conduct_and_themes_policy [Threshold]

This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong.
====== Conduct and Acceptable Themes Policy ======


We as the //Threshold// GM team wish for the game to be an enjoyable and memorable experience for all players involved. The following page concerns various sensitive themes and topics and how we intend to handle them, and advises a sensitive approach for players on dealing with these same themes within the Society Game.

The Conduct and Acceptable Themes Policy, also known as the CAT Policy, is the method by which we set out what themes we expect will or may come up in play, providing players with full knowledge of what themes to expect and how they will be handled. As an official ORPGSoc game, //Threshold// is subject to the [[https://www.oxfordrpg.com/CATPolicy2023.pdf|ORPGSoc CAT Policy]] and it is highly recommended players familiarise themselves with this policy before playing for awareness of what themes are allowed and disallowed. This page in some cases reiterates and in some cases adds more specific restrictions and clarifications that apply to //Threshold//. Regardless of the CAT Policy, all players and GMs should treat each other with respect. If someone else asks out-of-character that you stop roleplaying a particular theme or topic around them, for any or no reason, respect their boundaries and stop.

We aim to create an environment in which all players can feel safe and comfortable. Whilst we use the following policy as a guideline in how themes in our game will appear and be handled, the policy should not always be taken literally and attempting to reason to the wording instead of the spirit of the policy will not be tolerated.

Many of the themes presented here and in this game are complicated and nuanced. If you have any questions about our explanations of, or our presentation of, certain themes, please feel free to contact the GMs.

If you feel the CAT Policy has been breached, you can reach out to any member of the GM team. If you have a concern about a particular GM, you can reach out to the head GM, Jasper, via Discord or [[<jasper.hopkins@stcatz.ox.ac.uk>|email]] (rather than the usual game address, as those emails are seen by all the GMs). Any such issues will be handled with the specific case in mind and we will do our best to account for the safety and comfort for all players. If you have a concern about the head GM, please contact the Society President, Konstantine, either on Discord or through [[<edua.borbely-soproni@queens.ox.ac.uk>|email]].

===== Age =====
All //Threshold// players must be 16 years or older to play. Most players will be between the ages of 18 and 30. If you are under 18 years of age, you must disclose this to the GM team for safeguarding reasons. //Threshold// characters must also be 18 years old or older.

==== Requesting not to roleplay with someone ====
You may request not to roleplay with another player or GM before or at any point during the game, and we will do our best to ensure that you come into contact with that person as little as possible. You may ask us to inform that person of your request or you may keep your request confidential, though keeping the request confidential will prevent us from asking that person not to roleplay with you during the course of the game.

===== Conduct =====
Society Games have certain [[Uptimes and Sessions|safety calls]] that players must familiarise themselves with and respect in-session.

Due to the nature of Roleplaying Games, it is necessary to maintain a strong divide between In Character (IC) and Out of Character (OC) issues. This is generally referred to as the IC/OC divide, and means that all arguments, tension, or other in-character feelings should not spill into the real world. Similarly, OC feelings should not be brought IC.

==== Note on Real World Resonance ====
//Threshold// is set in a fictional afterlife to a world that is very like our own. This means you can reference Earth’s history and culture in character, and in your character concept. 

We recognise that the setting of //Threshold// inevitably has religious resonance, however the game is not intended as religious commentary, and any parallels between //Threshold// and real world religions are unintentional.

Real world religions will also not be portrayed in //Threshold//. Instead, if a player is interested in playing a religious character, they are free to choose from one of our fictional [[religion|religions]].

==== Themes that are not permitted ====

//Threshold// has the same history as Earth, and we recognise that these themes all occur in real life. However, we believe it is more respectful and game appropriate to not represent these themes in. Although they are technically present in canon, as they are part of our OC world, they will not feature in game, nor in character backstory.

  * Eugenics 
  * Genocide
  * Genocide denial
  * Incest  
  * Sexual assault, sexual coercion or any other form of non-consensual sexual activity
  * Sexual activity with those lacking the capacity to consent e.g. children
  * Sexual harassment
  * Slavery or human trafficking
  * Genital mutilation
  * Animal abuse
  * Forced abortion
  * Miscarriage and stillbirth  
  * Suicide and self-harm as an expression of emotional distress
  * Eating disorders 





==== Sensitive Themes that may occur ====

These are themes that we suspect or plan to become relevant in //Threshold//.

  * Terrorism
  * Mind control or other means of removing agency 
    * This will manifest through the presence of amnesia, and will be opt-in through the 'Amnesiac' and 'Patchy Memories' quirks.
  * Drug and alcohol addiction
    * Players will only encounter this directly if they have taken the 'Make it Gritty' quirk.
  * Gambling
    * Players will only encounter this directly if they have taken the 'Make it Gritty' quirk.
  * Extreme violence 
    * Players will only encounter this directly if they have taken the 'Make it Dark' quirk.
  * Extreme gore
    * Players will only encounter this directly if they have taken the 'Make it Dark' quirk.
  * Torture
    * Players will only encounter this directly if they have taken the 'Make it Dark' quirk.
  * Cannibalism
    * Players will only encounter this directly if they have taken the 'Make it Dark' quirk.
  * Emotional/physical abuse
    * Although abuse as a topic may come up, we ask that players do not play domestic abusers. A major theme of Threshold is self-betterment, and we are not interesting in running abuser-redemption arcs. That being said, players may choose to be a victim of abuse within their backstory.
  * Medical malpractice
    * This will be opt-in through the 'Make it Dark' quirk, and relates to a loss of bodily autonomy.
  * Child abuse
    * This may be present, but only within backstory and will not feature explicitly in game.

==== Further Sensitive Themes =====
These are themes we are not expecting in the game, but nonetheless may arise unpredictably. These should be handled sensitively both by GMs and players.

  * Mental illness 
  * Homelessness
  * Physical disability
  * Consensual sexual activity 
    * While this may occur and be referenced in game, it will not be detailed. If it occurs in Turnsheets or emails, it will be handled in a fade-to-black style.
    * Please get OC consent before interacting in a flirty/sexually forward manner with another player.
  * Suicide and self-harm as anything but an expression of emotional distress, e.g. self-sacrifice.
    * As you are already dead, suicide is an impossibility, as is death in any manner. However, a character could theoretically risk pain/temporary damage to self in an act of sacrifice.
  * Degenerative disease/illness 
  * Dieting 
  * Chronic Illness
  * Pregnancy/Childbirth
    * This can only occur in backstory (given that you are dead, and so cannot get pregnant).
  * Discrimination on the basis of gender or sex, sexual orientation e.g. homophobia, gender identity e.g. transphobia, physical disability or mental health condition, real-world ethnicity or race, or nationality, religion or faith
    * We can see how this may be an appealing theme to feature in a character's backstory - e.g. a Victorian character having to hide a gay relationship from society, or an Elizabethan woman who, in death, can pursue a passion for writing that her family barred her from in life (on account of her gender). 
    * That being said, if this is a theme you are interested in exploring, please do so in a way that is respectful. Keep in mind that discrimination is both socially relevant, and may have been experienced by your fellow players.
    * Although players are permitted to play a character who has experienced discrimination in their backstory and are allowed to reference this discrimination during the game, **you are not permitted to play a character who discriminates on the basis of the above characteristics** (either in backstory or during the game).
    * If the GMs at any point think you are engaging with this theme in a way that is insensitive or inappropriate, we will ask you to alter your conduct.