I live in Montana and you seem to be the only decently run LARP group within a reasonable distance. My only experiencing with LARPing is a handful of WOD events, which were fun but kind of lacking in participation. I was curious is it feasible to just read over the rules, schedule for a day and then just show up? Will I be able to grasp what is going on if I do that? I was also thinking playing an NPC would be easier, as I could just focus on the rules and how the game plays without having to create a character. Anyway, any advice would be appreciated. I'm pretty much in the dark because I never seem to know anyone that does table top or LARPing, except the few times I went with my brother to WOD stuff years ago and like 3 months of table top D&D before my group fell apart.
I was curious about your organization...
- Thread starter Jarsyl
- Start date
Admittedly, it can be a bit daunting to try to get involved in the story sometimes when you PC your first event... especially if you haven't written a background for your character. (Hint: write a background. If nothing else, it gives you more flesh to the character than the bones of the character sheet.)
However, whether you PC or NPC your first event, if you need help understanding a rule, you shouldn't hesitate to ask, "what does that do?" There's nothing wrong with it, and folks will generally give you a quick description so you can react appropriately.
That said, NPCing your first event is a great way to get your head around the rules without any of the worries that come with playing a character (such as costume, weapons, etc.) Monster camp will never turn down more NPCs, even new ones.
Now, NPCing can be just as hard as PCing, just in a different way. You end up getting run around a bit ragged, but it's usually worth it at the end of the weekend when you hear other players talking about the cool things that happened that you helped make happen.
Ultimately, it's up to you which you decide to do, but I'd like to reiterate that, regardless of whether you PC or NPC, no one's going to get mad at you for not knowing the rules your first game out. People will want you to have as much fun as they are, and will do their best to help that happen.
The rulebook is pretty straight forward on I'd say 90% of the rules. (The other 10% is open to debate/waiting for official ruling from the Alliance Rules Committee.) I'd recommend at least getting the digital copy and reading it over before attending a game. There's a lot to assimilate in it and if you show up at your first game even knowing a third of the rules you'll be fairly well ready to just start playing.
If you have any more questions, by all means, keep asking.
However, whether you PC or NPC your first event, if you need help understanding a rule, you shouldn't hesitate to ask, "what does that do?" There's nothing wrong with it, and folks will generally give you a quick description so you can react appropriately.
That said, NPCing your first event is a great way to get your head around the rules without any of the worries that come with playing a character (such as costume, weapons, etc.) Monster camp will never turn down more NPCs, even new ones.
Now, NPCing can be just as hard as PCing, just in a different way. You end up getting run around a bit ragged, but it's usually worth it at the end of the weekend when you hear other players talking about the cool things that happened that you helped make happen.
Ultimately, it's up to you which you decide to do, but I'd like to reiterate that, regardless of whether you PC or NPC, no one's going to get mad at you for not knowing the rules your first game out. People will want you to have as much fun as they are, and will do their best to help that happen.
The rulebook is pretty straight forward on I'd say 90% of the rules. (The other 10% is open to debate/waiting for official ruling from the Alliance Rules Committee.) I'd recommend at least getting the digital copy and reading it over before attending a game. There's a lot to assimilate in it and if you show up at your first game even knowing a third of the rules you'll be fairly well ready to just start playing.
If you have any more questions, by all means, keep asking.
That sounds cool, I hate Ebooks though so I just ordered the paperback from amazon. Ebooks are kind of like prostitutes, they might be convenient but I always hate myself afterwards. lol
Does the rulebook also address non "rule" issues, like how the game plays out? Are there systems in place to balance the game out physically, or could a professional fencer at level 1 destroy the entire world? I'm just curious how that will work, since that is different from other LARPs or table top games in the aspect of combat. I also have a few practical questions. Has anyone driven, or have problems driving, a rear wheel drive sports car to these events? I keep getting told here at work that my car is going to get me killed during the winter now that I live up north...
