Safety in Role-playing

Preamble

Pretending to be a character in a fantasy story world can be simply good fun, but it can also be transformative - the game space can be a safe space for people to explore & process the darkness as well as the light. In this way the drama of the game, indeed the drama of any story, can be therapeutic on a personal and collective level. This is one of the main reasons story-telling and game playing exists as part of human social interactions.

We hope that our role-playing games are fun & uplifting for all players.

However, sometimes in the fantasy world bad things can happen to the characters we play, and sometimes players can be triggered or feel negative emotions about what is happening in the imaginary realm of game-play.

Above all, we want to provide a safe space and avoid causing psycho-social trauma to people playing wikimoma games.

The following guidelines have been devised to assist us all in establishing a healthy balance between two important but sometimes conflicting needs - (1) the need for players to feel and actually be safe in the group, and (2) the need for freedom of creative and artistic expression when engaging in the imaginary realm of the game story world (that is, minimal censorship).

Safety Principles

1. We're all human with our own unique experiences, values, strengths & vulnerabilities - we're all in this together. So, be mindful of those you are playing with, respect their humanity & their individuality: they may have different levels of tolerance and sensitivity than you.
2. If game-play assaults on your character do occur, try not to take them personally - it's only a game.
3. Don't use your character to personally abuse another player.
4. It is okay to pause game-play and check-in with other players if things seem to be getting out of hand.
5. Call "SAFETY!" If you feel unsafe, or if you are concerned about the well-being of another player. Knock on the table three times and say in a loud voice the word "safety". Game-play should immediately cease until any matters of player well-being have been resolved.
6. The content of fantasy game-play should be age appropriate according to the age of the youngest player in the group. (See section "Community Standards & Ratings" below.)
7. Generally speaking, the content of fantasy game-play should be positive and co-operative. Unless otherwise agreed to, game-play fantasy content should be suitable for everyone with general community themes, with minimal violence (if any) and mild language.
8. Before game-play begins, all players should discuss and agree upon the community rating standard that will guide the type of content allowed. (See section "Community Standards & Ratings" below.)
9. Before game-play begins, all players should discuss and agree upon which topics maybe allowed and which are not allowed in the fantasy game-play.
10. Unless otherwise agreed to (as in 9 above), it is forbidden to endow characters with attitudes and behaviours that are:

    * provocatively violent or oppressive
    * racist
    * ableist
    * sexist
    * queer phobic
    * otherwise malevolent

Community Standards & Ratings

Entertainment Software Ratings Board's ratings guide