Stealth is a familiar DnD mechanic that has been a part of our NWN experience across multiple Roleplay servers. Unfortunately, the game's adaptation of Stealth, especially as it applies to RP, leaves much to be desired. We have seen the need to elaborate on the Roleplay surrounding the NWN Stealth mechanics to ensure that there is consistency and credibility in how it is represented.
1) Stealth is not invisibility. While the game mechanics allow this, a stealthed character cannot be "in plain sight" of individuals. Even if one's Hide and Move Silently scores are high enough that they will mechanically not be seen, this is not realistic and not an acceptable use of stealth. Spying and stalking is always acceptable, but we are going to make the ruling that the Hidden characters needs to be in a position where they do not have Line of Sight to anyone that may be able to observe them. Bushes, trees, walls, or other sources of cover are going to need to be used.
2) Corner-stealthing and re-stealthing is not an acceptable way to RP out the mechanics. Walking around a corner or breaking Line of Sight does not automatically render a character invisible. The same applies to stealthing through transitions. Note, these are less stringent in PvE and Dungeon situations than they are when other players are involved, but may still be considered abuse of the AI depending on the circumstance.
3) Being stealthed, and the stealth mechanic in general, is not a way to OOCly avoid conflict. If a character is caught out, they may not escape conflict by walking away and trying to re-stealth. Depending on the context, being caught out may be cause enough for PvP to fairly occur.
We would like to remind people that this is a primarily PvE focused environment, and so a "PvP" element like stealth mechanics is only of value when it adds to RP and when not abused.
1) Stealth is not invisibility. While the game mechanics allow this, a stealthed character cannot be "in plain sight" of individuals. Even if one's Hide and Move Silently scores are high enough that they will mechanically not be seen, this is not realistic and not an acceptable use of stealth. Spying and stalking is always acceptable, but we are going to make the ruling that the Hidden characters needs to be in a position where they do not have Line of Sight to anyone that may be able to observe them. Bushes, trees, walls, or other sources of cover are going to need to be used.
2) Corner-stealthing and re-stealthing is not an acceptable way to RP out the mechanics. Walking around a corner or breaking Line of Sight does not automatically render a character invisible. The same applies to stealthing through transitions. Note, these are less stringent in PvE and Dungeon situations than they are when other players are involved, but may still be considered abuse of the AI depending on the circumstance.
3) Being stealthed, and the stealth mechanic in general, is not a way to OOCly avoid conflict. If a character is caught out, they may not escape conflict by walking away and trying to re-stealth. Depending on the context, being caught out may be cause enough for PvP to fairly occur.
We would like to remind people that this is a primarily PvE focused environment, and so a "PvP" element like stealth mechanics is only of value when it adds to RP and when not abused.