These rules come into play very rarely for beginning characters. It will be helpful to know these rules eventually, but they are not required to play the game.
251-500 rp: x2
501-1000 rp: x3
1001 or more rp: x4
The multiplier applies to all damage, healing, and spell point costs. Thus, it costs 8 sp (4x2) to cast a Ball of Fire spell if you have 300 rank points, but it also inflicts double damage. The multiplier is generally not used in Group Combat. If two characters of differing ranks fight, the lower of the two multipliers will be used. The multiplier to damage is applied last, after all the regular operations (add, multiply, subtract, divide) have been performed.
Use of the multiplier is encouraged, but it is optional at this time. If you don't wish to use it, include this as a condition of the fight when specs are called for. The host may request you use it if time is limited, or the fight would take up most of the evening. If this is unacceptable to you, he may have to cancel the fight, because there isn't adequate time to run it. Though you can try out a different multiplier than the one listed for your rank, it will be the host's discretion to allow it.
The effect of specs will be multiplied if they meet the criteria above. For example, a Talisman of Healing will be affected, but a Talisman of Magic Protection won't. Spell point costs for scrolls, papers, and wands are not multiplied, although the spell effects cast from them may be. For example, a Wand of Ball of Fire used by a Champion would still cost 4 charges for a 3x damage spell.
The forfeiter loses the match, and is sent a Private Message which might include mild or severe penalties (see below). If he is in a guild, his entry fee is returned to the guild and the character is fined 10 gp to cover it. Since it is an official loss, he cannot fight again the same evening, if he returns. Bets on a forfeit match are invalidated and returned.
The winner gains a maximum of 2 points for the win, and receives the usual fight purse. He may decline the purse, the points, or both if he so desires, but this must be stated when the host asks the player where to put the points. Should both players disappear together, the host will keep a separate timer for both of them. If they both forfeit, nobody wins.
Forfeits aren't discipline calls, and don't apply if the character disappears before he has confirmed stats or after the match ends. They cannot be given if a player remains in the room but fails to respond to a prompt, argues with the host, etc. In similar situations, the host will simply cancel the fight.
On a third offense, the forfeiter will be fined 20 gp or 20% of his total gold, whichever is higher, and will be suspended for two weeks. During this time, the player may roleplay and bet normally, but may not fight with the suspended character. The Trading Post will not take orders of any type from suspended characters, but it will honor transfers sent to them.
Four forfeits on record will bring a 20/20 fine (as above) along with a permanent loss of hit points and spell points based on rank level, and a four week suspension. The stat loss is typically 20% of the character's hit points or spell points, whichever is higher, split proportional to his point distribution. Thus, if a forfeiter's stats are 80/60, he will lose 16 points or, when put in proportion, 9 hit points and 7 spell points. If he was 30/50, he'd lose 10 spell points. The actual stat penalty may vary, if the situation warrants it.
A fifth forfeit will result in the loss of 80% of the character's total stats and gold (or 80 gp), down to a minimum of 25/0, and the character will be suspended for eight full weeks.
A sixth and final forfeit will result in the character being barred from fighting for six months, and the player must immediately submit a new character for the screen name. If this is not sent within a week, a default class will be applied. Items and gold may not be transferred before the character is started over, and tourney items will not carry over. However, all prior forfeits will be removed on a sixth forfeit.
Intentional forfeits cannot be accurately discerned from unintentional ones, except when there is compelling evidence. In the interest of fairness and consistency, the presiding host will not allow a forfeit without the stated penalty. Arranging an opponent's forfeit to gain points will result in an Unsportsmanlike Conduct call. Forfeiting intentionally for a malicious or selfish reason - for example, in order to deny points to an opponent he would get for a regular win - may result in an Unsportsmanlike Conduct call, as well.
If you think you qualify, check your character sheet for the date of the most recent forfeit. If it has been six months or more, go to the Whom Do I Write? area to find out who to write about removing a forfeit, and send him a request to remove one. He will notify you by the following Sunday regarding whether or not you meet the removal criteria. Any forfeits in the meantime will negate the validity of the request.
There are several different kinds of tournaments. Some pit player characters against monsters run by hosts. Others are handled in a single elimination style. If there are matches to be determined beforehand, a schedule will be posted before the tournament begins as to who will fight and when. For more information on specific tournament rules, read for details when one is posted. Rules may be subject to variation.
Possible prizes for any given tournament will be announced when the tournament rules are posted. In single elimination tournaments, typically the winner of each division receives a Tournament Power as a prize. Other prizes may be made available in other types of tournaments. Each character can keep a maximum of 3 Tournament Powers. If a character with 3 enters a new tournament and wins, he will be permitted to select a new power to permanently replace one of his old ones, if he chooses to do so. If he doesn't, another prize may be awarded, but will not necessarily be so.
