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[[Category:OOC]]
Verdict, like most roleplaying games, has a relatively strict set of rules that must be obeyed otherwise your account & character will risk a ban/termination. That being said, most of them are fairly self-explanatory, and as long as you abide by what makes sense for your character? You likely won't run into many speedbumps along the way. In Verdict, a particularly heavy degree of emphasis has been made in the rules for any sort of cheating- especially so for admin-related and admin-assisted cheating. Due to its propensity for trouble-making in related or similarly-genre'd games, it is handled very delicately and most admins caught in such situations will be almost immediately removed.
The final decision on rule-breaking always depends on circumstance and context. But few rules of thumb can be used to better understand Verdict's laws:


== Things to Keep in Mind ==
*Staff are held to a much higher standard than players, especially in areas relating to abuse of power and cheating.
Generally speaking, the average player will not run into problems with the rules listed below. If you find that you are continually encountering problems with them, understand that they were designed with the average player in mind, and what their ideal experience might look like- if you're killing newbies, causing random and OOCly pointless death/chaos, arguing with players and admins for hours on end, etc.? The rules were most likely not made with your ideal experience taken into consideration, and the administration has no intention to waver from that standard. Show your fellow players respect and you'll coast without issue.
*The goal of Verdict is to create an enjoyable and entertaining story collaboratively between a community of players. This story should be, while realistic, fair and reasonable to all individuals involved.
*Do not go out of your way to harass, abuse, or discomfort other players. Staff regulate toxicity to prevent these all-around negative experiences.


This goes for admins, moderators, and any other with power as well- don't be a bully just because you have a spawn or edit command. You're held to higher standards than everyone else in the game, and if you decide to abuse that fact, you'll be demoted in no time. The best is expected of you, especially given that you're relied upon to judge and condemn other players who may or may not be either completely innocent or completely in the wrong.
== General Policy ==


== The Rules ==
'''0.)''' Even if you haven't committed a single bannable rulebreak, you may still be punished for the sum of prior actions. A history of bad behavior, smaller infractions, toxicity and otherwise may result in staff action despite said prior actions not individually mandating a ban/mute/etc.
The rules will be split into a few different sections depending on which portion of the playerbase they're meant to impact. They'll be labeled accordingly, with the less-popular roles (such as administration) being placed toward the bottom as fewer people will need to review those periodically. The initial section, as should be fairly obvious by title alone, will fixate upon ''all'' players- admins, mods, etc. included- as it is a blanket statement for all Verdict roleplay.


