Staying Safe in Tabletop Games
Explore how Lines and Veils create engaging and respectful storytelling in tabletop role-playing games.
Introduction
Tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) like Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder provide captivating adventures, weaving tales of heroes and heroines, epic battles, and the thrill of exploration. Yet, beneath the surface of these captivating journeys lies a subtle but important aspect of gameplay: Lines and Veils.
In the world of TTRPGs, Lines and Veils are tools used to ensure that every player's experience is enjoyable, respectful, and inclusive. As we embark on this journey into the realm of Lines and Veils, we will uncover their significance, explore how they enhance storytelling, and provide examples of their application in various narratives.
Understanding Lines and Veils
In the rich tapestry of TTRPGs, it's essential to maintain a balance between immersive storytelling and respecting players' boundaries. This is where Lines and Veils come into play.
Lines are firm boundaries that players establish to safeguard their comfort. These are elements or themes they do not wish to encounter explicitly during the game. For instance, a player may set a line against explicit violence or graphic descriptions of harm.
Veils, on the other hand, are areas where players are comfortable with exploration but prefer a more discreet approach. These elements are present in the game but handled with sensitivity and subtlety. An example could be addressing complex romantic relationships without explicit physical details.
Why Are Lines and Veils Important?
Lines and Veils are the cornerstones of respectful and inclusive gaming experiences. They create a safe space where players can fully immerse themselves in the narrative while avoiding discomfort or distress.
For Dungeon Masters (DMs) and storytellers, understanding and respecting Lines and Veils ensure that the game remains enjoyable for everyone. It allows for storytelling that appeals to a diverse group of players with varying comfort levels and preferences.
Examples of Lines and Veils in Action
Let us explore some examples to understand how Lines and Veils function. We will utilise excerpts from published literature as illustrations in this section. These narratives were selected due to their inclusion of graphic or explicit depictions. We can then use them as instances to demonstrate how stories can be adapted to align with the lines and veils established by players and Game Masters (GMs) during session zero.
Example 1: The Ravaged Village
In this example of a ravaged village, we are using an excerpt from Blood Meridian, by Cormac McCarthy, as an example.
Lines and Veils Set by Players:
- Line: No explicit descriptions of gore or violence.
- Veil: Allow eerie and suspenseful encounters.
Non-Compliant Story:
In the days to come the frail black rebuses of blood in those sands would crack and break and drift away so that in the circuit of few suns all trace of the destruction of these people would be erased.
The desert wind would salt their ruins and there would be nothing, nor ghost nor scribe, to tell any pilgrim in his passing how it was that people had lived in this place and in this place died."
— Excerpt from Blood Meridian, by Cormac McCarthy
This story does not comply with Lines and Veils:
- The line against explicit descriptions of gore or violence was ignored, resulting in graphic violence.
- The veil for eerie and suspenseful encounters was disregarded as the story focused on explicit violence.
Compliant Story:
An old woman knelt at the blackened stones before her door and tended to the coals, coaxing a flame from the ashes.
All around her, the remains lay silently, like spectral memories. In the days to come, the marks of their presence would fade away, leaving only whispers of a lost people.
The desert wind would embrace their remnants, and there would be nothing to tell the passing travelers how life once thrived and vanished in this place."
— Modified version of the above excerpt
This version of the story complies with Lines and Veils:
- The line against explicit descriptions of gore or violence was respected; no graphic violence was depicted.
- The veil for eerie and suspenseful encounters was upheld, creating a suspenseful atmosphere without crossing boundaries.
Example 2: A Complex Love Story
In this example of a complex love story, we are using an excerpt from You Had Me at Hola, by Alexis Daria, as an example.
Lines and Veils Set by Players:
- Line: No explicit descriptions of intimate moments.
- Veil: Allow deep emotional connections in romantic encounters.
Non-Compliant Story:
Jasmine threw her head back.
‘God, yes. Keep going.’
He did it again, this time his fingertip slipping between and gathering her wetness. He parted her with two fingers and found her clitoris, rubbing it in small circles. She cried out against his lips and was lost. The taste of her, the smell of her, the feel of her so close against him, skin to skin. Time and space had no meaning anymore. There was only her."
— Excerpt taken from: You Had Me at Hola, by Alexis Daria
This story does not comply with Lines and Veils:
- The line against explicit descriptions of intimate moments was disregarded, depicting explicit sexual content.
- The veil for deep emotional connections in romantic encounters was ignored in favor of explicit physical descriptions.
Compliant Story:
Jasmine softly; her eyes closed.
'That's it. Keep going.'
