ValorStone SMP Rules Document¶

Last Updated: August 26th, 2025
Date Created: March 1st, 2025

This document is subject to ongoing revision and will be updated regularly to reflect new content or changes to gameplay. Rules may be added, removed, or modified as needed.
Discord rules remain consistent and are not affected by in-game changes.

Section I: Introduction¶

Part I: Introduction¶

All players are required to read and adhere to the rules outlined in this document. Claiming ignorance will not excuse violations. Players must not exploit loopholes or ambiguous situations for personal gain. Any rule-breaking incident that goes unreported may result in disciplinary action against bystanders. Staff decisions are final. Players who wish to report staff misconduct must do so through the official ticket system with supporting evidence. False or misleading reports are subject to penalties.

Part II: Rules Overview¶

This document is divided into the following sections:

• Community Rules: Defines player behavior both in-game and on Discord.
• Gameplay Rules: Defines permitted and prohibited mechanics, roleplay boundaries, PvP conduct, theft, and territory control.
• Enforcement System: Outlines nation-level enforcement, the strike system, bannable offenses, and the appeals process.
• Server Notes: Describes the server's vision and roleplay focus.

Part III: Key Definitions¶

The following terms define the server’s streamlined group hierarchy and core concepts:

• Team: A group with a minimum of 3 members.
• Group: A group with a minimum of 5 members.
• Town: A group with a minimum of 5 members that has a dedicated settlement with buildings. Every member must have a valid house within the Town.
• Nation: A formally recognized political entity that must include:
  • At least 1 Town + 1 Group, OR 2 Towns
  • Clearly marked land claims with defined boundaries
  • Every member must have a valid house within the Nation
• Territory/Land Claim: Any area marked and claimed by a player or organization through visible markers and proper registration.
• Lore: The backstory, history, and roleplay elements created by players for their characters, groups, towns, or nations.
• Hard Lore Change: Major modifications to established lore that significantly affect other players or the server world.
• Staff Approval: Official permission from server moderators or administrators, typically obtained through the ticket system.
• RP (Roleplay): Acting and making decisions based on your character's personality, motivations, and the server's medieval-themed setting.

Notes:
* All Groups must join a Nation unless lore explicitly defines them as independent. Such independence must be supported by pre-existing lore as of the date of this update.
* Creation of new Nations is currently paused.

Section II: Community Rules¶

Part I: Common Conduct¶

• Players must treat others respectfully at all times. Harassment, hate speech, or toxicity is prohibited.
• Players must follow both server-wide rules and applicable Nation laws when on Nation land or under Nation jurisdiction.
• Advertising other servers, services, or content unrelated to ValorStone is not allowed.
• Spam, excessive special characters, or all-caps messages are not permitted.
• Players must follow staff instructions without public argument. Disputes must be submitted via the ticket system.

Part II: Discord-Specific Rules¶

• Players must use Discord channels for their intended purposes. Off-topic posts will be removed.
• All nicknames must be appropriate, must not impersonate other players or staff, and must closely match the player's in-game Minecraft username to ensure clarity of identity.
• Posting NSFW or graphic content is prohibited.
• Voice chat must be used respectfully. Excessive noise, soundboards, or disruptive behavior is not allowed.
• Threats, doxxing, and real-world harassment are strictly forbidden.
• Staff moderation actions taken on Discord carry the same authority as in-game actions.

Section III: Gameplay Rules¶

Part I: General Conduct¶

• Players may not exploit bugs, glitches, or unintended mechanics.
• Players may not use duplication methods or unauthorized software to gain advantages.
• Individual players may not maintain large-scale villager farms. The following requirements specify on what terms can villager farms be created and used:
  • Mass breeding or usage must be done in a vanilla village.
  • It has to be maintained and used actively.
  • Must be properly protected by walls or fortifications all around.
  • Must belong to a Nation.
• Each Nation may have a maximum of three automated farms. Any additional farms will be removed.
• Underground bases must have a visible, above-ground entrance.
• Players may not build structures with offensive or inappropriate themes.