Also, has anyone purchase a premade latex/boffer weapon thing that you know of? I found quite a few that seem perfectly safe, and meet the requirements...but I have no idea how they hold up and their is a chance if they get torn then people with a latex allergy could break out. I also have plenty of costuming stuff I think, I have collected stuff for decorations and making medieval and post apocalyptic costumes for years.
Finally...I looked up your organization last night and couldn't find anything except for a few pictures....and potentially a movie? Did someone make a documentary that included you group? There was a reference to it on a few websites; however, I first saw it on wikipedia...so i'm sure sure how accurate it was.
Does the rulebook also address non "rule" issues, like how the game plays out? Are there systems in place to balance the game out physically, or could a professional fencer at level 1 destroy the entire world? I'm just curious how that will work, since that is different from other LARPs or table top games in the aspect of combat. I also have a few practical questions. Has anyone driven, or have problems driving, a rear wheel drive sports car to these events? I keep getting told here at work that my car is going to get me killed during the winter now that I live up north...
Also, has anyone purchase a premade latex/boffer weapon thing that you know of? I found quite a few that seem perfectly safe, and meet the requirements...but I have no idea how they hold up and their is a chance if they get torn then people with a latex allergy could break out. I also have plenty of costuming stuff I think, I have collected stuff for decorations and making medieval and post apocalyptic costumes for years.
Finally...I looked up your organization last night and couldn't find anything except for a few pictures....and potentially a movie? Did someone make a documentary that included you group? There was a reference to it on a few websites; however, I first saw it on wikipedia...so i'm sure sure how accurate it was.
Jarsyl said:
Mostly, yes. There are abilities that both players and monsters have that would keep a level 1 character from just owning everything (like being immune to your damage call, or having a thicker hide so your tiny attacks don't affect it.)
I think what you're asking about though is something more like disarming people. There's two abilities in the game that force your opponent to drop his weapon; Fighter Disarm and Scholar spell Disarm. It's generally frowned upon to physically just disarm someone, since the physrep can have an unpredictable path and cause a safety hazard.
So yes, there are some rules and abilities to even things out. Someone who's skilled in fencing though is probably going to own up on the less skilled fighters. You'll find that boffer combat incorporates some fencing, but is generally a different create altogether.
Unfortunately, most of the sites you're going to find have their specifications set to what NERO International uses. They've diverged from Alliance a bit on weapons at this point. You should, in general, expect a latex weapon to fail safety check. Yes, they look cooler, but the powers that be aren't fond of them so c'est la vie. If you're looking to purchase a weapon though, you could contact Matt Oostman (obcidian) about one. He makes very nice boffers for our game and put together all the new instructions and pictures for building a weapon that you'll find in the rulebook.
Alliance Seattle is, indeed, the chapter featured in the film Monster Camp. You can find more pictures and a general description of the game at alliancelarp.com. Unfortunately, Seattle has had some difficulty in getting someone to volunteer to build web content. (Hiring someone isn't something that's monetarily possible. Alliance chapters in general operate on people volunteering their time and efforts.)
You pretty much answered my question about balancing the physicality. I just used a fencer as an example though. I was just curious how they balanced that so I can get a better picture of how it works. I imagine it will also become more clear when I have the rulebook.
It's good I asked about the weapons too, so now I know not to waste my money on those expensive latex ones. Some do look pretty awesome though.
Does the rulebook go over specifics for clothing/armor also? A lot of what I own would need to be modified to make it safe in that sort of environment I imagine.
Finally, if I sign up for November, what time should i plan on getting their and what time should i plan on leaving? It will be about a 10 hour drive so I need to get a schedule of when I would need to take off of work
It's good I asked about the weapons too, so now I know not to waste my money on those expensive latex ones. Some do look pretty awesome though.
Does the rulebook go over specifics for clothing/armor also? A lot of what I own would need to be modified to make it safe in that sort of environment I imagine.
