Packets: Not All are Created Equal

One of the big differences as a player transitioning into an Accelerant game, is packet construction.

For those of the uninitiated, many Larps use spell packets to represent hurling spells.  These are not entirely unlike the flags that are used by referees in football.  The construction is designed to allow for them to travel a good distance, be fairly safe, and to be easy to transport.  Some games that are less concerned about transportation instead use spell balls, that have about the same weight and size of a tennis ball, but that's a totally different story.

In many Larps, we're also concerned about biodegradability, since we're often using them on boyscout camps, and no matter what you do, you're going to lose some and you don't want them to be a burden.  So the primary component is birdseed.

But that's where similarities end.

So, in NERO and many other games, these are the only rules.  As such, the meta has evolved to the point where power players have designed the packet to be as powerful as possible.  This means that players pack the birdseed extremely tight and cut the tails to allow the greatest accuracy and distance as possible.  But the trade off is that the packets are more dangerous.

I know I got a chuckle out of a few there.  But seriously, a well packed birdseed packet can do (and has done) serious eye damage.

To counter this, Accelerant actually has a rule regarding how tightly packed a packet can be.  Specifically, the cloth needs to be a little stretchy, and you need to be able to almost touch your fingers together if you pinch a packet between them.  This may lower the effective distance, but it does a great deal towards protecting players' eyes (and minimizing game downtime, a major goal of Accelerant).

I'm sure it will take players some getting used to, but it's a transition that needs to be made.  Your eyes will thank you for it!

The Great Human Debate

I'm a member of C.A.S.T.L.E's facebook group (the newest Larp in Cinci, OH) and there is a bit of discussion going about the Human race/culture group.  It got me to thinking about the advantages/disadvantages of playing a human and thought I would bring it up here.

There are some distinct benefits to playing a human -
1. There aren't any make-up or prosthetic requirements.
2. It's easier to "put it together" I think costuming wise.  You can wear any period-style clothing and still fit in, which is super nice.
3. It's great for newer players coming to check out the game.
4. No (typically) culture/race disadvantage (double for x skill, for example). 

Disadvantages -
1. Many games don't include a racial/culture benefit for playing a human.
2. While we play in Human lands (typically), a lot of times plot teams revolve certain plot around racial packages and such, and it can leave the Human culture players feeling a bit left out.
3. There's definitely a stigma surrounding playing a Human in many Larps.

Animals and Larp

Animals in Larp.  Not the fake bears, or plushy beanie babies people have become akin to, but real live breathing animals.

Many larps do not allow animals for a variety of reasons - insurance, safety, possibility of getting mauled by a rampaging horse/dog/cat/bird.

But a number of Larps do allow PC's to bring animals.  I googled it and was surprised by the variety of dogs, ferrets (yes ferrets), horses, and birds that you can find coming to events with their human companions.  They can add tremendously to the ingame atmosphere of almost any game.

BUT.

Is it worth it?

Boarding animals to attend a Larp event can get pretty pricey.  Boarding my two dogs runs about $80.00 an event.  Some friends of ours have three large dogs and it is WAY pricey.  Luckily, mine are small and yappy, which apparently equates to cheap boarding.  

I've brought my dogs to Exiles before and it wasn't an issue.  I was worried about them running off and boy were they barkie, especially during combat, because they were so excited.

They can, very much, add to the ingame atmosphere.  Have a game with Familiars? Totally rad.

Maybe it is just my old age, but I'm terrified of having animals at Larp and them getting hurt/hurting someone.  In the end, I'd rather throw the extra bucks and board them.

In the case of my yappy yappy dogs, they come back exhausted from playing all weekend.  I get the added bonus that I missed them and am happy to have them back - for the 45 seconds it takes before they go insanely barking at the passersby outside. :-)

What do you think? Should animals be allowed at Larp? Case by case?  

Nearly 7500 Hits and Counting!

Hi guys! First, thanks for all the support.  It's been a great 2 months.  So far, we've had nearly 7500 hits and still going strong.

One of the reasons we started this blog was to help promote some cross-larp community whatnot.  We've reviewed/written about a number of different Larps, but would very much like to get some more involved!  Read C.A.S.T.L.E. (wrote C.A.S.T.L.E)?  New Nero chapter owner/player? Play Heroic/Amtgard? Etc.  We'd LOVE to get you to do a guest post for us.  Please don't hesitate to contact us.  If you are a little unsure, we can walk you through the process and help you choose a topic.

Also, we haven't had any giant fights.  People have discussed things like *gasp* rational human beings! Kudos!

