Code of Conduct

Wyvern Rising LARP strictly subscribes to the Paradox of Tolerance [Popper, Karl, The Open Society and Its Enemies, volume 1, The Spell of Plato, 1945 (Routledge, United Kingdom); ISBN 978-0-691-15813-6 (1 volume 2013 Princeton ed.)]. As such, Wyvern Rising LARP has a zero tolerance policy against discrimination or harassment of ANY sort, but also specifically on any of the following topics:

• Race, ethnicity, or heritage
• Sex or sexual orientation
• Gender identity, presentation, or expression
• Age or experience
• Body size
• Physical limitations
• Physical or mental health
• Appearance
• Socioeconomic status
• Immigration status
• Bodily autonomy
• Religion

Additionally, Wyvern Rising LARP has a zero tolerance policy on the following real world behaviors:

• Sexual assault
• Stalking
• Physical/Verbal/Mental/Emotional abuse
• Hate speech/hate symbolism
• White supremacy
• Racism
• Sexism
• Fascism
• Bullying

Violation of the code of conduct will result in permanent dismissal from Wyvern Rising LARP. In order to maintain a safe space for our community, incidents outside of Wyvern Rising LARP events that violate the code of conduct can and may be used to determine whether a participant is dismissed.

In short, treat everyone with respect.

Wyvern Rising LARP respects everyone’s personal space. There shall be no physical contact without consent, even if it is meant to be harmless. To ensure that all participants feel safe at Wyvern Rising LARP it is required that before any physical contact is initiated participants are to get permission by asking “Do you consent to physical roleplay?” Violation of this policy may result in reprimand, suspension, or dismissal from Wyvern Rising LARP.

• Wyvern Rising LARP contains simulated and fantastical depictions of combat, firefights, violence, injuries, PTSD, abuse, and bigotry.
• Wyvern Rising LARP contains the use of loud noises, fog machines, smoke, flashing lights, and darkness.
• Wyvern Rising LARP may intentionally expose participants to frightening, shocking, or stressful situations.
• Wyvern Rising LARP WILL NOT EVER condone or use sexual assault or rape themes at the game.
• Wyvern Rising LARP takes place on a wooded and hilly site, so it may contain situations of limited accessibility to the disabled.

Since Wyvern Rising LARP may intentionally create simulated stressful situations any participant may immediately go out of game if the situation becomes too personally uncomfortable, for any reason. The health and safety of all Wyvern Rising LARP participants is paramount and there is no penalty for disengaging from a situation that causes personal discomfort.

In accordance with Pennsylvania state law and Pennsylvania state park rules the use and possession of recreational drugs and alcohol is forbidden at Wyvern Rising LARP. Violation of this policy will result in permanent dismissal from Wyvern Rising LARP and notification of the proper authorities.

Real-world weapons not permitted at Wyvern Rising LARP. Participants may never carry real-world firearms on their person or keep them in the game area. Violation of this policy will result in dismissal from Wyvern Rising LARP and notification of the proper authorities.

Pocket knives and other utility blades are allowed as long as they are kept packed away in a participant’s gear or in a secured sheath when not in use. Any participants found to be using a blade or knife irresponsibly will be restricted from having them in the game area.

Calling “Hold!” will temporarily stop the game. This is done primarily for safety reasons. If a hold is called all participants must stop everything they are doing. Discussion during a hold should be kept quiet and kept to a minimum. There is to be absolutely no combat during a hold.

When a hold is called anyone hearing the call must also call, “Hold!” When a hold is resolved the game staff (or designated participant) will call “Three. Two. One. Lay-on!” and gameplay will continue. When “Lay-on!” is called, anyone hearing the call must also call, “Lay-on!”

Wyvern Rising LARP has simulated ranged and melee combat. Ranged combat uses toy dart blasters (“Nerf” or other brands) and bows under a 20 pound draw. Homemade boffer arrows are prohibited unless individually approved by the game staff. Melee combat uses contact-safe boffer weapons or latex weapons. Foam injection weapons are prohibited.

Players are warned that toy darts may be dangerous if they strike the face, eyes, or other sensitive areas. By taking part in Wyvern Rising LARP players understand this concern and are encouraged to take appropriate safety measures before playing the game. Players may wish to wear goggles or other protective gear, but it is not required.

Melee combat uses the principle of “Lightest Touch” which means that strikes should be done with the lightest amount of force needed for the target to feel the impact. Participants must take care not to use excessive force in melee combat. Additionally, for safety reasons the head and groin are illegal targets for combat (though mistakes sometimes happen).

Any participant wearing an orange vest is considered non-combat. Under no circumstances are non-combat participants allowed to be attacked in ANY way, using any weapon, dart blaster, or spell packet. See the section on Non-Combat Players for more details.

All weapons must be inspected for safety prior to be taken into the game. Participants may be asked to show an example of their combat techniques to the game staff for safety evaluation.

Violation of this policy will result in reprimand and may include restriction from using certain types or weapons, restrictions from participating in combat all-together, suspension, or dismissal from the game.

Unsportsmanlike conduct is defined as excessively arguing with the game staff or game marshals, refusing to cooperate in good faith with the game staff or game marshals, or verbal/physical/mental/emotional abuse in regards to rules or rulings. Unsportsmanlike conduct will be reprimanded and may result in suspension or dismissal from the Wyvern Rising LARP.

Players are allowed to attack one another at Wyvern Rising, but due to the sensitive nature of PvP combat the game staff must be made aware of it. If a player plans on conducting PvP they must alert the game staff beforehand. If there is no time to alert the game staff beforehand, they must be alerted as soon as possible.

Cheating is defined as intentionally ignoring the game rules. Some examples of cheating include, but are not limited to, using skills/abilities that a character does not possess, using skills/abilities beyond a character’s limit, or not taking damage/effects as appropriate. Cheating will be reprimanded and may result in suspension or dismissal from the game.

Participants must have their character cards on them at all times, so that they can be checked for cheating  if necessary. Not having a character card may result in a reprimand, the character falling into the third stage of the Death Count or other measures as deemed appropriate by the game staff.

All Wyvern Rising LARP participants are required to clean up their sleeping areas at the end of the event, as well as complete a post-event clean-up task which will be assigned at check-in by the game staff. Participants have 45 minutes after Closing Ceremonies to clean their sleeping areas.

After their personal and assigned cleaning duties are complete participants must have their character card signed by the game staff. Violation of this policy will prevent the player from gaining Build, learning skills, or submitting an AAR.

Metagaming is defined as using out-of-game (OOG) knowledge to affect a character’s decisions/actions/roleplay in-game (IG) when there is no basis for the character to have that information. Metagaming will be reprimanded and may result in other measures as deemed appropriate by the game staff.

Smoking/Vaping may only be performed outside. All cigarette butts must be properly policed. Smokers must be respectful of any requests to move away from porches, doors, or gathering spots if asked. Failure to comply with smoking policies may result in reprimand or the complete prohibition of smoking/vaping in the game area (in which case it will only be permissible out-of-game where the vehicles are parked).

At Wyvern Rising, smoking must be done outside of buildings and ONLY in the designated smoking areas of the camp, which are advised during Opening Ceremonies. If you miss Opening Ceremonies or need a refresher, please see a Rules Marshal, Staff Member, or Director and they will advise. Any smoker who discards their cigarette butts inappropriately on the ground will be made to pick up all cigarette butts found throughout the camp in addition to their cleanup duty. Any smoker who is found to be smoking indoors or outside of the designated smoking areas (without the express consent of a Staff Member or Director), will receive a written warning on their character card. The second offense and any offense thereafter will result in a loss of earned build for the event.