TEXT: PENALTY GUIDELINES
  Effective April 14, 2003
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  1
  Contents
  Introduction  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
  1. Infractions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
  Character Infractions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
  Procedural Error  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
  Unsporting Conduct  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
  Cheating  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
  Fraud  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
  2. Applying Penalties and Repeat Offenses  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
  3. Reporting Incidents  .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
  4. Definition of Penalties  .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
  Caution  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
  Warning  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
  Session Ejection  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
  RPGA Play Area Ejection  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
  Appendix 1: Contact Information  .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
  U.S. CANADA, ASIA,
  PACIFIC, & LATIN AMERICA
  Wizards of the Coast, Inc. 
  P.O. Box 707
  Renton WA 98057-0707
  (Questions?) 1-800-324-6498
  EUROPEAN HEADQUARTERS
  Wizards of the Coast, Belgium
  P.B. 2031
  2600 Berchem
  Belgium
  +32-70-23-32-77
  
  RPGA PENALTY GUIDELINES
  2
  INTRODUCTION
  The RPGA Penalty Guidelines provide a structure to help
  gamemasters (GMs) determine the appropriate action
  necessary for infractions that occur during the course
  of an event or session. Penalties exist to protect players
  from misconduct. Unless stated otherwise, all penal-
  ties in this document assume that the infraction is
  unintentional. If a GM believes that an infraction was
  intentional, the penalty should be upgraded as appro-
  priate. Please remember that these are only guidelines.
  If the session GM, Appeals GM, or Senior GM believes
  that the situation has significant, extenuating circum-
  stances, that GM is always free to modify any and all
  penalties as appropriate. The RPGA Penalty Guidelines
  apply to every game the RPGA offers and supports.
  Note: See Appendix 1 of the RPGA General Rules for
  definitions of terms in this document
  1. INFRACTIONS 
  Infractions are listed in the following manner:
  Infraction Name [Infraction Type]
  Definition: The description of what qualifies as an
  infraction.
  Example: Sample incidents of the infraction.
  Philosophy: The reasoning behind the penalty.
  Penalty: Recommended penalties.
  CHARACTER INFRACTIONS
  This section generally deals with campaign character
  problems and related issues for all RPGA campaigns
  where the player creates and maintains their own char-
  acter records.
  Illegal Characters [Character Infraction]
  Definition: This penalty applies to games featuring
  characters that players develop themselves (such as
  LIVING GREYHAWK and DUNGEONS & DRAGONS®
  CAMPAIGNS). Players must use the specific character
  creation guidelines for the appropriate campaign in
  order to play.
  Players are considered to have illegal characters
  when any part of that character does not comply with
  campaign guidelines for that particular campaign.
  Examples: (A) A player arrives at a LIVING FORCE™
  session with a new character that has spent more than
  the 28 points for the Planned Generation method of
  ability scores that are standard for that campaign.
  (B) A player arrives at a LIVING GREYHAWK™ session
  with more equipment than is possible to buy for that
  character’s recorded gold value.
  (C) A player arrives with a character that has not
  had character death penalties or other detrimental
  effects applied from a previous game.
  Philosophy: The character a player brings to any
  RPGA campaign game must fully abide by the creation
  and maintenance guidelines of that campaign. If the
  character does not comply with the campaign’s guide-
  lines on any level, the player is considered to have an
  illegal character. Because characters are usually illegal
  due to a clerical error or an honest mistake, it is not in
  the best interest of the event to disqualify a player or
  their character for this kind of violation. Correcting
  the character to fit within campaign guidelines is the
  best option. However, if a player repeatedly partici-
  pates with illegal characters, game ejection may
  become appropriate at the discretion of the GM. To
  maintain event integrity, the RPGA recommends that
  GMs verify the legality of all characters at the start of
  each game session.
  Penalty: The standard penalty for this infraction is
  a caution. At all times, the basic procedure is to cor-
  rect a player’s character so it is legal, and then let the
  player continue playing with the corrected character.
  The GM should deduct any excess points and/or
  equipment without consulting the player. A player
  should be allowed to swap the illegal character if that
  is the best way to correct the infraction. Repeated
  offenses can result in a penalty escalation and be sub-
  ject to RPGA investigation.
