Roleplaying Guide; What to expect...
Live Action Role Play is a hobby that encompasses many different styles of play, as well as many different themes and plot types.
We tend to find that people have more fun if they get really immersed in the in-game world. So, we try to remove anything that could detract from that world; How many of you found Ben Hur Spoilt because of the gold rolexes....
We have taken some care to avoid a game-play mechanic that is based around “verbals” or yelling out to let people know what the effects of an ability or weapon are, as some systems do. This is why our systems and events are “low fantasy” and “low hit”. Systems with combat magic abilities and a “high hit” wound system tend to involve a myriad of damage calls, and effects calls that can get quite confusing and (we believe) detract from the game. (“You! Yes, You! With the Blue Shirt! Triple through! No, That means Fall Over!”) This is why the game mechanics (particularly the wound mechanics) are generally quite simple. However, we do find that in some cases calls are necessary, which is why we still have some.
In short, the events are much more enjoyable if everyone gets immersed in their characters and the world, and so we offer a few guidelines to help with this. Hopefully this should give you an idea of what we think the experience should be like!
If in doubt, role-play it!
There will be times when rules and so on don’t cover it. In such situations, try to act as your character would, and go with it. It'll all be OK, we promise...!
If you get hit, act like it hurt!
Our combat/wound systems are designed to be really simple, but we appreciate that in the thick of it it is still sometimes confusing. The main thing is, all hits hurt to a certain extent, (even those which fall on armour). If you have an ability that allows you to ignore a hit, then act as if it threw you off balance, stagger, gasp, etc. There is nothing more annoying than someone who seems to carry on regardless of how many times they get hit.
Armour: WYSIWYG
Carrying on with armour: if a blow falls on the armour (or it’s phys rep) then it counts as a blow on the armour. If it goes through a gap, or lands on a part that is not covered (even if most of the rest of that body part is covered), then it counts as a blow to the bare flesh. Also, while head shots are not encouraged, a blow that accidentally lands on the head still counts; if you’re not wearing a helmet, it’s not armoured....
N.B. There are exceptions to this, but these will be explained if needed...Character Deaths - They Happen!
Characters have a real chance of dying. This adds a sense of risk in to combat, and helps keep combat decisions rational.
Character Embellishments are good
Adding to your character, (detailed backgrounds, personal props, and so on) is great; we encourage it! In fact, in Fate’s Dawn, such things can actually aid your character’s progress via additional HP. If you have any questions, please email, and we can help!
On LARP Weapons
LARP weapons are a lot lighter than their real counterparts; some things are possible with LARP weapons that are not with real weapons, such as “Drumrolling” your weapon on someone for multiple hits. This is not encouraged; it doesn’t improve anyone’s game. Please treat your weapon as if it were the real thing; Broadswords are generally used with large sweeping blows, not “taps” like fencing foils. That said, there are some very effective and advanced techniques that are possible with broadsword; we can go on for hours if asked!
Stab Safe - a good thing: While LARP weapons are generally safe, in the event of a thrust, there is a possibility that the “core” (the fibreglass rod at the centre of most weapons) can penetrate the foam covering, and in a worst case, the person you’ve just stabbed. Thrusting is, for this reason, not generally allowed.
However, some of the LARP weapons we use are “Stab Safe”. This means that they are constructed in a manner that means that if used for the stab, the core of the weapon is not able to penetrate the foam around it. In this case, we allow thrusting with these weapons, as long as safety checked.
If there is any doubt over whether a weapon is “Stab Safe” then do not thrust with it.
Shields: We have LARP Shields as well; these are surprisingly resilient. We allow shields to be used in a mobile defence (moving the shield to block blows, and so on). However, we do not allow shields to be used in an aggressive manner (using the shield as a blunt weapon). Shield to shield contact is allowed however, as are “shield walls”. Please bear in mind however, that there is a large mass of rather solid stuff attached to every shield; the person!
Bows, Crossbows and Arrows: We allow the use of ranged weapons within our games. Some points:
- Bows and Crossbows should be below 30lb draw weight. They should, like all weapons, be in good condition and checked before use in game.
- Both “Flat Head” foam tipped arrows and IDV type arrows are allowed. Please bear in mind IDV arrows should only be drawn to to the mark; overdrawing makes the arrows hit much harder, and over-stresses bows.
- If at a range of 5 yards or less, please do not loose arrows at a target, drop the arrow and call “point blank”. This is for safety reasons
- Arrows are expensive. Please move them out the way to avoid treading on them, and breaking them.
- The yell “Man Down” is an Out of Character call used in case of injury. In the event this is called, please stop whatever you are doing immediately, and seek a ref’s assistance.
- Refs and Crew sometimes need to be present, but not IC (if supervising a ref call or so on). In this case, they will raise their left hand, palm open. In this case, act as if they aren’t there from your character’s point of view.
- Areas such as the Car Park are OOC. Even if in costume, players in this area are assumed to be OOC.
- Anyone sleeping at night (even in IC areas) is assumed to be OOC. Dying in your sleep sucks, and isn’t fun.
- Anyone in/on the way to the toilet facilities is generally considered OOC. Dying on the loo sucks, and isn’t fun.
- Certain events are difficult to represent in reality (e.g. Lockpicking, shattering of items, and so on). In these cases, a “Ref Call” is needed. A ref will sort out the resolution of the event with you (opening the chest you were picking the lock on, etc). We do not use props that are destructible as a rule; some of them are expensive, so please try not to break them!
In Character and Out Of Character
In our events, there will be some areas and events that are Out of Character (OOC). Most of the event will be In Character (IC).
Out of Character (OOC) Circumstances: