Skip to main content

Combat Safety and Expectations

This page covers the realities and safety of engaging in combat.combat as our well as our combat etiquette and expectations. 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 on paper 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 havehave, while swinging our weapons with enough force that landing a hit is felt by the player,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.

Avoiding Combat

YouWhile you are notnever required to fight, butthere it’sis importantno toofficial note"non-combatant" thatstatus at Kingdoms of Novitas. Ambushes without prior warning are common, meaning you couldcan (and likely will) be attacked at any time,time.

even as a non-combatant. There is no way to completely avoid this.
 
If

Because you docannot notbe officially excluded from combat, players who wish to engageavoid init combatshould astake active steps to safeguard themselves:

  • As a PC,Player youCharacter may(PC): leaveYou can protect yourself by fleeing the area or useutilizing defensive spells such aslike Dissipate or SanctuarySanctuary.

    to
    • protect
  • yourself.

    As Whilea NPCing,Non-Player youCharacter (NPC): You may request that the GM not sendassign you outto on non-combat plots, and they will do their best to honoraccommodate thisyou.

    when
    • possible.

We do request thatencourage everyone to participate in combatscombat occasionally. YouEven canjust addstanding in the field holding a weapon adds significant value to athe plot and improveatmosphere, theand narrativeyou just by holding a weapon! You may evenmight be surprised to find that combatyou canactually beenjoy very fun, even if it isn’t your thing.it!

Medical

Avoiding& CombatSafety Restrictions

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 ayou player hashave a medical reason to worryavoid aboutcombat getting into combat, they should take appropriate steps to safeguard themselves; this typically meansentirely, limiting yourselfyour playtime to the Inn forwill yourhelp time in play toyou avoid most combat.encounters. If even thea limitedlow risk of combat in the Inncombat is too high, itwe isrecommend recommended that players remainremaining 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 gamehere to have fun, and it is your responsibility to respect the real people behind the characters. When making decisions in-game, keep these out-of-game realities in mind:

  • Don't hide behind your character: Never use "it's just what my character would do" as an excuse to genuinely upset, harass, or bully another player.

  • Show basic sportsmanship to your fellow players: While continually hittingstriking someonea player who has already fallendropped in combat isn't technically against the rules it is notunnecessary, funfrustrating, and physically uncomfortable for the person gettingon hit.the receiving end.

  • Read the room: If a fellow player seems genuinely distressed or overwhelmed out-of-character, ease up on the scene.

Play fair, be mindful of others, and ensure your actions don't ruin the game for someone else.

Combat Referees

Staff will occasionally send out combat referees whose job is solely to watchmonitor combatsbattles, guide players on rules, and guideensure people on rules matters.safety.

  • Follow Instructions: If theya givereferee gives you instructions,an instruction, you are expected tomust follow themit immediately, even if you thinkbelieve theythey are incorrect.making an incorrect call.

  • Gear Inspections: Because wear and tear happens over time, referees may ask to inspect your gear mid-combat. If they tell you an item is unsafe and needs to be removed from play, you must do so immediately.

  • Resolving Disputes: If you disagree with a referee's ruling, do not argue on the field. 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 gearconcerns.

    during
    • combat,
and if they tell you to remove an item from play, you must do so immediately.


Back to top