He continued to explore her with delicate fingers, savoring each moment. Their connection deepened, and they both felt an overwhelming emotional bond. Time seemed to stand still as they shared this intimate moment, their hearts entwined in the profound love they held for each other."
— Modified version of the above excerpt
This version of the story complies with Lines and Veils:
- The line against explicit descriptions of intimate moments was upheld; no explicit sexual content was depicted.
- The veil for deep emotional connections in romantic encounters was respected, emphasizing the emotional bond between the characters.
Example 3: Confronting Dark Themes
In this example, we will use an excerpt from Smack, by Melvin Burgess to show how we can use lines and veils to confront dark themes in a respectful and understanding way.
Lines and Veils Set by Players:
- Line: No graphic descriptions of addiction or its consequences.
- Veil: Address addiction through emotional journeys.
Non-Compliant Story:
The weather had turned, the shop was full of people, murmur, and drift; the trees flowering on the streets outside were white pops of delirium. My hands were steady at the register but inside I was squirming.
“Your first rodeo isn’t the bad one,” Mya had told me. “It’s around the third or fourth you’ll start wishing you were dead.”
My stomach flopped and seethed like a fish on the hook; aches, jumpy muscles, I couldn’t lie still or get comfortable in bed and nights, after I closed the shop, I sat red-faced and sneezing in a tub that was hot almost beyond endurance, a glass of ginger ale and mostly melted ice pressed to my temple, while Popchik—too stiff and creaky to stand with his paws on the edge of the tub, as he had once liked to do—sat on the bath mat and watched me anxiously."
— Excerpt from Smack, by Melvin Burgess
This story does not comply with Lines and Veils:
- The line against graphic descriptions of addiction or its consequences was ignored, depicting explicit and graphic addiction scenes.
- The veil for addressing addiction through emotional journeys was disregarded in favor of explicit and disturbing portrayals.
Compliant Story:
Outside, the streets were lined with blossoming white trees, creating a tranquil scene. While I remained focused at the register, internally, I felt a sense of restlessness.
Mya had once mentioned, 'Your first experience isn't the toughest,' she said. 'It's around the third or fourth when things get really challenging.'
My emotions churned, and at night, after closing the shop, I would spend time in a warm bath, contemplating the journey I was on, while Popchik, my loyal companion, watched me from the bathmat with concern."
— Modified version of the above excerpt
This version of the story complies with Lines and Veils:
- The line against graphic descriptions of addiction or its consequences was respected; no explicit and graphic addiction scenes were depicted.
- The veil for addressing addiction through emotional journeys was upheld, emphasizing Lily's emotional struggles rather than explicit harm.
Additional Resources
If you are interested in delving deeper into the use of Lines and Veils in TTRPGs, or using them in your own games, there are several valuable resources available:
- Safety Tools for Tabletop RPGs: This comprehensive guide by Drama Dice provides an in-depth understanding of safety tools, including Lines and Veils, X-Cards, and more. It is an essential resource for creating a safe and inclusive gaming environment.
- Online Communities: Platforms like Reddit, Discord and various TTRPG forums host discussions on Lines and Veils and offer valuable insights and firsthand experiences. Engaging with these communities can enhance your understanding and application of these tools.
- Session Zero: Many TTRPG podcasts and YouTube channels such as the YouTuber and creator, Ginny Di, feature accessible episodes or videos dedicated to the importance of a Session Zero, where Lines and Veils are established. Listening to or watching these discussions can provide practical examples and guidance.
- TTRPG Safety Tools Templates: Several websites such as TTRPG Safety Toolkit offer downloadable templates for safety tools, making it easier to incorporate Lines and Veils into your campaigns. These templates often include ready-to-use cards or documents for your gaming table.
Lines and Veils Template Used by Mythbound Games
To ensure the protection and enjoyment of all the players in our games, Mythbound Games employs lines and veils, as well as X-cards and the Raise My Hand VTT module as safeguarding tools. You can obtain our lines and veils template below:
The above download might not work correctly on mobile devices – in which case you can get the Lines and Veils template directly from on OneDrive.
Conclusion
Lines and Veils are powerful tools in the TTRPG world, allowing for engaging storytelling while ensuring the comfort and inclusivity of all players. By setting clear boundaries and understanding the nuances of veiled elements, players and DMs can embark on unforgettable adventures together.
Now, armed with this knowledge, it's time to gather your party, create memorable characters, and dive into your next TTRPG campaign. Embrace the art of storytelling and weave narratives that not only captivate but also respect the boundaries of your fellow adventurers.
Epic tales await! So go forth, roll those dice, and have fun exploring the boundless realms of tabletop role-playing games.
