[Discuss] Roleplaying police, bust me first.

[Timothy Collett]

On Jun 27, 2007, at 4:59 AM, Jonathon Taylor wrote:
> Law's are all fine and good, but they should *never* be more  
> important than a game mechanic, in this case, the Buy Title function.

Hmm...

I see what you mean, but let me point out some other game mechanics  
that are rarely, if ever, used, at least in some realms, because of  
realm laws and/or roleplay:

- Looting, especially the "Kill, rape, and burn" option: even realms  
that have no problem with stealing tax gold, burning food, and  
pillaging will balk at using this option, because it has no purpose  
other than wholesale slaughter.
- Use of the "murderous" setting: who wants to attack their allies?
- Persecute Heretics: a religion that preaches forgiveness,  
tolerance, and brotherhood is likely to have consistency problems  
allowing this (not that they couldn't rationalize it, of course,  
given RL examples...)

Rebellions and secessions are pretty much always against the law, but  
the only way you can actually enforce that is if you get prior  
knowledge of them (well, and if you defeat the rebellion).

I'm sure others can come up with more.

As you can see, just because a game mechanic *exists* for something  
doesn't mean that our characters have to allow it to happen.  All it  
means is that our characters have to be able to take it into account  
in their view of the world (one way or another).

Timothy Collett
Anaris Family

--

"There are four boxes to be used in defense of liberty: soap, ballot,  
jury, and ammo. Please use in that order."
-Ed Howdershelt




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