== Roleplay Rules ==
'''1.)''' Don't be a dick. We're here to have fun. Try to treat other players with the same level of respect you’d want yourself.
# '''Inappropriate Roleplay will be removed from scene on-sight, and the perpetrator will be either warned or banned depending on the severity of the offense.'''
#:'Inappropriate Roleplay' in this context will include all of the following:
#:*Erotic Roleplay of any type or description, where 'Erotic Roleplay' is a roleplay which depicts intercourse or other sexual contact.
#:*Nudity, while not explicitly 'inappropriate', must be done tastefully, and should support a narrative or point. Otherwise, it would fall under rule #1.
#:*Torture Roleplay, while also not explicitly 'inappropriate', becomes inappropriate as soon as the recipient of said torture roleplay indicates they are no longer compliant. If the roleplay proceeds, they have a right to enact this rule themselves and forcefully terminate the scene.
#:*Gore Roleplay of any kind inherits the same ruling as torture roleplay.
#:*Birthing Roleplay is not considered 'inappropriate'. However, as with nudity, it should be done tastefully and outside of a public space. If either of these conditions are not followed, the roleplay becomes inappropriate. An excess of detail would qualify such a roleplay as not tasteful.
#:*Bodily Fluids (including but not limited to: urine, feces, semen, and menstrual material) must never be mentioned in any roleplay, be it public or private. It will be regarded as the most inappropriate brand of erotic roleplay and likely result in the banning of the perpetrator(s).
#:*Sexual Rape/Molestation RP, with an unwilling OOC partner, may be forcefully terminated by any involved or uninvolved party at any time. Sexual Rape/Molestation RP with a willing OOC partner must not be conducted in or around the game itself.
#:* Drug Roleplay is not inappropriate ''as long as'' the drugs involved are lore-compliant. OOC (and thus ICly nonexistent) drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, etc. may not be used in the context of Verdict RP.
#:*Prostitution Roleplay is permitted so long as the roleplay never delves into the acts themselves. A player or character may note that they are a prostitute but they may not describe the implication with any sort of excessive depth.
#:Understand that while the above forms of roleplay are certainly prohibited (or not, depending on the specific case), they are likely not absent ICly. That being said, simply because these things happen ICly does not mean that it is allowed to happen OOCly. Rape, for instance, assuredly happens in any setting, but that doesn't make it acceptable for you to rape an unfortunate player OOCly. We understand this 'detracts' from full realism, but we also do not ''want'' that sort of full realism in Verdict RP.
#'''Significant lore-breaking of any sort is punishable after repeat offenses as the administration deems fit.'''
#:'Significant lore-breaking' in this context includes three primary sects:
#:*'God-modding', or deciding that your character is capable of something they are simply not. This is a loose category and does not apply to minor instances (e.g. overestimating the size of a fireball one could create)- it is reserved for when a player outright ignores the actions of another without significant level difference. Even then, said player should at least acknowledge said action(s). It is also applicable in outrageous cases (e.g. destroying entire towns or villages in a single post).
#:*'Metagaming', or pretending/acting as if your character is aware of knowledge that they are not. This can include basically any subject so long as a character should not be aware of something, but somehow is- regardless of that fact. Metagaming should be resolved specifically by seeing to it that the character roleplays correctly, without the metagamed knowledge in question.
#:*:As a subsect of metagaming: any IC inclusion of LOOC chatter (e.g. taking something says about their character OOCly and using it against them ICly) is explicitly banned and can be refused/ignored by the victim of said act.
#:*'Time manipulation', or, in other words, deciding for other players what time it is ICly. As Verdict's timescale is too fast to be remotely 1:1 (it's something like 52:1 instead), it is up to players to decide the timing of a scene amongst themselves. Time manipulation is not as much of an issue as god-modding or metagaming, but it should still be understood that timing is something agreed-upon- not something one individual decides for everyone else.
#'''A given scene, action, post, or roleplay may only be retcon'd if every participant is in agreement, or if a rule was broken in said post/act/etc.'''
#:The exception to this rule is if a roleplay has been forced into escrow by continual invocation of the above. In such a case, the roleplay may be retcon'd. Players must not be held hostage with rule #3. Administration may also forcefully retcon a scene if it is time-pertinent and involved parties seem unlikely to reconcile quickly.


</p>
'''2.)''' Staff rulings should be abided by in the moment. If you have an issue with a certain staff decision, please use the Appeals forum rather than arguing in-game.
 
== Gameplay Rules ==
 
===Traveling Rules===
*'''[Travel Size]''' - You may not travel into neutral or hostile territories in a group of 5 or more players.
 
*'''[Travel Time]''' - The IC size of the island isn't fully represented mechanically. Meaning it'd take IC time to get from one place to another. For example, if you run from the scene of a fight to a town and back, you'd more than likely not be allowed to rejoin the scene.
 
*'''[Everything is IC]''' - You cannot be in a location OOCLY. You are icly wherever your character is, unless deemed otherwise by a moderator.
 
*'''[On Hiding Behind Trees]''' - You may not hide behind trees with the intent of starting a hostile scene, with anyone. This includes but is not limited to, finding a fugitive, ganking, tax collecting, and a whole lot more. A good rule of thumb is, only hide behind a tree if you're going afk.
 
