Here at NERO Chicago we strive not to deviate from the normal game but we do have a few extra rules due to site issues and player accommodations.

Conversational Combat

1. NERO Chicago does not use Conversational Combat; you must announce your damage with each swing of your weapon.

Circle of Power

1. All 9th level circle of power spells when used to cast rituals must be fish tail circles. Any object may pass through a fish tail circle.
2. When extending a circle with formal magic, all parties that are to be initially invested in the circle must physically have their entire body inside of the circle physrep for the duration of the casting. If at the beginning of the formal magic the majority of a persons body is located outside the circle they will be considered outside of the circle for purposes of investiture. Choosing to be in the circle is not enough.

Chaos

1. If Chaos is in the verbal call of a swing or packet attack it will go straight to body.
2. If it is a weapon attack you can still block it with your weapons and shields. If you are hit with a weapon attack and you did not block the swing, the damage will bypass armor and go straight to body damage.

Displacement

1. The call for the spell Displacement defense is “Displacement” and not “<effect which set it off> Shield.”

Weapon construction

1. Ultralight weapons are allowed with an approved core. Approved cores are those that do not taper and are not cut at the tip of the striking side of the weapon. Tapered cores like fishing poles and golf clubs are not allowed.
2. All NERO International approved latex weapons are allowed, others on a case by case basis.
3. All swords must have a guard/crossguard which is attached to the blade.

Shields:

1. Punch shields (shields with just a handle and no forearm strap) are allowed as long as they are wielded in a safe manner. When using a punch shield the elbow can never leave the side of the body.
2. In general when using a shield only a slight bend in either the knees or waist is allowed. If you are bending at both locations or greatly bending at one location there is a great probability that you are turtling, especially with maximum length dimension shields.
3. If you are fighting and block a shot at your ankle while still covering the upper half of your torso you are most likely turtling. No you cannot just block like that for a second and have it be okay.

Spell Packets:

1. Cannot be orange, green, or yellow.

Arrow Packet Modification:

1. Streamers: To make archery more player friendly and usable streamers are optional on packets. The motion of pulling back the bow sting and throwing is still required.
2. Color: Due to the fact that green packets are hard to see in the dark on green grass, yellow may be used as an alternative.

Swimming:

1. If you have more than two weapons or one weapon and a shield you will sink.
2. If you wear metal torso armor you will sink.
3. You have 60 seconds before you drown to remove items that cause you to sink.
4. When swimming you move no faster than a walk.
5. When fighting you cannot use a shield and act as if pinned.

Swamps or Shallow Water:

1. No running unless you have water activity.