To give all participants the opportunity to benefit from The Realms Unknown Festival events and activities, Realms Unknown is committed to providing a friendly, safe, supportive and harassment-free environment for all event attendees and participants, regardless of gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, religion or other group identity. This code of conduct outlines the Realms Unknown Festival expectations for all event attendees and participants, including all members, demonstrators, entertainers, vendors, partners, media representatives, commentators, exhibitors, sponsors and volunteers. Cooperation is expected from everyone, and organizers will actively enforce this code throughout this event. Violations are taken seriously.
GENERAL EXPECTED BEHAVIOR
Realms Unknown expects event attendees and participants to communicate professionally and constructively, whether in person or virtually. It is the expectation that the handling of dissent or disagreement will be done with courtesy, dignity and an open mind. Furthermore, individuals shall be respectful when providing feedback, and shall remain open to alternate points of view. Likewise, the Realms Unknown Festival expects that any sharing of information about the organization, event, or any event attendees or participants via public communication channels be shared responsibly and in a way that clearly distinguishes individual opinion from fact.
ANTI-HARASSMENT POLICY
Realms Unknown does not tolerate harassment of event attendees, members, or participants in any form in real or virtual spaces of the festival event or its activities. Harassment includes: unwanted advances, physical or verbal assault, stalking, following, sexual harassment, unwanted physical contact, inappropriate photography or filming, derogatory verbal or written comments, hate speech, the use of hate symbols, sustained disruption of entertainment or demonstrations, and/or deliberate intimidation. Harassment is defined by the victim. If it is determined–either by observation or by complaint–that an individual or group has harassed another attendee, Realms Unknown will determine and carry out the appropriate course of action, including:
- Issuance of a warning to cease and desist
- Expulsion from the event without refund
- Banning from future Realms Unknown events and activities.
For your own safety, if you feel that you are being harassed, please report your problems to event public safety staff before anyone else. If you cannot find a staff, crew, or volunteer member to assist you, please go to the information booth located near the event entrance. Please report to us before taking matters into your own hands, such as confronting the aggressor or posting on social media.
SMOKING & VAPING POLICY
Smoking/vaping is allowed in designated areas only. Please observe the posted signs as to where it is appropriate for you to smoke/vape. Do not drop cigarette butts on the ground. They are terrible for the environment and are a fire hazard.
DRUG POLICY
Washington state law protects private marijuana use, but marijuana cannot be consumed (in any form) in public view. Per Washington State Law, non-cannabis, & non-prescription illicit drugs are prohibited substances and are not allowed at the Realms Unknown.
ALCOHOL POLICY
Alcohol is only served and permitted in the designated Taverns during festival day hours and for a limited time during official evening event activities on Friday and Saturday. Alcohol of any kind may only be consumed inside the fenced Taverns.
You must be 21 years old or older, and have a valid, government-issued photo ID on your person at all times while in the Taverns. No outside alcohol may be brought in or consumed in the Taverns or on Site. We have a ZERO tolerance policy for underage drinking. Any minor found to be drinking alcohol will be taken to their guardian/parent and asked to leave the Site. Any adult found to be serving alcohol to minors will be reported to the proper authorities and also asked to leave the Site. To ensure that the Realms Unknown Festival is a safe experience for everyone, Alcohol consumption is strictly monitored. Individuals who are deemed to be at risk of, OR are exhibiting signs of over intoxication will be cut off from further access to alcohol and asked to leave (or escorted) out of the taverns. The Realms Unknown Festival reserves the right to ban individuals from the event and event site deemed a danger to themselves or others.
WEAPONS POLICY
We understand that historical re-enactment and cosplay are a very important part of the Realms Unknown experience! We want to make sure that everyone has a fun and safe time! Please read the following weapons policy. Individuals found in violation of this policy may be asked to leave without re-fund or permanently banned from the event.
*NOTE: Foam weapons such as those used for boffing may be wielded in accordance with their purpose only in designated boffing zones during open boffing times.
PERIOD ARMS
Period arms are described as weapons relevant to a time-period portrayed while in costume. Such arms may include, but are not limited to: swords, daggers, whips, maces, bows and arrows, and pikes. All arms must be secured or “peace tied” to the guest at all times in a holster protecting the blade and may not be removed from the holster. Any exposed blade or point must be of stage combat grade and must not pose a risk of injury to the guest or others. Arrows being carried as costume adornment must be “peace tied” together and have the arrow tips removed. Plastic, foam, and wood toy weapons are allowed without sheaths or peace bonded, but may not be wielded in a way that they might accidentally strike another guest or employee. Public safety personnel are available at the front gate area to assist guests with the securing of weapons. Any person in possession of a weapon that is determined to be unsafe or unable to be made safe will be requested to secure it in their vehicle or remove it from the festival.
BLACK POWDER GUNS
Similar to period arms, many guests desire to use replica and black powder guns as adornment to their costumes. Black powder guns must not be operable except those which belong to official designated event performers. Event performers to use performance arms safety protocols. All black powder guns must be peace tied and not removed from its holster or belt while in Realms Unknown. If the gun cannot be tied in a manner to prevent it from being drawn, it must be returned to the guest’s vehicle and cannot be brought onto the festival grounds. Furthermore:
- The gun must not be capable of propelling any projectile, and;
- The gun must not have any percussion caps or flint stones, and;
- The gun must have the powder pan or the barrel plugged, and;
- The guest must not be in possession of any projectiles, black powder or any other removed parts while on the event premises.
CONCEALED FIREARMS
We do not permit any person to bring any type of concealed weapon or firearm on our property.
