00:01:07 Terry Crew: Hi everyone! 00:01:29 Tara Clapper: Hi there, everyone! 00:01:30 Coyne Fountain: Hi 00:01:34 Scarlett: Hey! :) 00:01:36 Tara Clapper: We will begin right around 2 EST 00:01:48 amber logsdon (she/they): Hello and welcome everyone! 00:02:14 Tara Clapper: https://geekinitiative.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Character-Steering-Workshop-The-Geek-Initiative-Larps-1.pdf This document will be useful! It's a workbook to go along with this workshop and discussion. 00:02:19 amber logsdon (she/they): Privacy notice: this Zoom experience will be recorded and posted online. 00:04:05 amber logsdon (she/they): A helpful guide to start looking over while we wait to begin, straight from Nordic LARP: 00:04:07 amber logsdon (she/they): https://nordiclarp.org/2015/04/29/the-art-of-steering-bringing-the-player-and-the-character-back-together/#:~:text=As%20the%20participants%20in%20a,(in%2Dgame)%20motivation.&text=Steering%20is%20the%20process%20in,character%20for%20non%2Ddiegetic%20reasons 00:06:01 Trey (he/him): any chats entered before someone joins the zoom will not be seen. 00:06:01 August (all pronouns accepted): Do you want cameras on? 00:06:06 amber logsdon (she/they): This content is brought to you by The Geek Initiative Larps at geekinitiative.com. Support our panelists directly and encourage future content by donating via ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/tarathebard - Panelists will split proceeds evenly. 00:06:37 Tara Clapper (she/her) - TGI Larps: Cameras are optional. The presenters will be doing most of the talking for the first portion of the discussion; afterwards it may make more sense to have cameras on for everyone :) 00:07:08 August (all pronouns accepted): Awesome, thank you! 00:07:21 Rei (they/them): Good good, thank you, I'm eating my dinner, would prefer not to share that sight with everyone :) 00:07:48 Mel Duncan: Kia Ora everyone from Aotearoa 00:07:55 Trey (he/him): (if there was information posted in the chat prior to the top of the hour, I do not see it.) 00:08:07 Jaime Gray: Hey there, my camera's not working at the moment . I'll be sitting her listening 00:08:13 amber logsdon (she/they): Privacy notice: this Zoom experience will be recorded and posted online. 00:08:14 Jaime Gray: **here listening 00:09:49 Sam Cervantes: Sweet, you just answered my question about recording, thanks! 00:10:24 amber logsdon (she/they): Join our gaming community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tgilarps -- and check out broader remote gaming discussion here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/LiveActionOnlineGames 00:10:41 Rei (they/them): Will the chat also appear on the recording? 00:11:28 amber logsdon (she/they): Resource: Character Steering Workshop Guide https://geekinitiative.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Character-Steering-Workshop-The-Geek-Initiative-Larps-1.pdf 00:12:45 amber logsdon (she/they): Got questions? Please post here in the chat and our panelists will respond after the session. 00:12:49 Julie DosSantos: hello! 00:14:08 amber logsdon (she/they): Need a jumping point for establishing your own inclusion, safety, and consent policies for your game? Check out: https://geekinitiative.com/tgilarps/tgi-larp-safety-consent-inclusion-policies/ 00:16:23 amber logsdon (she/they): This content is brought to you by The Geek Initiative Larps at geekinitiative.com. Support our panelists directly and encourage future content by donating via ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/tarathebard - Panelists will split proceeds evenly. 00:17:58 Sarah Jane Murdock: I donated! thank you for this discussion!! :) 00:18:01 amber logsdon (she/they): Our blog is dedicated to inclusive geek culture. Check it out: https://geekinitiative.com/ 00:19:08 amber logsdon (she/they): Our blog is dedicated to inclusive geek culture. Check it out: https://geekinitiative.com/ 00:19:21 amber logsdon (she/they): Oops wrong one lol 00:19:30 amber logsdon (she/they): Need a jumping point for establishing your own inclusion, safety, and consent policies for your game? Check out: https://geekinitiative.com/tgilarps/tgi-larp-safety-consent-inclusion-policies/ 00:19:47 amber logsdon (she/they): https://nordiclarp.org/2015/04/29/the-art-of-steering-bringing-the-player-and-the-character-back-together/#:~:text=As%20the%20participants%20in%20a,(in%2Dgame)%20motivation.