The Jingle Jangle of Larp Banks

Some people lately have been discussing Larp banks as of late and one or two people have asked why WAR uses a bank system.  For those of you unfamiliar with it, the bank system functions like this: plot puts out coins, typically with a unique stamp on them (copper, silver, gold, etc. and they are colored to match their name).  Players collect the in-game currency throughout the duration of the event and then hand it in at the end of the event.  The coin can be used for all sorts of things in-game.  Once they hand it in, it gets added to their character sheet or "bank."  Players can take out up to 100 gold at check-in. 

Why do we have a bank rather than just letting players keep their coin?
The main reason to have a bank is to save the chapter money and to help keep event prices low.  Coins can get pretty expensive.  Besides the camps, coin is probably the other top expense.  With a bank, we only have to order every couple of years.  Players aren't able to make every event, they lose coin, it disappears in to the nether.  It also lets us keep a decent idea of what money people have in-game, which can be important to certain plot lines and recognizing we are handing out too much/not enough.

But, but, it doesn't make sense....where is it going "in-game"? 
The simplest answer is literally an in-game bank set up by the guild.  It makes sense, adventurers can't simply go and "bury" their lootz in the woods.  It isn't the real world.  And it's campsite, so actually burying all your stuff probably isn't a good idea.

What if a player wants more than 100 gold? 
If players need more than 100 gold during the duration of the event - say they make a large purchase in-game, etc.  they can simply talk to someone at the "bank." It can be marked on your sheet for easier transactions or we can give you more if you need it for something in particular.  We aren't being a-holes about it - we just need enough to continue putting out treasure and such.

I pay to play the game, doesn't that mean that the coin I get is mine? 
In a nutshell, no.  It's a prop that we use throughout the game to help make it more enjoyable and add a fun feel to the atmosphere.  The treasure box you get on a mod gets returned at some point during the event.  You find an NPC weapon, you return it.  It doesn't go in to your loot box.  Think of going to the Harry Potter Experience.  You pay money, they give you a rob and wand to use that you return at the end of the experience.  If you don't, you get charged more :-)

Why not use paper money instead? It's cheaper! And players can keep it.
Well, there are a couple of reasons.  Paper money is easier to replicate.  It DOES get expensive if you are printing in color.  It doesn't hold up as well, and frankly isn't as cool.   

In the end it is the individual chapter/Larp's decision.  What do you think? Is the bank really that big a deal? Would you be willing to pay $5.00 more an event to keep coin?

Mythodea

Advertising is super important in the Larp world - giving an accurate and exciting view of the various games that we all love to play.

There's nothing worse than a bad Youtube video to send the hordes giggles and laughing in the other direction.

One group that does it right is Conquest (Mythodea).  I actually got chills watching it.  Although, I do have to say, I have no idea how the lady kept her dress up in the one scene.  Lot's of theatrical placing of duct tape?

Keep in mind that while it looks awesome, there's some pretty good editing in there.  Great shots of people in full-on costume.  A creepy overvoice.  And maybe best of all the use of real camera equipment.  It doesn't look like it was filmed in a backyard.  It looks professional.

Anyone up for Mythodea at some point soon? :-)

10,000 Hits?

Hi everyone!

So the blog seems to be doing pretty okay.  We're over 2, 000 hits at the moment.  I thought it might be fun to offer a small prop for some lucky person at 10, 000 hits.  When we reach 10, 000 I'll announce a lucky winner.  It'll be completely random.  I'm sure my genius engineer of a husband can figure out a way to make that happen.  If you live overseas, you'll have to pay shipping, otherwise, I'll suck it up and pay for it, or if you play a our game/close game we'll figure out a way to get it to you.  All you have to do is enter by sending an email here.  If you don't play our game or I won't know who you are, include something about a character or character concept so I can try to actually make something you'll like.

So what kind of prop prize am I talking about?

Nothing gigantic.  It will be usable across genre most likely.  Something made out of Fema Clay perhaps? A leather mask? Maybe a cool poem with filigree? A neat Wand rep?

Just a small thank you to our loyal readers for popping over every day! :-)

Not sure yet - what would YOU like to see as the giveaway prize? 

Wear Your 37 Pieces of Flair

One of the biggest issues we tend to run into as far as LARPing in the US (at least here in Ohio), is that many people don't take pride in their costume.  Often, people will do what's required in order to meet certain requirements, but going above and beyond is rarer.  If you take a look at our LARP brethren overseas, it seems as if this mentality is a little less dominant.  But I think I've figured out the reason behind this.  And it can be explained with the movie Office Space.