Shattered Kingdoms

Okay, I know I'm getting way ahead of myself here, but I wanted to hear from actual players about this before I invested too much time.

What is generally considered acceptable motivation/rp for pk? I've seen different standards in different games, including:

1) You're evil so you can kill anything you want without explanation.
2) You're of the light, and they're evil, so you can kill them without explanation.
3) Some sort of specific motivation is required.
4) Some sort of specific motivation and explanation (before or after) is required.
5) You have to send threatening tells, walk up to your victim, give a speech about why you hate them, and do four emotes before initiating pvp.
6) PvP is allowed but only really acceptable in extreme cases.

I imagine most pvp is between established enemies like members of factions who are at war. In that case, I'd imagine all bets are off? I'm asking about more isolated conflicts between individuals.

Also, is it considered poor form to gank someone who doesn't know who you are, even if you have ample reason to hate them?

Is it considered poor form to gank someone who knows you but doesn't expect you to attack them, even if you have ample ic reason to hate them?

Thanks in advance for your responses.

I've seen all of the above work, but generally speaking 3/4+ on your list is desired at the least.

I agree with The_me as a general rule on RPK, but don't be surprised if 1/2 happen also, but its frowned upon. "Just because I didn't tell you the reason I was going to kill doesn't mean I shouldn't kill you"

If you hate them, you hate them. Why should they be aware of it? There are currently at least 2 characters im looking for IC that might have an idea im after them, but if not I wont lose any sleep over it.

It would be nice to include them in the RP after (or before if your character chooses that route based on personality or alignment). I say it all is acceptable depending on circumstances.

Spies, assassins, and the like do not announce themselves, and may wish to make a hasty exit afterward.

hellions/paladins - preferably they know for the honors sake, sometimes though depending on the situation, its not possible. If you see a necromancer killing peolple, you dont stop to challenge him, you melt his face with BoG.

I say use your best judgement depending on the situation.

It's generally not acceptable to start PvP simply based upon alignment. Not even the hammer of light can just attack any old darkie they see. Cabal/tribunal affiliation, however, is fair game. If you know someone's a member of a group that you're at war with, gank away.

Even if playing a diabolic character, there has to be some reason besides alignment to back up the PK (which is part of what the last paragraph means, at least to everyone I have talked with). The other thing to take into account is the Deep-elf/Elf hatred, some will kill on sight, others will RP before killing, some will just RP, and some ignore the enmity file and try to back that up with RP.

Which, by the way, is impossible and should be cursed.

I ignore enmity all day. Pfft. Haven't you seen my logs? I am the best friend of ze elves.

I am amused at the idea of a very powerful elf constantly following around a dark elf and forcing them to try to reform everything they do. It's like the Marry Poppins of Enmity RP.

"Did you just eat that side of beef? Were you thinking vicious thoughts while you did? We cannot have that, oh no."

It may be able to be cursed, Le Petit Prince, but that can come down to he said/she said with the one incident I was thinking of when I wrote that. I honestly had an elf say to my character that they would never hate deep-elves. I gave them a chance to RP everything, but that just pushed her buttons, so she attacked simply to give a reason to change their mind. For me, personally, I consider elves I run across and they have to be worth the time and effort to attempt a PK on them, else it is simply RP until they are a "worthy challenge".

Now, to go hunt down those elves on my waiting list.