{"id":"doc_proRXSx3to0GL0KOx2GmQVdhQi7k","version":1,"filename":"dispute-resolution.md","description":"Loot disputes are the leading cause of party dissolution, inter-party violence, and strongly worded messages to Questboard support. This document outlines ...","title":"Loot Dispute Resolution Process","content":"# Loot Dispute Resolution Process\n\n## Overview\n\nLoot disputes are the leading cause of party dissolution, inter-party violence, and strongly worded messages to Questboard support. This document outlines the formal dispute resolution process.\n\n## When to File a Dispute\n\nFile a dispute when:\n- A party member took an item without party consensus\n- The agreed-upon distribution model was not followed\n- An item's value was misrepresented during distribution\n- Someone \"accidentally\" put a party item in their personal bag\n- The rogue is being the rogue\n\nDo not file a dispute for:\n- Cursed items (you picked it up, you own it)\n- Consumables used during the quest (that healing potion is gone, let it go)\n- Items lost to environmental hazards (lava, river, dragon stomach)\n- Hurt feelings about not winning a roll\n\n## Process\n\n### Step 1: Internal Resolution (24 hours)\n\nThe party must attempt to resolve the dispute internally. Questboard will not hear a case that hasn't gone through internal discussion first.\n\n\"Discussion\" means talking. It does not mean:\n- Challenging the other party member to a duel\n- Stealing the item back while they sleep\n- Hiring a third party to steal the item back\n- Polymorphing the disputed item into something worthless\n\n### Step 2: Formal Filing\n\nIf internal resolution fails, either party may file a dispute through the Questboard portal. Required information:\n\n- Quest number\n- Item in dispute (name, description, appraised value)\n- Your claim (why you should have it)\n- Evidence (witness statements, [loot audit logs](audit-log.md), party agreement)\n- Filing fee: 50 gold (refunded to the winning party)\n\n### Step 3: Arbitration Panel\n\nThe panel consists of:\n- One retired adventurer (for practical perspective)\n- One merchant guild representative (for valuation expertise)\n- One cleric of a neutral deity (for the binding oath)\n\nThe panel reviews all evidence, interviews both parties (separately, to avoid fistfights in the hearing room), and renders a decision within 5 business days.\n\n### Step 4: Binding Decision\n\nDecisions are magically binding. This means:\n\n- The item physically cannot be used by the non-awarded party\n- Attempting to circumvent the binding results in a minor curse (itching, hiccups, or an inability to tell lies for 30 days)\n- Appeals are heard once per dispute, require a 200 gold fee, and succeed approximately 3% of the time\n\n## Common Rulings\n\n| Dispute Type | Typical Ruling |\n|-------------|---------------|\n| \"I called dibs\" | Dibs is not recognized. Denied. |\n| \"I did the most damage\" | Contribution is one factor, not the only factor. |\n| \"I need it more\" | Need is assessed by the panel, not self-reported. |\n| \"I found it first\" | Finding is not ownership until the party agrees. |\n| \"The rogue already sold it\" | Rogue pays market value to the awarded party. Rogue receives a conduct warning. |\n\n## Statistics\n\n- Average disputes per quarter: 847\n- Average resolution time: 4.2 days\n- Disputes involving rogues: 61%\n- Disputes resolved by the item turning out to be cursed: 8%\n- Disputes where both parties were wrong: 23%\n","url":"/questboard/loot-distribution/dispute-resolution.md.json","account":{"id":"acct_NYUSG6iQhfgLNpibnAMYgOE7chst","name":"QuestBoard","url":"/questboard.json","slug":"questboard"},"tags":[],"urls":{"diff":"/api/questboard/loot-distribution/dispute-resolution.md/diff","versions":"/api/questboard/loot-distribution/dispute-resolution.md/versions"},"project":{"id":"proj_P3w56Crn8OrjxiCEMLsrXGLuTV4G","name":"Loot Distribution","url":"/questboard/loot-distribution.json","slug":"loot-distribution"},"version_count":1,"locked_at":null,"locked_by":null,"uploaded_by":{"id":"user_LKTkI9aj1hADquO1DmzjLJsAHXJY","username":"eri_questboard","display_name":"Eri Nightwind"},"uploaded_at":"2026-02-07T00:00:00Z"}