Public Policy 2014

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=============================== Public Policy ================================
Message: 11/1                      Posted        Author
Demon revelation                   Wed Jan 01    WhoopingCrane
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'+rules revelation' has been updated. This was discussed on the demon bb last
  month. Please contact staff if you think further adjustments are needed.

* Evocations are detected per '+rules awareness'
* Stuff about apocalyptic forms
* '+rules awareness': If a power doesn't have an obvious level, use level 1 but
  discuss with staff afterward
==============================================================================

=============================== Public Policy ================================
Message: 11/2                      Posted        Author
Wyrm taint                         Wed Jan 01    WhoopingCrane
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'+rules wyrm taint' has been updated. This is aimed at keeping the Sense Wyrm
  gift useful but not overpowered. Please contact staff if you think further
  adjustments are needed.

* Individuals can be picked out in the city, but not trivially; it's a
  target-rich environment, '+rules in public' and '+rules sniping' still apply
* All Paths of Enlightenment smell of the Wyrm (contact staff if you think
  yours should be an exception)
==============================================================================

=============================== Public Policy ================================
Message: 11/3                      Posted        Author
Custom totems                      Wed Jan 01    WhoopingCrane
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'+rules totem' has been updated. This was discussed on the shifter bb last
  month. Please contact staff if you think further adjustments are needed.

* Up to 10 points can be spent on bonuses to attributes, abilities, and other
  things (e.g. improved running speed).
* Like other totem buffs, these only apply to one pack member at a time (unless
  the pack also spent points on the 'usable by multiple members at once'
  option).
* This was based on the Dreamspeakers Tradition book, and roughly correlates
  with the stock totems from the books.
==============================================================================

=============================== Public Policy ================================
Message: 11/4                      Posted        Author
JCWhitethunder removed             Sat Jan 04    WhoopingCrane
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On the 28th, the player of JCWhitethunder/Whiskey/Brass/Sorin was banned. He
  repeatedly pushed IC conflict well past the point at which it stopped being
  fun for others, insisted that many other players and staff alike were doing
  things wrong, and refused to deal with the ICC of his own ICA even after
  staff made it clear that he would not be forced to RP directly with the
  character instigating said ICC. He apologized and said he would try to fix
  it, but unfortunately he failed to follow through.

Please +request with any questions about the IC whereabouts of these
  characters. (JCWhitethunder and Whiskey have already been decided, Brass and
  Sorin I don't know about.)
==============================================================================

=============================== Public Policy ================================
Message: 11/5                      Posted        Author
Possessed tweaks                   Wed Jan 08    WhoopingCrane
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'+rules possessed' has been updated a bit:

* Temporary Autonomy can drop to 0. If it would drop /below/ 0, /then/ it eats
  into permanent Autonomy.

* Clarified what happens if your permanent Autonomy would drop below your
  Willpower (answer: it succeeds, dragging Willpower down to match).

* The Consecrated background, which reduces Autonomy as a side effect, also
  reduces the house-ruled quasi-Autonomy of Kami.
==============================================================================

=============================== Public Policy ================================
Message: 11/6                      Posted        Author
Ability Aptitude: Rituals          Thu Jan 09    WhoopingCrane
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We allowed at least one PC to take the Ability Aptitude targeting Rituals,
  which would run afoul of '+rules ability aptitude'. (This limits the
  application of AA and similar merits to supernatural powers, which for
  Rituals is pretty much all you're ever going to use it for.) After some
  discussion, we decided to compromise: it does reduce the difficulty of level
  1 and 2 rites, but not level 3 or higher.

I can't think of any other 'only used with supernatural powers' abilities (we
  already addressed Awareness). If there is and I'm forgetting it, let me know
  and we'll discuss.
==============================================================================

=============================== Public Policy ================================
Message: 11/7                      Posted        Author
'+rules sorcerer' updated          Sat Jan 25    WhoopingCrane
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'+rules sorcerer' has been updated to clarify the limits on Bastet sorcerers
  (as opposed to characters for whom numina is their primary gig). Some other
  text was also streamlined, but still works the same way as it did before.
==============================================================================

=============================== Public Policy ================================
Message: 11/8                      Posted        Author
House Rules Wiki Page              Wed Jan 29    PoisonFrog
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just in case people haven't noticed it yet: we now have a House Rules page on
  our wiki!

http://www.cityofhopemush.com/wiki/index.php/House_Rules

It's still very much a work in progress; I'm filling the blanks in as I go. One
  thing I'd like to request: If a staffer has ever made a ruling about
  something that explicitly contradicts what's in the books (especially if it
  was a staffer that's no longer active), please let me know about it so I can
  either 1) decide that it's a valid house rule and post it, or 2) decide that
  it was a bad ruling that shouldn't be a house rule, and thus NOT post it.

