This is the Work In Progress Conduct & Themes Policy, and is designed to inform you of acceptable conduct when playing the game, as well as potentially sensitive themes that may occur.

Work In Progress will be dealing with a variety of themes and genres, many of which will be lighthearted or comedic, but some of which may be dark or unsettling - particularly as the game draws on. The GM team want to ensure that everyone feels safe and comfortable when playing the game, and so we have put in place some measures to help with this.

We understand that this policy is very long, and it's often helpful to use it as a reference rather than reading it in full (though we encourage you to do so). There are three simple questions you should ask yourself, though:

• Do I have consent?

Consent is absolutely key, and must be observed at all times. If it is specified here that you must ask before doing something, or another player indicates they do not consent to what you are doing, then you should not do it. Consent can be withdrawn at any time, and if in doubt it's important to ask.

• What is the impact of my actions?

If you think your behaviour may be upsetting another player out of character, or you want to do something that you think may upset them, then you should communicate with them before continuing with it - whether or not it's something specified in this policy. Remember: someone might have felt pressured into giving consent but still be upset about it, so be mindful if you think this could be the case!

• Am I acting in good faith?

You shouldn't try to get around this policy in sneaky ways or abuse it to gain an in-game advantage - just act in good faith. The spirit of the policy is always more authoritative than the exact wording, and so legalistic attempts to defend breaches of acceptable behaviour will be interpreted as being in bad faith and will not be accepted.

All games run by the Oxford University Role Playing Game Society are subject to the society's Conduct and Acceptable Themes Policy. It is expected that all players and GMs will be familiar with this policy when playing Work In Progress.

When in and out of character, all players and GMs are expected to conduct themselves in a respectful manner toward all other players and GMs and in accordance with the society's Conduct and Acceptable Themes Policy, as well as the university policies mentioned within it.

You must be 16 or over to take part in the game.

Physical contact of any kind requires the consent of the other participant. If you suspect that your character may have reason to have physical contact with another character, make sure you have checked beforehand out of character with that player or GM whether they are comfortable with it.

Consent can take the form of blanket consent (“I am happy with physical contact from you during the course of the game”) or can be more specific (“Do you mind if we join hands for the moment?”). Consent can be withdrawn at any time, and if you aren't sure you should always ask.

It is important to have someone's consent before taking pictures of them, writing fanfic or making artwork involving their character or NPC:

• The GMs will ask every player whether they can take a photograph of them, which will be uploaded onto the wiki for the purposes of identifying them - more detail on this can be found in the Privacy Policy.

• However, if you wish to take any photographs involving players or GMs whether before, during or after session, you must ask permission from everyone who would be in the photograph. Players and GMs have the right to request that a photograph is deleted if they have not given permission.

• If you wish to draw artwork or write fanfic about another character or an NPC, please ask the character's player or the relevant GM whether they would be alright with that, and you should give them a heads up as to the type of artwork or fanfic that you plan on creating. If they say they're not okay with it, you must respect their decision.

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.

Engaging in harassment or stalking in a sexual context is absolutely forbidden.

It is important to maintain a strong In Character/Out of Character divide in order to ensure that everyone is comfortable taking part in the game:

• It is not acceptable to insult or exclude a character while in character based on an out of character attribute that a player or GM has. This includes physical attributes, accents, speech impediments, unconscious ticks etc.

• In character grudges or rivalries should never be brought into an out of character setting, and out of character disagreements or clashes should never be brought into an in character setting. However, this doesn't mean you should feel forced to roleplay with someone that you don't want to.

You may request not to roleplay with another player or GM before or at any point during the game, and we will do our best to ensure that you come into contact with that person as little as possible. You may ask us to inform that person of your request or you may keep your request confidential, though keeping the request confidential will prevent us from asking that person not to roleplay with you during the course of the game.

If another player makes you uncomfortable, please bring the matter to the GM team either in person or via email, which will be seen by all GMs. If a GM makes you uncomfortable and you wish to discuss it confidentially, then please contact the head GM via her personal email. If the head GM makes you uncomfortable then concerns should be raised with the society president, whose contact details can be found here.

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 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.

• Bullying.
  • 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.
  • 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.

• 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'.
  • 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.

• 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.
  • 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.

• 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.

• Eating disorders.
  • 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.
  • 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.

• 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.

• 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 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 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.

• 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 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.

• Mental illness.
  • Distressing or exaggerated portrayals of mental illness are forbidden.
  • 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.

• 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 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.
  • 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.

• 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.)

• 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

• Slavery or human trafficking.
  • Slavery or human trafficking may occur as themes during the course of the game in a fantasy context only.
  • Real-world slavery or human trafficking are forbidden themes and must not be portrayed or referenced.

• Suicide or suicide attempts.
  • Suicide or suicide attempts as expressions of emotional distress are forbidden themes and must not be portrayed or referenced.
  • 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.

• 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.

• Torture.
  • Torture may occur as a theme during the course of the game and will be treated with a 'fade to black'.

If there are any phobias or themes that make you uncomfortable that are not mentioned here, please feel free to let us know so that we can make sure you avoid them.

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.

• Sexual assault, sexual coercion or any other form of non-consensual sexual activity.
  • 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).
  • Sexual activity with those lacking the capacity to consent is a forbidden theme and must not be portrayed or referenced.

• Sexual harassment or stalking.
  • Sexual harassment or stalking are forbidden themes and must not be portrayed or referenced.

• Use of real-world discriminatory slurs.
  • The use of real-world discriminatory slurs is forbidden and must not be portrayed or referenced.

• Animal abuse.
  • Animal abuse is a forbidden theme and must not be portrayed or referenced.

• 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.

• 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.

• Genocide denial.
  • Genocide denial is a forbidden theme and must not be portrayed or referenced.

• 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.

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.