Realms Con Rules and Policies

Disruptive Behavior Policy

We want Realms Con to be a safe and family-friendly environment, and to ensure that, we have policies to address specifics, such as weapons and lost children. We also have a general policy that we do not tolerate disruptive behavior of any sort, and we can and will take action when we see something we feel is dangerous or disruptive. The type of action we take may range from a quiet but stern word in private to forcible ejection from the convention. 
The sorts of things that may trigger such action include fighting (fake or real), heckling, impeding traffic flow, offensive behavior, failure to observe basic hygiene, public inebriation (or similar intoxication), or any other failure to follow the rules.  Show common courtesy to your fellow human and follow the rules.


Children at Realms Con

A parent or guardian must accompany all children under the age of 12 at all times.
Children are required to carry some form of written identification and parent/guardian contact information with them at all times so that Realms Con staff may contact the parents or guardians should the need arise.
THERE IS NO CONVENTION-WIDE PA SYSTEM.
We are unable to page your child if he/she becomes lost.
Please do not leave your child unattended.
Make sure your child knows important information, such as your name, what you are wearing, a cellular phone number, and a home phone number. If a child is lost, we will make every attempt to contact you through this information.

Dance Policy

• Badges must be clearly displayed at all times within the dance.
• Realms Con is not responsible for bags left outside, beside, or near the entrance to the dance.
• Please, be considerate of the other dancers...
• Drink plenty of water!

Weapons Policy

This policy is a combination of convention rules and of the laws of the State of Texas.
Enforcement of these rules is enacted with ZERO Tolerance.
No warnings will be given.
Any infraction of these rules will be met with expulsion from the convention without a refund as well as possible law enforcement involvement.
A weapon is defined as:

• "Illegal knife " means a:
• knife  with a blade over five and one-half inches;
• hand instrument designed to cut or stab another by being thrown;
• dagger, including but not limited to a dirk, stiletto, and poniard;
• bowie knife ;
• sword; or
• spear.
• ”Club" means an instrument that is specially designed, made, or adapted for the purpose of inflicting serious bodily injury or death by striking a person with the instrument, and includes but is not limited to the following:
• blackjack; 
• nightstick;
• mace;
• tomahawk;
• wooden sword.
• Dealers will only sell any defined weapon to persons of at least 18 years of age.  Any dealer selling to minors will be removed from the convention and proper authorities may be notified.
• You only may handle any weapon if you are at least 18 years of age.
• Participants may carry weapons as long as they are at least 18 years of age.
• Drawing of weapons, horseplay or careless handling of weapons in public areas are not allowed and will result in loss of membership and expulsion from the convention.
• All sharpened edges must be sheathed and peace tied.  You will need to check any weapon with Con Ops to make sure that weapon is bound.  The convention has final say on whether the weapon may be brought in.  Practice swords and non-sharpened weapons must be tied to the belt or back scabbard. 
• All staves and pole arms must be kept vertical.
• All Dealers must box, wrap, or peace tie any weapon that requires it.
• All non-sharpened weapons, wooden, and home-made will be checked with Con Ops.
• Any realistic firearm, real or otherwise, will be checked at Con Ops.  If Con Ops does not allow the weapon, it must be put in your room or vehicle. 
• Any participant caught buying a weapon and giving it to a minor will be removed from the convention and proper authorities may be notified.  The minor will be removed as well.
• The only times at which the live steel or weapon may be drawn will be as follows:
• On stage at the costume contest.
• In a designated area for photo ops.
• Projectile weapons are prohibited.  This includes water pistols, and any pistol capable of shooting any projectiles.
• All costume contestants planning to use weapons onstage must present their weapons for inspection and demonstrate their intended use for the staff when contest. Any unauthorized weapons or actions involving weapons onstage or backstage will result in disqualification and any further actions deemed necessary by Con Ops.
• All persons handling weapons do so at their own risk.

All decisions made by the staff regarding the Weapons Policy are final. Please note that the Weapons policy is subject to change, and may be done so with or without advance notice.
Behavior with Weapons
Misuse of any weapon or prop, such as swinging it in a public area or causing hazards to others, will result in the weapon or prop being deemed unsafe for the convention.
If a weapon or prop is deemed unsafe for the con, we will ask you to remove the weapon or prop from the convention and store it in your private quarters (your home, hotel room, or car).
All props and weapons brought into the convention may be inspected and approved or rejected by Realms Con.
All questionable weapons or props will be decided on a case-by-case basis.
All decisions made by Realms Con are final.