conduct_and_themes

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conduct_and_themes [2021/07/25 13:14]
gm_conor [Basic Information] 		conduct_and_themes [2021/07/28 23:20] (current)
gm_sophia
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 ===== Basic Information ===== ===== Basic Information =====
  
-While //Emporium// is a game centred on mystery and exploration, we are keen to ensure that players have an OC understanding of the themes that may occur in game and those that are unacceptable within //Emporium//. To ensure that everyone feels OC safe and comfortable when playing the game, the GM team have adopted a Conduct & Themes Policy, which is designed to inform you of acceptable conduct when playing the game, as well as potentially sensitive themes that may occur.+While //Emporium// is a game centred on mystery and exploration, we are keen to ensure that players have an OC (out of character) understanding of the themes that may occur in game and those that are unacceptable within //Emporium//. To ensure that everyone feels OC safe and comfortable when playing the game, and to comply to our obligations as an official Oxford University Role Playing Game Society game, //Emporium// has a Conduct & Themes Policy, which is designed to inform you of acceptable conduct when playing the game, as well as potentially sensitive themes that may occur.
  
-As an official Oxford University Role Playing Game Society game, we are compliant with the society's [[http://users.ox.ac.uk/~rpgsoc/CATPolicy2019.pdf%7CConduct and Acceptable Themes Policy]], and it is expected that all players and GMs will be familiar with this policy when playing //Emporium//. This page details our expansion of these rules and clarifications of what they mean in the context of //Emporium//. When in and out of character, all players and GMs are expected to conduct themselves in a respectful manner toward all other players and GMs and in accordance with the Society's Conduct and Acceptable Themes Policy, as well as the University policies mentioned within it.+All society games, and hence //Emporium//, must at minimum adhere to the society's [[http://users.ox.ac.uk/~rpgsoc/CATPolicy2019.pdf|Conduct and Acceptable Themes Policy]], and it is expected that all players and GMs will be familiar with this policy when playing //Emporium//. This page details our expansion of these rules and clarifications of what they mean in the context of //Emporium//. When in and out of character, all players and GMs are expected to conduct themselves in a respectful manner toward all other players and GMs and in accordance with the Society's Conduct and Acceptable Themes Policy, as well as the University policies mentioned within it.
  
 We ask that above all, players and GMs uphold a supportive and respectful environment where participants can feel comfortable discussing sensitive themes both in and out of character. The spirit of the policy is always more authoritative than the exact wording, and so legalistic attempts to defend breaches of acceptable behaviour will be interpreted as being in bad faith and will not be accepted. We ask that above all, players and GMs uphold a supportive and respectful environment where participants can feel comfortable discussing sensitive themes both in and out of character. The spirit of the policy is always more authoritative than the exact wording, and so legalistic attempts to defend breaches of acceptable behaviour will be interpreted as being in bad faith and will not be accepted.
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 ==== Safety Calls and Avoidance Requests ==== ==== Safety Calls and Avoidance Requests ====
  
-A list of OC safety calls that may be used during //Emporium// can be found [[glossary#safety_calls|here]]. You can use these to make requests for other participants to adjust their behaviour and/or the themes they are roleplaying if you feel uncomfortable at any point during the game, and these requests must be respected. If you have concerns about behaviour during the game that you do not wish to raise publicly, please do contact the GM team and we will do our best to help.+A list of OC safety calls that may be used during //Emporium// can be found [[glossary#uptime_calls_including_safety_calls|here]]. You can use these to make requests for other participants to adjust their behaviour and/or the themes they are roleplaying if you feel uncomfortable at any point during the game, and these requests must be respected. If you have concerns about behaviour during the game that you do not wish to raise publicly, please do contact the GM team and we will do our best to help.
  
 You may request not to roleplay with another player or GM before or at any point during the game, and we will do our best to ensure that you come into contact with that person as little as possible. You may ask us to inform that person of your request or you may keep your request confidential, though keeping the request confidential will prevent us from asking that person not to roleplay with you during the course of the game. You may request not to roleplay with another player or GM before or at any point during the game, and we will do our best to ensure that you come into contact with that person as little as possible. You may ask us to inform that person of your request or you may keep your request confidential, though keeping the request confidential will prevent us from asking that person not to roleplay with you during the course of the game.
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   * __Chronic/degenerative disease and cancer__   * __Chronic/degenerative disease and cancer__
-    * Analogues to chronic/degenerative diseases and cancer may occur in this game +    * Analogues to chronic/degenerative diseases and cancer may occur in this game. 
-    * We ask players to bear in mind the real world experience other players and GMs may have with chronic/degenerative diseases and cancer, and handle any in-game analogues sensitively+    * We ask players to bear in mind the real-world experience other players and GMs may have with chronic/degenerative diseases and cancer, and handle any in-game analogues sensitively.
  
