First and foremost, it is important to state that Celestara is a shared worldbuilding and collaborative roleplaying storybook. While civilizations may compete, cooperate, trade, have disputes, pursue competing storylines, or even wage wars, the purpose of roleplay is always to create compelling stories and narratives. Thus, collaborative storytelling is our focus, which creates a significantly richer and more enjoyable roleplaying experience in comparison to simply trying to "win" interactions or otherwise maximize one's own power. As a general rule, if you are unsure how to proceed, choose the option that creates the most interesting story for everyone involved!

The civilizations of Celestara exist within a broadly interconnected community spanning our home galaxy. Civilizations are primarily connected by an ancient starlane network constructed by the Starborn Empire. Secondary travel options include via wormholes as well as limited faster than light travel technologies - travel options are further described in 7.) The Starlane Network.

As such, most civilizations are broadly aware that other interstellar civilizations exist. However, in the interest of roleplay freedom, players remain free to determine what information about their civilization is publicly known. This may vary significantly between nations for narrative reasons, allowing for diplomatic introductions, rediscoveries, misunderstandings, and plenty of traditional first contact style stories where appropriate and desired.

Celestara does not operate on a universal running clock, fixed calendar, timeline tied directly to real world time, or any other kind of galaxy spanning time system. Stories may unfold across whatever timescale best serves the narrative. One storyline may take place on one planet for one day and another might span multiple years and multiple sectors of the galaxy. What matters is consent amongst the participating players and overall narrative balance. Historical stories, flashbacks, prequels, and other stories set in the past are fully permitted as well. Though, retcons should generally be avoided once they impact established roleplay involving other players unless all affected parties agree.

Players maintain ownership, authority and control over their own nations, civilizations, characters, species, cultures, religions, technologies, and internal affairs, within reason and within what's reasonable to the broader RP setting and narrative. As such, outcomes that significantly impact another player's roleplay require the consent of all involved parties before further proceeding with roleplay. Good faith, cooperation, and mutual respect should always guide roleplay interactions. Additionally, Celestara Moderation reserves the right to intervene when necessary to ensure a fair and enjoyable roleplay environment for all.

Celestara strongly encourages roleplayers to create original nations, civilizations, cultures, species, histories, technologies, and characters, to provide a rich and unique experience for us all as well as generally unleash our creativity. Inspiration from history, mythology, literature, games, films, and other science fiction media is welcome and encouraged too!

However, there are a few standards we uphold to ensure a creatively rich roleplay experience for all:

• Direct copies of real world nations are prohibited.

• Direct copies of fictional nations, alliances, organizations, species, or characters are prohibited.

• Direct copies of another player's roleplay, lore, or worldbuilding are prohibited without permission.

• Content that is predominantly generated by AI without meaningful human effort and creativity is not permitted within roleplay posts or official worldbuilding.
  

Celestara is a soft future-tech science fiction setting, meaning we prioritize storytelling across a galaxy over hard numbers or exact explanations of how things work. Handwavium is acceptable and even encouraged, that said if you prefer a more hard sci-fi approach, that is permissible, but do not expect other RPers or the broader setting to conform to it or any standards you establish for it.

Technology wise, as this is a far future setting, a wide range of technology is allowed. Artificial intelligence, cybernetics, genetic engineering, advanced robotics, megastructures, post-scarcity economies, and faster than light travel are all welcome and widely available within the setting, and are only a few examples of what is possible in Celestara.

In general, technology should create opportunities for storytelling rather than eliminate them. No technology should render diplomacy, exploration, conflict, or collaboration irrelevant. Additionally, superweapons capable of destroying more than a single planet are not permitted for roleplay balance reasons.

The primary means of long distance interstellar travel throughout the galaxy is the ancient Starlane Network, a vast system of routes and infrastructure originally constructed by the Starborn Empire. The Starlane Network is comprised of massive stationary gates that allow ships to access hyperspace within these starlanes. While many civilizations rely upon the network, it is not the only method of faster than light travel. The Starlane Network exists primarily as shared setting infrastructure intended to encourage interaction, trade, diplomacy, and contact. It is a tool for creating additional roleplay opportunities but is not a requirement that every roleplayer must utilize.

Artificial and naturally occurring wormholes, as well as various forms of conventional FTL technology, also exist throughout the galaxy. The exact mechanics of faster than light technology does not matter for the roleplay either, provided said technology is narratively balanced and not roleplay breaking. In general, roleplayers are encouraged to consider how infrastructure, geography, and access to the Starlane Network influence their civilizations and stories.

Map space is a limited and shared resource among both current and future roleplayers, as such all starting claims and territorial expansions require Roleplay Moderation approval before becoming canon or otherwise recognized,

When evaluating claims and expansions, moderation may consider, nonexhaustively:

• Worldbuilding quality

• Roleplay quality

• Activity level within the RP

• Available space

• Map readability

• Overall setting balance

• Impact on future participants

• Appearance of the claim
  

In general it is worth noting that expansion is intended to represent narrative development with sufficient justification, worldbuilding and roleplay. And will always be a gradual and otherwise not immediate process. Finally, moving your map claim will in almost all cases be denied. Single sector claims, disconnected territories, and excessive border complexity are generally discouraged and will face additional scrutiny during the application process.

Celestara RP Moderation may introduce galactic events, scientific discoveries, exploration opportunities, mysteries, and larger narrative story arcs as we wish for spicing up the RP purposes. Participation in said events will always be encouraged but never required, and additionally, players are also welcome to propose events and collaborative storylines of their own.

While there is no strict posting requirement within Celestara, we encourage players to participate periodically through roleplay, worldbuilding, community discussion or in some other form within the roleplay setting. Nations that become inactive for extended periods may be removed from the map at the discretion of the Celestara Roleplay Moderation to make room for future participants. Players who return after an absence are always welcome back, though there are no promises that your prior claim will be available, nor will it be reserved for you.

To help manage and establish expectations, as well as assist with integration into the Starlight & Horizon Roleplay Communities, it is worth clarifying what Celestara is not as well.

• Celestara is not Stellaris, Hearts of Iron IV or any other grand strategy war game.

• Celestara is not a competition between players.

• Celestara is not Earth's future and Earth plays no special role or historical significance within our roleplay.

• Celestara is not a setting where the largest fleet or largest economy automatically wins.

• Celestara is not a setting where technology replaces storytelling.

• Celestara is not a setting where expansion is the primary goal.
  

The goal of Celestara is to create a vibrant galaxy filled with interesting civilizations, compelling narratives and memorable characters, and to do so while having fun alongside a community of kind friends. To make sure that the roleplay will be a setting conducive to this kind of creative collaboration, it’s important to always remember this when roleplaying!