As I don't think you've played HnH, here is what system it used (which may be the one in Salem): you could steal, damage property, trespass, attack people, kill them. But each of those act would leave a sent for some time depending on the gravity of the act.
A ranger could see and collect those sents then use them to pinpoint you, your hearthfire (your spawnpoint) or the stolen goods. When in range of your hearthfire, if the act was bad enough, they could summon you (specially if not online) to kill you.
Risk, reward, consequences: a very good system. The toon grind is just crazy as it has no limit.

[Linked Image from w3.the-kgb.com][Linked Image from w3.the-kgb.com]