Combat Safety and Expectations

This page covers the realities and safety of engaging in combat. For rules regarding physical contact during combat, see Physical Contact and Consent.

The basic rule of Kingdoms of Novitas is that if it can be physically done, and done safely, you have the ability to do it. Combat uses a player's real-life talent, where their character's abilities only have a limited effect. That being said, just because you can do something doesn't always mean you should. This page explains our combat etiquette and expectations.

Combat at Kingdoms of Novitas

All combat at Kingdoms of Novitas is fought in real speed with medium-impact contact from latex/foam weapons. This means that we fight with all of the real-life skills that we have while swinging our weapons with enough force that landing a hit is felt by the player, without leaving any marks or bruises.

Players are expected to be in control of their own actions at all times. This means:

Controlling Your Force: You must be able to pull your swings so they register without causing pain or injury.
Controlling Your Momentum: You must be able to stop abruptly if a situation becomes unsafe or a "Hold!" is called.
Staying on the Ground: Because controlling your momentum is important jumping, diving, or leaping is considered unsafe in a combat situation and highly discouraged.
Avoiding Wild Movements: You should never swing blindly, charge at another player, or put your body in a position that could cause an accidental collision or physical body-check.

You are not required to fight, but it’s important to note that you could be attacked at any time, even as a non-combatant. There is no way to completely avoid this.

If you do not wish to engage in combat as a PC, you may leave the area or use spells such as Dissipate or Sanctuary to protect yourself. While NPCing, you may request that the GM not send you out on combat plots, and they will do their best to honor this when possible.

We do request that everyone participate in combats occasionally. You can add significant value to a plot and improve the narrative just by holding a weapon! You may even be surprised to find that combat can be very fun, even if it isn’t your thing.

Avoiding Combat

Players will almost certainly find themselves in combat over the course of an event unless they actively try to avoid it. Ambush without prior warning is allowed and is fairly common.

There is no realistic way for a player to officially remain out of combat during an event. If a player has a medical reason to worry about getting into combat, they should take appropriate steps to safeguard themselves; this typically means limiting yourself to the Inn for your time in play to avoid most combat. If even the limited risk of combat in the Inn is too high, it is recommended that players remain in the Logistics building during game hours.

Respecting Other Players

It is a player's responsibility to respect other players. For example, while there is nothing in the rules to stop you from continually hitting a player who is already down, it does not show respect to them. Everyone is present at the game to have fun, and continually hitting someone who has already fallen in combat is not fun for the person getting hit.

Combat Referees

Staff will occasionally send out combat referees whose job is solely to watch combats and guide people on rules matters.

If they give you instructions, you are expected to follow them immediately, even if you think they are incorrect. You may speak to the Player Outreach and Education Marshals after the situation is resolved to discuss any issues. Battle damage happens over time; referees may ask to inspect your gear during combat, and if they tell you to remove an item from play, you must do so immediately.