===Scene Locks===
 
*'''[Scene Locking]''' - A scene lock occurs when Hostile Intent is declared in a scene. At that moment, the only people who are allowed to continue participation in the scene are those who roleplayed in it before the scene lock was declared.
**The Scene Lock resolves when all eligible combats have resolved. Everyone who fought is allowed a free flee (the ability to run without rolling /flee).
 
===Combat Rules===
 
*'''[Potions]''' - In PVP Scenarios, most potions are allowed to be used prior to a fight. Nothing may be used in the middle of a fight unless agreed to by your opponent.
**The exception are potions that refund spells or stat points, these cannot be used prior to, or in the middle of, a fight.
 
===Prisoner Rules===
*'''[Prisoner RP]''' - You are expected to roleplay with your prisoners. If the prisoner of an individual, group, or faction, goes without RP for a long enough period of time, they may be given a free escape. This will come with a warning beforehand.
 
== Punishable Offenses ==
 
===Inappropriate Roleplay===
 
 
''Content that detracts from the overall quality of the game and the enjoyment of other players. Examples include, but are not limited to:''
 
*'''[ERP/Sexual RP]''' This includes (but is not limited to), most notably, ERP. Romantic RP (hand-holding, kissing, cuddling, etc.) is perfectly acceptable, but if things are getting raunchy (NSFW), keep it in private. If you think you're going too far, you probably are. Public cases of ERP are handled much more severely than private cases. '''Also, note, your character needs to be of age (18/Young Adult age tag).'''
 
*'''[Gross/Disturbing RP]''' RPing gross, shocking, or morally reprehensible topics. This includes (but is not limited to) fetish RP, extreme gore, sexual RP toward minors and similar. If you think the people you're RPing with wouldn't appreciate it, you probably shouldn't do it. If someone asks you OOC to stop RPing something that’s making them uncomfortable, please be considerate and do so.
 
*'''[Lore Breaking]''' Making up your own setting without approval and ignoring established story isn't allowed, though '''small, character-related details may be constructed without approval (family backgrounds, minor factions, etc.)'''. This rule also prohibits over the top joke characters and characters from other mediums.
 
*'''[God Modding]''' Deciding your character may act outside of their physical boundaries or deciding other characters' actions for them is strictly prohibited in Verdict. This rule also prohibits deciding the time, location, NPCs present, and other essential details of a scene without approval from other involved parties.
 
*'''[NSFW References]''' Player profiles should be safe for work. In other words, character profiles shouldn't contain explicit artwork, and especially not of real people. This extends to excessive gore (doubly so in the latter case).
 
*'''[Important Note]''' You can always consult with admins before posting if you're curious as to whether something would be considered inappropriate or not.
 
=== Poor Conduct ===
 
''Toxic and uncooperative interactions with other players. Examples include, but are not limited to:''
 
*'''[RP Evasion]''' Logging off or walking away from scenes to avoid conflict or unfavorable circumstances for your character is harshly punished, usually with a permanent ban.
 
*'''[Powergaming]''' Setting out with the singular intent of boosting your character's stats or build, playing only to win battles against other players, or otherwise betraying RP and story in favor of elevating your mechanics is extraordinarily disrespectful to other players and harms their experience distinctly. This rule includes targeting players of a significantly lower level.
 
*'''[OOC Harassment]''' Stalking, verbally assaulting, intentionally lying about, or otherwise abusing a player for any reason is abhorrent. While not inherently connected to Verdict, attempting to learn who someone is in real life (doxxing), pressuring someone into a sexual situation, or spreading false rumors about an individual within its community will be treated as a rulebreak of high severity. This rule also includes sharing logs of private scenes without a participating player's consent.
 
*'''[Disruptive Behavior]''' Attempting to derail or undermine a scene or event is obnoxious and will see you removed from the premises. Questions are welcome, random OOC arguing is not. If there's a problem, as always, contact an admin before attempting to resolve it with insults.
 
