Post by Casey Meyer on Jun 13, 2014 21:56:33 GMT -5
Basic Concept of a Live Action Role Playing Game
A live action role playing game, or “LARP” like Mists of Valemar take familiar game-play elements from table-top dice games like Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and others. Also picking up elements from online games like World of Warcraft, League of Legends, etc. Then takes a unique physical element: your game actions must be acted out. Instead of the outcome interactions being determined by numbers on a paper, dice roles, or button pushing, the basic mechanics of LARP involve players actually trying to strike each other with padded “Boffer” style weapons and bird seed filled cloth packets. When push comes to shove, the more agile player can jump out of the way of spells and arrows, the more nimble/accurate players can land more hits, and the player who runs faster can survive longer.
What happens when you die?
If at any time your body drops below zero you will fall to the ground unconscious, and begin to bleed to death, during this time simple healing spells will be able to heal you. After one minute of bleeding you will die. When death occurs your body’s hold on your spirit will begin to weaken, then 5 minutes later your spirit will be unable to stay in your body. You can choose to dissipate earlier but the maximum time you can stay in the body is 5 minutes. This will cause your body to dissipate (you should immediately put on your white headband on or do something to signify that you are now in the spirit realm) after your body dissipates you can no longer be brought back to life. After your spirit leaves your body all in game items are left where you died. (All in game tags, armor, weapons, essences, coins and items) After you enter the spirit world you have 5 minutes to journey to death's realm to draw from his bag of chance. Remember as a spirit you cannot talk but you can mouth words or pantomime to try and convince others to help you face death. And where would that be? Normally it is monster camp.
Unconsciousness and you
If at any time your body you will become unconscious. While your body or willpower is at zero your body is trying to cope with its current dilemma, unfortunately this takes you 5 minutes before you can recover. When you do regain consciousness your body will raise 1 point.
Rules of Combat
How to swing a Weapon the Correct Way
To make this easy from here on out, I will refer to foam weapons that have been constructed and approved by a safety marshal as just a weapon. So when you see weapon from here on out it is a properly constructed and approved weapon that is safe for use in combat.
In Mists of Valemar you will most likely be using weapons in combat or if you don’t you will probably be getting struck at one point or another. So it will be in your best interest to know what a proper and improper swing is.
For a swing to be proper you must swing it in at least a 45 degree arc but no greater than a 90 degree arc. Contact must be made to the targets body in order to be considered an acceptable hit. The contact should be a light tap, no hard swings, remember you are playing a game not trying to hurt someone for real. While you swing your weapon you should be calling in a clear voice the amount of damage that it does, and as you finish your damage call the weapon should strike. Because your opponent may think you are taking a strike that you don’t think was good, you should try to acknowledge a hit as either good or not good in some way. This is not required but it does make combat run a little smoother. Don’t get upset if you think someone is not taking hits just ask him or her in a nice way what they thought about the hit in question. If that doesn’t work tell a marshal and we will speak to them if there is a problem. In combat if you swing your weapon you should call damage, Even if you are swinging it to block another weapon swing.
What You Should Not Do In Combat
Too Hard
While you are playing Mists of Valemar if you are told that you are swinging to hard lessen the force behind your swing. Remember all you need is a tap.
Illegal Targets
The head, groin, wrists and hands are illegal targets and hits to these areas should be avoided. Anyone that has a constant problem with striking these areas will be warned, if that is not sufficient then the offending player will be banned from play and asked to leave. This is non-negotiable and breaking this rule is dangerous and we would like to avoid any injuries from combat. Please remember though ACCIDENTS DO HAPPEN!
Charging
If at any time someone gets close enough to contact you with his or her body, or you are forced to move to keep them from running into you they are to close. This is considered charging. Say in a normal voice charging and the amount of damage that you swing. If this happens and hopefully it will be an accident, then the person who charged takes 2x the damage that the person who was charged swings for. Remember there should be no physical contact at all unless their explicit consent has been given.
Turtling
If at any time someone is using a shield or weapon to make all legal targets (IE: everything but head groin wrists) unable to swing at then he or she is turtling. This normally comes in when someone is crouching behind a shield.
How to Cast A Spell
The following are rules for casting spells in Mists of Valemar. When you first start playing we understand that you will have a little trouble with spells and their usage. We will be very lenient at first and after you get a couple of weekends under your belt we will be more stringent.
