General Rules

Our rulesets has always been quite vague. As we grow, however, it is clear that there needs to be a more detailed framework in place. The rules have therefore been revised with the following priorities in mind:

* protect players from 'trolling' and other undesirable behaviours;
* allow players to self-moderate RP;
* provide a framework for resolving conflicts in RP;
* provide a clear escalation path for problems.Our rules were previously:

* **Don't be a Dickhead** - we're all adults here, so be good to each other. We might not always agree, but keep things above board when chatting to other players.
* **Red Lights and Consent** - we strongly enforce the safe, sane, and consensual rules regarding RP and ERP. If a player does not wish to continue with something, abort through IC or OOC means.
* **PvP** - keep it to the arenas and warzone. If there's the need to PvP outside of these zones, then agree between involved parties how to resolve. Don't just go gibbing people because 'chaotic'.I would like to amend these to the following, on a **TRIAL BASIS**:
**i. IC and OOC**Interactions on the server are broadly split into two categories - in character (IC) and out of character (OOC). IC interactions are those between characters, whereas OOC are for players to talk to other players.
It is expected that all roleplay, consequences, and matters of conflict are conducted, played out, and resolved IC
Acts that are often frowned upon are where OOC attitudes or actions are used to influence IC actions. This 'OOC bleed' can take many forms and blurs the line between IC and OOC. Using OOC knowledge to drive IC actions is called metagaming.
*By way of example consider Bob, Kate, and Baldrick. Bob tells Kate, as a player, that Baldrick was saying he is going to send his character to kill Kate's wizard. Kate, playing her wizard at the time, sees Baldrick's character heading off to the Southern Forest and relogs onto her barbarian. Kate then uses her character to threaten Baldrick's character into not killing her wizard - not only has she used OOC knowledge to define her IC actions, but she has tried to resolve the situation using knowledge determined on another of her characters. Oh dear Kate!*IC and OOC knowledge should be treated separately, and emotes should reflect IC perspective rather than any OOC intent
There are perfectly reasonable causes for OOC to be necessary, for example advising your group of a change in OOC circumstances. These are perfectly fine but should be kept to Party chat or a clear marker denoting OOC chatter, such as //. There may also be times where a player has no read or understood a rule properly, and they need a gentle pointer to them.
Where required, OOC communication should be polite, calm, and informative
As an over-arching rule of conduct, we heavily condemn any level of directed OOC verbal abuse, instances of hate speech, or bullying. Whilst these do have (limited) IC application ("filthy goblin!"), where we find OOC instances of this we will act in the strongest terms.
There are often times that we receive requests to play non-standard races, i.e. those not in the selectable list at character generation. Playing non-standard races is fine, however the character RP must support the positive and negative consequences of playing that race. This may include environmental effects, character flaws, or even IC xenophobia. Playing a ten foot tall archdemon is likely to get all sorts of attention from nearby Paladins!
To a lesser extent, it is also expected that characters are reflections of the classes and skills chosen.
*For example, Kate the Druid is chilling in the Druid Grove. Bob approaches and asks if she could help him understand nature better. Kate says she knows nothing of nature and is just here to assassinate travellers. Bad Kate.*Character RP should reflect character racial, class, and skill selections.
if you want an Appearance change, the rules and process are here.
**ii. Consent, Consequences, and Conflict**Firstly, the easy one! This is an adult server with adult themes. One of those is the availability of adult erotic roleplay (ERP). We operate under the Safe, Sane, and Consensual (SSC) rules for such without exception. A guide on this can be found at https://www.wattpad.com/283659637-what-is-freethekinks-safe-sane-and-consensual-the.
All ERP must be within the SSC framework and require informed consent from both parties, regardless of context.
Consent, Consequences, and Conflict are three concepts that are often interwoven. The rules below aim to provide a framework for roleplay, both as a protagonist and antagonist, that is flowing, fun, and safe for those that wish to opt out.
There may be point where conflict arises and things descend into fisticuffs. This is not always the case, and players should be mindful that there are many ways to settle an argument. But if an altercation is necessary, then remember the following is required before PvP is authorised:

