Difference between revisions of "Basic Rules"

Latest revision as of 13:22, 1 April 2008

Master Rule

Treat everyone and this means everyone with respect!

General Rules

Rule 1

This is a roleplaying server. Players may NOT use the shout channel, and they must stay in character at all times.

Rule 2

Any play style that brings annoyance to other players, otherwise known as "griefing" will not be tolerated.

Rule 3

As in the last rule, Player Vs. Player combat is not allowed. All combat between players is CHARACTER Vs. CHARACTER, meaning it is roleplayed in game for in game reasons. Any conflict that takes place for real life reasons in the game will not be tolerated.

Rule 4

The last rule... cheating, duping, or exploitation of bugs of any kind will be punished with banning.

Collecting and Crafting

This is something that has come up recently with people carrying far too much ore for their strength.

Weight Limit

DMs will be instructed to take notice of any PC carrying more than 3 times the natural runnable carrying weight. So a PC that can run with up to 200lbs of ore, can safely carry up to 600lbs before it is deemed to be exploiting the engine.

• PCs continually exploiting in this way are likely to meet with less than pleasant encounters while they travel to the crafting equipment, so please dont do it

Posting recipies

You may not post receipies on the forums.

• Your post will be deleted and you could be banned from the forums, I might also reset your crafting skills to ZERO

Teaching recipies

It is fine to teach them IG as long as you stay IC at all times

• This does not mean you can spend 2 seconds talking about it and teach a player every recipie. Teaching should require time. Use your judgement here.

Disguises

Voices

If a character is always using a *disguised voice* the character can be recognised between two different times, especially if this is the only way they've been heard speaking as to the people listening it would be their usual voice.

The best way to differentiate between different disguised voices would be to include more detail in the emotes, such as

• speaks in a disguised voice with a lisp
• speaks in a disguised deep voice
• speaks in a disguised bad elven accent

which can be quickslotted for ease of use. The same disguised voice used in two conversations can link the two.

so speaks in a disguised deep voice in the first and speaks in a disguised deep voice in the second is a fair assumption that it could be the same person.

whereas speaks in a disguised bad elven accent in the first and speaks in a disguised voice with a lisp is not a valid assumption that its the same person.

Keep in mind this is also pretty much irrelevant if they're always wearing the same clothes, and just changing the voices, as this allows an assumption to be made based on the clothes.

Equipment

Personally speaking if its visible on the avatar it needs to be switched. Non avatar-visible items are optional. After all how can you tell if another player has changed amulets or rings?

Heres the list of what i would expect to be changed for a character to go totally incognito.

• Armour / robes
• Helmet / hood
• Shield
• Weapons / Staff
• Any rings / amulets / bracers /belts that emit a coloured light.

All would need to be changed to be totally disguised. Changing at least the armour and helmet is enough to create doubt that they may not the be the same person. Assumptions can be made that it may be the same person, but its by no means conclusive, and RP should reflect that.

Spells

If casting spells with an audio component the PC can be recognised if overheard casting spells again. This is because it is impossible to disguise your voice when getting the incantation correct

Metagaming, Powergaming and Exploiting

Metagaming

Metagaming is simply another term for using out of character (OOC)information rather than just the in character (IC) information your character has learnt whilst you are playing him.

Metagaming is when you think more about the way NWN works then how Arkaz works. Or OOC vs IC.

Picking stats, skills, feats, and so on are al'l examples of metagaming. When you level up, you again are metagaming, because you pick skills, feats, and so on. There can be IC reasons for what you decide, such as muticlassing because of something that happened to your character, say he now lives in the woods so you think he will develop ranger skills. But most character development is done though metagaming but this not always bad.

But it can be a bad thing, if it?s done in a way that harms or effects other PC's. The best example of this, being the whole 'floating name' issues, that has been discussed and argued over on the avlis boards many times. The floating name is completely OOC information, and using it to identify someone you don't really know or couldn't identify normally is considered a 'sin' on Arkaz.

