[WilliamDraco]

Here is a link to the onenote section Bert pointed to.
Scroll down to the "Character Permadeath" section.

It should hopefully explain your answers in full, but brief replies (Where appropriate these are just my understand, always defer to a DMs answer if given) are:

(1) re: being aware: Your character is aware it happened, and may make assumptions about who did it.
(2) Traps are allowed, but be aware of the limitations of this - Not least of all that they don't persist over server restarts, but also that others who either get caught or find the trap are unlikely to take kindly to the matter.

(3) There are no game-mechanic consequences to receiving one !Death command against you.
(4a) You may issue a !death command back to the opponent, but keep in mind the 3-mark comment at (6)
(4b) If at 3-marks, any death is permadeath.
(5) per above, any death once at 3 marks is permadeath. As to hiring other characters to perform hits, that is valid so long as it is appropriately IC managed (by all parties involved)
(6) 3 marks = 3 separate players using the !death command on your character
(7) The link at the top.

In addition to all of that above, I'm going to copy-paste the "Character vs Character" guidelines from the rules. It sounds like this hostility might be able to be appropriate played out even without the permadeath rules coming into effect :)


Character vs Character Guidelines 

In a land of power-hungry individuals such as Thay, eventually those individuals (or those who just get in their way), may become targets of each other. Typically you will be fighting against DM or environment-created opponents.  

However, it is inevitable that characters will come to odds with each other. 'Player vs. Player' conflict, or what should be more appropriately called 'Character vs. Character' conflict, can be a very touchy subject and cause many problems if not handled in a way deemed 'fair' to most (but hopefully all) players involved. To help lay the groundwork to promote fairness in Character vs. Character (CvC) conflict, and alleviate Player vs. Player (PvP) hard feelings, please observe the following guidelines. 

1. Because *character* conflict can lead to *player* conflict, it is requested you send a Tell to the player of the character indicating that conflict between your two characters may be imminent. It is then also requested that if the other player does not want to engage in character conflict, you try to respect that. 

However, if you feel you have a very good reason for refusing the other player's request not to fight (example: the other character is being belligerent, demeaning, condescending, etc - and your character would not ever put up with that or just walk away), you may still attack as long as you follow the remaining guidelines. If you do not send a Tell stating conflict may be imminent, or refuse a request for no CvC conflict, make sure you keep logs, take screenshots of the encounter, and be prepared to explain your reasons to a DM should you be questioned. 

2. Use the Subdual and Sparring modes (by typing in !subdual or !sparring) when engaging in CvC conflict if your character does not intend permanent harm to the other character. 

3. If your character knocks down another character through subdual mode, you may not attack them again if they get up and do not attempt an attack on you first. Continually attacking a character who has been subdued and then gets up, but is not retaliating, is considered griefing and could lead to a ban for the offending player. 

4. If your character does not wish to use subdual or sparring modes or does wish permanent harm to the PC, you must first bring up the Player list (press the P key) and change your feelings toward the player to 'Disliked' before attacking them. 

5. Remember that a dying character will never stabilize on their own when other characters are nearby, so they must be bandaged by someone if their death is not desired. However, if a death or respawn does occur due to a CvC conflict, *all* characters involved may not engage in *any* CvC conflict with each other for least 24 hours. This is to prevent retaliation and give everyone time to 'cool down.' Not following this rule is considered griefing and could lead to a ban for the offending player(s). 

These guidelines can be found in the in-game Player Guide as well, and may change over time and with certain situations that arise. Those listed now are simply a basis for eliminating problems or for determining ‘right and wrong’ in CvC conflicts that result in hard feelings among players. Feel free to e-mail [email protected] to provide alternative or recommended revisions to the CvC guidelines