The Unsportsmanlike Conduct rule relates to behavior that is harmful or potentially harmful to the game. It is not intended to supplement or replace The Arena's Terms Of Service agreement, which applies to anyone, regardless of whether they actively play the game or not. Unsportsmanlike Conduct calls will not be issued for TOS violations, or for message board violations of the Posting Guidelines. Unsportsmanlike Conduct calls may be issued in situations that aren't clearly defined by TOS, but are clearly disruptive to the game. Because this is a complex rule, a comprehensive list of what is or is not a violation of Unsportsmanlike Conduct can't be made available.
The host making the call will submit a report to the other officials (either immediately or directly after his shift), and include a log of the player's unacceptable behavior. The other hosts will read the report and vote on whether to give the player an Unsportsmanlike Conduct violation on their permanent record. In order to make it stick, 75% or more of the active Arena officials must agree that the situation warrants the call. Past disciplinary action or disruptive behavior may be used as compound evidence that the player deserves a violation. If there is any question, the player may be asked to submit an explanation of his behavior, and witnesses or victims may be asked for their assistance.
First Offense: Suspension of fighting privileges for all of the player's characters* for anywhere from one to two weeks. During this time, the player would be permitted to role-play and bet normally, but not use the Trading Post for transactions. The character involved in the incident, or the player's primary character, will lose a 5% to 10% of his or her hit points and/or spell points. Players found circumventing the suspension may receive a second USC call.
Second Offense: Penalties for the first offense will be given for a period of two to four weeks and, during this time, all of the player's characters will be barred from betting (role-play is still possible). None of the player's characters will be allowed to enter the next tournament. The character involved in the incident, or the player's primary character, will lose 50% of his total gold and 10% to 20% of his or her hit points and/or spell points.
Third Offense: The player's primary character (or the one involved in the incident) is erased and removed from the files and listings. Nothing may be transferred from the character before it is lost. The player may submit a new character for the screen name, forfeits will carry over. Additionally, all of the player's characters will be suspended from fighting, betting, and the Trading Post for a month. During the suspension period, he may still drop by to watch, role-play, or post on the message boards, but the erased character no longer has any stats or powers.
Further offenses will result in penalties similar to the Third Offense (including character erasure), and double the time required for suspension. Fines and punishments are variable according to the severity of the infraction, for any violation. The same offense need not be repeated to earn a second call. Because any violation must be given for intentional behavior, USC calls may not be removed from your record.
* Of course, the hosts may not remember or know all of your characters, but they will enforce the suspension on those they do know. If they find out at any later time that you used a character to fight during your suspension, you may receive another USC call. It is best to comply if you would like to play the game again.
Cheating: Faking dice rolls with false screen inputs that appear as dice rolls or the use of scripts or programs that accomplish the same thing. Forfeiting intentionally to cause an opponent to gain fewer points. Blatantly rigging ("throwing") a match so that one person stands no chance of winning.
Disrupting The Game: This occurs when one or more players enter into OOC argument or discussion which requires the host to repeatedly interrupt his or her duties. If the players persist, they may instead be given a Terms of Service warning for Room Disruption.
Instigating Unsportsmanlike Actions: Attempting to blackmail or coerce another player to commit an unsportsmanlike act. Bribing other players with game amenities (such as gold or items) to not report situations that could result in a USC call or TOS violation.
Disregarding Arena Etiquette: Disregarding warnings made by the host. This may be the use of improper fonts, anachronistic roleplay, or the like.
Alt Revealing: Many players have a number of different screen names ("alts") they play as characters in the game. Some may be considered public information, such that a player will announce that either character is looking for a fight. Most are not, and the connection will only be made by mistake or by some measure of unwanted scrutiny by another player. If a player publicly reveals the identity of a character without the prior permission of the player whose screen name it is, she/he may be liable for an Unsportsmanlike Conduct call. It is considered a serious intrusion in the character's role-playing identity, as the cross between characters can cause discomfort and unwanted attention in the future.
Given the resources at hand, the host's ruling should be considered binding and final. However, it may be reversed, later, to preserve the integrity of the game. For example, a host may believe a character is at 35/0 instead of 32/0. He fights at these stats and wins, but has only 3 hp left. Later, after the report is finished, the hosts may discuss and realize the problem. Because the true result is uncertain, they'll cancel the fight, not award points to the opponent. (This is why it's a good idea to correct your stats if the host has them wrong.) In most cases, however, rulings will not be reversed.