Enjoy (it's a house rule, you have to)!
Her Amphibian Highness,
        PoisonFrog
==============================================================================

=============================== Public Policy ================================
Message: 11/9                      Posted        Author
Awareness and Sensory Powers       Mon Feb 03    Wormwood
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

        I'm super new here, but I'd just like to put in a quick two cents about
  the use of Awareness on Sensory powers.

        So, I've been in three scenes now that have involved using Awareness to
  attempt to detect the use of Level 1 Sensory Powers. One was a large scene,
  one was medium, and one was small. Every time I've seen someone mention they
  used a Level 1 Sensory power, everyone in the room seems to want to use
  Awareness to notice it, maybe to 'out' the person as a supernatural, but the
  difficulty and threshold is always high enough, that the most effect I've
  seen on one of those Awareness rolls so-far is 'You have a vague idea
  something just happened'. Personally, if I ran a PRP, I would probably say
  that any Power Use with a difficulty over 10, or, specifically, Level 1
  Sensory only Powers, did not trigger Awareness rolls. So-far I've just
  noticed that A. It seems to slow things down as everyone wants to roll their
  Awareness, and B. There never seem to be any positive results from the rolls.
  C. ...come on, you just NOTICED that that guy across the room has
  super-vision?

        Anyways, just my two cents.

==============================================================================

=============================== Public Policy ================================
Message: 11/10                     Posted        Author
Re: Awareness                      Mon Feb 03    HoneyBadger
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Short answer: Level 1 sensory powers are undetectable unless you have
  something that lowers your difficulty of awareness below 11. <Ability
  aptitude, certain other things> or if it's aimed at you, then your diff is
  10. We don't use threshholds here.
==============================================================================

=============================== Public Policy ================================
Message: 11/11                     Posted        Author
Re^2: Awareness                    Mon Feb 03    WhoopingCrane
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For those unfamiliar, 'thresholds' is a mage-specific thing pertaining to
  difficulties that would otherwise exceed 10. This is on our to-do list to
  clarify (including how/whether it applies to non-mage stuff). In the
  meantime, please try to handwave an approach that everyone in the current
  scene is happy with.

Also, we prefer to reserve bb 11 for statements of or updates to policy.
  Discussion of possible changes to policy can go to bb 7 and/or +request.
==============================================================================

=============================== Public Policy ================================
Message: 11/12                     Posted        Author
'+policy risk escalation' updated  Fri Feb 07    WhoopingCrane
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'+policy risk escalation' has been updated.

Players bringing ICC are now advised to +request as soon as it hits the 'I
  might need to bring ICC on <name> for <reason>' stage. Some people were doing
  this anyway, it occurred to us that we should recommend it in general.

Players subject to ICC are explicitly not guaranteed advance warning (they
  might be ICly ambushed). They can raise a dispute, but they should do it up
  front, even if they need more time later to fully make their case (this part
  was already in there), and they should address the dispute /to the other
  players/ (so if they continue the scene anyway, then they know there might
  need to be some type of retcon later).
==============================================================================

=============================== Public Policy ================================
Message: 11/13                     Posted        Author
Actor 2 Clarification              Wed Feb 12    DropBear
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since there seems to have been some confusion about this particular level of
  this particular Realm, I'm going to reiterate it here:

        ** Personal Contact You have had a long conversation with this person,
  and you know his name.

        Please note the AND in that sentence. It is not enough to simply know
  the target's name. It's not enough simply to have had a long conversation
  with the person. BOTH conditions must be true, that's what AND /means/. I'm
  not sure why this was unclear, but consider it clear now.
==============================================================================

=============================== Public Policy ================================
Message: 11/14                     Posted        Author
The Golden Rule                    Wed Feb 12    DropBear
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is excerpted from Mage: The Ascension, Revised Edition, page 219, but
  every core rulebook has a similar passage in it:

THE GOLDEN RULE
        The most important rule of all, and the only one truly worth following,
  is that /there are no inviolable rules/. This is your game. Your own gaming
  group should make of it what it will. Whether you want to run your game in a
  diceless (or nearly diceless) fashion, or you want to roll for every task,
  more power to you. Even if you want to get highly experimental and have
  everyone play four mages of widely varying power levels and rotate
  Storytellers every session, as long as everyone is having fun then you are
  running a good game and using the rules correctly (for you). The rules in
  this book should be considered nothing more than useful guidelines. They're
  not mandatory strictures on the only correct way to play Mage or explore the
  World of Darkness. You know what's best in your own game, so have fun and use
  the rules with which you feel most comfortable.


        Now obviously, on a MUSH things are slightly different. We can't make
  /everyone/ happy, so we have to settle for making the broadest cross-section
  happy. But in any event, the game is supposed to be FUN, not a quagmire of
  rules and 'you can't do thats' and 'that's stupids'.
==============================================================================

=============================== Public Policy ================================
Message: 11/15                     Posted        Author
Kryptonite, cop gear, concealed ca Thu Feb 20    WhoopingCrane
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'+rules kryptonite' has been updated. For use against PCs, it's available with
  staff approval, but subject to risk protection just like anything else. For
  use against NPCs in PRPs, it's left up to the discretion of the PRP runner.

I also added '+policy police gear', and a note in '+policy CA laws' about
  concealed carry permits.
==============================================================================

=============================== Public Policy ================================
Message: 11/16                     Posted        Author
Good Right Hook                    Sun Feb 23    WhoopingCrane
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Good Right Hook (Demon Players Guide page 77, 1-dot merit, "Add two dice to
  your damage roll for any Brawl-based attack")

This has been house-ruled (+rules demon misc) as follows:
* Limited to bashing damage and high-torment apocalyptic forms.
* May be taken by non-demons.

I don't think this actually affects demons in practice (at least not much).
  It's intended to allow e.g. vampires/shifters to be better in a mundane fist
  fight, but not combo it with agg fangs/claws backed by Crinos- or
  Potence-5-level strength.
==============================================================================

=============================== Public Policy ================================
Message: 11/17                     Posted        Author
Sniping update                     Sun Feb 23    WhoopingCrane
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Couple of updates to '+rules sniping'. This was discussed on bb 7 last month, I
  got a question or two but I don't think there were any objections:

* A PC violating the territory of another race/faction may be sniped at any time
* A PC using a supernatural power must offer the detection roll (if any)
  specified by that power, as well as a passive Awareness roll (+rules
  awareness)

Note: "territory" refers to official stuff like Elysium / the caern, not just
  any random place that happens to be frequented by the members of a given
  sphere. Also, if you were invited by said race/faction, then you're not
  violating, and also they probably (a) already know what you are or (b) think
  they do.
==============================================================================

=============================== Public Policy ================================
Message: 11/18                     Posted        Author
Specialties                        Sun Mar 02    WhoopingCrane
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We're now allowing these, within certain limits. See '+rules specialties' for
  the details.
==============================================================================

=============================== Public Policy ================================
Message: 11/19                     Posted        Author
No free lunch                      Sun Mar 09    WhoopingCrane
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'+rules no free lunch' has been added. This covers using a supernatural effect
  to permanently increase a stat that normally costs XP.
==============================================================================

=============================== Public Policy ================================
Message: 11/20                     Posted        Author
Various demon things               Sun Mar 09    WhoopingCrane
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Some demon house rules have been added/updated. This is based on the past
  couple weeks of discussion on bb 7, with some minor changes. Hopefully it's
  all reasonable, but if you spot something that you still think is going way
  off in the wrong direction, please do let us know.

'+rules thralls' covers which types of characters can be thralled by a demon,
  mentions raising Faith with XP, and includes the thrall/ghoul stuff that used
  to be under '+rules demon misc'.

'+rules mind control' includes the mind control stuff that used to be under
  '+rules demon misc', with some extra notes.

'+rules demon lores' includes how specific Lores apply to characters who are
  neither demons nor pure mortals.

'+rules revelation' mentions a few Lore side effects that work similarly to
  Revelation.