When casting a spell, you should complete the full correct incantation, in a voice loud enough so anyone close to you can hear it. When you have completed the incantation you will have 3 seconds to throw the packet. If these requirements are not met then the spell will be considered blown. If you hear a spell that was blown just tell them in a courteous voice the spell was blown. A blown spell is gone and cannot be used again until the end of the scene or your spells are restored some other way.
When you throw packet please try to avoid striking others in the head. As this is an illegal target, you may hurt someone if you hit them in there. If anything that you carry, wear, or are using is hit, it is the same as you are being hit by the spell. And please try to control your throws, packets are light but if thrown hard they can hurt, believe us we know.
Touch casting is allowed with the target's consent; if you haven’t been given consent please do not touch them.
If you are casting a spell on yourself a packet is still required. This is to symbolize that you're using magic.
If at any time you take body damage to your real body, while saying the incantation of a spell, it is considered blown and does not work. Real body is your actual body not your protective spells.
You can only have one protective at a time.
No spell can be up kept, unless it specifically states, in their description, that they can be.
You have 5 seconds from the time you were hit with a spell to call a defense against it.
What Happens when Someone Calls A Game Stop
When you hear the phrase “Game Stop” called out loud you should stop whatever you are doing stay were you are and repeat the phrase “Game Stop” Game Stops are usually called when something needs to be explained to the players, a spell/skill requires it, or an emergency or other dangerous event has occurred. If the Game Stop was called by the marshals than further instructions will be given as to what is going on, unless there is an emergency while the Game Stop is in effect. You shouldn’t be looking around or talking during a Game Stop unless you are told otherwise. Things that happen during a Game Stop are out of game (Unless it is a skill or spell effect.) and aren’t always known by your character. Since Game Stops delay the game we try to keep the amount that we use to a minimum. Once the situation is fixed than the person that called the Game Stop should ask if everyone is ready, if you are ready reply “Ready”, if you are not just say you're not ready. After everyone is ready a three count should be called (i.e. three, two, one, lay on) to restart the game by the person who called the Game Stop.
Fair Play
While the Mists of Valemar system has many influences and tries to be as open ended as possible, we take cheating very seriously. As it would be irritating and nearly impossible to police everyone, and like most other games of this kind, Mists of Valemar depends on an honor system. This generally works best because of peer pressure. If you follow the rules, others will be more inclined to follow them as well. Besides, cheating is lame and it detracts from the fun of the game.
The Three Safety Calls and Why You Need to Know Them
Because Mists of Valemar is both a role playing game and a game of physical contact, there is always the possibility of injuries. Whether it is physical or emotional, there needs to be a way to communicate when a scene has become uncomfortable (for whatever reason) or life threatening. Yelling “Help” for example because you have injured yourself running through the woods is indistinguishable from the same call by a person role-playing his/her fake injury. For this reason, there are three calls you need to know so that in case you need them and in case you hear them, you will now how to respond.
Apple
The word Apple signifies that a scene is getting uncomfortable for whatever reason and that you or the player who made the call would like the scene to ease up a bit. For example, a player may feel bothered when encountered with an overly flirtatious individual or with someone who is angry and in his/her face. In either of these situations, the call of Apple should signify to the offender that they need to back it off and tone it down.
Orange
A step above Apple, the call of Orange indicates that the scene is very uncomfortable and needs to end immediately. If you are involved with, watching, or in the vicinity of a scene that culminates in the Orange call, everyone should turn and walk away. All parties involved should gather themselves and reenter game at their convenience. This is not to say that the scene should be continued when all feel better. On the contrary, you should reenter game at a future point after that scene has ended. A GM should be notified and the situation explained if the orange call is used.
Starfish
Starfish is used to denote serious physical injury. Anyone hearing this call should yell and continue to yell “Starfish!” and immediate assistance should be given to the injured person. Safety is always our primary concern. Gameplay will not continue until that person has been cared for.
Rules of Conduct
Alcohol/Illegal Substance
Under no circumstances may anyone bring or be under the influence of alcohol or any illegal drugs. Being under the effects of such drugs degrade the game quickly. Anyone found with alcohol will have their alcohol put away until after the event and/or be removed from the game. Anyone found with illegal substances will be reported to the police and will be permanently removed from the game.
