Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- conduct_and_themes [2019/09/24 18:28]
gm_jaycee created
+++ conduct_and_themes [2019/10/07 20:12] (current)
gm_jaycee
@@ Line 52: / Line 52: @@
 Bullying, non-sexual harassment, romantic obsession or romantic stalking may be things your character wants to engage in during the course of the game, but **must not** be initiated without the out of character consent of the other participant. If consent is not given, this must be respected and the subject should not be brought up again.
+Even if you have consent to engage in one or more of these, keep yourself in check by periodically asking yourself the questions "Do I have consent?" and "What is the impact of my actions?", which are addressed in more detail at the beginning of this policy. Remember: consent may be withdrawn at any time, and you may be inadvertently pressuring someone who is not actually comfortable with what you are doing.
 Engaging in harassment or stalking in a sexual context is absolutely forbidden.
@@ Line 71: / Line 73: @@
 ===== Potentially Sensitive Themes That May Occur =====
-Listed below are potentially upsetting themes which may be present in the game.  If you wish to play //Work In Progress// but have concerns about one of these themes, please [[gm@wip.chaosdeathfish.com|get in touch]] to talk about your concerns or for any questions you may have.
+This section deals with potentially upsetting themes which may be present in the game.  If you wish to play //Work In Progress// but have concerns about one of these themes, please [[gm@wip.chaosdeathfish.com|get in touch]] to talk about your concerns or for any questions you may have.
-These themes may occur during the course of //Work In Progress// in some form. It is expected that these subjects are treated in an appropriate manner and within the constraints listed here. Please note that several themes have explicit restrictions on how they may be used, and that portraying or referencing them outside of these restrictions is forbidden.
+It is expected that these subjects are treated in an appropriate manner and within the constraints listed here. Please keep in mind that these subjects should **always** be handled sensitively due to the potential real-life experiences of other players or GMs.
-  * **Bullying**.
+==== Potentially Sensitive Themes in Vignettes ====
-    * Bullying may occur as a theme during the course of the game, though the subject should be handled sensitively due to the potential real-life experiences of other players or GMs.
-    * Mild forms of bullying may occur between characters, though will not be initiated by NPCs against players. Players should be very careful to consider whether their character's behaviour could be considered bullying and **must** check-in with the other player or the relevant GM before initiating or escalating that sort of behaviour.
-  * **Cannibalism**.
+Because //Work In Progress// deals with a large number of genres in [[Vignettes]], we have made a distinction as to how certain themes may be handled within Vignettes as opposed to how they may be handled outside of them. The reason for this is that while we may wish to allow certain themes to exist in a particular Vignette - an example being gender roles, which are a form of discrimination on the basis of gender - we do not want those themes to be brought into the main game and to define its plot. Such themes may be relevant to the plot of the Vignette itself, however.
-    * Cannibalism where the player is not aware that their character is eating a person's flesh is forbidden.
-    * Otherwise, cannibalism may occur as a theme during the course of the game.
+  * Where a bullet point on a theme begins with '<color blue>**Certain Vignettes**</color>', anything that follows may only occur in a Vignette that has given a content warning addressing that particular theme and how it will manifest, and must not occur outside of that Vignette.
+  * During the Vignette, players must not introduce any other theme beginning with '<color blue>**Certain Vignettes**</color>' that was not included in a Vignette’s content warnings, or exceed the limits of its content warnings during the course of that Vignette.
+  * Outside the Vignette, players and GMs may reference the existence of such a theme within the Vignette but should not explore it further.
+==== List of Themes ====
+  * **Animal abuse**.
+    * Combat with monstrous or animal-like [[vignettes#impressions|Impressions]] may be possible in either [[Vignettes]] or the [[Dreamscape]], though must not resemble torture or neglect.
+  * **Bullying or (non-sexual) harassment**.
+    * Harassment in a sexual context is absolutely forbidden.
+    * Mild forms of bullying or (non-sexual) harassment may occur. Players should be very careful to consider whether their character's behaviour could be considered either of these and **must** check-in with the other player or the relevant GM before initiating or escalating that sort of behaviour.