'+rules demon misc' includes a couple of bits that didn't get moved somewhere
  else.
==============================================================================

=============================== Public Policy ================================
Message: 11/21                     Posted        Author
+policy risk myths                 Fri Mar 14    WhoopingCrane
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From the intro to '+policy risk myths': "Here are some common misconceptions
  about the risk system and its implications, with explanations of why things
  don't actually work this way and how staff actually interprets the system in
  practice."

Enjoy (or you'll be reassigned to Kamchatka)!
==============================================================================

=============================== Public Policy ================================
Message: 11/22                     Posted        Author
Faerie Affinity merit              Mon Mar 17    WhoopingCrane
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Faerie Affinity merit has been house-ruled. See the top of '+rules
  banality' for details.
==============================================================================

=============================== Public Policy ================================
Message: 11/23                     Posted        Author
Kami taints                        Thu Mar 27    WhoopingCrane
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The house rule allowing Kami to buy off taints with XP no longer requires a
  full buy-off. Kami may lower a taint for 5 XP per difference in levels
  (provided the new lower level is still a valid amount for that taint).
==============================================================================

=============================== Public Policy ================================
Message: 11/24                     Posted        Author
Chimerical items (creating)        Sun Mar 30    WhoopingCrane
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
While Changeling has canon rules for creating chimerical items, they leave a
  lot of room for ST interpretation. '+rules chimerical items' is what we've
  come up with. (Minor tweaks will be announced on the changeling bb if/when
  needed.)
==============================================================================

=============================== Public Policy ================================
Message: 11/25                     Posted        Author
Understanding is a three-edged swo Mon Mar 31    WhoopingCrane
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Is something complicated going on? Is it something that staff might need to
  rule on? Submit a +request. (Or page if it's urgent, but it may still need to
  go to +request depending on who's available and how complicated it is.) So
  far, so good.

Is someone else already contacting staff? Submit a +request anyway! Your extra
  information/viewpoint may be helpful, and certainly won't hurt anything. This
  is especially good if there's a conflict/dispute; if both sides agree on 4
  out of 5 things, and only disagree about the fifth thing and the appropriate
  outcome, then staff knows where they need to focus their attention.
==============================================================================

=============================== Public Policy ================================
Message: 11/26                     Posted        Author
Not a democracy                    Mon Mar 31    WhoopingCrane
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I recently encountered the belief that, because I once brought up a topic on a
  player bb and then updated house rules based on the majority opinion, I am
  somehow obligated to do so every time I bring up a topic on a player bb.

Malarkey.

First, sometimes it's unclear what the majority opinion is. Sometimes it's even
  pretty clear that no majority opinion exists (there are five options and each
  one has two vocal supporters). And for those who don't post, we can only
  guess what opinion (if any) they have.

Second, staff makes the rules. As head of staff, ultimately I make the rules. I
  try to be reasonable, in the interest of attracting and keeping players, and
  the player base has been large and active enough that it seems to be working
  well. Sometimes I open a discussion and pay attention to the responses, but I
  reserve the right to decide "no, those responses are not what we're going to
  do".
==============================================================================

=============================== Public Policy ================================
Message: 11/27                     Posted        Author
Clear Sighted merit                Mon Mar 31    WhoopingCrane
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We've decided to allow this merit, though with some extra restrictions. See
  '+rules sorcerer', it's down at the bottom. (Canon game mechanics:
  Perception+Alertness vs N+3 to see through a level N illusion power.)
==============================================================================

=============================== Public Policy ================================
Message: 11/28                     Posted        Author
Myth: NPC leaders are doing nothin Thu Apr 03    WhoopingCrane
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From time to time, we hear about PCs stating that their NPC leaders are doing
  nothing, apparently for no more specific reason than "staff has not directly
  told us what they are doing". This is not, and has never been, how things are
  intended to work on this game. Please see '+policy NPC Leadership' for
  clarification.
==============================================================================

=============================== Public Policy ================================
Message: 11/29                     Posted        Author
Shifter thralls                    Sat Apr 05    WhoopingCrane
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DSC 70-71 canonically allows werewolf thralls, but suggests (in terms ranging
  from specific to vague to hyperbolic) that it's a rough trip. '+rules
  thralls' has been updated to clarify the situation.
==============================================================================

=============================== Public Policy ================================
Message: 11/30                     Posted        Author
Assamite sorcerers and viziers     Sat Apr 19    WhoopingCrane
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We're tentatively accepting applications for Assamites belonging to one of the
  smaller castes.

