Greater West Role-Playing Games (GWRPG) started in 2017 with one dungeon and dragon’s role-playing group. Since then it has expanded to include multiple groups and multiple formats. It is led by our founder Rev Jason Partridge.
As part of our community, you get access to all the material you may need to play and even be a dungeon master. We have purchased all the materials on DND Beyond, which allows us to share the 5th Edition rules, sources and campaigns digitally. By using DND Beyond we can play with smart player character sheets on the web or our mobile phones; making life as a complete beginner (or expert) so much easier.
We play in person and online in groups of three to seven people. We meet each week in person on Wednesday night in Penrith, Sydney at St Stephens Anglican Church in the large church hall. Online we meet on Discord, Wednesday night as well but later at 8.00 pm (great for carers of young children).
Each Dungeon Master chooses how to engage with their players and the style of play. Many of our groups use miniatures, hand-drawn or digital maps on Roll 20. Our games are for mature players (MA15+). If you need specific accommodations (like red balloons and clowns really really scare me) have a confidential conversation with your dungeon master.
Core Objectives
To provide and facilitate a great place for role-playing games
The first core objective of GWRPG is to create a great place for people 16 and over to play roleplaying games. A great place is one that facilitates fun, discovery and of course great roleplaying. To do this GRWRPG will invest in people, materials and spaces. We are open to all over the age of 16, no matter race, gender, sexuality, religion or worldview. We are proud to have a diverse community
To Facilitate Discussions
Our second objective is to change people's perceptions of Christianity and the Christian worldview. The community was founded by Rev Jason Partridge, the founding Chaplin at Exilic Ministries. We dedicate 10 minutes of the night to a passage/theme in scripture explained. The aim is to inform and challenge.
All viewpoints are welcome at GWRPG; especially those that challenge Christianity. We ask only that members listen with an open mind. Opportunities to engage with ideas will be presented outside of our time together as a role-playing community. We believe a part of life as an adult is being able to articulate what you believe and understand what and why others around you think and feel differently. In doing so we promote diversity in an environment of mutual respect.
Core Values
The Golden Rule
Matthew 7:12 “12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
Jesus’ golden rule of loving others as we love ourselves is what guides our expectation of behaviours at GRWRPG. We ask members to show respect to each other, especially their dungeon masters (DM) / game masters (GM). We expect members to also follow the ordinances as expected by Australian Law.
We ask players to think “How do my actions affect my fellow group?”. Members who directly seek to undermine their group's dynamics will be warned by their DM/GM. If the behaviour continues, they are asked to join another table or leave the community completely. You can appeal to our founder Jason Partridge if you think you are being treated unfair (we are all prone to making bad judgements from time to time). Our expectation of behaviour is that players will have fun while respecting other players and their DM/GM.
Examples of behaviour that directly undermines group dynamics include:
1. Insulting, bullying, harassing or teasing other players; even within character if the other player is not comfortable and has made that known
2. Dominating the group discussions habitually and not listening to other players or the DM/GM
3. Refusing to take into consideration the group playing style. This will usually take the form of a demonstrable pattern of behaviour; for example
A. Being a murder hobo when the context does not facilitate
B. Being a one-man party, having to always be the star, not allowing others to take their turn
Examples of behaviour that does not undermine group dynamics include
A. Poor roleplaying, no one is a professional so act your heart out!
B. Making someone else feel uncomfortable and when it is respectfully pointed out (usually by your DM) ceasing the behaviour. This is being a great member of our community and is encouraged.
C. Conflict between player characters that are mutually explored (like a Dwarf and Elf hating each other or a player character having an unrequited love for another player’s character)
D. Difference in worldview or expression. Having respectful discussions that may bring to light our differences is expected and encouraged. Being disrespectful when doing so is not. This usually takes the form of bullying, harassment etc.
The Other Stuff
Safe Space?
We do not use the concept of a 'safe space' in our community as no space can be truly 'safe'. A more helpful ideal is the 'golden rule' which asks us to demonstrate our care and concern for each other as we build our community. We do acknowledge from time to time an event or situation may come up that results in the need for a complaint to be made either to your DM or to our founder Jason Partridge. Details of the complaint will be kept private unless the person making the complaint desires or is otherwise required by law to be reported to relevant authorities.
In the case where a person may cause someone unreasonable discomfort they will be asked privately by either the DM or our founder to stop the behaviour. If no subsequent change is observed then you may be asked to leave the community. The main factor in determining the reasonableness of someone's actions will be their intent. We encourage players to speak up even when they think a player's actions seem reasonable yet they are causing you discomfort. We presume that no one in our community wants to hurt others so we appreciate it when it is lovingly pointed out. Once a player is spoken to privately it is no longer reasonable for the conduct to continue.
Safety
A physically safe environment is ensured by using venues that comply with the local legislation of public venues. Before a venue is chosen for use consideration will be given to such things as accessibility, fire safety, food handling, and facilities on hand.
If you are playing online we do not accept any responsibility for the physical environment you are in. So if you need to clean your room, you probably should.
Support
Playing together each week will naturally form a community. We want to encourage this and desire GWRPG to be a place where players can express themselves and grow. From time to time we all will go through difficult periods in our lives. In such situations feel free to discuss with other players, your DM/GM or with Rev Jason Partridge. If needed there are many fantastic organisations we can point you to for additional support.
Complaints
We will do our best to create an environment that facilitates great role-playing. At times there will be issues that need to be addressed. Your first point of contact is your DM/GM. If the issue cannot be resolved, please speak with Rev Jason Partridge. Illegal activity should also be reported to the relevant authorities.
You are also encouraged to speak with the church office or Sydney Anglican Diocesan compliant lines. Reports of abuse can be made through http://safeministry.org.au; Phone: 1800 774 945
Privacy
We will only record the information we require to successfully facilitate our core objectives and may share it with third parties when it is necessary for play or organising an event. We will not sell your data or forward your details to our supporters. Photos of events may be used to promote our community on this website or our social media. Supporters like St Stephens Anglican Church are encouraged to advertise events at our gatherings and on our social media but they will not be given access to your data unless prior permission is given. Exilic Ministries may use unidentified stories and general photos from our community to promote the usefulness of this ministry.