RPG RULES & TERMS

1. Shared Storytelling

• Tabletop roleplaying is a collaborative activity where every participant deserves an opportunity to contribute.

• Players should avoid intentionally disrupting the experience of others.
   

2. Fictional Themes

• Fictional campaigns may include religion, politics, demons, angels, monsters, warfare, horror, tragedy, moral conflict, cults, kingdoms, supernatural creatures, and similar narrative elements.

• Such themes should reasonably align with the expectations established during Session Zero.
   

3. Character Relationships

• Romantic or emotionally intimate interactions between characters require the consent of the players directly involved.

• Explicit sexual roleplay is not permitted.

• Sensitive scenes are encouraged to "fade to black" once their narrative purpose has been established.
   

4. Player vs. Player (PvP)

• Player-versus-player interactions may create memorable stories, but they require the consent of the affected players. No participant may use in-game actions to remove another player's enjoyment, agency, or reasonable expectations without that player's agreement.

• Player Consent

  • Combat, theft, deception, sabotage, coercion, or other hostile actions directed toward another player's character require the consent of the affected player.

  • A character's alignment, personality, or backstory does not override another player's boundaries.

  • Consent may be established during Session Zero and may be withdrawn at any time.

• Examples of PvP Actions

  • Combat includes attacking, injuring, restraining, poisoning, cursing, or killing another player's character. Rape and sexual assault are prohibited in gameplay.

  • Theft includes taking, hiding, destroying, selling, or using another character's possessions.

  • Deception includes manipulating another player's character into making significant decisions they did not knowingly agree to.

  • Sabotage includes intentionally interfering with another character's goals, reputation, equipment, relationships, or opportunity to participate.

  • Coercion includes threats, blackmail, magical control, intimidation, or abuse of power used to force another character into actions they would not otherwise choose.

• Dungeon Master Responsibility

  • If consent is unclear, the Dungeon Master should pause play and resolve the concern before continuing.

  • If a participant refuses to respect these standards, the Dungeon Master should notify Purple Dragon Games staff.
     

Examples of conduct requiring prior agreement include:

• Attacking or killing another player's character.

• Stealing or destroying another character's belongings.

• Using Persuasion, Intimidation, charm, domination, possession, or similar abilities to force another player's decisions.

• Blackmailing or coercing another character into romance, intimacy, religion, criminal acts, or surrendering property.

• Framing another character, deliberately ruining their story, or repeatedly targeting them with harmful actions after the player has objected.

• Using "It's what my character would do" to justify behavior another player has declined.
   

Examples of acceptable PvP include:

• Agreed-upon duels or rivalries.

• Planned betrayals discussed with the affected players.

• Friendly pranks or competition the table has agreed to.

• Character disagreements where each player retains full control over their own character.
   

Player-versus-player roleplay should create shared storytelling, not one-sided harm. When consent is uncertain, pause the game and ask before proceeding.
 

5. Character Agency

• Every player has complete control over their own character's thoughts, emotions, beliefs, decisions, and actions. No participant may dictate or assume another player's character's behavior without that player's consent.

• Players control only their own characters.

  • Describe your own character's actions and decisions, but do not make them for another player.

• Social interactions do not remove player agency.

  • Persuasion, Deception, Intimidation, and similar abilities may influence another character, but they do not force another player to think, believe, agree, or act a certain way without that player's consent.

• Magic does not override player consent.

  • Spells or abilities that charm, dominate, possess, compel, or otherwise control another player's character should only be used with that player's agreement or expectations established during Session Zero.

Examples of prohibited conduct include:

• "Your character falls in love with mine."

• "You give me your magic item because I rolled Persuasion."

• "Your character believes me because I rolled Deception."

• "My spell forces you to betray the party."

• Speaking for another player's character or declaring their actions without permission.

Character agency is one of the foundations of tabletop roleplaying. Every player should feel confident that they alone determine how their character thinks, feels, and responds.
 

6. Respecting Boundaries During Play

• If a participant becomes uncomfortable with the direction of a scene, the Dungeon Master should make a reasonable effort to redirect, summarize, or conclude that scene.

• No player should be pressured to continue roleplay beyond the boundaries established by the group.
   

7. Dungeon Master Responsibilities

• Dungeon Masters are entrusted with creating an environment where players can enjoy a collaborative, respectful, and engaging tabletop roleplaying experience. While every campaign has its own style, the following expectations help establish a positive experience for everyone at the table.

• Understand Purple Dragon Games Policies

  • Before hosting a campaign, Dungeon Masters should become familiar with these Community Standards.

  • The responsibilities outlined in Section II, Rules 5-7 (Session Zero, Content Disclosure, and Player Boundaries) are the primary obligations required to host a campaign at Purple Dragon Games. These standards ensure players can make informed decisions about the games they join and help establish a respectful table from the very beginning.

• Facilitate a Fair & Respectful Game

  • Treat all players fairly, apply rules consistently, and encourage an environment where every participant feels welcomed and respected.

  • Address disagreements calmly and make reasonable efforts to resolve conflicts before they disrupt the game.

• Encourage Shared Participation

  • Make reasonable efforts to share the spotlight among players so each participant has meaningful opportunities to contribute to the story.

  • Avoid allowing one player or character to consistently dominate the game at the expense of others.

• Establish Clear Expectations

  • Before regular play begins, disclose the campaign's tone, mature themes, house rules, homebrew content, third-party material, player-versus-player expectations, the possibility of permanent character death, and any other significant gameplay elements that a reasonable player would want to know before joining.

  • Encourage players to communicate their own expectations, boundaries, and questions during Session Zero.

• Promote Compliance with Community Standards

  • Dungeon Masters are responsible for making reasonable efforts to ensure participants are aware of these Community Standards and know where they can be found.

  • When a rule is unintentionally broken, the Dungeon Master should remind participants of the applicable standard and encourage compliance.

  • If a participant refuses to follow these Community Standards, repeatedly violates them, or creates a situation the Dungeon Master cannot reasonably resolve, the Dungeon Master should pause play and notify Purple Dragon Games staff for assistance.

  • Dungeon Masters should not attempt to enforce store policies through confrontation or removal of participants. Store staff are responsible for enforcement decisions.

• Respect Player Agency

  • Encourage player choice and creativity while respecting each player's ownership of their character.

  • Avoid using rulings or story events to unnecessarily remove player agency except where players have knowingly agreed to those possibilities.

• Maintain a Positive Table Environment

  • Help foster cooperation, good sportsmanship, and respectful communication throughout the campaign.

  • When concerns arise, make reasonable efforts to pause, redirect, or conclude a scene before it becomes disruptive or uncomfortable for the group.