I believe that Brian Martin ([email protected]) is the original author of this document, I have only edited it for my purposes.  All authorship cool praise should go to him.
The original site is http://www.students.uiuc.edu/~bdmarti/TAG/
Stolen, for the most part, from the UIUC club Web Site, The Assassins Guild
 
KAOS Info Pages:
KAOS Disclaimer
Game Chronology (or the order of KAOS)
The Wanted List
Confirmed Kills List
"The 13 O'Clock News"
The City PD page
"Why are these crazy people killing each other?!?"

RULES... Or How to Kill and Get Away With It.

1.0 Introduction:

Assassins (KAOS) is a mock combat game for a large number of players. Each person has to try to survive while everyone else is 'killed'. The last person (or team, depending on assassin structure) to be left alive is, not surprisingly, declared the winner(s). The game shall be open to people who live in and around the Hayward, CA.
1.1 Preparation:
Everyone who wishes to play should provide the Game Master with:

1. Full name
2. College Class List (Or Highschool)
3. Place of Employment.
4. E-mail address (full Adressesses please)
5. Your official address and if different the address at which you will be living (i.e. sleeping and spending a reasonable number of hours at) during the course of the game.

 In this game this will be given to your assassin, to prevent unfair advantage to those with unlisted addresses. Any player with a real-life psychopath trying to kill you, explain to the Game Master and you will be excused. Anyone with a real-life psychopath trying to kill them who wants to play KAOS as well needs their head looking at. Should you become wanted, your official room address will be made public as well as your name (see WANTED LIST, below).

1.2 Preliminaries:
1.2.a

For any deliberate breach of the rules a player may be identified as a legitimate target for all other players, i.e. put on the wanted list, or, in serious cases, disqualified from playing.

Players must carry the card with their target on their person at ALL times.  This card is to be turned over to your assassin after you are dead.  The full dossier that the card came with is presumed destroyed (returned to the Game Master), unless the kill happens in the persons place of residence or had the dossier on their person at the time of death.

1.2.2

The spirit of the rules is more important than the actual rules themselves. Rules are made to be bent here and there.

1.2.3

Participants may have accomplices. Targets cannot be assassinated by an accomplice. Accomplices may only assist the killer in planning (and carrying out) the murder.  Don't forget, your accomplice may be your assassin. (Oooohhh... this is going to be more fun that forcing paranoids to watch X-Files and 4 Oliver Stone movies in a row 8-))

1.2.4

In general, a victim is not dead unless they know about it. No weapon can be considered to have any effect unless it actually does something (the more dramatic the better!)

1.2.5

No one may attempt to impersonate the Game Master (either in person or through messages etc). Taking or attempting to read items in the Game Master's pigeon-hole, or trying to hack into the Game Master's computer accounts, is also strictly forbidden.

1.2.6

Exercise common sense. Players are *entirely* responsible for their behaviour. In particular, avoid inconveniencing other people. (See rule 7.)

1.2.7

Players are expected to inform the Game Master of _all_ kill attempts they make, and also of any attempts on their own life. Feel free to dramatise the events in your report.  These reports will be posted on the Confirmed Kills List (unless otherwise specified by both assassin and target)

1.2.8

This game depends on trust and gentlemanly conduct. Please be honest about whether or not you are dead. Honor among thieves and all that....

1.2.9

If the game becomes tediously slow, the Game Master may introduce a time limit. Players will then have to make a serious attempt to kill someone within the time limit, or they will die.

2.1 Aim of the Game:
    The main aim of the game is for everyone concerned to have a good time.
2.2 Aim of the Players/Teams:
    The aim of each player/team is to be the sole survivor(s).

3.0 Victims:
You will be given details of your target(s) by the Game Master, in the dead of night (well - secretly anyway) shortly before the start of the game. Of course, you will not be informed about whom your assassin(s) are.

4.0 Weapons:
The following gives an outline of the various weapons which can be used against enemies. It is not an exhaustive list and players are encouraged to use their imagination. However, it is up to the discretion of the Game Master whether a player using an unauthorized weapon has killed the victim. So do come and check before using your latest creation in the heat of battle. In general weapons must:

1. be completely safe (people and property).
2. actually DO something, to indicate to the victim that he/she has been killed.

