Safety Tools

These are our safety tools: tools we use as MC's and players to make sure everyone is safe and comfortable at the table while we explore difficult topics in Monsterhearts. Some of these tools are preemptive in that they let us know what we should be careful about before we start, while others are meant to help us if something happens in the middle of the session. If anyone disregards any of these safety tools, please bring the issue to the attention of the moderators of One Shot Club.

## Lines and Veils

### Lines

Lines are boundaries about what we are and are not comfortable in sharing and exploring with others in the RPG. They are hard limits, a topic we don’t want to cross or explore in play. These are lines across the board for all sessions. If you would like to add a line, message an MC and let us know, no questions asked. If you would like to implement session-specific lines, please contact your MC ahead of time.

* Identity-based physical violence (based on race, sexuality, gender, etc.)
* Mind control or agency removal of the PCs without player consent
* Romantic/sexual relationships between minors and adults
* Bestiality (including meme-based)
* Fingernail/toenail trauma and horror
* The afterlife / establishing any religion as “correct” about stuff after we pass on

### Veils

Veils are boundaries about what we are and are not comfortable in sharing and exploring with others in the RPG. They are topics which can be in the game, but using pan-away, or fade-to-black moments; part of the story, but out of the spotlight. These are veils across the board for all sessions. If you would like to add a line, message an MC and let us know, no questions asked. If you would like to implement session-specific veils, please contact your MC ahead of time.

* Torture
* Exposed organs
* Sexual assault
* Sex

### X-Card

The X-Card is an optional tool (created by John Stavropoulos) that allows anyone in your game (including you) to edit out any content anyone is uncomfortable with as you play. Since most RPGs are improvisational and we won't know what will happen till it happens, it's possible the game will go in a direction people don't want. An X-Card is a simple tool to fix problems as they arise. The X-Card is an X (in roll20, in text, or in voice) that gives players or the MC the chance to stop play and edit out whatever was x-carder without question. If necessary, there can be a conversation about how something is edited out. Read more about the X-Card here.

### Script Change

At any point during the game, if a player or game master finds that they are uncomfortable with the subject matter or actions happening in the game, they can call for a Script Change. How do you use it? Discuss consent first: What everyone is and is not okay with; ask before you do things that may cause people discomfort (visceral violence, sexual contact not previously agreed upon, etc.) Say **“rewind”** to address something already done and perform a re-do. Say **“fast forward”** to skip content or fade to black. Say **“pause”** to take a break, but return to play without changes. These tools will be available on the Roll20 as a reminder to players or a visual way to activate these tools. We understand there’s overlap between the X-Card and Script Change, but we hope that having a variety of tools helps people find safety tools that keep them comfortable and lets them communicate in real time with their fellow players and GMs.

#### Frame by Frame

**Frame-by-frame** is a mechanic that lets players express that they want to take it slow moving through the next scene. When a player calls “frame-by-frame,” they are indicating that the upcoming scene may be new, sensitive, or even just a topic they’re unsure about, and they want to let the group know that they want to move carefully through the scene. This can be used when players are purposefully encountering content that they’re sensitive about, or when they experience new topics or content in game.

The group should be considerate of the player’s needs. Continue introducing the topics or content that was originally planned, but pause occasionally to check in with the player who called frame-by-frame and ensure they are still okay with continuing. This allows the opportunity for that player to feel safe using other Script Change tools without feeling like they’re interrupting the game. Frame-by-frame may also be announced at the start of a game or session so that when these subjects are encountered, the group can take it slow. Consider making notes of these topics on index cards for the GM.

Script change and its associated tools, like frame-by-frame are created by Brie Beau Sheldon. More information can be found at briebeau.com/scriptchange

### Carl-bot

Carl-bot is a server-wide safety tool that can be utilized during tense moments. Among other features, Carl can be summoned at any time by using the phrase “check in” in the Discord chat. Carl then begins an emoji-based check in system wherein green signifies that the participants are comfortable continuing the topic, yellow means that the participants want to see the topic slowed or walked back, and red means that that participant wants this topic ended. If a participant uses a red emoji the topic will be ended without further public input.