In-clan disciplines:
* Warriors (includes all current Assamite PCs) - Celerity, Obfuscate, Quietus
* Sorcerer - Dur-An-Ki (Assamite Sorcery), Obfuscate, Quietus
* Vizier - Auspex, Celerity, Quietus

Depending on how this works out, we may later extend the same approach to
  Koldunic Sorcery (limited to Old Clan Tzimisce, replacing Vicissitude as an
  in-clan discipline) and/or Setite Sorcery (not sure how that would work out,
  which is why it's bottom of the list).
==============================================================================

=============================== Public Policy ================================
Message: 11/31                     Posted        Author
Redcap combat bite (Dark Appetite) Thu May 08    WhoopingCrane
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I added some house rules to '+rules changeling misc' to cover how this works,
  and also updated the cross-sphere combat guide on the wiki.

This is based on how White Wolf updated vampire and werewolf bite mechanics
  from 2nd to Revised, and also White Wolf's general stance of "supernatural
  monsters do agg with their fangs/claws/etc" (Changeling is somewhat more
  confusing in this regard because it's expected that fae will often just be
  doing chimerical damage to each other).
==============================================================================

=============================== Public Policy ================================
Message: 11/32                     Posted        Author
Awareness and reality levels       Thu May 15    WhoopingCrane
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'+rules awareness' has been updated (near the top) to cover cases involving
  multiple reality levels. The effect must occur in, or cross into, at least
  one level of reality that the would-be observer can currently see. (Some
  forms of reality sight are always on, others can be activated/deactivated;
  the latter only counts if it was already activated when the effect occurs.)
==============================================================================

=============================== Public Policy ================================
Message: 11/33                     Posted        Author
+rules time                        Fri May 16    WhoopingCrane
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This has been added, with suggestions on how to deal with things like 'this
  lets you do _____ once a story' in a mu* environment. Hope this helps.
==============================================================================

=============================== Public Policy ================================
Message: 11/34                     Posted        Author
Nunnehi                            Fri May 23    WhoopingCrane
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We're opening apps for Nunnehi, starting with Numuzo'ho and Water Babies (the
  tribes associated with the Far West). Once we have a couple of those, then
  we'll see about opening up the others as well.

Some of the bits and bobs for these guys are not in the stat database yet, I'll
  add them once an app actually comes in.
==============================================================================

=============================== Public Policy ================================
Message: 11/35                     Posted        Author
Level 1 shifter gifts for kinfolk  Sun May 25    WhoopingCrane
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
These are now available. See '+rules kinfolk' for details.

* Subrace:Kinfolk only (other PCs already have some other power set)
* Gifts requiring Gnosis are only available if you have the Gnosis merit
* Gifts requiring Rage are not available (kinfolk don't have Rage)
==============================================================================

=============================== Public Policy ================================
Message: 11/36                     Posted        Author
Wyatt removed                      Wed Jun 18    WhoopingCrane
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On June 11, the player of Wyatt/Fedor was banned for logging in as another
  player's character and playing them and Wyatt in the same scene. (He
  helpfully mav'd a pose into the wrong window.) This was on top of an
  extensive past history of risk shenanigans, insistence on unreasonable
  interpretations, and general rudeness to players and staff alike.

Please +request regarding any IC loose ends regarding either of these
  characters.
==============================================================================

=============================== Public Policy ================================
Message: 11/37                     Posted        Author
Old Clan Tzimisce                  Mon Jun 30    WhoopingCrane
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We're now accepting applications for Old Clan Tzimisce. In-clan disciplines are
  Animalism, Auspex, Dominate, and Koldunic Sorcery.

* Koldunic Sorcery is restricted.
* Existing PCs will not be retconned as Old Clan.
* Koldunism is a primary knowledge.
* Free path dots may be distributed among the five common paths (Earth, Wind,
  Water, Fire, Spirit).
* House rules (for now, these are open to discussion):
** Way of Earth 5 (Dracula's Restless Soul) - disallowed
** Way of Fire 3 (Gates of Magma) - "physically touching" is interpreted as
  "touching without penetrating"
==============================================================================

=============================== Public Policy ================================
Message: 11/38                     Posted        Author
Koldunic Sorcery update            Tue Jul 01    WhoopingCrane
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Way of Earth 5 is now allowed in toned-down form. '+rules vampire misc' for
  details.
==============================================================================

=============================== Public Policy ================================
Message: 11/39                     Posted        Author
Graceful merit                     Sun Jul 20    WhoopingCrane
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This merit is now available, with a couple of caveats:

* It's limited to Bastet. If you're anything other than Bastet, no matter how
  small-g graceful you are, consider a merit like Ability Aptitude or
  Enchanting Voice instead. (Also, if you have the King of Cats as your Jamak,
  then you already have this merit as part of your package deal.)

