Guilds
Guilds are something to work on later. But numerous guilds at the moment will contact adventurers to arrange jobs for them now.
How do I play?
At the start of each event, players are given a full briefing (lasting about 5 minutes). At this time the rules are explained, some safety points are made and you will be told the story so far. Play then starts with a 3 second count-down by a ref and the call of “Time In”. At the end of a game a ref will call “Time Out” to signal the end of the game.
What is this Time In / Time Out stuff?
When “Time In” is called you are now your character (and not you) this is called being “IC”. Anything you say is what your character says. So if you start talking about football your Elven friends may well subdue you to unconsciousness coz you (the dwarf) must be going mad as you keep jabbering on about “football”. You get the idea. Anyone caught saying something like “I’m level 3 next event” whilst in game will get some very strange looks from everyone.
Sometimes a game will over run its allocated slot, this is to tie up any loose ends or just give you enough time to kill the big boss monster. But most should finish at the advertised time. We must be off site before 11pm (or overtime for the fort staff kicks in) so if we are over running the end game be prepared to finish any GC stuff outside in the road!!
How does combat work?
Players engage in battle using specially made weapons designed for safety and realism. You will be given a number of hit points according to race and class. When fighting with another player, you lose a hit point for every blow you receive (unless they call a special like double). When your hit points reach Zero you are unconscious, dying and your pulse stops. You then have 3 mins to be healed (bandages, potions and Herbs don't work on the dying) or you die. However you then have another 3 mins to be resurrected by someone who has the power to do so. If this does not happen then your character is dead dead and you must go to your Ref and create a new level 1 character. No stabbing of weapons are allowed in our games.
How do I cast a spell?
With magic we do not expect you to be able to create a real fireball so we use a system that uses our imagination. A magic user will roleplay calling upon their method of magic and say a series of words called a spell vocal (eg by my power fireball level 3). They will then gesture towards the opponent they cast the spell at and simultaneously tear in half one of their spell rips. The Magic spell then hits the target (you cannot dodge a spell – unless you have a special ability to do so) and you take the damage / spell as it was called.
If you are interrupted (eg hit with a weapon or another spell) whilst casting a spell (saying the vocal bit) then the spell fails, but you do not tear your rips. However, there are some classes that allow double ripping. This means that if they are interrupted they can use double the amount of spell rips to power through the magic and so cast the spell.
Eg A sorcerer is casting fireball level 3 but is hit by an arrow halfway through the casting (the vocal bit). The sorcerer really needs to kill the opponents in front of him otherwise he is in big trouble as his HP is low, so he decides to double rip and continues the spell vocal and then cast the spell. As the launches the spell he tears in half 2 spell rips and a level 3 fireball hits the opponent he was aiming at.
Some classes do not allow double ripping!
End of the Day
At the end of a gaming sessions please return your character cards / gold and new special items to GC for safe keeping / registering, failing to do this and you subsequent loosing it may result in the death of that character.
GC at the start
You will sign in, read the rules and fill out emergency form (if you haven’t done this before) sort out your character card for that game; undergo a weapon check, a safety briefing. You will be given the opportunity to trade with GC with your gold and other stuff. Any new players will be given a separate briefing including combat safety training. Bow competency may be available. Best to check in advance that this is available.
How to book a game
Some games are popular, some maybe not so. Therefore we recommend you book in advance and game you are certain to attend. You can only book in advance 2 weeks before a game. I.e. tell us on the game before. Email / PM or text is good. Obviously if you don’t book it doesn’t mean you won’t play but it is good to let us know so we can budget resources to you. There is no point in setting up a level 5 – 7 game if everyone wants to play level 7 extreme. Tell us what you want and we’ll do it.
Help, what do I do if I have a question?
Ask us either by text / phone / email or on the forums. If you ask on the forums some people may help you much faster than GC, but they will only give their opinion on the matter, but usually they are right and damn helpful people they are. So if really concerned just ask GC at a game or by PM / text or email.
Where is it?
We are currently seeking a new site.
When?
Look at the Home page or check out the forums for extra details.
What is a double length game?
A game that plays for 4 hours instead of the normal 2 hours. You are given double the amount of spell rips you normally have but we don’t stop after 2 hours, we keep going! You may gain double experience for this, check before playing. A Double game will be the same cost as 2 games on the same day, but more intense and satisfying.
Do I start at level 1
If you are new to our system or larp in general (don’t worry we all were newbs once), then we recomend you start at level 1. This is because we want you to enjoy the game and not be bombarded by so many rules you get confused and give up. It will be a simple game to understand, but there will always be loads of combat and magic flying around to familiar yourself on what we do. Once you’ve played a few games with us you can ask to start a new character on a higher level. Howeve, if you can only make a 3 - 5 game then you start a lvl 3 character (the lowest the dungeon is aimed at) but you have no money or magic items at the start.
