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• New Members – Before you create a character account please ensure you have registered an OOC account! This will be your main account. Anonymous accounts are not allowed on Vivarium.


• Attach Characters to Member Account – Each time you create a character account you will need to attach the character account to your OOC account. Navigate to Account Switcher edit page from your OOC account (important). In the "Options" section you will see "Attach user to current account.", type in the character account's username and password then click attach. Now you may easily switch back and forth between accounts and you will be properly listed in the memberlist.


• Character Profiles – You are encouraged to personalize your profile! Name, age, sex, gender, height, weight, build, appearance (Can be an image reference or description), personality (At least three personality traits) must be filled out for acceptance. Some can be just an image or a few key words. You may do this by navigating to the Edit Profile portion of the User CP from their account.


• Submit Application – Once a character account has been finished you will need to submit an application with your character account for approval and appropriate group placement to get started in game. Once your character is accepted you cannot change the appearance. If the character has yet to be posted or used little, please contact a staff member to discuss further.

Designs

The Vivarium follows semi-realism based characters with the allowance of some more imaginative designs and colorations that are found in other mammals such as cats and horses. We allow for strong coloration such as 'blue grays' or 'red russets' but the allowance of neon colors, fire-truck red, toxic green, grape purple, etc is not permitted. There is the availability to have markings such as tiger stripes or spots, however we ask that opposing species markings are at 50% opacity for characters. Additionally, having intricate markings such as words, cobwebs, snowflakes, 5-point stars, etc, is not permitted. Perfect shapes and human-made objects cannot be found as markings.

We Allow:

• stripes, brindle, piebald, spots, etc.
• blue-grays, roan-purples, russet-reds, fawn-pinks, etc.
• ear tufts and golden retriever leg hair

Notes

Please note that the art used to represent your character should be true to how they look in the world of Vivarium.

We understand there is artistic interpretation to any design! And we love to encourage creativity, and understand some purchased designs for use within the forum may not necessarily be a 1:1 with our guidelines. However, a maximum of two (2) pieces of art may be displayed with exaggerated features (and only with a proper note prominently displayed in the character's profile AND posting signature if said art is visible in threads).

After that, all subsequent art must portray their design fitting within Vivarium's guidelines.

Exaggerated features include bangs, fur, limb length (including tails), inspiration from other species, etc.

A friendly reminder: human-like bangs and greatly exaggerated length of facial/neck fur are not allowed on Vivarium, nor are elongated tails. Some slightly longer fur, ear tufts, and "tufted" limbs are allowed, within reason, as a mutation.

Color Guide

This color guide you can use to compare whether the shades in your design need to be toned down. Please note that while there are quite saturated shades on these swatches, staff will not only be looking at how bright/deep they are, but how they are paired as well.

Multiple strongly saturated colors together will likely not be accepted.

Eye Colour

Characters are free to have any range of eye colour that is on the colour wheel and this includes limited heterochromia: a maximum of three colours. Pupils must be standard in shape for a character's species and scleras should be naturally coloured.

Minimum Age

Please note that while characters may come into Mythris at any age, those who are below 6 months will require a guaridan/caregiver to help support their development and survival. Players are able to choose a survival playstyle for their character below the age threshold, but may suffer IC consequences such as: illness, injury, and death should they be unable to find themselves a caregiver to support them. Please keep it realistic and have fun!

Art & Artistic Interpretation

Characters can have minor exaggerations within their art that are not accurate to their roleplay description, but they will have to have a note in their bio and on character signatures to express this, such as slightly stronger coloring, exaggerated tail length, etc. This includes 'tufts' or 'bangs,' however even in art we do not allow it to extend beyond the eyes or over the mid-section of the ear. This is solely for artistic interperation, and anything not accurate has to have a readable note displayed.

Please note that AI art is not allowed on The Vivarium.

Mutations

Characters are allowed mutations found in real life. Characters may only have up to three different mutations at any time. If you are uncertain about a certain mutation, please refer to staff for assistance. Some examples may include but are not limited to: Ear tufts, Roman nose, melanism, albinism, vitiligo, curled tail, etc.

Accessories

If you have questions, comments, or concerns regarding a character’s accessory, please feel free to message staff and we will be happy to work with you and clarify limitations.

Please note that these items are liable to fall off, get torn out, or tarnished/destroyed by the elements.

Sizings