The Task Force Captain (see below of Police Force) is likely to take a tough line over policemen/women (see below for Police Force) using "non-standard" weapons (e.g. those that could easily endanger the lives of others, such as contact poisons). Police found to have breached will be suspended. Claiming you didn't read the rules properly will not be a defense!

Weapons marked (*) in the following list should be used with extra care and may require GM approval.

4.1 Guns:
Represented by a water pistol or a  spring-loaded disc gun. You must get a definite hit with the main jet. If you just splash them with water (e.g. at extreme range or out of ammo) then it is only a flesh wound - they can carry on as normal. If they are hit in the head or torso then they are killed instantaneously.

If your place of residence contains expensive equipment (e.g computers) which may easily be broken by maniacs with water pistols, you may ask the Game Master and have it declared out of bounds for water-based weaponry only. Your assassin will be reminded of this, but also if you have a notice in plain view on your door stating that no water weapons are allowed, it automatically becomes illegal to use water-based weapons in the room. (But anybody who passes will know you're playing). Note that other weapons may still be used, and also that you may not fire a water pistol out of such a room.

SEE BELOW NOTE: (Water pistols may not be used in shops or parts of shops where the principal goods on sale are electrical appliances, books or other goods which are likely to be the worse for it. Obviously if the adjacent goods are tinned foods or pencil sharpeners, you may shoot away. This should be common sense, but is worth emphasizing.)
Use Common sense about the above, but in general killings in stores/shops are generally not recommended, If you do chose to kill in a shop, water weapons are to be avoided)

If small water pistols are used, it is a good idea to confirm the kill immediately with the victim who might not have noticed the hit if wearing thick clothing. This avoids arguments later, when the water has evaporated.

Cap pistols may also be used, although almost point blank range (clear shot from less than one meter) is needed to claim a hit. (Treat as a derringer, and don't get in trouble with police, or irate 7-11 owners who have 12ga shotguns.  It isn't good to get killed over a game)

(*) Soft air guns may not be used, however soft plastic pellets fired by say a spring Are. Always present these first to the Game Master for a safety check, before using them. This includes soft dart guns fired by spring.

Rubber bands are an acceptable weapon, as long as head shots are avoided.

4.1.1 Flame-thrower:
SEE BELOW NOTE:  (Represented by a bottle of champagne, hose-pipe etc. Rules much the same as for water-pistols. These should probably only be used in summer.)
NOT RECCOMENDED DUE TO Innocent Bystanders and Property Damage.

4.2 Contact Poison:
Represented by Vaseline, mustard etc. This will kill within 5 seconds of contact even if it is wiped off. If wearing non-porous gloves then it will have no effect for 5 minutes as the poison is diffusing through the material. You may remove the gloves quite safely within the 5 minute time period but they must not be re-used during the game. Similarly, poison will take an appreciable time to diffuse through anything thicker than, say, a towel. Powder, (e.g. talc) is also permitted.

4.3 Club:
Represented by a cardboard poster tube or a newspaper rolled up and stuck with Sellotape. The effect depends upon the location of the hit:

Head:

Unconscious for 5 minutes.

Body:

Immobilised but conscious for 5 minutes.

Arm or Leg:

The limb is immobilised for 5 minutes.

4.4 (*)Knife: Foam, soft rubber, retractable plastic or cardboard knives may be used. If the knife has been made by you eg. from cardboard, it must be plainly labelled 'KNIFE'. Plastic ones which are more obviously knives don't need this.  (Present all knives to Game Master before use)

4.5 Garrotte:
Represented by handkerchiefs, or, far better, toilet paper.

4.6 Grenades:
(Confetti in bags made from tissue paper, water bombs, or (small) flour bombs may be used. You may also employ snowballs. Use common sense with the last three.) SEE ABOVE NOTE

They will kill if they strike any part of the head or body. If they hit a wall and splash your head or body appreciably (ie. if you're wettish) you are dead. If they just splash your arms or legs, you are only wounded, and survive.

4.7 Poison Gas:
Represented by perfume/after-shave/air-freshener. This kills instantaneously if it is at a noticeable concentration. N.B. It will kill all those who smell it - think of all those innocent victims...

Gas masks may be fashioned from a handkerchief tied across the face.

Poison gas should be used with care to prevent the deaths of people other than the intended victim. It is probably best to use it only in the target's room. If you have any problems come and see the Game Master.

