In Part 2, we talked about explicit consent, and how it was required for fighting, theft and infection loss. But how do we signal, obtain, and confirm explicit consent? Luckily we have tools described in our rulebook to obtain them. They include negotiation, the Conflict Check-In, and the Wasteland. We also have the Survival Ethos System (SES), also called the Red Ledger.
Negotiation
You'll always have the option of talking to other people out of character, which is recommended if you have any doubt about the CVC. If you go over an action with another player, and they agree to it, then you have consent from all people engaged. You can put any restrictions you like on it: for example, you agree to lethal CvC at any time except while you’re sleeping, or say “take your shot after sunset on Saturday,” or “it’s okay if you take all my stuff or my infection, but please not both.” Negotiation is your most powerful tool for obtaining consent. Negotiation is strongly recommended for any CvC that would result in infection loss (but see the Survival Ethos System, below).
The Conflict Check-In
A simpler option than out-of-character negotiations, the Conflict Check-In (also called the “C Check”) is described on page 155 to 156 of the rulebook. Without negotiation you have to use the Conflict Check-In before initiating any fighting outside of the wasteland. Even in the wasteland you still have an option of giving a “thumbs down” sign to opt out of CvC. Remember, the Conflict Check-In relates to a particular instance of CvC and you can thumbs down at any time. For example: you can give a “thumbs up” to fighting and get knocked into bleed-out, but then give a “thumbs down” to the killing blow. The limitation of the Conflict Check-In is that it only transmits a “yes” or “no,” and not other restrictions. If you want restrictions on CvC, go out-of-character and negotiate.
The Wasteland
Dystopia Rising New York (DRNY), like every other chapter, has a defined wasteland - an area where players can expect CvC to occur. This has two big implications. First, you don’t need to use the Conflict Check-In before initiating CvC. If you’re attacked, you can still give the thumbs down, but CvC is opt-out. Further, if you’re a person watching CvC, and you don’t want to be around it, you’re expected to leave the area, because the other people are in the “right place” for it.
The Survivor Ethos System (SES) and the Red Ledger
The SES is an opt-in system that signals you consent to any and all CvC. When you opt-in to the SES, you should expect that anything can happen: someone can kill you in bed at night, or on your way back from the shower. It’s important to understand this is “no-quarter” CvC: if you want to negotiate boundaries for CvC, you might not want to put yourself on the SES. Realize that if you attack someone on the SES, you’re giving implied consent to no-quarter CvC with that person… if you want restrictions, you should still negotiate with them. In DRNY, the SES is along side an in-character organization called the Red Ledger. Red Ledger missions are reserved for people who want that no-quarter CvC. You don’t need to be in the Red Ledger, if you’re on the SES, but you have to be on the SES if you want to join the Red Ledger (the SES is a prerequisite for the Red Ledger).
These tools are just that… tools for you to use to navigate conflict. As long as everyone involved consents to the activity, have fun. The purpose of these tools is to remove ambiguity so please make sure to clarify with the DRNY staff if you have questions.