&text=Steering%20is%20the%20process%20in,character%20for%20non%2Ddiegetic%20reasons 00:20:02 amber logsdon (she/they): Resource: Character Steering Workshop Guide https://geekinitiative.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Character-Steering-Workshop-The-Geek-Initiative-Larps-1.pdf 00:20:09 Rei (they/them): Question: I play in a lot of games where characters are pre-written and the plot is designed to emerge from the pre-planned plot arcs and character goals. How can I steer things within that framework without getting in the way of that? e.g. in your funding example, there may already be a plot where someone is intended to have to cut a deal with a shady investor who turns out to be their long lost cousin and I derail that by offering funding 00:20:59 amber logsdon (she/they): Hey, Rei! Thanks for your question! It’s been noted and we will make sure our panelists answer it during the Q&A! 00:21:28 Rei (they/them): Thanks Amber :) 00:21:39 amber logsdon (she/they): Of course! 00:22:10 amber logsdon (she/they): Want to play digital live action experiences with your friends, at a time of your choice? Check out our affordable custom experiences. It’s just like booking an escape room: https://geekinitiative.com/the-geek-initiative-custom-larps/ 00:22:52 Sarah Jane Murdock: Question: I've been assigned a character in a larp who is obviously coded as a race that is different from mine, should I ask the organizers to rewrite the character? should I downplay the race-coding in the character description? I'm definitely not comfortable roleplaying the race as written, but not sure what the right answer is here. 00:23:32 amber logsdon (she/they): Hey, Sarah Jane! Thanks for your question! It’s been noted and we will make sure our panelists answer it during the Q&A! 00:25:01 amber logsdon (she/they): Check out TGI Larps’ latest digital larp experience: The Animal Prescription: A digital larp exploring our pets’ best recommendation: https://geekinitiative.com/animal-prescription/ 00:26:11 amber logsdon (she/they): This content is brought to you by The Geek Initiative Larps at geekinitiative.com. Support our panelists directly and encourage future content by donating via ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/tarathebard - Panelists will split proceeds evenly. 00:28:15 amber logsdon (she/they): Got questions? Please post here in the chat and our panelists will respond after the session. 00:29:52 Jason Arons: How to Engage Passive players, should you as a GM check in. I never want to make a choice for a player, but I want to make sure they know what is available to them 00:30:14 Jason Arons: especially when they aren't making a choice 00:30:18 August (all pronouns accepted): Consent and Understanding is a big thing to understand because sometime you never know what will create a bad reaction. 00:30:49 Jason Arons: Yes!! Yes!! 00:31:05 Andi (she/her): Designers putting these boundaries in the design helps players give themselves permission to take care of themselves. 00:31:18 amber logsdon (she/they): Like sci-fi? Check out CHARIOT: Embarkation: A digital sci-fi live action experience set in 1962 - https://geekinitiative.com/chariot-embarkation-digital-larp/ 00:31:49 Jason Arons: That's a good hack, Tara 00:32:54 Mel Duncan: I'm building a ruleset at the moment, and I've put in something along the lines of "people being passive when in receipt of torture or other negative interaction will be taken as a sign of distress. If you're having fun, make it loud" 00:32:58 August (all pronouns accepted): Question: What can you do when you've told someone that you aren't comfortable with the topic multiple time but when you are around they still talk about it? 00:33:33 amber logsdon (she/they): Hi August! Thank you for your question! It has been noted and we will make sure the panelists answer it during the Q&A portion. 00:34:01 amber logsdon (she/they): Join The Geek Initiative Larps email list to stay notified of the latest digital larp news and more: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/dg2KgeI/thegeekinitiativelarps 00:34:06 Jason Arons: August, that's a great safety question 00:35:03 Jason Arons: Agree, D.D., totally 00:35:32 Rei (they/them): Question: do you have thoughts on in-game safety mechanics e.g. safe words? How useful are they for empowering players to manage their own experience, and do you think it's useful for people on the receiving end if it's a mechanic rather than a 'call-out'? What are the drawbacks? 