+    * In particular, this applies to 'playground bullying', which involves exploiting an imbalance of power to exclude, demean or humiliate someone - often in front of a complicit group and sustained over time. Open hostility, petty revenge and other forms of social PvP do not necessarily require checking-in with the other player or GM beforehand, though you should always bear in mind the question "What is the impact of my actions?", which is addressed at the top of this policy.
   * **Consensual sexual activity**.
-    * Consensual sexual activity may occur as a theme during the course of the game and will be treated with a 'fade to black'.
+    * Anything more than a kiss will be treated with a 'fade to black' in turnsheets before it occurs, and must not be roleplayed in sessions.
     * Please do not roleplay this where other players or GMs may accidentally come across this such as via the email system, as the GMs are copied in on every email.
   * **Death**.
-    * Death may occur as a theme during the course of the game, though the subject should be handled sensitively due to the potential real-life experiences of other players or GMs.
     * Player characters may retire through dying or being killed, though in such an event we will strive to ensure that they have a satisfying ending. We will inform a player if their character has died.
   * **Degenerative diseases or cancer**.
-    * Degenerative diseases or cancer may occur as themes during the course of the game, though these subjects should be handled sensitively due to the potential real-life experiences of other players or GMs.
+    * [[Muses]] may suffer from [[Fading]] or [[Censorship]], which may be seen as a form of degenerative disease, though Muses cannot suffer from real-world degenernative diseases or cancer.
+    * [[great_fade|The Great Fade]] is analogous to writer's block. [[Jo]] will not suffer from either of these themes over the course of the game.
+    * <color blue>**Certain Vignettes**</color>: [[vignettes#impressions|Impressions]] in [[Vignettes]] may suffer from either of these themes as part of their background, though the representation will be mild and non-specific, such as a dying relative. A specific content warning will be given for a Vignette containing these.
+  * **Discrimination on the basis of gender or sex (e.g. sexism)**.
+    * This does not occur in the [[Dreamscape]].
+    * <color blue>**Certain Vignettes**</color>: Discrimination on these bases may occur in the background of [[Vignettes]] in a mild form, such as through gender roles. A specific content warning will be given for a Vignette containing this.
   * **Discrimination on the basis of nationality, religion or faith**.
-    * Discrimination on the basis of nationality, religion or faith may occur as themes during the course of the game in a fantasy context.
+    * [[Muses]] may discriminate against each other on the basis of their [[factions|Faction]], and some [[vignettes#impressions|Impressions]] discriminate against Muses as a whole. Real-world religious tropes may also occur, such as crucifixes, though no discrimination will occur on the basis of any real-world religion.
-    * Portrayals of historical or real-world discrimination on these bases may occur but must be mild and self-contained, and must not be sustained over the course of the game.
+    * <color blue>**Certain Vignettes**</color>: Discrimination on the basis of nationality or (fantasy) religion may occur in the background of [[Vignettes]] in a mild form. A specific content warning will be given for a Vignette containing this.
+  * **Discrimination on the basis of real-world biases not otherwise covered in this policy**.
+    * Other forms of discrimination, such as those based on age, name or language, either do not occur or do not make sense within the [[Dreamscape]].
+    * <color blue>**Certain Vignettes**</color>: If we anticipate that a form of discrimination not otherwise covered in this policy will appear in a [[vignettes|Vignette]], and that it may be potentially upsetting, a specific content warning will be given for a Vignette containing it.
   * **Drug or alcohol addiction**.
-    * Drug or alcohol addiction may occur as themes during the course of the game, though these subjects should be handled sensitively due to the potential real-life experiences of other players or GMs.
+    * [[Muses]] cannot become addicted to either drugs or alcohol, and do not become addicted to [[dreamscape#creative_juices|Creative Juices]].
+    * <color blue>**Certain Vignettes**</color>: [[vignettes#impressions|Impressions]] in [[Vignettes]] may suffer from either of these themes as part of their background, though the representation will be mild and, in the case of drugs, non-specific, and players and GMs should be mindful of the intersection with mental illness. A specific content warning will be given for a Vignette containing these.
