Etiquette &
Guidelines
Intro.
This is a chance to play pretend — and we’re here to have fun— but that does not mean we do so at the expense of our good sense and safety! Today you’ll be interacting with a cast of fun and fascinating characters! You can identify them because they’ll all be in costume, and wearing a key necklace or pin in a visible location on their person. Our actors are ready to roll with what you throw at them but they have feelings and limitations just like you and me. Please do not touch our actors under any circumstances, and if they need to touch you to interact they will ask permission to do so. We ask that you do the same when interacting with other guests as well. After all it is what a person of propriety would do. Ask for the hand of a dance partner before taking it.
The event you are attending is pretty lighthearted, though some of the characters may ask you to do some dastardly deeds to help them out or bring up subjects of political intrigue or romance you may not wish to engage in. We care about the wellbeing of everyone involved so we’ve established some gestures for emotional safety so you can communicate anything that might come up!
I. Hand Signals.
Check in: Making a “C” shape with your hand, e.g. “Checking in, is everything okay?”
Great: Two thumbs up, e.g. “Yes, this is great, more.”
Good: One thumb up, e.g. “Yes, this is good.”
Just Right: Hands parallel like an equals sign, e.g. “This is fine, no further.”
Slow Down: Thumbs down, e.g. “I’m uncomfortable, please tone it down.”
Stop: Hands crossed like an X, e.g. “Immediately stop and give space.”
III. General Safety Policies
Incantrix Productions produces a variety of events that involve person-to-person interaction, role-play, character development, and completion of objectives. The company’s rules focus heavily on safety (physical and emotional), consent and communication, inclusion, and varying levels of immersion. These principles are integral to participants having a safe and enjoyable experience at our events, and the Incantrix team is supportive of these principles throughout the larger gaming, live action role-play (LARP) and interactive theater community. Our company’s events and games are intended to be a fun and joyful escape from the “real world” and these inclusive policies help support that mission.
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The following policies apply to all experiences produced and run by Incantrix Productions, including but not limited to in-person events and games, online forums and groups, and online games (hereinafter all referred to as “Games”). All attendees to Games by Inctrantix Productions agree and consent to abide by these policies and understand that the violation of these policies may result in being removed from the Game without a refund by the company.
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Questions or concerns? Email: gm@romancingjan.com !
IV. Physical & Mental Safety
Every attendee has the right to feel physically and mentally safe at events run by Incantrix Productions, including but not limited to in-person events/games and online forums/events/games. That means they should find all of our Games are free of:
Physical and mental distress
Danger
Abuse
Harassment (including slurs and deliberate misgendering)
Threats
Unwanted behavior
Violation of physical and personal space
Harmful real-world events and ideologies, discrimination, bias, racism, sexism, knowingly and willfully misgendering others, or any other harmful behavior that affects the welfare of others.
Also, The Game Theatre’s Games are free of all real world harmful content, including but not limited to harmful symbols, images, slogans, sayings, printed or other materials, speech, comments, or any other harmful content communicated verbally or displayed in tangible form of any kind.
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Whether run by Incantrix Productions or in conjunction with another business or convention, our in-person games follow all local laws and we require our participants to do so as well, including but not limited to State and Federal Covid 19 protocols.
IV. Physical & Mental Safety
Every attendee has the right to feel physically and mentally safe at events run by Incantrix Productions, including but not limited to in-person events/games and online forums/events/games. That means they should find all of our Games are free of:
V. Emotional Safety & ‘Bleed’
Incantrix Productions places a priority on emotional safety, providing a framework for identifying and processing the emotional impact of immersive role play and confronting (or avoiding) potential triggers. We also provide guidance for managing bleed, or the transference of emotions from character to player and vice versa. We do this through work-shopping before and after the Games, as well as through a set of non-immersion-breaking tools.
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‘Bleed’ isn’t always negative. An example of positive bleed might be a real life friendship that blossoms after you work in a cooperative context in a role playing game. Whereas, an example of ‘negative Bleed’ could involve playing opposite another player in a competitive game. After the game is over, you may experience antagonistic or hateful emotions towards the other player, even though you are no longer in character.
VI. Inclusion
Incantrix Productions strives to make a welcoming environment for all participants, including trying at all times to select fully accessible venues. The company accepts and values participants and never discriminates based on race, gender, sexual orientation, or any similar attribute.
VII. Consent & Communication
Incantrix Productions strives to make a welcoming environment for all participants, including trying at all times to select fully accessible venues. The company accepts and values participants and never discriminates based on race, gender, sexual orientation, or any similar attribute.
VIII. Immersion
Though immersion (or feeling as though you truly embody a character) is not always the goal of role-play in general, immersion is most achievable when players feel safe and included, in a setting that allows for clear communication and consent. At Incantrix Productions events immersion is not a rule (the team wants people to be comfortable pursuing what they wish, when they wish), but deeper immersion is there to pursue. With that in mind, the company encourages a safe, inclusive, and transparent community and consent culture – because it’s kind – but also to support an environment conducive to immersion and quality interactive gaming.
IX. Introductory Workshop
In the introductory workshop, company Game Masters and staff will cover specific tools to help players, experienced or new, effectively communicate with each other and negotiate dramatic scenes when necessary. The more trust you can establish with other players, the more risks you can safely take, and then the more amazing storylines can be created (in a feel good setting).
This guide just covers the basics – the foundations necessary to have a physically and emotionally safe game that allows you to focus on self-care and, should you choose, immersive participation.
X. Covid-19
Safety Rules
All our cast and crew are vaccinated
We ask that in order to attend you provide proof of vaccination before arrival.
All our actors have sanitizers on them, you’re welcome to use them
Most importantly we will be following any local safety policies at the time of the event.