00:35:35 Mythicon: I have a question, how do you handle "spying" as a character in LARP? There some characters who are thieves, bandits, spies, and the like. I was curious how you handle the consent of that situation amongst multiple players. 00:36:04 amber logsdon (she/they): Hi Rei and Mythicon! Thank you so much for your questions! They’ve been noted and we will make sure our panelists answer them during the Q&A portion! 00:36:17 Jason Arons: I fell asleep at a game with a mask on, people were really unnerved that I wasn't moving, thought I was watching them 00:36:54 amber logsdon (she/they): This content is brought to you by The Geek Initiative Larps at geekinitiative.com. Support our panelists directly and encourage future content by donating via ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/tarathebard - Panelists will split proceeds evenly. 00:37:10 amber logsdon (she/they): Like sci-fi? Check out CHARIOT: Embarkation: A digital sci-fi live action experience set in 1962 - https://geekinitiative.com/chariot-embarkation-digital-larp/ 00:37:16 Storymaster's Chat: Hi Everyone. We use the host/storymaster who helps guide the players before and during the game. 00:38:51 Storymaster's Chat: We have not had that yet… 00:39:38 amber logsdon (she/they): Join our gaming community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tgilarps -- and check out broader remote gaming discussion here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/LiveActionOnlineGames 00:39:47 Jason Arons: But also, can't you divorce yourself enough from the real world to commit to a character, a different culture, without making it a parody 00:40:09 Mel Duncan: "This is how we play here" 00:40:49 Rei (they/them): Question: I so often feel like I'm being a problem player because I so often need to ask the GMs or players if we can change things. As a game runner and organiser, how can I make a game culture where people feel less anxious about speaking up and frame steering as a positive thing for my players? 00:41:19 amber logsdon (she/they): Hi Rey! Thank you so much for your question! It’s been noted and we will make sure our panelists address it when it comes to the Q&A portion! 00:42:54 Mel Duncan: I was SO INSPIRED by their accessabilty stuff, I'm gonna copy it directly 00:42:58 amber logsdon (she/they): Check out TGI Larps’ latest digital larp experience: The Animal Prescription: A digital larp exploring our pets’ best recommendation: https://geekinitiative.com/animal-prescription/ 00:45:06 Callie Selby: That's SO TRUE! 00:45:50 amber logsdon (she/they): This content is brought to you by The Geek Initiative Larps at geekinitiative.com. Support our panelists directly and encourage future content by donating via ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/tarathebard - Panelists will split proceeds evenly. 00:46:25 Jason Arons: Uplift play, Ive heard this concept before, are there any other names for this? 00:47:40 Trey (he/him): not exactly the same but “playing to lose.” 00:47:49 Rei (they/them): I wanted to share 'The Paperclip Rule', which my LARP community uses. If you're feeling lost, put a paperclip on your badge. If you see someone with a paperclip on their badge, you must make an effort to include them in one of your plots. 00:47:58 amber logsdon (she/they): Want to play digital live action experiences with your friends, at a time of your choice? Check out our affordable custom experiences. It’s just like booking an escape room: https://geekinitiative.com/the-geek-initiative-custom-larps/ 00:48:08 Sarah Jane Murdock: but playing to lose is the best!! :D 00:48:13 Mel Duncan: I LOVE that rule Rei! 00:48:25 Tara Clapper (she/her) - TGI Larps: awesome rule! 00:48:26 Storymaster's Chat: That’s cool Rei 00:49:03 Lane Flores (He/Him): I'm in love with that paperclip rule and want to adapt it for games without badges! ooo 00:49:46 Storymaster's Chat: It could be the Hands up on Zoom. 00:50:03 Mel Duncan: a paperclip on the collar of your outfit would work as well - not gonna damage the fabric and will work with most outfits 00:50:26 amber logsdon (she/they): Resource: Character Steering Workshop Guide https://geekinitiative.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Character-Steering-Workshop-The-Geek-Initiative-Larps-1.pdf 00:50:34 Jason Arons: Lose well 00:51:40 amber logsdon (she/they): Check out TGI Larps’ latest digital larp experience: The Animal Prescription: A digital larp exploring our pets’ best recommendation: https://geekinitiative.com/animal-prescription/ 00:53:13 Jason Arons: Also, a pre-planning session works 00:53:53 Trey (he/him): (re: Rei/paperclip rule) Curious what other people think. I would hope in my games that players would feel safe approaching the GM (me) for help getting going before (subtly) advertising for help from other players. (this will really vary by type of game). 00:53:54 Genevieve (KC, MO - near Lenexa, KS): cheers to that 00:55:37 Mel Duncan: @Trey - it really depends on the game. In a 40 person game, a paperclip rule could act as a cue to someone who was gonna talk to you but hadn't got around to it, to decide to prioritise you. And in some games, the GMs are hellllllla busy 00:55:39 Sarah Jane Murdock: I appreciate the answer thank you!!! 00:56:13 August (all pronouns accepted): Question: What if you see someone that seems to feel like they are being left out when there is something important going on and doesn't know how to get themselves involved in what is going on, yet not seem like you are interrupting what it going on and not seem rude. 00:56:42 Sarah Jane Murdock: that's completely fair 00:57:04 amber logsdon (she/they): Hi August! Thanks so much for your question! It’s been noted and we’ll make sure the panelists will answer it during this portion! 00:57:24 amber logsdon (she/they): This content is brought to you by The Geek Initiative Larps at geekinitiative.com. Support our panelists directly and encourage future content by donating via ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/tarathebard - Panelists will split proceeds evenly. 00:59:36 amber logsdon (she/they): Need a jumping point for establishing your own inclusion, safety, and consent policies for your game? Check out: https://geekinitiative.com/tgilarps/tgi-larp-safety-consent-inclusion-policies/ 01:01:19 Mythicon: Where can we get those cards? 01:02:23 Elina Gouliou: This card looks like the X card safety mechanic that was designed by John Stavropoulos and are used quite widespreadly in TTRPG. 01:02:24 Mythicon: Is it okay if I link the site in the chat? 01:02:35 Mythicon: https://thefourthplaceforgeeks.com/green-plus-great-more 01:02:45 Trey (he/him): @Mel Fair. But If I saw a paperclip at one of my games, I would want to address it. Sometimes players do need to let GMs know something isn’t working. GMs need feedback so they can address problems. My fear in your example is that the paperclip would be vague and not necessarily achieve what the player wants by wearing it. (especially in a big larp) 01:04:02 Mel Duncan: my reading of the paperclip rule (and maybe Rei you should tell more about how it works in practice!) was it wasn't for "bad", it was for "not good" 01:04:27 Rei (they/them): Sorry, I sent a bunch of questions :D 01:04:42 Mel Duncan: Workshops are for questions Rei! 01:05:00 amber logsdon (she/they): No, Rei, your questions were great and really things I’d be asking if I weren’t the one collecting the questions, haha 01:05:17 amber logsdon (she/they): Check out TGI Larps’ latest digital larp experience: The Animal Prescription: A digital larp exploring our pets’ best recommendation: https://geekinitiative.com/animal-prescription/ 01:06:28 amber logsdon (she/they): This content is brought to you by The Geek Initiative Larps at geekinitiative.com. Support our panelists directly and encourage future content by donating via ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/tarathebard - Panelists will split proceeds evenly. 01:07:14 Andi (she/her): I'm not a fan of using the "so-so" as a no. If it is the same as "no", then why have it? Also, If I just need to talk to you about where something is going, but I know you'll treat "so-so" as a no, I will be dis-inclined to use it for fear of a scene being stopped when I just need it adjusted. 01:07:34 August (all pronouns accepted): Communication is key in situations like that 01:08:19 Callie Selby: I tend to use "so-so" as a "pending" as I'm either still processing how I'm feeling, or okay at the moment, but apprehensive of where the scene is going. 