=== Cheating & Exploitation ===
 
''Breaking game mechanics for the sake of unfair advantage. Examples include, but are not limited to:''
 
*'''[Exploiting Bugs]''' or other unintended gameplay. Reporting these immediately is your best course of action. '''If you want to test a bug, you must talk to Roomy or staff first. DO NOT TEST BUGS WITHOUT FIRST TELLING STAFF. Doing so will almost certainly get you banned- and no, "I forgot to say something" is not an excuse.'''
 
*'''[RP Spamming]''' Posting the same RP over and over again for EXP. Even if you were to add on more to it, every RP you post should be mostly, if not totally, unique.
 
*The use of outside programs to affect the game.
 
*'''[Alt Interaction]''' Making multiple characters with the intention to meet up, exchange items, roleplay together, share information, and so on is explicitly bannable. Having multiple characters is fine, but making them interact with eachother is not.
 
*'''[Account Sharing]''' Sharing your account with another player, for any reason, is not allowed.
 
*'''[Metagaming]''' Using OOC information ICly is one of the most common cases of cheating, and is thusly one of the most harshly punished. Just because you know something doesn't mean your character does/would. This includes, especially so, using information from one alt character on another.
 
*'''[Important Note]''' Cheating is one of the most harshly punished offenses in Verdict. I have gone to extreme lengths to document numerous possible avenues for cheating via an anticheat system. The triggers for said system are not and will not be mentioned, so consider this bullet-point fair warning: if you're caught cheating or bug-abusing without making it very clear you're just trying to bug-test, you're liable to be automatically, permanently, and irreversibly banned. I will personally overrule approved ban appeals if they involve a dangerous cheater.
 
=== Staff-Specific ===
 
*'''[Power Abuse]''' Using staff privileges to gain an advantage over players. While some indirect influence is unfortunately impossible to avoid, explicit and direct influence for aforementioned reasons will be harshly punished. This typically results in a stripping of all privileges.
 
*'''[Cheating]''' Attempting to break the game or exploit bugs for an advantage over players. Given admins have access to freeform item and stat manipulating tools, they're under even higher scrutiny for cheating. The severity of the case usually doesn't make a difference. The staff member is permanently blacklisted from roles and permanently banned.
 
*'''[Status Abuse]''' Using reputation to influence players. This obviously depends quite a bit on context (as well as how intentionally it was done), but the more severe cases, such as leveraging staff reputation for favors or to change opinions, will result in the staff member being blacklisted from roles and stripped of all privileges.
 
*'''[Private Info]''' Sharing private IC or OOC player information will result in a variety of punishments for the staff member in question depending on the severity of the context.
 
*'''[Important Note 1]''' If a staff member is caught abusing their privileges or cheating in any way, I reserve the right to inform the community as to why the staff member has been let go. Step-downs and misunderstandings will not be reported on, but I will not forcefully remove a staff member without explaining why after.
 
*'''[Important note 2]'''  Being staff doesn't make you better than the players, and being staff isn't something that comes and goes because of "veteran status" or because of personal opinion about the staff member in question. Being staff should also not be looked at as a reward for good conduct. Staff roles are, simply put, volunteer positions that may sometimes require more participants- and sometimes less, too. Staff are not always let go because of bad favor or rulebreaks.

Latest revision as of 02:50, 7 February 2022

The final decision on rule-breaking always depends on circumstance and context. But few rules of thumb can be used to better understand Verdict's laws:

  • Staff are held to a much higher standard than players, especially in areas relating to abuse of power and cheating.
  • The goal of Verdict is to create an enjoyable and entertaining story collaboratively between a community of players. This story should be, while realistic, fair and reasonable to all individuals involved.
  • Do not go out of your way to harass, abuse, or discomfort other players. Staff regulate toxicity to prevent these all-around negative experiences.

General Policy

0.) Even if you haven't committed a single bannable rulebreak, you may still be punished for the sum of prior actions. A history of bad behavior, smaller infractions, toxicity and otherwise may result in staff action despite said prior actions not individually mandating a ban/mute/etc.