This post also serves as a reminder that at 10,000 hits we will be giving away a nifty, hand-made item of some sorts.  My guess is that it is going to be a leather mask.  Want dat shite? Then send us an email here to enter.  We have quite a few entries so far.  We'll ship in the U.S.  Outside, you get to pay :-)

Thanks guys!

Creepies and Crawlies....

Alright, boys and girls.  Get ready for a horrifying blog post about bugs and plants of Larp.  This is mainly focused on the Ohio region and some things to watch out for.  As I was researching and googling, I had to stop because I felt all creepy crawly.  ICK.


But, it's always good to know what to look out for.  I was surprised on the information I found regarding spiders and ticks.  I didn't do snakes.  Why? Because if you see one, avoid it.  If you mess with one and you get bit, I'll laugh at you. Seriously.  If you don't see one and get bit, go to a hospital. Seriously.  That's the section on snakes. :-) 
 
Note: I am not a doctor.  I got this information from various (seemingly) legitimate websites from the state and various organizations.  


So, if you want to get some tips for the creepy crawlies and itchies, read on, brave adventurer!

YouTube Friday

A lot of people associate different songs with different cultures/races across the genres.  I've worked a lot with the Erlunn (now Ra'hanaen since The Shattering) and I always think of Enya when people traveled within the Forest of Shadows once.  Even used this song once for an Elven funeral taking place further in the wood from where the PC's were.

Also, totally ridiculous cheesy picture for the video.  Bonus!

What songs do you associate with different Larp cultures and races?  It can be a song that you could actually play at an event (would love to see some of these!) or just a "theme" song for the Larp race/culture.

Anti-Nero/Game Rhetoric...

Lately I've noticed a marked increase in the anti-nero rhetoric.  And it is pretty vehement.  Quite a few people have mentioned, numerous times, how much they hate the rules, hate Joseph Valenti, hate the plotlines, lack of immersion, etc.  Sometimes it is loud and very vocalized.

I'd like to throw out there that you don't have to like Nero, you don't have to like Joseph Valenti, but we should remember that a lot of us travel in the same circles and quite a few still play Nero.  I think sometimes we forget that and it can lead to a lot of hurt feelings.

While WAR left Nero for a number of reasons, that does not mean that we hate Nero or its rules set.  We saw an opportunity to be involved in a different kind of game and took advantage of it.  We may have had our differences with the National organization for Nero, but that doesn't mean that dislike the chapters still running, their owners, or their players.  A lot of our players still play Nero and I wish them great times and wonderful events.

Players, owners, etc. can have issues with Nero and National, but still provide constructive criticism.  We don't have to be venomous or bullying, or purposefully try to make people feel bad for playing the Larp of their choice.

Really, quite a few of the posts and whatnot that I have read over the past several months go beyond trolololol'ing and in to the realm of being mean for mean's sake.  I was pretty astounded at some of the stuff I read.  If it were directed at me or a game I was running, I would be totally devastated.  

And while I may have focused on Nero for this particular post and topic, because that's what I have heard the most of lately.  Though it isn't limited to that.  Different Larps have different styles of game play and not every Larp is for everyone.  There are some Larps that I have absolutely no interest in going to, because I like a particular style of game or genre, but that doesn't mean that it isn't other peoples golden unicorn of Larps.

Again, this isn't just about Nero.  There are a lot of Larps that have recently started and people tend to get pretty anxious right out of the gate, understandable, but remember that remaining and phrasing questions or concerns in a positive manner can get much more accomplished. 

Not to mention all the volunteers that donate time, money, and energy to running the game.  So why not avoid making people feel bad?  There's a difference, again, between offering actual constructive criticism and being a jerk about it.   

Have I lost my cool and totally ranted my head off before about a Larp? Hells ya.  Many times.  I try very hard not to do it in public and I never do it on the internet.  I am very emotionally connected to Larp.  I put a tremendous amount of effort in to it.  So I take some stuff that happens personally.  But I recognize, too, that sarcasm and hostile posts will only serve to make the "fire" of the situation worse.  Having a calm and measured discourse, listing out specific points/likes/dislikes is MUCH more likely to be received in a more positive light and mayhaps action will be taken.  If it isn't, well, not too much you can do.  Being a total d-bag though solves nothing.  It makes people totally ignore you and everything you have to say is totally wasted - even when you might have valid points.

In the end, respect and restraint can go an awful long way and win you quite a few supporters. 

What do you think? How do you handle the situation when you seriously disagree with the management of a Larp/rules of a Larp/etc.?