Some examples of both good and bad Metagaming or OOC behavior; (these aren't hard and fast rules, just examples of the type of behavior so you can judge if what your doing is acceptable or not.)

Good:

• Increasing your Int/Wis/Cha score so you can cast higher level spells.
• Taking levels of another class, for IC reasons. (i.e. you had a religious experience and decide to take levels as a cleric.)
• Increasing a stat, that isn't of primary use for your class, to qualify for feats that are useful to you. (i.e. Increasing Int to 13 so you can get improved knockdown)
• Taking a feat, not for the sake of the feat, but for other feats you can now qualify for.
• Using the floating name to identify someone you know well, but whose avatar looks like other PC's.
• Using the Player list, to see if a friend is online at the time.
• Using the examine option to read the bio someone has put in there.

Bad:

• Taking levels of another class with no logical IC reason for doing so.(i.e. Your PC isn?t religious, but want to be able to cast buffs (protective spells like stoneskin) so you take levels as a cleric.)
• Cancelling out of a level up process to get a better HP roll.
• Using the floating name to identify someone you?ve never met before.
• Using the Player list, to see if PC you want to attack is online at the time.
• Using the examine option, to see what buffs someone has or what level they are.

Powergaming

Powergaming is the middle ground of the three things. Almost all forms of powergaming are frowned on, here on ARkaz, but powergaming isn't normally enough in of itself to get you banned from Arkaz. Extensive powergaming may do that, but you would have to do it a lot before it becomes an issue. However if you're busy powergaming, it's likely you?ll miss out on opportunities to roleplay, which is the focus of Arkaz.

Powergaming is generally defined as doing things for purely OOC reasons, mechanical advantages, or in game actions that are done to increase the power of your character, that makes no IC sense. It's related to metagaming because your approaching your character from the stand point of how to make her more powerful, rather then as a someone growing a character based on events that happen to her. Like metagaming, powergaming isn't always bad, it's frowned on most of the time on Arkaz, but there are a few cases where it could be over looked, or even approved of. These however are rare cases, normally reserved for low level characters. (i.e. level 1-3)

Some examples of acceptable, and unacceptable powergaming actions. (Again these aren?t hard and fast rules, just examples)

Acceptable:

• Doing low level quests over and over again, to get your PC past the first few levels. (Doing a quest more then once isn't powergaming. But a mid to high level doing it like 10 times a night is.)
• Hanging out in one area to kill monsters or other NPC's over and over again, at low levels, to complete quests or gain some money.
• Going back into a area you cleared out, or respawning something you just killed, to get the final 50exp's you need to level up, when you should have been in bed an hour ago.

Unacceptable:

• Taking a single level in a class, because of some benefit you get for having that class. (i.e. 1/19 Paladin/Sorcerer. Or taking a single level of Rogue, for the ability to pick higher then DC25 locks)
• Finding an area that allows you to make a lot of exp's rather quickly, then spending several hours every day there, for no other reason then to gain a lot of exp's quickly. (There's nothing wrong with monster hunting, or spending several hours doing it. It's only when you stay in the same area for hours that there's a problem.)
• Going to an area to kill NPC's or grab loot that would be against your characters beliefs in some way. (i.e. A paladin breaking into houses, or a dwarf looting a religeous area sacred to dwarves)
• Rushing off the moment the server restarts to kill NPC's or open chests that you know drop good loot.
• Towing, taking lower level PC's with you in your party to reduce the average party level, for no other reason than to get more exp's for yourself.
• Spending every moment you are on Arkaz, killing monsters and gathering loot. (Again killing monsters and gathering loot, isn't bad. But if that's all you do, then there's a problem)
• Having a really low score in one stat, so you can have a really high score in a different one. But not playing as if you had that really low score. (i.e. Having a 8 wisdom and charisma but acting as if you had a avg score in both)

Exploiting

Exploiting, is in many ways, the same thing as cheating. It is the practice of doing something you know you shouldn't be able to and then repeating it as many times as you can. In nearly every case exploiting, involves a bug of some sort, be it one created by the Arkaz staff, or one from Bioware. Anyone found exploiting, will be put on the watch list, and is likely to be banned from playing on Arkaz.

