Policies
Terms
IC = in character. Refers to locations, entities, and behaviours that are part of the game world.
OC = out of character. Refers to locations, entities, and behaviours that are separate from the game world and exist solely in real life.
Equality and Diversity
In the game world of Pandemonium, discrimination on the basis of culture, species, and IC religion are commonplace. Any instances of discrimination on the basis of gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, disability, mental health, OC religion, and body shape will be considered OC slurs and a basis for exclusion from the game (see Exclusion From Games). Inappropriately gendered language for a gender-neutral setting (ie. referring to soldiers as “men” or non-combatants as “women and children) is an IC mistake and may be corrected by observers in the moment. Repeat instances of such language use may be considered active discrimination and treated as such.
Inappropriate Themes
Whilst at events, it is inappropriate for players or game organisers to make reference to sexual activity with non-consenting partners, including all minors and non-human animals, as well as infant mortality.
Age
Pandemonium is a game for players aged 18 and over. Younger players may not attend.
General Safety
We endeavour to run as safe a game as possible. However, Pandemonium involves a large amount of outdoor activity, often at night, as well as LARP combat. Each player is responsible for remaining aware of environmental hazards, and avoiding them. For instance, if you believe that an area is unsafe to fight in due to slippery ground, do not fight there. It is perfectly acceptable to drop OC temporarily to move yourself and other players to a safer location. Endangering other players, for whatever reason, is a violation of the rules and a basis for exclusion from the game.
In the case of an individual requiring OC first aid, this should be attended to immediately. The ref team contains trained first aiders, so contact the ref team and we will provide all needed assistance.
Cars may not travel above 5mph on site, and must be registered with the Head Ref, ideally prior to the event.
Combat Safety
In LARP combat, blows with weapons must be pulled so that they strike with very little force. All players have a different tolerance for being struck, so caution and restraint are mandatory. If a player informs you OC that you are striking them too hard, then they are, by definition, correct, and you must ensure that you strike more lightly. If a player does not reduce the force behind their blows when asked, inform a member of the ref team who will resolve the situation. Striking too hard when you have been asked to refrain from doing so is a violation of the rules and a basis for exclusion from the game.
Hits against the head or groin are not counted for damage and should be avoided for safety reasons.
You must not fight with any weapon that has not been approved by a Pandemonium weapons checker. Weapons must be checked each event. If a weapon is deemed unsafe for any reason, it must be stored in an OC area for the entire event. Note that most LARP weapons are unsuitable for stabbing in combat. Only if a weapon has been judged as stab safe by a Pandemonium weapons checker may it be used for stabbing. Bringing a non-approved weapon into an IC area, or stabbing with a weapon that has not been approved for it, is a violation of the rules and a basis for exclusion from the game.
Some players are not safe to be struck with LARP weapons. Doing so anyway is a violation of the rules and a basis for exclusion from the game.
The following rules applies to archery:
Bows may be of a maximum poundage of 30lb, at a 28” draw.
Shots may be taken at no closer than approximately 5 metres distance from your intended target.
Golfball and flat arrowheads are both permitted. Carbon fibre and aluminium arrow shafts are not.
Do not aim for targets' heads. Aiming for the centre of mass is encouraged.
Please check all of your arrows before firing, and check the safety of every shot before you loose.
If you pick up an arrow to shoot that is not your own, you are responsible for its safety, not the original owner. Please be courteous and careful with other people's property and try to keep track of it in combat. Players not careful around this rule will be forbidden from scavenging arrows.
Physical Contact and Harassment
Engaging in physical contact with another player, IC or OC, without their express consent is a violation of the rules and a basis for exclusion from the game. Depending on the severity of the offence, it may also be grounds for criminal prosecution. Any other behaviour judged by the ref team to constitute OC abuse, harassment, or intimidation is also a basis for exclusion from the game.
It is acceptable, and strongly recommended, to quickly drop OC to ask for consent to engage in any IC physical contact. In particular, if your character begins an IC romantic relationship with another character, holding an OC conversation to determine boundaries is advised. Do not feel under any pressure to consent to any physical contact with which you are not 100% comfortable. You are not LARPing 'better' or 'harder' if you do so. Consent for physical contact must be acquired explicitly from the other player, it may not be assumed under any circumstances. For instance, watching two other players grappling with one another is not grounds for assuming they are happy to grapple with you.