01:09:14 Mel Duncan: "If you see something, say something!" 01:12:18 Beth: Huge fan of normalizing check-ins. As a player, I carry guilt with interrupting to say I’m not OK, and this would ease that guilt soooooo much. 01:12:48 amber logsdon (she/they): Join our gaming community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tgilarps -- and check out broader remote gaming discussion here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/LiveActionOnlineGames 01:13:02 Jason Arons: Obfuscate!!! 01:13:08 amber logsdon (she/they): Also tara, thanks for the reminder for me to dm the Storyteller for the LARP tomorrow hahahaha 01:13:36 Olivia Montoya: I’ve seen mechanics with stickers for pickpocketing and going “not here” with a badge for sneaking/invisibility 01:14:43 Jason Arons: What do you do about players who are trying to Win at Larp? 01:15:01 Storymaster's Chat: Thank you both for this Workshop. I have tp go I’m afraid. Have a great evening. Look forward to seeing you tomorrow Tara. 01:15:05 amber logsdon (she/they): Hi Jason! That’s a great question! I’ll add it to the question document for Tara and DD! 01:16:17 amber logsdon (she/they): This content is brought to you by The Geek Initiative Larps at geekinitiative.com. Support our panelists directly and encourage future content by donating via ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/tarathebard - Panelists will split proceeds evenly. 01:17:50 Jason Arons: oooo good question 01:18:52 Jason Arons: Facilitators were awesome at AA 01:20:24 amber logsdon (she/they): Like sci-fi? Check out CHARIOT: Embarkation: A digital sci-fi live action experience set in 1962 - https://geekinitiative.com/chariot-embarkation-digital-larp/ 01:22:03 Rei (they/them): <3 01:22:27 Mel Duncan: Question: do you have advice for "these are the hard/difficult/challenging aspects of the larp, and if they're not for you, you shouldn't play". I've had instances where people who I KNOW will struggle with those issues want to participate in plots that were written to get into those themes 01:23:06 amber logsdon (she/they): Hi Mei! Thanks so much for your question! I’ll add it to the list Tara and DD are working through now. 01:27:35 amber logsdon (she/they): This content is brought to you by The Geek Initiative Larps at geekinitiative.com. Support our panelists directly and encourage future content by donating via ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/tarathebard - Panelists will split proceeds evenly. 01:29:02 Mythicon: Shadowrun? 01:32:14 amber logsdon (she/they): Check out TGI Larps’ latest digital larp experience: The Animal Prescription: A digital larp exploring our pets’ best recommendation: https://geekinitiative.com/animal-prescription/ 01:34:09 Ash: that therapist helped me out so much when I was at AA and had a panic attack, and it made me feel SO SAFE 01:36:34 amber logsdon (she/they): This content is brought to you by The Geek Initiative Larps at geekinitiative.com. Support our panelists directly and encourage future content by donating via ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/tarathebard - Panelists will split proceeds evenly. 01:40:11 Aubin Étienne: Thank your for your presentation, have a good day ! 01:41:18 Mel Duncan: argh, my internet connection has gone shoddy 01:41:40 Tara Clapper (she/her) - TGI Larps: https://geekinitiative.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Character-Steering-Workshop-The-Geek-Initiative-Larps-1.pdf 01:41:45 Rebecca Slitt (she/her): I need to go, alas! Thank you so much for this workshop! 01:41:55 amber logsdon (she/they): Resource: Character Steering Workshop Guide https://geekinitiative.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Character-Steering-Workshop-The-Geek-Initiative-Larps-1.pdf 01:42:03 Rei (they/them): Thank you so much Tara, DD, and Amber 01:42:25 Sam Cervantes: Will all the comments and links be posted, along with this recorded content? 01:42:43 Sam Cervantes: Awesome, thanks! 