There are a few different definitions of exploitation, but the one most relevant to these conversations would be: "The action or fact of taking advantage of something or someone in an unfair or unethical manner; utilization of something for one's own ends. Also: an instance of this." (OED).
Within the context of Tasha's, the phrase is all but certainly intended to mean sexual exploitation, which can include sexual harassment, sex slavery, prostitution, sexual assault, and other forms of sexual violence. This is probably the single most prevalent hard or soft limit one might have--studies point at some 81% of women and 43% of men experiencing some form of sexual harassment or assault in their lifetime--but is not covered by other line items in Tasha's list (slavery, for example, is also "exploitation"--but it receives its own entry on the list). Given its prevalence as a red line or trigger and the fact it is not otherwise covered, it stands to reason this is the definition Wizards clearly intended ("sex" is listed as its own line item, but that would cover consensual sex which many folks find kind of icky in game, and sexual exploitation is fundamentally different and is such a big trigger that it necessitates its own listing).
I’d generally agree with Caerwyn’s take that it’s trying to imply something sexual. Though I could also see things like child labor falling under exploitation. Also some abuses of power. But I think the more relevant conversation is how any individual table defines it, and if they are ok with whatever they come up with for a definition or not. I generally took that list as suggested conversation starters more than something definitive. Like a bit of a Rorschach test that you can call the various things how you like and no answer is “wrong.” Mostly to get people’s brains working in directions they might not otherwise. It gets especially relevant nowadays, since so many groups come together as strangers that form just to play, so they don’t know each other and their history. Rather than, say, a bunch of middle schoolers who are already friends and have known each other all their lives and so they already know which buttons they can get away with pushing and which to stay away from.
Actually, according to a paper released by the American CDC the figure for men having beed sexually assaulted by a woman is closer to 70% I’m not American so I don’t know how accurate they are but I do know they are a world level organisation and from my own medical background they do get a lot of respect.
I figured sex covered sexual exploitation (I read it as 'any situation in game related to sex,' not just consensual sex/relationships), and the separate line for exploitation covered blackmail type situations, but I think, on reflection, it could also cover both.
Actually, according to a paper released by the American CDC the figure for men having beed sexually assaulted by a woman is closer to 70% I’m not American so I don’t know how accurate they are but I do know they are a world level organisation and from my own medical background they do get a lot of respect.
I don't know about the whole "by women" part, but just in general, I can see it. I mean, I've got my own expieriences which tint my view, but it's a thing.
I think the point of setting hard and soft limits is really so a player doesn't need to get distracted / stressed about, "Oh snap, are we going there? I don't want to do that. Oh crud, I think we are... I think we are... oh thank God it's just a Monty Python reference!" Like that whole series of thoughts is bad for the game.
I remember a party I was at where we played some D&D started off with a bunch of us hanging out in an appartment on campus. We were trying to figure out what to do, and one person was like, "Let's watch ****!" And nobody shot it down. Another person was like, "Well... alright, I'm in." Then another person said, "Or D&D?" We played D&D. Later, it's 4am and the friend I was staying with and I are in her dorm room talking about how much she was freaking out in her head because of the direction the night was going. Like, I took it as a joke, but then nobody shot it down, and people became the okay with it. When it comes to non-generic murder hoboing, those lines can sneak up on you FAST.
That is a very good question but one that you really should ask the people you play with. You will probably get a bunch of different answers here and those might be fine and all but if the answers here differ from the answers your fellow players might give then they might not be very helpful.
I say discuss with your players and go from there. I’m running the old Slavelords series from 1e adapted to 5e. I told the group up front they will see lots of slaves including kids and all the really bad stuff associated with it. I told them that we all know it’s a terrible thing, you’re out to get the folks that are doing it but that I wasn’t going to describe the horrible conditions and situations. They’re all adults with imagination so they can picture it. But I wouldn’t run it the same way (or really at all) if the group didn’t have a lot of trust with each other or in me or were younger and less experienced.
I wouldn't get hung over about this, it is an example of an incomplete list. Things like slavery and violence towards children and animals can be decribed as exploitation but they are mentioned seperately. The rogue unlocking a box and finding a valuable diamond and using his (extremely high) slight of hand to pocket it and keep it for themselves is also a form of exploitation.
The discussion should include all hard and soft limits that the group should have not just those that can fit into the example list given. What the limits are on PVP should definately be included. A high charisma character being able to persuade the rest of the party to do what they want is taking away other players agency, having a PC steal from another member of the party is completely unacceptable in many groups. I am not sure if they go under exploitation but these sorts of things need to be included in session 0.
In TCoE’s Session Zero section
Listed are some examples for the Hard & Soft Limits
How would you define “Exploitation”? 🤔
There are a few different definitions of exploitation, but the one most relevant to these conversations would be: "The action or fact of taking advantage of something or someone in an unfair or unethical manner; utilization of something for one's own ends. Also: an instance of this." (OED).