Anachronisms
We at Mists of Valemar understand that some out-of-period items will be brought into the game, but please try to keep them to a bare minimum. This includes electronic gadgets. If you feel that it is necessary to bring such items or feel that an item may enhance the environment, please get approval from us before bringing it in-game. When you bring food items to an event, please either put them in in-period containers (preferred) or keep them out of sight. Costumes should also be in-period. It really detracts from the game and makes it more difficult to role-play when you sit down at a table in the tavern and there are pop cans scattered about and players are wearing T-shirts and blue jeans.
Breaking the Law
Anyone caught breaking the law will be removed from the game permanently and referred to the police.
Dishonorable Conduct
Anyone caught cheating, such as not counting hits so your character may live, not giving up in-game items when being searched (when dead/dying/unconscious), etc., will be disciplined as follows:
1. Verbal Warning
2. Half your Levels will be removed from you character (I.E. if you were at Level 20, you are now at Level 10)
3. Removal from the game
Don’t Cheat; It’s Not Worth It
We must mention one more thing that we feel is very important to every live action role-playing system. Unfortunately there are people out there who think to win that they must cheat. Everyone’s goal is to have a good time and to cheat is to take away from that goal. Cheating will not be tolerated. We understand that sometimes you will throw an extra slay or overcast your spells. You better believe that we have done it on accident and we understand that it does happen. Unfortunately to do this you will have to expend a little of your charter's spirit, causing your spirit strength to become weaker . So what that means is, you will forfeit the levels that you would have gained during that event.
If you do not count hits, or swing too much damage, what fun is it for the other players that do not cheat? In order to keep track of things you will have tags and a character sheet, and the monsters will have monster cards. If there is any doubt whatsoever ask to see the persons character sheet or their monster card. So if you are asked to show your character sheet don’t be upset, we often do spot checks to see that things are in order, this does not mean that you are being accused of cheating but it is just a way of keeping track of some situations. Should you have a question about what someone else has done please tell an NPC or someone on plot, as time permits before going to that person.
We know there are special circumstances that the player wishes to remain hidden and unfortunately some people feel uncomfortable with other players questioning them. We need everyone’s input to help keep the game running smoothly and since we can’t be everywhere at once, the best person to tell you if you have made a mistake is yourself. I feel that if you can beat a great threat or accomplish a daring feat without cheating then you have accomplished a lot more and can look back and be proud of what you have done, win or lose at least you gave it your best shot. You are more than welcome to ask a marshal to check your card and tell the other person that yes indeed he/she can do what you are saying you can do. Never take offense it is a check and balance to make sure the game works properly.
Game Intent (The spirit of the rules)
Some rules are not so solid as a matter of course. We are not perfect at writing; as a matter of fact we are out of practice novices. So some of the rules in the game may seem vague it is the intent of the rules that we would like you to try to follow. We are sure that there are loopholes in some rules but we would appreciate it if you what their intent was and not the actual wording. We can all understand the spirit of the rules and we ask that you all follow them. If you do the game is a much better game.
Real Weapons
Anyone who brings a real weapon will be told to put it away. The only weapons that may be used are small utility knives for the making of traps and such. Also, you are allowed to carry a walking stick, but when combat begins it must be promptly removed from the combat area without slowing down the game. Any time that having a walking stick becomes a problem you will be asked to put it away.
Sexual Conduct
There is no sexual activity allowed at Mists of Valemar. People who are having sex will be asked to leave the game. Minors who engage in sexual activity will be permanently removed from the game, their parents will be notified, as will the police.
Smoking
We at Mists of Valemar ask that you refrain from smoking. If you feel that you must smoke, please do so in a responsible manner. Please, do not leave any cigarette butts lying about or bother any nonsmoker while at an event. Smoking is restricted to the parking area.
Stealing
Anyone caught trying to steal an out-of-game item will be immediately removed from the game and will be barred from all future events.
Special Headbands
White - Means a person is OOG (Out Of Game) Do not approach them while you are in character unless you are asking an OOG question.
Orange - Means a person is a Non-Combatant. This is generally a special case, and will be announced at the beginning of game.
Also, to protect our organization, our players and the generous people who have allowed us to use their land to play on, we require that our players sign a waiver. Parents will have to sign for the minors.
