EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY
The Goblin Ball aims to be accessible to everyone, but as a game which touches on the uncanny, the peculiar and the horrific certain subjects may come up in game. Equally, for the sake of making our game comfortable for our players, other subjects will not and should not come up, either as part of plot or through player RP or in background.
SAFE WORDS
The game will be using safe words. If someone says ‘RED’ then this is a sign you should back off entirely and potentially drop OC to check that they are OK. If someone says ‘YELLOW’ then this means you should change the subject and move on from whatever you were doing, but you can remain IC and just integrate that into your role play.
SEXUAL ABUSE/VIOLENCE
This does not exist in our world. As it is so easy for this subject to become hugely problematic and painful for players out of character, we would prefer to simply remove it from our reality. Please do not include sexual abuse or sexual violence in your backgrounds. Likewise, please do not reference it when talking to other PCs, or behave in a way that suggests it is an element of the game world. For clarity’s sake, this ban covers rape, child abuse, coerced sex, and harassment.
If your character comes from a world where these themes are present, we ask that for the night, your character's background expectations are set aside in favour of enjoying the multiverse of realities set out before them.
It does not cover abduction, bewitchment or simply making a very unwise romantic choice. Certain characters in this game will have the ability to bewitch, glamour or beguile and this is a central theme of traditional folklore about fae/goblins. We would ask all our players to deal with these themes sensitively and responsibly, checking in regularly with your fellow players and being mindful of their comfort.
If you encounter any of these themes and feel uncomfortable, we will be using the safe words set out above, and we trust that all players will respect those.
TRANSPHOBIA/SEXISM/HOMOPHOBIA
These are not a significant factor in our world. They simply do not exist. Fae and goblins are inhuman beings, many of whom can change shape, including their physical sex. To be concerned about the gender or sexual preferences of another would seem most peculiar and human. Some strange goblins might have picked up these weird human habits, but as players you must not deliberately incorporate such things into your RP.
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If your character comes from a world where these themes are present, we ask that for the night, your character's background expectations are set aside in favour of enjoying the multiverse of realities set out before them.
RACISM
Racism in a human sense is not a factor in our world. Why on earth does it matter what skin colour another eldritch shapeshifter is using today? While the world of the Goblin Ball includes The Motley, who are a lower social class in general, for the Beltane Ball, that prejudice is generally set aside.
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If you encounter this kind of role play and feel uncomfortable, we will be using safe words set out above, and we trust that all players will respect those, and roleplay with an eye for the comfort of your fellow players.
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In order to support this, we appreciate your costumes avoiding cultural appropriation - please don't include anything that is of religious or spiritual significance, or anything that's been used as a caricature. If you're not sure about something, please think about alternatives, and feel free to email thegoblinball2022@gmail.com with any questions.
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If your character comes from a world where these themes are present, we ask that for the night, your character's background expectations are set aside in favour of enjoying the multiverse of realities set out before them.
DISABILITY
We will do our best to make sure that our game is fully accessible to disabled people.
All plot will be equally available to anyone, regardless of their physical status, and we will do our best to make any additional reasonable adjustments needed. Please do contact the ref team on thegoblinball2022@gmail.com if you have any further questions.
MENTAL HEALTH
If you suffer from mental health problems, we really want this game to be as comfortable for you as possible. One of our refs is a mental health first aider (there was a course!) and will be tagged at the start of the game so you know who to talk to if you’re not feeling OK. We will also have a designated ‘quiet space’ set aside where you can retreat if you’re feeling at all wobbly until you are ready to step back into game.
FLAGGING UP ISSUES WITH OTHER PLAYERS
Should you be aware of someone likely to attend who you believe is an active safety risk to you or to other players, please contact the refs directly. All safety concerns will be dealt with on a case by case basis.
We will give all players an opportunity when booking to flag up anyone that they may not wish to RP with or be in close contact with. We will happily ensure that anyone you do not wish contact with is not cast in the same court as you, with absolutely no questions asked.
Beyond that, we will not be operating a black ball system. We have a very large venue and up to 150 people attending and it should be possible to simply maintain a healthy distance from anyone you would rather not spend time with.
CONTACT
If you have any other questions, please ask us via email at thegoblinball2022@gmail.com