Newbie Extraordinaire reporting for duty!

Hello everyone, I'm Stephanie, I'm 27, and I'm an RPG addict.

I'm looking forward to trying out LARPing. After years of Table Top and video game RPGs, I'm finally ready to take the plunge into the next "level" of the addiction. Honestly I'm incredibly in love with the atmosphere I've seen in the pictures, from outfits to decor (and the "24-hour rule"), I find it all amazing and really cool. It has really drawn me in and was pretty much the "straw that broke the camels back" with me giving in to giving LARPing a try! Curiousity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back, as they say.

I've been pouring over the rules and various sources of information for KR, and gobbling up any information about being a LARP Newbie in general that I can through youtube , but of course, some things are best to just go the source and ask about, right?

My first concern is combat related. Now, I read about the head bands and the colors and all that. However, I don't want to be a non-com, BUT, I'm not super comfortable with fighting just yet. (the character I've been cooking up works with that in a RP way) I plan on learning in my own time, and down the road may even make a combat oriented character, but right now, my character is going to be more craft and RP inclined. Now, with all that said, what I was wondering is if I can sign up for NPC duties that AREN'T being a monster/combat NPC?

I'm more than happy to do kitchen(even during feast) and bar duty ( Go ahead and call me a bar wench and demand tasty beverages! I've dealt with mouth-foaming casino patrons; nothing phases me!) , or non-combat oriented plot NPCs, but I'd prefer to avoid any true combat until I'm more comfortable with it. I don't mind being around it (and the idea of running away while getting chased sounds amazingly fun), but I'd rather it not be my focus job/NPC duties until I get more comfortable with foamy love-smackin' each other.

My second concern is about fire pit rules/safety. I'm no stranger to camping and fire safety, but what I am curious about is if I'm allowed to stick a water kettle on the embers/outer fire to heat up some water for tea , or if I should strictly stick to the kitchen OOC tools (as was mentioned in another newbie thread where they talked about coffee options) for such things. Rules are rules so I'll follow whatever I'm told on this, but being able to keep it "in-character" would probably help me get better at staying in-character during the game. I doubt I'll be hauling any kettles and teapots up with me my first time, but It's more of a future concern.

Also, while reading the new player information here on the website, I saw that it's encouraged that I bring things to donate to the LARP, which I'm totally down for. However.. I'm not quite certain where to find out WHAT to bring-- as in what is currently needed, or would be appreciated, etc. Is there a list somewhere that I can look over?

Thanks in advance for any help you can throw my way! (apologies for the wall of text)

While I will leave your question to those who are marshals and what not, I must say your enthusiasm is infectious, and I really look forward to playing with you when you do come around.

Aw, thanks! I'm hoping to come for my first event in September, actually. Now that's I'm spending all my free time reading about KR, developing my character as a person(the idea of actually BEING my character, rather than just speaking for her ala table top is pretty awesome), planning and plotting , I'm becoming more and more eager to dive in.

I look forward to meeting you, and your character!

Hey New Player Marshal here. Name's Conor. Let me see if I can help you out.

Lyra wrote: My first concern is combat related. Now, I read about the head bands and the colors and all that. However, I don't want to be a non-com, BUT, I'm not super comfortable with fighting just yet. (the character I've been cooking up works with that in a RP way) I plan on learning in my own time, and down the road may even make a combat oriented character, but right now, my character is going to be more craft and RP inclined. Now, with all that said, what I was wondering is if I can sign up for NPC duties that AREN'T being a monster/combat NPC?

I'm more than happy to do kitchen(even during feast) and bar duty ( Go ahead and call me a bar wench and demand tasty beverages! I've dealt with mouth-foaming casino patrons; nothing phases me!) , or non-combat oriented plot NPCs, but I'd prefer to avoid any true combat until I'm more comfortable with it. I don't mind being around it (and the idea of running away while getting chased sounds amazingly fun), but I'd rather it not be my focus job/NPC duties until I get more comfortable with foamy love-smackin' each other.

My second concern is about fire pit rules/safety. I'm no stranger to camping and fire safety, but what I am curious about is if I'm allowed to stick a water kettle on the embers/outer fire to heat up some water for tea , or if I should strictly stick to the kitchen OOC tools (as was mentioned in another newbie thread where they talked about coffee options) for such things. Rules are rules so I'll follow whatever I'm told on this, but being able to keep it "in-character" would probably help me get better at staying in-character during the game. I doubt I'll be hauling any kettles and teapots up with me my first time, but It's more of a future concern.

Also, while reading the new player information here on the website, I saw that it's encouraged that I bring things to donate to the LARP, which I'm totally down for. However.. I'm not quite certain where to find out WHAT to bring-- as in what is currently needed, or would be appreciated, etc. Is there a list somewhere that I can look over?

1: The difference between a Green Headband and a RP character, is that a GH CAN NOT be hit at all. a RP character however can by choice not fight IG, but someone, if they want to, can hit you. You can then choose to run, or fight.

NPC shifts are set on a number basis, the earlier to get to check in the better to get the shift you want. Most Marshals will accommodate, as much as they can, requests for RP roles. The shifts that are most likely to be able to do that are Saturday 10a-2p, Sat 2p-6p, and Sun 9a-1p. The others are night shifts and most encounters are combat oriented.