OTHER COSPLAY GUNS/WEAPONS
Other cosplay prop weapons are allowed at Realms Unknown providing they are not prohibited items. Please see boffing rule listed at beginning of weapons policy.
PROHIBITED ITEMS:
- Explosives
- Functional firearms or projectile weapons of any kind. This includes but is not limited to: real guns, paintball, airsoft, bb guns, cap guns, any gun/device that shoots a real projectile or causes a real explosion.
- Hyper-realistic firearms – any gun that could be confused for a real (non-period) gun. If it looks like a real gun, it cannot come into Realms Unknown. Realistic prop guns with brightly-colored caps are also not allowed.
PERFORMER WEAPONS SAFETY PROTOCOLS
- All designated event firearms/weapons demonstrators, entertainers and performers are subject to all event weapons policies when not actively performing in their designated performance area.
- All weapons demonstrators, entertainers and performers shall secure weapons, ammunition, and black powder in a safe, locked secure area out of sight of the public when items are not in use.
- All weapons demonstrators, entertainers and performers are responsible for ensuring that the public may not gain easy access to your weapons, ammunition, or black powder.
- All weapons demonstrators, entertainers and performers shall not use weapons while intoxicated, or under the influence of any altering substances which may hinder the operator’s ability to handle weapons safely.
- All weapons demonstrators, entertainers and performers are subject to weapons storage safety inspections by designated public safety event staff.
- All weapons demonstrators, entertainers and performers shall carry their own liability insurance policy in the amount of no less than $2,000,000.
COSPLAY & COSTUMING POLICY
- Realms Unknown encourages individuals to express their unique selves free from judgement or harassment.
- Realms Unknown is a body positive event and thus we believe cosplay and costuming is for every-BODY.
- Realms Unknown is a fantasy festival, not a historical re-enactment event. There will be no gatekeeping of historical accuracy, or ‘quality’ of costuming.
- Historical costumes can be great, but reminders of unspeakable atrocities are not appropriate, ever. This includes any sort of “ironic” or satirical costumes that re-appropriate Nazi paraphernalia or gear, or other historical atrocities.
- Re-enactment of historical atrocities relating to the subjugation or oppression of a peoples or class is prohibited. Full nudity is prohibited. To avoid any gender based double standards, nipples and genitals must be covered by all regardless of gender identity, sex, or identity expression.
- Costumes with have hate symbols on them will not be allowed.
- Uniforms that look hyper-realistic must distinguish that it is a costume. If your costume could lead to you being confused with local law enforcement, or military please don’t wear it.
- Prop weapons are allowed if they meet certain criteria. Please view our weapons policy to make sure any prop weapons that go with your costume are in compliance.
PET POLICY
Pets and emotional support animals are not permitted on the festival grounds or campgrounds. Designated service animals are permitted. The American Disabilities Act defines a service animal as an animal that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. The task(s) performed by the animal must be directly related to the person’s disability. Under the laws of the State of Washington, a service animal may be a dog of any size/breed, or a miniature horse. If you are bringing a service animal please note:
- Washington State follows the ADA requirements for the service animal to be under the complete control of its handler. This could be achieved through the use of a leash, harness, or other tether mechanism. However, in cases where either the handler is unable to hold a tether because of a disability or its use would interfere with the service animal’s safe, effective performance of work or tasks, the service animal must be under the handler’s control by some other means, such as voice control.
- The service animal MUST be housebroken- urinating or defecating in public places that are not appropriate would-be grounds for removal of the team from the establishment.
- The service animal must be vaccinated and licensed according to local state and county laws.
- The handler is responsible for the care of the service animal’s needs. This means they are solely responsible for the feeding, watering and cleaning up after the service animal in an establishment.
Though we prefer that service animals have proper identification (vest, documentation, etc.) when you bring them into the festival or campground gates, this is not required.
Please be prepared to answer two questions upon entry:
1. Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability
2. What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?
*Note, our staff and volunteers are not permitted to request any documentation for the service animal, require that the animal demonstrate its task, or inquire about the nature of a person’s disability.
For more information and guidance from the Department of Justice and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regarding business entity rights with respect to service animals please visit the following websites:
https://www.ada.gov/regs2010/service_animal_qa.html
https://waservicedog.org/wa-state-laws/
FOOD & BEVERAGES
We offer a variety of fresh, delicious food for our guests to enjoy at concession stands throughout our festival; however, we understand that guests may need to bring outside food and drink. Please note the following guidelines for bringing food and drink into Realms Unknown:
Acceptable items:
1. One water bottle per guest (any size). Water is refillable in the event space.
2. Any food required for medical purposes and medically–indicated nutritional supplements
3. Any food required for special dietary needs
4. Baby food/baby formula
Prohibited items:
1. Picnic lunches
2. Food that requires heating or refrigeration
3. Alcohol and glass containers (excluding baby food jars)
4. Coolers
Overnight campers may bring outside food into their camp site, but may not bring food into the festival. If you cannot eat any of our food options, you are welcome to return to your vehicle to eat. Please ensure that you receive a hand stamp on your way out so you can rejoin the fun!
BAGS
Carry-in bags, baskets and backpacks are permitted. Clear bags are not required. Please know that all bags are subject to search by our security team before entering the event.
MEDIA CAPTURE AND ATTRIBUTION
Realms Unknown maintains the sole right to record, stream and host all content at Realms Unknown events, whether in-person or virtually.
VIDEO AND PHOTO CONSENT
Registration and attendance at, or participation in, the Realms Unknown Free Festival and other activities constitutes an agreement that allows Realms Unknown to use and distribute the registrant’s, attendee’s and/or participant’s image, name or voice in recordings, photographs, videos, websites, social media and/or print and digital collateral.