Safe Gaming
First Rule of D&D: Don't split the party!
We want to foster a safe and welcoming gaming experience for everyone at our events and weekly games and so should you. Our Code of Conduct is based around the simple rule of “don't interfere with anyone’s ability to have fun”.
BE INCLUSIVE, FUN, AND SAFE!
All participants are here to have fun and should always feel safe and included. All Participants (attendees, staff, volunteers & organizers) are expected to adhere to the Code of Conduct as follows:
Unite the Factions Code of Conduct
Regarding Harassment
There is no tolerance for excessively vulgar, sexual, or overly mature language and themes.
Drugs, theft, vandalism and aggressive behavior are illegal and grounds for immediate removal from the play area and the premises as well as notifying the authorities.
Aggressive behavior includes suggestive messages, threats of or actual physical aggression, using racial, gender, or cultural slurs against another participant, and otherwise harassing other participants.
Sexual harassment of any kind will not be tolerated and are grounds for immediate dismissal from the premises. Sexual harassment includes, but is not limited to, the following behaviors.
o Vulgar or sexual language, comments, gestures, or jokes
o The display of sexually explicit objects or messages
o Invasion of another attendee’s personal space (e.g. inappropriate touching)
o Derogatory commentary on a person’s looks, race, dress, sexuality, gender, or gender identity
o Persistent sexual or romantic advances without the other person’s willing participation
o Physical or sexual assault
Regarding Safe and Fun Play
Unite the Factions does not provide childcare, minors must always be accompanied by a parent or guardian, including when participating in games. Parents or guardians are responsible for the behaviour of anyone under their care.
Follow the Dungeon Master’s lead, avoid arguing with the DM or other players over rules.
Let other players speak, avoid talking over others.
Avoid excessive crosstalk that is not relevant to the adventure being played to allow other players to get attention from the Dungeon Master.
Regarding Devices, Social Media, Streaming and Props
The use of social media to bully, shame, or intimidate other participants is not tolerated.
Avoid phone conversations at the table. If you must take a call, please excuse yourself from the table until your call is completed
When taking photos, screenshots or streaming, please ask everyone present for permission before doing so, and if they're okay with you sharing it (specifying where you will be sharing it).
Weapons or props that could be used as weapons are not permitted at our in person events. Ask at the administration desk if you are unsure.
When playing online:
Please use push-to-talk or mute to reduce background noise when you are not talking
Please do your best to not over talk the Dungeon Master or other players while they are taking their turn talking
Dealing with a Breach in Conduct
Participants who feel as though they are in an unsafe environment should notify the Organizer of the event immediately. They will be available at the administration table for each of our events (this is where you can sign up for games). For online events this is the "admins-to-help-you" channel on our Discord server.
Participants noticing disruptive behavior should make those responsible for the behavior aware of their actions.
If a participant feels uncomfortable bringing it to the attention of the disruptive individual, the participant should notify the Dungeon Master or an Admin/organizer of the event immediately.
The Dungeon Master has the right to ask a disruptive player to leave the table and speak with the organizer.
The organizer has the right to remove a disruptive or aggressive participant from the play area or premises.
If a participant is uncomfortable in bringing an issue to organizers in person, they can contact the Unite the Factions organizers by email at contactus@unitethefactions.com or with the option to do so anonymously using the following form: https://tinyurl.com/utfcocform. When you report an issue to us, regardless of the method, the information will be kept confidential and only information that is required to resolve the issue will be shared with those that need to know (decision makers on our Admin team). Note that while our email inbox is always monitored during events, this is not an immediate way of receiving a response. While we strive to respond to emailed issues quickly, if the matter is urgent it is recommended that participants notify someone in person immediately and take other steps to ensure their safety (or to use our "admins-to-help-you" channel for online events).
Safety Tools: The X-Card
At our games and events, we task our volunteers and Dungeon Masters with using the X-Card. Essentially this is a sheet with an "X" on it that anyone at the table can use to initiate a conversation about something within the game experience that is disturbing the player(s). This could be abhorrent behaviour from the person running the game or another player, or the content or context of something within the game (e.g. horror, gore, phobias, something that reminds the player of a traumatic experience, etc.); all that someone has to do is touch the card, provide an explanation of the issue and the volunteer running the game will adjust or take action accordingly. For more on this, please read: http://tinyurl.com/x-card-rpg