Finally, if I sign up for November, what time should i plan on getting their and what time should i plan on leaving? It will be about a 10 hour drive so I need to get a schedule of when I would need to take off of work
obcidian_bandit
Pioneer
Howdy,
Montana to Seattle is quite a ways. I'd double check here to make sure that we're the closest Alliance Chapter, but it looks that way to me, too. I've never really heard of anyone having a serious problem driving to our games, but that's a heck of a drive. We get people from southern California who drive, but they're not crossing mountains quite like you'd be. I'd recommend flying in to SeaTac, you could probably get a ride from there pretty easily, and the cost difference probably wouldn't much.
I'd look at the main Alliance page for a lot of general information, here's the big photo collection, and here if you're looking for the National Alliance forums. Like Sarah said, I've never seen a legal latex weapon from a big company that you could get online. I do make boffer weapons for people, if you're looking for something for an upcoming event, let me know what you're looking for and we can talk about materials/price/etc. If you've got any other questions, feel free to ask.
~Matt
General Manager,
Alliance Seattle
Montana to Seattle is quite a ways. I'd double check here to make sure that we're the closest Alliance Chapter, but it looks that way to me, too. I've never really heard of anyone having a serious problem driving to our games, but that's a heck of a drive. We get people from southern California who drive, but they're not crossing mountains quite like you'd be. I'd recommend flying in to SeaTac, you could probably get a ride from there pretty easily, and the cost difference probably wouldn't much.
I'd look at the main Alliance page for a lot of general information, here's the big photo collection, and here if you're looking for the National Alliance forums. Like Sarah said, I've never seen a legal latex weapon from a big company that you could get online. I do make boffer weapons for people, if you're looking for something for an upcoming event, let me know what you're looking for and we can talk about materials/price/etc. If you've got any other questions, feel free to ask.
~Matt
General Manager,
Alliance Seattle
Well the drive shouldn't be a problem, it is on a major road 99% of the way. My concern is once I get into washington, closer to the area, and possibly get off the major road. I considered flying and will look it up...but I am in Great Falls Montana, and our Air Port is a joke. It has 1 terminal, and a lot of short flights are about as expensive as an international flight would be from a real Air Port.
After I read the rulebook, I will know if I am going to try and create a character or play an NPC. I may need to get with you about the boffer after that. My ability to make things is somewhere between none and "LOL, wtf is that?". I could easily see myself spending hours trying to make one right, then having it fall apart because someone glared at it too agressively.
After I read the rulebook, I will know if I am going to try and create a character or play an NPC. I may need to get with you about the boffer after that. My ability to make things is somewhere between none and "LOL, wtf is that?". I could easily see myself spending hours trying to make one right, then having it fall apart because someone glared at it too agressively.
obcidian_bandit
Pioneer
Like many other games, as a fighter-type character increases in level, the damage they inflict with their weapon will increase and the amount of damage that they are able to take before being killed will increase. In this way, even if someone is a better fighter then them due to real-world skill, the person whose character is more powerful is more likely to win because they have to land fewer blows on their opponent and their opponent will have to land many more blows on them. All of the other classes are balanced in similar ways.
The rulebook does talk about costuming and armor. The best armor is actual armor. You gain nothing from stretching out an old gray sweater and calling it 'chainmail.' Actual chainmail, however, is very effective armor. The specifics of what counts as how much armor is detailed in the rulebook. Basically, armor is worth 0, 1, 2, or 3 points in 8 locations (upper and lower legs and arms, chest, belly, back, and head, the last 4 of which count double). With just costuming you'll get 0, with 18 gauge plate mail you'll get 3. Leather, studded leather, chainmail, and pretty much everything else falls somewhere in between. On top of all of that, there are bonus points awarded for "In-Genre" and "Master Crafted," so it is possible to get up to 40 total points of armor. Each character class has a maximum amount they are able to wear, which can be increased with certain skills.
