The rules of Shattered Kingdoms are designed to ensure that the game remains a fun, fair, and enjoyable environment for a diverse player base. Shattered Kingdoms is not a public service of the Internet, and the administrators reserve the right to delete characters or ban players to preserve this expectation. The rules below operate alongside the Terms of Service, interpretations documented on the forums, and the judgment of staff members.
The rules help files were last updated on 2016-9-13.
1. WHEATON’S LAW
“Don’t be a dick.”
Shattered Kingdoms thrives on conflict and character interaction. While diversity in character behavior and concepts is encouraged, this rule is directed toward the behavior of the players. Players need to respect that behind every character is another human being, and that everyone is here to enjoy themselves. All players should behave with a spirit of good sportsmanship that is founded on respect – respect for your allies and enemies, the rules, the game staff, and even your own character. This applies both in winning AND losing. Throwing a tantrum after being defeated is bad sportsmanship.
2. ROLE PLAYING
Role playing is absolutely mandatory for all actions taken in the in-character world, not only player killing. See relevant help files for further details. Enforceable minimum expectations when dealing with other players in the game include:
- Role play all conflicts. While player killing is legal, it is considered a violation of Rule 1 to refuse to engage in dialogue with your victims. Characters have the right to understand why they were targeted.
- Keep character interactions and motivations IC (in character), and separate from OOC (out of character) player interactions and motivations.
- Out-of-character communication should be avoided in all situations, but especially in public conversation. In the rare situation where it is used, it should always be prefixed with an ooc: tag.
3. NO SEXUAL HARASSMENT
An extension of Rule 1, sexual harassment is an absolute disregard for another Shattered Kingdoms player and will not be tolerated. Harassment can occur in or out of character, and either will result in a site ban. While the game allows adult content, in-character sexual actions must be engaged with the consent of all participants. If you are told that your advances are unwelcome, you must cease immediately or face a site ban.
4. NO MULTIPLAYING
While players may have as many characters as they wish, they may operate only one character at any given time, and the characters must operate completely independently of one another.
It is against the rules to transfer equipment, coins or knowledge between your own characters. Proxy connections to the MUD allow players to circumvent this rule and are thus forbidden.
5. NO BOTS OR CHARACTER AUTOMATION
The use of automation to send commands to the MUD creates an unfair advantage. As such, ALL triggers that automate the entry of ANY command to the game are illegal. However, client features like mapping or highlighting are deemed valid as they affect only the player’s view of the game world rather than his or her interactions within it. Violations of this rule, no matter how small, will result in character deletion.
6. NO EXPLOITATION OF BUGS OR GAME MECHANICS
The essence of Shattered Kingdoms has always been and will continue to be the role play that drives the Pyrathian world. As the game is built of code and scripts, occasionally there are mechanical possibilities that are inconsistent with the desired role play environment. Should you encounter a mechanical tactic that you feel works around realistic role play, please report it via email to an administrator. The staff will confirm whether these mechanics are valid or unintended, and work from there to remedy the situation.
Exploits will be punished with deletion. These include, but are not limited to:
- Forcing characters to confirm cabal or religious membership through guardians or spells.
- Organizing groups of aggressive or tribunal NPCs out of their starting points.
- Using life-giving skills in a malicious manner
- Abuse of the request skill
7. NO SPAMMING OR HACKING OF THE GAME
Spamming is the continuous or repetitive printing of something to the screen, either in an attempt to annoy other players or to gain an advantage over them. Hacking is defined as an attempt to gain unauthorized access to resources of the game, including characters of other players. More than two attempts to access a character using an invalid password will result in an investigation regarding possible hacking. Players found guilty of spamming will be punished with demotion when used for annoyance, and deletion when used to gain advantage. Those found guilty of hacking will be punished by site ban.