PvP and CvC Conflict
What is PvP?
PvP stands for player versus player, and is used to describe out of character conflicts. Violence or combat towards players without a valid roleplay reason is strictly against POLICY 4 and POLICY 2.
If you have been the victim of PvP violence or interaction, you are encouraged to use the REPORT verb *IMMEDIATELY* to alert the GameMasters to the situation, then to enter an ASSIST REQUEST so a GameHost can document all the details.
If you experience harassment or a significant disruption of enjoyment by another player, you are encouraged to use the WARN verb with its HARASSMENT or INTERACTION argument, depending on the type of disruption you experience. Note that using this verb will require both parties to avoid ANY AND ALL contact and interaction with each other. You may not use WARN against another player and then continue to interact with them or talk about them in front of them (or even behind their back!)
Examples of PvP combat:
- You call someone on LNET a ninny, and they attack you while you are hunting.
- A character lost in a valid duel with you, and so they log in their capped wizard to kill you.
- You log in a high level character to exact revenge upon a thief who stole from your low level character.
- Roleplaying an evil character who attacks helpless townies on-site without their permission.
- You attack or kill someone you suspect is AFK scripting to stop them or "get revenge."
Special note:
- GS staff do not intercede on players' behalves regarding activities on third party software such as lich or non-Simutronics sponsored Discord servers. While these gaming mods may have their own policies enforced by those who own or run them, GameMasters cannot intervene in these out of game spaces.
WARN INTERACT Verb Usage
Usage: WARN <player> [of <HARASSMENT | INTERACTION>] HARASSMENT Suitable when someone's actions have transgressed beyond the boundaries of acceptable, normal roleplay and are disrupting your enjoyment of the game. This should not be used lightly. You will be expected to behave yourself as well as the person to whom you issued such a statement. INTERACTION Suitable for expressing to the other party that you wish to have NO INTERACTION WHATSOEVER with them. This option should not be used unless you are willing to remove yourself from the presence of the person to whom you issue it. Upon issuance, both players should immediately go their separate ways and cease all interaction with each other, including (but not limited to) conversations regarding the other player with third parties (besides staff members). Note that in all cases, this command is simply for improved communication. Policy and handling of situations remains unchanged, and under no circumstances should the WARN command be viewed as an excuse or license to take matters into your own hands, should the other party ignore your wishes. As always, your best course of action in such a situation is to place an ASSIST and speak with a GameHost.
WARN Policy Clarification
http://forums.play.net/forums/GemStone%20IV/Help%20for%20Players/Policy%20Discussions/view/363
Topic: Policy Discussion
Message #: 363
Author: SIMU-WYROM
Date: 07/16/2018 06:46 PM PDT
Subject: WARN Verb
I wanted to give some clarification on what the WARN verb is intended for and what all that it does.
The WARN verb is a communication tool between you and the person you use it on. It doesn't do anything other than log that it was used and message both parties. It does not notify GMs it was used, nor does it prevent anything from happening. The verb itself tells you that you should assist to speak with a GameHost if you'd like to document what is going on or seek further guidance/results. Using it by itself should be the last step before getting game staff involved in a PvP situation.
If using the INTERACTION portion of the verb, the player who initiates it should leave the area, not the person it's against. This is one of the biggest misunderstandings. Unless actual POLICY is being broken, GameMasters aren't going to enforce parties to move at a storyline or event, but since the person using WARN has a problem, they should be the one who leaves if someone has to go. If the two parties can coexist in the same room without an issue, nothing further has to happen though. As long as you don't interact with each other, you can stay in the same room. Otherwise, the player who used the command should move to another area and ASSIST. Mostly this creates a paper trail when a GameMaster is investigating a PvP issue.
If the person is being disruptive to you or in general, using REPORT as it is happening can get someone to look in on the situation. This is especially helpful when a player has issued the WARN verb and the person is still doing whatever it is that caused them to use it in the first place. Using REPORT after the incident has concluded doesn't help much at all.
If you WARN someone and they turn around and WARN you, you both should respect that. Each player gets messaged, so this is something that happens quite a bit from the standpoint of, "Well they warned me, so I warned them back!" Just abide by it and follow the steps to document it.
Abusing the WARN command can result in an official warning or an immediate lockout. Some examples are:
- Attacking another character and using the WARN verb to prevent them from retaliating.
- Using the WARN verb to "get the last word."
- Harassing another player and fabricating a story about what happened.
- Being the instigator.
- Warning on one character, and using another to attack/name call.
- Having someone else harass a player that was warned or that warned.
Hopefully that helps clear up what the command is for and how/when to use it. If you're not sure if you should use it, please ASSIST to talk to a GameHost.
Wyrom, PM
What is CvC?
CvC stands for character versus character, and is used to describe in-character roleplay conflicts. If a valid roleplay scenario warrants violence, two players may engage in mutually agreed upon combat without violating policy.
The key to engaging in CvC combat is consent, and both parties should agree to the combat prior to engagement. Players are encouraged to use the CHALLENGE verb to enact CvC combat or duels, and to read POLICY 4 prior to engagement.
Players may also use the ACCUSE verb in any town if they have been a victim of an in-character roleplay crime in said town such as pickpocketing or assault. ACCUSE may be used in front of the town's constable/deputy or in the constable/deputy's office.
Examples of CvC combat:
- A character has besmirched the good name of your fiancé, and you wish to challenge them to a duel!
- Dueling for fun on the boulder, as part of an event, or bar brawling in the appropriate location in Icemule Trace.
- A character is aligned with an evil NPC or faction in a GM-run storyline, and your character feels compelled to use violence to stop their malevolent plotting.
- You catch a character attempting to steal from you, and initiate a CHALLENGE to seek your revenge.