Rules

Thank you for your interest in playing on Sundren, a Neverwinter Nights 2 persistent world. In order to make the playing experience more uniform and fair for our players, we have established the following rules. Please familiarize yourself by these rules, and abide by them at all times.

Please contact a DM if you have any questions about any of the following rules.

Death Penalty

• XP may not be refunded for deaths that occur during lag, server crashing, etc. You may contact a DM if an issue like this occurs, but a resurrection is not a guarantee.

• Anyone who uses a Temple or Spell to resurrect from a non-PVP death can retain their IC memory of the event. This will enable you to remember where you and your party died, should there be a total party wipeout (TPK)
• Characters who respawn without assistance should be treated as afflicted by memory loss regarding the encounter that resulted in their death.

• Any players who metagame for the purpose of resurrection, whether getting one or giving one, will be taken back to level 3. No players should send tells to locate corpses. Additionally, using the Sending spell while dead is not allowed.

Farming

Farming is defined as repeatedly traveling across a particular zone, killing enemies for gaining XP, items, and/or gold. Players should spend no more than three hours fighting in a hostile area without breaking for at least an hour to “rest.”

Particularly, Sundren DMs will keep an eye out for the following farming behaviors:

• Killing unchallenging foes that grant no XP

• Getting extraordinarily wealthy from repeatedly killing foes.

• Killing foes alone (soloing) excessively, which adds no role play value to our community

Sundren may not always have a large playerbase online. However, if you are caught excessively farming, there will be repercussions.

Character Recreation

Players have the ability to recreate their characters from scratch, but XP, gold, and items may not be transferred without oversight and approval by a DM.

When classes and mechanics receive changes, supervised rebuilds will be permitted to affected characters.  When these occur, players should submit a Character Request on the forums listing the affected character and proposed rebuild changes.

PvP/CvC

• PvP combat is permitted everywhere in Sundren. However, you should consult with a DM before attacking in cities, towns, or highly-populated areas. Witnesses and guards might intervene, and it would be unfair to all parties involved to allow unintelligent, un-possessed NPCs to represent reactions to a violent conflict.

• Players must set the person they are attacking hostile. No exceptions. Because of engine mechanics, failure to do so may cause unfair advantages in combat. Nobody is allowed to PVP without Hostile set.

• Deaths resulting from PVP combat do not incur an experience penalty.

• Players must have an in-character reason to attack the person. “My char hates people” is not a valid reason. Retroactively creating excuses for killing characters or deliberately seeking out PVP without valid reason is considered griefing and will not be tolerated.

• Please do not engage in PVP if your target is in combat with NPCs unless you are affiliated with the NPCs’ faction. The AI is not smart enough to know there are two targets to attack instead of one, which creates an unrealistic match. If you are part of their faction, they wouldn’t attack you, so the rule is moot.

• “Buffing” or preparing for battle is considered a hostile action. Should a possible opponent begin buffing, you may immediately flag them hostile and begin PVP, bypassing any need for making them aware of impending attacks.

• Players may not use area transitions or other metagame knowledge to their advantage in PVP. For example, laying traps on or near an area transition, even with a road nearby, is not an option. This does not apply if there is a natural IC “bottleneck,” such as a narrow hallway, gate, doorway, etc.

• A player who flees through an area transition has left the conflict. When this occurs, the PVP event is considered over. You may use tells to ask the flee-er if they wish to continue the conflict. You may start a new PVP event if you encounter this person again later, but a reasonable amount of time must pass between these events (unless both players consent to continue). Never use the Follow tool or the Player Finder to track them down.

• Players do not have the right of refusal on PVP. If you feel the aggressor is being abusive, talk it out with them to understand their motives OOCly. We encourage players to consider the feelings of all parties involved while making PVP decisions, but the aggressor may, in the end, still assault the defender if it is warranted in-character. Neither level difference nor “carebearing” qualify as reasons to avoid PVP on Sundren, but we believe it is important to remember the feelings of everyone involved. If you still feel their PVP is unwarranted, contact a DM.

• Death from PVP will result in a memory loss unless the victim is raised or resurrected by another character at the location of their death immediately following the PVP event. Players may not contact other players OOCly for a resurrection, especially to retain memory of the conflict. Players who use a signus or respawn via an NPC lose all memory of the conflict and events leading up to it that might “finger” the villain. The purpose of this is so assassins and murders don’t have their dead targets coming back and ratting them out. Respawning is a courtesy that should not cost our characters in-character consequences.

• We do offer a subdual tool for players, where losing brings you to 1HP instead of death. This tool is meant to be used in-character–only use it if you do not mean to kill the person. Subdued players must role play that they are knocked unconscious by the victor unless otherwise agreed on by all involved. Subdued players must allow the victor to perform actions freely to their unconscious selves, including robbery and carrying their body somewhere else. Please see robbery rules below.

• Abusing PVP by repeatedly killing a character within a short period is considered griefing. Nor will we tolerate players who seek out PVP with OOC reasons. We do not consider level differences as griefing. Characters who win in PVP may not seek out the character they beat for PVP again for a 2 week period. However, if the loser seeks out the winner, the winner may react hostilely.

• Characters that are subdued or killed must allow the victor access to their inventory, but with restrictions, for OOC griefing reasons. Victors may take all of the victim’s gold OR a single item from their inventory (this includes worn and unworn items). Players are NOT allowed to ask “stats” on items; simply take whichever item your character thinks looks the most expensive or powerful. Players concerned about losing all their gold should be reminded about our in-game banking system.

Level discrepancy has no bearing on PVP. High levelers can PVP with low levelers.

Pickpocketing

Pick pocketing is not to be abused, repeatedly stealing from someone is considered harassment and abusive behavior.

Stealth

Stealth is a sensitive topic for many players. While we’d love to make people use stealth 100% realistically, asking so would hamper the effeciveness of stealth-based classes. At Sundren, we try to balance gameplay with realism in our approach to stealth.

• Roll Requests: The staff has reassessed its view on the game engine stealth mechanics. Do not request hide or move silently rolls, nor supply your own spot or listen checks. The stealther simply uses his stealth mode. So long as he attempted to hide outside of the target’s line of sight, the game will roll spot and listen automatically. You may request a listen roll for invisibility.

• Line of Sight: No one may spot stealthers without line of sight on the target. Even if the game engine makes your spot roll succeed, you cannot ICly point the stealthed character out if they are using full cover. Some examples include:

• • Stealthed character that has FULL cover (fully behind a wall from your position)

• • Stealthed character is behind you (consider peripheral vision to be a full 180 degrees, centered in the direction you are pointing)

• Proper Use of Stealth: Players who have successfully entered stealth mode may not spend any significant portion of time stealthed without using cover or concealment from in-game objects. Stealthed players may stay in stealth mode when moving from the cover or concealment of one object to another within reason, but never in full view of another PC or NPC they don’t wish to be seen by. Shadows (at least twice the size of the stealthing character), nooks in walls, large rocks, and crates are all examples of in-game objects that provide partial cover. Sundren does not allow crowds of people as an excuse for granting cover unless DM supervised, since it is too easy to exploit.

• • Example 1: Stealthed Player moves from hiding behind a barrel and skirts the edges of the room to gain cover behind a large peice of furniture. This is acceptable.

• • Example 2: Stealthed Player moves from the hiding behind a rock through the middle of Exigo campfire to hide behind a wagon. This is not acceptable.

• Speaking while Stealthed: Stealthed characters who speak run the risk of automatically failing their move silent rolls. Anyone who overhears a stealthed character speak publicly, whether using the /say or /whisper channel, will be alerted to their presence. However, emotes done in these channels do not count.

• Metagaming Against Stealth: Players being spied upon may NOT use OOC information to avoid IC topics. For example, if Ryan the Rogue emotes aloud, *Creeps up into the bushes to eavesdrop*, the eavesdrop targets cannot suddenly switch languages, topics, or location. They may request skill check rolls, but may not use his emote against him unless he is seen / heard.