* an RP reason, established openly in advance;
* consent of all parties, implied or informed;
* a clearly stated path that offers participants and bystanders opportunities to avoid PvP;
* intended targets set as 'hostile' via the Party list.Consent is, like above, broadly split into two categories - informed, where you explicitly agree to something, or implied where your words and actions fulfill certain criteria for your consent to be inferred. As a rule of thumb, you as a player ultimately have the choice of what happens to your character. The key principle here is that **you** make the choice, which may or may not imply consent, and then other character make their choices based on your decision.
As a broad summary, **you** are responsible for applying your character's sense of self-preservation. Choices made, actions taken, and words spoken will, ultimately, bear consequences.
There are concepts in the big wide D&D universe that are far from the 'goody-two-shoes' model. These antagonists are, by design, going to perform acts considered evil. However, it should always be remembered that potential marks or victims do not necessarily want to be involved in such roleplay. It does break immersion, to a degree, but player choice is key.
*It may be useful to put an OOC note in a character's description regarding their player preference here. For example, if you are happy to engage in all antagonistic RP, and thereby waive your informed consent on the matter, saying as much in your description will allow other players to conduct their RP accordingly.For example, Bob and Kate are walking through the forest. Baldrick sees them and, being a rogue, wants to stop and rob them. Baldrick sends a message asking if this is okay, Bob and Kate agree, and the roleplay resumes. Note that Bob or Kate may also wish to limit the RP to certain items or a gold cap, which is then for Baldrick to agree to.*When initiating antagonistic roleplay, always ensure the intended victim gives consent prior
In the scenario above, Baldrick has made the **choice** to behave in an antagonistic way. Therefore, by his actions, he has accepted that the roleplay may go against him and he may 'lose'. However, by making the choice to proceed he has implied that he is willing to accept those consequences.
A character initiating antagonistic actions accepts the positive and negative consequences of their actions
There are also scenarios where the natural discourse turns to conflict or one is the target of antagonism. In these scenarios there must be the concept of an 'out', i.e. a route that a character can follow to avoid said conflict. This is to ensure that both parties are equally agreed that consent has been granted without the need for pausing to request informed consent.
*For example, Bob and Kate are arguing. Bob draws a blade (an antagonistic action) and tells Kate he is going to gut her. Kate at this point has a choice to make. If she chooses to continue the argument or respond in kind, it is considered that she has implied consent for the consequences of that action. If she backs down, it is considered she has not consented and therefore Bob is not permitted, in this case, to engage in PvP.*If the conflict is escalating to a violent outcome, the character wishing to incite the violence must offer a clear indication of such. This is to provide a viable way of the target not being the subject of said violence. Allow sufficient time for your target to respond prior to initiating any form of combat.
Conflict is an every day occurrence in any fantasy world. Clashes of ideologies, behaviours, and personalities are common place. However, it is key to remember that conflict should not be for conflict's sake, or simply because your character is 'chaotic'. An antagonising party must be able to reasonably show their character's motivations for starting a conflict.
Any motivations to start conflict must have an IC explanation. This motivation must be established in RP before any resolution, such as PvP, can begin
Part of conflict is how your character reacts to others engaged in it. Do you step in before it turns to violence? Do you help a friend? Do you side with an enemy because of a moral obligation? How can you help? There are also many ways the conflict can go, and thus the outcome is never set in stone until it happens.
Assisting either party in a conflict implies consent for the resulting consequences
A lot of the above speaks of antagonistic actions. These are generally defined as any action that might be considered aggressive, offensive, or illegal. Such examples of these would be:

* drawing a weapon whilst in heated discussion;
* casting of a spell intended to cause direct or indirect harm;
* targeted personal insults or defamation;
* attempting to mug, kidnap, or otherwise assault a person;Whilst many of these actions have a real world parallel, it should always be made clear what the intent is when performing an act. This should be done as an emote prior to performing the act itself.
*For example, Bob and Kate are arguing (again!). Kate draws her blade having emoted that she reaches for her blade in anger. She has performed an antagonistic act (although she must now provide an 'out' to Bob before hitting him!)*Whenever performing what can be construed as an antagonistic act, emote your actions before performing them
A byproduct of choices and actions are consequences. These can be beneficial or detrimental to one's character and should follow on from the actions that caused them, both in their scope and their application. No one should really know what the outcome of a decision or action will be but, if they make that choice or perform that action, they should be willing to accept the consequences of that choice. Similarly there is a responsibility on the inflicting party to keep their response IC.
Providing that consent has been provided, either by informed or implied means, the consequences resulting of your characters actions should be applied regardless of their benefit or detriment of your character
As a slight caveat to this is the subject of permanent character change. There will be rare instances where there is a request to permanently kill off a character. This may be due to notoriety, repeated warnings about certain acts, or because they occupy a coveted position, as examples. If this is the case then the target must be compliant and provide informed consent. If that person refuses, the matter may be arbitrated by the DM team (although this will, understandably, introduce a delay in RP events).
Any consequence involving permanent changes to a character, such as mutilation or death, must be approved by the 'victim' OR a DM beforehand
On the matter of collateral damage. People may get caught in the crossfire inadvertently. Please be sure to offer a complete apology as well as a resurrection and heal. Also try to make sure those nearby are aware of the intention to PvP, especially if that involves area of effect spells or abilities.
Anyone caught in a crossfire must be resurrected and/or healed post conflict resolution
And finally, on the matter of PvP. This is engaging in the NWN mechanical combat achieved by left clicking a hostile target, right clicking and selecting 'Attack' from the command wheel, or casting offensive spells with the intention to harm, disable, or kill a target.
PvP is allowed, outside the warzone and arenas, providing the rules above are adhered to
*The following are some end to end examples of a typical encounters which may result in PvP. They can be used as general templates for conflict resolution.Bob and Kate are chatting in the Base Camp. Kate asks if her bum looks big in her new dress, and Bob says she looks like a whale in laderhosen (antagonistic action! This implies consent)Kate, infuriated at Bob, says that he'd better be nice or she'll kick him in the nuts (offering an 'out')Bob laughs and waves Kate's threat away (refusing the out, therefore implying consent for the consequences)Kate kicks him in the nutsBob crumples into a heap on the floor screaming in pain, regretting his poor choices, and wondering if he will ever father children.Bob and Kate are chatting in the Base Camp. Kate asks if her bum looks big in her new dress, and Bob says 'Yes' (antagonistic action! This implies consent)Kate, infuriated at Bob, says that he'd better be nice or she'll kick him in the nuts (offering an 'out')Bob apologies profusely (accepts the 'out')Kate accepts and moves on.Baldrick is lurking ominously in the Base Camp. He sees Bob and Kate arguing some nonsense about backsides and dresses. He wants to use the opportunity to try and rob Bob.Baldrick has a choice here. He can act now, in which case he needs to ask Bob for consent to proceed, or wait it out and assist Kate if things turn violentBaldrick chooses to waitKate kicks Bob in the nutsWhilst Bob writhes around in agony, Baldrick wonders over and distracts Kate with compliments about her backside and the craftsmanship of the dress. He gives Bob another swift kick whilst he's down (thus antagonising by assistance, consent implied)Meanwhile, Baldrick pickpockets some gold from BobKate sees him and calls for helpEdmund and Percy overhear and charge over to apprehend Baldrick (thus also implying consent themselves, should Baldrick resist)After a short scuffle, Baldrick is arrested, thrown in stocks, and pelted with rotten vegetables for an hour*
If there are any questions or clarifications required, please contact the DM team.
**iii. Reporting**Where there is an OOC dispute about the content of these rules or the actions taken, please try to resolve cordially and objectively. If that is not possible, then please report the matter to the DMs. If one is not available to contact in game, please use Discord to alert the team by a direct message. Do not post to the public channels.
The DM team are unable to make any judgement based on hearsay. It is asked that screenshots of chat and/or combat logs are provided so that the matter can be discussed between the team. This removes any potential conflicts of interest as any escalated issue is arbitrated over by multiple DMs from the same pool of evidence.
Instances of false reporting - such as fabricating evidence - will be treated as a bannable offence.