Cheating
Whilst IC at an event, all players are required to abide by the rules of the game. This includes, but is not limited to, responding to weapons calls as the rules dictate, and following the rules on incapacitation and death. Should a player fail to abide by the game rules, for instance, to give their character an unfair advantage, this will be investigated by the ref team and may be grounds for exclusion from the game.
Stealing
Whilst IC, your character may choose to attempt to steal an item that is the property of another character. This is an acceptable and encouraged form of player versus player conflict. However, depending on the nature of the phys rep for that item, please follow the policies below.
If the phys rep is clearly the property of the game or its organisers (for instance, healing items) feel free to keep the phys rep until the end of the event, then hand it back to the game organisers.
If the phys rep is the property of a player, please return it to a ref within thirty minutes of the theft, informing that referee of whom you stole the item from. The item will be held for safekeeping by the refs, who will inform the player who owns the phys rep as soon as possible that the item is now in their care. If appropriate and feasible, a replacement physrep will be provided to the player who stole the item so that they can carry their loot around IC.
If you are unsure as to the ownership status of a stolen physrep, please assume that it belongs to a player and act accordingly.
Failure to abide by these practices is a breach of the rules and is grounds for exclusion from the game. It may also be grounds for criminal prosecution.
Physreps for magical resources and souls are desirable in-game items, and it is inappropriate to remove them from the IC area, as this prevents them from being stolen by other players. This also applies to any items provided by the ref team that are vital to the completion of plots. If you are uncertain whether an item you have is ok to be removed from the IC area, clarify with a ref.
Dropping Out of Character
There are many reasons why, during the course of a Pandemonium event, players may need to drop OC temporarily, some of which are described above and below. To prevent disruption to other players' roleplay, it is advised that, when you need to drop OC, you generally do so quickly and quietly. Please do not hold extended OC discussions in an IC area, particularly near other people who are roleplaying. There exists a dedicated OC area for people to go to should they wish to spend time as themselves away from the game. Persistently dropping OC for no reason in a way that is disruptive and irritating to other roleplayers is a basis for exclusion from the game.
Between Events
It is perfectly acceptable for characters to write letters to one another between events. However, characters inhabiting different planes of existence to one another (ie: The Mortal Realm and the Casket of Nightmares) are incapable of contacting one another between events, and as such can not write letters to one another.
We are not currently sanctioning player events.
Groups and Background Links
It is expected that players will want to come into play in groups of characters. A group should consist only of characters from the same IC culture as one another. They certainly may not include a mixture of Mortals and Nightmares.
Characters may have background links to one another, including across groups and cultures. It is not feasible for background links to exist between Mortals and Nightmares, except between Tanelim and Ollath who remember one another from before the cultures split.
Being in Kit
Players are required to be in appropriate IC kit during the event whilst in any IC area, as far as is reasonable and practicable. If the ref team determines that any part of your kit is definitely unsuitable for the game world, you will be asked to remove it, and may be lent replacement kit by the ref team if needed. Note that the ref team's supply of kit is intended for use in crew roles, and in emergencies, and abuse of the lending system will not be tolerated, and may be basis for exclusion from games.
Exclusion From Games
When a player is deemed to have performed a behaviour that is a basis for exclusion from the game, they will typically be given a single warning. This is to accommodate the fact that people make mistakes, and may be unaware in certain cases that their actions are in breach of the rules. A second offence within the same category will lead to an individual being asked to leave the event and to be prevented from booking future events. A refund may be given for the current event, depending on the severity of the behaviour, and is not guaranteed in any situation. In rare cases, a behaviour may be sufficiently harmful to other players (for instance, physical or sexual abuse) that an individual is excluded from the game with no warning. In all cases, the discretion of the ref team is paramount, and decisions will be made to promote the best enjoyment of the game by the player base as a whole.
Criminal Prosecution
Activity during events must comply with UK law, and criminal behaviour will be judged very severely. Activities such as physical assault, sexual harassment, theft, and taking illicit drugs will be reported to the police as a matter of policy, and will prompt an immediate exclusion from the game.
