LARP Newbie Hints And Tips

Introduction

(note: This article first appeared on my original blog)

This document has been put together to help new Live Action Role Players prepare for and enjoy their first event. Although primarily aimed at attending a large-scale, outdoor camping event, many of the hints and tips will be useful for players going to their first smaller event.

The hints and tips presented here represent the distilled wisdom of a number of long-term live role players. If you have any comments and suggestions, please leave a comment.

Afore Ye Goes…

Preparation is the key to a enjoyable game. Try to aim to get everything packed (apart from spoilable food) at least one week before the event. This should give you time to rush out and buy those last minute items.

• Check the weather. And then plan for the extremes. Warm, dry clothes (it gets cold at night) AND sun block.

• Make sure you have all the directions you need to reach the site. Tell someone when your leaving and when you can be expected back and make sure you have the organisers / site contact number to hand.

• Plan to arrive well before it gets dark. All those tents that claim to be erectable in a blizzard by one man with his leg in plaster – lie. Help your buddy put up their tent and they’ll help you. Get your camp organised BEFORE you dash out and play. This is also a great opportunity to get the gossip from any players back at camp before you bimble into the fray.

• If you are paying on the Gate at the event – make sure you have the right money. Most events are held somewhere near civilisation so you can usually find a cash machine within driving distance and are usually a good place to stock up on the more perishable items.

Camping Equipment

The following should be considered a workable minimum of equipment required to keep you sheltered, fed, cozy and well at an outdoor, self-catered event.

Doubling up with a buddy for the tent and cooking utensils will save you cash and space and don’t forget to keep an eye open for camping equipment bargains during out of seasons sales. You can usually save quite a lot of cash.

IMPORTANT: Don’t take anything you aren’t too bothered about getting trashed. Outdoor events are notorious for ruining kit.

• Tent

  Don’t be tempted to scrimp here – buy a good quality all weather tent with an inner and outer section (somewhere to disrobe, store muddy kit and cook when its throwing it down outside). Try and get hold of a three-man tent of a reputable make (e.g. Outbound).

  A two-man tent is barely big enough for the average LARPer and all their kit. A four man tent will hold 2 LARPers and their kit.

• Sleeping Mat / Sleeping Bag / Bedding

  British winters can be very cold and even summer nights can be chilly too. A good quality sleeping bag is essential.

  If you sleep directly on the ground, you’ll be cold and uncomfortable. An insulated layer between you and the ground is vital. A carrymat™ is good if comfort isn’t a priority, air beds are even better.

• First Aid Kit

  Most major events have equipped and qualified first-aiders on site but its still prudent to carry a small first-aid kit in your kit. The kind of injuries it needs to be able to cope with include; cuts, grazes & bruises, minor burns, blisters, stings and sunburn (most of these are not life threatening if treated quickly but can totally ruin your event if left to fester). Don’t bother bringing slings and bandages, that sort of injury needs proper medical attention – get yourself to the first aid tent ASAP.

  Don’t forget any medicines you need too and most importantly make sure the organisers and the first-aiders are aware of any medical conditions you may have.

  Keep an eye on your buddies and ask them to do the same for you. It’s very easy to get sunstroke or dehydrate and it REALLY spoils your event lying in a dark tent with a pounding head and a barf bucket while your mates are outside having the time of their lives.

• Camping Stove and Cooking Utensils

  Depending on how much cooking you are expecting to do at the event (most large scale events are catered at extra cost) you can usually get away with a basic gas stove, a couple of mess tins, a mug and a spoon. Store your spare gas cannisters out of direct sunlight well away from any ignition sources. Empty cannisters are usually best handed over to the game controller for safe disposal – don’t leave them lying around. Empty gas cannisters are still pressurised and dangerous.

  Open camp fires are inherently dangerous at events. Most organisers have designated camp fires but will allow self contained BBQ’s.

  NEVER leave a lit camp fire unattended and always keep a supply of water to hand in case things get out of hand.

