CoA - Core Rules

[Folklore]

I. PvP (Player vs Player Conflict)

• 1). PvP is defined as player versus player conflict. It is always in character.

• 2). PvP is allowed on the Server, by logging into the server, you provide consent for PvP.

• 3). PvP that involves combat is not to take place in NPC occupied areas without a DM (DMs reserve the right to retcon any instances of it occurring without a DM. Please keep logs or screenshots of any PvP you engage in. The only exception to this rule is if your PC is in a Faction with POLICE POWERS - which is an application only position.

  • a. You can initiate PvP without a DM in areas your faction controls.
  • b. Faction control is defined as having multiple guards in the area (such as historic district) or it literally being -inside- your faction base. If there is one lone NPC within an area, guarding an entrance to the base - this is NOT "control" of the area.
  • c. You must accept the consequences of losing.
  • d. There is no FD/looting (confiscating contraband is ok but not "plot items" or general loot).
  • e. If attacked player wins the fight, they must leave the area - as there are NPCs around that would logically get involved and this is just to allow some more leeway for PvP without a DM to possess NPCs.

• 4). Set hostile before initiating PvP. The act of setting someone to hostile is an entirely OOC action, and is done to so ensure that all mechanics such as spells cast and retaliatory actions work as intended. Use the dot command ".set hostile (player)" or ".set hostile all" to easily set people hostile without alerting them.

• 5). Perma Death must be cleared with a DM, the DM team typically will leave the decision up to the player killed in PvP but may negotiate some terms on raises such as time limits before they can be done or even decide a respawn is not possible; this will be done only to promote specific story-consequences from PvP.

• 6). The subdual system is a courtesy. If you have been subdued you must acknowledge that you have been beaten in combat and react accordingly. Stay down. Do nothing. Do not attempt to re-engage in combat or assist the combat in any way, fleeing is acceptable since there is a scripted timer that determines how long you should stay down in PvP. When it expires, you may flee but not re-engage, even if you are healed by allies. The ONLY exception is that you may heal and defend yourself if hostile mobs are in the area while moving away.

  • a. Otherwise, remain in place until the victor of the PvP or DM says it is alright to get up etc.
  • b. If you violate this the victor may decide a more permanent solution. The DMs might just delete your character.

• 7). General Guidelines for PvP

  • a. Do not stack traps, do not camp transitions, do not corner stealth. Do not lure mobs onto transition either.
  • b. It is on the aggressor to make the experience fun for all involved. While losing is rarely fun, we urge players to not view it as a 'loss' but rather, roll with it, and do something fun with it. We encourage players to discuss the results of PvP OOC to ensure its still done in a manner consistent with a group of friends playing a game.
  • c. Luring another player via tells to a PvP situation is not acceptable. It is also not acceptable to falsely claim, through tells, that a situation will not involve PvP, for the purpose of getting a character somewhere. IC deception is fine. OOC deception is not.
  • d. If you are raised or respawn from PvP, you will have only the haziest memories of the PvP itself; you will not remember what happened, who did it, or any details unless you're told them later by participants in-character.
  • e. Luring people into a quest area and then attacking / ganking them is not allowed
  • f. Making a sending for a quest, with OOC information along the lines of "Hiring to kill gnolls, meeting outside the East Gate //7-10" and using it to lure players into PVP is not allowed.

• 8). Player Killing / Permadeath

  • a. A PK, FD, or 'full death' occurs when a DM or PC kills your PC.
  • b). Execution requires a raise to return; no respawning. DMs may require a time limit to pass before you can be raised.
  • c). Some events will require characters who die on them remain death permanently, aka Permadeath. This will ALWAYS be announced unless death is due to extreme player error (like jumping into a sphere of annihilation).

II. Be Respectful

• 1). Do not undertake OOC trolling, insulting, toxic or blatant baiting in Discord, OOC, or forums. COA is an inclusive community and welcomes all people.
• 2). It is not acceptable to relentlessly single out a PC as a target for something ICly (pickpocket for example).
• 3). It is not acceptable to make OOC threats in response to IC actions or take IC action for any OOC reason.
• 4). Do not use OOC methods including but not limited to Discord or in-game Tells for situations and discussions that should be handled in-game/ICly.
• 5). Do not transfer loot between characters.

III. Alts / Redshirt PCs

• 1). Side characters are PCs we play when we don't feel like playing our 'main' or we're between PCs.
  • a. Side characters can become disruptive if they begin to engage in PvP, or begin to swamp the server with supplies, wands, and crafted gear.
  • b. We ask players to NOT engage in PvP (it can happen to you, but do not initiate it), crafting, and supply making while on a side PC, as this limits opportunity for retaliation and conflict for players who would otherwise attempt to police it or respond to actions (such as supplying another PC’s rival).
  • c. A side PC should refrain from spreading plot information that they might incidentally learn.
  • d. Side PCs/Alts should NOT be getting involved in plots, taking plot items, or otherwise derailing Main PCs of players.

