Talk:PvP Combat (Rules)

Updated 5/22/24: The server this season allows both "Attack on Sight" as well as "RP before PvP". There is a War Mode tag under your RP profile (Shift-R) that can be set for "attack on sight". However, the DEFAULT for the server this season is to utilize RP first PvP Intent rules.

Rule Overview

PvP Intent is the Default

War Mode only applies if everyone is in war mode, otherwise PvP Intent is the lowest common denominator.

Vargor Village Proper

As indicated on the map overlay in game, the Village Proper area of Vargor is No PvP. However, that restriction is on the initiation of PvP and the area can not be used as a "safe zone" to flee into from outside the area. (Please try to avoid fleeing into this area as it maybe confusing or disconcerting to new players.)

If PvP Intent is called while within the Village Proper, the group must move to either the arena on Telith's Island or outside of the Village Proper zone. See PvP_Intent in Vargor's Village Proper

Valid Gorean Reason

Your reason for attacking must be within Gorean guidelines. Please note below the restriction on causes for those new to Gor.

Stealing Items

Players are allowed to take items off your body when you are unconscious or bound. You are required to allow access to this. More details on what is generally taken and what isn't can be found here.

Fast Travel

It is unacceptable to use /warp, /home, /return or any other mechanical exit during a PvP fight -- including logging off. Please wait until the scene is completed and normal IC/OOC dialog is possible. If in doubt ask the other players.

It is acceptable to escape via a caravan, however a full role-play post of no less then 3 sentences should be made before hand - allowing your attacker a chance to catch up and to simulate the fact that joining a caravan is not instantaneous.

Loading In

It is never acceptable to attack someone while they are loading in. If an avatar logs in, warps in, or anything else that would naturally require the area to LOAD - don't attack them with out making sure they are able to respond.

This is not to say caravans are safe zones - they are not. But attacking someone who just arrived at a caravan point is not okay. You must give them a sporting chance and not use game lag to your advantage.

Down is NOT out

• A knock out does not imply the inability to get back up and either flee or fight. However, a knock out will generate a 5 minute wounded debuff that will take 100 points of stamina and 200 points of health. This should keep the fight from being overly prolonged.
• If you want a player to stay down you are required to bind them using mechanical bindings or extend their unconscious timer.
• You can also "finish the player" when they are knocked out. Note: this will issue a Conan death and send the player back to their bed/bedroll - they are NOT require to return if you do this.
• Aiding someone while they are knocked out is also a valid part of the fight.

Role-Play Wounds

Until we have a mechanized system to apply wounds intended to be role-played we are not forcing people to role-play wounds received from PvP/PvE.

What does this mean?

• It is on each person to choose what wounds they take from being mechanically attacked via PvP/PvE.
• However, any wound attempt made in direct role-play should, within reason, be respected and responded to.
• Getting wounded in a fight HAPPENS - we will trust you to figure out how best to enjoy that. However, never getting wounded may result in a moderation call for "avoiding role-play". Please give our physicians some role-play.
• Once we have implemented the rest of the suite of ToT tools we will likely be implementing a more sophisticated wound system to server the needs of the server.

War Mode

War mode is NOT a free pass to avoid role-play. Most of our community role-plays both before and after PvP even when in war mode. Match the spirit of the community that puts role-play over PvP.

Opt-in Warmode for AOS Consent

Barbarians of Gor is primarily an RP before the PvP server and requires PvP Intent declaration. However, at least half of our community prefers AOS (Attack on Sight), allowing the role-play to flow organically before or after. Consequently, we have implemented a status in RPR (Role play Redeux Shift-R) that allows an individual to toggle on and off “war mode” as desired. There will be no further rules about when the role-play should occur nor how long that roleplay should last, however, significant and satisfying role-play is required along with any PvP War Mode activity. If a player is reported more than three times for not giving quality role-play they will have their option to use War Mode revoked, and possibly be removed from the server.

PvP Intent

If you or your opponent are not BOTH specifically tagged as in "War Mode" then PvP Intent is the default server rule for PvP Conflict intiation.

1. Significant and satisfying role-play is required. That means a reasonable exchange of posts. Less than three exchanges of RP posts is cause for challenging a player with a failure to role-play. (Do this by opening a ticket with screen shots.)
2. You must indicated your ooc intention to attack such as ((PvP Intent)) and then wait for an agreement such as ((PVP Accept)) or ((PVP Surrender)) BEFORE attacking.
3. Once ((PvP intent)) is declared all players in hearing CHAT range are required to stay in the area. The scene is considered locked and players may not leave without declaring ((PvP Flee)).

