These rules are disclosed to clarify the various responsibilities of all community members here on . They shall be adhered to by everyone to ensure that our board runs smoothly and provides a fun and productive experience for all of our community members and visitors.

1. The usual rules

   1. You agree not to post any abusive, obscene, vulgar, slanderous, hateful, threatening, sexually-orientated or any other material that may violate any laws be it of your country, the Netherlands (where this forum is hosted) or International Law.
      
      Doing so may lead to you being immediately and permanently banned, with notification of your Internet Service Provider if deemed required by us. The IP address of all posts are recorded to aid in enforcing these conditions.
      
      You agree that we have the right to remove, edit, move or close any topic at any time should we see fit. As a user you agree to any information you have entered to being stored in a database. While this information will not be disclosed to any third party without your consent, neither we nor phpBB shall be held responsible for any hacking attempt that may lead to the data being compromised. #

2. Specific for IV

   1. Ilsalunte Valion is a discussion forum for people interested in the deeper philosophical, spiritual and imaginative backgrounds of the work of J.R.R. Tolkien, and who want to find ways to use the imagination to investigate the realm of experience that he called 'Faerie' themselves.
      Your spiritual background and personal beliefs don't matter as long as you won't let it interfere with the above.
      Creativity of all sorts and debate are most welcome, and so is a good sense of humour.
      Based on our experiences over the years there are a few things that we try and steer clear of, and those are listed below. #
   2. DON'T post conspiracy theories
      The word gnosis traditionally means a way or spiritual knowing that differs from believing in the sense that gnosis is arrived at individually, while believing is something you receive as a 'given' within the context of a church.
      However. under pop-cultural influences (Philip K. Dick, Dan Brown, The Matrix) gnosis has for some people come to mean "bad-ass dark & edgy religion" - and from there it's only a small step to conspiracy thinking.
      To be honest: we do not like conspiracy thinking. Really, we don't. Not here, not here, not anywhere. Advocating them will be answered in the same way as posting racist crap: it will get you banned really quick. #
   3. DON'T go gothic-y 'otherkin'
      IV is not about otherkin.
      
      Though, as said above, your personal belief is your own business and you're just as welcome if you think you're a saucepan, or come from Vega. That's all cool because we’re interested in what you do or think in connection with professor Tolkien’s Legendarium regardless of who or what you are.
      
      Please be aware that this implies that you should not expect anyone else to be particularly interested in your identity, let alone eager to validate it. #
   4. DON'T expect dogma or cape-flaunting Sages delivering unspeakable mysteries, or whatever
      Though we do pursue the heart that has grown wings we are not a religion or a religious organisation.
      Keep in mind that gnosis is mostly a DIY business. We might be able to help a bit, but you'll have to become active if you want to achieve anything.
      What unites us is that we find the framework of the mythopoetic creation of JRR Tolkien's legendarium useful as a starting point for our own investigations into the imaginal space referred to as "Faerie" (among many other names), using imagination, creativity, rituals and any other means we find useful. This will be different for every individual. #
   5. DO take Thomas the Rhymer's advice:
      
      O see ye not yon narrow road,
      So thick beset wi' thorns and briers?
      That is the Path of Righteousness,
      Though after it but few inquires.
      
      And see ye not yon braid, braid road,
      That lies across the lily leven?
      That is the Path of Wickedness,
      Though some call it the Road to Heaven.
      
      And see ye not yon bonny road
      That winds about the fernie brae?
      That is the Road to fair Elfland,
      Where thou and I this night maun gae. #