Searching other players is a common practice used to discover clues and find treasure. Typically players will search defeated foes but at times may search each other. Players can only search a character that is unconscious, stunned, or otherwise unable to act. It is impossible to search a character that has been petrified since all the equipment on them will have also turned to stone. Searching a player involves a technique called a "described search". A player is allowed to perform a described search at any time and without permission of the player being searched. A described search involves minimal physical contact between the searcher and the person being searched. Described searches are used because players are often strangers and may not feel comfortable with another person rooting through their clothes and personal belongings. To initiate a described search, the searching player places a single hand on the arm of the person they are searching and says, "described search" or "search". The person who is being searched then asks the searcher to describe the search. With no further physical contact the searcher must describe their search in full detail. For example the player might say, "I look through your pouches and take off your boots". If the searching player suspects objects are hidden they must describe the act of looking for the hidden objects. For example, the searching player might say, "I pry the soles off your boots looking for secret spaces". In essence, a described search is a game of "twenty questions" between the searcher and the person being searched. If the player describes an area where the player being search has hidden or placed in-game objects they must hand over the objects. Searching players are not allowed to simply say, "I search your whole body". Regardless of the detail of the described search, the action of searching another player must last at least a phase. Players are not allowed to carry the description to the point where they are dissecting the other player. This sort of activity is silly and detracts from the atmosphere of the game.
To prevent the loss of valued objects during a search players are encouraged to hide objects on their person. Hiding objects is a cat and mouse game of clever ideas ranging from secret bottoms in a pouch to encasing coins in the wax of a candle. In order to hide treasure the player must actually hide the treasure in the intended spot. Players may not claim to swallow treasure or otherwise stash it inside their body. This sort of activity is silly and detracts from the atmosphere of the game. Players are not allowed to place locks or traps on a pouch, but may carry a lock and or trapped box on their person. A player with hidden objects must make a valid attempt to adequately describe the contents of their possessions so a searching player has a chance to find the hidden objects. Players found to be abusing described searches by leaving out details or giving vague answers will be asked to leave the game!
Every player is allowed one out-of-game pouch to store out-of-game items in. This pouch can be used to carry things like medication, wristwatches, and out-of-game light sources. The pouch must have an orange tag or marker on the front to indicate it is an out-of-game pouch. A backpack cannot be an out-of-game pouch unless approved by a Game Master before play. The out-of game pouch can never be used to carry in-game objects.
Players are allowed to steal from the pouches, or "pick the pockets", of a character if they get the opportunity. Picking pockets is the simple act of reaching into a pouch or backpack and stealing objects from inside. Players may not steal objects from an out-of-game pouch or attempt to reach inside a player's clothes. It is also illegal to pick the pockets of an out-of-game player or a player in a hold time stop. Players may never cut or damage a pouch in an attempt to steal objects from it. Pouches and backpacks are in-play objects so it is illegal to physically steal a pouch or backpack from a player.
A shelter is defined as any dwelling, permanent or temporary, with at least three walls and a roof. Tents [modern and authentic], lean-tos, and cabins are all examples of shelters. It is legal to steal in-game items from shelters as long as players stick to the following guidelines. Players may never enter or otherwise disturb a shelter that is Out-of-game! If the player suspects the owners of the shelter are abusing out-of-game status they should report the abuse to a Game Master. It is illegal to damage a shelter in an attempt to enter it. When a player enters a shelter they must respect the shelter and its contents. Players are not allowed to ransack a shelter in an attempt to search it and will be asked to leave the event if they do. It is legal for players to protect shelters with in-game traps and locks. The full rules for the construction and deployment of locks and traps are given in the locks and traps section of this book. The walls of a tent are considered solid and it is illegal for players to crawl under walls, remove tent stakes, or take down a tent wall entirely. Players are not allowed to role-play burning down shelters. The act of burning a structure to the ground [or smoking out the inhabitants] is very difficult to represent in game and the attempts to do so often ruin the atmosphere of the game. Likewise, players are not allowed to role-play breaking down doors or windows to enter a shelter. Players must enter the shelter through a door, window, or similar portal after they bypass any in-game locks or traps. Every shelter is allowed a designated Out-of-game box where players can place out-of-game objects they do not want handled such as medication or food. It is suggested that players place a real world lock on this box as an added security measure. This box can be of any size and must be marked with an orange flag or tag. A Game Master can declare an event "shelter safe" if they deem fit. At a shelter safe event it is illegal to break into shelters and orange flags must be placed on every shelter. Typically, events that are shelter safe will be posted ahead of time in the group newsletter.
