nightmods | LINES AND VEILS

LINES AND VEILS

Since the game is closer to tabletop RP size than not, this page is here to discuss IC consequences, as well as "lines and veils," a concept in tabletop RP that will be applied to the game. This concept works well with the usual cuts and trigger warnings that already exist in dwrp.

Lines - these are hard lines in the sand. Whether triggers or just something that causes dislike, distaste, or unease, these are circumstances and elements players, plot-runners, or mods don't want to encounter. Players don't have to explain the reasons behind having these, but there will be times they should at least communicate what they are in the course of playing or plot-running.

Veils - are elements or circumstance that players are uncomfortable with but are able to accept as happening "veiled" or off-panel. For the game, threads a player isn't tagging in and that they don't have to plot-run for also count as "off-panel," due to their ability to be ignored.

IC Consequences - These are the consequences to player actions. They can be positive or negative consequences and can range from only being interpersonal between characters to larger consequences in a plot or the game.

Consequences in a plot will often be a surprise, as plot results tend to be flexible based on player actions, but general plot content that might be objectionable will be warned for.

However, sometimes these will be consequences that happen at the Pole, levied by the game npcs. These can be anything from ultimatums, threats, and demands of restitution of some kind (such as threatening to turn a character away from the group if they don't do something to remedy damage they've caused). The mod will ultimately decide what these consequences are, however, they will prioritize avoiding turning a character away from the group, and the ICC will be decided in cooperation with a player and try to keep the result centered on interaction with other players rather than handwavable consequences.

The intention of ICC should not be to "punish" characters or player choices, since any damage to others is fictional. They should instead be consequences that motivate CR, character introspection, and character growth.

Interpersonal ICC on the other hand, are up to individual players. If the ICC is that a character ICly doesn't want to interact or one or both of the players want to dni the two characters, those characters will simply be put on different squads during plots.

REQUIREMENTS

Going forward, there will be requirements of the mod and all players.

The Mod

The mod is clearly stating this here so the information is available to everyone: despite the game having elements of fantasy and whimsy, it also will contain some dark content, even though much of it will happen to npcs rather than PCs. Subjects like:

child distress
child harm
child death
general murder
torture
imprisonment
scientific experimentation on people
harm to innocent people

Players will also have to deal with the fact that characters have a diverse array of moralities, especially around the subject of killing enemies. This can lead to IC conflict.

It is expected of all players to discuss these subjects respectfully oocly. IC/=OOC. Any opinions or actions that might be IC for characters are not reflective of their players' attitudes.

The mod will keep the general warnings about the game listed above and update them if appropriate. Some of the mod's other responsibilities will include:

adding warnings to the ooc info of plots about unavoidable plot content that might make others uncomfortable. This includes elements that might just be frustrating, like difficult puzzles or temporary confinement

anticipating what elements or character actions may arise that cross their own personal boundaries in a plot and listing them as needing to be avoided in the ooc notes in every part of the plot that's posted.

communicating if a subject crosses their personal boundaries or alters tone too much if it arises by surprise during play, and helping players find alternatives

If something unexpected arises during play that makes a player uncomfortable, helping them hard line it and play an alternate scenario, find an opt-out to avoid it, or "veil" it by making it occur off-screen for them to avoid it, depending on need.

Plot-runners

Plot-runners have the same responsibilities as listed in the mod section above.

If a plot-runner has certain boundaries they don't want crossed, it is also recommended that they don't include elements in the plot that might strongly provoke reactions from other characters that may cross those boundaries or alter tone in a way that is unwanted.

This creates less need for players to find workarounds to avoid crossing boundaries because an at-risk situation isn't created in the first place.

Players

These will be the expectations of players:

if something they dislike or are uncomfortable with is an unavoidable element in a plot and there are no workarounds, accepting this plot may not be for them and finding alternate play.

if something unexpected arises during play that makes a player uncomfortable, they need to ask the mod, plot-runner, or thread partner if it they can hard line it and play an alternate scenario, find an opt-out to avoid it, or "veil" it by making it occur off-screen for them to avoid it.

keeping their permissions updated with uncomfortable or disliked subjects. You may also include gaming elements that don't cause ooc distress that are just frustrating, such as difficult puzzles, temporary confinement, having npcs unable to be saved regardless of player action, etc.

Going forward, the permissions form will be updated to state this falls under "Subjects That Bother You." It is recommended that players add these elements to their current permissions. This can help the mod and any plot runners understand what will bother players, including elements that cause more frustration than discomfort.

COMMUNICATION
All players are responsible for communicating their comfort levels and dislikes, especially now that some specific language for it has been provided for use.

Asking for veiling is inappropriate if you need hard lines. Bringing up ICC when the issue is more of an ooc boundary or tone issue is not a clear way to communicate a need for lines or veils, etc.

Miscommunication does happen, so if there are circumstances where people struggle to communicate issues during play, most of the time they will not provoke any disciplinary consequences. However, communication must remain polite, OOC boundaries of lines and veils need to not be crossed after they're clearly communicated, and the lines of IC/=OOC must be respected.