If you ever find yourself thinking That seemed way too easy for what I got or wait, He already gave me a reward because you got a reward you didn't earn, then it's likely you found something that could be exploited. We try very hard to make sure that the rewards you get are fitting to what you did. A different form of exploiting is using a trick to avoid something really bad happening. In either case you are doing something that shouldn?t be able to happen, to benefit you in some way.

There is one and only one case where doing something you think is an exploit, is acceptable, and it will be clear to us if you're doing this or not. That is testing something you think might be an exploit, to make sure what you think just happened, did in fact happen. Provided you only do it that one more time, and report it, then you won't be punished for exploiting. However a DM may still take what ever you got from it away from you. It's important to note that if you had benefited from something you think may be a bug, doesn't mean you're guilty of exploiting. It's when you keep doing it, over and over again, that you're guilty of exploiting. If you run across something that you think might be a bug, please report it so we can fix what ever is wrong.

Some examples of exploiting.

• Hitting 'escape' and quitting the game, when you?re at negative hit points, to avoid dying and going to the after life.
• Giving a NPC a quest item, then finding you have the option of giving it to him again, even though you don?t have it any longer.
• Dying, and having someone grab your gear, then crashing the server so you can come back before your character is saved, so you have all your gear back, but your friend still has everything he grabbed off your corpse.
• Logging in with a character that doesn?t belong to you. (It can happen by accident, but you need to quit as soon as you realize your not using one of your characters)
• Giving all your gear to a friend, or leaving it in a chest, then logging into a different world, and coming back to Arkazvia a portal, so you have all your gear, plus copies of it in your chest or with your friend.
• Finding a chest that spawns in an item that should never be there (i.e. +3 flaming long sword), and going to it every chance you get.
• Collecting the reward for a quest you never actually finished, or even started. But because of a bug in the dialog you can collect the reward anyway.
• Getting into a really bad situation, and logging out rather then sticking around to take what?s coming to you. (i.e. surrounded by a bunch of really tough NPC's you know will be able to kill you).
• Logging out, then logging back in again, to restore your lost hp's and spells.
• Finding an item needed to complete a quest, you were given some place else, logging out and logging into that server to finish the quest, rather then walking there.
• Finding out that by doing X, Y, and Z, or because of some server glitch you become invincible, then running around and killing NPC's you would normally never stand a chance against.
• Asking high level PC's to take you places you have no place being, then hanging way back so you can get massive amounts of exp's with doing no real work.
• Asking low level PC's to go with you to places they have no place being, then having them hang way back so you can get a massive amount more exp's then you should normally.

Sex Crime

Roleplaying Sex Crimes on Islands is prohibited

This is a zero tolerance policy and anyone caught commiting sex crimes of any kind will be immediately banned from Islands, and the rest of the CoPaP worlds too.

This means:

• No rape, IC or not
• No unwanted groping, IC or not
• No unwanted sexual attentions of any kind whatsoever, IC or not
• No sexual contact of any kind with an IC minor
• No sexual contact with an OOC minor

In short, IC or not, DON'T DO THESE THINGS. You will be banned WITH EXTREME PREDJUDICE!!

posting personal attacks in the forum

Posting personal attacks will do 3 things.

Watch Listing

we will move the post and add it to your watchlist if you have one...or make one if you do not.

Issue Warning

you will receive a warning. We only give so many warnings.

Banning

If you've been warned and have ignored us and this isn't the first issue get ready for a ban.

Summary

Please do not do this. I know people get mad. Hell there are times when I want to vent big time. Posting it on a public forum is not the way to do it. Even if you do not leave names, the people you are talking about probably know you are talking about them.

Illegal Static Drops or ISD’s.

Arkaz is a low magic world.

