The Orthodox Gamers’ Guild fosters a family-friendly game environment run by Orthodox gamers (but open to Orthodox-friendly folks). Below are some additional values which expand what we mean by family-friendly.
Values
1. Value Friendship First
This is our ‘Golden Rule’ of gaming. We are friends first and gamers second. Prioritize friendship and fellowship first. If a game ever threatens friendships, take a break and spend time to renew relationships. Work to preserve the internal peace of the group.
2. Respect Others’ Time
Arrive on time. Start and end games on time. RSVP to games at least a week before. If you can’t attend, give the GM ample notice. If you will be more than an hour late, check with the GM if you should still attend. If your average campaign attendance falls below 80%, consider bowing out of the campaign unless you work something out with the GM. When gaming in person, leave gaming venues as clean as you found them.
3. Do No Evil
Players should not cheat on dice rolls. Do not play dishonorable characters who murder, torture, or who do other acts of evil, whether by commission or by omission. Avoid conversations which make light of evil acts.
4. Honor Human Dignity
Do not play characters who commit actions such as collecting teeth, cutting out someone’s heart, parading a head on a spike, or other grotesque, ghoulish, or barbaric acts which dishonor the dignity of the human body (even if your enemies in the game do this).
5. Keep Games Family Friendly
Do not use profanity. Avoid roleplaying scenes with rape, incest, child abuse, or child endangerment. Do not describe excessively detailed descriptions of gore, torture, and cannibalism. Use good taste and keep romantic dialogue or situations family-friendly. When gaming in person, do not smoke inside the venue.
Game Quality
6. Stay Immersed
Stay in character. Do not engage in metagaming. No drunkenness or drug use. Avoid text or phone conversations during the game. If you absolutely must take a call, excuse yourself from the game until your call is completed.
7. Pay Attention
Don’t engage in non-game related side activities. Do not talk over the GM or other players by having side conversations, even if they are game related. Let other players speak and avoid talking over them. Allow other players to have the GM’s undivided attention.
8. Play Memorable Characters Others Enjoy
Don’t let your characters overshadow the game by the volume of your voice or by the force of your personality. Give other players a chance to shine. Play setting-appropriate characters. The GM must approve your character’s name and concept (tip: unique first letters for character names make them easier to remember).
9. Put Story Before Rules
Don’t engage in rules lawyering. The GM has the final say on rules. Generally the only rules you should look up in-game are ones where a character’s life is on the line, or by request of the GM, otherwise make a table-ruling and resolve the rules after the game. Avoid systems that engender a continual rules debate.
10. Invest Time To Learn the Rules
Most rules you can pick up during play, but if you need to, spend time outside the game to learn the rules.