Within the context of Tasha's, the phrase is all but certainly intended to mean sexual exploitation, which can include sexual harassment, sex slavery, prostitution, sexual assault, and other forms of sexual violence. This is probably the single most prevalent hard or soft limit one might have--studies point at some 81% of women and 43% of men experiencing some form of sexual harassment or assault in their lifetime--but is not covered by other line items in Tasha's list (slavery, for example, is also "exploitation"--but it receives its own entry on the list). Given its prevalence as a red line or trigger and the fact it is not otherwise covered, it stands to reason this is the definition Wizards clearly intended ("sex" is listed as its own line item, but that would cover consensual sex which many folks find kind of icky in game, and sexual exploitation is fundamentally different and is such a big trigger that it necessitates its own listing).
I’d generally agree with Caerwyn’s take that it’s trying to imply something sexual. Though I could also see things like child labor falling under exploitation. Also some abuses of power.
But I think the more relevant conversation is how any individual table defines it, and if they are ok with whatever they come up with for a definition or not. I generally took that list as suggested conversation starters more than something definitive. Like a bit of a Rorschach test that you can call the various things how you like and no answer is “wrong.” Mostly to get people’s brains working in directions they might not otherwise.
It gets especially relevant nowadays, since so many groups come together as strangers that form just to play, so they don’t know each other and their history. Rather than, say, a bunch of middle schoolers who are already friends and have known each other all their lives and so they already know which buttons they can get away with pushing and which to stay away from.
Actually, according to a paper released by the American CDC the figure for men having beed sexually assaulted by a woman is closer to 70% I’m not American so I don’t know how accurate they are but I do know they are a world level organisation and from my own medical background they do get a lot of respect.
I figured sex covered sexual exploitation (I read it as 'any situation in game related to sex,' not just consensual sex/relationships), and the separate line for exploitation covered blackmail type situations, but I think, on reflection, it could also cover both.
Birgit | Shifter | Sorcerer | Dragonlords
Shayone | Hobgoblin | Sorcerer | Netherdeep
I don't know about the whole "by women" part, but just in general, I can see it. I mean, I've got my own expieriences which tint my view, but it's a thing.
I think the point of setting hard and soft limits is really so a player doesn't need to get distracted / stressed about, "Oh snap, are we going there? I don't want to do that. Oh crud, I think we are... I think we are... oh thank God it's just a Monty Python reference!" Like that whole series of thoughts is bad for the game.
I remember a party I was at where we played some D&D started off with a bunch of us hanging out in an appartment on campus. We were trying to figure out what to do, and one person was like, "Let's watch ****!" And nobody shot it down. Another person was like, "Well... alright, I'm in." Then another person said, "Or D&D?" We played D&D. Later, it's 4am and the friend I was staying with and I are in her dorm room talking about how much she was freaking out in her head because of the direction the night was going. Like, I took it as a joke, but then nobody shot it down, and people became the okay with it. When it comes to non-generic murder hoboing, those lines can sneak up on you FAST.
That is a very good question but one that you really should ask the people you play with. You will probably get a bunch of different answers here and those might be fine and all but if the answers here differ from the answers your fellow players might give then they might not be very helpful.
I say discuss with your players and go from there. I’m running the old Slavelords series from 1e adapted to 5e. I told the group up front they will see lots of slaves including kids and all the really bad stuff associated with it. I told them that we all know it’s a terrible thing, you’re out to get the folks that are doing it but that I wasn’t going to describe the horrible conditions and situations. They’re all adults with imagination so they can picture it. But I wouldn’t run it the same way (or really at all) if the group didn’t have a lot of trust with each other or in me or were younger and less experienced.
It could also be referring to cultural exploitation, themes of colonialism, etc. It's probably left vague to cover more ground.
I wouldn't get hung over about this, it is an example of an incomplete list. Things like slavery and violence towards children and animals can be decribed as exploitation but they are mentioned seperately. The rogue unlocking a box and finding a valuable diamond and using his (extremely high) slight of hand to pocket it and keep it for themselves is also a form of exploitation.
The discussion should include all hard and soft limits that the group should have not just those that can fit into the example list given. What the limits are on PVP should definately be included. A high charisma character being able to persuade the rest of the party to do what they want is taking away other players agency, having a PC steal from another member of the party is completely unacceptable in many groups. I am not sure if they go under exploitation but these sorts of things need to be included in session 0.
This is really helpful in figuring out what my own hard and soft limits are, and exploitation is definitely one of them. Thank you.
I really like D&D, especially Ravenloft, Exandria and the Upside Down from Stranger Things. My pronouns are she/they (genderfae).