* As with all social merits/flaws, you should only take this if you can do a
  good job of portraying it, and it will not dictate how other PCs react to you
  (though it should be taken into account).

For reference, here's the text from Bastet page 86:

Graceful (2 pt Aptitude Merit)

You've got a natural flair, even among werecats. Your movements hypnotize and
  your words charm, harsh though they may be. It's almost impossible for you to
  look awkward, even when you screw up royally. Most people respect this
  talent, and even jealous folks have to at least admit you've got style.
  Reduce the difficulties of all Social rolls by two whenever there's a chance
  to make a really good impression. This doesn't apply to threats of brute
  force, although grace may be intimidating in its own way, and may offer a
  small bonus to Cleverness or Honor Renown.
==============================================================================

=============================== Public Policy ================================
Message: 11/40                     Posted        Author
Alternate identity / fake ID       Mon Jul 21    WhoopingCrane
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'+rules alternate identity' has been added. This basically just codifies what
  we were already using out of the books. Please contact staff with any
  questions.
==============================================================================

=============================== Public Policy ================================
Message: 11/41                     Posted        Author
Banality                           Mon Jul 21    PoisonFrog
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recently, we have gotten wind of some Changeling players reacting
  inappropriately to the presence of highly Banal people - and by
  inappropriately, I mean not at all. Some people seem to believe that Banality
  is something you can fail to notice, something you can choose to not be
  affected by, something that is optional.

Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way. Maybe, just MAYBE if a person with
  Banality 8 runs past a changeling on a busy street and doesn't come all that
  close, they might not notice, but anything more than that? Yeah, you're gonna
  feel it. To a changeling - ANY changeling, no exceptions - being near a
  person with Banality 8 is quite unpleasant. Doesn't matter what they're doing
  or saying, you are not going to enjoy their company. Think nausea, dizziness,
  maybe some chills. The longer you're near them, the worse it gets. If it's a
  big room and you're not particularily close to them, you'll be fine. Touching
  them physically is quite uncomfortable; think itchy sweater, maybe rockwool.

At 9, things get a fair bit worse. The discomfort is likely to be at food
  poisoning or stomach flu levels of unpleasantness, and at this point touching
  them isn't merely unpleasant, it's outright PAINFUL. Even if you do have the
  Masochist flaw, you aren't going to enjoy it.

If you are unlucky enough to encounter someone with Banality 10: run. Just
  being anywhere near them is probably going to feel like you're standing naked
  in a blizzard at the south pole. Mindnumbing, soulcrushing levels of
  Banality. Actually touching them goes well beyond mere pain and into the
  territory of unbelievable agony. This is simply not something you can
  realistically ignore, any more than you can ignore the pain from pressing
  your hand against a searing hot stove.

 Don't just take my word for it, though. As the good book (CtD p152) says,
  "Beings that have a Banality rating of 8 or higher actually physically affect
  changelings. Changelings may become nauseous, experience headaches or just
  get very edgy and belligerent. This occurs especially if a changeling spends
  any time in the company of high Banality people, and gets progressively worse
  the longer the changeling stays. As a general rule, normal mortals and others
  with ratings of 7 or lower, do not have this effect."

Does this mean you HAVE to leave the room if someone Banal comes in? Of course
  not. Sick people can still choose to go to work anyway, and Changelings can
  still choose to subject themselves to Banality if they really want to. That's
  not the issue. The issue is people RPing like they're completely unaffected
  by it.

Disclaimer 1: No, nobody is going to instantly unapprove you just because you
  forgot to check the Banality of the person you're RPing with. You really
  should check, but come on. We're staffers on a MUSH, not North Korean
  military police.

Disclaimer 2: No, checking +banality does NOT count as 'sniping'. Use it early,
  use it often.

Disclaimer 3: Kinain, feel free to disregard this post entirely.