Running before (PvP Intent) is declared

If ((PvP Intent)) is not yet declared you are allowed to run at any point during the RP exchange but you must post an emote about running and finish the post with either ((PvP Flee)) or ((RP Flee)). ((PvP Flee)) gives them permission to attack you, ((RP Flee)) assumes you will run a reasonable distance and wait for them to "catch up".

If you typed ((RP Flee)) they can chase you and continue to role-play

• They can't "fast post" ((PvP Intent)) just to stop you
• They can not just hack you down or shoot you in the back
• If they continue to chase you, you may not log off, warp, or run full tilt across the map to avoid the role-play. You can however get to your home and lock yourself in.

If you declare ((PvP Flee)) at the end of your post you are giving them permission to hunt you down and attack you mechanically.

• PvP Flee comes at the end of YOUR post, not in the middle of them posting, play fair and make sure they actually saw it before you take off!
• If they whisper and ask for RP hints such as a trail to follow, give it to them - fleeing headlong WILL leave tracks.

Running without declaring either will assume to mean ((PvP Flee)), not ((RP Flee))

• Please note: Running without role-play at all falls under our must role-play rules and is not allowed.
• Incase it wasn't clear: Non of this applies if everyone is in War Mode.

PvP Intent Declared: Scene is Locked

Once ((PvP Intent)) is declared you can not leave the scene until you respond with one of the following options. Please note that if you are in HEARING range of the chat and can see ((PvP Intent)) declared you are obligated to respond even if you are in a building, up a tree, or at a crafting station.

Please respond quickly with your declaration - do not take the time to type up a RP post. If you type fast, then adding a quick emote is fine.

• PVP Join (sometimes known as PVP Accept) - player will fight.
• PVP Surrender - player will abide by victor’s instructions without fighting. (Should emote sit to show you have surrendered and are not accidentally attacked)
• PVP Flee - player intends to run with the understanding that mechanical PVP is now in play.
• PVP Abstain (observers and captives only) - declaring an informal intent to merely observe without fighting. You must move from the fight area and not interfere in any way in the scene or the PVP.

Please Note: You may no longer declare ((RP Flee)) at this time as this is used only when a player wishes to flee through RP and is not viable once ((PvP Intent)) is declared. ((RP Flee)) is generally reserved for 1 on 1 situations.

• PvP Hold - this command should be used sparingly and only when crucial OOC information is needed or the minimum rounds of RP posts has not been completed. Once someone declare's hold, PvP Go can not happen.
• PvP Go - this command is issued by the person to first declare PvP Intent and should happen after all the other's in the area have responded. Once PvP Go has been typed the fight begins.

Play fair guys. Seriously. Don't try to game the rules, be a rules lawyer or anything of the like.

PvP Intent Declared: Scene MOVED

Sometimes the scene will move from where it began to a new location. When this happens the scene is no longer locked. It is unrealistic to expect players to ignore a fight if it rolls up on them - especially if it involves a clan mate.

To be clear this situation is for when a fight already in progress moves from where it began and rolls up ONTO you. If you roll up on a fight already in play you may not join. This is to stop people from calling friends to help out of character.

In this case, a judgement call needs to be made.

• Is it time to call a RP Hold and re-issue intent?
• Will a quick ((PvP Join)) by the new player be enough?
• Or will you simply acknowledge the fact that there are now valid reinforcements and retreat?

PvP Intent in Vargor's Village Proper

If ((PvP Intent)) is issued in town the following scenarios are the most by the book:

• Free man to Free Man - this is assumed to be a challenge to a duel and the two men will need to leave the city area or go to the arena to fight. ((PvP Accept))
• Free man to Free Woman or Slave with NPC Thralls - this is assumed to be a challenge to the Free Woman's Guards (NPC Thralls) or the Free Man (NPC Thrall) who is with the slave, and it is a handled just the same as Free man to Free man with the player RPing the response of their thralls. ((PvP Accept))
• Free man to Free Woman (or disguised panther girl) without Guards - Free women are protected within the walls of the city and can pretty much say and do what they wish. If however, they are acting in ways that would be considered conduct unbecoming a free woman, they should be coffled (collared with rope) and take to the town hall for review by the town administration. They are NOT enslaved at this point and should be treated with the respect due a free woman. ((PvP Surrender))
• Free man to slave without Guards - Slaves are not required to have guards while traveling in town. However, they can be punished for any infraction by any free person and are expected to submit to the punishment. ((PvP Surrender))
• Free man to suspected panther without Guards - They are most likely to flee and should be allowed to! They may also try and keep up the pretense they are free women and accept a coffle and trip to the magistrate. ((PvP Flee)) or ((PvP Surrender))

Capture

See Also

Capture (Rules)

Capture and Dueling

In Gor, you should assumed that any attack will end in the looser being captured. In the case of things like duels, which happen between free men only, capture isn't as likely but the results of the duel should be negotiated before hand IN CHARACTER. Fictionally, a kill or defeat is common for duels. Formal duels between those of Torvaldsland are more complex and have associated traditions.