A live action role playing game, or “LARP” like Mists of Valemar take familiar game-play elements from table-top dice games like Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and others. Also picking up elements from online games like World of Warcraft, League of Legends, etc. Then takes a unique physical element: your game actions must be acted out. Instead of the outcome interactions being determined by numbers on a paper, dice roles, or button pushing, the basic mechanics of LARP involve players actually trying to strike each other with padded “Boffer” style weapons and bird seed filled cloth packets. When push comes to shove, the more agile player can jump out of the way of spells and arrows, the more nimble/accurate players can land more hits, and the player who runs faster can survive longer.
What happens when you die?
If at any time your body drops below zero you will fall to the ground unconscious, and begin to bleed to death, during this time simple healing spells will be able to heal you. After one minute of bleeding you will die. When death occurs your body’s hold on your spirit will begin to weaken, then 5 minutes later your spirit will be unable to stay in your body. You can choose to dissipate earlier but the maximum time you can stay in the body is 5 minutes. This will cause your body to dissipate (you should immediately put on your white headband on or do something to signify that you are now in the spirit realm) after your body dissipates you can no longer be brought back to life. After your spirit leaves your body all in game items are left where you died. (All in game tags, armor, weapons, essences, coins and items) After you enter the spirit world you have 5 minutes to journey to death's realm to draw from his bag of chance. Remember as a spirit you cannot talk but you can mouth words or pantomime to try and convince others to help you face death. And where would that be? Normally it is monster camp.
Unconsciousness and you
If at any time your body you will become unconscious. While your body or willpower is at zero your body is trying to cope with its current dilemma, unfortunately this takes you 5 minutes before you can recover. When you do regain consciousness your body will raise 1 point.
Rules of Combat
How to swing a Weapon the Correct Way
To make this easy from here on out, I will refer to foam weapons that have been constructed and approved by a safety marshal as just a weapon. So when you see weapon from here on out it is a properly constructed and approved weapon that is safe for use in combat.
In Mists of Valemar you will most likely be using weapons in combat or if you don’t you will probably be getting struck at one point or another. So it will be in your best interest to know what a proper and improper swing is.
For a swing to be proper you must swing it in at least a 45 degree arc but no greater than a 90 degree arc. Contact must be made to the targets body in order to be considered an acceptable hit. The contact should be a light tap, no hard swings, remember you are playing a game not trying to hurt someone for real. While you swing your weapon you should be calling in a clear voice the amount of damage that it does, and as you finish your damage call the weapon should strike. Because your opponent may think you are taking a strike that you don’t think was good, you should try to acknowledge a hit as either good or not good in some way. This is not required but it does make combat run a little smoother. Don’t get upset if you think someone is not taking hits just ask him or her in a nice way what they thought about the hit in question. If that doesn’t work tell a marshal and we will speak to them if there is a problem. In combat if you swing your weapon you should call damage, Even if you are swinging it to block another weapon swing.
What You Should Not Do In Combat
Too Hard
While you are playing Mists of Valemar if you are told that you are swinging to hard lessen the force behind your swing. Remember all you need is a tap.
Illegal Targets
The head, groin, wrists and hands are illegal targets and hits to these areas should be avoided. Anyone that has a constant problem with striking these areas will be warned, if that is not sufficient then the offending player will be banned from play and asked to leave. This is non-negotiable and breaking this rule is dangerous and we would like to avoid any injuries from combat. Please remember though ACCIDENTS DO HAPPEN!
Charging
If at any time someone gets close enough to contact you with his or her body, or you are forced to move to keep them from running into you they are to close. This is considered charging. Say in a normal voice charging and the amount of damage that you swing. If this happens and hopefully it will be an accident, then the person who charged takes 2x the damage that the person who was charged swings for. Remember there should be no physical contact at all unless their explicit consent has been given.
Turtling
If at any time someone is using a shield or weapon to make all legal targets (IE: everything but head groin wrists) unable to swing at then he or she is turtling. This normally comes in when someone is crouching behind a shield.
How to Cast A Spell
The following are rules for casting spells in Mists of Valemar. When you first start playing we understand that you will have a little trouble with spells and their usage. We will be very lenient at first and after you get a couple of weekends under your belt we will be more stringent.
