Code of Conduct
It is your responsibility to know, understand, and abide by the Code of Conduct. The following rules are not meant to be exhaustive, and may be updated by Gothic: Runeheim when deemed appropriate.
This Code of Conduct is applicable to all spaces where Gothic: Runeheim community members interact and is not limited to official game spaces. This includes both online and in person.
Participants may not violate any applicable law or regulation in connection with their participation. This includes any applicable law or regulation that is otherwise not listed or covered within this Code of Conduct.
We reserve the right to exclude any individual from Gothic: Runeheim based on their past and present behavior, including behavior outside of our game space and behavior towards people who are not within the community.
Expectations
Gothic: Runeheim is dedicated to providing a harassment-free experience, and does not tolerate discriminatory actions by or towards its participants. We will not tolerate harassment of community members in any form.
In-game actions between characters are expected to be fictitious, and not directed at the actual people involved. If a community member believes that a character’s in-game action is being intentionally used to sidestep the Code of Conduct, an individual may report the behavior to be investigated. When in-game action unintentionally causes real distress or discomfort, players & staff are expected to attempt to find a reasonable resolution.
Cheating will not be tolerated. Examples include but are not limited to: falsely changing a character sheet or an item tag, intentionally falsifying information relating to the game, not properly reacting to in character hits or damage, modifying rules without the written consent of staff.
It is expected that while participating, attendees and staff will practice safe conduct, including refraining from combat while intoxicated by any substance which may impair judgment or physical function.
Corrective Action
Reporting
Confidentiality
We will respect confidentiality requests for the purpose of protecting victims of abuse. We will not name harassment victims without their affirmative consent. Though given the nature of investigating reports, we can not guarantee absolute anonymity.
Safety Warnings
Players may receive a Safety Warning if they routinely violate or endanger the safety of other players or staff members. This includes but is not limited to strikes to illegal body areas (head, groin), swings that are too hard, behavior that breaks or damages personal equipment of other players or the game site, and unnecessary physical roughness with other players.
Safety Violation
Safety warnings can result in a Safety Violation. A Safety Violation carries with it punishment, at Staff discretion, that may include temporary removal of combat privileges and/or suspension from one or more events.
The Check In System
The check in system refers to a series of hand signals that all Gothic: Runeheim players are expected to implement and use throughout the course of the event intended to manage character interactions. If at any time players are engaged in an intense scene or a scene dealing with potentially disturbing subject matter, it is expected that players will check in with the following signals:
An “A-okay” sign can both signal the question “Are you okay to continue?” and a response of “yes”.
A wavering flat hand (a so-so hand gesture) means “I’m not sure.” In these instances, offering to pause a moment, alter course of the scene, or getting a staff member is recommended.
A thumbs-down sign indicates that the player is not okay, and the scene should immediately pause or fade to black while the player can take whatever appropriate actions are necessary to restore their comfort. These could include handing over their sheet to a staff member to have them resolve the scene, or switching the scene to a purely narrative one.
A player may call for a fade to black or give any of the hand gestures to signal their comfort level during play at any time.
Safety Holds
It is expected that players attempt to look out for the safety of one another. If at any time an unsafe situation or injury has occurred players should call “Hold”, at which time everyone within earshot should stop and remain silent until the situation is resolved. Once a staff member has investigated or all players agree the situation has been resolved, a “Game On” call should be made for players to resume play.
Fade to Black
If at any time a player is outside of their comfort level and needs to address the situation out of game a player can fade to black or call a hold. Sometimes players can mediate what happens in the scene out of game amongst themselves. Should a scene fade to black for any reason and players can not resolve the situation out of game they should immediately seek staff. Staff will mediate to find a resolution or run the player’s character sheet on their behalf.
A player should always respect a player’s need to fade to black or request for a staff member to be present.
Sexual and Romantic Roleplay
A player-controlled character can only be seduced or otherwise put in a sexual situation if the player actively consents.
Quiet Time
During our weekend events we want to maintain a safe environment and that includes sleep. From 2am until 9am there will be no combat events inside personal cabins. Staff sleeping cabins will also be unavailable during these hours except in case of an emergency.
Kitchen/Cook Area
The kitchen or cooking area of the camp is a non combat space. Players that are in the kitchen when combat breaks out have the option of joining the combat immediately, or waiting until five minutes after combat has resolved. Players may not retreat to the kitchen or temporarily store items in the kitchen.
In Game Spaces
Playing spaces are expected to remain in character to provide an immersive environment to the game. The “decorum” call may be used to remind players if they drop character in an in-game space.
Photography
By attending any Gothic: Runeheim event, participants consent to having photos or video taken of them. It is the responsibility of the participant to alert staff in writing if a photograph or video has been taken of them that they do not wish to be tagged in or displayed.
Please make all reasonable efforts to respect the wishes of other participants regarding their desires to be included or excluded from photographs, video, and other recordings
Age of Play
Gothic: Runeheim is an 18+ game and will not make exceptions to this ruling. If we suspect a player is under age, we may request unexpired government issued identification.
Non-Combat Accessibility and Other Accomodations
Gothic: Runeheim is a game where combat is frequent, but avoidable under most circumstances.
Those who wish for any reason to not be physically struck may wear a safety orange headband, belt or sash in order to indicate this. Those wishing to aggress against characters marked liked this may approach to within striking distance for their weapon and call “Strike” (see Core Rules). Defending against, or suffering, such Strikes is resolved as normal.
While wearing a non-combat headband, belt or sash, players may not physically strike others, although they may make use of abilities and items that would allow them to call Strike. If you wish to engage heavily with the combat system and plan to wear a non-combat marker, we recommend discussing how to build an effective combat character using skills and abilities that allow you to call Strike, such as Magic, Firearms and Archery, with Staff at character creation.
Gothic: Runeheim also offers a number of other options for those who don’t wish to participate in the more physical aspects of the game. These include Farming, which is designed to be contained to the near side of Middleground’s creek, the social system, magic, various knowledge skills, and numerous Flaws which will give you the xp needed to advance your character in unique and exciting ways.
We recognize that these systems cannot address all of our players’ needs, and we encourage disabled players to reach out and discuss any necessary accommodations with Staff. We believe that Gothic’s system-level ability to provide content and engagement for non-combat characters is extensive, and we are always happy to assist new or returning players in finding the concept that gets them the most out of the game and the setting.
Weapon Safety
Gothic: Runeheim will be checking all weapons for safety at check in and may restrict how the weapon is used or disallow the weapon entirely if it is not suitable for play. Even if a weapon is approved for safety, it is the player’s responsibility to wield it in a safe manner. Players should be especially aware that certain weapons from Calimacil and other distributors are made of very hard foam and may not be allowed. We recommend checking reviews, when available, before making a purchase.
Covid-19 Policy
Gothic: Runeheim requires all staff and participants to show proof of vaccination before participating at in person events. At this time we are requiring all participants to remain masked when indoors or within 6 feet of another person. The only exception to this rule is while sleeping or actively eating meals.
