Mentorship
Rules and Guidelines
Welcome! If you are reading this, you are likely either interested in becoming a mentor for new Restless in Portland players, or new to an existing venue/the troupe and looking for some help getting your bearings. If so, you’re in the right place! Please take a few minutes to read over this page.
Important Links
- List of Mentors/Mentees
- Mentor Program Form, where you can:
- Volunteer to be a mentor
- Request a mentor contact you
- Let us know about a mentor/mentee arrangement
Players within their first 6 months of playing in Restless In Portland are encouraged to find a mentor either by picking one from the List of Mentors/Mentees and contacting them, or by filling out the Mentor Program Form, whichever is more comfortable.
Role Expectations
Mentorship: If you mentor a new or returning player to help them to get up to speed, learn and understand the system, get used to our groups play style, the XP system, and general environment you can earn 5 VP per month for the first 6 months they are playing. This mentor relationship must be confirmed with the Lead ST and Admin, and either party may check with the mentee at any time to ensure you are still being helpful. NOTE: Mentors must be approved by the ST/Player Advocate team.
Restless in Portland Charter
In other words, the mentor/mentee relationship is a mutually beneficial social connection with a firm end date. During this time, mentors and mentees are expected to be communicating frequently – it’s not a one-and-done situation!
Mentor
Typical tasks of a mentor include:
- Helping at character creation by discussing concepts, current plot hooks, and general troupe play style
- Helping to introduce the player OOC to other players in the venue
- Ensuring that the game has a welcoming, inclusive environment
- Answering questions, or directing the mentee to the correct person to answer a question if they do not know the answer
You can identify an approved Mentor on Discord by a 
icon next to their name.
In the event the Mentor is a Storyteller for one of the troupe’s game, that game’s symbol may show up instead, in which case you can click on their username to see if they have the Mentor role listed.
Mentee
Mentees also have responsibilities within the mentor/mentee relationship. Mentees should advocate for their own needs and interests in the relationship, including:
- Asking relevant questions
- Participating in games
- Bringing enthusiasm and a willingness to learn
- Making your own fun – the STs love working with player plots!
Ending the Mentor/Mentee Relationship
Please note that the mentor/mentee relationship can be dissolved by either party at any time, for any reason. A mentee might be satisfied and no longer need a mentor, or a mentor might not have the bandwidth to take on a mentee due to an increase in responsibilities elsewhere in their life. Sometimes people just don’t mesh, or a mentee might develop a relationship with another player who fits their playstyle better. It’s OK, and nobody will be upset about this. Just let staff know if there’s any sort of event that precipitated the dissolution of the relationship if it is something that should be investigated as per the charter.
After a new player has been active for 6 months, they are generally no longer considered a mentee, and thus a mentor/mentee relationship naturally dissolves at 6 months. That said, mentors are always available for help, and informal dynamics are encouraged to continue for a player’s entire time in the troupe. We are always learning, after all!
Other Items of Note
If at any time a mentor or mentee is made uncomfortable due to the actions of the other party, please report this to the player advocates or an ST. The charter outlines several items worthy of investigation, including the following paragraph on harassment:
Harassment of any kind will not be tolerated, this includes between players and officers to players and can apply to in character interactions as well.The following will be considered harassment: physical or verbal threats; unwelcome attention; stalking; pushing, shoving, or use of physical force; behavior that creates a disturbance or is dangerous, including lewd or generally offensive behavior or language; using sexually explicit or offensive language or conduct; excessive profanity; obscene gestures; use of racial, religious, sexual, gender, ability, or ethnic slurs.
Finally, we are here to have a good time, so if you aren’t having fun – talk to your mentor, your fellow players, and the STs!