Please read this announcement carefully. We have three items of note
regarding issues and policies.

First, to assist those filing or appealing an issue, we have added two
new help files: HELP FILING AN ISSUE and HELP IC RESOLUTION. HELP FILING
AN ISSUE gives advice as to what one should include in an issue and when
one should issue. HELP IC RESOLUTION details when in-character
resolution is needed and when it is not.

In regards to the first two help files, please do not think we aim to
make issues more complicated than they already are. It is not our intent
to create greater bureaucratic verbiage, but to arm you with the
information you need to decide when to issue against another player: an
act that should not be undertaken without consideration. Very little of
what is in these files is new information; most of it has simply been
separated out from HELP ISSUES and explained in better detail.

Second, I'd like to clear up something regarding in-character (IC)
resolution for player vs player disputes. We posted a while back
(Announce #2666) to stress that you should first attempt IC resolution
before filing an issue. Some of you have thought that this means IC
resolution is ALWAYS required before filing an issue against another
player. This is incorrect. There ARE cases in which we do NOT think it
is reasonable to ask you to attempt IC resolution first. These cases are
when there was no IC reason behind the dispute in the first place, or
when OOC policies have been breached.

For example, if someone is insulted by something you said on the Forums,
and he logs on to his character to PK yours for that and no other
reason, you shouldn't need to seek IC resolution first; the impetus for
the PK was not IC in the first place. Likewise, if your character PKs
another in-game, and the player behind that character then logs on to
her alt to PK your character for no other reason, that is a breach of
our OOC policy against seconds abuse, and we would not ask you to seek
IC resolution first. We also understand that there may be some rare
cases in which attempting IC resolution is not at all possible, and if
you can explain your case clearly, we will do our best to work with you.
All this, and more, is covered in the new HELP IC RESOLUTION.

Thirdly, regarding cross-character accountability. It is not acceptable
to breach one of our policies on one character, then create another
character to breach such policies again as if you did not know any
better. For example, if you break X rule on one character and receive a
warning for it, then create another character and break the same rule
again, you should not expect to simply get another warning. We will come
down harder on players who create multiple characters to breach the same
policies time and time again. This does not mean you can never put the
mistakes of a previous character behind you; it means that you cannot
abuse the privilege of having multiple characters by simply creating a
new one every time you get caught.

I hope this has answered some questions and confusions that frequently
arise. If you have any questions, feel free to message me.

Penned by My hand on the 4th of Sarapin, in the year 473 AF.