1.) Don't be a dick. We're here to have fun. Try to treat other players with the same level of respect you’d want yourself.

2.) Staff rulings should be abided by in the moment. If you have an issue with a certain staff decision, please use the Appeals forum rather than arguing in-game.

Gameplay Rules

Traveling Rules

  • [Travel Size] - You may not travel into neutral or hostile territories in a group of 5 or more players.
  • [Travel Time] - The IC size of the island isn't fully represented mechanically. Meaning it'd take IC time to get from one place to another. For example, if you run from the scene of a fight to a town and back, you'd more than likely not be allowed to rejoin the scene.
  • [Everything is IC] - You cannot be in a location OOCLY. You are icly wherever your character is, unless deemed otherwise by a moderator.
  • [On Hiding Behind Trees] - You may not hide behind trees with the intent of starting a hostile scene, with anyone. This includes but is not limited to, finding a fugitive, ganking, tax collecting, and a whole lot more. A good rule of thumb is, only hide behind a tree if you're going afk.

Scene Locks

  • [Scene Locking] - A scene lock occurs when Hostile Intent is declared in a scene. At that moment, the only people who are allowed to continue participation in the scene are those who roleplayed in it before the scene lock was declared.
    • The Scene Lock resolves when all eligible combats have resolved. Everyone who fought is allowed a free flee (the ability to run without rolling /flee).

Combat Rules

  • [Potions] - In PVP Scenarios, most potions are allowed to be used prior to a fight. Nothing may be used in the middle of a fight unless agreed to by your opponent.
    • The exception are potions that refund spells or stat points, these cannot be used prior to, or in the middle of, a fight.

Prisoner Rules

  • [Prisoner RP] - You are expected to roleplay with your prisoners. If the prisoner of an individual, group, or faction, goes without RP for a long enough period of time, they may be given a free escape. This will come with a warning beforehand.

Punishable Offenses

Inappropriate Roleplay

Content that detracts from the overall quality of the game and the enjoyment of other players. Examples include, but are not limited to:

  • [ERP/Sexual RP] This includes (but is not limited to), most notably, ERP. Romantic RP (hand-holding, kissing, cuddling, etc.) is perfectly acceptable, but if things are getting raunchy (NSFW), keep it in private. If you think you're going too far, you probably are. Public cases of ERP are handled much more severely than private cases. Also, note, your character needs to be of age (18/Young Adult age tag).
  • [Gross/Disturbing RP] RPing gross, shocking, or morally reprehensible topics. This includes (but is not limited to) fetish RP, extreme gore, sexual RP toward minors and similar. If you think the people you're RPing with wouldn't appreciate it, you probably shouldn't do it. If someone asks you OOC to stop RPing something that’s making them uncomfortable, please be considerate and do so.
  • [Lore Breaking] Making up your own setting without approval and ignoring established story isn't allowed, though small, character-related details may be constructed without approval (family backgrounds, minor factions, etc.). This rule also prohibits over the top joke characters and characters from other mediums.
  • [God Modding] Deciding your character may act outside of their physical boundaries or deciding other characters' actions for them is strictly prohibited in Verdict. This rule also prohibits deciding the time, location, NPCs present, and other essential details of a scene without approval from other involved parties.
  • [NSFW References] Player profiles should be safe for work. In other words, character profiles shouldn't contain explicit artwork, and especially not of real people. This extends to excessive gore (doubly so in the latter case).
  • [Important Note] You can always consult with admins before posting if you're curious as to whether something would be considered inappropriate or not.