   * __Consensual sexual activity__   * __Consensual sexual activity__
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   * __Death__   * __Death__
-    * While entities in Emporium are functionally immortal, it may be possible for them to be killed or ejected from the game under some circumstances ([[gm:quirks#mortal|1]], [[gm:quirks#death_is_real|2]]. In such an event we will strive to ensure that they have a satisfying ending. We will inform a player if their character has died or become unplayable.  +    * While entities in Emporium are functionally immortal, it may be possible for them to be killed or ejected from the game under some circumstances, such as if a player takes the [[quirks#mortal|Mortal]] or [[quirks#death_is_real|Death is Real]] Quirks. In such an event we will strive to ensure that they have a satisfying ending. We will inform a player if their character has died or become unplayable. 
- +
-  * __Discrimination on the basis of ability, physical disability or mental health condition (e.g. ableism)__ +
-    * Discrimination on this basis is not a theme this game sets out to explore. +
-    * Physical forms and ability vary tremendously among entities in Emporium, and not all characters will necessarily be equally physically abled. +
-      * As in-game entities are distinctly non-human, most real-world forms of disability will not make sense for player characters to have. However, analogues to real world physical disabilities or mental health conditions may occur, and it is crucial that these are handled sensitively, especially if the player may be portraying characteristics analogous to a real-world condition they have no experience with +
-    * Many of your fellow players and GMs have experience with disability; be considerate and think about whether what you’re doing may upset them. +
-    * No real-world slurs may be used. Discrimination and exclusion of other players or GMs on the basis of real-world disabilities are wholly unacceptable.+
  
   * __Discrimination on the basis of nationality, religion or faith__.   * __Discrimination on the basis of nationality, religion or faith__.
     * No real-world nationalities or religions exist in the game.     * No real-world nationalities or religions exist in the game.
-    * While entities in Emporium may be worshipped by other beings or possess god-like powers, nothing in this setting is an intentional parallel to any real-world religion, and we ask players to avoid drawing such parallels in play. +    * While entities in Emporium may be worshipped by other beings or possess godlike powers, nothing in this setting is an intentional parallel to any real-world religion, and we ask players to avoid drawing such parallels in play. 
-    * Distinct organisations/factions/homeworld origins do exist, and conflict between these organisations may occur.+    * Distinct organisations/factions/homeplane origins do exist, and conflict between these organisations may occur.
  
   * __Drug or alcohol addiction__   * __Drug or alcohol addiction__
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   * __Extreme gore__   * __Extreme gore__
     * Any descriptions of gore will have appropriate content warnings attached.     * Any descriptions of gore will have appropriate content warnings attached.
-    * Players who have taken the horror playstyle quirk may encounter extreme gore in-game.+    * Players who have taken the [[quirks#horror|Horror]] playstyle Quirk may encounter extreme gore in-game.
     * Best efforts will be made not to include anything more than moderate gore (e.g. non-explicit descriptions of a battle scene) where unsuspecting players may come across it     * Best efforts will be made not to include anything more than moderate gore (e.g. non-explicit descriptions of a battle scene) where unsuspecting players may come across it
  
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   * __Genocide__   * __Genocide__
-    * Genocide will not be appearing in this game.  +    * Genocide - acts of mass killing, deprivation, or other forms of violence committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, religious, cultural, linguistic, or other similar groups - will not appear in this game. 
-    * Given the nature of the game, and the fact that many characters are spiritual/theological entities, apocalyptic violence and the destruction of a universe is a theme that may be discussed sensitively in game, and may appear in backstory and post-game eternity writeup.  +    * Given the nature of the game, and the fact that many characters are spiritual/theological entities, a number of similar but distinct phenomena may occur. 
-      * Apocalyptic violence with the intent to destroy or exterminate a population within that universe, in whole or in part, is considered genocidal, and something that we don’t want to appear in game. +    * Apocalyptic violence and the destruction of a universe is a theme that may be discussed sensitively in game, and may appear in backstory and post-game eternity writeup. Apocalyptic violence with the intent to destroy or exterminate a population within that universe, in whole or in part, is considered genocidal, and something that we don’t want to appear in game. 
-    * Generic, sentient threats to all sentient beings (or large subgroups thereof) may exist but these threats will not be based on any forms of discrimination listed elsewhere in the policy (see Indiscriminate Violence).+    * Generic, sapient threats to all sentient beings (or large subgroups thereof) may exist but these threats will not be based on any forms of discrimination listed elsewhere in the policy (see Indiscriminate Violence).
     * The displacement (or threatened displacement) of sapient communities within the Store will be a feature; we will address this with sensitivity.     * The displacement (or threatened displacement) of sapient communities within the Store will be a feature; we will address this with sensitivity.
-    * Real-world genocide events should not be referenced.+    * Real-world genocidal events should not be referenced.
  
