New player info

Never played a LARP before? Start here. This page covers what to do before your first event and the handful of rules everyone needs on the field.

If you are not sure what LARP is yet, read the About page first.

Before your first event

  1. Read the rulebook

    The rulebook is free. Read the opening chapters, then your own class in detail. It also helps to read the social skills of the other classes so you know what they do when someone uses one on you.

  2. Make your character

    Choose a world, a backstory, a class and a race. The About page walks through it.

  3. Put together a costume

    Dress for your world: medieval or renaissance for Aurelia, Victorian for Brasshaven, modern clothing for Helios 3. Make sure you can move in it.

  4. Get a weapon, spell packets, or both

    See the next section.

  5. Print your character sheet

    Each class has a sheet near the back of the rulebook. Fill in your name and details and bring it to every game.

Weapons and spell packets

All weapons must be foam or latex LARP weapons, and they must pass a safety inspection before you can use them. A sword is the usual choice, but an axe, a mace or a staff is fine. Plan to spend at least $50. Cheaper weapons are not made as well and may not pass inspection.

The rulebook recommends B3 Armory for foam boffer weapons and Dark Knight Armoury for latex.

  • No thrown or missile weapons, including foam bows and throwing knives. Spell packets are the only thing that can be thrown.
  • No live steel or metal weapons.
  • No real, toy or fake firearms.
  • Only Warriors can use shields. Only Warriors and Tricksters can fight with two weapons.

Making spell packets

Cut soft cloth into a square about 6 inches on a side. Put about two tablespoons of fine-grain bird seed in the center, with no big pieces. Pull the corners together as tightly as you can and wrap them with a rubber band. The finished packet should be about an inch across.

Rules to know on the field

Out of game
Raise one or both hands above your head to show you are not currently in game, for instance to ask a rules question.
Hold
Anyone can shout "HOLD" for an injury or emergency. Stop immediately, as safely as you can, and turn toward whoever called it. Play resumes on "3, 2, 1, game on!"
Light swings
Do not swing fast or hard. Swing about 45 degrees, aiming for a solid touch, and call your damage with each swing.
Off target
Never aim at the face, hands or crotch.
Honor system
You track your own hit points and acknowledge when you are hit.
Physical roleplay
Ask first: "Can I get permission to physical roleplay?" The same goes for showing intense emotion at another character.
Decline
If a social skill used on you makes you uncomfortable as a player, you can say "decline."
Phones
Put them away while playing and do not record others. Save photos for the very end of the night, after the social period.
Conduct
Harassment, cheating and playing intoxicated violate the code of conduct. Bring any misunderstanding to a Game Master.

At your first event

You will check in your character with the Game Masters, who record your attendance, and you will sign a safety and liability waiver. The Game Masters are usually introduced before the game begins. New players are welcome to ask questions of them and of experienced players all night.

You must be 18 or older to play.

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