DARKNESS EMERGENT CODE OF CONDUCT

Purpose: The purpose of this Code of Conduct is to establish expected behavior to ensure that all participants feel safe, free from harassment, and are able to engage with each other in a shared hobby.

Expected Behavior: The purpose of this Code of Conduct is to establish expected behavior to ensure that all participants feel safe, free from harassment, and are able to engage with each other in a shared hobby.

Harassment-Free Environment: Harassment and discrimination in any form will not be tolerated. This includes but is not limited to: offensive verbal comments, deliberate intimidation, stalking, unwanted photography or recording, sustained disruption of talks or other events, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome attention.

Professionalism: Maintain professionalism in all interactions, including online communication related to the event.

Safety: The purpose of this Code of Conduct is to establish expected behavior to ensure that all participants feel safe, free from harassment, and are able to engage with each other in a shared hobby.

Inclusive Language: Use inclusive language that respects all individuals, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, or religion.

Respect Venue and Materials: Treat the event venue and materials with care and respect. Unacceptable Behavior: Behavior that violates any expected behavior including material destruction of property, harm to self or others, harm to venue or surrounding areas or other offensive behavior will not be tolerated.

Consequences of Unacceptable Behavior: Any violations of the Darkness Emergent Code of Conduct may result in a verbal warning for minor infractions, removal from the event space or venue for repeated or severe infractions or additional coordination with local authorities.

Reporting Violations: Any violations of the Darkness Emergent Code of Conduct should be immediately reported to either one of the By Night Staff or the Event Security Coordinator (Gaylon “Coop” Cooper). By Night Studios staff will coordinate any hotel-related issues as well as any issues which may require outside assistance.

Acknowledgment: By participating in this event, you agree to adhere to this Code of Conduct. The Darkness Emergent organizers reserve the right to take appropriate action in response to any violation.

Going Out of Character (OOC) To indicate a shift to out-of-character conversation, you can either use the verbal cue “Off game” or “OOC discussion,” or employ a hand signal by crossing your fingers. This hand signal is commonly referred to as “OOC fingers.”

The OK Check-In This basic yet essential safety mechanic allows players to inquire about each other’s emotional states. To implement it, one player makes the “OK” hand sign at another, who can respond in three ways:

• Thumbs up: Indicates comfort and willingness to proceed.
• Level hand: Uncertainty, triggers an OOC discussion.
• Thumbs down: Discomfort, prompts extraction from the situation.

Remember, the absence of a response to the “OK” symbol is treated as a thumbs-down.

Look Down This mechanic enables players to quickly and discreetly exit uncomfortable situations. A player raises their hand to their forehead, as if shielding their eyes, and then can leave the scene. In Character vs. Character (CvC) instances, the player’s sheet is handed to the Storyteller (ST) in charge.