   * __Homelessness and refugees__   * __Homelessness and refugees__
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     * This may occur, however portrayals will not be graphic.     * This may occur, however portrayals will not be graphic.
  
-  * __Mental illness__ +  * __Mental Illness and Physical Disability__ 
-    * Characters in //Emporium//, including player characters, may experience mental illness or portray analogues to real-world mental illness. +    * Physical forms and ability vary tremendously among entities in Emporium, and not all characters will necessarily be equally physically abled. 
-    * We ask players to handle any portrayals of mental illness sensitively, especially if it is not something they have real-world experience with. +      * As in-game entities are distinctly non-human, most real-world forms of disability will not make sense for player characters to have. However, analogues to real-world physical disabilities or mental health conditions may occur, and it is crucial that these are handled sensitively, especially if the player may be portraying characteristics analogous to a real-world condition they have no experience with. 
-    * Please see 'Discrimination on the basis of ability' for more details.+    * Many of your fellow players and GMs have experience with disability; be considerate and think about whether what you’re doing may upset them. 
 +    * No real-world slurs may be used. Discrimination and exclusion of other players or GMs on the basis of real-world disabilities are wholly unacceptable.
  
   * __Mind control or other means of removing agency__.   * __Mind control or other means of removing agency__.
     * Mind/body control will occur as a theme.     * Mind/body control will occur as a theme.
     * Player characters can only be mind/body controlled with explicit OC consent.     * Player characters can only be mind/body controlled with explicit OC consent.
-      * Please see the [[quirks#mindbender|Mindbender Quirk]] for more detail+      * Please see the [[quirks#mindbender|Mindbender Quirk]] for more detail.
     * Mind control for sexual activity, even with OC consent, is a forbidden theme.     * Mind control for sexual activity, even with OC consent, is a forbidden theme.
  
-  * __Physical disability__ +  * __Pregnancy__
-    * Characters in //Emporium//, including player characters, may be physically disabled or portray analogues to real-world disabilities +
-    * We ask players to portray any character disabilities sensitively, especially if it is not something they have real-world experience with +
-    * Please see 'Discrimination on the basis of ability' for more details. +
- +
-  * Pregnancy+
     * While it may be (theoretically) possible for some entities to become pregnant, this is not something we want to explore in this game.     * While it may be (theoretically) possible for some entities to become pregnant, this is not something we want to explore in this game.
     * Entities' offspring may be alluded to but pregnancy should not be discussed in detail, and we ask players not to portray analogues to pregnancy in-game.     * Entities' offspring may be alluded to but pregnancy should not be discussed in detail, and we ask players not to portray analogues to pregnancy in-game.
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   * __Slavery or human (/sentient being) trafficking__   * __Slavery or human (/sentient being) trafficking__
-    * We do not intend for slavery to be a theme of the game, however:+    * We do not intend for slavery to be a theme of the game. Employees who have signed contracts with Emporium are not considered property and, while there may be consequences, are able to quit at any time. 
 +    * It should also be noted:
       * "Souls" are a recognised form of currency in-game.       * "Souls" are a recognised form of currency in-game.
-      * Souls are inanimate and do not have the capacity for consciousness before they are incarnated in a body.+      * Souls are inanimate and do not have the capacity for consciousness, though the incarnation of a soul is a requirement for consciousness in living beings.
       * After incarnation in a body, souls are no longer valid as currency.       * After incarnation in a body, souls are no longer valid as currency.
       * See [[souls|this page]] for further in-character details.       * See [[souls|this page]] for further in-character details.
-    * The in-game store forbids the selling of sentient beings, and we ask players not to attempt to do so+    * The in-game store forbids the selling of sentient beings, and we ask players not to attempt to do so.
  
   * __Suicide or suicide attempts__   * __Suicide or suicide attempts__
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 ==== Avoiding Phobias or Other Uncomfortable Themes ==== ==== Avoiding Phobias or Other Uncomfortable Themes ====
  
-The character creation process for //Emporium// involves disclosing any phobias players may have so as to ensure that these will not be visible to them in-game. Themes of horror will be present in-game for players who have chosen the horror playstyle quirk, but as GMs we are very keen to avoid such content where other players may accidentally come across it, and ask players to use content warnings attached to [[navigating_discord|spoiler text in Discord channels]] when discussing content which may be upsetting to other players. +The character creation process for //Emporium// involves disclosing any phobias players may have so as to ensure that these will not be visible to them in-game. Themes of horror will be present in-game for players who have chosen the [[quirks#horror|Horror]] playstyle Quirk, but as GMs we are very keen to avoid such content where other players may accidentally come across it, and ask players to use content warnings attached to [[navigating_discord|spoiler text in Discord channels]] when discussing content which may be upsetting to other players. 
  
