The entirety of our expectations can be distilled into a single rule: Treat others as you would treat them if you were having a face-to-face conversation.

To elaborate, it is expected that all members will treat each other with a level of courtesy and respect. This means that flaming, insulting, or harassing other members is strictly prohibited. This includes baiting other members into flaming you. If you are bothered by the conduct of another player, rather than responding maliciously in the open, you should communicate with the individual via private means. You may also send a private message to a moderator or administrator who will then intervene. "S/he started it" is never a poignant defense.

Further, if you believe another member is acting inappropriately or if you feel a thread is getting out of hand, you should alert a moderator or administrator so that we may deal with it appropriately. You should not try to take things into your own hands. This is called 'policing', and adds to the flaming, ultimately making the situation worse. Remember, too, that we tend to deal with punitive matters privately with the individual. Do not assume that because there was no public condemnation of someone's actions that we have done nothing; chances are that the individual has already received a PM regarding his/her conduct.

It is your responsibility to be aware of the rules outlined in the Althanas FAQ. If all else fails, remember that those who treat others with dignity and kindness tend to receive the same.