While disagreements seem to arise most often during mock combat, anyone can request a Mediator at any time.
If tensions start to run high and you can’t resolve your disagreement on your own, using your scrying bowl to locate the nearest neutral party and ask for help talking things through.
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- A mediator can be any other member of the LARP.
- A mediator should listen to all sides.
- A mediator should not take sides.
- A mediator’s goal is to help find or forge a mutually acceptable agreement.
Remember that ensuring Diversity, Inclusivity, and Getting Along With Others is everyone’s Responsibility.
Both mediators and those involved in the disagreement should allow each other to speak uninterrupted and to listen to what the other people are saying. The mediator may use anything handy as a “talking stick” or “speakers staff” if necessary. (The mediator may also impose a time limit on uninterrupted speech if needed.)
Questions that a mediator can ask:
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- What happened?
Invite those involved to share their perspectives on the nature of the disagreement. - What happened before that?
Encourage those involved to consider possible causes of the disagreement. - How did you feel when that happened?
Guide those involved to consider the emotional impact of events. - How do you think the other person(s) felt when that happened?
Invite those involved to consider how others feel about the events. - Do you know why that happened?
Encourage those involved to appreciate the point of view of others. - Can you find out why it happened?
Guide those involved to seek facts and discover underlying problems. - What could you do or say to prevent this from happening again?
Invite those involved to think of solutions. - What might happen if you do that?
Encourage those involved to consider the possible consequences of proposed solutions. - Can you think of something different to do?
Guide those involved to think of alternative solutions.
- What happened?