No player ever hit another player with a fireball...
Except when they did…
And it was hilarious.
The short answer: This campaign is Cooperative Fantasy Storytelling.
I want us to have fun together as players engage with other players. (The GM is a player). This means: No “PvP”. Rarely *characters* can be mutually antagonistic as part of CFS but please DBaD… If you’re confused, consider AGENCY and CONSENT, and when necessary, use the dispute resolution method below.
Or “The first rule of PvP is that you don’t talk about PvP.” In TTRPG sourcebooks the word “player” always means the IRL person (including the GM) so technically the words “player versus player” mean people being antagonistic to people. In this campaign and on this server, in no sense should players be antagonistic to players (and the GM is a player).
Sidebar: CAMARADERIE: The normal mode of engagement between characters is camaraderie. When rare antagonistic actions occur between characters it must never be “player versus player” but merely “character versus character” and must advance a shared storytelling purpose, (no “but my character would do it”).
Or “The second rule of PvP is that you don’t talk about PvE.” “Players versus environment” doesn’t require players to engage each other, but in my campaign I expect a high degree of engagement between players. TTRPG is better described as “cooperative fantasy storytelling” (CFS). The rule is: Keep it cooperative. Keep it fantasy. Keep storytelling. Don’t derail the adventure. Don’t take it personally. “Walk and talk.”
Sidebar: AGENCY & CONSENT: Before a character engages another character in an antagonistic manner, ask yourself (and the other player) whether what you are doing will violate the other player’s AGENCY or CONSENT. As a DM, I promise to honor your player AGENCY in return for your CONSENT that negative circumstances may affect your character.
Or “The third rule of PvP is don’t be a dick.” If you accidentally dick someone over and they let you know they are butt-hurt IRL about it, apologize swiftly or you’re a double dick. If someone apologizes, stop being butt-hurt swiftly or if you bring it up again you’re a triple dick. Don’t be a dick.
Sidebar: DISPUTE RESOLUTION METHOD: first in private one on one > second with a buddy > if there are still differences of opinion we agree to leave it unresolved and respect diversity of opinion within 24 hours. Coalition building is not an accepted dispute resolution method since it is by its nature “PvP”. Third-parties can feel free to put an end to a heated conversation by reminding parties involved that: “The stakes are low here folks.” This is hereby a “safe word” on our server and is a signal for those involved to stop posting about this topic.
This campaign is PEP: players engaging players through the medium of the game. Don’t talk around me about the words PvP or PvE or I’ll link you to this page.