In order to enable all of our players to roleplay these intense moments safely, we have created some guidelines to follow in order to establish safe play. Consent is key and absolutely mandatory. If you’re ever unsure, ask permission. Consent can be withdrawn at any time. Anything less than a yes is a no.
We will also have hand signals, which will be explained before start of game in workshops, and will aid you in checking in with other players as you are roleplaying.
Some intense relationships, scenes and character events will require consent between the participating parties before proceeding. This is to make sure you are all on the same page and that everyone feels comfortable. This is most important for scenes of intimacy and violence. Remember that intimacy is not just romantic relationships. It can also include your best friend, your most hated enemy, a long lost love who has remarried. These are all relationships with high emotional stakes. For these types of scenes and relationships, you will want to follow the PC VS PC and Pre-Negotiating Intense Scenes Mechanic.
PHYSICAL ROLEPLAY
We will have consent lanyards which will help facilitate physical roleplay during Auxientia. They will simply be color coded and used as a visible system of basic consent to different levels of physical roleplay. By physical roleplay we simply mean permission to touch another player.
Green: Any kind of physical roleplay (within reason) is consented upon. This means that this player is okay with being touched (arms, legs, head) and physically moved around. For example, if a player has on a green wristband, another player can come up to them in game, grab their hand and pull them along with me to show the player something. This player may also stop you and withdraw consent at any time.
Yellow: This color means that the player is okay with being gently touched on the shoulders, maybe the arms. You may ask consent to hold their hand. They may always tell you no and may revoke consent at any time.
Red: This color means that this player would not like to be touched at all without being asked consent. You may ask either in or out of character. This player may always tell you no and may revoke consent at any time.
Space: These “space” pattern lanyards mean the player would like to maintain a safe distance of six feet or more whenever possible during game play. Please do not come into this player’s space without their consent. You may ask either in or out of character. This player may always tell you no and may revoke consent at any time.
In summary:
- Consent is key and can be withdrawn at any time
- Should be obtained out of character verbally and in character with hand signals
- Green means anything goes, Yellow means ask first, Red means no physical RP at all, and Space pattern lanyards mean no physical RP and maintain six feet of distance whenever possible.