Player safety is a core tenet of my ethos of not just dungeon or game mastering, but playing in general. In every game you play, even the game master is a player. As such, everyone’s safety should be everybody’s priority. The point of whatever game you play is to have fun. However, in group contexts, your fun is just as important as anyone else’s. We must then make sure that whatever is happening at the table is fun for everyone at no one’s expense. Physical safety is a given (please do not play your games in a burning vehicle or among dangerous alien creatures), so this statement addresses the mental, emotional, and relational safety of players.

Everyone is different. What works for someone won’t work for someone else. What doesn’t bother one person may be a huge trigger for someone else. As such, I employ extensive safety tools to ensure that I, as the game master, have a full, comprehensive idea of what my players’ boundaries are. Here are the steps I take before the first session in a campaign.

The first thing I do is send out a detailed document outlining what players can expect. This covers everything from content, plot, logistics, administration, to expectations. I also include a robust code of conduct that details what type of behaviour, treatment, and gameplay is absolutely unacceptable. This includes slurs, bullying, abuse, sexually harassing or assaulting other players or characters in-game, and racism, misogyny, transphobia, and other systems of oppression and discrimination. Players will then sign an agreement that they have read and understood this code of conduct, will abide by it, and will accept any consequences should they violate it.

Next, I send out a digital form that encompasses every possible trigger that a player may encounter. Players then go through each figure and number them according to the following system:

1: Acceptable or doesn't matter.

2: Acceptable but in moderation

3: Ok if veiled or referenced to "off-screen"

4: It may be ok onscreen but would require discussion ahead of time

5: Hard Line, this should not be included or referenced at all

Next, I go through all the responses and have one-on-one conversations with each of the players. If there is anything in the responses that I have flagged as a potential incompatibility, I raise that with that specific player. Say, for example, one of my big bads is a spider, and a player has put a five next to spiders. I will gently raise that I cannot accommodate this boundary and try to offer a range of solutions. Maybe I can warn them ahead of time when this character will appear. Maybe I can avoid describing the character in detail. Maybe I can let them skip sessions where this character will appear. If nothing works for both parties, however, I will inform them that perhaps this game is not the right fit for them and wish them all the best upon their departure. This almost never happens, though, so worry not! I can make pretty much anything work.

Next, I host a session zero. This is where we hash everything out and get on the same page about stuff. If a player needs special accommodations, this is brought up for the rest of the group to be aware of. In a classic session zero style, everyone comes together to share their hopes, aspirations, goals, expectations, boundaries, and play styles. This is a chemistry test between all players (game master included) to ensure smooth gameplay in the future. Once all this is done, everybody leaves feeling seen, validated, understood, and excited for the game.

Finally, I check in with everyone individually following the session zero. Sometimes things come up that people don’t feel comfortable sharing in front of the other players. This is the time to address that. Once I’ve collated everyone’s feedback from the session zero, I put it all together in a final email that I send through to everyone. And just like that, you’re ready to begin playing!

Now, the work of maintaining player safety begins. Make sure to check in with everyone as a group every couple of sessions to see how people are feeling and do the same thing individually just as frequently (although I recommend not at the same). It is important, though, to do both a group check AND an individual check after especially tough sessions. These could include sessions where an important character dies, the players witness incredible violence or cruelty, or the group suffers an immense loss.

The most important thing to do as a game master, however, is to establish yourself as a safe space. This ensures that whenever anything, no matter how small, arises, your players feel comfortable enough to come to you with it. Being a safe space is a constant effort, and is done every time you’re playing and talking with the group online or in-person. This means apologising when you mess up, taking accountability when you do, and making amends where appropriate.

It may be the case that you want to hire me for a one-shot. In those circumstances, it is unfeasible to do most of what I’ve discussed thus far. However, there are still some safety tools that I employ to make these single events as safe and enjoyable as possible. One of which is a verbal explainer up front. This is an abridged version of the code of conduct I mentioned above and sets firm boundaries about what behaviour is and isn’t acceptable. Next, C.A.T.S. is a safety tool by Patrick O’Leary which lets you provide a rough summary of the content and themes of your session to your players. This stands for Concept, Aim, Tone, and Subject Matter. I do all this before gameplay begins. This allows players to flag any potential issues or triggers, and I am skilled enough to either improvise around these new boundaries or run a completely different session. Finally, during play, I use ‘X’ cards. These are cards that have a giant ‘X’ on them. When players tap them or meet my gaze and flick their eyes to them, I know to immediately move on, no questions asked. 

In this statement, I’ve outlined the ways in which I ensure player safety. Please trust that if I am your game master, you are in incredibly safe hands. I will note that when I play my home game, I prioritise my own safety and enjoyment because I am a player too. However, as a performer and a customer service representative, my safety and enjoyment is shifted to the back burner because the safety and enjoyment of my clients is my utmost priority. If you want to hire me to run a particularly dark, gritty session, I am more than happy to oblige. I have very few hard lines when it comes to running games and I will be happy to discuss them with you should you wish to engage my services.

I hope I have gained your trust through this statement and, rest assured, you will have the time of your life if you hire me to be your game master. Player safety is just the foundation of my ethos as a game master. There is so much more to me when I sit down behind that screen. I am a skilled entertainer, improviser, and storyteller, which means that your TTRPG experience with me will be one-of-a-kind. With my theatre, performance, and creative writing backgrounds, you are guaranteed to have a wonderful time.