  PROCEDURAL ERROR
  This section provides penalties for procedural errors.
  Many infractions fit into this category, but it is impos-
  sible to list them all. The Senior GM should use his or
  her discretion when deciding which penalty applies to
  an unlisted procedural error.
  TARDINESS [PROCEDURAL ERROR] 
  Definition: A player is considered to have commit-
  ted this infraction when he or she is not seated and
  ready to play when the slot begins, is frequently absent
  from play, or causes undue amounts of delay that nega-
  tively affects play at the session.
  Examples: (A) A player arrives to play in a session
  five (5) minutes after the session is scheduled to begin.
  B) A player takes extended food breaks, delaying
  play.
  
  RPGA PENALTY GUIDELINES
  3
  (C) A player takes an excessive amount of phone
  calls during a session.
  Philosophy: Players are responsible for being on
  time for their slots and ensuring they don’t disrupt the
  game for their fellow players.
  Penalty: A caution should be given out for tardiness.
  If a player is not at the session five (5) minutes after the
  slot has started, an alternative player should be assigned,
  when possible, so that session can begin. The tardy play-
  er should be dropped from participation in the session.
  Repeated offenses could result in a possible penalty esca-
  lation and could also be subject to RPGA investigation.
  LITTERING [PROCEDURAL ERROR] 
  Definition: A player leaves undue amounts of litter
  in the play area after a slot.
  Example: (A) A player leaves packaging or partially
  eaten food at the play area.
  (B) A GM leaves adventure handouts or other paper
  at the play area.
  Philosophy: Players should expect to play in a com-
  fortable and clean environment. Each player is responsi-
  ble for making sure any litter they create is cleared for
  the benefit of other players.
  Penalty: In all cases the offending player should
  receive a caution. Repeated offenses could result in a
  possible penalty escalation and could also be subject to
  RPGA investigation.
  UNSPORTING CONDUCT
  This section deals with unsporting conduct at RPGA
  events. A player does not have to be actively involved in
  a slot to receive a penalty for unsporting conduct. 
  MINOR DISRUPTION [UNSPORTING
  CONDUCT]
  Definition: Minor unsporting conduct is defined as
  behavior that may be disruptive to a person in the RPGA
  play area, but that has no significant impact on the oper-
  ation of sessions or the event. 
  Examples: (A) A player uses excessively vulgar and
  profane language.
  (B) A player repeatedly and inappropriately demands
  to a GM that another player receive a penalty or penalty
  increase for an infraction. 
  Philosophy: Different levels of unsporting conduct
  should be penalized accordingly. The Senior GM is
  always the final authority on what constitutes unsport-
  ing conduct and is free to interpret the guidelines as he
  or she sees fit.
  Penalty: In all case the offending player should
  receive a caution. Repeated offenses could result in a
  possible penalty escalation and could also be subject to
  RPGA investigation. 
  MAJOR DISRUPTION [UNSPORTING
  CONDUCT]
  Definition: Major unsporting conduct is defined as
  behavior disruptive to a session’s play, or to player or
  players, but that does not cause delays nor does it
  include any form of physical contact or significant emo-
  tional distress. 
  Examples: (A) A player repeatedly argues with a GM
  about rules interpretation.
  (B) A player fails to obey the instructions of a GM or
  other RPGA official. 
  Philosophy: Different levels of unsporting conduct
  should be penalized accordingly. The Senior GM is
  always the final authority on what constitutes unsport-
  ing conduct and uses his or her discretion in interpret-
  ing and applying the guidelines.
  Penalty: In all case the offending player should
  receive a warning.  Repeated offenses could result in a
  possible penalty escalation and could also be subject to
  RPGA investigation.
  SEVERE DISRUPTION [UNSPORTING
  CONDUCT]
  Definition: Severe unsporting conduct is defined as
  behavior disruptive to a player or players in the RPGA
  play area that causes delays, and may include any form of
  physical contact or significant emotional distress.
  Examples: (A) A player pulls a chair from beneath
  another player, causing him or her to fall to the ground.
  (B) A player argues in an excessive, belligerent and abu-
  sive manner with a GM after he or she made a final ruling.
  C) A player threatens any form of physical violence.
  Philosophy: Different levels of unsporting conduct
  should be penalized accordingly. The Senior GM is
  always the final authority on what constitutes unsport-
  ing conduct and uses his or her discretion in interpret-
  ing and applying the guidelines.
  Penalty: In all cases a session ejection with possible
  immediate escalation to play area ejection based on
  severity. Repeated offense results in an immediate
  RPGA play area ejection if not warranting so in the first
  offense. A player is also subject to RPGA investigation
  and possible suspension.
  
  RPGA PENALTY GUIDELINES
  4
  CHEATING
  This section deals with intentionally committed
  infractions that are not encouraged or condoned by
  the RPGA.
  BRIBERY [CHEATING]
  Definition: A player attempts to determine the out-
  come of a game by way monetary or reward incentives.
  Examples: (A) An RPGA member offers cash for
  adventure advantages.
  (B) An RPGA member offers LIVING FORCE certifi-
  cates, in return for adventure advantages.
  Philosophy: Bribery disrupts the integrity of games at
  the most basic levels and is therefore strictly forbidden. 
  Penalty: Game Ejection. Repeated offenses could
  result in a possible penalty escalation and could also be
  subject to RPGA investigation.
  OTHER CHEATING [CHEATING]
  Definition: This category includes any intentional
  infraction that does not fall into the category of bribery
  and happens during play.
  Examples: (A) A player deliberately miscalls the
  roll of the dice in his or her favor.
  (B) A player deliberately fails to track their life total
  in a game.
  (C) A player intentionally miscalls character infor-
  mation to gain success and/or character benefit.
  Philosophy: At all times, the guiding principle is
  ensuring the players have a good gaming experience.
  Cheating in all its various guises is a very serious situa-
  tion and should not be tolerated. 
  Penalty: The player receives an immediate warn-
  ing. Taking a player to one side and letting them know
  of the violation and penalty should be a priority when
  it happens, is noticed or the first convenient point after
  notice. This action should not be done in such a way as
  to disrupt the rest of players at the session or highlight
  the infraction to the other players. Once the slot is fin-
  ished all acts of cheating should be brought immedi-
  ately to the Senior GMs attention. Repeated offenses
  will result in a penalty escalation and be subject to
  RPGA investigation.
  FRAUD
  This section deals with intentionally fraudulent activi-
  ties and infractions that are not encouraged, condoned
  or tolerated in any way.
  MINOR FRAUD [FRAUD]
  Definition: A player intentionally misrepresents
  rules, procedures, personal information, RPGA status,
  multiple accounts or any other relevant information.
  Examples: (A) A player uses a fake name and RPGA
  number when registering for a slot. 
  (B) A player signs up multiple family members
  without their knowledge or fictitious people as mem-
  bers, to gain extra benefits for themselves.
  Philosophy: There is zero tolerance for this type
  of activity.
  Penalty: Session ejection. Offenses will be subject
  to RPGA investigation and possibly escalated penalties.
  MAJOR FRAUD [FRAUD]
  Definition: Defrauding the RPGA data system in
  order to gain advantages for character or personal gain. 
  Examples: (A) A player creates multiple RPGA
  accounts to deliberately order RPGA adventures to use
  for their own character enhancement. 
  (B) A player deliberately plays in an adventure they
  have previously been a GM for to maximize their char-
  acter advantage. 
  Philosophy: There should be zero tolerance for this
  type of activity.
  Penalty: Game Ejection if detected at an event.
  Offenses are subject to RPGA investigation and possi-
  bly escalated penalties, including suspension.
  SEVER FRAUD [FRAUD]
  Definition: Creating or distributing fraudulent
  game or membership material, be they adventures, cer-
  tificates, membership cards, or RPGA event rules or
  guidelines.
  Examples: (A) A player arrives at a campaign session
  with a photocopied certificate detailing a powerful item
  obviously not appropriate to the character level.
  (B) A player arrives at a campaign session with a
  duplicated certificate detailing an item the player
  had lost.
  Philosophy: Players must always have a reasonable
  expectation that the documents they use to play in
  games at RPGA-sanctioned events are authentic, valid
  and binding.  When they are not, it may adversely
  effect their play experience. 
  Penalty: Play area ejection if detected at an event.
  Offenses are subject to RPGA investigation and possi-
  bly escalated penalties, including suspension.
  
  RPGA PENALTY GUIDELINES
  5
  2. APPLYING PENALTIES
  AND REPEAT OFFENSES
  Once an infraction is identified, and penalty is applied.
  In many instances, the infraction description not only
  gives the recommended penalty, but also gives guide-
  lines on when the penalty should be applied; for infrac-
  tions that don’t, use the following guidelines.
  For infractions that don’t disrupt game play, or grant
  a player an unfair advantage during game play, apply the
  penalty after game play is over. If the infraction does dis-
  rupt game play, and/or grants a player an unfair advan-
  tage during play, apply the penalties immediately. 
  If the infraction is brought to a GM’s attention after
  the fact (that is, after the session it took place), the
  knowledge of the infraction and the penalty for the
  infraction should be communicated at the first available
  opportunity. If the player who committed the infraction
  is involved in play, a GM can wait until the session is
  over to communicate the infraction and penalty, if the
  penalty is not a game area ejection or does not involve
  the session said player is participating in. If not, com-
  municate the infraction and penalty immediately.
  Outstanding infractions should be dealt with before the
  event closure in all cases. 
  A player does not need to receive an RPGA play-
  area ejection or game ejection to be subject to an
  RPGA investigation. 
  The recommended penalty for the first offense is
  listed in the Penalty section of each infraction. For the
  second offense of the same infraction, the next highest
  penalty is recommended (see Definitions of Penalties
  section, below). Session ejections from accumulated
  infractions are subject to further RPGA investigation
  and possible additional penalties. Similarly, committing
  the same infraction over the course of multiple sessions
  at the show may result in a play area ejection.
  3. REPORTING
  INCIDENTS
  For infractions that warrant a warning or more server
  penalty, the senior GM must report the details to RPGA
  Headquarters (RPGA HQ). A GM Incident Report form
  should be completed and submitted to RPGA HQ either
  by fax or regular mail within eight (8) days of the incident.   
  A Player Incident Report Form is required for all cor-
  respondence and comment to RPGA HQ regarding
  any incident by the player or players involved. Note
  that this form is not for in-game decisions (for exam-
  ple, character death) and that the ruling from the GM
  at the event is final. The form is provided for official
  player feedback and comment pertaining to an indi-
  vidual’s reported offense.
  Please submit all correspondence to e-mail:
  rpgagm@wizards.com;
  or by mail: RPGA Program
  Manager, Wizards of the Coast, 1801 Lind Ave. SW,
  Renton, WA 98055; or by  Fax: (425) 687-8287
  4. DEFINITION OF
  PENALTIES
  Caution
  This is the lowest level of penalty that can be given. A
  caution is a verbal warning given to a player by a session
  GM, Senior GM or Appeals GM. The caution must
  explain the infraction and the consequences if the
  infraction is repeated (usually a warning, see below). A
  caution should be reported to the Senior GM, but does
  not need to be reported to RPGA HQ by way of a GM
  Incident Report. 
  Warning 
  The second tier of penalty, a warning is officially tracked
  by the RPGA. The purpose of a warning is to alert GMs
  and players involved that a problem has occurred and to
  keep a permanent record of the infraction in the RPGA
  Penalty Database. A warning can be issued by a session
  GM, an Appeals GM, and a Senior GM, and must be
  reported to the Senior GM, so that he or she can report
  it to RPGA HQ via the GM Incident Report. Warnings
  must also be communicated to the player(s) they are
  issued to, explaining the infractions as well as possible
  consequences if the infractions are repeated (usually a
  session ejection, see below).
  Session Ejection
  The third tier of penalty, a warning is always given with this
  penalty. When this penalty is applied, the player is removed
  from his or her current session. Players still receive whatev-
  er character rewards and prizes they have earned in event
  sessions played before the infraction that provoked the ses-
  sion ejection. 
  A session ejection results in the player receiving no
  prizes (if any) and receives no additional awards such as
  player rewards points, character experience, or character
  wealth. This result applies for the game in which the inci-
  dent occurred, and for subsequent games in cases where the
  game ejection is not given immediately during the incident. 