• Sight Spells: True Sight / Dragon Sight / See Invisibility do NOT help someone spot a stealthed character. Stealth is not invisibility, and no spell grants X-Ray vision through cover. Only spells that specifically grant +spot / +listen can aid your attemps to see a stealthed character.

• HIPS Use: HIPS can be used at any time to enter stealth mode. However, the stealthed character must immediately seek some form of cover after using HIPS (see Proper Use of Stealth). Additionally, PnP rules state differences for HIPS between rangers, assassins, and shadow dancers. On Sundren, all classes use the same rules for HIPS for simplicity, unless a DM states otherwise. Even rangers and rogues can use shadows twice their size to activate HIPS.

• HIPS (non-combat): HIPS is acceptable for spying, but it is a means to slip out of detection when you are being observed. It is NOT an excuse to stand in front of someone and “be invisible.” Once HIPS is activated, you must immediately seek cover, as detailed above. You may not use HIPS to walk around “invisibly” to pick-pocket other characters.

HIPS (PVP combat): There are no HiPS restrictions for PVP. Players have the option to run away; monsters don’t. That being said, HiPS archers are discouraged from abusing HiPS in a repetitive fashion. If the player you’re fighting is too strong to defeat otherwise, then you probably shouldn’t be firing arrows at him.

Traps

You may not use OOC bottlenecks to gain advantage with traps. However, if there is an in-game bottleneck, you may use this to strategically place traps.

Example 1: A ranger is involved in CvC. He knows his pursuit will come at him from the world map. He places traps directly in front of their transition point. This is not allowed.

Example 2: A ranger is involved in CvC. He knows his pursuit will come at him from the northern road. He places his traps on the road, knowing that few people will venture off-road into the grass. This is allowed.

Turning Traitor on Your Faction

Sundren uses a wide variety of factions to further its plotlines. Characters are encouraged to join and take advantage of the benefits of any given faction, including stores, prestige, and power.

Sundren will do its best to support double-agents and traitors, and we don’t seek to discourage this type of roleplay. But, there are implications for other characters in your faction when this is done. As such, the process must be fully thought through and not subject to whims.

You must submit a request in the Sundren Character Request forum and get DM approval if you wish to be a double-agent for a faction. You may seek in-game approval from a general or senior DM for these actions if they are spur-of-the-moment and a result of roleplay, but the request must later be documented on the forum by the player.

Metagaming

Meta-gaming is the use of information obtained out of character in character. This is unfair to other role players and if problems arise a DM will handle the situation.

Ninja Looting

Ninja looting is defined as following someone else without their knowledge and approval, for the purposes of taking loot without consent and keeping it for yourself. This will cost heavy XP deductions and confiscation of affected contraband if anyone is caught doing so

Out of Character

OOC or out of character talk can be disruptive to gameplay, Sundren is a roleplay server and people are expected to stay in character at all times, the occasional comment is fine but we ask that it is kept to a minimum (or preferably, use tells/party chat).

All OOC chat needs to be defined somehow, using brackets or otherwise.

E.g., // AFK or (( Be right back! ))

Transferring Items/Muling

Transferring items from one character you own to another is not permissible under any circumstances, as this is considered exploitation. Also, hoarding items on a particular character/account is not permitted.

Infractions for muling items will be as follows:

• 1st infraction will result in confiscation of all contraband items and a formal warning.
• 2nd infraction will result in loss of involved Characters and 72 hour ban (if deemed excessive total vault wipe).
• 3rd infraction will result in a total vault wipe and 30 day ban.
• Any subsequent infraction will result in a permanent ban.

Administrator Supremacy

Server administrators and dungeon masters make decisions for the good of the server. Their word on something is final unless appealed to another official who will then review the situation and decide to reinforce or abolish the decision previously made.

If you believe you have been treated unfairly by a member of our staff, please post a courteous topic in the Help Requests forums. If you need to speak with someone privately, send a private message to any of our senior staff.