• Camping Knife

  Another item not to scrimp on. A high quality Lock-Knife (not a pen knife) or Sheaf Knife is ideal. Don’t bother with the Rambo style ‘Survival’ knives – quality knifes continue the blade through the grip. Don’t forget a sharpener too – a blunt knife is potentially more dangerous than a sharp one.

  NEVER take your knife out of camp. Game organisers will – quite rightly – ban you from the game if they catch you.

• Repair Kit

  Take a small sewing kit with you for emergency costume/kit repairs and ad-hoc costume enhancements. A couple of strong needles, some black and white thread and a roll of Gaffa Tape can be used to repair almost anything. Evo-stick will stick just about anything too anything and dries pretty quickly – beware the fumes though, always use it in a well ventilated place. Leather thonging is useful for tying up errant bits of costume.

• Torch

  Keep a waterproof electric torch (no noxious fumes and no no fire risk) just inside your tent and store the spare batteries inside where they wont get wet. Try and get hold of a lantern style torch so you can have both hands free while cooking.

• Toilet Roll

  Last, but by no means least – toilet paper. Most LARP event toilet facilities are pretty basic – don’t get caught short.

Food

• Eat and drink often. Try and aim for at least 2 cooked meals a day. LARP is a strenuous hobby and keeping up your (non-alcoholic) fluids is essential.

• Store all your perishable items in a cooler bag packed out with your cans of pop/beer to keep them cool – store them in your tent away from direct sunlight and you should be able to get 2 or 3 days out of them before they need throwing.

• Keep a bin liner handy for rubbish – especially food waste – and keep it closed and store it away from your camping area. Wasps and flies are abundant in hot weather.

• If your taking tinned food, don’t forget a tin opener. A tin can be safely opened with a good knife if you know the technique, but I don’t recommend it.

Costume and Character

• Its tempting to go over the top with your first character and costume. Try to avoid the temptation for your first game – you’ll have enough to worry about.

• Cloaks are great for providing an extra layer for when it gets cold and as an extra blanket at night.

• Good strong, waterproof boots are a must and pack plenty of thick socks. Make sure you wear your boots in before the event.

• Try and pack a few bits of ‘generic’ costume – your main character may die or you may be asked to monster. A simple shirt or tabard, a belt and some trousers is usually enough.

• Full face masks may look cool, but they are a nightmare in even moderately warm weather – you can compromise by buying ‘balaclava’ style masks that leave the mouth free. So you have to put a bit of greasepaint over your chin, but you’ll thank me for it later.

• You can purchase weapons and costume from most of the larger events. This also gives you an opportunity to test the weight and make sure the weapon is right for you and your character.

Safety

• Live Action Role Playing is a GAME – its FUN – thats why we do it. It’s not fun to fight someone who is fighting unsafely or is using an unsafe weapon. It’s you’re responsibility to learn how to fight safely and to keep your weapons in good condition. Most events have newbie combat training lessons. If they don’t – ask around – there will be loads of volunteers to help you. If you continue to fight unsafely, the organisers will ask you to leave.

• Learn the system safety calls and what do do if you hear them. Never used them for IC reasons. Common ones include:

  • MAN DOWN! – Someone has been REALLY hurt – they are not playing. The usual course of action is to take up the call and move away from the injured party so the emergency services can get to them unheeded
  • FIRE! – Someone/something is on fire. If its a person, get them on the ground and roll them over so long as its safe for you to do so. Douse the burn in cold water as soon as possible and call in the professional first aiders. Do not try remove any burnt clothing – leave that to the pros.

Contributers

A big shout goes out to those who have helped put this guide together. They have suffered so you don’t have to – they will be remembered in song and in tales around the campfire…

• Sue (Darkglade) for her sunblock suggestion.
• Meldir for reminding me of the importance of toilet paper.

About RichBuilds.com

Software developer by day, scale model builder and wargamer by night.

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