Conduct & Safety

GALAXY AWAITS is an ages 18 & up LARP, and explores tough themes as a form of conflict and personal exploration via pretend role-play.

SEXUAL ASSAULT

This theme is not permitted in any way. Not in character backgrounds, not hinted at, not discussed. Period.

RACISM

Prejudices between Characters are permitted, such as Droids not having rights, or the Empire prefers Humans over Aliens. Role-playing dislike toward a Character because they're an Alien, for example, is okay, but never because of the Player's attributes.

SLAVERY

Though slavery is protrayed in Star Wars, GALAXY AWAITS does not allow Characters to claim ownership of other Characters. Your Character may have once been a slave, now freed. Indentured servitude, defined as a Character working to pay off debt, is permitted. Droids are not enslaved, but may be treated as such.

COMBAT

Though simulated via light-touch and considered a fun sport, combat can suddenly feel quite real especially when your Character may die. Combat ranges from easy skirmishes to difficult battles. You may find yourself trapped, or running for your Characters life. If at any time you feel the need to take a break, keep it In-Game if you can and indicate such to the other Players... chances are they could use a break too.

ABUSE / TORTURE

Characters may inflict pretend-physical and verbal abuse via the Torture Skill, or via other Player-agreed-upon In-Character means. Players are expected to act this out with props and screams. Make sure all Players involved are aware of OK Check-In and how to use it.

DEATH

Though Character death is rare, it can happen at any time and can be caused by a number of sources including PCs, NPCs, and items described in the Rulebook. Be prepared with a Backup Character, or plan to play NPCs the rest of the event.

GALAXY AWAITS includes intense Themes, powerful role-play scenes, and heavy chaotic battles. By playing GALAXY AWAITS, you are opting in to participate, using OK Check-In, OK Check Yourself, and OK Pre-Check for mental safety.

OK Check-In

OK Check-In is used by Players and Staff to discreetly check on a Player's well being without disrupting game play.

If a Player seems distressed, establish eye contact and hold up the OK sign. If they give you a thumbs-up, they are okay to continue playing. If they give you a thumbs down, or a wavy so-so, work with them toward a resolution, including but not limited to, escorting them to a Safe Place.

Safe Places are private areas that are either out-of-play, or can be out-of-play without disrupting game play for other Players. These areas include A) the Player's cabin, B) the office inside the Dining Hall when not in use, C) a shower building, or D) any OOG space away from other Players if privacy is desired.

The OK Check-In is for the personal safety of Players, and may never be used to escape your Character from role-play consequences.

OK Check Yourself

If you ever need to check yourself out of a scene, motion a thumbs down, say "please excuse me", put your hand on top of your head or put on an orange headband, and go to a Safe Place.

OK Pre-Check

If you want to do an intense scene with other Players and you are unsure of their comfort level, speak with them beforehand and plan accordingly.

Touching, and being touched by, Players is to be expected as required by the game mechanics. There are two instances where you will be touched:

• COMBAT - The light-touch form of combat means you will be tapped by foam weapons and shot with foam darts. Combat can happen any time and anywhere within the game space, and without warning.
• EFFECTS - The use of Character powers and abilities often requires Players to touch their intended target on the shoulder, hand, forearm, shin, or foot. This action can happen any time and anywhere within the game space, and without warning.

Do not touch another Player, outside Rulebook requirements, without their expression permission.

If you absolutely do not want to be touched by anyone for any reason, you may wear a yellow armband signifying you are a Non-Combatant.

If you are sick with, or show symptoms of, or test positive for, a communicable illness included but not limited to Cold, Flu, COVID, Norovirus, etc. within 72 hours of an event, please DO NOT ATTEND! We are very sorry to miss you and look forward to gaming with you at the next event!

A mask is not required. However, if you wish to wear a mask during the event, please feel comfortable in doing so.

Cheating the Rules for your own benefit, to win, works against the collaborative storytelling of GALAXY AWAITS. Accidents happen and are forgiven — even the most experienced Players forget rules — but intentionally cheating will result in a permenant ban without refund on the second Warning.

Common Forms of Cheating

• Rhino-hiding
  Continuing play after your Character has taken too much damage.
• Turtling
  Hiding behind a shield where your body cannot be struck in a safe manner.
• Gibbering
  Stringing together Signature Calls and attacks too quickly. Your opponent needs time to react to each attack.
• Ignoring / Changing Rules
  Knowingly ignoring rules or using the rules not as intended without initiating the Rule of Cool.
• Loopholes
  Using rules loopholes to benefit of your Character. Loopholes should be reported to Staff.

Meta-gaming

In-Character information can only be gathered from in-character game spaces during events, the Holonet, and online role-play if your Character is in the thread.

While at an event, out-of-character conversations during Game Hours in designated in-character areas can be taken in-character by anyone who hears it.

If you observe another Galaxy Awaits member breaking any of our Policies, Discord server rules, or Rulebook rules, please inform Staff as soon as possible.

This can be in-person at an event, the Contact form or private messaging on our website, DM on Discord, or Facebook Messenger. Choose any means available and the Staff member you are comfortable with. If you make report with a PC Leader, that Player will forward your report in full to Staff.

Please be as detailed as possible and provide all evidence of the non-compliance as well as names of all witnesses. Know that offering 'others feel the same' is too vague and won't be considered. Staff requires hard evidence and testimony to address grievences.

Your report, your name, and names of witnesses, is never made public, but will be shared with all Staff members for transparency while the team deliberates.

If you are reporting a Staff member for non-compliance, that Staff member will not receive a copy of your report and won’t be involved in the disciplinary decision process.

If you are found to be in non-compliance with our policies and rules, Staff may apply any of the following disciplinary actions upon you. These actions are permanently marked in your Profile on our website and shared publicly via Facebook/Discord post with the community for transparency.

Only Staff can issue disciplinary actions. Full Time NPC volunteers and PC Leaders cannot without express permission from Staff.

In total, you get 3 warnings where the 3rd and final warning is Banned from Galaxy Awaits.

Facebook / Discord Timeout
You are unable to post for a duration of time as permitted by the timeout systems of Facebook and Discord.

Chaperone
You cannot be alone with another member during an event. As this may not involve all members and situations, specific details of a Chaperone action are provided by Staff on a case-by-case basis.

Banned from Leadership & Volunteering
A permanent ban from being a Staff member, from volunteering as NPC, and from being a PC Leader.

Banned from Event
A temporary ban from Galaxy Awaits for number of events. If the ban is implemented during an event, the ban is immediate, you will be asked to leave without refund.

Banned from Galaxy Awaits
A permanent ban from Galaxy Awaits. If the ban is implemented during an event, the ban is immediate, you will be asked to leave without refund. Your name is also added to the PNW LARP Owners community ban list shared among all participating LARP groups in the PNW.

Appeals

Galaxy Awaits does not take issuing disciplinary actions lightly. The Staff team spends as much time as needed to determine if action is needed, and if so, which action to take. Still, sometimes mistakes are made or new information is brought forward.

If you feel you have received an unfair Disciplinary Action, you may request an appeal with Staff. You can appeal once and only once.

An appeal must be sent to Staff in writing via the Contact form or private messaging on our website, DM on Discord, or Facebook Messenger. Choose any means available and the Staff member you are comfortable with.

Staff will review your appeal, but there is no guarantee of a reversal of Disciplinary Action.