How do I go up a level?
Each time your character survives a game you gain a bit of experience. And if your character has enough experience then they gain a level and new skills with it. The way we do gaining levels is easy to understand and is fair to all. You gain a new level once your character has played the number of games that he is on.
E.g. A level 4 character will need to complete 4 dungeons to gain level 5.
E.g. A level 2 character does 2 level 2 dungeons to become level 3 and a level 1 character completes 1 dungeon to become level 2.
A character gaining level 7 is considered godlike, famous as well as being rich and powerful and may well be offered solo dungeons to play!
What do I do
Come along with an open eye and join in. You can’t come and watch, it is not a spectator sport. Read all the rules, get an understanding of what we do, visit the forums.
What do I wear
When you first attend a game you might not have a good costume or any at all. Don’t worry we will lend you some basic stuff, just come in plain non-logo stuff and we can lend you a tabard with a sash. But you will have to play a human as we don’t have any spare bits to make you look like other races.
Best to come in dark earth or black trousers and jumper / shirt.
We can even lend you a basic weapon (usually a sword) as well to get you started in our hobby.
Once you get hooked on the hobby there are loads of friendly people to ask advice on how to make or get cheap your own costume and even where you can buy new or second hand weapons from. While it can be an extremely expensive hobby it can also be a cheap one as well. Please note that ebay is an expensive place to buy stuff for roleplay and there are plenty of people who know where to get stuff cheap. A lot of stuff comes from charity shops for a few pounds; just have a look around for it.
Monster credits?
In order to make sure we get lots of monsters for players to fight we have a monster credit thing. Whenever you monster a game you are given 1 monster credit added to your file. Once you have 3 credits (ie you’ve monstered for 3 games) you can play a game for free! (Note that some games cannot be used for free using monster credits. Usually double length ones or specially organized games. Check before you come if you can use your free game)
How many characters can I have?
No more than 10, otherwise it is a bit daft on our filing system
Who goes?
Loads of people from different backgrounds do larp. We have some kids under 10, loads of teenagers 16 - 18, but primarily we have Adults from 18 and up. Older people are especially welcome to come along.
Is it safe?
Yes, I don’t know of any deaths occurring in larp. Did you know that fishing is the world’s deadliest sport, look it up in the Guinness book of records!!
Is it insured?
Yes, employers and public liability is covered. Player damaging another player is not covered (unless a ref tells a player to do something that causes the injury). Please ask to see the policy if you are in any doubt about our cover. I’m not a lawyer so not really gonna say things that are and aren’t covered here.
How do I get there?
Train, plane, car and boat.
You’ve a forum, can I ask questions or chat?
YES, visit it here dungeon master forum link
I want to be a dragon or a demon, can I?
NO, but you could ask GC if you can play a half-demon, but be prepared for the people in your party to kill you straight away as you are not loved in the world.
I want to create a magic sword, can I?
We have not devised a ritual circle in our game yet, but if you ask we might have thought about it and have an answer for you
I made a weapon can I bring it along and bash people with it?
Only if it passes our strict safety test, otherwise it will not be allowed into a game area. On our forum should be some links to making your own weapon properly. Note it costs about £100 to buy all the materials and all the tools to make 1 weapon from scratch, you will need to make about 20 in order to cover your costs.
Bows and cross bows – how are these safe?
We only allow larp-safe bows and crossbows to our games. These are specially designed items with limited power. The arrow or bolt has a large padded tip. You feel it hit but it doesn’t normally hurt. Anyone using a bow or x-bow will undergo a safety bow competency test, this is where we show you when and how to shoot people in different scenarios (e.g. how to shoot when someone is close to you, when not to shoot and where to aim (torso) and no lofted shots – you must fire straight at a target) and not shoot over someone's head or shoulder.
Throwing weapons, what are these?
These are all foam constructed things like daggers, hammers etc. NO GLUE STICKS or other material inside. Must be all foam construction. You cannot throw your sword at someone either as that is not safe. You cannot fight with a throwing weapon as it has no core inside.
Armour, does it have to be real or will a string vest spayed silver do?
String vest is allowed for new players. No string vests are allowed from level 3 onwards. Most people by this time have decided they love the game and so buy some proper stuff. Ask us and we’ll give you hints and weblinks of where to get good armour from cheaply.
I want to give some of my character’s gold to a mate who wants to play, can I?