When casting a spell, you should complete the full correct incantation, in a voice loud enough so anyone close to you can hear it. When you have completed the incantation you will have 3 seconds to throw the packet. If these requirements are not met then the spell will be considered blown. If you hear a spell that was blown just tell them in a courteous voice the spell was blown. A blown spell is gone and cannot be used again until the end of the scene or your spells are restored some other way.
When you throw packet please try to avoid striking others in the head. As this is an illegal target, you may hurt someone if you hit them in there. If anything that you carry, wear, or are using is hit, it is the same as you are being hit by the spell. And please try to control your throws, packets are light but if thrown hard they can hurt, believe us we know.
Touch casting is allowed with the target's consent; if you haven’t been given consent please do not touch them.
If you are casting a spell on yourself a packet is still required. This is to symbolize that you're using magic.
If at any time you take body damage to your real body, while saying the incantation of a spell, it is considered blown and does not work. Real body is your actual body not your protective spells.
You can only have one protective at a time.
No spell can be up kept, unless it specifically states, in their description, that they can be.
You have 5 seconds from the time you were hit with a spell to call a defense against it.
What Happens when Someone Calls A Game Stop
When you hear the phrase “Game Stop” called out loud you should stop whatever you are doing stay were you are and repeat the phrase “Game Stop” Game Stops are usually called when something needs to be explained to the players, a spell/skill requires it, or an emergency or other dangerous event has occurred. If the Game Stop was called by the marshals than further instructions will be given as to what is going on, unless there is an emergency while the Game Stop is in effect. You shouldn’t be looking around or talking during a Game Stop unless you are told otherwise. Things that happen during a Game Stop are out of game (Unless it is a skill or spell effect.) and aren’t always known by your character. Since Game Stops delay the game we try to keep the amount that we use to a minimum. Once the situation is fixed than the person that called the Game Stop should ask if everyone is ready, if you are ready reply “Ready”, if you are not just say you're not ready. After everyone is ready a three count should be called (i.e. three, two, one, lay on) to restart the game by the person who called the Game Stop.
Fair Play
While the Mists of Valemar system has many influences and tries to be as open ended as possible, we take cheating very seriously. As it would be irritating and nearly impossible to police everyone, and like most other games of this kind, Mists of Valemar depends on an honor system. This generally works best because of peer pressure. If you follow the rules, others will be more inclined to follow them as well. Besides, cheating is lame and it detracts from the fun of the game.
The Three Safety Calls and Why You Need to Know Them
Because Mists of Valemar is both a role playing game and a game of physical contact, there is always the possibility of injuries. Whether it is physical or emotional, there needs to be a way to communicate when a scene has become uncomfortable (for whatever reason) or life threatening. Yelling “Help” for example because you have injured yourself running through the woods is indistinguishable from the same call by a person role-playing his/her fake injury. For this reason, there are three calls you need to know so that in case you need them and in case you hear them, you will now how to respond.
Apple
The word Apple signifies that a scene is getting uncomfortable for whatever reason and that you or the player who made the call would like the scene to ease up a bit. For example, a player may feel bothered when encountered with an overly flirtatious individual or with someone who is angry and in his/her face. In either of these situations, the call of Apple should signify to the offender that they need to back it off and tone it down.
Orange
A step above Apple, the call of Orange indicates that the scene is very uncomfortable and needs to end immediately. If you are involved with, watching, or in the vicinity of a scene that culminates in the Orange call, everyone should turn and walk away. All parties involved should gather themselves and reenter game at their convenience. This is not to say that the scene should be continued when all feel better. On the contrary, you should reenter game at a future point after that scene has ended. A GM should be notified and the situation explained if the orange call is used.
Starfish
Starfish is used to denote serious physical injury. Anyone hearing this call should yell and continue to yell “Starfish!” and immediate assistance should be given to the injured person. Safety is always our primary concern. Gameplay will not continue until that person has been cared for.
Rules of Conduct
Alcohol/Illegal Substance
Under no circumstances may anyone bring or be under the influence of alcohol or any illegal drugs. Being under the effects of such drugs degrade the game quickly. Anyone found with alcohol will have their alcohol put away until after the event and/or be removed from the game. Anyone found with illegal substances will be reported to the police and will be permanently removed from the game.