        OBey (please?)
        PoisonFrog
==============================================================================

=============================== Public Policy ================================
Message: 11/42                     Posted        Author
Various HR updates                 Thu Aug 21    WhoopingCrane
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Two new +rules files, and a change to an existing one. Hopefully nothing
  controversial here, but if you feel something is way off base, please let us
  know (via +request or bb 7).

* '+rules difficulties' clarifies some issues with minimum/maximum difficulties
  and automatic successes. This is based on a discussion on bb 7 a couple weeks
  ago.

* We do use mage thresholds now, '+rules mage misc' explains how we interpret
  them. This was also suggested on bb 7 a couple weeks ago and drew no
  objections.

* '+rules targeting wraiths' clarifies which powers can/cannot target PC
  wraiths.
==============================================================================

=============================== Public Policy ================================
Message: 11/43                     Posted        Author
Setite Sorcery                     Thu Aug 28    WhoopingCrane
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ahku is now allowed, though somewhat more expensive (becoming a lector priest
  takes time and effort). This and other forms of blood magic are now covered
  by '+rules blood magic'.
==============================================================================

=============================== Public Policy ================================
Message: 11/44                     Posted        Author
+rules fera                        Sat Sep 06    WhoopingCrane
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I noticed that like 90 percent of '+rules shifter misc' was about Fera stuff,
  so I split it out into its own entry. The only changes to the content are a
  note on Kitsune learning gifts from other breeds (which was inadvertently
  left out), and an extra reference to '+rules yava'.
==============================================================================

=============================== Public Policy ================================
Message: 11/45                     Posted        Author
Entering the Dreaming              Sun Sep 14    WhoopingCrane
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It was brought to my attention that '+help fae' incorrectly stated that anyone
  who can see the Dreaming can also enter it. This /certainly/ wasn't my
  mistake, as Sponge established long ago that staff is completely infallible;
  it can only have been the work of insidious Commie mutant traitors.

Anyway, it's been fixed. In particular, the code (like +gain, +heal, etc.)
  OOCly allows things that are not ICly possible; you are on the honor system
  to not do those things.
==============================================================================

=============================== Public Policy ================================
Message: 11/46                     Posted        Author
Good Right Hook redux              Wed Sep 17    WhoopingCrane
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'+rules demon misc' has been updated to reflect that Good Right Hook, being a
  physical merit, it does not apply to apocalyptic forms (see '+rules
  apocalyptic form').

Also, because I heard this was recently overlooked at least once: Good Right
  Hook is still house-ruled to apply to BASHING DAMAGE ONLY. No, you cannot
  apply it to agg damage from claws, fangs, Natural Weaponry, what have you.
  It's a whopping 1-dot merit, it's not intended to be /that/ good.
==============================================================================

=============================== Public Policy ================================
Message: 11/47                     Posted        Author
Mage rituals                       Sat Sep 20    WhoopingCrane
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Mages attempting to cast a powerful effect may need to use extended rolls.
  '+rules mage rituals' now summarizes how this works, including house rules
  for how extended they can get. (For those who have worked with me before on
  creating magical items or casting long-term ongoing effects, this is pretty
  much the same system I was using all along.)
==============================================================================

=============================== Public Policy ================================
Message: 11/48                     Posted        Author
Mage chantries                     Sat Sep 20    WhoopingCrane
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'+rules chantry' has been added. This mostly summarizes a background from Guide
  to the Traditions, with a house rule covering how it works in larger cases.
==============================================================================

=============================== Public Policy ================================
Message: 11/49                     Posted        Author
Custom apoc forms (limited)        Thu Oct 02    WhoopingCrane
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Demons may now partly customize their apocalyptic forms, see '+rules
  apocalyptic form' for details. Please +xpreq "Custom Apoc Form" with page
  references and point values for both the old and new effects (staff will
  double-check everything anyway, but this saves some time).
==============================================================================

=============================== Public Policy ================================
Message: 11/50                     Posted        Author
Thralls with NPC demons            Sat Oct 04    WhoopingCrane
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This is now allowed, with a requirement and a restriction. '+rules thralls' for
  info. This does not apply to being thralled by a PC demon.
==============================================================================

=============================== Public Policy ================================
Message: 11/51                     Posted        Author
Phobia                             Sat Oct 18    WhoopingCrane
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I've replaced the flaws "Phobia (mild)" and "Phobia (severe)" with a single
  flaw "Phobia", and added '+rules phobia' with a house rule for how to
  interpret it. (This is further simplified from my draft on bb 7 a couple
  weeks ago.)
==============================================================================

