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!

Organization in an NPC Shack

Most of the people involved in a Larp are creative in one way or another.  We put a lot of attention in to our props, plots, rp, and costuming whenever possible.  One of the things that can....well....slide by is organization within the NPC shack.

It's boring.  It's a bit of work.  And there is always something better (and more fun) to do.

However, prepping before your Larp season begins and brainstorming some ways to keep your shack organized can make the event go WAY smoother and lessen a heck of a lot of stress.  Here are some tips for getting the shack organized - and keeping it organized.

1. Have a logistics table - Have a table dedicated just to logistics.  This is where your computers, printers, cutting board, scissors, pens, pencils, and production hangs out.  Any necessary forms for check-in should be organized in a binder on this table, too (legal release, production forms, High Magic records, cheat sheets, etc.).  Binders are essential for organizing all your forms and sheets, otherwise they will end up scattered all over the table and you'll have to reprint them.  A good production box, with pre-printed tags, can be really, really helpful, too.  It makes check-in go smoother, especially for late arrivals.  Keeping this table clean is a must.  You won't be able to find what you need and it will just make more work for you after the event.

2. Have a plot table - I have a ton of personal stuff that I have purchased that I bring to events.  Heck, this year I have a bin AND an organized drawer pull-out thing full of stuff.  The plot table is really, really a must.  NO ONE should be at the plot table except for the plot people and staff people.  Here, you'll find on one table (we have two :-) the following: monster cards (with a bin for people to drop their used cards in to, so they can be refiled in the monster card box); personal computers/electronics, and event treasure.  On the other are all the personal reps brought by plot/staff - masks, unique items and treasure, plot sheets, mod sheets, the timetable for the event, etc.  This keeps stuff from getting all mixed in with the regular NPC wreckage and it's important to remind people to return stuff from where they got it.  It's why we can have nice things. 

3. Monster Card Box: with a box to put used monster cards.  Let's you find cards easier and it keeps stuff from getting randomly shoved all over the shack.  It helps get monsters out way faster, too.

4. The Even Timetable: We instituted this at Lumberton last year, and wow, did it make a difference.  For three plot meetings leading up to an event we divide the event in to chunks and figure out what goes where when.  It lets us all see what the other is doing, tweak one another's ideas/add stuff, and see if we have a "hole" during the event that needs to be filled.  It also lets us see how much rp vs. combat we have when and lets us adjust as necessary.  It also helps keep us on track at the event, especially when we are tired and a bit brain dead.  Just look at the sheet!  And finally, it lets us clearly see who is getting plot/spread it around, to make sure everyone gets involved in some way.

5. Costuming Table/Make-Up Table/Prop Table: It's important, too, to have the NPC costuming and props have a specific area.  NPC's can return what they use to the general area.  Helps keep the shack from spiraling in to "where did that one thing go?" and tearing through 20 boxes looking for it.

6. NPC Speech: I highly recommend an NPC speech at the beginning of the event.  Just a little 15 minute speech.  Remind NPC's they aren't there to kill PC's, but to have a good time and give others a good time.  Remind them about the importance of staying ingame, roleplaying their parts, having a goal whenever they leave the shack, make-up/costuming, etc.  And to have a good time themselves!  It's also a great time to remind them of any issues (like effects that were misplayed the season before).  A lot of times it is easy to forget that NPC's are there, busting their ass, for you and the players.  A lot of the focus is on the PC's for the event.  As a plot person it is your job to remember that they are there to have fun, too.  Having an NPC speech lets you take a minute and see who is actually there NPC'ing for you, to thank them and show you appreciate them.  It lets you communicate they are important.  Why have a PC speech to remind everyone playing and then not do the same for NPC's and expect them to just know it?

7.  Keep It Clean:  NPC's will need a break from constantly going out.  They tirelessly role out of the shack and sometimes really need just a minute.  No problem!  Let them grab a drink, sit down, and relax.  Once they chill for a second, ask (nicely) if they wouldn't mind putting monster cards back in to the box, picking up the production table, etc.  Something they can do while sitting, relaxing, and chatting.  Helps keep things clean and organized for Sunday morning and the final Saturday night push.

8. Placement: One of the most important things is to get stuff where it goes.  There's nothing more frustrating then when my stuff ends up all over the shack.  I can't find anything and it creates unnecessary lags.  I know other plot/staff/npc's have mentioned this time and time again.

9. Monster Card Creation: Have your monsters printed/drawn up ahead of time.  It will save a huge amount of time during the event if you don't have to mess with it.  Taking 30 minutes to get your cards printed or drawn up is a massive waste of time.  Everyone is guilty of it, but if you can do it beforehand, do it.  You'll be amazed at how much faster stuff gets out when you do!

What do you do to help keep your shack organized? Do you find it helps the events run a bit smoother?

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? :-)

YouTube Friday - WOW Funeral and Griefers

So, this video circulated a while back.  After talking with a few friends, I realized that some of them hadn't seen this video before.  We watched it, of course, and had a moment of laughing - cause we're terrible people.  Couldn't help it.  It was so bizarre and odd it was funny.