You can only give things like Gold or special items to other characters that you are playing with in a game. So if you want to give your mate a load of gold then he must play a game with you. This is to allow GC to keep tabs on where everything is and to stop cheating and disputes about who owns what.
What is IC?
When “Time In” is called you are now your character (and not you) this is called being “IC”. Anything you say is what your character says. So if you start talking about football your Elven friends may well subdue you to unconsciousness coz you (the dwarf) must be going mad as you keep jabbering on about “football”. You get the idea. Anyone caught saying something like “I’m level 3 next event” whilst in game will get some very strange looks from everyone.
So what is OOC?
OOC or OC is when you are you (the real person who works at
Refs and Ref Calls?
A ref is a yellow jacket member of the game who makes the world real by describing what your character is looking at, how you feel (cold or sad) and also interprets any rule queries.
E.g. You enter a corridor and the ref says that “there are loads of vines on the walls” as you go further into the corridor the ref may say “A vine shoots out and stings you, take 1 point of damage, and the vine now has a grip on you and it is pulling you towards a big plantlike mouth” You then pretend and act out what has been said, hopefully you will survive!
A “ref call” is asked by players and monsters when so many things happen at the same time and a decision needs to be made as to the outcome. When this happens we all go OC and everyone involved tells the ref calmly what they did, the ref then makes the decision and will count you back in to Time in in 3 seconds.
E.g. Monsters and players have a magic casting fest but it is not clear who muted whom and who cast sleep on whom etc. The ref sorts out who did what when, who is asleep, whose spell failed etc. Then the ref will say “3, 2, 1, Time In” and you instantly do what the ref agreed and play continues.
A ref’s decision is final but sometimes can be wrong – however the decision that has been made at the time will be the one we all stick to.
Any consequent disputes will be sorted by GC and a baseball bat!
Whistles and Man Down calls?
Having mass fights in tunnels and woodlands can be dangerous. So a whistle system is in place. If someone is injured a whistle is blown (if a ref sees it) or players shout “Man Down” then a ref will blow a whistle. All play instantly stops. Everyone then kneels down and 1st aid is given to the injured person. When play is safe to continue a ref will count down to Time In “3, 2, 1 Time In”. We will only re-start after 1st aid treatment, so be patient.
Smoking? Not inside the tunnels or indoors
Not allowed inside any structure / building – this includes the tunnels (it’s the law, as for some people it is their place of work) and use a bin for the stub please. In the tunnels there is a place that leads to outside, so go have one there. (Ask a ref to show you)
I wanna be an Dwarf but I don’t want to wear a fake beard?
Then either grow one or change your ideas and play a Troll instead
Where do I get Elf ears from?
We stock a small supply for £4 a pair, but adventurer's emporium shop link do loads of stuff and they are cheap and the owner is a good friend who does a load of larp as well. He also has an ebay site adventurer's emporium ebay link
Where do I get weapons from?
We have a few you may borrow, but there is nothing like using your own weapon (you can practice using it at home). The ones we lend out may not be in the best of condition (they have to be safety checked just like normal weapons). We cannot guarantee to have the exact weapon available for a game. Anyway you will soon want to buy your own and let a new player use the loan ones.
We may have some new or even good second hand weapons for sale. Other players may be selling their old ones or we can point you in the right direction of where to get one. EBay is good for most larp things but I would not recommend buying a weapon from there as you cannot know what condition it is in and many on eBay (we have experience of this) do not meet our safety requirements (you have been warned). Any weapon deemed not safe is not allowed into a game area.
Bows and x-bows, I want one … but where from?
See above, arrowkaster are one of the main leading suppliers. They don’t have a website. Saying that GC knows a few people who are cheaper, so ask them
I wanna play more larp, are there anymore clubs around here?
Yes, many different systems use the tunnels, ask GC and we’ll point you in their direction, or check the forums or for other locations around the country look at lrp-alliance or rule 7 as well. We can even host your system for you. (ie you can use the facilities at the fort, gain cover from our insurance and we’ll provide 1st aiders, walkie talkies, yellow vests, monster kit, all at a very low price)
Is there a bar or café?
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Toilets?
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Carparking?
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Security?
Yes, but we cannot be liable for loss or damage of your property and all that lawyer speak stuff.
Can I use walkie talkies to co-ordinate attacks with my mate?
NO, this is called cheating!
Can I use drugs like dope at an event?
No and the police will be called
Can I drink alcohol at an event even though I am 17
No and the police will be called
Can my mum and dad watch?
No, there is no one to ensure their safety while you play. Larp is a non-spectator sport. But get them involved and make them play a game as well – they’ll love it and look after you as well.