Disciplinary Issues

The Code of Conduct, Accidents, and Misunderstandings

Follow the Code of Conduct, and where the code ends, be considerate and responsible. Our rules on behavior are pretty simple and, for the most part, common sense. Learning new rules can be a challenge, but most members are happy to assist with a quick out of play clarification if there’s confusion. We are all here to have fun, but remember: accidents and misunderstandings can happen; combat can be chaotic; be understanding and forgive accidents when they occur.

Beyond Accidents and Misunderstandings

While thankfully rare, sometimes a member's actions are more than accidents or misunderstandings; in these cases the member may be subject to Disciplinary Action. The following is a noncomprehensive list of violations of the Code of Conduct that warrant Disciplinary Action:

Breaking the Code of Conduct.
Breaking the rules of the site.
Bringing, or being under the influence of, Prohibited Items.
Not respecting your fellow members.
Dangerous or harmful actions.
Theft.
Breaking the rules for Smoking.
Breaking Content Standards.
Disrupting gameplay.

While the Disciplinary Officer is the direct point of contact, any Officer may be approached with Disciplinary Issues; during an event, minor issues may be briefly addressed in the moment by any Staff member and may be followed up by an Officer afterwards. Disciplinary Issues that are not minor in scope should be reported to any Officer you feel comfortable speaking with at your earliest convenience. If you feel that another member has broken the Code of Conduct, report it to an Officer; we cannot act upon an issue if it is not reported to us.

Reporting

You may report a Disciplinary Issue to any Officer you feel comfortable contacting and in whatever way is most convenient for you:

Speak with an Officer at an Event.
Contact an Officer via the Webform.
Contact an Officer online (Discord, Facebook, etcetera).

We assure you that anything you tell us will be kept in the strictest confidence; we will not disclose any identifying details to any other persons except to the other Officers as part of a Disciplinary Hearing, and, even then, only with your express consent to do so.

The Disciplinary Process

The safety and wellbeing of all of the members of the Shards of Orn community is the highest priority. The Officers take the stewardship of this community very seriously; breaches of the Code of Conduct are always investigated when they are reported. The process always consists of an Investigation, and may include a Disciplinary Hearing. It is the duty of the Disciplinary Officer to oversee these functions and contact members as necessary for the Investigation and to issue Disciplinary Actions when the situation arises.

Disciplinary Actions

The Disciplinary Officer will determine what Disciplinary Action, if any, are warranted based on the outcome of the Investigation. Generally speaking, the outcome of an Investigation will result in one of the following Disciplinary Actions:

Conversation: It is possible that a minor issue became heated in the moment but is otherwise resolved, or that further Investigation reveals information that does not warrant a Strike against the member. In these cases the Disciplinary Officer will contact the member(s) by email for a Conversation. A Conversation is not a Strike, but is an apprisal of the Disciplinary Issue and meant to curtail future issues.
Warning: A Warning is a Strike against a member. The Warning outlines what the Disciplinary Issue is and how it breaks the Code of Conduct.
Suspension: A Suspension is a Strike against a member. A Suspension is typically issued for one Event, but may be for longer if deemed necessary. The Suspension outlines what the Disciplinary Issue is and how it breaks the Code of Conduct.
Ban: A Ban is a permanent revocation of membership with Living Action Inc, and bars the ex-member from attending Living Action Inc Events, or accessing the website, Facebook, or Discord groups. The Ban outlines what the Disciplinary Issue is and how it breaks the Code of Conduct.

Strikes and Escalation

Disciplinary Actions may carry Strikes against a member. Three Strikes results in a Ban; however, especially numerous or grievous Disciplinary Issues may count as multiple Strikes at the discretion of the Disciplinary Officer.

Bans and Prohibited Items

There is zero tolerance for Prohibited Items. Bringing any Prohibited Item, or being under the influence of a Prohibited Item, is grounds for an immediate Ban.

Bans and Disciplinary Hearings

One of the hardest decisions Officers have to make is whether or not to Ban a member. We do not take Banning a member lightly; this decision is only reached after receiving multiple Strikes, and after the Officers discuss all previous and current Investigations pertaining to the member in the course of the Disciplinary Hearing. The Disciplinary Officer is responsible for calling and overseeing the Disciplinary Hearing, but all Officers will discuss before a determination is made to Ban them.

Disciplinary Actions and the Community

Members subject to Disciplinary Action are notified through email between Events. While the Officers don't hide Disciplinary Actions, they also don't make a habit of broadcasting them. Our goal is to discourage and eliminate problematic behavior, with the hope the member will address any Disciplinary Issues. While officers may confirm a Disciplinary Action was taken, they may or may not answer questions or provide details about a member or Disciplinary Issue; in cases where the member reporting the Disciplinary Issue has requested anonymity Officers will not disclose any information that could be used to identify them.