Hello new player! If you’ve never larped before, you’ve probably got a load of questions, or, if you are like I was, you don’t even know what to ask. Well, either way, you’re at the right place. Whatever your familiarity with larping, this page aims to make clear precisely what larping is, as well as what you’ll need to know to play Exile. I’ll start with the general and move on to the specifics of playing at Exile, so if you already know the basics, you can scroll straight down to the “What do I need to play Exile?” section.
What is larping?
First thing’s first: if you didn’t know, LARP stands for Live-Action Role-Play. Simply put, larping is the single most immersive game that you can experience. There is no controller between you can your character, no screen separating you from the action, and no time spent waiting for the next player to take his turn so you can move a game piece on a board. You will be not just creating a character, but becoming that character. Your actions will be your character’s actions, your words will be your character’s words. Through each Event, you will live and breath as your character in the Fantasy world of Raia.
Now let’s go over some common terms you’ll hear:
Event- An event is any scheduled time we organize a game. Exile’s events typically run from late afternoon on Friday to after Midnight on Sunday morning. Sign-ins are on Friday. Food is provided through the town’s tavern most of the day on Saturday, and can be bought with in-game money.
Player Character(PC)- These are your friends, acquaintances, and fellow townsfolk. Your PC, just like everyone else’s, will have Character Sheet that tracks your personal progress through the game. As you gain Experience(XP), you can level up your specific skills.
Non-Player Character(NPC)- While you are playing at Exile, you will inevitably encounter characters who are not part of the town. They can be anything from dreadful pirates to friendly merchants to fluffy bunnies. These are the NPCs, your supporting cast.
In-Game(IG) and Out-Of-Game(OOG)- These are terms you will hear often. They refer to actions happening in the game world (in-game) and in the real world (out-of-game).
Module(Mod)- Modules are the many adventures, and misadventures, you will find yourself on while PCing. Some will take you on a grand journey to fight a monastery, some may just have dashing about town collecting ingredients for a potion. Note that “mod” is an out-of-game term, and should never be used in-game.
Game Marshal(GM)- Game Marshals act as director and a referee. They can answer questions about rules, arbitrate out-of-game disagreements between players, and will sometimes lead you on mods.
What if I don’t want to fight?
Thought much of our game is based around fighting, there is more than enough to keep the non-combatant busy. There are shops to run, visitors to entertain, and many interesting characters with whom to converse.
What if I have a specific medical condition or dietary restriction?
We can work around allergies and other dietary restrictions, as long as you let us know ahead of time (preferably at least a month before the event). You are, of course, welcome to bring your own food.
If you have a condition that would make it difficult or dangerous to fight, we have Light and Ultralight fighting options. Contact us for more information.
How old do I have to be to play Exile?
If you can swing a boffer sword, and can play safely with others, than you are old enough to play Exile. However, if you are under 18, you will need a parent or guardian to sign a consent form. Anyone under the age of 15 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian during the event. Please consult our staff members (eldric.aranae@gmail.com) for more information.
What do I need to play Exile?
To prepare for a game of Exile, you need four things: Character, Costume, Weapons and Gear.
Character
At Exile, you can play as a valiant knight, a wizened wizard, a deceptive rogue, a friendly shopkeep, or any mix of those. Of course, you can ignore all those and create your own unique character! If you want to handpick your character’s specific skills, look to the Character Creation section of the rulebook. If you’d like a guise, our staff will also be happy to help you build your character during sign-in. Either way, it’s good to have an idea for your character, as it will help you with the next three sections.
Costume
Costuming is important to build your character, and you should think about the first impression you want to make when other players see your character for the first time. It’s up to you to decide how much time and effort you want to put into your costume; you will find that the more you put into it, the more you get out of it.
However, if you don’t have the time or know-how to put together a fancy costume, don’t let that stop you coming to play! We are a budget game, and understand that not all players can put together an elaborate ensemble. So, when cobbling a cheap costume together, keep these things in mind:
- Basic Colors– Clothing with images (such as logos) on it is out-of-place in a fantasy setting. You should generally stick with solid color clothing, or stripes. Clothing with complex patterns will make your character look wealthy. Which is fine, if your playing a wealthy character (or someone who stole from one).
