Player Interaction

Player Interaction
Rules
Section:	Basic Rules
Summary:	You shouldn't touch other players without permission, this is how we work with that fact.
Primary Topics:	This page contains rules for searching, dragging and restraining other characters without needing to touch another player

Players shouldn't be forced to touch one another or be actually restrained if they aren't comfortable with it, so these are the rules we use to handle those situations.

Searching Other Players

It's a pretty regular part of the genre that a defeated character is searched for valuables or something of note needs to get taken from a fallen villain. We refer to this as 'searching' a character. There are two types of searches: 'detailed' or 'physical'. The player initiating the search can ask which type of search the person being searched wants, or the player initiating the search can just go straight to a 'detailed' search if they don't want to do a 'physical' search.

After searching a non-player character, it is common practice to 'drag' the non-player character's body 'off into the woods', indicating that the character has been searched and allowing that non-player character to return to the logistics building to get assigned another role.

Detailed Searches

In a detailed search the person doing the searching describes where on the other player they are going to search.

Examples include (but are not limited to):

• Pouches
• Pockets
• Boots
• A character's hands
• Inside the character's mouth
• Anywhere else you think someone might have hidden valuables

It is often helpful to ask if anything on the target is glowing blue (magic items in game are all considered to be glowing blue, even if they don't glow in reality) just to narrow the search down. The player being searched is honor-bound to give up anything in the locations being searched.

Some players when acting as non-player characters make a habit of deciding their loot is in ridiculous locations that player characters will never check. This isn't in the spirit of the game. Not only is it bad for immersion, but when an NPC comes back to the logistics building with loot... that's a bad thing. You are making the job harder for the game masters who want to get that loot out to the players. Please don't be that person.

Physical Searches

In a 'physical' search players have to literally search their intended target, rifling through pockets trying to find the hidden loot. The player being searched has no obligation to help but can't hinder them either. A player being searched this way can opt to change to a detailed search at any time if they feel uncomfortable or otherwise don't wish to continue with the physical search.

No Search

A player can also simply opt to hand over anything lootable on them the moment a search is declared. This is particularly appropriate if the character being played turned into a pile of dust or similar situations.

Dragging Characters

In many role-playing game situations, there comes a time where despite every effort to avoid it... you have to get rid of the body. Or sometimes you are playing the sinister non-player character who is out to steal the corpse of a player character for some foul necromantic ritual. Whatever the reason, you are now in a circumstance where you need to drag the body of a character away.

Dragging a body can be done physically (actually dragging the player) only when both players consent. If either player doesn't want physical contact, then role-play dragging the character along. This should never be done at full speed; you're supposed to be carrying a body after all. Be sure to make sure the player of the body knows you are dragging them so they can follow along.

Restraining Other Players

At times in-game you will find that you wish to restrain another character. This can only be done to helpless or willing characters, there are no lasso mechanics. An appropriate prop is always required to restrain a character.

Physical Restraint

You are only allowed to physically restrain another player if they are willing to be physically restrained. If both parties agree to actual physical restraint, then the bound player may attempt to break free if they are able and can then role-play accordingly.

Role-Played Restraint

If either party does not wish to do real physical restraint or the means of restraint is an item that doesn't translate well to out-of-game restraining the person, then all involved should role-play the idea that the player is restrained but not physically do so. Players 'restrained' in this fashion SHOULD NOT attempt to break free, though they can role-play failing attempts to do so.

References

When Rules Call for "Role-Playing"

Role-playing can describe anything a character does in-game. Talking to other characters is role-playing. Walking from the inn to a merchant's shop is role-playing. Absolutely anything done in-character is role-playing.

When any game rule makes a reference to a requirement to 'role-play' an action, it means that there is no single right way to do that action but something in-character should be done to represent the task being performed. The goal of a rule requiring you to role-play a vaguely explained action is to give you the freedom to do that action however you see fit. What matters is that if someone happened to be looking on saw you doing that action they could reasonably guess what it is that you are doing. If you don't want people to guess what you are doing then do it stealthily, but still do it.

If you want to put a poison in someone's drink, there is no official way to do this. However, you need to role-play the action of pouring the poison into the drink. You are not required to have witnesses (in fact, you probably don't want any). So, you could take the person's cup and put it below the table before pretending to pour your 'poison' from its container into the drink. Or you could create a distraction then turn your 'poison' container upside down over the drink. We don't want to actually put anything in someone's real drink and that is why you only mime the actions through role-playing.

Players can role-play outside of game hours if they wish to, however when they do this there are no mechanics allowed. A character can't get attacked or cast spells when the game is not currently happening.

Examples of role-playing outside of an event include:

• Getting up early on Saturday during an event to chat.
• Chatting with other players outside of event about what your character is doing between events.
• RPing over discord or facebook with other players between events.
• Writing blog posts about your character.

These types of interactions are allowed and encouraged to help players define their character and how they interact with others, but they do not count towards role-playing skill advancement.

Categories: Basic Rules | Policies | Role-Playing Concepts