2 cents about 'Hold'

[MM/NPL Dustin]

I'm going to prefix my opinions with stating that I am not a hugely experienced player, this was my first season in UW and I am not a marshal on any level. However; as a player of the game, I do believe I have a right to voice my opinion.

The first thing involving calling holds is a minor problem I have that I saw all season and I'm unsure has been addressed. Some PCs have an issue with calling out 'Hold' when what they mean is they are calling out for a group to 'wait' or 'halt' IG. This of course causes confusion as to whether or not a hold is actually being called or not. In the future I believe it is just a good idea to avoid that word on an IG level and replace it with 'wait', 'halt', 'stand your ground' or something else along those lines.

The second issue I have I find to be a bit more serious. This happened during three incidences at Momento Mori that I recall, two of which I was there to witness. During these incidences, a player (PC/NPC) would go down due to OOG injury, and another player would call 'hold'. This 'hold' call would then be replied with, 'let them call their own hold'. I understand that players want to avoid calling holds unless necessary; however, an injured player obviously cannot call their own hold every time, especially if they have had the wind knocked out of them. In my opinion; when someone is OOG injured, combat involving that player should stop.

Once again, I'm not an expert, a marshal or anything of that sort, however I believe immersion should not take priority over safety. Having said that, I do believe that hold calls should be used only when necessary.

[Michelle]

Both are good points.

Your first point is spot on. It takes some practice for people to remember to say other things rather than "hold" when they mean stop In-Game, but it makes the game flow more enjoyable when there aren't accidental holds called.

Saying "Let them call their own hold" is never an appropriate response to a hold. If anyone on the field calls a hold - regardless of whether it was the injured player or not - it must be respected until the caller says, "3... 2... 1... Lay on!" If someone continues combat in spite of a hold being called please remind them of the hold and then tell a shaper or Ben or me. We want to keep everyone safe.

I will add that we prefer for an injured player to call their own hold, but obviously that isn't always possible and it's more important to help keep people safe, so if you think someone needs a hold and can't effectively call one please call it for them.

[Valkez]

Hold actually is a taboo word which isn't allowed to be used in the in game world. That being said, people get wrapped up in immersion and will sometimes let the word slip. Afterall, how many fantasy movies do you hear lines like "HOLD THE LINE!" As players we need to do our best to edit our vocabulary so as not to use that word or any other infernal words.

As for the other issue, this has been brought up a couple times in my years of playing the game. The problem is that some people will call a hold for others over anything that remotely looks like an injury. A lot of the time, people are just roleplaying. When I get hit with a slay, I like to make it seem like it really hurt and perhaps limp my way off the battlefield. Some people misinterpret the roleplay as an actual injury. Same thing when people fall. Not everyone who falls to the ground is hurt, sometimes they are roleplaying. By calling a hold for them when you're not sure if they're injured you are potentially ruining not just their dramatic injury, but also bringing everyone else around out of the scene.

Of course the issue comes up when there is an ACTUAL injury and the person in question is too injured to call a hold themselves. What I've found is the best course of action is that if you think someone is actually hurt, check on them discretely before calling a big hold. Telling people to wait a sec and quickly asking "Hey, you ok?" is perfectly acceptable. If they don't respond, or say no, call a proper hold for them. Also remember too that if you're injured, but can move off the field, you can also quietly remove yourself from combat without calling a hold. There have been a few times I've gotten a boffer to the eye that's dazed me and I'll just kinda move off to the side of the battlefield until I've recovered.

Safety always comes first but "Hold" doesn't need to be your first response to every situation

[A goblin played by Matty]

I've had a few situations like that where I had taken a dive and had like 5-6 people call hold for me(I think because I'm so big I make a lot of noise). I was frustrated because , while I appreciate their concern for my well-being it should be primarily my responsibility and I'm not calling a hold for anything less than a broken limb or severe bloodloss.

I tend towards Matt's advice of whispering discretely to check.

I would actually like to compliment how the shapers and npc's usually handle medical issues, I've been happy to have someone ask how I was doing after a fall or something.

[Ceilidh McLaren]

I agree with Michelle & Dex. There were a few injuries (including possible head injuries) I observed/tended to as a Medical Marshal that could have potentially become more serious should the PC/NPC continue to be assaulted by other PCs...all because they were unable at that moment to call their own hold. Thankfully someone else intervened.
A suggestion I might make if a player goes down and needs someone to call "Hold" for them is to have some kind of hand sign/gesture (IF THEY CAN) like the hand on the head for OOG or clarification...thereby indicating they need to be OOG for a moment (or longer)...therefore, don't attack them...stop and ask if they need a "hold" called, if not already called... or if a medical marshall is needed....we are usually nearby...Sorry, if that breaks your "immersion" for a moment...I know we all realize the potential risks when playing...but better safe than sorry.

[Sierra Katrian]

I fully support both PCs and NPCs putting their hand on their head if they have just had a serious injury and cannot call a hold/move out of combat. This indicates that something is wrong, and lets others know not to hit them. In the heat of the moment we may not realize that someone is hurt, it happens, asking if they are OK is the right response, saying to the NPC's "just a sec" will often do the trick and make them move somewhere else, or calling a hold if you are injured and require assistance, or you have just dropped your glasses (they are expensive!).

What we don't want is someone seeing someone who is potentially hurt, and calling a hold willy-nilly without assessing the situation first.

Please know that putting your hand on your head and going OOG for no reason at all is not allowed, and will result in a stern talkin' to, and potentially a player warning.