If you have a cold and genuinely couldn't smell anything then you were immune to it (lucky you).

Balloon-and-pin arrangements (scent still required!) can be labelled as Poison Gas, rather than as Bombs (see the section on booby traps below).

4.8 (*) Dart or Arrow: Disallowed
(Represented by a grape fired from a catapult or a dried pea from a pea-shooter. This has the same effect as a gun. Avoid head shots.)

4.9 Poisoned Food or Drink:
Use Tabasco sauce or peppermint essence in sufficient quantities to taste. N.B. Experiments to establish the lethal dose are liable to kill the guinea pig (more innocent victims!).

Buying your victim a taco from Taco Bell does not count as a poisoning, even if they do go a bit strong on the salsa. Buying your victim a burrito from La Bambas (Or Boardwalk Fries' Nacho Fries), however, does.

4.10 Special Letters:

4.10.1

Containing contact poison or some sort of audible detonator (letter bombs). Musical birthday cards are a special type of letter bomb, requiring no additional detonator or label. It will kill the victim if it goes off, although signing it from e.g. A. Sassin might be an idea.

4.10.2

Cards, letters, parcels, etc. that are sent through the mail service (UPS or US) or are handed to clerks, and have leaked their contact poison or poison gas are deemed to have killed innocent victims.

4.13 Other:
(*) Poisoned umbrellas may be used to transfer contact poison on to a player (as in the case of the Bulgarian Georgi Markov). However, you should be careful to avoid actual injury to the participant, and may well need to cover up the tip of your umbrella with something softer.

Razor-edge hats may also be used. It goes without saying that a real razor is totally out of the question: however, any hat with a brim visibly marked with the word 'ASSASSIN' may be used.
(Why you'd want to do this though, is beyond me 8-))

5.0 Deaths:
Deaths should be reported to the Game Master as soon as possible after the event, stating all salient details (when, where, how, and whether any innocent bystanders were killed). It is best if both assassin and target report the death to make sure there is no mistake. Creative/amusing reports are encouraged.

5.1 Police Force:
When a player is dead he may if he wishes join a 'police force' with the purpose of killing any wanted criminals, who have been discovered to have killed innocent bystanders. The members of the police force will be announced to all players.

Police may also attack players openly bearing weapons in 'pre-emptive self-defense', but once a weapon is out of direct sight the player cannot be killed by police.

The actions of the police force will be coordinated by the Task Force Captain.

Police officers should take great care not to kill innocent victims. In general, police who kill innocent bystanders will be permanently suspended from duty, whether they are innocent players, non players or ducks.

The Game Masters will consider individual cases though, and if there are extenuating circumstances the officer will be allowed to resume his duties. These would include bystanders who deliberately threw themselves in front of a criminal to stop a bullet, or if the police misidentified a passer-by with reasonable cause.

If police shoot innocent players, the players will not be killed, but the police will be suspended anyway, so there!

6.0 Rules of Engagement:

6.1 Permissible Targets:
You may attack anyone - however anyone who is not one of:

• Your assigned target.
• The assassin assigned to you, if you learn their identity.
• Anyone holding a weapon or having one in full view, whether or not they are about to attack you. Once the weapon is hidden, the person is no longer a legitimate target.
• Anyone on the Wanted List.

6.2 Out of Bounds Areas:
No assassination attempt may be made if victim or assassin is in an out-of-bounds area. The following are always out of bounds:

1. Lecture theatres and classrooms (however, outside these areas are fair grounds)
2. Practicals/laboratories (ditto).
3. Hospitals/libraries/sports-halls.
4. Churches/chapels/synagogues/mosques/temples/stupas!
5. Any official university (or School) society meeting (e.g. speaker meetings, formal halls). Kills at unofficial social meetings (e.g. bar get-togethers) are permissible.
6. School Killings are generally not a good idea due to the fact that it is *AGAINST THE LAW* to have a fake weapon on campus.
7. Any Ball, Event, garden party or similar.
8. Seminars.
9. Boats (except in leisurely outings, e.g. punting, provided you could find one)
10. Nighttime or situational surprise attacks. However, once you have clearly identified yourself as someone who is not a real mugger, you may launch your in game attack normally.
11. Showers and bathrooms when being being used for their intended purpose, once the door/curtain is closed.
12. Locations that are forbidden to enter or to which you do not have legitimate access.
13. Any game-locked room. This shall be indicated by a sign outside the door saying "KAOS Locked". The purpose of this rule is to allow non-lockable doors to be considered locked (see 6.2 xii).

