News 2 26 - Gwethsmasher clarifications and information

NEWS article 2-26:

Dateline 12/3/2013: GWETHSMASHER CLARIFICATIONS AND INFORMATION

Gwethsmashers are a legitimate avenue for players "self policing" of the gweth by destroying the target's gweth or temporarily halting their ability to use gweths and gweth-like devices. Although it might take a while for some individuals to get the point after having their gweths smashed, they should eventually figure out what the general populace considers acceptable for the gweth. We are aware that there may be times that "because I felt like it" smashings occur and because of this, the target of a smashing can see who did it, so they can take care of it in an in-character manner.

Gwethsmashers can only be used once every 24 hours and can only target people who have used THINK within the past five real-life minutes, including time spent out of game. Since you must be directly engaged in conversation (THINK within 5 minutes) and within gwethdesuan range of the attacker to be targeted, the chance of someone attacking you out of the blue is fairly small.

Smashing someone's gweth grants consent to the target. The target of a successful gwethsmashing will see who did it, and can therefore retaliate accordingly. However, we are not going to allow the killing to continue until the gweth is replaced it is a pure and simple retaliatory consent and is worth a death. After that, you should just get a new gweth, be more careful about what you think and move on. Gweth smashing will be ruled a NO-GM situation with the exception of someone harassing the gweth smashee. So, unless you are being harassed, assisting/reporting on it is only going to get you a NO-GM ruling.

Due to the fact that changes to gwethsmashers have made them a more common part of everyday life the victim of a successful gwethsmashing is no longer stunned when gweths are smashed and targets for gwethsmashing can not avoid their fate by hiding or becoming invisible. However, the attacker is still subject to a stun if they fail the contest. Yes, the use of a gwethsmasher is contested, not automatic. The contest is stat based, rather than circle based.

Unbreakable Gwethdesuans will NOT break (they wouldn't exactly be 'unbreakable' then). However, they will be rendered inert for six hours. The gwethdesuan will still exist, but it will just be a piece of fluff. After six hours, the gwethesuan will start functioning normally again.

Gwethsmashers are a NO GM situation. There does not have to be a justification for a smashing. Having Consent does not guarantee you will get your satisfaction. It guarantees you the option to attempt it, not success. That said, the entire system is being monitored closely for abuse.

If a single individual is harassing you with a gwethsmasher, then it is handled under our normal policy for harassment. If multiple people are gwethsmashing you for unrelated reasons, it may be time to reassess the contents of your messages or the tone in which you send them.