Lightbound takes place on Arterra, a Modern-Tech planet that is similar to Earth. Arterra is a vast and diverse world filled with diverse nations in a system of diplomacy, war, and shared history. Roleplaying is done by posting RP posts on Lightbound's RMB through Perdition's embassy, making all roleplay posts easily compiled and away from general chatter! We encourage you to join our Discord Server to discuss all things Arterra in more depth. While being on Discord is not a requirement to join the RP, being a Lightbringer is.

---

The world of Arterra has been mapped in various ways below. To view these maps, click here!

---

• How do I join the Roleplay?

1. Make sure you are a Lightbringer.

   Lightbringer status is essential to join the RP and non-Lightbringers will be denied from joining. To become a Lightbringer, all you need to do is join the World Assembly and endorse all of our security officials, the WA Delegate (Primarch) and Archons. You may reach out to a member of the RP Moderation Team to request an exemption, but exemptions are rare and require a valid reason.

2. Fill out a Map Claim

   The first thing you need to do is fill out a map claim, it'll ask for where you want to be located on our map and some other basic questions. It is located below.

   Please link your NS nation in Perdition:
   What is the official RP name of your nation:
   Who is your nation's leader (include title):
   What is your nation's government type:
   Where do you want your nation to be located (description or image):
   What is the name and location of your nation's capital city:
   Please describe your nation in a brief overview: 

3. Send the Map Claim to our RP Cartographer

   Now that your map claim is all filled out, all you need to do now is send it to our RP Cartographers (New Fernia / @Waffledogefern, Ostlantis / @margravetuvi, Etarria / @1clandestinu) to process your claim. You can do this by messaging them on our Discord server or by telegramming them. Map claims are typically processed weekly so please be patient! Once they approve your map claim, you're free to start roleplaying!

Your map claim should be of a reasonable size. Moderators have the discretion to reject any map claims they deem to be oversized and recommend smaller, more reasonable map claims. In addition, map claims should consist of one contiguous territory, or a territory split into multiple sections divided by bodies of water. Requests for new landmasses to be added to the map will be considered on a case-by-case basis due to the extra amount of work involved in adding new land.

---

• What is the Roleplay Moderation Team?

The Roleplay Moderation Team is a team of volunteers who supervise and organize the roleplay activity in the Lightbound Arterra roleplay. They enforce the rules of the roleplay, arbitrate over disagreements and events, and make sure the roleplay is running smoothly. The current members of the RP Moderation Team are:

1. Ostlantis / @margravetuvi

2. New Fernia / @waffledogefern

3. Etarria / @1clandestinu

If you have any questions regarding the roleplay please contact a member of the team!

• Additional RP Addendums

  • Interested in Shared History? Learn about a Partially-Claimed Zone.

    Multiple RPers in a region may claim a territory as a Partially-Claimed Zone (PCZ) where new RPers can still create a nation, but they must abide by the existing general worldbuilding of the region. PCZs may not mandate what the modern-day country is like, only give an overall vision of what the nation's history must be or require that the nation be a participant in a historical war or event. PCZs may only be claimed when absolutely necessary and must contain as little territory as possible. PCZs are marked on the map as dashed areas. To claim a PCZ, the applicant RPers must submit a detailed proposal outlining why the PCZ is needed and what new RPers will have to include in their history if they claim in the PCZ.
    

  • Interested in making an NPC nation? Learn about NPCs.

    An RPer can submit a detailed proposal to claim a territory on behalf of a NPC nation. This proposal must include a detailed overview of the nation, its lore with the RPer's nation, and the proposed plot or narrative to justify its inclusion on the map. May only be claimed when absolutely necessary and must contain as little territory as possible

• Extra Resources

  • Setting Up Your Roleplay Presence by New Jaedonstan

  • How Do I Start Roleplaying? by Etarria
    

---

Before getting started roleplaying as your nation in Arterra, there are a few things that you should know first. To roleplay in Lightbound and be a part of Arterra means following a basic code of conduct.

• General Rules:

  • All posts on Lightbound's RMB must abide by the PoP RMB etiquette rules.

  • Roleplayers may not roleplay others' nations without express permission of the other nation's owner.

  • Roleplayers may not conduct actions in others' nations without express permission of the other nation's owner.

  • Roleplayers are permitted to roleplay extremist ideologies but may not glorify them.

  • Roleplay posts should avoid references to real-life entities outside of those established in the RP (ex: religions)
    

• Roleplay Rules:

  • In wars, avoid unrealistic outcomes (e.g., mobilizing millions of troops instantly or claiming invisible “stealth” technology beyond modern capabilities).

  • Accept the realistic consequences of your actions (e.g., economic impacts of mobilization).

  • Never dictate what happens to other roleplayers’ characters or assets.

  • Do not use real-life knowledge your character wouldn’t realistically have.

  • Refrain from granting your character or nation unfair advantages.
    

• Worldbuilding Rules:

  • It is encouraged that your nation’s history and lore comply with established regional canon.

  • Consent is required to include other nations in your worldbuilding or historical claims.

  • Established terrain and climate established in an area must be respected (e.g., mountains on borders).

  • Your roleplay nation does not have to match your NationStates nation in name or statistics, but ensure population and economic data remain realistic.
    

• Technology Rules:

  • Lightbound Arterra is a modern-tech (MT) setting. Only use technology that exists or is proven feasible by real-world standards.

  • Weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), such as nuclear, biological, or chemical weapons, are banned unless explicitly permitted by the Roleplay Moderation Team.

  • Keep military capabilities and technological advancements within modern-era limitations.
    

The Roleplay Moderation Team has the final say in all decision-making and rulings regarding the Lightbound Arterra roleplay, including jurisdiction to moderate events and roleplayers as needed. Please keep roleplay within NationStates site rules at all times.

Not sure about something or have a question about the rules? Contact someone from the Roleplay Moderation Team!