PCs are not Pumpkins.

[Random_White_Guy]

There's been a weird trend sweeping EFU of late: Hacking off more limbs than an African raiding party.

There's been standoffs in the docks that ended with attempts to cut off limbs, actions in the Ziggurat that have lead to the carving of limbs, events in the wilds where limbs were attempted "Bit" off, and more.

Arms tend to be a favorite but also at times folks try to go for the legs or otherwise, and I just thought I'd throw this out- Taking a limb is a pretty serious action. It's also a drastic action. Folks argue time and again that it's quite the Lawful Evil action since people usually claim to have great justification for doing such.

On the conflict scale I would say it is right below FD, and a seriously drastic action that tends to lead to drastic action. Examples from other stories: Luke Skywalker. Lost hand, became zen master, killed guy who cut hand off. Captain Hook. Lost hand, intensified the long lasting vengeful vendetta against the boy who cut if off. The list goes on.

I witnessed an encounter in the sewers where a PC attempted to "Carve out a PC's Eye" after a brief PvP, but there was no DM around so it was agreed that such a maiming wouldn't be particularly good. More over it happened because a character spit at the individual. We all like to play rugged badasses but I think there's a pretty drastic line that crosses when you enter the realm of character mutilation.

It's something I think that has to be earned, much like FDing. Cutting off the hand of a long time business rival and mailing it to his allies to ensure your business is not messed with? Pro mutilation. Carving off a man's ear because even though you just met he refused to tithe your deity? A bit extreme but I suppose that's better than just "HE SPIT ON MY BOOT".

At the very least I think folks should consider that it takes not only time for a DM to leto a PC (For arms, leg, etc), but also drastically alters a PC's existence. That sort of thing should require lengthy conflict much like FD. If someone spits on your boot, punch them in the teeth and take some gold. Leave "Cutting off his limbs" for a PC you've actually built a feuding rapport with.

On the grand scheme of things I think it's something that should continue conflict not start it. "I cut his hand off so he'd come back later angry, that's advancing RP" is a pretty weak excuse.

[Black_TopHat]

I agree with the idea, but what does this have to do with pumpkins? I feel very cheated here

[Dash]

Carving pumpkins, carving pcs.

[Decimate_The_Weak]

I agree with RwG 100%.

My Stygian specialist, Gavril Rezniczek, had his left arm removed for reasons that I'll not discuss, but regardless...

As I was playing a ranger that dual-wielded, removing my PC's left arm weakened him greatly. Personally, I would of preferred being FDed simply because playing Gavril after his mutilation grew rather dull.

If people do insist on removing limbs, please, at least make the reason you choose be legitimate and well deserved. We're all on EfU to have fun, and we all take pride in the power/strength/prestige of our PCs. Therefor, limiting that over a petty issue by inflicting a rather permanent mark should be frowned upon.

If you're uncertain whether FDing, removing a limb, or some other drastic measure has merit, contact a DM and speak with them about it. Likely they'll shed some light on the matter and help you decide which will actually progress the conflict and advance your PC, as well as the victim's story.

[TheImpossibleDream]

I guess I'll scrap my pc'o'latern maker concept.

[HiredHand]

I guess I'll scrap my pc'o'latern maker concept.

I'm not saying PC's shouldn't do it! I mean a Gladiator who keeps hands of people he faces in fights as trophies would be a pretty badass pursuit. It's just the kind of thing that is best agreed to with DMs and PCs ahead of time rather than "OH MAN NOW IM PISSED GIMME UR HANDZ"

[Semli]

More consideration for other players is never a bad thing.

[12 Hatch]

One way to address this would be to declare that powerful healing spells restore lost limbs, unless said limbs are somehow warded from regrowth by some powerful magical means.

That would allow DMs to somewhat monitor what PCs have earned the right to perform such a mutilation because it would require some manner of item that could be easily controlled.

[you axed for it]

It's a pretty boring and overdone punishment usually used by players who want to FD but vaguely realize it might be tasteless. Of course, in some situations, for example if Gavril tried to kill you and you thought he was a joke and not a real threat, and therefore rather than killing him in turn you wanted to make him suffer, it can be a good idea.

If unsure, nothing wrong with getting a DM's opinion. They'll probably appreciate that you're thinking about how tasteful and courteous you're being.

[Juzza]

Get a hook foolz

[General-shadow]

Please don't make comments like these again, or I'll hand out my first forum ban. Ta! - Halfbrood

[Ebok]

I agree with RwG 100%.

There is another aspect of the server to consider here as well. Questing; Cutting off a limb make playing a character nearly impossible, it can completely end certain types: Say a two handed fighter who can no longer use their weapon, or the loss of a shield may make questing for some people more of a death knell.

If you find yourself in a situation where you want to give a firm warning, punishment etc. And you're starting to go for the arm, or the eye, or the face: Consider for a moment branding, or a scar (not a word -.- ) as a SLIGHTLY less horrific way to go. When people were caught for piracy and locked up, they were branded to show a sign of it on their hands or wrists. Stamping someone's forehead might sound cool to you, but the key here is to make it fun for both parties.

WE ALL LIKE CONFLICT

Sometimes a memorable scar -- someone craving a line down one of your cheeks and cauterizing the wound, so example. Doesn't cripple them! And if you've done it right, they'll have a story to tell as well.

Still it's be best to have a DM in any permanent wound situation imo.

[Howlando]

I can't speak for other DMs, but to be honest a lot of the time I'm not really a fan of a player making US decide if it's appropriate to KILL or MAIM or do whatever else. It's not a bad idea to ask for advice, but I've felt in the past that it's sort of cop out behavior for players who don't have the OOC guts to make the decision. It's your character, after all.

My biggest problem with maiming is definitely the fact that it can require extra work for DMs in terms of removing limbs and adjusting armor and all that jazz! But sometimes it can be cool.

[morva]

What about self mutilation!?!?!?!?

I HATE MY ARM. [WACK]

[el groso]

What about self mutilation!?!?!?!?

I HATE MY ARM. [WACK]

Very nice to see old players coming back and adding so much to the server. Thank you, Morva! :D