Initial Set of Rules of Nomic

I. Immutable Rules

101. All players must always abide by all the rules then in effect, in
     the form in which they are then in effect. The rules in the
     Initial Set consists of Rules 101-116 (immutable) and 201-213
     (mutable). 
102. Initially, rules in the 100s are immutable and rules in the 200s
     are mutable. Rules subsequently enacted or transmuted (i.e.
     changed from immutable to mutable or vice versa) may be immutable
     or mutable regardless of their numbers, and rules in the Initial
     Set may be transmuted regardless of their numbers.
103. A rule change is any of the following: (1) the enactment, repeal,
     or amendment of a mutable rule; (2) the enactment, repeal or
     amendment of an amendment; or (3) the transmutation of an
     immutable rule into a mutable rule, or vice versa. (Note: this
     definition implies that, at least initially, all new rules are
     mutable. Immutable rules, as long as they are immutable, may not
     be amended or repealed; mutable rules, as long as they are
     mutable, may be amended or repealed. No rule is absolutely immune
     to change.)
104. All rule changes proposed in the proper way shall be voted on.
     They will be adopted if and only if they receive the required
     number of votes. 
105. Every player is an eligible voter. Every elegible voter must
     participate in every vote on rule changes. 
106. Any proposed rule change must be written down before it is voted
     on. If adopted, it must guide play in the form in which it was
     voted on. 
107. No rule change may take effect earlier than the moment of the
     completion of the vote that adopted it, even if its wording
     explicitly states otherwise. No rule change may have retroactive
     application. 
108. Each rule change shall be given a rank order-number (ordinal
     number) for reference. The numbers shall begin with 301, and each
     rule change proposed in the proper way shall receive the next
     successive integer, whether or not the proposal is adopted.
       If a rule is repealed and then re-enacted, it receives the
     ordinal number of the proposal to amend or transmute it. If a
     rule is amended or transmuted, it receives the ordinal number of
     the proposal to amend or transmute it. If an amendment is amended
     or repealed, the entire rule of which it is a part receives the
     ordinal number of the proposal to amend or repeal the amendment. 
109. Rule changes that transmute immutable rules into mutable rules may
     be adopted if and only if the vote is unaminous among the
     eligible voters. 
110. Mutable rules that are inconsistent in any way with some
     immutable rule (except by proposing to transmute it) are wholly
     void and without effect. They do not implicitly transmute
     immutable rules into mutable rules and at the same time amend
     them. Rules changes that transmute immutable rules into mutable
     rules will be effective if and only if they explicitly state
     their transmuting effect. 
111. If a rule change as proposed is unclear, ambiguous, paradoxical,
     or destructive of play, or if it arguably consists of two or more
     rule changes compounded or if it is an amendment that makes no
     difference, or if it is of otherwise questionable value, then the
     other players may suggest amendments or argue against the
     proposal before the vote. A reasonable amount of time must be
     allowed for the debate. The proponent decides the final form in
     which the proposal is to be voted on and decides the time to end
     debate and vote. The only cure for a bad proposal is prevention:
     a negative vote.
112. The state of affairs that constitutes winning may not be changed
     from achieving n points to any other state of affairs. However,
     the magnitude of n and the means of earning points may be
     changed, and rules that establish a winner when play cannot
     continue may be enacted and (while they are mutable) be amended
     or repealed. 
113. A player always has the option to forfeit the game rather than
     continue to play or incur a game penalty. No penalty worse than
     losing, in the judgement of the player to incur it, may be
     imposed. 
114. There must always be at least one mutable rule. The adoption of
     rule changes must never become completely impermissible. 
115. Rule changes that affect rules needed to allow or apply rule
     changes are as permissible as other rule changes. Even rule
     changes that amend or repeal their own authority are permissible.
     No rule change or type of move is impermissible solely on account
     of the self-reference or self-application of a rule.
116. Whatever is not explicitly prohibited or regulated by a rule is
     permitted and unregulated, with the sole exception of changing
     the rules, which is permitted only when a rule or set of rules
     explicitly or implicitly permits it.

II. Mutable rules

201. Players shall alternate in clockwise order, taking one whole turn
     apiece. Turns may not be skipped or passed, and parts of turns
     may not be omitted. All players begin with zero points.
202. One turn consists of two parts, in this order: (1) proposing one
     rule change and having it voted on; and (2) throwing one die once
     and adding the number of points on its face to one's score.
203. A rule change is adopted if and only if the vote is unaminous
     among the eligible voters. 
204. If and when rule changes can be adopted without unanimity, the
     players who vote against winning proposals shall receive 10
     points apiece. 
205. An adopted rule change takes full effect at the moment of the
     completion of the vote that adopted it. 
206. When a proposed rule change is defeated, the player who proposed
     it loses 10 points.
207. Each player always has exactly one vote.
208. The winner is the first player to achieve 100 (positive) points.
209. At no time may there be more than 25 mutable rules.
210. Players may not conspire or consult on the making of future rule
     changes unless they are teammates.
211. If two or more mutable rules conflict with one another, or if two
     or more immutable rules conflict with one another, then the rule
     with the lower ordinal number takes precedence. 
       If at least one of the rules in conflict explicitly says of
     itself that it defers to another rule (or type of rule) or takes
     precedence over another rule (or type of rule), then such
     provisions shall supersede the numerical method for determining
     precedence. 
       If two or more rules claim to take precedence over one another
     or to defer to one another, then the numerical method must again
     govern. 
212. If players disagree about the legality of a move or the
     interpretation or application of a rule, then the player
     preceding the one moving is to be the Judge and decide the
     question. Disagreement, for the purposes of this rule, may be
     created by the insistence of any player. Such a process is called
     invoking judgement. 
       When judgement has been invoked, the next player may not begin
     his or her turn without the consent of the majority of the other
     players.
       The Judge's judgement may be overruled only by a unaminous vote
     of the other players, taken before the next turn is begun. If a
     Judge's judgement is overruled, the player preceding the Judge in
     the playing order becomes the new Judge for the question, and so
     on, except that no player is to be Judge during his or her own
     turn or during the turn of a teammate.
213. If the rules are changed so that further play is impossible, or
     if the legality of a move is impossible to determine with
     finality, or if by the Judge's best reasoning, not overruled, a
     move appears equally legal and illegal, then the first player who
     is unable to complete a turn is the winner. 
       This rule takes precedence over every other rule determining
     the winner.

[transcribed from "Metamagical themas: questing for the essence of
mind and pattern." / Douglas R. Hofstadter by Michael Norrish, 2 March
1992.]