Which means you should never see a Great Sword of Uber Slaying +20

Anything giving perma haste, DR, soak, true seeing, extra spell slots and the following

• Drops over +1 enchantment.
• Drops over +1 stat increase.
• Drops over +6 skill increase.
• Elemental damage greater than +2.
• No weapon that glows.

Others

By no means a comprehensive list, please use common sense as always as regards drops. If you find such an item or in doubt you have found an ISD, contact the Team, or ask a DM either online or via staff@arkaz.com.

Please remember this helps the world as a whole and will see you viewed favourably by the Team.

If you feel you have had an ISD please report it and be as precise as possible, i.e. where/when/what dropped the item, party members etc. Be as precise as possible please.

Curtesy to DMs

Remember DMs are Volunteers

All our DMs do so voluntarily, and for the fun of the players

Examples of what not to do

Asking a second DM if you can do something if the first DM told you no. Surprisingly enough the DMs do actually talk to each other.

Arguing with a DM if they tell you no.

Continuing to pester a DM if they've told you they're in the middle of DMing something, and they'll be with you shortly.

Pestering a DM to run something for you, because the DM you originally made plans with is not available / got hit by RL. We want our events to be the best possible, and so prefer not to jump into things with no prep time. It makes the event less fun for the players and the DMs involved. A simple question on the DM channel is welcome. Multiple requests with an "I came across x many servers / got up at 3am for this so i deserve to be DMed" attitude are not.

What to do if you have problems with a dm

If you have a problem with how one of the Arkaz DMs handles things an email should be sent to Alphonse@Arkaz.com

Looting from Character Corpses

Not against the Rules

While it is not against the rules to loot items from character corpses (PCs), taking non-consumable items (something other than heal kits, potions, etc) can and will likely draw negative attention unless there is a very viable IC reason to do so. If you intend to loot important items, you should ask a DM to oversee the situation. Failure to do so may result in DM intervention, especially in cases where looted items are sold or taken offworld.

If a tree falls and no one is there

Keep in mind while DMs cannot be active all the time, NPCs should be considered active characters in the world. It is safe to assume they would notice those who have traveled by lately - if someone was to find their belongings missing, some researching/interviewing these NPCs may point suspicions in certain directions.

In General

This does run on a case by case basis. Taking items from the corpse of a character who is no longer online, with the purpose of safe keeping, is generally permitted and well received. Remember to make an IC post about it, and an OOC PM to the player is always good practice.

Pickpocketing

Note: These rules are generally the same as those on other CoPaP Worlds. However, there ARE distinct differences and players who have their characters pickpocket on Arkaz are expected to know and abide by Arkaz’s rules. Ignorance of these rules is not a defense.

These rules have been put in place to help ensure that ALL players have an enjoyable time on Arkaz. Any questions or concerns regarding these rules should be directed to the Arkaz Team.

General Rules on PickPocketing on Arkaz

• Do not repeatedly target the same PC, ESPECIALLY NEWBIES! Repeatedly picking the pocket of the same person is unrealistic. Regardless of how the engine treats it, a person would eventually notice if you steal everything in their bags! This will be considered griefing, and can get you VJed or worse.

• Do NOT use pickpocket on a PC engaged in crafting. That is, a PC using one of the crafting apparatus like the Anvil, Forge, Loom, Bolts of Cloth, any alterations item (Sewing Machine, Model), etc. may not be pickpocketed. This is an OOC rule because the crafting menus cause the PC to not be able to react as they would normally. This is the same idea as the "do not attack PCs who are crafting" rule.

• Do not attempt to pickpocket a character that is interacting with a merchant. This is an OOC rule because items may be bought and sold while the attempt is made; the player might miss the server message that a pickpocket was attempted even if the PC may not.

• Do not attempt to pickpocket a character if the player appears to be AFK. This is an OOC rule because an AFK player has no chance of responding, even if the pickpocket fails. It is the responsibility of the pickpocket's player to make sure that the other player is NOT AFK!

