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 are in effect whenever a game begins. The Initial Set consists of Rules 101-116 (immutable) and 201-213 (mutable).Rule 101/1(i,a) : Binding Nature of Rules
All Players must always abide by all the rules then in effect, in the form in which they are then in effect. This rule takes precedence over all other rules.0. Initial Immutable Rule, 12 March 1998
Initially rules in the 100's are immutable and rules in the 200's are mutable. Rules subsequently enacted or transmuted (that is, 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.0. Initial Immutable Rule, 12 March 1998
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 of a mutable rule; or (3) the transmutation of an immutable rule into a mutable rule or vice versa.0. Initial Immutable Rule, 12 March 1998(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at least initially, all new rules are mutable; immutable rules, as long as they are immutable, may not be amended or repealed; mutable rules, as long as they are mutable, may be amended or repealed; any rule of any status may be transmuted; no rule is absolutely immune to change.)
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.0. Initial Immutable Rule, 12 March 1998
Every player is an eligible voter. Every eligible voter must participate in every vote on rule-changes.Rule 105/1(i,i) : Franchise
Every Player is an eligible voter.Rule 105/2(i,a) : Franchise
Every Player not in Limbo is an eligible voter.0. Initial Immutable Rule, 12 March 1998
All proposed rule-changes shall be written down before they are voted on. If they are adopted, they shall guide play in the form in which they were voted on.Rule 106/1(i,a) : Public Nature of and Effects of Proposals
All proposed rule-changes shall be posted to nomic@iastate.edu before they are voted on. If they are adopted, they shall guide play in the form on which they were voted.0. Initial Immutable Rule, 12 March 1998
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.0. Initial Immutable Rule, 12 March 1998
Each proposed rule-change shall be given a 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.Rule 108/1(m,i) : Numbering of ProposalsIf a rule is repealed and reenacted, it receives the number of the proposal to reenact it. If a rule is amended or transmuted, it receives the 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 number of the proposal to amend or repeal the amendment.
Each proposed rule-change shall be given a 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.Rule 108/2(m,i) : Numbering of Proposals
Each rule-change proposed in the proper way shall be given a number for reference. The number assigned to a proposal shall be the least integer greater than 300 that has never before been assigned, whether in this game or its antecedents, to another Proposal or Rule, whether active or inactive.Rule 108/3(m,i) : Numbering of Proposals
Each Proposal submitted in the proper way shall be given a number for reference. The number assigned to a Proposal shall be the least integer greater than 300 that has never before been assigned, whether in this game or its antecedents, to another Proposal or Rule, whether active or inactive.Rule 108/4(m,a) : Numbering of Proposals
Each Proposal submitted in the proper way shall be given a number for reference. The number assigned to a Proposal shall be the least integer greater than 300 that has never before been assigned, whether in this game or its antecedents, to another Proposal or Rule, whether active or inactive.0. Initial Immutable Rule, 12 March 1998Proposals to create multiple new Rules must specify a legal Rule number for each new rule to be created. Rules created by Proposals creating only one new Rule receive the number of their corresponding Proposal unless otherwise specified in said Proposal.
A Rule may have as a number any positive integer not held by any other Rule.
Rule-changes that transmute immutable rules into mutable rules may be adopted if and only if the vote is unanimous among the eligible voters. Transmutation shall not be implied, but must be stated explicitly in a proposal to take effect.Rule 109/1(i,i) : Transmutation of Rules
Rule-changes that transmute immutable rules into mutable rules, or mutable rules into immutable rules, may be adopted if and only if the vote is unanimous among the eligible voters. Transmutation shall not be implied, but must be stated explicitly in a proposal to take effect.Rule 109/2(i,a) : Transmutation of Rules
Rule-changes that transmute immutable rules into mutable rules, or mutable rules into immutable rules, may be adopted if and only if the vote is unanimous among the non-neutral voters. Transmutation shall not be implied, but must be stated explicitly in a proposal to take effect.0. Initial Immutable Rule, 12 March 1998
In a conflict between a mutable and an immutable rule, the immutable rule takes precedence and the mutable rule shall be entirely void. For the purposes of this rule a proposal to transmute an immutable rule does not "conflict" with that immutable rule.0. Initial Immutable Rule, 12 March 1998
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 is an amendment that makes no difference, or if it is otherwise of questionable value, then the other players may suggest amendments or argue against the proposal before the vote. A reasonable time must be allowed for this debate. The proponent decides the final form in which the proposal is to be voted on and, unless the Judge has been asked to do so, also decides the time to end debate and vote.Rule 111/1(i,a) : Debate and Alteration of Proposals
Players may debate a Proposal before the vote. The Proposer decides the final form in which the Proposal is to be voted on.0. Initial Immutable Rule, 12 March 1998
The state of affairs that constitutes winning may not be altered from achieving n points to any other state of affairs. 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.0. Initial Immutable Rule, 12 March 1998
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 judgment of the player to incur it, may be imposed.0. Initial Immutable Rule, 12 March 1998
There must always be at least one mutable rule. The adoption of rule-changes must never become completely impermissible.0. Initial Immutable Rule, 12 March 1998
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.0. Initial Immutable Rule, 12 March 1998
Whatever is not 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.0. Initial Immutable Rule, 12 March 1998