Community Play GM Handbook

Hello! Thank you for volunteering to be one of our awesome game masters for our Community
Play Day! We’re thrilled you can come out, run some games, toss some dice, and spend the day
with us. This handy little document is here to help make your games run seamlessly and help
you know what to do in case trouble arises.

You’ve been added to the CPD-GM channel. It’s there so we can answer questions, connect
with each other, and share ideas for our games!
 GM Responsibilities
Running Games
For some of you, this will be easy and for others, it may be more difficult. Don’t panic, take a
deep breath, and dive in. We all know how nerve-wracking being a GM can be. We know you’ll
do awesome! Reach out to Kate if you’re feeling too nervous or just need to be told you’re doing
great!

Guidelines
Games must start on time; don’t stall and delay. You may spend the first few minutes dealing
with tech issues. If you’re stuck, use the CPD-GM channel to ask for help. The team will help
you out.

We will be providing you with all you need to run the game, including the play materials and
character keepers.

You are responsible for making sure your game runs, that your players feel safe, included,
and have a good time. During the game, make sure you’re friendly and welcoming to your
players. Do not play on your phone or take calls unless it’s an emergency. Be attentive, focused,
and friendly.

Be inclusive: this means do not provide sexist, racist, homophobic, transphobic, ableist, or
problematic content of any kind in your games, unless that is communicated upfront with your
players, such as sexism in Bluebeard’s Bride. Make sure if your game contains intense or
potentially triggering content, to give a content warning to your players before play begins. If
you’re confused about this, ask any of the event hosts if your game will need one.

You will play with an x-card on at all times. You will be responsible for explaining the x-card
to your players. For a full explanation of the x-card, see below. You must respect the x-card and
anyone who uses it.

On Game Day
30 minutes before your game, Kate will tag you to check-in in the cpd-gm channel. She will
instruct you which voice and text channels are yours. These channels will be made within an
hour before your game.

15 minutes before your game, Kate will tag your players in the community-play-day channel
telling them where to go.
At game time, start the game. If you get players earlier, you can start earlier. Use the text
channel for your game for sharing documents, rolling dice, picture sharing, etc.. To roll dice,
have the player type /r 2d6. Use the character keeper we sent you. Share the PDF materials by
linking to them on the Magpie website or drivethru link.

Running the Game

1) Introduce Yourself
Make sure you introduce yourself once all your players have arrived by telling them your
name and your pronouns. Invite them to introduce themselves, including the pronouns
they’d like everyone to use for them.

2) Set the Tone

Once everyone has arrived, talk about what your game is about and what the players
can expect from you and the game tone wise. Is it a serious game? A funny game? A
gonzo game? Set up clear expectations. Always add that if the game doesn’t seem like
something a player is interested in, they are welcome to find another game that may suit
what they want better.

3) Content Warnings
Go through any difficult or challenging content that may come up in your game, as
mentioned in the content warning section below. Be clear on what may be happening in
the game, and give people a chance to find another game if they feel like the content
may not be something they’re comfortable with.

4) Safety Tools
List the safety tools you’ll be using, including the X-Card, and explain how they can be
used before your game. Make sure everyone understands these tools.

5) Play!
Once everyone is ready to play, have at it!

Representing Magpie
While being part of our community events as a GM, you represent us to our community. We hold
core values of inclusion, respect, kindness, and safety. It’s important you share those values too
and be your best self while participating.

Please be kind and courteous to everyone at the event, your fellow volunteers, and organizing.
We’re all there to have a good time. One of the main tenets of Magpie is to be inclusive and
create a safe and welcoming gaming environment. We expect our GMs to be awesome gamers,
but also awesome people, and hope you’ll take to our goals to heart.
Rules of the Game Space
The following are rules around being a volunteer. If any of these concern you, please feel free to
contact us.
● Follow the Code of Conduct in the #verification channel
● Be ready to go, sober, and on time!
● Make sure all game material is inclusive and fosters a safe space for players.
● Be kind and thoughtful to everyone.
● Always use safety tools and respect the use of them

If you are running late for reasons beyond your control, message Kate in Discord. She’ll let your
players know.

Your Safety
Your comfort, safety, and health matter to us. We want to make sure you have a great con
experience and don’t burn out. Please take the time to have some food, do some self care such
as eating a healthy snack, taking a shower, or going for a quick nap. Take the time each night to
get enough sleep that you feel good the next day.

If you are in a difficult situation at any of our events and do not feel you can deescalate the
situation or handle what is happening, and need one of us to appear, please DM Kate. She will
immediately come to you and help diffuse the situation.

Harassment and Abuse

If you experience abuse or harassment, please let Kate know immediately. She will work with
you to handle the situation and help you contact the convention if you need to.

As a GM, you have the right to remove a player from a game if they are behaving against any of
our Discord’s policies. Be kind and respectful in your responses, but do not try to deal with an
abusive person on your own if it makes you uncomfortable. Always tell the event host what is
going on.

While attendees are in our spaces, they must behave in accordance with the Code of Conduct.
If you encounter a problem player, someone being offensive or exclusive, or behaving
inappropriately, please say something to them. If you are uncomfortable doing so, grab the
event host, and explain the situation.

