"Clarify" rules: what can bystanders do?

[Alex319]

I am unsure if this is a National rule (is it?) but several chapters I have been in have had a "Clarify" rule where a group of people can be in a "mini-hold" while clarifying an effect that occurred between them, while the rest of the battle still rages on around them. Most of these questions are about how other players not involved in the "Clarify" should respond.

In the following scenarios, "A" and "B" represent the two opposing sides that are fighting. "A1", "A2", etc. are different characters on the A side; "B1", "B2", etc. are different characters on the B side.

Scenario 1:

A1, alone, is ambushed by B1, B2, and B3. A2 and A3, who are next to each other 150 feet away, see A1 being ambushed and rush to his aid. When A2 and A3 are 100 feet away, A1, B1, B2, and B3 get in a "Clarify." Can A2 and A3 still close distance, or do they have to stop and wait (possibly entering the "Clarify" themselves)?

Scenario 2:

Same as Scenario 1, except that it's nighttime and A2 and A3 can't actually see the fight with A1; they are running toward A1's position because they heard A1 screaming for help. In this case, A2 and A3 may not even know if A1 enters a Clarify.

Scenario 3:

A1, A2, B1, and B2 are melee fighters; B3 is a spellcaster. B3 is using B1 and B2 as cover while casting his spells. A1 engages B1 and B2, and A1, B1, and B2 get in a Clarify. Two questions: First, can B3 choose to enter the Clarify (and effectively go out-of-game) because he was with B1 and B2, even if B3 didn't himself throw any effects or receive any effects that were the subject of a Clarify? Second, can A2 use this opportunity to attack B3 while B1 and B2 are effectively out-of-game and unable to protect B3? (If not, does this mean that B3 effectively has a major tactical advantage during the Clarify period, as he is still in-game and can throw spells but cannot be attacked in return?)

Scenario 4:

(Assuming that the answer to the second question for Scenario 3 is "No") Suppose that the scenario is as in Scenario 3, and A2 has just arrived on scene and sees A1, B1, and B2 standing still for a second, maybe talking to each other, but not in a "Clarify" pose, and also sees B3 standing behind B1 and B2. At this point, A2 does not know whether (a) A1, B1, and B2 are in a Clarify and just did not remember to keep their pose up (in which case B3 is not a legal target), or (b) A1, B1, and B2 are just distracted or taunting each other (in which case this would be an opportune time to take advantage of this distraction to attack B3). Is A2 required to ascertain which of those is the case before attempting to engage B3 (and if so, is there a good way to do that without tipping off B3 as to his intent?)

Scenario 5:

Same as Scenario 4, except that instead of A2 being a melee fighter, A2 is an archer and B1 and B2 have shields; B1 and B2 were protecting B3 not by being in the way but by using their shields to intercept the packets. Note that in this case it is possible A2 is fairly far back, behind other characters or trees, and thus not even clearly able to see what is going on with A1, B1, and B2.

Scenario 6:

A1 throws a spell at B1 and sees it hit B1's garb, but B1 doesn't feel it and keeps running to another part of the field. Can A1 enter a "Clarify", and follow B1 to tell him what hit him? Or if A1 wants to follow B1, does he have to stay in-game while doing so?

 

[Inaryn]

Clarify is not a national rule. It is a local rule that San Francisco adopted from its sister larp in the area. Other chapters whose players have visited SF may have taken it back to their own chapters who have then, in turn, adopted the rule.

The Clarify rule is meant to cut down on game stopping holds. The theory being that we're all adults, if not friends, and we all want each other to actually have fun.

Scenario 1:
A2 and A3 should stop and wait.

Scenario 2:
Once it becomes clear to A2 and A3 that there is a Clarify situation, they should stop and wait.

Scenario 3:
B3 may choose to be part of the Clarify, or may choose to forgo his cover and attack another target who is not in the Clarify. If B3 is part of the Clarify, he may not continue to throw spells and others should treat B3 the same as all the others in the Clarify.

Scenario 4:
A2 should assess the situation. If the players involved can be heard to be discussing the rules or other out of game information, they should be treated as such. If A2 has no reason to believe they are out of game, A2 could ask, or attempt to engage. If the attempt to engage is met with a response that they are in a Clarify, A2 should apologize, politely remind his friends that they should have their pose on, and then extricate himself to either other parts of the field, or to a distance that allows the Clarify to complete before re-engaging. Persons in the Clarify should react to A2's presence at the end of the Clarify as if A2 never interrupted the situation.

Scenario 5:
If B3 is part of the team and wishes to maintain their set up, he should enter the Clarify and inform A2 of such if/when struck. Otherwise, B3 should separate from the situation and is fair game.

Scenario 6:
A1 should inform a marshal and go about his business.