Introduction
Hopefully we will never need this, but it is better to have one and not need it.
We pride ourselves on our inclusiveness, friendliness and acceptance. We aim to find the right game for everyone, teach them with patience, guide and support them. Our aim is to make sure everyone has fun, not find new victims to beat in games!
Role-play games or Role playing games (RPG) are a lot more personal and touch on a wide range of topics and themes which may appear with no warning so a more detailed code of conduct is needed.
Please report any concerns to one of the organizers immediately. We are here to facilitate a good time for all. Organisers at in person events will have a yellow lanyard with crew on it. On discord / facebook they will Administrators and or have different coloured names.
General code of conduct
The heart
Be Respectful
Be Fair
Be Supportive
Be Kind
Be Accepting
Be Yourself
We play to have fun. Make sure your actions enhance other peoples fun not ruin it and don’t be a duck*
The details
Discrimination has no place at Herefordshire Board Gamers. Don’t use language that might make others feel uncomfortable, if in doubt, don’t say it. If you see something or are part of a situation where someone else clearly feels uncomfortable, please speak out, or, if you don’t feel able to, come and speak to us
Treat all the players with respect, be patient during rules teaching, where appropriate offer advice and support during the game but let people make their own mistakes.
New players be assured we will teach you to the best of our abilities and help you to beat us. In some games there can be a lot of rules to teach and learn so it possible either you or the teacher will miss something, this won’t be intentional. Be patient with the games teacher, ask questions.
Treat your first game as a learning game don’t expect to win, likewise when teaching your aim is to make sure everyone has fun and get a good grasp of the game. For a first game everyone wins if everyone has fun.
Be positive and supportive of others views, tabletop gaming supports many types of gamers, someone’s favourite game may be your least favourite, that’s totally fine, Herefordshire Board Gamers is a positive place, discuss ideas but be nice about it.
Where possible please complete the game your are playing to the best of your ability but if you really aren’t enjoying the game or need to leave please let the organiser know. We’ll understand and help you leave and find a new game if we can.
Please respect all game owners’ property and their rules about drinking/food/vaping around their games, even if your own preference is different. Be mindful of your manners and personal hygiene when sharing spaces with others.
This is a positive list and doesn’t contain a huge list of things you should not do, please use common sense and if one of the organisers requests something of you please listen, we’re here to make sure our environment is safe and fun for all.
Harassment, discrimination and prejudice will not be tolerated. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Verbal comments that reinforce social structures of domination, whether related to gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age, or religion.
- Sexual images in public spaces
- Deliberate intimidation, stalking, or following
- Harassing photography or recording
- Sustained disruption of talks or other events
- Inappropriate physical contact
- Unwelcome sexual attention
- Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behaviour
Escalation / management
Our code of conduct is written is a positive way and doesn’t contain a list of things that shouldn’t be done, that said it’s intention is for us all to have a great time.
We (the event organisers, committee members and helpers) reserve the right to remove any player from any game or event where they are causing a nuisance or lowering the experience of other players.
The process is
1) Polite but firm request
2) Formal Warning Privately held in a 1 to 1 channel
3) Removal and 7 day suspension from all events. (To be reviewed at the 7 days period)
There is no minimal time period for this to be conducted over, the warning to removal can be with in 10 minutes if the behaviour pursuits. We also reserve the right to use our discretion, skip go and move immediately to suspension and removal.
During this process if is possible please inform and communicate with a more senior member of the team who can assist you or take over the process. However should this not be possible please use your best judgement and submit a report afterwards.
I don’t intend to define exactly what is a nuisance but play nice and listen to the team who are here to help you have fun.
Escalation procedure
Discord: Core Team > Admin > Adam
Facebook: Core Team/ Moderators > Admin > Adam
In Person Yellow Landards/ Core Team > Adam
Please always report anything no matter how small.
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Role-playing games code of conduct
Role play games are a lot more personal and often explore more sensitive topics and emotions we’ve have created some extra guidance. We love introducing new games to people and want to make everyone has the best chance at a great time. More information on RPGs here https://herefordshireboardgamers.co.uk/rpg-guides/
The details
RPGs are team events. Everyone is working together to craft a good story. There is not one winner, the DM is not out to get you, everyone wins when everyone has fun. To make sure this happens here are a few simple guidelines.
Support your DM, they work hard but aren’t perfect. If in doubt remember that the story is more important than the rules, so trust your GM. Do give them plenty of feedback after the session including asking questions about rules. In session go with the flow to keep the pace and story flowing.
Support your fellow players, give them a chance to shine, enable them to do what they do best. Don’t overshadow or interrupt them when the spot light is on them. Support newer players with rules but let them make their own decisions.
Most RPGs don’t allow players to attack each other. This and other rules should be made clear before the session starts. Traitorous actions, players attacking each other secrets and stealing from each other might be rules out or a key part of the story!
Be yourself and have fun, you don’t have to be perfect, make perfect choices or do funny voices. As long as you act like your character would, on knowledge your characters has you will be fine. Making mistakes and bad dice rolls are key! You can’t come back swinging if you don’t get knocked down once or twice. Support each other in giving everything a good go and have fun, You are all probably as nervous or embarrassed as each other at times. If in doubt give it a go, you are in a safe space.
The best RPGs elicit emotions like no board game can. It is fine to be emotional, stressed and scared in characters. However you should never feel hurt, victimised or attacked in person. The type of content you are likely to face should be discussed before hand. Treat others as you expect to be treated and don’t be a duck.
Remembers it is a game, your characters may disagree and shout at each other, but you the players should always been safe and happy. If you are not enjoying the game let your DM know straight away.
We will be using the safety card system, to ensure everyone’s safety and comfort. If the game is approaching an area or topic you are not comfortable with touch the X card to ask the scene is ended quickly More information here and here
The dungeon master will review rules, and topics before the game starts, if you want to discuss with the group or privately any topics you are not comfortable with.
Also note that if you don’t get emotional in RPGs that is fine too. Emotions can develop over longer campaigns as you get invested in the characters, the story and the world and the stakes are high. We run friendly inclusive events, any bullying, discrimination will not be tolerated. Please raise any issues or concerns with a committee member.
One final tip, when making characters, a pack of silent loners who don’t want to be together is fun for no one. Make characters who want to adventure together it makes everyone life easier.
Conduct for RPG organisers
Do your best to establish and set expectations.
Establish ground rules of the game, Player vs Players, house rules etc. Discuss likely topics, themes and content. Certain topics should be beyond an age restriction or generally out of bounds. Discuss content and trigger warnings with the players including individually and privately.
Use the X cards. (N / O Card is optional) Fundamentally this is allowing an out of character and private channel for players to let you know if they have any questions or issues.
Please set up a primary channel for communication for example “During the game any questions please post publicly in roll 20 or you can whisper on roll 20 or Discord DM me”
The X card is a request to end the scene immediately, hopefully it will be never be used if expectations are set but it’s good to have safety measure. There are more details below but keep the out of character and private channels open so we can make sure everyone has a great time. More information here