Anachronisms
We at Mists of Valemar understand that some out-of-period items will be brought into the game, but please try to keep them to a bare minimum. This includes electronic gadgets. If you feel that it is necessary to bring such items or feel that an item may enhance the environment, please get approval from us before bringing it in-game. When you bring food items to an event, please either put them in in-period containers (preferred) or keep them out of sight. Costumes should also be in-period. It really detracts from the game and makes it more difficult to role-play when you sit down at a table in the tavern and there are pop cans scattered about and players are wearing T-shirts and blue jeans.
Breaking the Law
Anyone caught breaking the law will be removed from the game permanently and referred to the police.
Dishonorable Conduct
Anyone caught cheating, such as not counting hits so your character may live, not giving up in-game items when being searched (when dead/dying/unconscious), etc., will be disciplined as follows:
1. Verbal Warning
2. Half your Levels will be removed from you character (I.E. if you were at Level 20, you are now at Level 10)
3. Removal from the game
Don’t Cheat; It’s Not Worth It
We must mention one more thing that we feel is very important to every live action role-playing system. Unfortunately there are people out there who think to win that they must cheat. Everyone’s goal is to have a good time and to cheat is to take away from that goal. Cheating will not be tolerated. We understand that sometimes you will throw an extra slay or overcast your spells. You better believe that we have done it on accident and we understand that it does happen. Unfortunately to do this you will have to expend a little of your charter's spirit, causing your spirit strength to become weaker . So what that means is, you will forfeit the levels that you would have gained during that event.
If you do not count hits, or swing too much damage, what fun is it for the other players that do not cheat? In order to keep track of things you will have tags and a character sheet, and the monsters will have monster cards. If there is any doubt whatsoever ask to see the persons character sheet or their monster card. So if you are asked to show your character sheet don’t be upset, we often do spot checks to see that things are in order, this does not mean that you are being accused of cheating but it is just a way of keeping track of some situations. Should you have a question about what someone else has done please tell an NPC or someone on plot, as time permits before going to that person.
We know there are special circumstances that the player wishes to remain hidden and unfortunately some people feel uncomfortable with other players questioning them. We need everyone’s input to help keep the game running smoothly and since we can’t be everywhere at once, the best person to tell you if you have made a mistake is yourself. I feel that if you can beat a great threat or accomplish a daring feat without cheating then you have accomplished a lot more and can look back and be proud of what you have done, win or lose at least you gave it your best shot. You are more than welcome to ask a marshal to check your card and tell the other person that yes indeed he/she can do what you are saying you can do. Never take offense it is a check and balance to make sure the game works properly.
Game Intent (The spirit of the rules)
Some rules are not so solid as a matter of course. We are not perfect at writing; as a matter of fact we are out of practice novices. So some of the rules in the game may seem vague it is the intent of the rules that we would like you to try to follow. We are sure that there are loopholes in some rules but we would appreciate it if you what their intent was and not the actual wording. We can all understand the spirit of the rules and we ask that you all follow them. If you do the game is a much better game.
Real Weapons
Anyone who brings a real weapon will be told to put it away. The only weapons that may be used are small utility knives for the making of traps and such. Also, you are allowed to carry a walking stick, but when combat begins it must be promptly removed from the combat area without slowing down the game. Any time that having a walking stick becomes a problem you will be asked to put it away.
Sexual Conduct
There is no sexual activity allowed at Mists of Valemar. People who are having sex will be asked to leave the game. Minors who engage in sexual activity will be permanently removed from the game, their parents will be notified, as will the police.
Smoking
We at Mists of Valemar ask that you refrain from smoking. If you feel that you must smoke, please do so in a responsible manner. Please, do not leave any cigarette butts lying about or bother any nonsmoker while at an event. Smoking is restricted to the parking area.
Stealing
Anyone caught trying to steal an out-of-game item will be immediately removed from the game and will be barred from all future events.
Special Headbands
White - Means a person is OOG (Out Of Game) Do not approach them while you are in character unless you are asking an OOG question.
Orange - Means a person is a Non-Combatant. This is generally a special case, and will be announced at the beginning of game.
Also, to protect our organization, our players and the generous people who have allowed us to use their land to play on, we require that our players sign a waiver. Parents will have to sign for the minors.