Bar shifts and helping with kitchen do not count as a NPC shift unless you are cooking feast (which is usually left to the kitchen marshals). Instead, you get Service Points and IG Gold most of the time when doing this.

2: As long as you keep your fire in the fire pit, and put out the coals/fire when you are done, feel free to heat up a kettle. Just be respectful, and if you are going to use a land's fire pit, you should ask for permission from someone in that land. Also keep the weather in mind. If it is a very dry weekend, be extra careful or use the OOG kitchen method, provided the KM are okay with it.

3: Under the Service Points section, Needed Donations, under Logistics there is a list of things that we always need. I'll copy them here, but just in case you need to check in the future it is there.
Quick and easy items that we always could use

Spell Packets (500 SP for 100 Tied Packets, 1,000 SP for 100 sewn packets)

Headbands (White and Blue, Yellow and Red)

Tiki-Torch Fuel

Powdered Drink Mixes

Boffer claws (Small Weapon and 1-Handed sizes, in pairs)

Inexpensive, generic latex weapons for NPC use

Glow Sticks (Bulk quantities of the larger kinds, for lighting up areas at night)

Hi, Stephanie!

Welcome, welcome. I'm Jeff, another New Player Marshal. Unlike you, I came to larping without any role-playing experience, but I loved it anyway. I'm confident you'll hit the ground running.

In addition to the supplies needed all year-round listed by Conor, occasionally there will be a thread posted in the Announcements forum that list things needed that month. Example, from February:

www.knightrealms.com/forum/Announcements...-february-event.html

If you have any more questions, don't hesitate to ask! Also, bring many, many socks.

Cheers,

Jeff

Thanks for the answers and tips, guys! It's awesome to see mods being active in the community.

If I cook up anymore queries I'll be certain to come pester you guys.




PS:
Aaaaallll the socks! I shall make an alter of them; to pray to the gods for dry feet.

Hey Stephanie! Love the zealous thirst you have for the start of this adventure (I felt much the same way after I decided to join, poring over every bit of information and question I could find). The staff here at KR do a fantastic job of instantly engaging every new player as soon as their character comes onto the scene, but if you need any in-game help getting on your feet and being introduced to others, just look up any of the Tanwyn clan. The second eldest of the family in particular, Cade, is the head of the Adventurers Guild (a group tailored around bringing together in greater camaraderie those newish to Travance). Our family makes it a point to take care of those who have only recently arrived, so don't hesitate to find us!

Hello, Stephanie my name is Matthew Majchrzak, I'm one of the new player marshals at the game as well as the story teller running the September event, if you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me.

Hope you enjoy yourself

Hi Stephanie.
I'm not a New Player Marshal, but I do have helpful tips.

1). Don't ever be afraid to ask questions. Even if the answer is obvious, ask questions whenever you need to know anything.

2). Pack LOTS of socks. Trust me you'll need them.

3). Don't be afraid to role play. Even if you think it's looks weird, everyone loves someone that can really get into character.

4). Just have fun.


Oh and one more thing. If you learn a character's name, there are sometimes other players with the same name for their character.

Hello Steph!

I'm John, a Safety Marshal and can address some of the below bits...

Lyra wrote:
My first concern is combat related. Now, I read about the head bands and the colors and all that. However, I don't want to be a non-com, BUT, I'm not super comfortable with fighting just yet. (the character I've been cooking up works with that in a RP way) I plan on learning in my own time, and down the road may even make a combat oriented character, but right now, my character is going to be more craft and RP inclined. Now, with all that said, what I was wondering is if I can sign up for NPC duties that AREN'T being a monster/combat NPC?

I am glad you are concerned about the combat parts; far too many new players just look to jump in and start swinging...

I and a trio of others hold a potluck picnic and fighter practice periodically throughout the year- our next one is this weekend- where we try to help new players learn how to properly Larp Fight and teach the basics of the various weapon styles to folks interested.

We are not the last word in such things.... but I will say with one exception, there have bee no problems with anyone we've taught... and in at least three instances, those who we've helped learn have become pretty darn capable fighters.

Its more than us who do the teaching too... veteran players are also in attendance and in all the previous events we've done, they step up to help teach. ( I know I don't know everything and also know my methods of instruction are not right for all students. :) )

I also am more than willing to teach AT game too- such lessons are usually IC but I've been asked to provide an OOC lesson or three too.. :)

If you the time this weekend, come on out. The thread with the address of the potluck/fighter practice is in the Off Topic forum.

My second concern is about fire pit rules/safety. I'm no stranger to camping and fire safety, but what I am curious about is if I'm allowed to stick a water kettle on the embers/outer fire to heat up some water for tea , or if I should strictly stick to the kitchen OOC tools (as was mentioned in another newbie thread where they talked about coffee options) for such things. Rules are rules so I'll follow whatever I'm told on this, but being able to keep it "in-character" would probably help me get better at staying in-character during the game. I doubt I'll be hauling any kettles and teapots up with me my first time, but It's more of a future concern.

With fire pits... common sense is the rule. I suspect you are an experienced camper and know the rules of campfires and such.... so I won't write them out here.

As such, heating water and cooking over a fire pit is more than allowed- many folks do.

Just be sure to set the pit up properly for use. I don't know anyone who has done campfire coffee here... but just know if you are to do this, you will likely get many visits from the various witch hunters and Celts checking on you and said pot.

Any other questions over safety and/or fire pits, feel free to ask away.