Poor Conduct

Toxic and uncooperative interactions with other players. Examples include, but are not limited to:

  • [RP Evasion] Logging off or walking away from scenes to avoid conflict or unfavorable circumstances for your character is harshly punished, usually with a permanent ban.
  • [Powergaming] Setting out with the singular intent of boosting your character's stats or build, playing only to win battles against other players, or otherwise betraying RP and story in favor of elevating your mechanics is extraordinarily disrespectful to other players and harms their experience distinctly. This rule includes targeting players of a significantly lower level.
  • [OOC Harassment] Stalking, verbally assaulting, intentionally lying about, or otherwise abusing a player for any reason is abhorrent. While not inherently connected to Verdict, attempting to learn who someone is in real life (doxxing), pressuring someone into a sexual situation, or spreading false rumors about an individual within its community will be treated as a rulebreak of high severity. This rule also includes sharing logs of private scenes without a participating player's consent.
  • [Disruptive Behavior] Attempting to derail or undermine a scene or event is obnoxious and will see you removed from the premises. Questions are welcome, random OOC arguing is not. If there's a problem, as always, contact an admin before attempting to resolve it with insults.

Cheating & Exploitation

Breaking game mechanics for the sake of unfair advantage. Examples include, but are not limited to:

  • [Exploiting Bugs] or other unintended gameplay. Reporting these immediately is your best course of action. If you want to test a bug, you must talk to Roomy or staff first. DO NOT TEST BUGS WITHOUT FIRST TELLING STAFF. Doing so will almost certainly get you banned- and no, "I forgot to say something" is not an excuse.
  • [RP Spamming] Posting the same RP over and over again for EXP. Even if you were to add on more to it, every RP you post should be mostly, if not totally, unique.
  • The use of outside programs to affect the game.
  • [Alt Interaction] Making multiple characters with the intention to meet up, exchange items, roleplay together, share information, and so on is explicitly bannable. Having multiple characters is fine, but making them interact with eachother is not.
  • [Account Sharing] Sharing your account with another player, for any reason, is not allowed.
  • [Metagaming] Using OOC information ICly is one of the most common cases of cheating, and is thusly one of the most harshly punished. Just because you know something doesn't mean your character does/would. This includes, especially so, using information from one alt character on another.
  • [Important Note] Cheating is one of the most harshly punished offenses in Verdict. I have gone to extreme lengths to document numerous possible avenues for cheating via an anticheat system. The triggers for said system are not and will not be mentioned, so consider this bullet-point fair warning: if you're caught cheating or bug-abusing without making it very clear you're just trying to bug-test, you're liable to be automatically, permanently, and irreversibly banned. I will personally overrule approved ban appeals if they involve a dangerous cheater.

Staff-Specific

  • [Power Abuse] Using staff privileges to gain an advantage over players. While some indirect influence is unfortunately impossible to avoid, explicit and direct influence for aforementioned reasons will be harshly punished. This typically results in a stripping of all privileges.
  • [Cheating] Attempting to break the game or exploit bugs for an advantage over players. Given admins have access to freeform item and stat manipulating tools, they're under even higher scrutiny for cheating. The severity of the case usually doesn't make a difference. The staff member is permanently blacklisted from roles and permanently banned.
  • [Status Abuse] Using reputation to influence players. This obviously depends quite a bit on context (as well as how intentionally it was done), but the more severe cases, such as leveraging staff reputation for favors or to change opinions, will result in the staff member being blacklisted from roles and stripped of all privileges.
  • [Private Info] Sharing private IC or OOC player information will result in a variety of punishments for the staff member in question depending on the severity of the context.
  • [Important Note 1] If a staff member is caught abusing their privileges or cheating in any way, I reserve the right to inform the community as to why the staff member has been let go. Step-downs and misunderstandings will not be reported on, but I will not forcefully remove a staff member without explaining why after.
  • [Important note 2] Being staff doesn't make you better than the players, and being staff isn't something that comes and goes because of "veteran status" or because of personal opinion about the staff member in question. Being staff should also not be looked at as a reward for good conduct. Staff roles are, simply put, volunteer positions that may sometimes require more participants- and sometimes less, too. Staff are not always let go because of bad favor or rulebreaks.
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