=======Uptime and Sessions=======
> //This place is a testament to those who paved the way for us, but also a lesson for those who will follow after. Never be afraid to speak out and ask for help. Hold in your hearts why we do what we do. Never forget where you came from, but never let it hold you back. What was thought unachievable has been achieved, and we will keep going forwards.// 
--- //Extracts from a speech made at the opening of [[setting:cartographers#the_auditorium|the Auditorium]].//

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Sessions of //Ventures// will be held in **St John's College** on Tuesday evenings every two weeks, starting from **2nd week** of Michaelmas 2024. We will be starting at 19:00 with a short briefing before [[info:glossary#time_in|time-in]].

During sessions you will be live-action roleplaying your character in real time. What this means is that, for the most part, everything that you act out is something that your character is actually doing -- that could be chatting, dancing, plotting in a corner, or making a proposal.

Props and costume are completely optional, though we encourage you to dress up if you want. Suggested aspects of costume are on [[system:species|this page]].

If you know ahead of time that you’re likely to miss a session, please let us know either via [[gm@ventures.oxfordrpg.com|email]] or Discord so that we can plan ahead and let other players know that you won’t be there. Emails and turnsheets will still be available even if you miss a session.

=====Calls=====
There are calls used within Society Games to indicate certain things during time-in. 

**Time In:** This is used by GMs to announce the beginning of the session, or resuming after a time freeze, to announce that it is time to switch into character.

**Time Freeze:** This is used by GMs to interrupt roleplaying during session.

**Time Out:** This is used by the GMs to announce the end of the session and that it is time to drop out of character.

**The OC Gesture:** Pointing upwards with the index and middle fingers on one hand, this is used by players and GMs to show that they are temporarily dropping out of character. This may be to ask a question OC, to pass through the playing space unimpeded, or even for GMs to listen in on secret conversations (this last one is off-limits for players). When someone is doing this, it may indicate that their character is not there.

===== Fighting and physical contact =====
Physical contact IC should always be negotiated OC first (e.g. “Is it alright if I hold your hand?”). Any fighting should **not** take place in uptime.

=====Questions=====

GMs will be more than happy to answer any questions you might have for them in uptime, but please be aware that we may be busy with other players or even need to consult our notes/the other GMs before we can give you an answer.