-If you think of any further phobias or themes that make you uncomfortable that you have not disclosed during character creation, please feel free to [[gm@toaster.oxfordrpg.com|let us know]] at any time so that we can make sure you avoid them to the best of our ability - for example, by avoiding these themes in linears or turnsheet responses that you receive, and by moderating discussion of these themes by other players.+If you think of any further phobias or themes that make you uncomfortable that you have not disclosed during character creation, please feel free to [[gm@toaster.oxfordrpg.com|let us know]] at any time so that we can make sure you avoid them to the best of our ability - for example, by avoiding these themes in excursions or turnsheet responses that you receive, and by moderating discussion of these themes by other players.
  
 ===== Forbidden Themes ===== ===== Forbidden Themes =====
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   * Animal abuse   * Animal abuse
     * While animals may be killed for reasons such as self-defence, we will not write about the suffering of animals and ask players to do the same.     * While animals may be killed for reasons such as self-defence, we will not write about the suffering of animals and ask players to do the same.
-    * While the in-game store may sell animal products, it is understood that no animals were abused in the making thereof, and no live animals are kept or sold at Emporium+    * While the in-game store may sell animal products, it is understood that no animals were abused in the making thereof, and no live animals are sold at Emporium or kept there for commercial purposes.
  
   * Child abuse   * Child abuse
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     * There is no single common ageing process for the beings of Emporium, however, all characters (PC and NPC) should have a capacity for decision-making equivalent to that of the average human adult.     * There is no single common ageing process for the beings of Emporium, however, all characters (PC and NPC) should have a capacity for decision-making equivalent to that of the average human adult.
     * Intentionally childlike appearances, mannerisms and speech patterns will not be permitted, regardless of the character's psychological age.     * Intentionally childlike appearances, mannerisms and speech patterns will not be permitted, regardless of the character's psychological age.
 +
 +  * Discrimination on the basis of ability, physical disability or mental health condition (e.g. ableism)
 +    * Discrimination on this basis is not a theme this game sets out to explore.
  
   * Discrimination on the basis of gender or sex (e.g. sexism)   * Discrimination on the basis of gender or sex (e.g. sexism)
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   * Discrimination on the basis of real-world ethnicity or race (e.g. racism)   * Discrimination on the basis of real-world ethnicity or race (e.g. racism)
-    * Player characters in this game are not human and do not represent real world ethnicities and races, which do not appear in this game. +    * Player characters in this game are not human and do not represent real-world ethnicities and races, which do not appear in this game. 
-    * While Entities do take forms with different capabilities, and Entities in turn have different capabilities and positions in power relations relative to inhabitants of their Homeworlds, these are not analogous to ethnic or racial identities, and discrimination on the grounds of Entity type do not occur in this game.+    * While Entities do take forms with different capabilities, and Entities in turn have different capabilities and positions in power relations relative to inhabitants of their Homeplanes, these are not analogous to ethnic or racial identities, and discrimination on the grounds of Entity type will not occur in this game.
     * Discrimination on the basis of race, or characteristics analogous to race, is a forbidden theme.     * Discrimination on the basis of race, or characteristics analogous to race, is a forbidden theme.
  
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   * Eugenics   * Eugenics
-    * While Entities may be able to create life in //Emporium//, we do not wish to see eugenics or analogues thereof explored in this game +    * While Entities may be able to create life in //Emporium//, we do not wish to see eugenics or analogues thereof explored in this game. 
  
   * Forced abortion   * Forced abortion
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   * Genital mutilation   * Genital mutilation
-  * Genital mutilation is a forbidden theme in this game.+    * Genital mutilation is a forbidden theme in this game.
  
   * Genocide denial   * Genocide denial
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   * Miscarriage and stillbirth   * Miscarriage and stillbirth
-    * Miscarriage and stillbirth are forbidden themes in this game. See our policy on pregnancy.+    * Miscarriage and stillbirth are forbidden themes in this game. See also our policy on pregnancy.
  
   * Non-consensual feeding (e.g. during hunger strikes)   * Non-consensual feeding (e.g. during hunger strikes)
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   * Real-world historical figures and events   * Real-world historical figures and events
-    * While the use of OC terminology that references historical figures (e.g. Potemkin AI) is unavoidable, this should be treated as an abstraction. We do not intend for any real-world historical figures or events to exist in this game and ask players to avoid making references to these wherever possible.+    * While the use of OC terminology that references historical figures (e.g. [[warehouses#warehouse_denizens|Potemkin AI]]) is unavoidable, this should be treated as an abstraction. We do not intend for any real-world historical figures or events to exist in this game and ask players to avoid making references to these wherever possible.
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  • Last modified: 2021/07/25 13:14
  • by gm_conor