01:43:30 Mel Duncan: So, this was awesome, but totally not what the word "steering" means in my gaming community :D 01:43:45 amber logsdon (she/they): Join our gaming community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tgilarps -- and check out broader remote gaming discussion here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/LiveActionOnlineGames 01:43:59 Julie DosSantos: Dungeons and Dragons for the win! 01:44:34 amber logsdon (she/they): I certainly haven’t been planning a d&d session during this entire call. ;D 01:48:20 Coyne Fountain: DR represented LOL. (I am Georgia chapter owner) 01:48:46 Mel Duncan: @mythicon, we don't have a "player advocate" role in my gaming community, what is their role? 01:49:42 Mel Duncan: it sounds very adversarial, but this might be a cultural issue 01:51:02 D.D Crawley: @Mel generally they're a person who the players can go to discuss game based issues who will advocate for them on staff. Think of them like a game congressmen....without voting, lobbying, or occassional corruption (theoretically :) ) 01:52:05 Julie DosSantos: thank you for this. 01:52:28 Andi (she/her): I was an NPC at a game where my role was to facilitate player involvement. That allowed me to be involved with the players at a different level than the Storytellers and to take info back to the storytellers. So, if a group of players was struggling to be involved with the plot, as an NPC, I knew where to direct them and I could let the Storytellers know that some of the players need a little more support. 01:52:35 Rei (they/them): I need to head off, thanks everyone for an interesting and useful discussion 01:52:43 Mel Duncan: ahh! We use a role called 'welfare officer" in many of our games, who are normally non-staff who are available to talk about issues and empowered to escalate to the GMs if neccesary 01:52:56 D.D Crawley: Thank you for coming Rei! Have a good one! 01:53:03 Rei (they/them): thanks, you too 01:53:20 D.D Crawley: Mel, I like that term. It's more accurate 01:53:32 Mel Duncan: (not that everyone can't take things to the GMs, but sometimes what they need isn't the GM, sometimes they need a hug) 01:53:58 Tara Clapper (she/her) - TGI Larps: agreed, Mel! 01:54:01 August (all pronouns accepted): *raises hand* 01:54:22 August (all pronouns accepted): (take your time getting to me not to worry) 01:59:39 Sam Cervantes: It's always cool to see someone first getting into something we love (be it LARP or Tabletop) have that "Light Bulb" moment and want to learn/participate more. 01:59:48 Tara Clapper (she/her) - TGI Larps: yes! 01:59:59 amber logsdon (she/they): This content is brought to you by The Geek Initiative Larps at geekinitiative.com. Support our panelists directly and encourage future content by donating via ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/tarathebard - Panelists will split proceeds evenly. 02:00:16 amber logsdon (she/they): Want to play digital live action experiences with your friends, at a time of your choice? Check out our affordable custom experiences. It’s just like booking an escape room: https://geekinitiative.com/the-geek-initiative-custom-larps/ 02:00:55 Lane Flores (He/Him): Oh yeah 100%. I was a new player guide before moving to tech, and as long as the new player meeting was, there's just so much for them to learn. 02:01:14 amber logsdon (she/they): Join our gaming community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tgilarps -- and check out broader remote gaming discussion here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/LiveActionOnlineGames 02:01:18 amber logsdon (she/they): Join The Geek Initiative Larps email list to stay notified of the latest digital larp news and more: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/dg2KgeI/thegeekinitiativelarps 02:01:42 Sam Cervantes: Is it okay to post a link to that movie August mentioned? 02:01:59 Coyne Fountain: Fabulous discussions. I will be in touch soon! 02:02:02 Sam Cervantes: https://m.imdb.com/title/tt1734589/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0 02:02:25 Sam Cervantes: That's the movie August mentioned 02:02:41 August (all pronouns accepted): Thank you Sam! 02:02:56 Lane Flores (He/Him): DRFL's having a virtual event from Jan 22-24 :) https://fb.me/e/14oOP77wp 02:03:01 Coyne Fountain: Game this Saturday. https://www.dystopiarisinggeorgia.com/virtual 02:03:12 Andi (she/her): Thank you! 02:03:14 amber logsdon (she/they): Thank you for participating in the discussion! Hopefully everyone gleaned some insightful information today! 02:03:16 Mel Duncan: Thank you Amber DD and Tara! 02:03:18 Jaime Gray: Thanks -waves- 02:03:19 amber logsdon (she/they): Bye everyone!