In many ways, DMs are under more restrictions than players; this is to ensure balanced and enjoyable gameplay for all involved. The rules below reflect this.

• Have fun. If you're not having fun as a DM then the players will not either.
• The only acceptable form of favoritism is for characters, based on how well they integrate with the world. Player-based favoritism is not tolerated.
• When on as a DM, you should be on Ventrilo, even if no one is on at the time.
• When a DM possesses an NPC/monster, it generally should be done without using the "possess with full powers" option.
• Do not make NPCs or hostile creatures invulnerable. If it is absolutely essential that the NPC be kept alive for plot reasons, use "Immortal" instead and have them withdraw from combat once beaten.
• Possessed NPCs may not journey with/accompany the PCs for any length of time as a combatant member of the party.
• Get familiar with your NPCs beforehand. Especially when it comes to combat, PCs have a major advantage over DMs. They have worked with their characters over a period of weeks or months, while we have often spent only a couple of hours even in our most-played NPCs. Pausing the game can help balance this out, especially when it comes to combat. On the other hand, you should avoid repeatedly interrupting the game play.

Alignment Shifts

• Use alignment shifts cautiously; many players are very sensitive to changes in their PCs alignment.
• Shifts in alignment can cause a Fall from Grace, which can prevent PCs from using clerical spells/gaining levels, and can cause greater experience loss on respawn.
• Only make shifts if you have directly observed the incident that merits it - second-hand tales are not sufficient.
• Alignment adjustments may never be applied retroactively.
• Remember, evil points are easier to earn than good points; that's the nature of Evil, after all.
• Always be aware that when a PC is in a party, the alignment shift affects the entire party. If necessary, have the PC leave the party to apply the shift.

Avatars

• Your DM avatar must have the word "DM" in its name.
• DM avatars should not be seen or heard unless their is either an issue requiring DM presence, or you are wrapping up a quest.
• DM avatars should not not be played as an NPC, nor should any PCs be used to seeing a DM avatar.
• DM Avatars must have relatively normal apperances -- you cannot choose a creature from the game as an avatar. These creatures are for the players to encounter and interact with, and shouldn't be encountered by the PCs out of context.
• Fancy armor and weapons are OK, as are minor tweaks such as wings/tail, but please keep in mind that we aren't trying to tell the players, "See what I got! Isn't this COOL!". When you outfit your Avatar to the hilt with fancy weapons and armor, we are sending the wrong message.

DM-Run PCs

Remember, we are here to be DMs, not run PCs. However, we understand that not everyone wants to DM 24/7. In addition, periodically running a PC helps you become familiar with the world, and keeps some perspective on what the experience is like as a player. The PCs you run must adhere to the rules below, which ensure that DM PCs do not hog the spotlight, or have undue influence over other players/PCs:

• DM-run PCs may not be 'gifted' experience, gold, or items.
  
• The DM PC should be a 'background' character.
• DM PC characters cannot influence a PC's actions, questing, or stories, or basic thoughts on a plot-related situation.
• DM PCs can participate in quests periodically, but cannot be the focal point of the quest.
• DM PCs may not metagame -- directly or indirectly sharing knowledge of plot, spawns, areas, new zones, etc is strictly forbidden. 
• DM-run PCs are not permitted to maintain close personal relationships with non-DM run PCs.

Violations of these rules will result in your termination as a DM!

XP Awards

Experience awards on Khalidine are given out as a percentage of the experience required for a PCs next level. Percentages are automatically converted to experience points by the system. Note that the tools built into the DM client for giving XP have been disabled. XP given this way will not be properly tracked in the character's XP stats, and will would prevent them from receiving proper 'credit' for XP when looking at how much kill XP is allowed. Instead, use the provided custom interface for doing so. (Via the context menu labeled "Khalidine" on your DM interface.)

When awarding XP, please use these values as a general rule of thumb:

• Observed RP: 1-2%, 5% max in one day
• Spontaneous Quests: 5% max rp, 5% max plot
• Scheduled Quests: 10% max rp, 10% max plot
• Main Plot Quest: 10% max rp, 20% max plot
• Best in Game: After any scheduled quest, it is the DM's option to poll the players for who they think is most deserving of a 'best in game' rp award. Players can't vote for themselves. The award for this is 5%, split as evenly as possible if there's a tie.

Concerning observed RP xp: We encourage you to award XP for good RP observed amongst players -- however, incidental RP should only be awarded if it occurs naturally, and not as a result of PCs 'putting on a show' for the DMs.

XP and Item Reimbursement

We have a very simple policy when it comes to reimbursement of lost experience points, gold, and/or items: No.

The typical causes of these issues (lag, crashes, game bugs) affect every player equally. In previous incarnations of this server, we had a more open policy on reimbursements -- and it was repeatedly abused. In addition, those who would never think to ask for a reimbursement were getting quite unhappy with the amount of "extra" xp received by those who did.

Raise/Res of Characters

Similar to XP and Item reimbursements, players should never receive a free raise/res. However, there are two exceptions to this rule:

1. A death resulting from a DM's mistake. Generally, this happens when running a quest and spawns are too powerful. Before you perform a free raise on the player, or reimburse XP for this reason, ask yourself if the death could have been reasonably avoided by the player or party (such as use of basic tactics, running, etc). If the answer is "yes", then a reimbursement/recall to life is not merited.
2. A death caused by PvP actions that the dead person was not a willing participant in. If this should occur, please notify the Lead DM as well.

Postings

When you post as a DM (even if only a thought or opinion) players will generally view your word as law. Therefore, do not make any policy postings on rules, guidelines or similar issues unless first approved by the World Lead.

You are welcome to bring up any questions or discussion of the rules in the DM section of the forums, in IRC, via IM, or via Ventrilo voice chat.

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