-  * **Eating disorders**.
+  * **Extreme gore**.
-    * Real-life compulsive eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia or disordered eating as a form of emotional distress are forbidden themes and must not be portrayed or referenced.
+    * This may occur with cartoonish or exaggerated descriptions in [[Vignettes]] or the [[Dreamscape]].
-    * Otherwise, eating disorders may occur as themes during the course of the game, though the subject should be handled sensitively due to the potential real-life experiences of other players or GMs.
+    * <color blue>**Certain Vignettes**</color>: Descriptions may be more genre specific, and therefore more realistic - though will not be gratuitous. A specific content warning will be given for a Vignette containing this.
   * **Extreme violence**.
-    * Extreme violence may occur and will tend to be genre specific, though content warnings will be used where it may be potentially upsetting.
+    * This may occur with cartoonish or exaggerated descriptions in [[Vignettes]] or the [[Dreamscape]].
+    * <color blue>**Certain Vignettes**</color>: Descriptions may be more genre specific, and therefore more realistic - though will not be gratuitous. A specific content warning will be given for a Vignette containing this.
-  * **Extreme gore**.
-    * Extreme gore may occur and will tend to be genre specific, though content warnings will be used where it may be potentially upsetting.
   * **Gambling and gambling addiction**.
-    * Gambling may occur as a theme during the course of the game, and players may be encouraged to take part.
+    * Gambling may be encouraged as part of the game, and it is possible for [[Muses]] and [[vignettes#impressions|Impressions]] to become addicted to gambling, though players and GMs should be mindful of the intersection with mental illness when this leads to self-neglect.
-    * Gambling addiction may occur as a theme during the course of the game, though the subject should be handled sensitively due to the potential real-life experiences of other players or GMs.
-  * **Genital mutilation**.
-    * Genital mutilation may occur as a theme during the course of the game in a religious context only, and must only ever be referenced and not portrayed. The subject should be handled sensitively due to the potential real-life experiences of other players or GMs.
-    * Other forms of genital mutilation are forbidden themes and must not be portrayed or referenced.
   * **Genocide**.
-    * Genocide may occur as a theme during the course of the game in the form of large-scale destructive acts which primarily target a single nationality only, though the subject should be handled extremely sensitively.
+    * Systematic campaigns to eradicate a group on the basis of any forbidden theme, mass killings on the basis of any forbidden theme or allusions to real-world genocides are forbidden themes.
-    * Systematic campaigns to eradicate all members of a given demographic, mass killings on the basis of any forbidden theme or allusions to real-world genocides are forbidden themes and must not be portrayed or referenced.
+    * The threat of wiping out all [[Muses]] may occur during the course of the game, and [[Vignettes]] in post-apocalyptic settings which reference large-scale destructive acts which primarily targeted a single group may occur.
+    * <color blue>**Certain Vignettes**</color>: Large-scale destructive acts which primarily target a single group may occur directly or as a threat, such as the destruction of a planet. A specific content warning will be given for a Vignette containing this.
   * **Homelessness**.
-    * Homelessness may occur as a theme during the course of the game, though the subject should be handled sensitively due to the potential real-life experiences of other players or GMs.
+    * Players and GMs should be mindful of the fact that homelessness does not necessarily equate to sleeping on the streets.
-    * Players and GMs should also be mindful of the fact that homelessness does not necessarily equate to sleeping on the streets.
-  * **Incest**.
-    * Incest may occur as a theme during the course of the game in a mythic context only, and must only ever be referenced and not portrayed.
-    * Other forms of incest are forbidden themes and must not be portrayed or referenced.
   * **Indiscriminate violence**.
-    * Indiscriminate violence may occur as a theme during the course of the game, though content warnings will be used where it may be potentially upsetting.
+    * This may occur with cartoonish or exaggerated descriptions in [[Vignettes]] or the [[Dreamscape]].
