements with excessive spacing, emojis, or formatting meant to extend the post (11 lines max).
- Advertisements containing negative rants or hostile text.
- Advertisements linking to NSFW (18+) content.

Scams and Dangerous Ads
For more details on advertisements, trades, and sales that Starlight Commons [SLC] considers dangerous, misleading, or potentially scam-related, see Section 4.12b Common Scams and Unsafe Transactions for more details.

Commission Ad Conduct
For best-practice guidelines on conducting safe and fair commissions with the Starlight Market, see Section 4.12 Commission, Sale, and Trade Etiquette.

For full conduct expectations, please visit Section 4: Community Behavior.

Spam is not allowed. Spam includes repetitive messages, posting excessive images at once, or posting multiple links that do not contribute to the conversation. Reposting the same content repeatedly within a short timeframe also counts as spam.

Starlight Commons [SLC] uses the same warning and strike structure for Discord conduct that it uses for the ARPG, depending on intent and severity. For a full explanation of how discipline and privilege restrictions work, see Section 4.2b Removal of Privilege Types Etiquette and Section 4.3 Denials, Warnings, Strikes, and Ban Systems

Kicks are Discord-only actions. A kick removes a user temporarily to allow time to cool down. Kicks are not automatically warnings or strikes unless a Moderator explicitly states they are. Moderators may issue or waive warnings and strikes depending on the situation, and may also apply a ban without requiring three strikes when intent and severity warrant it. The terms of discipline will be stated in the user's notice.

Access to the official Starlight Commons [SLC] discord is a privilege, not a right. Starlight Commons [SLC] may restrict access at any time, as Discord is a non-essential service and is not required to participate in the ARPG. Discord privileges are separate from other ARPG privileges. Discord strikes do not affect a user's standing in the group or ARPG unless the incident is severe.

Note: It may take 24 hours or longer for a kick or ban notice to be delivered due to team capacity.

How to Appeal Bans
Please consult 4.4 Ban Etiquette - Appeals.

Discipline
- Strike 1: 24-hour kick or ban.
- Strike 2: Warning or one-week ban for repeated rule-breaking.
- Strike 3: Permanent Discord ban for repeated rule-breaking.

Users should read Section 4: Community Behavior alongside this section for report etiquette and helpful resources. Starlight Commons [SLC] takes community safety seriously. If you witness or experience behavior that violates Discord rules or Starlight Commons [SLC] Rules, submit a report through the Service Desk as soon as possible. See Section 4.1 Reporting for more details on the reporting process.

Derogatory speech, harassment, and hostile negativity towards any user, Moderator, Owner, creative work, or topic is not tolerated in the official Starlight Commons [SLC] Discord. Starlight Commons [SLC] does not allow users to use the official Discord to harm others. If you are being bullied, harassed, or receiving inappropriate messages, contact the Service Desk as soon as possible.

The official Starlight Commons [SLC] Discord is intended to stay lighthearted and friendly. Negative or inflammatory discussion is not welcome except in a brief, necessary passing context. Moderators and users may request a topic change at any time to prevent escalation. Ignoring a topic change request may result in a warning, a 24-hour kick, or a ban, depending on the intent and severity.

Examples
- Publicly explaining any negative experience with any person(s) (even out of context).
- Speaking negatively about others' art, other Closed Species [CS], or person(s) (even out of context).
- Begging for art, items, or characters.
- Spreading rumors about other users.
- Guilt tripping and gaslighting. See Section 6.5a General Guilt Tripping, Gaslighting, and Unacceptable Anti-Social Behavior below for more details.

Examples
- Posting or sharing screenshots about being declined, warned, kicked, banned, or struck in public channels after discipline is issued.
- Repeatedly discussing pending approvals after submission in a way that rushes Moderators.
- Speaking heavily negatively about yourself to gain public sympathy, even if unintentional, such as, “Of course I got in trouble, everyone hates me.”
- Snapping at users or Moderators for explaining Starlight Commons [SLC] Rules, such as, “Don't tell me I'm wrong.”
- Staying in a gloomy or depressed state in public channels for extended periods, regardless of the cause.
- Acting gloomy or resentful after not winning prizes, characters, items, or opportunities, such as, “I never win anything, I put in so much effort.”
- Suggesting that someone should not be allowed to participate in Activities, Events, or other group-related spaces in a public or targeted way.
- Complaining about a topic to the point it becomes uncomfortable for others.

Starlight Commons [SLC] is in beta and is subject to frequent changes. Starlight Commons [SLC] provides a private Feedback & Suggestions Box so users can share honest feedback safely, including frustration, without needing to censor themselves.

Starlight Commons [SLC] does not provide an open feedback forum inside the official Starlight Commons [SLC] Discord or anywhere else. Public criticism on Discord creates an unsafe environment for users and often undermines the honesty and quality of the feedback received. It also makes it difficult for feedback and suggestions to be logged in an official capacity for consideration or implementation. This is not meant to silence users, but to protect the community space and keep feedback organized.

The goal is to keep the official Starlight Commons [SLC] Discord comfortable for users who rely on it as a lighthearted, safe space. Users are encouraged to direct others toward the Official Feedback & Suggestions Box.

Users may vent or discuss concerns on personal social media, private servers, or with friends.

Explanation
This server is family-friendly and PG-13, and does not allow ongoing negativity, heated debates, or disruptive criticism in public channels. Starlight Commons [SLC] will not allow users to pressure others or Moderators to create space for hostile or argumentative discussion. Using the official Starlight Commons [SLC] Discord for heated feature debates, aggressive feedback, or repeated disgruntled commentary may result in the removal of Discord access. Severe incidents may result in a strike or ban.

Discipline
- Strike 1: Warning and a one-month kick from the server.
- Strike 2: Indefinite permanent Discord ban.

General Spoilers
Spoilers are no fun. Do not spoil TV shows, books, films, or games for other users in the official Starlight Commons [SLC] Discord without adding a spoiler and providing a content warning. Visit Discord's Official Tutorial on how to 'spoiler' content.

Sharing external servers in the official Starlight Commons [SLC] Discord is not allowed. Additionally, if any external links are deemed inappropriate, this may result in a 24-hour kick or a Full-Account Ban, depending on the severity.