Safety & Calibration
The safety mechanics are designed to keep all participants safe from harm, and also to build trust; to make us feel safe with one another.
The calibration mechanics allow participants to control the intensity of their own experiences, to ask others to increase the intensity of play, or to tell them to turn it down, according to what they are comfortable with.
These techniques are not an emergency brake — although they can be used as one — instead they are designed to be used freely and regularly throughout the larp. They will be taught and practised in the workshops.
Lookdown
You are free to leave any scene at any time for any reason. To enable this during play, we use the Look Down Mechanic. This is a way of signalling to other players that Off-Game you want to leave the scene without being stopped or challenged. This is how it works:
- Shield Your Eyes
- Look Slightly Down
- Leave
Offgame meta word
You can use the meta word ‘Offgame’ at any point to make it clear that you are speaking out of character, in the real world, as distinct from your character talking in game:
- Offgame: Cut the scene, I need to stop
- Offgame: I have to go to the bathroom
- Offgame: I’m happy to continue, but this rope is cutting into my wrist
Calibration
Gothic uses metatechniques to calibrate play, these are phrases or physical signals that you can use to turn up or down the intensity of your experience.
Escalation
To signal this you use the phrase “Is that all you’ve got?” This is an invitation to the other player to escalate the scene. They might not want to do it. They might not feel comfortable doing it. However, if your invitation is accepted, they will increase the intensity of the scene.
Deescalation
If it is too much, you use the phrase “Lay off!” This is an instruction, not an invitation. If someone uses that phrase you should immediately dial down the intensity of the scene.
We also make use of physical signals with the same meanings. Scratching someone lightly as an invitation to escalate, tapping them two or three times as an instruction to de-escalate.
Bullet-time consent
During intense play, you should slow down to clearly signal your actions, this give everyone involved the opportunity to understand what is happening. Guidelines for engaging in physical play:
- Take your time, get eye contact with your co-player and telegraph your movement.
- Say what you are going to do before you do it.
- Always approach from inside your co-players field of vision.
- Go 80% of the way and look for signals from your co-player.
- Always leave players the option to tap-out, using either their voice or hands.