This article has been adapted from a post made by an experienced larper.
I was thinking again the other day about what I wish I’d known as a new player, or what I’d wished someone had said to me (or maybe that I’d listened better), and I came to the conclusion that a lot of it boils down to one word.
Ask.
Allow me to explain (or, you know, just don’t read any further. You can do that too). LARP is an amazing hobby, which you can get a lot out of. It can also, if you don’t click with it right away, be kind of a lonely hobby, as you spend a weekend far from home wondering what’s actually going on. Now, the people involved can be great, but they are also trying to get the most out of this complex, involved hobby, so may not always notice somebody feeling a bit left out. So ask…
How does this work?
Can’t get your head around the rules? How monstering works? When meal times are. Ask. Everyone there, at one stage didn’t know, so nobody should be obnoxious about it
Can someone help me with…?
Can’t get your tent to go up? Aren’t sure you really know how to fight with a LARP weapon? (Seriously – definitely ask for help in that case). Forgot a piece of kit and now you are cold? Ask for help.
Can I help with?
Oh look. Somebody else can’t get their tent up, or needs a bit of help becoming a better fighter, or is short a blanket or two for the night. We create the hobby we want to see.
This also counts in character. Can I help with translation/ decryption/ guard duty/ whatever.
What’s going on?
OK, this is a big one. So, apparently the Wrecker’s dispossessed minions are hunting down the Sunken Sun in the mistaken belief that they share a link to Mac Róibín, which will allow them to apotheosize a new Sphinx, possibly as a challenge to the Breaker, who may have some nefarious hold over the Bush.
What?
That’s not actually a plot line (that I know of…), but a lot has happened and a lot is happening in the game. Everything will be more fun if you know why we are being attacked, or why we are trying to repossess the fabled artefacts, and so on. Nobody expects you to know off the bat, so ask someone.
Who is that?
While the above plot line was pulled out of my ass, none of those people/groups were. Add to that the Iarlas of the Realms, the riders and leaders of various towns, the representatives of various ancient conspiracies, and a whole host of other personages, and there’s a big cast to keep track of. Never be ashamed to ask either who is being referred to or even who that person that just arrived is.
Can I come in?
There will be a number of in character tents around. Sometimes people will be having super secret meetings and won’t want anybody extra in, but sometimes they are happy to have more. folk come in and join the discussion/ strategy session/ prayer circle/ singsong/ bizarre game/ inquisition.
Just make sure you are respectful of people’s stuff when you are in there.
Can I come along?
There are always a number of missions that go out during the day. Wouldn’t it be awesome to go along on some of them? While the folk leading the mission will generally do their best to distribute such opportunities, people can get overlooked. Ask if you can come along.
If you’re struggling to get involved, remember the player reps! They’re volunteers who have specifically signed up to help you be included, find the plots you’re interested in, and generally get stuck into the game. But despite being wonderful, they can’t read minds. They can’t necessarily tell if you’re feeling left out. So, it comes back to our theme – ask!
As a final thought, I know that a lot of people are very shy. Me, I’m really shy. I know that for some of you putting yourself forward may seem like quite a task. All I’m suggesting is that if you feel like you are drowning, throw your hands up so somebody knows to throw you a lifeline. That way, you’ll get the best chance to appreciate just how great the game can be.
Crusty Old Larper
Purveyor of Unsolicited Advice