In consideration of the Player's regrettable but occasionally unavoidable absence, the Game Master hereby extends Limited Narrative Indemnification Coverage (LNIC) to the absent Player Character ("the Covered Character") for the duration of the session.
While this policy remains in force, the Covered Character shall not be killed, permanently maimed, dismembered, enslaved, imprisoned, infected with irreversible plot diseases, transformed into a cyborg, uploaded into hostile software, possessed by extradimensional entities, married without informed consent, promoted to management, or otherwise subjected to any lasting alteration requiring paperwork upon the Player's return.
The Covered Character may, however, sustain reasonable and customary temporary injuries consistent with maintaining narrative credibility. Such injuries may include, but are not limited to: bruises, cuts, burns, mild radiation exposure, temporary unconsciousness, sprains, embarrassment, singed eyebrows, lost dignity, and other non-permanent inconveniences deemed necessary to preserve the illusion that they participated in dangerous events alongside the rest of the party. Recovery is assumed to occur by the beginning of the next session unless otherwise agreed by the Player.
This policy does not guarantee the safety of the Covered Character's equipment, vehicle, hat, reputation, ammunition supply, favorite snack, or any NPCs emotionally attached to them. Acts of dice and acts of Game Master are specifically excluded from property coverage.
Acceptance of this policy constitutes acknowledgement that the Covered Character was present, contributed heroically, and undoubtedly did something extremely impressive just off camera.
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See also: Petersen v. The Dungeon Master, 14 RPG 237 (1989), holding that "the involuntary death of a player character during the player's documented absence constitutes a narrative taking without due process, and is therefore arbitrary, capricious, and kind of a dick move." Subsequent decisions, including Miller v. Thursday Night Group, 3 SWADE App. 12 (2021) and In re Steve's Paladin, 88 F. Supp. (Tabletop) 404 (1997), have consistently upheld the doctrine of Off-Screen Narrative Immunity, while recognizing the Game Master's continuing authority to inflict cosmetic injuries, comedic indignities, and paperwork.