Starting time for games ranges from 8-10 pm on Friday usually. I'd recommend getting there considerably earlier so that you can get you gear to your cabin, get into costume, do any prep work or cooking, meet some new people, etc. These things usually take me a few hours. I'd plan to leave early in the day and plan your route so that you'll miss as much traffic as possible (try to leave so that by the time you hit a major city, you wont be there during traffic). My drive is about 6 hours to some games, and I generally take Friday off and leave in the morning, which gives me plenty of time to make some stops, get there, and setup. Game usually ends around 11-1 on Sunday, but then there's site cleanup and packing up your own gear. Most people leave around 3 or so, but if you pack up early/quickly and help clean up right after Closing Ceremonies, you could be gone earlier then that.
~Matt
The rulebook does talk about costuming and armor. The best armor is actual armor. You gain nothing from stretching out an old gray sweater and calling it 'chainmail.' Actual chainmail, however, is very effective armor. The specifics of what counts as how much armor is detailed in the rulebook. Basically, armor is worth 0, 1, 2, or 3 points in 8 locations (upper and lower legs and arms, chest, belly, back, and head, the last 4 of which count double). With just costuming you'll get 0, with 18 gauge plate mail you'll get 3. Leather, studded leather, chainmail, and pretty much everything else falls somewhere in between. On top of all of that, there are bonus points awarded for "In-Genre" and "Master Crafted," so it is possible to get up to 40 total points of armor. Each character class has a maximum amount they are able to wear, which can be increased with certain skills.
Starting time for games ranges from 8-10 pm on Friday usually. I'd recommend getting there considerably earlier so that you can get you gear to your cabin, get into costume, do any prep work or cooking, meet some new people, etc. These things usually take me a few hours. I'd plan to leave early in the day and plan your route so that you'll miss as much traffic as possible (try to leave so that by the time you hit a major city, you wont be there during traffic). My drive is about 6 hours to some games, and I generally take Friday off and leave in the morning, which gives me plenty of time to make some stops, get there, and setup. Game usually ends around 11-1 on Sunday, but then there's site cleanup and packing up your own gear. Most people leave around 3 or so, but if you pack up early/quickly and help clean up right after Closing Ceremonies, you could be gone earlier then that.
~Matt
Well that gives a lot to think about between now and November. Some aspects of creating a character would be really cool, especially designing my armor. On the other hand if I just play an NPC it would probably be easier to figure out what is going on, and I imagine I will always have a specific task to accomplish as the NPC. Anyway, thanks for all of the information. I'll probably have more questions later after I get my rule book.
Darkknight
Novice
Jarsyl,
I am also in Great Falls. My wife and I were going to go to the event in February (weather permitting). We should get together and consider carpooling for the Feb event if you are interested in going to that one as well.
V/R,
DarkKnight
I am also in Great Falls. My wife and I were going to go to the event in February (weather permitting). We should get together and consider carpooling for the Feb event if you are interested in going to that one as well.
V/R,
DarkKnight
MoonKitten
Specialist
Jarsyl said:
The camp has heated cabins, bathrooms and lodge with a fully equipped kitchen. Each cabin has 4 bunks with mattresses and the the two large bathrooms have heated showers.
Here is a basic list of what you will need to bring:
- Food (Unless you are NPC'ing, food is usually provided for you, but be sure and check on that before the event, and bringing snacks/drinks you like is always good.)
- Clothing (Extra socks are always a good thing to bring. Thermals are also your friend. If you are NPC'ing you should bring mostly black clothing as you will wear costuming over your clothes and they usually prefer you to not wear jeans, black sweat pants or cargo pants are good, pockets are your friend as an NPC.)
- Bedding (Don't forget your pillow!)
- Toiletries
- Costuming (if you are PC'ing or have any you wish to use while you npc (be sure you don't let monster camp eat it though it tends to happen in the flurry of changing between mods)).
- Weapons (again if you have any you wish to use, if you are NPC'ing then you can use monster camps)