- Avoid Zippers– Zippers are out of place in a fantasy setting. This doesn’t mean that you can’t wear pants with zippers, just try to keep them hidden.
- Footwear– During the game, you will likely be running over grass, dirt, gravel, leaves and twigs. Consider this when choosing your footwear.
- Belt– Bring a belt. Even if you don’t need it to hold your pants up, you can still hang stuff from it, like weapons or pouches.
- Weather– Look up the weather forecast ahead of time and dress accordingly. In the summer, wear lighter clothes and sneakers. In the winter, wear multiple layers, including thermal underwear, thermal socks and gloves.
For more detailed information, check out the following post’s on Jess’s blog, Clarify!:
Weapons
Latex Weapons
Latex weapons are allowed in this LARP, however, if they are deemed unsafe by our staff, you will have to have a replacement weapon. Latex weapons are all made differently, so we suggest bringing a backup weapon with you, in case we do not allow your weapon.
You may NOT stab with a latex weapon. Their thrusting tips tend to break and bend and are usually unsafe. They are often harder than boffer weapons, and you must be careful when swinging with them. If too many complaints are made about your weapons, you will be asked to switch to boffer weapons. If they do not meet the specific requirements, it will be handled on a case by case basis.
Boffer Weapons
Boffer weapons must be made with 5/8ths inch thick PVC pipe foam. They must have at least 1 and one halfinches of open cell foam on both ends.
Any weapon longer than 60 inches MUST HAVE a wooden dowel inside of the pipe. It be solid from end to end.
Jess has created a wonderful guide for building your own boffer sword.
If you are unsure about how to make boffer weapons, please contact a staff member and we will assist.
Gear
Here’s a list of things you should bring, in addition to costuming and weapons:
- Sleeping Gear- Exile has many sheltered places for you to sleep, but we do not provide beds. Make sure to bring a sleeping bag/blankets and a pillow.
- Duffel Bag- You’ll need this to store all your stuff. It will generally stay at your sleeping area. Any duffel bag (or similar carrier) that you bring is considered Out-Of-Game.
- Toiletries- deodorant, mouthwash, etc.
- Backup Underclothes- It is always a good idea to bring back-up socks and underwear, especially in the winter and the summer.
- Bugspray- This is an extremely important one during the warmer months. We play in the woods, and there are mosquitos and ticks around. Make sure to get a bug spray that is specifically for the woods, like Deep Woods Off.
- Sunscreen
- Small Flashlight- You’ll appreciate this when you are digging through your duffel at night.
- Sack or Satchel- Something to carry your in-game props in, like coins or potions.
- Test Deck- If you take a Test Path, you will need a Test Deck in order to perform Tests. A test deck is built from a standard deck of cards. It contains one each of the following: Ace, 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,Jack,Queen,King,Joker. For more info, see the Tests section in the Basic Rules.
- Pen or Pencil
- Paper
- Timepiece- If you have any crafting paths, you will need to keep track of time while you are crafting. Please stick to analog clocks and watches, as digital technology does not exist in Exile.
For an in-depth article about gear, you can read here.
Conclusion
And that’s it! Once you have these things together, you are ready to play Exile. If you need help with anything, contact a staff member, post in our forums, or post on our facebook page. We are all eager help!
What if I want to NPC?
NPCing is hard work. You will have to follow orders that can change quickly, play multiple characters, do a good deal or running and fighting, and also a lot of waiting for PCs to arrive at your location. But it can also be a lot of fun! It’s a great way to sample all the abilities in the game and try creating new and interesting characters. If you would like to NPC, you need the following costume:
- Black Shirt
- Black Pants
- Black Shoes
- Optional Belt- This is used for carrying items and holding down costumes. If you have a belt on your pants, bring an extra one.
Go over the list of gear, as much of it applies to NPCs as well as PCs.
Exile Fantasy 