Official Weapons Marshal Response: If you've seen your exact weapon rep appear in Alliance Denver's promotional videos, AND it's in good condition (hasn't melted (yes, that can happen), or is ripped or anything), then I am optimistic that your weapon will pass -- hooray! Usually the only difficulties that we experience with fancy store-bought latex weapons are: (1) Over/under the Alliance rulebook sizes for the weapon type you want to use. For example, you think that looks like a "shortsword," but it's within the length range for an Alliance "dagger." Or, (2) Calamacil brand weapons which were made prior to around 2012 had a different formula than their current ones; the old ones were too firm to pass our safety inspections. Newer Calamacil weapons are generally passable, however.
In the week immediately prior to the event, I'll make a post about when and where weapons check will occur. It's almost always one person in Greenwood Circle (an area of our campsite), and one person at Logistics, from at least 7:00-9:00 -- and available thereafter for spot checks when you run into one of the Weapons Marshalls.
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Now just me textually running off at the mouth as a player...
Making friends and finding a group:
- When you check in for the event at Logistics, you'll get a printed Rumor Sheet with in-game (IG) information that your character overheard here or there. I find that Rumor Sheets make for a great ice breaker for IG talk later. You can just sit down in the tavern, and start with, "Say, I wonder if any of you heard what I did about...." Most people love having something to talk about in-character, and they're grateful when someone else can get that ball rolling.
- When at a loss for topics of conversation IG, I like to ask characters about some interesting part of their appearance -- and when possible, try to ask questions that are open-ended, and not answered by yes or no. "That's a nice looking set of armor, how comfortable is it to wear while you're in combat?" Or something like, "I see you wear heraldry. I'm new around here. What do those colors and that symbol mean? Tell me about your homeland." More often than not, getting characters talking about their own background is a good conversation starter, and a helpful way to learn about the game world.
- Personally, I think it's easy to meet people since folks here are generally friendly and also want to make friends. The more important path may be, in my hardly ever humble opinion, what steps to avoid gaining an early reputation as being anti-social. By your mention of experience in table-top roleplay and the questions you're asking, you seem like you've got a good head on your shoulders and you'll do just fine socially. But just for posterity, let me share a few pitfalls I've seen new players fall into now and again over the years:
- Don't play Strider. Don't be the lone, mysterious stranger in the corner who keeps his back to the wall, lurks in the shadows, and responds cryptically to others' attempts at conversation. Make it easy for others to befriend your character; don't make it difficult for them.
- Literally don't wear a mask IG (not meaning for your race makeup); again, make it easy for others to be your friend, not have to work through the veil of mystery to get to you.
- If you're playing a ne'er-do-well type, there will be time for stealing from other Player Characters and stabbing them in the back later when you're settled in, and know the lay of the land. Steal from NPCs if you plan to steal. And if you do anything shady as your PC at all, don't talk about it out-of-character. Word gets around, people talk out-of-character (even if they shouldn't), and as is said in the IG world of Acarthia, "You can't buy back a lost reputation."
- Do your own research and form your own opinions about the characters and groups you meet. There are scores of super awesome human beings in our LARP group! Don't make the mistake of getting too deeply entrenched with any one group before you meet everybody. Then you can decide which group seems like the best fit for your play experience, and your character, and choose from there!
Lastly, don't be shy about asking people, "What does that effect do?" in combat, or pulling anyone aside either in-character or out-of-character to ask what's going on, or the importance within the story of what just happened. Everyone in our Alliance group really is super friendly and welcoming of new players. If you feel a little confused by something, or lost in the tide, just shout out; there's plenty of willing assistance for you!
I hope your first event is filled with adventure, great roleplay, and a zillion new friends!
Trace Moriarty
Safety & Weapons Marshal
Alliance Denver