IV. Metagaming

• 1). Metagaming is knowing things you, as a player would know, but your character would not. Do not do this.
• 2). Examples of Metagaming include:
  • a). Your last PC died—you make a PC and begin telling everyone who killed said PC.
  • b). Exiting the quest area to rest, regroup, etc. knowing the mobs/spawns can't rest and regroup.
  • c). Reading DM forum mistakes and using that information IC.
  • d). Carrying over secret knowledge learned from a prior character.
• 3). Do not use out of character canon without clarifying with the DM team. DMs reserve the right to alter canon as they see fit.

V. Plot Items

• 1). Plot Items (as designated by a DM) are not to be placed in persistent storage or stores unless specified otherwise.
• 2). Faction Gear you do not own is designated as plot, therefore, should not be stored without explicit DM permission.
• 3). If Plot items change hands, DMs must be informed.

VI. Adult Content/Children

• 1). CoA does not permit adult roleplay on our server.
• 2). All characters are functioning adults. No PCs as children.
• 3). No pregnancy roleplay unless cleared with a DM (and only for horror/parasite plots).
• 4). Excessive swearing, erotic situations, and nudity are to be avoided.
• 5). No depictions of sexual assault will be tolerated, depictions of drug-use should be avoided - we recognize people playing this server come here to cope with the trauma of these situations and there is a difference between fantasy violence and deeply personal trauma.

G. Exploits / Exploiting

• 1). Exploits are defined as low-risk actions with absurd payouts.
• 2). Examples include:
  • a). Selling quest loot at uncapped stores (stores are currently capped at 15 gold).
  • b). Dropping items during dialogue for payout manipulation.
  • c). Walking backwards for than five feet in game or for one round to avoid monster attacks.
  • d). Attacking blue NPCs (this will cause faction bugs and require a reboot).
• 3). Failure to report exploits is bannable.

IX. Factions and Special Positions

• 1). Faction Uniforms must be worn and visually represent the faction (exceptions apply for secret members).

• 2). Faction Prestige Items are only to be used by faction members unless a DM approves the use.

• 3). Items must be dyed to faction colors if replacing armor/cloaks/helmets.

• 4). Only your main character may join a DM Faction or Special Position.

• 5). Spy activities (forum spying, stealing gear) must be cleared with DMs.

  • a. Spying must be conducted IG through letters or in-person.
  • b. Copy-pasting forum material is prohibited.
  • c. Disguises must be visible/emoted correctly.
  • d. Spying is PvP. Extend OOC courtesy.

X. Player Naming Conventions

• 1). Use proper names fitting to the setting.
• 2). No real-life, literary, cinematic, or NPC-mimicking names.
• 3). No titles, ranks, or honorifics in character names without DM approval via an application.

XI. DM PCs
Members of the DM Team will sometimes play characters. We encourage this so they can interact with the server as a player, test out systems, or simply to enjoy playing here too sometimes. But to ensure the players trust is maintained, we have rules we follow too.

• 1). DMs planning to play a character must inform the rest of the DM team.

• 2). DMs are free to using the 'alt character rules in rules clause III, but should do so under their DM name with an appended _PC

• 3). Players are asked not contact DMs about DM issues when playing.

• 4). DMs who want to take a break to just play under the normal rules, can do so.

  • They must step down, relinquish all non-player level access rights, and create a new account which none of the DM team know.
  • They can return to their old position no questions asked afterwards.

• 5). A DM may make a character just to run some quests, test some features, get a player's eye view of the server. Just use your DM account name, so again, players know we're operating above board and that it is okay to contact you about DM issues.

XII. Exiled vs Wanted Status

• 1). Exiled – Ousted from City of Arabel. Cannot enter city areas or outskirts without DM supervision.
• 2). Wanted – Wanted dead or alive. Same as exile, but can be attacked anywhere.

XIII. De-Levelling, Re-Levelling, and Remakes

• 1). Remakes are granted only if major mechanical changes occur.
• 2). Re-Levelling may happen as the result of major story events with DM approval.
• 3). De-Levelling to Level 1 will be a one-time player option via Crafting Menu.

XIV. Returning PCs

• Returning PCs after 6+ months require a DM check-in for loot/faction issues.
• It is advised to roll a new character after long absences.
• Retired PCs returning for large plots must clear with a DM.