Insulting DMs or staff members, whether publically or in-game, is not a good way to get help. They are regular people just like everyone else who want to have fun.

Harassment Policy

Harassment of another player will never be tolerated, for any reason. If someone is harassing you please contact a member of our staff and provide screenshots of the incident.

Sexual and Offensive Situations

• Sundren is a mature-content server. Yet certain topics are often troublesome, distasteful, and more a negative to the community of players than a positive. Sexual abuse, child molestation, and rape should be avoided in stories and role play interactions, even in character backgrounds. If you are creating a background and aren’t sure if its appropriate then it probably isn’t. But feel free to create a character request with the DM team to review concepts that you feel might be questionable but fun to play out.

• Being a community of global players means different values and perspectives may arise. Be a good player, try not to trigger or be triggered by others and stay in character. Practice empathy, there is another person on the other side of the screen trying to enjoy themselves as well. And give people the benefit of the doubt, they may not have meant to offend and merely see themselves playing out their character. If you find someone’s role play to be too much, too hostile and offensive, contact them in tells and ask them to tone it down, that you are uncomfortable with what is being presented. Be an adult and work out conflicts between one another the best you can. If you continue to have an issue with a player then please contact a DM, or Admin, and the staff will attempt to address the issue.

• Romance is a theme that can add a lot to a character’s story or a plot. Yet sexual situations often play into some of the concerns listed above, them being seen as troublesome or distasteful, and can also lead to conflicts OOC we wish to avoid. Any sort of erotic role play should only be done between two consenting players, done in a private setting and NOT in a public setting. The DM staff will not provide any sort of items, support, or story to enhance erotic role play. While themes around romance and love are very much acceptable, that of erotic role play is highly discouraged if not outright banned.

Pregnancy – While Sundren is a mature-content server there are some areas in which care must be taken. Pregnancy and childbirth fall into that area; as a result pregnancy should now result in the retirement (Total retirement from play) of the pregnant PC, unless otherwise permitted by a DM. Playing a character who is a parent is fine. Playing a child character is not, all characters must be of age per their races’ defined coming of age or older.

Cheating & Exploiting

Cheating and exploiting bugs in the server or general game mechanics will not be tolerated, and is bannable if you are caught deliberately doing so. This extends to using multiple CD Keys/Usernames to log in more than one character at a time, even if you are not muling/transferring items.

Griefing

Griefing is the physical component of harassment which includes killing without cause, repeatedly killing or repeatedly pick pocketing a player. This will not be tolerated.

Naming Policy

The following is a general set of instructions for naming characters. It is by no means comprehensive and your best judgement and common sense should be used. If you are unsure whether the name you are contemplating would be allowed, then it probably either needs (at a minimum) DM approval or won’t be allowed.

• Nicknames are allowed in the character description, but must be <pre-approved or granted by a DM as part of RP before being put into the first or last name slot.

• Titles (Lord, King, Prince, Baron, etc) are not allowed in the name field unless granted by a DM.

• No names of famous fantasy characters, especially those relevant in Forgotten Realms.

• Names should be properly cased, where appropriate:
  • Not acceptable: JoNhNnY or XJohnnyX
  • Acceptable: Mac Dougle or MacDougle

• Derogatory / racial terms are not permitted;

• No odd characters, including “, ( or ), { or }, [ or ]

• No periods where they don’t abbreviate:
  • Not Acceptable: .Johnny or Johnny.
  • Acceptable: Bob Perkins Jr.

• Elves are allowed ‘ in their name, within reason:
  • Not acceptable: Ti’re’ni’rv’ghr’it
  • Acceptable: Tir’ene

• No numbers:
  • Not acceptable: Bob Perkins 2 or Bob 2-Feathers
  • Acceptable: Bob Perkins II or Bob Two-Feathers

If a PC has a question about whether or not they meet the standard when naming a PC, they should contact a DM or post on the forum in the help section. Anyone caught using a title will have to remake and may not be refunded their items and XP if the DM believes the player knew the rule.

Sundren DMs are the final word on the naming policy