Safety Guidelines and Themes for Death and Denial
We want to create a trusting, open and inclusive environment where players can feel safe. These guidelines are here to set some ground rules for off-game behavior and in-game interactions.
Off-Game Conduct
We maintain strict standards to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all participants. The following behaviors are strictly forbidden:
- Sexism, racism, and non-consensual sexual behavior.
- Bullying or body shaming of any kind, including in-game bullying based on off-game traits.
- Drug use, including “soft drugs” like marijuana during your stay on the ship.
- Alcohol consumption. No alcohol is allowed during your stay on the ship. Intoxication is not permitted during the event.
- Off-game sex and nudity involving genital areas.
Failure to comply with these rules may result in removal from the event without a refund. Organizers reserve the right to enforce these rules at their discretion.
Player Responsibility and Support
Our core principle is that players are responsible for communicating their own boundaries and needs. There will be opportunities to calibrate with your co-players before and during the larp. Additionally, some members of the organizing team will be available as support throughout the event.
Physical Interactions
This larp includes physical interactions. The baseline level of contact you should be comfortable with includes:
- Hugs, touching hands, arms, shoulders, face, and hair.
- A kiss on the hand
Exceeding the baseline can only happen after calibrating with your co-player and obtaining their explicit consent.
Importantly, physical violence can only happen after calibration and only in mild forms, as we will play in a cramped environment surrounded by water. As an example, slaps, or hairpulling may be done after consent and calibration, while dragging, pulling or pushing are off-limits.
Themes in the Larp
This larp focuses on interpersonal drama and gothic (horror), and includes various themes. While some themes are integral to the design, others can be excluded from your personal storyline upon request. However, complete avoidance of certain themes during the larp cannot be guaranteed. Use the safety mechanics to disengage if needed.
Examples Of Themes That Are Part Of The Larp
Occultism, superstition, death, the plague, quarantine, enclosure, in-group versus out-group dynamics (social exclusion), mistrust and betrayal, loss of control, religion, sexism, bullying, drugs, alcohol, addiction, classism, domestic violence, corpse mutilation, incest, emotional violence, homosexuality/homophobia and physical violence.
Examples Of Themes That Are Part Of Some Backgrounds
Child death, childhood abandonment, death of parents, harm to animals, harm to children, non-consensual sex, and suicide.
Themes We Will Not Play On
Body shaming, non-consensual sex during the event, nudity, racism, and transphobia.
Aside from the pre-planned victim, character death is not an option until just before the conclusion of the event.
Safety Mechanics
We have established safety mechanics to ensure that all participants feel secure during the event:
- Look Down: Safely exit a scene without any in-game or off-game consequences by looking down and walking away.
- Off-Game Hand Signal: Raise an open hand and say “off game” to ask a boundary-related question, e.g., “Off game, can you stop screaming at me, please?” or “Off game, can I slap you in the face?”
- Tap Out: Use this mechanic to stop a scene if you’re unable to vocalize your needs.
- Safety Councillor: Will be available.
- We are currently unsure if we can arrange a quiet space to withdraw to.
Scene Build up
- Build up scenes slowly (slow escalation) to allow participants to adjust and opt out if necessary.
- The recipient of violence decides the outcome (e.g., a character decides if a punch results in a bruise, a broken jaw or merely a sore spot).
Flagging System
We will use a flagging system after sign-up:
- Red Flag: Indicate that you find a participant unsafe to attend the larp.
- Yellow Flag: Indicate that you are okay with someone attending but do not wish to play a close relationship with them.
- Asterisk: Indicate that you are okay with someone attending and playing with them, but do not wish to play a specific type of relationship with them.
Flagging will take place between the 13th and 19th of September.
It’s possible that the organisers will reach out to you in certain flagging situations to ensure clarity and safety for all involved. If you flag someone, your name and other personal details regarding the flagging will never be shared with other participants.