+    * <color blue>**Certain Vignettes**</color>: Descriptions may be more genre specific, and therefore more realistic - though will not be gratuitous. A specific content warning will be given for a Vignette containing this.
   * **Mental illness**.
-    * Distressing or exaggerated portrayals of mental illness are forbidden.
+    * [[Jo]] will not suffer from mental illness over the course of the game.
-    * Otherwise, mental illness may occur as a theme during the course of the game, though the subject should be handled sensitively due to the potential real-life experiences of other players or GMs.
+    * [[Muses]] and [[vignettes#impressions|Impressions]] may suffer from mental illness, though any representation of it must not be exaggerated or distressing.
   * **Mind control or other means of removing agency**.
-    * Players will not be mind controlled without their consent. Roleplaying effects may occur that affect a character's mental state, and will take the form of suggestions (e.g. "you feel happier than usual").
+    * Player characters will not be mind controlled without their player's consent, which requires them to opt into the Mindbender Quirk. However, roleplaying effects may occur that affect a character's mental state, and will take the form of suggestions (e.g. "you feel happier than usual").
     * Player characters may retire through losing agency, such as becoming part of a hive mind or succumbing to an overpowering force. Such events will be rare, and will only occur after we have had a discussion with the player.
-  * **Non-sexual harassment**.
-    * Harassment in a sexual context is absolutely forbidden.
-    * Non-sexual harassment may occur as a theme during the course of the game, though the subject should be handled sensitively due to the potential real-life experiences of other players or GMs.
-    * Mild forms of non-sexual harassment may occur between characters, though will not be initiated by NPCs against players. Players should be very careful to consider whether their character's behaviour could be considered non-sexual harassment, and **must** check-in with the other player or relevant GM before initiating or escalating that sort of behaviour.
   * **Physical disability**.
-    * Exaggerated portrayals of physical disabilities are forbidden.
+    * [[Muses]] and [[vignettes#impressions|Impressions]] may suffer from physical disability, though any representation of it must not be exaggerated.
-    * Otherwise, physical disability may occur as a theme during the course of the game, though the subject should be handled sensitively due to the potential real-life experiences of other players or GMs.
   * **Pregnancy**.
-    * Pregnancy may occur as a theme during the course of the game, though the subject should be handled sensitively due to the potential real-life experiences of other players or GMs.
+    * [[Muses]] can procreate but cannot get pregnant, though pregnancy may occur within [[Vignettes]].
-  * **Real-world biases and discrimination not otherwise covered in this policy**.
-    * Real-world biases and discrimination not otherwise covered in this policy may occur as themes during the course of the game, though these subjects should be handled sensitively due to the potential for other players having experienced them in real-life.
-  * **Real-world current figures and events**.
-    * Real-world current figures and events may occur during the course of the game, though we will endeavour to exclude any figure or event that is controversial, upsetting and/or likely to give rise to OC arguments (e.g.  politicians, dictators, some celebrities, recent wars etc.)
   * **Real-world historical figures and events**.
-    * Real-world historical figures and events may occur during the course of the game, though we will endeavour to exclude any figure or event that is controversial, upsetting and/or likely to give rise to OC arguments (e.g. politicians, dictators, some celebrities, recent wars etc.)
+    * [[vignettes#impressions|Impressions]] of historical figures and [[Vignettes]] of historical events may occur, though they will always be fictionalised versions. We will not introduce any figure or event that is controversial, upsetting and/or likely to give rise to OC arguments (e.g. politicians, dictators, some celebrities, recent wars etc.).
+    * Real-world fictional characters, such as those from real-world franchises, will not be present during the course of the game.
   * **Romantic obsession or romantic stalking**.
-    * Romantic obsession or romantic stalking may occur as themes during the course of the game, though these subjects should be handled sensitively due to the potential real-life experiences of other players or GMs.
+    * Stalking in a sexual context is absolutely forbidden.
-    * Romantic obsession or romantic stalking may occur between characters, though will not be initiated by NPCs against players. Players should be very careful to consider whether their character's behaviour could be considered romantic obsession or romantic stalking and **must** check-in with the other player or relevant GM before initiating or escalating that sort of behaviour.
