Policy:Unique items

Current Policy

POLICY article 19:

Unique items

There are various methods which the GameMasters use, to introduce unique items into DragonRealms. Some of these are planned well in advance, such as auctions, or quest treasure, or have immediate GameMaster involvement, such as during merchant events. Other methods, however, such as the treasure queue or "feeder" system, are done on a daily basis with only limited checking. The queue system is a powerful method to get large numbers of unique items into the hands of DragonRealms's players, but because of the volume, Simutronics cannot, and does not, maintain detailed records of the types of items, and who claims them. Because of this, requests for replacement of unique items lost due to system problems cannot always be honored.

In cases where Simutronics has a record of the item and its owner, replacement in the case of a loss (such as from a software crash) is usually authorized. In un-documented cases, however, Simutronics accepts no responsibility to replace the item. This policy allows GameMasters to create a large number of unique items, without requiring the detailed documentation and tracking which can stifle creativity.

A few problems, however, emerge from this exciting method of treasure distribution.

• Because of the large number of such items, replacement in the case of loss may not be possible, because there will be no records of the item's exact structure or status.

• It is possible that there will be mistakes in item creation from time to time. These mistakes may be technical, invalid or unreasonable parameters, or elements which are outside the guidelines and mythos of the game environment.

• Items will vary widely in their scope, concept, and usefulness. Some items of similar or exact appearance may have different powers.

Therefore, the following policy is imposed on these items.

• Simutronics will not replace or repair unique items under any circumstances other than bug fixes we initiate at our sole discretion. Therefore, if you lose one of these items in a crash, we may not be able to replace it because we will not have any documentation on what it was, or how it really worked.

• Simutronics can and will, at its sole discretion, make adjustments or repairs to these items as needed. In most cases, if an error represents a clear imbalance, you will not lose the benefits you acquired while the item was working the way it was. The exception to this is if it was a gross mistake that has serious ramifications for the world balance.

• Simutronics is not required to make any notification that a change has occurred. If you see that an item suddenly shifts its operation, then the reason is either due to a repair, or that the item was programmed to do what it does for some reason. Items should never be trusted to ALWAYS behave in a perfectly predictable manner.

• In very rare instances, an item may have to be confiscated if it is seriously in error. GameMasters are authorized to replace it with the next item in the unique item queue (though this will probably not have any relationship to the benefits/powers of the one removed). Again, this can take place at Simutronics' sole discretion.