This player agreement is to be used in conjunction with our basic rules of LARP conduct, house rules, disciplinary procedures, OWBN administrative policies, and OWBN bylaws. This is not a comprehensive list of all negative behavior; it is a minimum standard for what will not be acceptable behavior. Any player based in our game, visiting our game, attending our events or participating on our mailing lists is expected to acknowledge and agree to abide by this code at all times.

While you must read, understand, and agree to abide by these rules, understand that this is not a comprehensive list of every behavior that will be considered unacceptable. If a member of the staff asks you to cease a behavior, or makes a judgement, decision, or rules call, please abide by it. If you have an issue with any such action, or with the interpretation of this code by the staff, feel free to bring it to the HST, the Player Representative, or any other member of the staff, so that we can discuss the matter.

This Code of Conduct will not be used as a vehicle to get revenge against anyone for any reason. Attempting to abuse the code of conduct or "crying wolf" will be subject to disciplinary action.

1. I will not bring the drama of real life into game, nor the drama of game into real life.

Remember, this is a game; negative out-of-character behavior of any kind will not be tolerated. Players are expected to understand this is a game. People are playing characters; do not hold the in-character persona of a character against a player. Do not take out-of-character feelings into the game.

For example: "Because you killed my character, you're a jerk and I hate you," and "You broke up with my sister, so I will kill your character," are both unacceptable.

2. I will remember that both the players and the staff are adults and deserving of my respect.

This also applies to baseless accusations, emotionally lashing out, insults, etc.

For example: "I disagree with you, therefore you're obviously a lying cheater," and "The staff can go to hell; I am not listening to you" are both unacceptable.

3. I will mark off Traits when I lose the overall challenge, and will cross off Abilities, Gnosis, Rage, and Willpower as I use them.

Occasionally things are forgotten, but players have the right to call for a Trait count at any time in player-vs.-player conflict. Storytellers and Narrators are encouraged to remind players to mark off Traits, and to do so themselves when the situation warrants (though some NPCs such as spirits lose Essence rather than Traits, for instance).

For example: Bidding the same number of traits after you've lost several initial challenges is unacceptable.

4. I will abide by all house rules.

This is pretty clear. Players are expected to read the house rules that apply to them, and try to understand the game setting. Storytellers may not remember all rules perfectly; however, they are the final call in a scene.

For example: "The book writeup is so much cooler; I will use it that way in the scene until I'm caught," and "I don't know how any of my gifts work, having never bothered to read them, so I just wing it," and any other form of cheating are all unacceptable.

5. I will understand that positive metagaming is a choice, not a requirement. It is not alright to try and force a player to positively metagame.

Negative metagaming (using out-of-character knowledge to harm a character, or for your personal gain) is not acceptable by definition: for example, "Yeah, so we had been hanging out the other day, and I heard from Bob that his character was secretly a Bringer of the Light, I will call him on that," and "I heard out-of-character that your PC was going to kill my sister's PC; now I am going to be her bodyguard the whole game" are examples of unacceptable negative metagaming.

An example of forcing a positive metagame action is: "But you're my best friend and I really don't want my character to die; if you kill him, we won't be friends." Your friend is free to make that choice if they like, but it is unacceptable for you to attempt to force their choice.

6. I will remain in character while on the game floor, and not drop out to explain character motivation, chat, or do anything else in a way that disrupts play.

While it is all right to explain that your character looks different than you, that you're carrying a dead body, that you're exuding rage, etc., it is not okay to disrupt play. We have designated out-of-character areas: please use them if you wish to decompress. Otherwise, please remain in character whenever possible.

For example: "Did you see Doctor Who last night?" and "My character is really angry because he's a member of this camp that hates ferrets!" and "Hey guys, I'm gonna go to perkins after game -- I know you're in a scene, but can I get a head count of who's going? Oh you're still trying to roleplay? Well I really want to know now." are all unacceptable.

7. I will not threaten, harass, or flame anyone out of character.

Don't go out of character to insult someone, don't threaten someone's character out-of-character, and don't send someone a series of angry texts or emails regarding game issues. Don't threaten physical violence against your fellow players.

For example: "I will kill you" and "I've just sent him 38 text messages, and 25 Facebook posts calling him a scumbag" are both unacceptable.

8. I will not forget that all Twin Cities: Last Stand characters belong to the TC:LS world, and while part of it, are under the control of the staff.

No TC:LS character may be part of another LARP while part of the TC:LS chronicle. Characters' stories, back stories, character sheets, related NPCs (such as mates, kinfolk, allies, mentors, etc.), and related geographic places are under the purview of the TC:LS staff. These may be used, altered, transferred to other chronicles, killed off, or disallowed at the discretion of the TC:LS staff.

For example: "Your NPC father was written as an Elder BSD. We no longer needed him in the story and it died off camera," and "no, your character can not have been a swashbuckling ninja assassin raised by Assamites," and "Yes, your character does die in this scene," and "You have been placed under a mind altering power/Derangement -- you do need to play it up. We suggest that you do this," are all acceptable calls for the staff to make.

9. I understand that leaving game or refusing to run a scene will not allow me to escape consequences.

It is not all right to leave the game after you discover that your PC is about to be punished or killed unless an ST approves your "fair escape". If sentenced to a punishment and you stop coming to game, the STs will determine what the outcome is, up to and including character death. We will make allowances such as having to leave game due to work, military service, or family emergencies. However, we expect communication in the event that there is a pending consequence for your in-character actions.

For example: "I'm leaving, so try and get my character," and "I am too busy to come to game, so you can punish me when I get around to it," are both unacceptable.

10. I will not argue with Storyteller decisions, even if I disagree with them, until after the scene is completed.

While it is perfectly acceptable to briefly and respectfully point out a rule, ask a question, or remind an ST of the writeup or house rule, It is not all right to hold up the scene, argue back and forth, or become confrontational. The term "mommy/Daddy-ing" is also covered under this rule. If the staff has made a decision it is considered to be IN violation to go to another STaff member to try and get a more favorable answer.

For example, these are acceptable disagreements: "Um, ST? I've got the wiki writeup printed out, want to see it?" and "Hey ST, it says the retest is Medicine not Occult, can I use that instead?" and "Are you sure I can't do that with the gift Roll Over? I thought it said they will do this?" Acceptable disagreements are are non-argumentative and non-confrontational. Remember that your tone can have alot to do with this.

These are examples of unacceptable disagreements: "No, ST, you're wrong, it says on page 334 that you use Medicine, not Occult" and "I know I can use Mastery to make this guy jump off the cliff, it says so right here," and "No, I will not take that action in frenzy! I want to speak to the HST now."