1. Use only weapons which cannot possibly damage equipment (e.g. garotte, knife, cap gun etc; water pistols are out of the question)
2. Minimal inconvenience to any other users (players or bystanders). So, for example, point a cap gun and say 'Bang' rather than actually firing it.

7.0 Witnesses:
A witness is any player or non-player who is in a position to see the assassination take place. Witnesses can, of course, talk about the assassination to other players. Killing your target when there are witnesses present will get your name in the "13 O'Clock News".

In game terms, dead witnesses tell no tales but provoke investigation. The police force has a very up-to-date forensic department, and players do not escape the Wanted List by disposing of witnesses.

8.0 Innocent Victims:
If you have killed an innocent victim (see rule on Permissible Targets) then you are put on the Wanted List (a public file containing the names and addresses of known criminals).

Getting other people to open your mail/door for you will make you responsible for them (unless you have a good explanation). Players who incompetently attempt to murder innocent victims will also be put on the wanted list. If an innocent person is killed by genuine mischance, and players could not be expected to foresee this they may appeal to the Game Master. Poison letters are considered attempts on who they are addressed to; poison on door handles will be considered to be an attempt on the life of anyone who may reasonably be expected to try to open the door. So if you poison a communal door, you have attempted to murder innocents, and are on the wanted list. To discourage indiscriminate contact poisonings (which get tedious), it's now assumed that people other than a room's occupant could reasonably try to open its door.

If you are on the wanted list the police will come after you...

10.0 The Game Master:
I am the Game Master.

The primary method of contacting the Game Master is through e-mail, though players are welcome to visit.

The Game Master is immortal. No one may be killed in the Game Master's house.

If you have any queries, visit/mail the Game Master, preferably before the query becomes a matter of life and death (yours or anyone else's).

Player-Game Master communications may be made public at the end of the game for everyone's enlightenment and amusement. If you do not wish a certain communication to be made public, please tell the Game Master. Thanks.

NOTE: It is the responsibility of players to read their e-mail to see the news and whether they have been put on the wanted list. Players are deemed to know that they are wanted/police as soon as the Game Master sends e-mail to that effect. They are not wanted/police before this. This may seem a bit unfair, but is less so than expecting the Game Master to guess if a player has logged on recently. Players are not wanted before the Game Master announces the fact and therefore are not automatically permissible targets, even if people know they will be wanted soon. Of course, you may shoot anyone displaying a weapon.

11.1 Newsgroup:
    The game news and announcements will be posted via E-mail by the Game Master, and players may use it for discussion etc.
    If you wish to post something anonymously to the group, ask the Game Master to do it for you. there will also be several pages to be added here, the Wanted List, Confirmed Kills and "The 13 O'Clock News" (news about killings as reported to me)

12.0 Comments/Disclaimer

1. The Game Master's Rule is law. There will be no right of appeal against a disqualification.
2. Official complaints about a person's behaviour will almost certainly result in disqualification. Involvement of the (real) police will definitely cause player(s) to be disqualified and possibly prevent player(s) in question from playing in further KAOS games.
3. The Playing Group or the Game Master can not and will not be held responsible for a player's actions. The Assassins' Guild does not condone breaking laws or school rules. When the rules of the game conflict with laws or University regulations, always follow the laws or regulations accordingly.
4. Non-players should not be disturbed during the course of the game. It takes only a few complaints to company officers to shut the game down permanently. If you do upset a NPC, apologize...a lot!.
5. Ideally, no one but the players will notice that the game is being played. Thus, the following are grounds for at least a warning, and probably immediate removal from the game:
1. Attempting an assassination in the presence of a NPC in such a manner that they notice it.
2. Having an identifiable weapon (toy knife, toy gun) visible to a NPC. Note that bombs and poisons, unlike other weapons, may still be used in the presence of NPCs. (Not recommended,  but allowed)
3. Using bombs or poison in a way that may annoy NPC's. Setting off bombs during a lecture or contact poisoning the main entrance to a dorm is not a good idea.
4. Other behaviors that may annoy NPC's, such as running in the hallways, making noise in study areas, or any semblance of real violence.

Contact me at [email protected]