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Safety and Expectations

Creating a safe and enjoyable gaming environment for everyone.

Table Safety

Before Play Begins

Establish these safety tools with your group:

Lines and Veils

  • Lines: Content that won't appear in the game at all
  • Veils: Content that might happen "off-screen" but won't be detailed

X-Card System

  • Anyone can hold up an X-card (physical or say "X-card") to pause and edit content
  • No questions asked, no explanations required
  • The group adjusts and moves forward

Safety Check-ins

  • Regular "thumbs up/down" checks during play
  • "How is everyone doing?" breaks in intense scenes

Common Content Considerations

Discuss these topics before play: - Violence level: How graphic should combat be? - Mature themes: Romance, politics, religion - Personal triggers: Individual sensitivities - Character death: Is it possible? How is it handled?

Social Expectations

Player Responsibilities

  • Attend regularly: Commit to the schedule you agree to
  • Communicate: Let the group know if you can't make it
  • Participate: Engage with the story and other characters
  • Share spotlight: Give everyone chances to shine
  • Stay engaged: Put phones away during play

Game Master Responsibilities

  • Prepare: Know the rules and have material ready
  • Include everyone: Make sure all players get spotlight time
  • Listen: Pay attention to player feedback and comfort
  • Adapt: Adjust the game based on what the group enjoys
  • Enforce safety: Use safety tools when needed

Group Responsibilities

  • Respect: Treat everyone with kindness and consideration
  • Collaborate: Work together to tell great stories
  • Communicate: Address problems constructively
  • Have fun: Remember this is a game for everyone's enjoyment

Character Expectations

Creating Characters for Group Play

  • Team players: Characters should want to work with the group
  • Shared goals: Find reasons to pursue common objectives
  • Complementary skills: Cover different areas so everyone contributes
  • Interesting flaws: Imperfections create better stories than perfection

Avoiding Problem Characters

Don't create: - Lone wolves: Characters who refuse to work with others - Disruptive personalities: Characters whose behavior hurts group fun - Spotlight hogs: Characters who try to be the center of everything - Rules lawyers: Characters obsessed with mechanical optimization over story

Do create: - Motivated individuals: Characters with clear goals and drives - Flawed heroes: Characters with weaknesses that create drama - Team contributors: Characters who enhance group dynamics - Evolving personalities: Characters who can grow and change

  • Check in regularly: "How is everyone feeling about this?"
  • Adjust as needed: Boundaries can change over time
  • No pressure: Never pressure anyone to engage with uncomfortable content
  • Multiple options: Provide different ways to handle situations

Handling Mistakes

  • Acknowledge: "I'm sorry, I didn't realize that was over a line"
  • Adjust: "Let's back up and try that differently"
  • Learn: "I'll remember that for next time"
  • Move forward: Don't dwell on mistakes, focus on improvement

Game Tone and Style

Setting Expectations

Discuss these elements: - Seriousness level: Comedy vs. drama vs. mixed - Power level: How epic should characters be? - Lethality: How dangerous is the world? - Themes: What kinds of stories do you want to tell?

Norse-Influenced Themes

Consider how these traditional Norse concepts fit your game: - Honor: How important is reputation? - Fate: Are destinies predetermined? - Heroism: What makes someone heroic? - Community: How important are family/clan bonds?

Practical Considerations

Scheduling

  • Regular time: Consistent schedule works better than sporadic play
  • Session length: 3-4 hours is typical for most groups
  • Missed sessions: How to handle absent players
  • Breaks: Include breaks for food, discussion, and rest

Communication Tools

  • Group chat: For scheduling and quick questions
  • Session notes: Someone should track what happened
  • Feedback: Regular check-ins about how the game is going
  • Rules questions: How to handle disputes or confusion

Physical Space

  • Comfortable seating: Everyone needs a good spot
  • Table space: Room for dice, sheets, and snacks
  • Noise level: Consider neighbors and household members
  • Supplies: Dice, pencils, paper, and reference materials

Digital Play Considerations

Online Gaming

  • Platform choice: Discord, Roll20, Foundry, etc.
  • Camera use: Video on/off policies
  • Audio quality: Good microphones help communication
  • Backup plans: What if technology fails?

Hybrid Play

  • Mixed groups: Some players online, some in person
  • Extra coordination: More complex but can work well
  • Technology needs: Cameras, microphones, screen sharing

When Problems Arise

Addressing Issues

  1. Address quickly: Don't let problems fester
  2. Private first: Talk to individuals before group discussions
  3. Focus on behavior: Not personality or character attacks
  4. Seek solutions: Work together to fix problems
  5. Know when to stop: Some problems can't be fixed

Common Solutions

  • Adjust the game: Change tone, content, or rules
  • Change character: Retire problematic characters
  • Take a break: Sometimes people need time away
  • Change groups: Not every group is right for every person

Building a Great Gaming Culture

Positive Habits

  • Celebrate successes: Acknowledge great moments and good play
  • Learn together: Help each other understand rules and setting
  • Share resources: Books, dice, ideas, and inspiration
  • Plan together: Involve everyone in campaign planning

Long-term Success

  • Regular check-ins: How is the campaign going?
  • Evolve together: Let the group grow and change
  • Try new things: Experiment with different styles and stories
  • Make memories: Focus on creating shared experiences

Remember: The goal is for everyone to have fun telling great stories together. Everything else is just details that serve that purpose.