• When using pickpocket on a PC, you must set Hostile before the attempt. Yes, the Team understands that this makes it more difficult to pickpocket, but the alternative of requiring the target to set Hostile before attacking the thief (should the target spot the attempt) is even worse. Please note that the target only Spots the attempt if he/she receives the corresponding message in the chat window.

Rules on Items Taken

• You may not, EVER, pickpocket Plot, Player Housing, Guild-related items, or any item exceeding a certain power/value level. If you do happen to obtain something like this via pickpocket, you MUST return the item in an OOC fashion immediately!

• Any item +3 or more is not allowed; this includes a +2 item that also has additional abilities beyond the +2. (I.e.: A +2 dagger is acceptable. A +2 dagger with acid damage is ineligible.) Being able to steal rare, highly valuable items is unrealistic. Such items would be well-watched by their owners. Since the game engine does not allow for the level of difficulty for pickpocketing to increase in response to the value of an item, rare and valuable items are deemed ineligible and must be returned OOCly regardless of their size. If there are any questions regarding the eligibility of an item, players should email the Arkaz Team or contact a DM. (If a Team ruling is not immediately available the item in question must be returned to the original owner. If the item is later ruled eligible, the owner must then surrender the item to the thief.)
• Do note that the Arkaz Team recognizes that mistakes can happen. If a pickpocket inadvertently takes an ineligible item and doesn’t return it immediately, they can contact an Arkaz Team member or DM to have it returned. Player honesty is noted and appreciated.

• Neither PC may use information gained via the OOC theft or return of ineligible items. Example: "Thief" pickpockets the "Ring of Sneaky Guild Membership" from "Regular Joe". When Thief returns the item OOCly, Regular Joe does not ICly know that Thief took it. Additionally, Thief does not ICly know that Regular Joe has such an item.

• It is considered poor form (and unrealistic) to pickpocket an item larger than 2 "inventory squares", such as a tower shield, full plate armor, greatsword, etc. Items larger than two squares must also be returned OOCly, as by Rule 6. Rule 6b applies, of course. If you believe the item could be something that would be PPable (maybe a book that is 4 squares), you may send the victim a Tell asking if you can keep the item. If he/she agrees, you may keep it, provided it doesn't fall under Rule 6 above.

• If you steal a player/guild housing key (including inn room and house keys), and then use that key to break into the house, you will be banned. No ifs, ands, or buts about it, the Team will ban you.

Gentlemen’s Agreement

Like CvC, pickpocketing can be a fun or terrible experience. In order to keep things as positive as possible amongst players, the following is strongly recommended:

• If a stolen item appears to be one customized for the character (i.e.: PC’s name is in the description, etc.), it would be good form to send the victim a Tell inquiring whether you can keep the item. Many of these items are of great personal value, if not monetary value. If the victim does wish it back, discuss whether a “ransom” of the item is an acceptable RP option for them. If not, return the item OOCly. Rule 6b applying to both players in the latter case. Whatever you do, DON’T bring it to the nearest trash can! How would you like it if someone just tossed one of your DM reward items into the nearest trash can without a second thought? Yes, it may be metagaming, but it’s the good sort of metagaming that helps EVERYONE have fun!

• If in doubt of a player’s OOC reaction, do not pickpocket that player’s character. You do not force someone to CvC with you; do not force them to engage in this type of RP either.

• If choosing to sell or otherwise dispose of valuable stolen goods, be aware that most merchants will not buy it. Again, rather than dumping in the nearest trashcan, your best (and most profitable) option is to ransom the items.

• Warning: A caught pickpocket may endure “citizen justice.” A captured thief should be prepared to have the tables turned on them. Note, however, that the Team will not tolerate griefing of the thief by, or on behalf of, the victim. An appropriate level of retaliation is allowed. If a player has a devious plan of revenge but is unsure whether it’s appropriate, please contact the Arkaz Team or a DM. These sorts of encounters can be fun for all involved, so be creative!

• Save ALL logs regarding any pickpocketing attempts in case any questions are raised. Players of outraged victims engaging in any “citizen justice” should also save their logs. Players should make sure that NWN is set to log all messages, including server messages.

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