Sometimes, players may wish to play out a scene that involves intense, high emotion, romance, and/or the illusion of physical danger (illusion being the key word). This is above and beyond normal physical roleplay or duels. While we value your immersion, we must take every step necessary to ensure everyone is safe off-game emotionally and physically, including other players and staff observing your scene. Everyone must observe the safety mechanics and the rules for physical contact in this LARP.
We have a verbal check in and hand signal system in place that will be used by all players and staff to help bring trust between us and to the world of our game. Even when already engaged in the weekend of game, you can Negotiate and pause roleplay to check in with your pre-negotiated boundaries and consent.
All roleplay is opt-in! Always! If you are feeling uncomfortable, you can step away or even re-negotiate with your scene partner.
How to Negotiate Intense Scenes, Battles, Romantic Relations, Antagonistic Relations, or Violence
- First, you must check the consent colored lanyard of the person you wish to have an intense scene or establish a relationship with- If its red, physical roleplay is out of bounds, but perhaps they’d be open to something that is only verbal.
- You will approach a player with an open flat hand that would look like you are telling someone to stop. Using this signal for the player, say “Negotiate” followed by Violence, Battle, Romance, or Enemies.
- Physically take a small step backward. Give them space. Make sure you are not stepping into someone behind you. This helps to have a comfortable distance while negotiating where scene partners can decide without pressure.
- To respond to the prompt of Negotiate: Violence? (Or Romance. Or Enemies) you can either use “No thank you.” or “Yes, please.” These are your two choices.
- If you receive a “No thank you.” Respond with a “Thank you.” for them setting a clear boundary. This is the end of this negotiation. No one has to explain themselves or push the request further.
- If the response is “Yes, please,” then negotiations begin. You can tell the receiving player what you would like to do. This gives them the opportunity to edit, suggest alternatives and adapt to their consent level and boundaries. While you are negotiating, if you have specific boundaries you do not want crossed, make sure to vocalize them during negotiations. Also, keep in mind that you can not dictate to another player how they will react or how the actions or overall scene will impact them.
- Once you have completed your negotiation and both parties are satisfied, find a staff member. They can be an NPC or PT and let them know what you have decided between yourselves. They may have some basic safety questions before giving the thumbs up.
- This is so our designers are aware of your roleplay, your boundaries, your consent, and may communicate through hand signals to others not involved in your negotiations that what they are witnessing is roleplay and safe.
We want to “Yes, and” as much as possible and we always want to encourage players to come to us with ideas. Please understand that safety is our first concern and will not be able to approve any request deemed unsafe. Anytime we cannot approve something due to safety concerns, will try our best to offer safe alternatives. We thank you in advance for respecting that.
Your consent and boundaries can change at ANY TIME! You never have to justify or explain why either. All players and staff are to respect the boundaries of their fellow LARPers. If at any time anyone ever has a question or concern, Our Intimacy Coordinator is Sara Robinson. Our Violence Coordinator is Nathan Pease. If a staff is at all unsure about an aspect of negotiation or there is any disagreement, Sara and Nathan will have final approval. If you wish to set up something with another player before game begins, please reach out to Sara for scenes/relationships involving romance and Nathan for any scenes/relationships involving the illusion of violence.
Some of the questions that Staff may ask include:
Will the physical contact during the game adhere to the green/yellow/red/space consent module?
Can you tell us, beat by beat what will physically occur during your intense scene?
What measures are being done to best ensure everyone’s safety (including anyone not in the scene)?
How will we know the scene has concluded and it is safe for others to now join in?
Is there anything that is specifically off limits, so that its vocalized with witnesses?
Are there any potential triggers the other player(s) should know about?
The main question asked by Staff will be “Do all parties involved agree to this RP with any safety modifications made and negotiated by staff?”
All pre-negotiated scenes MUST include the following:
- Pre-negotiation of intense scenes with involved designers
- All involved must verbally consent to the terms of the negotiation
- OK-Check in using hand signals during the game
- Whispered verbal check ins during the game
Consent can be withdrawn at any time. If it’s not a yes, it’s a no and the scene ends immediately. If anyone calls “Hold” the scene ends immediately !!