If you’ve asked a player to leave for these reasons, please let us know so we can note their
name for future reference. We’ll write down the details of the incident and keep it on file in case
we’re asked about it later.
Support Tools for Safe Gaming
All of our games will be using an X-card. Please be familiar with that tool and be able to explain
it to your players. You should explain the card before play begins. If you need any other tools,
here is a list of some tools good for convention play.

The X-Card
The X-card is a physical action, typed action, or spoken action indicating an X, such as raising
the arms in an X on screen, saying “X-card”, or typing x-card into a chat. If at any time a player
feels uncomfortable with content that is introduced into the game by the GM or by another
player they may tap the X-card to veto that content. All other players and the GM must respect
what the X-card is for.

Once the card is invoked, the person who invoked it must indicate what content made them
uncomfortable. They do not have to explain why it made them uncomfortable. From there, the
content can be changed, faded to black, or a short break can be taken if needed. Under no
circumstances should the X-card be ignored when used.

Having an X-card in play is not optional. If you fail to treat the X-card with respect and
professionalism, you may make someone who wants to use the card uncomfortable. This
behaviour is unacceptable and you will be asked to leave if this behaviour is exhibited.

Examples:
Randy invokess the X-card when the GM introduces the big bad boss and her
name is “Catherine”. Randy says the name Catherine is a trigger for them and
they’d appreciate having the name changed. Randy has no obligation to explain
further to the table. The GM should at this point simply change the name and
move on.

Charlie invokes the X-card when another player strikes them with a curse of
‘covered in spiders’. Charlie says that they have a major phobia of spiders and
would appreciate it if the curse was changed. The GM and other players can
brain storm out of character what an equally useful curse would be for the
narrative and then resume the game.

It’s a great idea for you to not only tell players about the X-card before play, but to also
demonstrate it in play. Do use it for a seemingly trivial element so that others feel free to use it
when they do need it.

For more information on the X-Card, check out this link to the original X-Card created by John
Stavropoulos.
The Open Door Policy
During a game, sometimes game content can get uncomfortable but we still want to play with it.
However, sometimes we need a break. The Open Door Policy is a way to allow yourself and
your players to leave, by saying they’re using the open door, to go cool down for a minute
before coming back to the game. It is not asking to end play, just to allow them to catch their
breath before play continues.

If your game has difficult content, we recommend talking about this policy to allow players space
to hit pause or tap out when they need to.

Content Warnings
If your game has intense, problematic, or potentially harmful content, please let your players
know before you start playing. All you need to say is what kind of content to expect, make sure
everyone’s okay, and give them an opportunity to leave if they wish. Ensure that you say there’s
nothing wrong people not wanting to play with that content and there are other games if they
would like to find something else to play.

For a full list of other support tools, check here.

Event Host
In the cpd-gm channel, Kate will be present to address any needs you have or help you get
sorted. Her discord is Kate(she/her)#1705. You can message or tag her if you need to speak to
an event host.

If an issue arises, please let the event host know. Kate will help you with the situation as best
she can.

If you have a concern or conflict with Kate, you can contact Mark or Sam by emailing
info@magpiegames.com or tagging Mark in the Discord (Mark Diaz Truman#6035).

Magpie Swag
Anytime after you run your game, you may email or DM Kate to cash in your ticket to the CPP.
The ticket is good for a one-shot, but the tiicket may be used to reduce the cost of a longer
game.

In the event your game doesn't run due to lack of players, you will still keep the ticket. If you
miss the game or cancel running it for personal or emergency reasons, the ticket will be voided.

You may choose any game in the Curated Play, including Campaigns and Two-Shots.

The ticket cannot be transferred to a friend or family member.

 FAQ
Can I run late?
Yes, if you need to. Get in touch with your players before doing so.

Can I use my own character keeper?

Yes! Use whatever tools work best for you. Tag your players in the gencon-online-rallying
channel to share your resources with them.

How do I roll dice?

Use the text channel for your game on the discord. Type /r 2d6 and it'll roll. You can add
modifiers like /r 2d6 +1 and it'll give the total. Play around with it before your game day.

How do I gather my players?

KateI will be posting in the #community-play-day channel 15 minutes before the game to tell
your players where to go.

What if no one shows up?

At 5 after, Kate will put a call in the discord for players. If no one takes it, you're free to hang out
or join another game.

What do I do if tech goes wrong?

If it's tech, post in the cpd-gm channel. Folks are around to help out.

Can I send playsheets to my players?

Please make your own copies of the character keepers. Share them with your players on the
Discord in your game channel.

Can I send playlists to my players?

Yes! Using your game’s channel.

I don't see my voice channel. Where is it?

30 minutes before your game starts Kate will create a voice channel that says your time and
game. Hop in when you see it pop up. Game times will be listed in eastern.

What if I want to talk to Kate?

Kate will be around all day from 10 am - 12 am eastern. Tag her in the chat by @Kate and her
name will autofill. Tell her you need to chat and go into the cpd online office. It's a voice channel
only for the GMs. Kate will hop in and join you so we you chat.
 Let the Games Begin!
That’s pretty much most of the things you should keep in mind. Remember to have fun! That’s
kind of the most important thing. Sign up for some games if you feel like playing with us as well
as running!

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact Kate. You can also find her on Facebook or
Twitter.

Kate
kate@magpiegames.com