Note

NPC Thralls count as fictional free men unless they are a) female or b) wearing a collar on the NPC.

Capture/Coffle

Slaves, free men, panther girls and free women who are intended to be enslaved are COLLARED. Free Women who are being restrained awaiting punishment are COFFLED. A coffle is a rope collar that does not imply enslavement. Slavery is a Sliding Scale

Players are required to have and use the game tools to bind and collar another player. It can not JUST be in role-play as the mechanics of the equipment are considered part of the role-play of restraint and escape.

• If you can not get the items on the player before they wake up and they CAN run, they are allowed to run or re-join the fight.
• If the player has declared ((PvP Surrender)) then it is assumed you have the time you need to get the items on them - or just go with the role-play. To restate: If you PvP Surrender, you must give the player binding you the time to do it and not try and run half way thru it.

Further Restrictions

New to Gor

• If you are a man and new to Gor, there are two reasons for combat. Either the person is your enemy/target of honor or you are engaged in theft/capture. These are your only two options. You are obligated to make your reasons clear. Gor has a few examples of other causes for combat, however, the new to Gor role player would not know how to use them.
• Free women, with the exception of Panthers, have no cause to attack unless in a desperate situation.
• Panther Girls are well known to attack for theft/capture reasons.
• Female slaves only attack the free if ordered to by their owners, but may still be perma-deathed if their owners can't defend them.
• Male slaves only attack to earn their freedom, or to defend their owners, but may still be perma-deathed if their owners can't defend them.

If you are new to Gor and attack for any reason, other than this, be prepared to have your role-play challenged with a moderator.

Experienced Gorean Role Players

The books detail other rare causes for combat, including assassination, however, only an experienced, Gorean role player can navigate these exceptions skillfully. However, they can still be challenged, and should be prepared to respond.

Points of Courtesy

• If you are robbing someone, and they agree to give you what you asked for, there is no need for combat.
• If you are intending to capture somebody, and they agree to be bound, there is no need for combat.
• If you are unsure if the attack was intended or accidental it is best to have a polite OOC dialog to see what happened - and not assume.
• If you do not WANT the items acquired during a PvP encounter (for any reason) offer to return the items to the player.

Q & A

Can I play a mass murderer or serial killer?

No

Can I play an assassin?

We have some active black caste players, as well as rules for the caste. If you wish to play an assassin please say so in your application.

Does attacking a base or thralls/pets count as PvP?

First, attacking a base is more properly considered a Siege, however even intentional minor damage to a build would constitute a PvP attack and the rules here for role-play apply. Secondly, yes, an attack on a player's thralls/pets, either following a player or guarding a base, also constitutes a PvP attack and these rules would apply.

NOTE: Do not leave your pets, mounts or thralls unattended, especially where they can block the use of areas, as this is a valid reason to kill said unattended pet/mount/thrall. Further, it's a good idea to put your name or clan on the pet/mount/thrall so people CAN contact you. If you pet/mount/thrall IS killed in this manner for these reasons, you DO have the right to request the RP.

Is the clan event log considered IC knowledge?

Yes it is. It is assumed to be available knowledge to the character, likely from the local NPCs/thralls.

What if the attack was an accident?

It happens, and most of the time everyone will say no problem and handle it ooc. But they do not have to, in which case, you are responsible for the RP, as outlined here, as the agressor.

See Also

• PvP Combat (Rules) - As of Season 3 we are only a "RP before PvP" server, read the rules.
• Capture (Rules) - You've been captured? What are your RP rights? How long can it last, how do you escape?
• How to Capture - Capture in our game has mechanical functionality that you are expected to use, read this guide on the mechanics, how to set them up and how to use them.
• Mechanical Death - What does it mean if you die a mechanical death, is your character dead? Do you need to recreate your character?
• Perma-death/Maiming (Rules) - Your character can not be killed or maimed in an unplayable way without Admin agreement. See how this works.
• Stealing (Rules) - There are limits on what you can take after PvP. Otherwise, mechnical stealing from containers is disallowed. You may role-play stealing as long as you leave a note/clue.
• Sieging (Rules) - The storyline has developed to the point where our basic PvP Combat rules don't work? Learn how to start this process.

Season Four

Season Four has began. We are in the process of upgrading our educational offerings, streamlining the application process, and onboarding new players. As always the wiki is a work in progress. As of Jul 9th, a significant re-organization was made.