LARP Weekend Overview

What a great week in LARP! Many happenings furthered the craft this last weekend and here is the info all were seeking... well not really but it is a good overview anyway.

First, lets take a look at the Bucky Boot Review. During a previous game we got to see how a $20 boot lasts only a mere hours before shredding apart. Like most things in life, you get what you pay for. Buying the right LARP gear over the cheap alliterative can save players from buying right after the cheap items fail.

Next, we had the chance to update our playbook rules which changed the following: http://www.larpcraft.com/forums/index.php?threads/changes-to-bleed-out-and-final-blow.989/#post-2752

After much discussion on our last game trip we have decided that we are going to take out final blow as the main killing strike. However the gesture can still be played out. This will make killing easier to play, teach and act out.

Don't want to read all this? No prob here is a sum up:

• No Death Blow. Strike someone bleeding out and they now die.
• Get loot and band right after death. No deathblow needed
• Graveyards being put back into play for those with bands on them.
• Can carry 5 bands max. Turn rest into healer or village for coin.
• Resurrection bands are now solid white (yes, even for undead)..

So as an example lets say you got hit in the torso (front or back no armor). This puts you into bleed out mode where you have to cover your chest (no, you don't have to cover your back if hit in the back since then it looks like you just lost an arm) and then stagger a bit since you are so close to death. If you get hit again in this mode anywhere on your body (think of it... blood is coming out your major chest wound... any other hit would finish you off if it were real so we will play it that way) you will fall to the ground and die. You have about 10 seconds to say your final words but even during this time your body can be looted and your life band taken.

However DO NOT GET UP right away! Your spirit still lingers around your body as long as you stay dead on that spot. This means you can be revived/healed from others who have the skills but once you get up, you're a goner.

For the simplicity of not walking 10 miles back to town after you die, we will bring the graveyards back in for those who have life bands left. So if you have your own bands walk to the graveyard with weapon above your head and sit at the graveyard for a few minutes to come back into play. You can't just touch the graveyard and rush back into play. unless you are healed by someone you cannot re-join a small battle even after running to and from a graveyard. You had your chance... be sure to have a healer next time.

Once your life bands are gone, you will need to find someone who can res you / give you life bands. Resurrection bands are going to be solid white and will have to be on your belt or wrist in order to play if you lost all your other bands. The max amount of bands you can have on yourself at any one time are five bands. If you kill someone with a white band and it is the only band they have it is considered unsportsmanlike unless they attacked you first.


Game Review - Wilarp on 11.14.11


The Story:

Weather, undead and now a strange plague seems to be in the land of Maywood. The village is heart-strong and was able to fend off the evil of the land last time. 


As the weather is getting colder, many of Maywood fear their ability to fight off the creatures of the night but now Maywood is seeing some skilled characters using their new abilities to fend off those who try and attack the little village. 


There are reports of the this odd plague already in Maywood. Be careful and have a keen eye for things like black eyes, slow movements, confusion... these are the reported signs of this unknown plague. 


While the undead have been pushed far back into the realm, there have been reports of a band of kinghts who have broken free of their king and are looking to claim land in Maywood. This cannot be allowed to happen and any who see these knights are to report them. Be careful as they may say you are on their lands but fear no as they have no claims in Maywood, but be aware they are highly trained and may attack you.


Much of the story this day cannot be told... it will unfold as you live the adventure!


Gameplay was great, the weather held out and we had another glorious weekend of adventure. 
See all the pics at:http://www.larpcraft.com/forums/index.php?useralbums/wilarp-11-13-11-game.11/view

Last Hope - New World Event - Of Wolves & Watchers

Last Hope LARP group

New World Event - Of Wolves & Watchers




Few players get the chance to experience a new location AND a decent sized group of players at the same time... and this is what happened at the Last Hope LARP event in Rock Springs, WI. On a remote 80 Acres of rolling hills, swamp, forest, pine nursery and farm land came an event that featured much exploring, questing, feasting and battles. 




Last Hope LARP has 2 sets of games. One plays in an "old world" which has different creatures and story line than their "new world" games. Both systems are woven together under the premise of characters fled the old world for the new one. The stories are quite interesting and a good read.




The group built a massive outpost a few weekends before this inaugural game on new land. A truly peaceful place that is really remote but has an alright amount of parking for vehicles. It could of had some kinda restroom however and many of the campers were not used to or didn't properly prepare for the lack of amenities. However, being the LARPers we all were, no one really complained about it. 

STORYLINE:

Daven's Reach is beginning to get back to normal, but the last Mordok attack was just barely repelled. It appears that the Mordok shamn in the area is leading the Mordok in organized attacks. An Ulven scout reported that the shaman has left the area and has fled to towards the Dirge Swamp. The adventurers in Daven's Reach have begun their travel to the Onsallas outpost, an Ulven garrison on the edge of the mordok infest Dirge Swamp. There is much information that has yet to be discovered regarding the Mordok shaman's intentions and the journal that was discovered near Daven's Reach.

The game was filled with vicious Mordok and many had a hard time finding them in the realm since they blended in so well this time of year. You had to be careful to not be lured into a trap while pursuing one as they commonly lead you to a group of them or into an area that was really hard to fight in. 

The Ulven race shows the toughness of the realm. They are short tempered and brave. Many Ulven had some of the best gear for this time of year. 


  

Characters had to decide who was friend and who was foe like this NPC who had a camp on deep in Mordok territory. Many quests, clues and story-lines are based off the in game characters. The only way to find out parts of the story or to know who is behind what is to make sure you ask around for clues. Last Hope does a great job of having NPC's in the know... 

What happens when the 2nd day begins and half the camp have not come into game yet? Some brave (or foolish) humans plot to take over the Ulven outpost. It is common in games like this for players to create new plots if the originals are stalled or changed. It is part of the reason why LARP is so fun. The concept of the game has a backbone but everything else is formed by the players. 

In this example the group of humans knocked out the Ulven in a strategy attack. The idea was not to kill them but rather to switch the power dynamic. This was a great plan but little did we know that the main part of the outpost was walking down the hill (late 2nd morning entry) and the humans were caught in the act. 

Without a reason why they did what they did the unforgiving Ulven slaughtered all the humans in the act and tossed the dead bodies outside the gate. The entire scene was a fantastic morning rush to the game and woke everyone to great amount of action which helped set the pace for the rest of the day. LOTS of fighting, brawling and fast paced activity filled the 2nd day.

Trained and choreographed brawls are common by the experienced players of the game. It is great action to watch and be part of. Many of these scenes result in story changes, re-writes and editor drinking problems as it can change the entire course of the history of any given race, class or plot.  Here we see a brawl of honor being acted out from 2 skilled players. It is not recommended that new players take part in this type of role play without practice with an admin etc.

 As you can see without explanation this photo can depict a major wrong doing.

When choreography goes arai, blood capsules turn into real blood. The end of this scene went as planned but with unintended results. The players didn't miss a beat however and rolled with the actual injury making the role play a real life event. Only after the game, out of character did many learn that the blood in the picture was real from a fist full of Ulven when a fist slipped. Everyone thought this brawl played out awesome and the "no pain no gain" saying git to a tee. These players are really good friends out of game and they had a blast making this scene unforgettable!








To learn more about the Last Hope group, visit their website www.lasthopelarp.com and join in the action! You can also see them on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/186910084691991/

Please be sure to write a comment!