Equality and Themes

All games run by the Oxford University Role-Playing Games Society are subject to the Conduct and Acceptable Themes Policy which can be found on the OURPGSoc website. It is expected that all GMs and players will be familiar with this policy when playing Tempest.

Surviving on a deserted island is unlikely to be a pleasant experience. The overall tone of much of this game is expected to be intensely melancholic, with significant emotional highs and lows - stress is a major part of the game and darker themes abound. We recognise that this system won't be for everyone.

However, it isn't the GM team's wish to make players feel uncomfortable if they don't want to. Below, you'll find a list of potentially upsettling topics which you may encounter in the game. Please feel free to let us know any topic (including those listed below) that you would prefer to avoid - while we can't guarantee you won't be exposed to such themes (especially where other players are involved), we will do our best to limit your exposure to them as much as possible.

These topics will be present in the game to some degree. It is likely that your character will be directly exposed to several of them, and you will hear about more second hand. It is expected that you treat these subjects in an appropriate manner.

• Self Harm
• Suicide
• Consensual sexual contact
• Extreme violence
• Food Shortages
• Cannibalism
• Extreme gore
• Pregnancy, Miscarriage, Stillbirth - you may not generate a pregnant character, nor may your character become pregnant during play; however, such themes may be present in players' backstories.
• Discrimination on the basis of physical disability or mental health condition - given the risks and pressures of life on the island, it is likely that such themes will arise. We ask that players attempt to handle them with sensitivity and to bear in mind that ableism and mentalism are considered unacceptable in the wider world of our setting. Please note that use of real-world slurs will not be tolerated.
• Discrimination on the basis of nationality, religion or faith - while, in order to keep the history of the world approximately consistent with our own, there has been a history of such prejudice, it can be assumed that this is no longer the case. However, you are welcome to include such discrimination in your character's backstory. Please note that use of real-world slurs will not be tolerated.
• Torture
• Mind control or other means of removing agency

These topics must not be mentioned, even in backstory, by either the players or the GMs.

• Sexual assault, sexual coercion or any other form of non-consensual sex (applies to all OURPGSoc games)
• Sex with minors (applies to all OURPGSoc games)
  
• Use of real-world discriminatory slurs (applies to all OURPGSoc games)
  
• Discrimination on the basis of gender or sex - while, in order to keep the history of the world approximately consistent with our own, there has been a history of such prejudice, it can be assumed that this is no longer the case. No characters will display prejudice based on gender or sex; furthermore, we ask that you avoid emphasising such themes in your backstory - please see the setting page for further details.
• Discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation (e.g. Homophobia) - while, in order to keep the history of the world approximately consistent with our own, there has been a history of such prejudice, it can be assumed that this is no longer the case. No characters will display prejudice based on sexuality; furthermore, we ask that you avoid emphasising such themes in your backstory. You should note that marriage is now equally available to all sexual orientations within our setting. Please see the setting page for further details.
• Discrimination on the basis of gender identity (e.g. Transphobia) - while, in order to keep the history of the world approximately consistent with our own, there has been a history of such prejudice, it can be assumed that this is no longer the case. No characters will display prejudice based on gender identity; furthermore, we ask that you avoid emphasising such themes in your backstory. Please see the setting page for further details.
• Discrimination on the basis of real world ethnicity or race - while, in order to keep the history of the world approximately consistent with our own, there has been a history of such prejudice, it can be assumed that this is no longer the case. No characters will display prejudice based on real world ethnicity or race; furthermore, we ask that you avoid emphasising such themes in your backstory. Please see the setting page for further details.
• Slavery - while, in order to keep the history of the world approximately consistent with our own, people have been forced into slavery in the past, it can be assumed that this is no longer the case. While forced labour may occur within setting, this must be treated with sensitivity; any suggestion of ownership of another person will not be tolerated. Please see the setting page for further details.
• Eating disorders - please note that, while starvation may occur as a result of a lack of food or as a form of protest, GMs and players are expected to handle this with sensitivity and not to equate it with disordered eating attitudes. Eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia will not feature in this game.
• Forced abortion
• Incest
• Domestic abuse
• Genital mutilation

Under Section 4.4 of the CAT Policy, anyone has the right to request to be kept apart from another person, as far as is possible. The GM Team have given this some consideration. With a playerbase as small as this one, we do not believe that it will be feasible to keep players apart in session or in turnsheet actions; this will therefore be a necessary consideration when allocating player slots. Any decisions made as a result will follow consultation with the Oxford University Roleplaying Game Society Committee.

We wish to emphasise that no blame will be attributed to either side on this basis; furthermore, as with any instance in which a person is unable to secure a player slot, we suggest that anyone unable to play may wish to check out Redemption, the other Society Game running this term.

If you wish to avoid contact with any player or potential player, or if you have any questions about this, please let the GM team know as soon as possible - before or during character generation, or during the course of the game.