Codes of Conduct: Fostering Positive Play

Statement of Purpose:

It is the intent of Rising Realms to host events where both players and staff work together to foster a culture of respect, safety, and positive play. Everyone participating in an event hosted by Rising Realms is expected to join us in our quest towards this goal. This Codes of Conduct (CoC) sets expectations of appropriate behavior, and to empower both players and staff to proactively address concerns, issues, and incidents as they occur.

To best facilitate positive play, Rising Realms reserves the right to address violations of this CoC in accordance with Rising Realms Violations Policy, up to and including being banned from attending events.

Positive Play:

All players and staff at Rising Realms events are expected to foster a Positive Play environment. Our standards for positive play as follows:

• We respect each other’s space.

• We respect each other’s emotions.

• We respect each other’s consent.

Positive Play is achieved through words and actions that embody respect. All participants shall respect the space, emotions, and consent of everyone involved in any Rising Realms event. This includes the players, staff, bystanders, and those who might be hosting or maintaining the event space. All participants shall also extend this respect to the spaces we use.

Positive players treat others as they would like to be treated, and work towards creating an environment for others to do the same. Individuals have differing limits and tolerances and what one person may find upsetting and offensive, another person might not take exception to. Letting others know when their topics, words, and behaviors are causing distress allows them to be aware of the issue and remedy the situation.

Promoting Positive Play:

To promote Positive Play and ensure that everyone can best respect the comfort level of all participants we encourage and support any participant that is feeling uncomfortable, distressed, or harassed to express this feeling to others.

If a participant is uncomfortable expressing their discomfort directly, we ask that they approach a staff member with their concern so that the staff can address the situation. If informed by another participant or a staff member that something is making others uncomfortable, please be respectful of that member of our community and correct the discomforting behavior.

Similarly if any participant feels that another participant poses a danger to their safety (either physical or emotional safety), or the safety of the community, we ask that they approach a staff member, in person or via email, with their concern in as specific terms as possible.

We appreciate firsthand accounts in any situations to get the best information possible, as well as to avoid hearsay. However, we understand that some participants will be uncomfortable with, or even fearful, of bringing things to our attention and in such cases, we encourage others to bring these concerns to us.

In all cases information in circumstances such as these that is brought to a staff member will be kept as confidential as much as it is possible.

If you feel that a member of Rising Realms staff has violated our own code of conduct and do not feel comfortable letting another member of staff know, you may contact a member of the Community Advocate Team.

Anti-Harassment:

Harassment in any form will not be tolerated. We hold that everyone has the right to have experiences free from harassment or the fear of harassment, regardless of factors including but not limited to race/ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, body size, physical appearance, neuro-type, age, and/or disability.

Harassment can include, but is not limited to:

• Threats of Real Life violence.

• Out of game physical or verbal intimidation and any other behaviors that could reasonably be viewed as abusive.

• Incitement of violence towards any individual, including encouraging a person to commit suicide or to engage in self-harm.

• Patterns of inappropriate social contact, such as requesting/assuming inappropriate levels of intimacy with others.

• Gratuitous or off-topic sexual images or behavior in spaces where they’re not appropriate.

• Unwelcome attention, either in person or through an online medium.

• Unwelcome physical contact, sexual attention or simulated physical contact (eg, textual descriptions like “hug” or “backrub”) without consent or after a request to stop.

• Continued one-on-one communication after requests to cease.

• The manipulation of photographs or recordings in a manner that may offend, intimidate, embarrass, or demean.

• Verbal, written, or social media comments that may offend, intimidate, embarrass, or demean, including those that reinforce social structures of prejudice or domination.

• Deliberate mis-gendering or use of ‘dead’, former, or rejected names.

• Any other behavior that is disruptive to events or attendees’ enjoyment of events.

Rules:

Our commitment lies in fostering an inclusive and inviting community for players who share a passion for LARP. We encourage all participants to consider the impact of their actions on fellow players, promoting a collaborative and enjoyable experience rather than one that excludes or hinders others' opportunities for growth and enjoyment. While we recognize that we cannot foresee every situation, it is crucial for you to familiarize yourself with the following guidelines. Noncompliance with the Rising Realms Code of Conduct will lead to disciplinary measures. It is essential to prioritize the well-being of others and ensure that no one’s enjoyment is compromised. Remember, the absence of a specific prohibition does not imply that an action is advisable.

• Alcohol/Illegal Substances

Regarding the use of alcohol and illegal substances, it is strictly prohibited for anyone to bring or be under the influence of alcohol or any illicit drugs. Individuals found in possession of alcohol will have it confiscated until the conclusion of the event and may be removed from participation. Those discovered with illegal substances will be reported to law enforcement and permanently banned from the game, with no refunds issued.

• Real Weapons

The presence of real weapons on site is also forbidden; individuals bringing such items will be instructed to secure them away. The only permissible weapons are small utility knives intended for practical purposes, such as food preparation or tape cutting.

• Breaking The Law

Any participant found violating the law will be reported to the authorities and permanently banned from the game, with no refunds provided.

• Stealing

Anyone caught stealing an out-of-game item will face police involvement and a permanent ban from the game, with no refunds granted.

• Violent Behavior

Aggressive conduct is a concern during gameplay, and while emotions may escalate, it is imperative to maintain control over one's actions. The use of excessive force, physical grappling with another participant, or any form of non-consensual contact is strictly prohibited.

• Bullying, Harassment, and Discrimination

At Rising Realms, we have a zero-tolerance stance towards bullying, harassment, and discrimination. We are committed to fostering a safe and inclusive atmosphere for all participants. Should you experience any form of targeting, bullying, harassment, or discrimination, we encourage you to report it to the GM Staff and the Community Advocate Team. Our goal is to ensure that every individual feels welcomed and valued within the Rising Realms community.

• Smoking

Smoking and vaping are allowed on the premises, but only in specified areas. It is essential to properly extinguish all smoking materials and to be considerate of the environment; if you notice cigarette butts on the ground, please take the initiative to clean them up.

• Cheating

Any individual found to be cheating, which includes but is not limited to failing to count hits accurately, withholding in-game items during searches, or utilizing skills not possessed by their character, will be subject to the Three Strikes Policy.

• Making Mistakes

We recognize that mistakes are a part of the human experience, and there are no penalties for honest errors. However, we encourage players to learn from these experiences. If a mistake significantly alters the outcome of a storyline or if you believe it was a preventable error, please consult a GM or Marshal. Typically, the consequence may involve the loss of a Soul Essence, subject to the discretion of the GM. Repeated errors may invoke the Three Strikes Policy.

• Immersion, Staying In-Character, and Costumes

Rising Realms is a high-fantasy live-action role-playing game that emphasizes the importance of immersion. While we recognize that players may bring certain modern items to the event, we kindly request that these be kept to a minimum in public areas to enhance the overall experience for everyone involved. Additionally, maintaining character is crucial; players are encouraged to remain in-character when in public spaces or in the presence of others. Should there be a need to converse out-of-character, we ask that players step away from the vicinity to preserve the experience for others. Costumes, or garb, should align with the high-fantasy theme of the game, contributing to the collective immersion. To ensure consistency, Rising Realms will implement a standard for garb by the third event. If players find themselves without suitable attire during their initial events, we encourage them to consult with the GM Staff, as we aim to provide loaner garb when possible.