The music is perfect, the beginning is a tad long....basically, a girl that played WOW (World of Warcraft) died in real life.  Rumor has it (completely unconfirmed) that she played too much WOW and had a stroke.  Urban myth? Who knows.  It's terrible that she passed away.  As tribute, a bunch of people ingame got together and WOW put an Avatar of her character in to game for them to pay their "respects." In an act of ultimate trolling, several guilds joined forces and, well, completely wrecked it.

However, it got me to thinking about Larp (imagine that) and griefing of players.  This guild, for all intents and purposes, got together and purposefully &*#$ up people's day - in a moment of solemnity - for the hell of it.  Super douche move.  I mean, really.  And it made me think of how people tend to do this in Larp, too.  They do something specifically to mess someone's day up - not because it follows what their characters would do, but because they think it is funny.  Why mess up someone else's moment for the heck of it? What do you get out of it? Just because they don't play the game the same way you do doesn't meant that it isn't without validity.  And you are basically getting a kick out of making someone else feel bad.

So, I pose the question to you - have you griefed other players for funsies? Is it a problem at Larp? And how should plot/owners/players handle the situation?

Also, see you tonight at Accelerant!

How to be a Good Noble

This post comes from the fact that our Noble group is currently working on the Laws for the Lumberton site.  One might think that it's pretty straight forward to come up with laws and be a noble, but it really requires a lot of forethought to be a GOOD noble.

The key is that you are a representative of your game.  Whether you are an owner or have any kind of share in the game, the people who put you in charge have entrusted you to maintain the fun of others in the game.  And I'm sure there are countless people who read this blog who can tell you story after story about bad nobles.  And I'd prefer to not be one.

1. Building Appropriate Laws
As I mentioned, we're designing laws for the town that we're nobles.  The point of our design was to limit making things illegal, sticking with the things that are illegal from a game world standpoint (like Necromancy or Undead) and things that take the fun away from others (Theft, Murder, Assault).  And when dealing with those laws, we rarely punish with Death on the first offense, and rarely will take away people's rights (tantamount to banishment.)  Death and Banishment have the ability to remove someone's ability to play the game from an OOG standpoint, which is why you want to avoid them, except for repeated or extreme crimes.

2. Helping the Town
I know that this seems like a no brainer, but as a noble, you should be increasing the fun of others.  Generally speaking, the game staff will give opportunities and resources to the nobility, because it makes sense in the game world and they have some trust in the nobility.  In response, nobles should be willing to pass mod hooks on to others, and even offer to pay people for work that needs to be done (as long as they can maintain the coffers.)  If plot gives you 100 gold for being a noble, you should really try to pass a huge chunk of that on to the rest.

3. Generally Being Nice
Another no brainer.  I understand that there are reasons for your character to be gruff or isolated from others.  Or even to be untrustworthy of certain people.  But that doesn't mean you can't use that as an opportunity to roleplay, rather than a reason to be mean to people.  As Mickey once said, even a bad guy can literally choose from hundreds of possible responses, so there's no reason to pull the most dickish one.  Even if your character doesn't like someone, you should go out of your way to make sure that you like them OOG.  That way, when the rubber meets the road, those people are more likely to have your back.

So there you have it.  Being a good noble in three easy steps.  Do you have any tips on being a good noble?  Drop them in the comments!

On Being Staff/NPC: Or, If You Can't Play Nice, Don't Show Up

We encourage guest posts from players and owners across the Larp genres.  They will not always express our views or fit every game. If you would like to do a guest spot, please email us here with your idea!  Beth Jurns has been Larping for several years and has served (and continues to do so) as a Staff person for WAR.  

After a year or so of regular LARPing, around that time when you're really feeling settled in your character and plot at your favorite camp, it's time to start thinking about volunteerism. If you enjoy LARP, one of the best possible things you can do is give your time to your game in the form of NPCing or staffing. Nearly all LARPs run on volunteer labor, and it's really crucial to understand that if you want to play an awesome game, you need to make an awesome game. Donations are fantastic and absolutely important, but a camp with a thousand dollars of donated goods and two NPCs might not be as thankful for your bulk order of printer paper as you hope they will. 

I began NPCing during my second year of play, and last year I became a staff member at a We Are Roleplayers camp. This year I will be filling a head of staff role there, and I've been thinking a lot about how to make myself and my team the most valuable group of NPCs we can possibly be. There are a few principles of NPC/Staffing at LARP events that I think are important to remember. 

No, wait, there's just one, but it covers everything you need to know about volunteering at a LARP.

Are you ready for this? It's going to get complicated. There will be sub-points and maybe even bulleted lists (I'm not sure, I'm still writing it), and lots of explanation, but there is one single, solitary phrase that will tell you everything you need to know about how to NPC or staff a LARP event.

Here it goes.

Be ready. It's coming up right here. I'm going to put it in bold and even underline it so you don't miss it. 

Just play it cool, guys.