These are the main rules which any given game will adhere to unless the specific rules for that game say differently. Breaking a rule imposes a penalty, from loss of points for minor infractions, to dissmissal from the Guild for doing something dangerous.

Guild Departments

Standard Rules

The Assassination Game, also known as Assassins or Killers, is fairly simple to play: the objectives being to stay alive as long as possible and to kill as many targets as possible. The word 'target' is to be noted as the standard rules are not for a random killing spree. A few rules are necessary to keep things nice and safe, and to make sure people know when they're dead.

The game will be run by an Umpire, who may have an Assistant Umpire and/or Chief of Police if necessary. The Umpire sends the players the name and, if necessary, adress of their next target. When an attempt has been made on another players life both players must contact the Umpire.

SERIOUS OFFENCE: You are expected to use common sense when playing the game. Anyone who causes damage or injury etc., especially to a non-player, may well be banned from future games. The Guild itself takes no responsibility for the actions of any of it's members and as such all matters should be taken up with them. The Umpire should be informed of any dangerous behaviour.

WHO TO KILL: You may only kill your targets, persons who are attacking you (or who you have 'reasonable' suspision may do so) and Wanted Criminals [see options]. Anyone else is an innocent bystander. Depending on what rules are being used one of three things will happen if you kill them - you might be disqualified from the game, you might lose points or you might become a wanted criminal (possible losing points as well).

WHERE TO KILL: You may carry out your assassination attempts only in places where no damage, disruption or inconvenience to non-players will be caused. This does not include asking the house-mates of your victim to let you in, but does include lectures at University, job interviews, labs, etc. Our agreement with the Guild of Librarians dictates that killings which take place in the libraries in Huddersfield (university or public) are required to take place with sufficient stealth that disturbance is avoided for innocent readers, librarians and books. Water based weapons are banned from use in 'no water areas', which include anywhere filled with books or electrical equipment. Sticky or staining methods are also banned in bookshops and libraries. Breaking the rules here (with the exception of the stealth one) is a SERIOUS OFFENCE. 'Safe' ares may be defined in which no killing may take place, possibly based on time as well as location, eg. no killing in Guild meetings.

WHEN TO KILL: Anytime during a game, provided it doesn't interfere with the rules above.

HOW TO KILL: Any of the weapons listed in the Armoury may be used. When carrying out an attempt be careful not to actually injure anyone. Do not do anything which will damage property, unless it is your own or you can replace it IMMEDIATELY. Try not to do anything silly like jumping out of a 4th floor window, it makes a horrible mess and someone's got to clean it up.

IMPORTANT: You should inform the Umpire of ALL kill attempts you make, succesful or not (it gives him a chance to chuckle at your ineptitude), and of all attempts made against you succesful or not. This is for scoring purposes. The Umpire (in his infinate wisdom) may award bonus points to those who those who cunningly survive dastardly plots or penalise those who can't be bothered to kill anyone.

Do NOT read anyone elses notes or e-mails during a game (feel free to at other times though, some of the stuff you find can be quite juicy) as these are used to notify people of targets, etc. You will be told if it's something you should know.

SCORING: the points given out for a particular game will probably be indicated before the game starts [see Options for an example scoring system].

In the event of an ambiguity or ommission from these rules the Umpire's decision is final, so there!