+    * Mild forms of romantic obsession or romantic stalking may occur, though will not be initiated by NPCs against players. Players should be very careful to consider whether their character's behaviour could be considered either of these and **must** check-in with the other player or relevant GM before initiating or escalating that sort of behaviour.
     * This does not apply to non-sexual, non-romantic stalking, such as an assassin stalking their mark.
   * **Self-harm**.
-    * Self-harm as an expression of emotional distress is a forbidden theme and must not be portrayed or referenced.
+    * Self-harm as an expression of emotional distress is a forbidden theme.
-    * Otherwise, self-harm may occur as a theme during the course of the game, though the subject should be handled sensitively due to the potential real-life experiences of other players or GMs.
+    * [[Muses]] may intentionally harm themselves by giving away [[dreamscape#creative_juices|Creative Juices]] or allowing themselves to [[fading|Fade]].
+    * <color blue>**Certain Vignettes**</color>: Self-harm may occur in relation to [[vignettes#impressions|Impressions]], though the representation will be mild, such as ritual bloodletting. A specific content warning will be given for a [[vignettes|Vignette]] containing this.
   * **Slavery or human trafficking**.
-    * Slavery or human trafficking may occur as themes during the course of the game in a fantasy context only.
+    * Slavery and human trafficking do not exist in the [[Dreamscape]].
-    * Real-world slavery or human trafficking are forbidden themes and must not be portrayed or referenced.
+    * <color blue>**Certain Vignettes**</color>: [[vignettes#impressions|Impressions]] may be enslaved (though not trafficked), though slavery on the basis of any form of discrimination is forbidden. For example, an orc may not be enslaved simply because they are an orc, whether as part of systemic racial oppression or a lone individual's bigotry against orcs. However, as examples, a manservant may be enslaved to their mistress, and serfdom in a medieval setting is allowed. A specific content warning will be given for a [[vignettes|Vignette]] containing this.
   * **Suicide or suicide attempts**.
-    * Suicide or suicide attempts as expressions of emotional distress are forbidden themes and must not be portrayed or referenced.
+    * Suicide or suicide attempts as expressions of emotional distress are forbidden themes.
-    * Otherwise, suicide or suicide attempts may occur as themes during the course of the game, though these subjects should be handled sensitively due to the potential real-life experiences of other players or GMs.
+    * [[Muses]] and [[vignettes#impressions|Impressions]] may commit suicide or attempt to do so, though the representation will be implied rather than overt, such as a suicide mission or heroic self-sacrifice.
   * **Terrorism in all its forms, including state terrorism**.
-    * Terrorism may occur as a theme during the course of the game, though content warnings will be used where it may be potentially upsetting and the subject should be handled extremely sensitively.
+    * Mass acts of disruption or destruction may occur in [[Vignettes]] or the [[Dreamscape]], such as the destruction of infrastructure which causes a number of deaths, though must not consist of indiscriminate violence with the primary aim of maximising death.
+    * <color blue>**Certain Vignettes**</color>: Terrorism may occur in any form, including indiscriminate violence with the primary aim of maximising death. A specific content warning will be given for a Vignette containing this.
   * **Torture**.
-    * Torture may occur as a theme during the course of the game and will be treated with a 'fade to black'.
+    * This will be treated with a 'fade to black' in turnsheets before it occurs.
+    * [[Muses]] may be tortured, though not gratuitously.
 ==== Avoiding Phobias or Other Uncomfortable Themes ====
@@ Line 192: / Line 198: @@
 ===== Forbidden Themes =====
-The following themes will not be present in //Work In Progress//. They must not be portrayed, mentioned or alluded to by players or GMs at any point.
+The following themes will not be present in //Work In Progress//. They must not be portrayed, mentioned or alluded to by players or GMs at any point during the game.
-  * **Sexual assault, sexual coercion or any other form of non-consensual sexual activity**.
+Please note that the first four themes in <color red>**red**</color> should be given extra consideration due to their severity.