IC = in character. Refers to locations, entities, and behaviours that are part of the game world.
OC = out of character. Refers to locations, entities, and behaviours that are separate from the game world and exist solely in real life.
Equality and Diversity
In the game world of Pandemonium, discrimination on the basis of culture, species, and IC religion are commonplace. Any instances of discrimination on the basis of gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, disability, mental health, OC religion, and body shape will be considered OC slurs and a basis for exclusion from the game (see Exclusion From Games). Inappropriately gendered language for a gender-neutral setting (ie. referring to soldiers as “men” or non-combatants as “women and children) is an IC mistake and may be corrected by observers in the moment. Repeat instances of such language use may be considered active discrimination and treated as such.
Inappropriate Themes
Whilst at events, it is inappropriate for players or game organisers to make reference to sexual activity with non-consenting partners, including all minors and non-human animals, as well as infant mortality.
Age
Pandemonium is a game for players aged 18 and over. Younger players may not attend.
General Safety
We endeavour to run as safe a game as possible. However, Pandemonium involves a large amount of outdoor activity, often at night, as well as LARP combat. Each player is responsible for remaining aware of environmental hazards, and avoiding them. For instance, if you believe that an area is unsafe to fight in due to slippery ground, do not fight there. It is perfectly acceptable to drop OC temporarily to move yourself and other players to a safer location. Endangering other players, for whatever reason, is a violation of the rules and a basis for exclusion from the game.
In the case of an individual requiring OC first aid, this should be attended to immediately. The ref team contains trained first aiders, so contact the ref team and we will provide all needed assistance.
Cars may not travel above 5mph on site, and must be registered with the Head Ref, ideally prior to the event.
Combat Safety
In LARP combat, blows with weapons must be pulled so that they strike with very little force. All players have a different tolerance for being struck, so caution and restraint are mandatory. If a player informs you OC that you are striking them too hard, then they are, by definition, correct, and you must ensure that you strike more lightly. If a player does not reduce the force behind their blows when asked, inform a member of the ref team who will resolve the situation. Striking too hard when you have been asked to refrain from doing so is a violation of the rules and a basis for exclusion from the game.
Hits against the head or groin are not counted for damage and should be avoided for safety reasons.
You must not fight with any weapon that has not been approved by a Pandemonium weapons checker. Weapons must be checked each event. If a weapon is deemed unsafe for any reason, it must be stored in an OC area for the entire event. Note that most LARP weapons are unsuitable for stabbing in combat. Only if a weapon has been judged as stab safe by a Pandemonium weapons checker may it be used for stabbing. Bringing a non-approved weapon into an IC area, or stabbing with a weapon that has not been approved for it, is a violation of the rules and a basis for exclusion from the game.
Some players are not safe to be struck with LARP weapons. Doing so anyway is a violation of the rules and a basis for exclusion from the game.
The following rules applies to archery:
Bows may be of a maximum poundage of 30lb, at a 28” draw.
Shots may be taken at no closer than approximately 5 metres distance from your intended target.
Golfball and flat arrowheads are both permitted. Carbon fibre and aluminium arrow shafts are not.
Do not aim for targets' heads. Aiming for the centre of mass is encouraged.
Please check all of your arrows before firing, and check the safety of every shot before you loose.
If you pick up an arrow to shoot that is not your own, you are responsible for its safety, not the original owner. Please be courteous and careful with other people's property and try to keep track of it in combat. Players not careful around this rule will be forbidden from scavenging arrows.
Physical Contact and Harassment
Engaging in physical contact with another player, IC or OC, without their express consent is a violation of the rules and a basis for exclusion from the game. Depending on the severity of the offence, it may also be grounds for criminal prosecution. Any other behaviour judged by the ref team to constitute OC abuse, harassment, or intimidation is also a basis for exclusion from the game.
It is acceptable, and strongly recommended, to quickly drop OC to ask for consent to engage in any IC physical contact. In particular, if your character begins an IC romantic relationship with another character, holding an OC conversation to determine boundaries is advised. Do not feel under any pressure to consent to any physical contact with which you are not 100% comfortable. You are not LARPing 'better' or 'harder' if you do so. Consent for physical contact must be acquired explicitly from the other player, it may not be assumed under any circumstances. For instance, watching two other players grappling with one another is not grounds for assuming they are happy to grapple with you.