Part II: Roleplay and Lore¶

• All lore must be original. Referencing or replicating real-world individuals, nations, or events is prohibited.
• Lore may not include oppressive ideologies or extremist symbolism.
• Players may not create characters that are immortal, invincible, or otherwise outside normal RP limitations.
• All Teams, Groups, Towns, and Nations must have a lore-driven purpose and meet staff-defined minimums.
• Formation Requirements:
  • Teams require a minimum of 3 members.
  • Groups require a minimum of 5 members.
  • Towns require a minimum of 5 members and a dedicated settlement with valid houses for all members.
  • New Nations cannot be created until further notice. Only new Teams/Groups/Towns under existing Nations are allowed. Expansion of existing Nations must follow claim registration rules.
• Lore-Independent Groups: All Groups must join a Nation unless lore explicitly defines them as independent. Such independence must be established in pre-existing lore as of this rule update and may require staff confirmation.
• Medieval Naming Standards: All team, group, town, and character names must reflect the medieval theme and current chapter lore. Modern-sounding names that break immersion are prohibited.
• Erotic or explicit roleplay is not allowed in public and must be avoided or heavily restricted in private.
• Large-scale scams must be rooted in acknowledged RP. Scams lacking lore justification are prohibited.
• Lore Agreements: All lore that affects other players must be agreed upon by all involved parties. Relationships, conflicts, and shared history between players/organizations are created through collaborative lore development.
• Hard Lore Changes: Major modifications to established lore that significantly impact the server world or other players' stories require staff approval through the ticket system.
• Housing Standards: Every citizen/member of a Town or Nation must maintain a valid house within that settlement. This does not apply to Teams or Groups unless specified by a Nation’s laws.

Part III: PvP Guidelines¶

• PvP must always be backed by a clear and valid RP motive. Random aggression is not permitted.
• Crystal PvP is strictly prohibited.
• All conflict must be acknowledged by both parties either through lore development or ticket submission.
• Players may propose truces or treaties. Staff may facilitate negotiations if required.
• Mercenary and bounty contracts are allowed, provided they include lore justification.
• Usage of pre-patch items, such as weapons, potions, armor and more, (items not of the latest version mentioned in #⚒・updates) are strictly prohibited against players, unless agreed by opposing party.

  For example on pre-patch weapons, trident and spears with thrust damage are no longer supported in the latest weapon patch.

Part IV: Griefing and Theft¶

• Griefing is prohibited outside of agreed-upon war scenarios.
• Each Nation may establish internal laws. Punishments for minor griefing may be roleplay-based.
• War-based griefing is allowed only when both parties agree in advance.
• The use of explosives for griefing is only allowed in war when explicitly approved by both sides.
• Theft is only permitted under the following conditions:
  • The stolen container must be visible and unsecured.
  • At least one member of the victim Nation (or registered claim owner) must be online, OR
  • RP evidence such as a calling card is left behind, OR
  • The thief reports the action to staff with proof.
• Repeated theft or excessive looting may result in a strike or ban.

Part V: Land Claiming and Territory¶

• Claim Registration: All land claims must be registered in the designated Discord channel with coordinates, screenshots, and clear boundaries to be officially recognized.
• Neighbor Coordination: Players must communicate with neighboring claims before establishing borders to avoid disputes.
• Players must mark claimed land with banners, signs, or builds.
• Trespassing Rights: Unauthorized entry into a registered claim (by a Nation or registered claim owner) grants the owner the right to attack, kill or jail trespassers without additional RP justification.
• Theft or grief within another's registered claim is considered an act of war and may result in immediate retaliation.
• Trap Usage: Traps are permitted under the following conditions:
  • Trespasser Detection: Simple non-lethal traps (alarms, notifications) to catch trespassers require no additional justification.
  • Subtle Warning Traps: Traps that cause damage must include subtle hints or warnings (signs, environmental clues, or obvious danger indicators).
  • Lethal Traps: Traps designed to kill players must be treated as PvP actions and require:
    • Valid RP justification for killing trespassers
    • Public lore mention or staff notification explaining the trap's existence and purpose
    • Clear territorial boundaries and warning signs indicating deadly defenses
  • Prohibition: Traps targeting specific individuals, hidden in public areas, or lacking proper justification are prohibited.
• Border Updates: Claim owners must update their registration if borders expand or change significantly.
• Abandoned land may be reclaimed with staff approval after appropriate waiting periods.
• If a land dispute cannot be resolved peacefully, war may be declared if RP justification is valid.

Section IV: Enforcement System¶

Part I: Nation-Level Law Enforcement and Jailing¶

Nations are empowered to handle minor law enforcement within their borders.

• Authority: Nation Leaders (or designated Executives/Law Enforcement) may approve and enforce jailing.
• Scope: Players may be jailed for:
  • Breaking Nation laws while on Nation land.
  • Breaking server-wide rules while on Nation land if the infraction is minor (not mediocre or severe).
  • NOT for actions that interfere with larger server events, wars, or important lore-related actions.
• Length: Players may be only jailed for maximum of 48 hours.
• After release, a player cannot be jailed again immediately. Repeated law-breaking after release will be handled by Staff enforcement, not by Nation jails.
• Staff Intervention: Staff will not interfere with Nation-level enforcement unless the rule-breaking is serious and could harm server health, fairness, or community wellbeing.
  • Examples include blatant rule abuse, severe griefing, hacking, harassment, etc.
• Summary Principle: Nations handle their own justice for smaller issues; Staff steps in only for severe server-wide threats.

Part II: Strike System¶

ValorStone uses a three-strike disciplinary policy:

• Strike 1: Formal warning
• Strike 2: Temporary removal from events
• Strike 3: Permanent ban

Strikes are issued for:

• Rule violations from any section of this document
• Unjustified PvP or theft
• Disruptive behavior, griefing, or abuse

Strike removal:

• A single strike may be removed after 30 days of rule-compliant behavior.
• Players who receive a new strike within this period are not eligible for removal.

Part III: Bannable Offenses¶

The following will result in an immediate and permanent ban:

• Use of hacked clients, x-ray, or duplication exploits
• Destruction of towns, landmarks, or public infrastructure
• Real-world threats or harassment
• Hate speech or targeted discrimination
• Advertising or financial scamming
• Impersonating staff or using alternate accounts to avoid punishment
• Framing another player for own crime they did not commit
• Accumulating three strikes

Part IV: Appeals Process¶

• All appeals must be submitted through a ticket with valid context and evidence.
• Staff will respond within two days unless otherwise announced.
• False or manipulative appeals may result in denial and further punishment.

Section V: Rule Interpretation and Loophole Prevention¶

Part I: General Principles¶

• Spirit vs Letter: All rules should be interpreted according to their intended spirit and purpose, not merely their literal wording. Players attempting to exploit technicalities or find loopholes will be held accountable for violating the rule's intent.
• Comprehensive Coverage: These rules are designed to cover the fundamental principles of fair play. Behaviors that violate the spirit of community standards but aren't explicitly listed are still subject to moderation action.
• Rule Evolution: As new situations arise, staff may clarify or expand rule interpretations. Players are expected to adapt to these clarifications in good faith.

Part II: Prohibited Circumvention Tactics¶

• Technical Loopholes: Using precise wording or technical definitions to circumvent obvious rule violations is prohibited.
• Behavior Shifting: Changing methods or approaches to achieve the same rule-violating outcome through different means is not permitted.
• Malicious Compliance: Following rules in a way that technically complies but deliberately undermines their purpose is considered a violation.
• Context Manipulation: Attempting to create artificial scenarios or contexts to justify otherwise prohibited behavior is not allowed.
• Rule Boundary Testing: Intentionally pushing against rule limits or "testing the waters" to see how close you can get to breaking rules without technically violating them is considered rule breaking. Staff will treat deliberate boundary testing as if the rule was actually broken.
• Excessive Disrespectful Language: Large amounts of excessive profanity, crude language, or consistently disrespectful communication that creates a hostile environment will not be tolerated, regardless of whether it targets specific individuals. Maintaining a respectful community atmosphere is required at all times.

Part III: Documentation and Intent¶

• Rule Purpose: Each rule exists to maintain fair play, community respect, and immersive roleplay experience. When in doubt, consider whether your actions support these goals.
• Proportional Response: Staff will apply consequences that match both the severity and intent of violations. Repeated attempts to find loopholes may result in escalated penalties.
• Transparency: Rule clarifications and updates will be communicated clearly to the community. Players are responsible for staying informed about changes.

Part IV: Good Faith Participation¶

• Community Standards: Players are expected to participate in good faith and contribute positively to the server environment.
• Self-Policing: When unsure about rule boundaries, players should seek clarification rather than test limits.
• Collaborative Resolution: Most disputes can be resolved through mature discussion and compromise. Staff intervention should be a last resort.
• Accountability: Players who identify potential rule gaps or unclear situations are encouraged to bring them to staff attention constructively.

Section VI: Server Notes and Vision¶

Part I: Owner's Notes¶

ValorStone isn't just any server—it's a world shaped by its players. The rules exist to create a fair and engaging experience, but this isn't a place where staff will hold your hand at every turn. Many situations can and should be handled within the community. Whether you're resolving disputes, enforcing your nation's laws, or dealing with rivalries, maturity is expected from all players—regardless of age. That's the key to actually enjoying this server.

At its core, ValorStone stays true to vanilla Minecraft, only adding enhancements that expand on the sandbox experience. Minecraft isn't just about grinding gear or defeating a boss—it's about creativity. Whether you're building an empire, crafting a legacy, or simply surviving, this world is yours to shape. If you're only waiting for events to entertain you, then you're missing the point. Immerse yourself in your own creations, forge your own path, and make your mark.

AstralPixel_
Server Owner