  Session ejection is recommended for severe unsport-
  
  RPGA PENALTY GUIDELINES
  6
  ing conduct and severe cases of other cheating. Only
  the Senior GM or an Appeals GM may administer ses-
  sion ejections. Senior GMs or Appeals GM may take
  this action after the session GM brings the infraction to
  his or her attention. Additionally, the Senior GM is
  responsible for reporting the session ejection and its
  accompanying warning to RPGA HQ. The Senior GM
  should also report the incident to other show manage-
  ment that the ejection may effect (for example, the Gen
  Con event staff, or other convention event staff for
  conventions that host an RPGA event as part of their
  show’s programming).
  When a player receives a session ejection during a
  tournament where results from multiple sessions are
  rolled together to produce one set of standings, the
  ejected player is removed from the overall standings.
  All players in the tournament who were placed lower
  than the ejected player advance one spot in the stand-
  ings. Any player advancing in the standings as a result,
  is entitled to any prizes that the new standing offers. If
  the session ejection takes place after a cut is made (such
  as in the D&D® Open tournament at Gen Con), no
  additional players advance in place of the disqualified
  player(s) although such players advance in the stand-
  ings for prize purposes only.
  In the case of team games, if any member of the
  team receives a session ejection then the whole team
  will be disqualified if the session ejection results with
  the team being beneath the required number of team
  members for that event. Substitutes cannot be brought
  in to replace an ejected team member.
  Ejection from RPGA Play Area
  A severe fourth-tier of penalty, a warning is always given
  with this penalty. When a play area ejection penalty is
  applied, the player is removed from the RPGA play area.
  The player still receives whatever prizes and rewards he
  or she has earned before the ejection.
  Play area ejection results in the player receiving no
  prizes (if involved in a game in progress) and receiving
  no additional awards (such as D&D Player Reward
  points; character experience or wealth). Play-area ejec-
  tion is recommended for extreme unsporting conduct
  such as actual or threatened physical abuse, extreme
  and continued disturbance of other players and cheat-
  ing. 
  Only the Senior GM or Appeals GM may adminis-
  ter a play area ejection. The Senior GM or Appeals GM
  may take this action after the session GM brings the
  infraction to their attention. Additionally, the Senior
  GM is responsible for reporting the play area ejection
  and its accompanying warning to RPGA HQ. The
  Senior GM must inform the event organizer responsi-
  ble for the permanent tracking of the warning.
  The player is not allowed to participate in fur-
  ther RPGA games for the duration of the event and
  is not allowed to return to the RPGA play area under
  any circumstances.
  When a player receives an RPGA play area ejection
  during a tournament where results from multiple ses-
  sions are aggregated to produce one set of standings, the
  ejected player is removed from the overall standings. All
  players in the tournament who were placed lower than
  the ejected player advance one spot in the standings.
  Any player advancing in the standings as a result is enti-
  tled to any prizes that the new standing would offer. If
  the play-area ejection takes place after a cut is made
  (such as in the D&D Open tournament at Gen Con), no
  additional players advance toward to finale, in place of
  the disqualified player(s) although players do advance in
  the standings for prize purposes only.
  In the case of team games, if any member of the
  team receives an RPGA play-area ejection then the
  whole team is disqualified if the ejection results in the
  team being beneath the required number of team
  members for that event. Substitutes team members
  cannot be brought in to replace an ejected team mem-
  ber, in any circumstance.
  APPENDIX 1: CONTACT
  INFORMATION
  RPGA website: www.wizards.com/rpga
  E-mail: rpgagm@wizards.com (RPGA GM certifica-
  tion and training administrator)
  Phone: (800) 324-6496 (Wizards of the Coast Game
  Support)
  Mail: RPGA GM Program Manager, Wizards of the
  Coast, 1801 Lind Ave. SW, Renton, WA 98055. 
  Fax: (425) 687-8287
  
SOURCE: textdata/thevault/Dungeons & Dragons [multi]/AD&D 4th Edition/Living Forgotten Realms/RPGA/rpga_penguidelines_04-03.pdf