Cheating
Whilst IC at an event, all players are required to abide by the rules of the game. This includes, but is not limited to, responding to weapons calls as the rules dictate, and following the rules on incapacitation and death. Should a player fail to abide by the game rules, for instance, to give their character an unfair advantage, this will be investigated by the ref team and may be grounds for exclusion from the game.
Stealing
Whilst IC, your character may choose to attempt to steal an item that is the property of another character. This is an acceptable and encouraged form of player versus player conflict. However, depending on the nature of the phys rep for that item, please follow the policies below.
If the phys rep is clearly the property of the game or its organisers (for instance, healing items) feel free to keep the phys rep until the end of the event, then hand it back to the game organisers.
If the phys rep is the property of a player, please return it to a ref within thirty minutes of the theft, informing that referee of whom you stole the item from. The item will be held for safekeeping by the refs, who will inform the player who owns the phys rep as soon as possible that the item is now in their care. If appropriate and feasible, a replacement physrep will be provided to the player who stole the item so that they can carry their loot around IC.
If you are unsure as to the ownership status of a stolen physrep, please assume that it belongs to a player and act accordingly.
Failure to abide by these practices is a breach of the rules and is grounds for exclusion from the game. It may also be grounds for criminal prosecution.
Physreps for magical resources and souls are desirable in-game items, and it is inappropriate to remove them from the IC area, as this prevents them from being stolen by other players. This also applies to any items provided by the ref team that are vital to the completion of plots. If you are uncertain whether an item you have is ok to be removed from the IC area, clarify with a ref.
Dropping Out of Character
There are many reasons why, during the course of a Pandemonium event, players may need to drop OC temporarily, some of which are described above and below. To prevent disruption to other players' roleplay, it is advised that, when you need to drop OC, you generally do so quickly and quietly. Please do not hold extended OC discussions in an IC area, particularly near other people who are roleplaying. There exists a dedicated OC area for people to go to should they wish to spend time as themselves away from the game. Persistently dropping OC for no reason in a way that is disruptive and irritating to other roleplayers is a basis for exclusion from the game.
Between Events
It is perfectly acceptable for characters to write letters to one another between events. However, characters inhabiting different planes of existence to one another (ie: The Mortal Realm and the Casket of Nightmares) are incapable of contacting one another between events, and as such can not write letters to one another.
We are not currently sanctioning player events.
Groups and Background Links
It is expected that players will want to come into play in groups of characters. A group should consist only of characters from the same IC culture as one another. They certainly may not include a mixture of Mortals and Nightmares.
Characters may have background links to one another, including across groups and cultures. It is not feasible for background links to exist between Mortals and Nightmares, except between Tanelim and Ollath who remember one another from before the cultures split.
Being in Kit
Players are required to be in appropriate IC kit during the event whilst in any IC area, as far as is reasonable and practicable. If the ref team determines that any part of your kit is definitely unsuitable for the game world, you will be asked to remove it, and may be lent replacement kit by the ref team if needed. Note that the ref team's supply of kit is intended for use in crew roles, and in emergencies, and abuse of the lending system will not be tolerated, and may be basis for exclusion from games.
Exclusion From Games
When a player is deemed to have performed a behaviour that is a basis for exclusion from the game, they will typically be given a single warning. This is to accommodate the fact that people make mistakes, and may be unaware in certain cases that their actions are in breach of the rules. A second offence within the same category will lead to an individual being asked to leave the event and to be prevented from booking future events. A refund may be given for the current event, depending on the severity of the behaviour, and is not guaranteed in any situation. In rare cases, a behaviour may be sufficiently harmful to other players (for instance, physical or sexual abuse) that an individual is excluded from the game with no warning. In all cases, the discretion of the ref team is paramount, and decisions will be made to promote the best enjoyment of the game by the player base as a whole.
Criminal Prosecution
Activity during events must comply with UK law, and criminal behaviour will be judged very severely. Activities such as physical assault, sexual harassment, theft, and taking illicit drugs will be reported to the police as a matter of policy, and will prompt an immediate exclusion from the game.