OC Info

Code of Conduct and Behaviour

Our code of conduct is overarching about respecting other players, obeying PD's rules, obeying the law and helping to make our group attendance to empire possible. The committee of trustees retains the right to remove any player from the group; for minor offences a three strike policy is implemented to allow for correction. Serious offences may result in an instant ban and possible police intervention.

• Real-world discrimination is as unacceptable as real-world violence.
• It is not acceptable to insult another participant on the basis of an out-of-character attribute.
• Empire is a gender-blind setting.
• References to non-consensual sex or sex with minors are not permitted.
• Sexual harassment will not be tolerated.
• Bullying and pressing people into doing things they uncomfortable will not be tolerated.
• Distributing alcohol to minors and minors drinking alcohol will not be tolerated.
• Excessive drinking will not be tolerated.
• OC Substance abuse will not be tolerated.
• OC Stealing of other members property is not permitted.
• Disrespectful and rude behaviour to other members will not be tolerated.
• Endangering the safety and well being of other members will not be tolerated.
• Attending group activities ill prepared for weather, terrain or general well being will not be tolerated.
• Refusal to participate in the allotted pack down times for activities will not be tolerated.
• Attempts to leave early for allotted pack down without notices of absence is not permitted.
• Not bringing allotted goods without a notice of exemption will not be tolerated.
• Not paying sub fees when attending an event will not be tolerated.
• Member are liable to pay for any damages to Watch or member property that they may cause.
• Discussions about OC politics in a public place or forum is not permitted.
• Refunds on hall donations and sub fees are not permitted.

All members by attending an activity by the watch automatically consent to these terms. The committee of trustees retains the right to define any of the above conditions and clauses.

Heading to Empire for the first Time

Recruitment Manager Annabelle Mudge has written a series of general advice point for players new and old.

1. At E1 and E4 it's Layers, Layers and more layers. I really recommend getting thermals, leggings and tights. Also long sleeve and short sleeve tshirts for under your clothes. Thick socks, rugby socks, woolen socks, basically your tootsies will be cold and you need to protect them.
2. For those with boobs, sports bras are a must for me. - Annabelle
3. Cloaks. I really recommend getting yourself a big thick cloak, it's great for looking very Game of Thrones as you walk along the streets of Anvil, but also to wrap around yourself as you sit by the fire freezing. (Extremely easy to make yourself a cheap one).
4. Good strong walking shoes. If you are to skimp on any part of your costume, shoes should not be the thing. You can find some good, waterproof boots at any outdoorsy type shop. Don’t worry if they’re not 100% IC.
5. Waterskin. Getting a waterskin/other water holding thing will be very very important. You will not drink enough water, so please PLEASE keep your waterskin filled. Annabelle is planning on getting a big jug/container for water in our hall so we can fill them from there. If you need a cruelty free way of getting a waterskin, you can make your own, if help is needed please ask Annabelle.
6. Another point on socks, and other underwear type things, bring more than you think. Especially the socks. Lot of socks, rugby socks are good for a cheap alternative though others prefer different brands.
7. Baby wipes! Cleaning yourself is difficult on the field and the showers are ages away from where we camp, so buy yourself some baby wipes or adult wipes. So each morning you can do a quick clean of all the stinkiest areas. *DEODORANT* Bring extra - someone else will forget
8. If your hair tends to get greasy after a day or two, you could bring dry shampoo or an IC hat.
9. Bring a 2litre bottle of water for in your tent, so when you wake up at 5 in the morning dying of thirst after a day and night of drinking, you can down a bottle of water.
10. Snacky food to keep in your tent. Keep breakfast bars, fruit, nuts, other snacky food for breakfast or late night snacking whilst you are in your tent. Also as you are likely to have a bag on you, you can keep some in there so you can snack during the day.
11. A light. IC lantern if you can find one, but if not nobody will judge you for a normal light when it’s nighttime. It gets dark fast, and you’ll want to be able to see. Most garden centres do lanterns- even an LED-powered light will do, so long as it provides enough light that you don’t trip over a tent peg. Try not to get one that’s so bright it blinds others, though. Also you can get solar lights, so it can charge during the day and light around your tent at night.
12. Blankets. You’ll want something between the airbed and the tent floor. You can have as many layers on top of yourself as you want, but without something beneath you you’re still gonna get sick. Speaking from experience here. Yoga mat may be useful to put underneath airbed, if you have one.
13. If you’re planning on using your phone (for alarms or something) a battery pack may be useful. Connection’s slim, but you can get some signal. Especially if you’re getting picked up you definitely don’t want it running flat when you’re leaving.
14. Student ID. When collecting your pack on the Friday, if you’ve put yourself down for concessions under the grounds of being a student, they’ll want to see evidence that you are. If you forget it, don’t worry- you can take a photo and email it to them after the event.
15. Sun cream! for E2 and E3, but even though the weather can be bad, some of us still get burned! It’s surprising, but better safe than sorry.
16. Cash! Bring your own irl cash. For food, for buying swords, shields or whatever and it is that you have forgotten (because we always forget something). If you are planning on buying a sword/shield bring enough for that £60 or whatever, and then £40 for food, as well as an extra £20 just in case.
17. Practice - Randomly speak or act as your character. It’s very hard to keep IC and last event most of us broke it often, one goal for next event is to be as IC as possible.
18. Medication - If you have allergies or conditions that require medication remember it. Or if you feel ill or are liable to headaches paracetamol can be very handy to have around. On top of that, ibuprofen is useful to stop swelling or muscle inflammatory pain.
19. Alcohol - Empire is flowing with booze. Be careful. It’s all fun and games acting adult until you’re puking in a £20 BBQ that ends up getting left on the field (Tom >.>) - Seriously though, be careful and safe, generally some Watchers will be sober and around to help you out if you need it. Another note, please know it is perfectly ok not to drink. Though we are Wintermarkers, and that tends to mean to most people drinking a lot but you really don’t have to.