-    * Sexual assault, sexual coercion or any other form of non-consensual sexual activity are forbidden themes and must not be portrayed or referenced.
-  * **Sexual activity with those lacking the capacity to consent (e.g. children)**.
+  * <color red>**Sexual assault, sexual coercion or any other form of non-consensual sexual activity**</color>.
-    * Sexual activity with those lacking the capacity to consent is a forbidden theme and must not be portrayed or referenced.
-  * **Sexual harassment or stalking**.
+  * <color red>**Sexual activity with those lacking the capacity to consent (e.g. children)**</color>.
-    * Sexual harassment or stalking are forbidden themes and must not be portrayed or referenced.
-  * **Use of real-world discriminatory slurs**.
+  * <color red>**Sexual harassment or sexual stalking**</color>.
-    * The use of real-world discriminatory slurs is forbidden and must not be portrayed or referenced.
-  * **Animal abuse**.
+  * <color red>**Use of real-world discriminatory slurs**</color>.
-    * Animal abuse is a forbidden theme and must not be portrayed or referenced.
+  * **Cannibalism**.
+      * [[Muses]] consuming each other does not make sense within the the game.
   * **Child abuse**.
-    * Child abuse is a forbidden theme and must not be portrayed or referenced, including low-level neglect.
   * **Discrimination on the basis of gender identity (e.g. transphobia)**.
-    * Discrimination on the basis of gender identity is a forbidden theme and must not be portrayed or referenced.
-    * Very little media does not implicitly reference this, though we will endeavour to remove it to as great an extent as possible.
-  * **Discrimination on the basis of gender or sex (e.g. sexism)**.
-    * Discrimination on the basis of gender or sex is a forbidden theme and must not be portrayed or referenced.
-    * Very little media does not implicitly reference this, though we will endeavour to remove it to as great an extent as possible.
   * **Discrimination on the basis of physical disability or mental health condition (e.g. ableism)**.
-    * Discrimination on the basis of physical disability or mental health condition is a forbidden theme and must not be portrayed or referenced..
-    * Very little media does not implicitly reference this, though we will endeavour to remove it to as great an extent as possible.
   * **Discrimination on the basis of real-world ethnicity or race (e.g. racism)**.
-    * Discrimination on the basis of real-world ethnicity or race is a forbidden theme and must not be portrayed or referenced..
-    * Very little media does not implicitly reference this, though we will endeavour to remove it to as great an extent as possible.
   * **Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation (e.g. homophobia)**.
-    * Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is a forbidden theme and must not be portrayed or referenced..
-    * Very little media does not implicitly reference this, though we will endeavour to remove it to as great an extent as possible.
   * **Domestic abuse**.
-    * Domestic abuse is a forbidden theme and must not be portrayed or referenced.
+  * **Eating disorders**.
   * **Eugenics**.
-    * Eugenics is a forbidden theme and must not be portrayed or referenced.
   * **Forced abortion**.
-    * Forced abortion is a forbidden theme and must not be portrayed or referenced.
+  * **Genital mutilation**.
   * **Genocide denial**.
-    * Genocide denial is a forbidden theme and must not be portrayed or referenced.
+  * **Incest**.
+    * [[Muses]] do not procreate via sex, but can still participate in both activities and have conventional family relations. Sex or procreation with a family member must not occur.
   * **Miscarriage and stillbirth**.
-    * Miscarriage and stillbirth are forbidden themes and must not be portrayed or referenced.
   * **Non-consensual feeding (e.g. during hunger strikes)**.
-    * Non-consensual feeding is a forbidden theme and must not be portrayed or referenced.
-==== Stories Containing Forbidden Themes ====
+  * **Real-world current figures and events**.
+    * [[Jo]] lives in an alternative version of reality where these do not exist.
-//Work In Progress// will contain references to and will engage with a huge number of real-world stories and media, some of which do themselves contain forbidden themes.
-No story that contains a forbidden theme as a central theme will occur as part of the game, and we will not engage with any part of a story that contains a forbidden theme.

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