COVID Rules At Events
Enacted on June 12th, 2021
Amended on February 17th, 2024
Lasts until further notice
Definitions
For the purposes of this Standing Policy, “attendees” shall refer to any in-person attendee of an event, including but not limited to EHs, staff, players, and spectators. If the event is held in a location open to the public, passing members of the public are not attendees unless they substantially engage with regular attendees. Attendees are to keep clear of non-attendee individuals to the best of their ability.
Additionally, “regulations” shall refer to any and all federal, state, county, and local laws, regulations, policies, etc. relating to personal health and safety in the COVID-19 pandemic, which are in effect when a gathering takes place, and which are applicable to the nature and location(s) of the event. This definition is expanded when referring to attendees traveling between jurisdictions prior to, during, or after a gathering to include the relevant regulations for travel in said jurisdictions and for the full duration of their travel.
- If melee combat is involved, this includes regulations for “Higher Risk” sports and recreational activities.
- If food or drinks are involved, this includes regulations for food service.
- If indoor facilities are involved, this includes regulations for indoor gatherings and recreation.
Finally, “event protocols” shall refer to any procedures put in place at an event to comply with relevant regulations and/or further ensure the health and safety of attendees.
For Events and Attendees
Every Realms Event must comply with regulations, at a bare minimum. The EH or designated staff is personally responsible for ensuring compliance.
An EH is within their rights to enact and enforce stricter event protocols than are required by regulations. Any event must have advertisements that list or link to any event protocols by at least 2-weeks prior to the event.
Event protocols can be adjusted as needed by EHs up to 72 hours prior to the event, as regulations change. EHs must state in their event protocols whether they will enforce a one-warning or zero tolerance policy for attendees who fail to comply with event protocols or this Standing Policy.
Each attendee is personally responsible for knowing and following all event protocols for an event, and all travel regulations applicable to their circumstances. In the case of a minor, their parent, guardian, or a designated chaperone at the gathering is also personally responsible for their compliance. Any failures to follow regulations and event protocols must be reported to an EH or their designated staff member. With the conclusion of the event, all such reports must be passed along to the CRB by the gathering’s EH.
When any attendee arrives on site, an EH for that event or their designated staff member must verify the attendee understands and is equipped to follow all event protocols. If so, the attendee will sign a form stating that they understand, have followed, and will continue to follow all regulations and event protocols. No attendee is allowed to participate in or spectate the event until said form is signed. If any attendee is unable or unwilling to follow any required regulations or event protocols, they are not allowed to attend the event and must leave the site. Any such attendee’s failure to leave the site promptly must be reported to the CRB.
The following criteria each prevent someone from attending a Realms event:
- The person has tested positive for COVID-19 in the 5 days before the event, and does not have 2 negatives rapid antigen tests 24 hours apart after last testing positive.
- The person is required to self-quarantine or self-isolate during the event under local health guidelines or as directed by a medical professional.
- The person suspects they have COVID-19 based on any of the following symptoms prior to the event: fever (> 100.4F) or feeling feverish, new cough, difficulty breathing, excessive fatigue, unexpected muscle aches or body aches, new loss of smell or taste, sore throat, and diarrhea or vomiting.
EH Privileges and Administration
Enacted on June 12th, 2021
Amended on February 18th, 2023
Lasts until further notice
Any EH who has thrown an event since 2019 is considered to have thrown an event in 2022. If the EH was eligible to vote at any EHC since 2020, they are considered eligible to vote at the EHC on February 18, 2023. For the purpose of magic item backing only, any EH that had a magic item on the list as of January 1, 2023 is considered to have received credit for holding an event in 2022.
Require COVID-19 Vaccination or Recent Negative Test
Enacted on February 26th, 2022
Amended on February 18th, 2023
Lasts until further notice
During registration or at sign-in, people at Realms Events (including attendees, staff, and event holders) must either present evidence of being currently vaccinated against COVID-19 (as defined by the CDC) or evidence of a negative result from a COVID-19 test they took the same day as they arrive at the event.
Make the EHC Virtual going forward
Enacted on February 17th, 2024
Expires at the next EHC.
The elected Administrative Meeting Organizers are encouraged to use a hybrid method of running the Players’ Meeting and Event Holders Council.
Proposals require community support for Players’ Meeting discussion
Enacted on February 17th, 2024
Expires at the next EHC.
Any player may propose a change to the Omnibus, Standing Policies, or Complaint Review Board policies via the EHC Proposal Dashboard on RealmsNet. Proposals with sufficient community support will be considered during the next series of Administrative Meetings. These are the Players’ Meeting and Event Holders’ Council. The purpose of these meetings is to vote on modifications to the rules and administrative positions for the following year.
Proposals may advance to the Players’ Meeting with the registered support of at least 30 players elligible to vote at the next Players’ Meeting. This support and the proposal must be submitted to the organizer(s) of the Players’ Meeting before discussion on any tabled or other day-of proposals.
Proposals may bypass the Players’ Meeting if they gain enough Event Holder support. For this bypassing, at least 10 EHs legally able to attend and vote at the Event Holders’ Council must support the proposal. This support and the proposal must be submitted to the organizer(s) of the Event Holders’ Council at least one week prior to the Players’ Meeting.
Proposals may continue to be submitted online up to the day before the Players’ Meeting, and in person the day of the Players’ Meeting. No new proposals will be accepted after the Players’ Meeting begins discussing tabled or day-of proposals. All proposals will be archived following each EHC.
Spellbook Conversion 2024
Enacted on February 17th, 2024
Expires at the next EHC.
In place of the default spellbook conversion process, at the first event any player character is played using the 2024 Omnibus rules, they may begin the event with no spells or with any legal spell build, to be confirmed by the event’s staff or their designated marshal(s). Players must subsequently follow the standard rules for learning and unlearning spells.