warring factions usually have to run further to get to fight each other that's how the impression comes up. If I aim for it I can easily get killed 3 times in 2 minutes by the tw, several tests have prooven this. On the other hand the only proof I get for this actually, is that I am a capable troll.
I really don't want to go in detail now that late, specially as this Tw/g issue is not that new.
All I say is that I know from personal experience with police forces as well as riot mobs and practical anarchic status, that as long as everyone keeps there hands empty, usually nothing bad happens.
As long as I am talking directly to the guy infront of me under the helmet, and i am not aiming at him with like a stick or knife, it is very likely that we can, depending on the individual's personality, have a quick (or even long and interesting sometimes) chat, mainly to exchange info about current happenings (pw example: Guard tells me that they just before had to fight down two knights who came in town charging peasants fleeing the bondage of the enemy Lord, explaining me that the crossbow shots I just saw are not totally random as I thought, but there was an actual threat. After all, we are not in a anarchic cop vs. commoner/outlaw setting, in theory).
as soon as something happens, can be trouble/fighting nearby, can be an alarm over Headset for the cop, the scene will very likely interrupt (after all, he is here to protect private property and I am here to protest against it. This target differs my setting from pw, where we simply fight for the fun in it and not for a cause, ah respawning with all your teeth several times a day... but does not matter), either by the cop putting on his helmet and marching to wherever he is ordered (80% chance he won't say bye when called over headset, he will very likely act immediately without explanation, leaving me not knowing what he is doing next), or me acting first.
Options here in this situation for me, the commoner/outlaw (doesn't matter, the cops can't meta without the relevant info present ic on the scene- very unlikely):
A: I ask the cop what he is going to do.
If I wait until the radio message in his ear is over, I have a good chance he give me a second and explain why is going to do what now (not in particular, but enough to make sure he won't turn around the next second to shoot me and my friends in the back if I turn)
B: I draw my "stick" or knife (and yes, some people even a small axe 
)
to attack preemptive or be ready for the cops "random attack" which I expect in my paranoia. This is what we see happening all day long on the server, and afterwards it's "'t was just a hatchet/rusty sword/crossbow omg".
The reaction is usually the cop drawing a (superior) weapon faster and making sure I am no threat anymore pretty fast (he actually has to know me personally to accept me nearby with drawn weapons usually, and as we talk of rl here, even the
possession is a crime in most countries where the police as a significant force)
C: I pour my beer over his head and wait what happens.
3% chance he laughs and offers a cigarette, 4 % chance he shouts at me that I have to be mad and that this is disrespect of an officer and I will be sued for this, 93% chance he straight smacks me one before he starts talking. If I then try to sue him, his officer in charge will not be happy and talk to him that he doesn't have the priviledge to just hit at dumb young people at riot who did nothing, but in the end nothing will come out, which is fair as I simply tried my best to piss him off (for those who haven't got it yet, this is what reflect sthe most advanced rp method of provoking tw/g).
Sidenote: Do
NOT do this to a cop with drawn weapon, he will most likely NOT put it away before he smacks you.
It's funny how much examples an open riot in town gives for our pw matter here
if we had cars, they'd burn every day.
Make of that what you want, I'll wait for spring, rioting is more fun in nice weather.
As long as that, don't forget we do not play in reality and idealistic pictures such as a town watch actually helping and protecting the commoners can work anytime, under the right circumstances, and not forever, due to the fact that you have to log out some time. I just can highly advice for any persistant faction, official or not, to only have one (or several but daily communicating) leaders. If this person logs out, then take your 30 seconds to rename and rebanner your faction (and kick a bunch if you have the feeling this horde should not let be free on the server).
That's why I got so less complaints ooc about my faction randoming whenever I run it btw, even if it consisted of the biggest "randomers" in amounts of 15+. If something happened, I was usually to reach for the victim to demand justice, effectively saving us all the time to debate here by explaining, apologizing and refunding the damage my stupid men did (vice versa, tell the beggar to piss off and be happy to keep all his fingers or something if his complaint was unreasonable, punish hard if he actually provoces trouble)
And two last cents about pw and its mechanics and how you could make use of them when roleplaying the cop (good or bad, doesn't matter):
Imprisonement is always the hardest penalty, because death grants freedom. People in cells can not hurt anyone not stepping to close and thus do no damage. This counts in particular for the so called randomers that run in town and hatchet the first possible target out of boredom.
Offer all creativity you have to impress the kid for a second, if he still approaches you, instead of shooting him the face, try to kick him away or horsebump to keep him from starting the senseless fight he desires.
why all this hazzle with annoying randomers you ask?
Because of the obvious reward, stupid. If I kill the guy he respawns after 30 seconds around the corner to come again.
If I lock him up, he can only stay there (important to feed and generally not forget people in prison as long as it's not intended) I have 15 minutes or more of peace time where this guy won't make any trouble in town.
Banned
)
