I'd like to summarise the basic roleplaying principles and guidelines that I feel the Duchy should be following, which all new members can look at and learn (and old ones can refer to every now and again just to refresh themselves, of course), and also have something binding on all members. Essentially, if you roleplay in the Duchy, there are certain principles and ideals you should be keeping to, and with the amount of questions I often get about such things, I think a clarification might be useful. Hence, I'm asking you all to observe a simple Code of Conduct to apply when playing your Duchy characters. These aren't entirely rigid rules - nobody is going to get kicked out of the guild for slipping up every now and then. However, anybody who consistently and repeatedly breaks the Code can expect to be without a title pretty quickly. I hope you're all able to find it acceptable and sensible.
I
Members will at all times act respectfully and calmly to others, keeping in mind that while they wear a Duchy title, they are representing the guild as a whole. As such, they should aim to be honourable and loyal.
II
Members will attempt to remain In Character (IC) at all times. If Out of Character chat is necessary, it should be done within a party, or over ICQ or IRC. If none of these options are possible, then Out of Character statements should be put in brackets or parentheses, and kept to an absolute minimum.
III
Members will make no use of poisoned weapons in RP PvP, as these are a contradiction to the nature of Trinsic and its residents as a city founded on Honour.
IV
Members will make no use of magic weaponry in RP PvP, unless granted specific permission to do so by the guild leadership (the Nobility), and usually as a result of participation in a quest or other special event.
V
Members will adhere to the CoRE Rules of Engagement (see below) in any combat situations with warred (orange) guilds.
VI
Members will not commit any act of unlawful murder (attacking and killing of a blue without their mutual consent).
VII
Members should take any problems with other guilds, or another member in the Duchy, to either the Baron or Duke, in a private manner.
VIII
Members will follow any orders or directives given to them by those above them in the Duchy structure. Any disagreement with the order or action should be discussed in a private and respectful manner.
IX
Members are encouraged to help those they encounter around Trinsic whenever possible, being one of the most popular and busiest cities in Britannia. This applies whether you know the person or not, and whether they are affiliated to another guild or not. By this is meant that you should RP with everyone, whether green, orange or blue. Never ignore someone who is attempting to roleplay. This applies especially to blues .... today's passer by could be tomorrow's new recruit.
X
Members should aim to try and remain true to their characters and the setting of Ultima Online and the Duchy, and avoid anachronism (talking about or doing things which don't really belong in or are inappropriate to the medieval/fantasy setting of the game).
XI
Members will at no time use mounts in PvP (player versus player) combat against orange (warred) guilds.
Discipline
Extreme and/or repeated, consistent violation of the Code of Conduct should be reported to the Baron orDuke, who will then discuss and agree on a suitable course of action to discpline the member. Dependant upon the extent to which the Code of Conduct has been broken, any of the following punishments may be carried out:
Reprimand - A private warning to the offender.
Censure - A public reprimand on the board.
Demotion - A reduction of title, usually only by one increment.
Suspension - A removal from the guild for a set amount of time.
Expulsion - A removal from the guild and permanent ban from rejoining.
Written by Sims Roggran
First Baron of Trinsic
Modified by Irvyn
Second Duke of Trinsic
Copyright Richard Combes (2007)