It goes without saying that we expect everyone to follow the Finnish law and good manners in all situations. Be sensible and respectful to your co-players as well as the organizers.
All in-game alcoholic substances are non-alcoholic in real life / off-game. Alcohol is allowed only after the game at the sauna building.
Smoking is forbidden inside the building. However, you can smoke outside, but this will be strictly off-game at a specified spot – you are not allowed to play while smoking. Due to regulations, the indoors smoking ban also applies to vaping and e-cigarettes.
The full names of all who sign-up will be shared with others who have filled out our sign-up form for the flagging process. The full names of all chosen players are shared with others attending the game.
Code of conduct
All manner of bullying, harassment, and discrimination are not tolerated before, during, or after the game. Attendants and organizers are expected to follow the principles for safer larping outlined in the Safer larping package. We recommend that you read it carefully before the larp, and commit to advancing a safe game environment, as well as opposing harassment with their own actions.
Discrimination and inequality based on ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation does not exist in the game world, and any bullying behaviour based on them is forbidden. In the in-game setting in which our larp takes place, there are major equality issues between members of different classes which will be a major game element.
As an important rule, in-game bullying must never be based on a player’s attributes, whether physical or other. Characters can be bullied based on character’ attributes, but never on those derived from a player. Players are encouraged to talk with their co-players in advance to discuss appropriate ways to escalate conflicts in a manner that is safe for everybody involved.
Our firm intention is to organize an event free of discrimination, and we try to be as sensitive and considerate as possible. Likewise, we want to be respectful in all of our communication. If you find our representation offensive, please contact us so we can make amends and correct our communication.
Opt-in / Opt-out mechanics
The baseline for player safety and participation is based on opt-in/opt-out with emphasis on empowering individual players to continuously make informed choices about engaging in an experience. We encourage all players to communicate continuously and as much as possible with their co-players and the game organizers to allow the players to make these informed choices. It is important to understand that the larp will be played in a small area and all players are in the same room most of the time.
We have calibration mechanics in use, but for these to work there must be a chance for the players to react and use them – so build up to intense situations instead of going straight into the deep end. Violence is not expected in the larp.
Cut: Whenever somebody says “cut”, all role-playing must stop immediately and players who hear the safeword must do whatever they can to assist in resolving the situation. “Cut” can be used in situations of emergency – either in physical or psychological emergencies.
Break: Unlike “cut”, “break” does not require the hearers to stop role-playing, but it signals that the current situation is going in a direction that the player is not comfortable with, and that a change of direction and/or reduction of the intensity of play is needed.
Look-down: A player may at any time choose to opt out of any role-play scene by using the look-down gesture, that is, by shading their eyes with a hand and walking out of the situation. No player will be stopped or questioned when they opt out by using the look-down mechanic.
“Offgame, are you alright?” is a phrase used to make sure the other player is okay in the scene. If a player or organizer is for any reason worried about someone, this phrase can and should be used. It can be replied with thumb up, a clear nod or saying “Yes, I’m fine!” if everything is alright. If the reply is anything but an enthusiastic yes (e.g. shake, shrug, “I don’t know.” or “no”), it is assumed that the player is not okay and acted on accordingly. Depending on the situation, ask what they need, escort them to the off-game room, notify the organizers etc.
Checking in can also be used when discussing and planning scenes for the larp. To make sure that the other player is up to the scene just ask “Offgame, are you okay with this scene?” and the same applies, it should be replied with an enthusiastic yes. Anything else should be considered not okay.
If you – for some reason or another – are unable to play a plotline or contact written into your character, please contact the game masters as soon as possible before or during the game to resolve the issue. Leaving a plotline or contact unplayed will have an impact on other players’ game, so the game masters will need to try to figure out a solution that will ensure meaningful and safe play for all participants.
Safety words for off-game emergencies
HOLD! When somebody yells “HOLD!”, everyone repeats the cry and the whole game stops immediately with everybody freezing on the spot. This safeword is engaged in real-life crisis and/or danger situations – fire, somebody is about to fall, etc. The game will continue only after the game masters have checked and solved the situation.
Game on! Only a game master can initiate to continue the game.
Battle and death
We expect very little violence in the game as the world is free from violence. If violence is seen, it is scary and outrageous.
If you wish to kill off your character, please come talk to the game masters first.
Important note: there are no back-up characters! If a character dies, the player cannot continue the game with another character and it is not possible to access the game area.
After the larp
During the first 24 hours after the larp, participants are asked to avoid public analysis, critique and criticism of the larp. Instead we wish our players to focus on reflecting what happened and what they experienced at the larp. It is very much OK to publicly discuss your personal experience about the game, even if it was negative. We understand and we wish for all participants to understand, that the game can be a disappointment for some and it is important that these feelings can be said out loud.
The idea of the 24 hours is to not start pointing out the possible flaws in the design or the practicalities while everyone is still processing and recovering from the game.
Base of the Code of conduct by Odysseuslarp, edited for the purpose of State of Infection