=============================== Public Policy ================================
Message: 11/52                     Posted        Author
Sorcerer-psychics + science/techno Sun Oct 19    WhoopingCrane
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'+rules sorcerer' and '+rules magical items' have been updated to allow
  sorcerer-psychics using extraordinary science or techno-sorcery to use
  Science or Technology in place of Occult. (If you have to ask whether this
  applies to you, then it probably doesn't. If in doubt, set a +note and ask
  staff to approve it.)
==============================================================================

=============================== Public Policy ================================
Message: 11/53                     Posted        Author
Tribebook gifts                    Sun Oct 26    WhoopingCrane
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'+rules shifter misc' has been updated to note that gifts from a tribebook
  other than your own may be limited at staff discretion. Any existing cases
  are grandfathered in.
==============================================================================

=============================== Public Policy ================================
Message: 11/54                     Posted        Author
Mages: Chantries, nodes, Twin Soul Thu Nov 13    WhoopingCrane
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'+rules chantry' has been adjusted a bit in how it addresses multiple alts or
  lack thereof.

'+rules nodes' has been updated to point out that meditation does count against
  the limit. (This is canon, just not inherently obvious.)

'+rules mage misc' has been updated to clarify an ambiguity in the Twin Souls
  merit.
==============================================================================

=============================== Public Policy ================================
Message: 11/55                     Posted        Author
Level 6 numina                     Wed Dec 10    WhoopingCrane
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This is now allowed, with some restrictions. See '+rules sorcerer' for details.
==============================================================================

=============================== Public Policy ================================
Message: 11/56                     Posted        Author
Antagonists, avoidance, sub. NPCs  Wed Dec 10    WhoopingCrane
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Some new +policy entries here. Hopefully nothing earth-shattering. Feel free to
  suggest changes (but direct it to bb 7, please).

* Antagonists: Some brief recommendations for playing in one of these factions.

* Avoidance, aka 'cessation of RP': This arose spontaneously from player
  interpretation of harassment policy applied to IC. We figured it was worth
  setting down some defaults; you can vary from them, but this should help
  avoid problems due to people making different assumptions.

* Substitute NPC: This is something that was used a couple times to clean up
  after a botched info trail (Bob reasonably thought he ICly learned something,
  staff later determines he wouldn't have) without needing to retcon Bob's
  subsequent RP completely out of existence. This formalizes the concept and
  sets down some hopefully sensible defaults.
==============================================================================

=============================== Public Policy ================================
Message: 11/57                     Posted        Author
Custom apoc forms (expanded)       Sun Dec 21    WhoopingCrane
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It has long been noted that some standard apocalyptic forms are more equal than
  others; using the point-build system from Demon Players Guide, they come in
  at anywhere from 11 to 22 (where the intended target is 16). To help even
  this out, '+rules apocalyptic form' has been updated to allow the folks on
  the low end of the scale to bring themselves up to around the middle.

"Apocalyptic Forms" on the wiki has charts of the various options and standard
  packages. (If you spot anything that seems off kilter, let us know.)
==============================================================================

=============================== Public Policy ================================
Message: 11/58                     Posted        Author
Banality, sniping, antagonists     Fri Dec 26    WhoopingCrane
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In celebration of Boxing Day, here are some updates:

'+rules banality' has been updated to address people who can't sense Banality
  directly, but can potentially draw inferences by observing the reactions of
  others.

'+rules sniping' has been updated to clarify sniping based on territory.

'+policy antagonists' has been updated to address spies, as well as Technocrats
  in particular.
==============================================================================

=============================== Public Policy ================================
Message: 11/59                     Posted        Author
Inactive PCs                       Sun Dec 28    Sponge
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I've updated +policy Inactive PCs to include the following under Unapproved PCs:

        Unapproved PCs that haven't logged in for more than 90 days since being
  unapproved may be @decompiled, archived, and @destroyed.

There are a lot of player and sheet objects hanging around that are totally
  unused and should be removed. I've been working on some automation to
  @decompile and save stuff so it can be removed from the MU but not lost. With
  this in place I feel more comfortable destroying unused objects and/or Cross.

Enjoy (or be @decompiled)!

His High Absorbancy
Sponge
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