Getting Started
Since you are reading this you obviously have some interest in the Vipers or LARP in general. You may have stumbled across the site on Google or have been pointed here by a friend. Whatever the case may be, welcome and all of us here wish you the best of times in starting roleplaying at Curious Pastimes and in the Vipers.
What is LARP ?
LARP is short for Live Action Roleplaying and could be described as a cross between popular boardgames such as GURPS or Dungeons and Dragons and those renactments you saw at a local castle when you were a kid! It involves actually getting dressed up, interacting with other players and utilising your skills, all in real time. What is more, LARP events such as those run by Curious Pastimes can involve hundreds if not over a thousand people. LARP may involve roleplaying with other characters, investigating mysteries and fighting in small skirmishes or in great battles. Everyone who participates has lots of fun and can interact with many other individuals and in numerous storylines.
What is Curious Pastimes ?
Curious Pastimes (CP) was established in 1996 and has since grown into a large, friendly and high quality LARP company. They stage four large scale events each year, each envolving hundreds of players. They offer a mix of roleplaying and combat situations, with the middle two events of a year focussed more on roleplaying, and the other events being orientated more toward combat and massed battles.
CP operates a plot-led world, where players will learn about events assailing them and then ascertain how to deal with them, either by investigative work, magic rituals or through force of arms. How this is achieved is greatly down to the actions of players and the way in which they deal with situations. Whatever your interests, CP offers something for everyone, be it fighting, magical duels, rituals of mighty power, alchemical research into potions and poisons, or even just a bit of fun and a drink in the tavern at the end of the day!
What are the basics I need to know ?
Player: This is you, the person from the real world who works 9-5 in an office, hates their boss, holidays on the Costa del Sol and has to contend with all the other problems of reality. When filling in forms your player name is your real life name. As a player it is your responsibility to have read and understood the Game Rules and be aware of how you should play to the spirit of the game.
Character: This is the person you become when you enter the game world. Your character is what interacts with others in the game world. You will have to choose a name, a race, and know which group and faction you belong to. Group: When a number of players who intend on roleplaying a similar set of characters or following a certain theme they will often join together and form a group. Often they will nominate a member to be their leader who will be responsible for keeping the Faction Commanders informed of when they will be at events and other important information. A group is not always comprised of a certain type of character, be they knights, alchemists or mages. In fact many successful groups will have a wide array of characters who can all utilise their different skills for the good of all. Faction: A Faction within CP represents the forces of a Nation that travel the world. They will include soldiers, magicians, healers, alchemists, crafters, traders and many other roles that are all needed to keep the Faction together. For the most part, the groups and characters that make up a Faction will be warriors who fight to defend their Nation against the evils of the world. Each Faction has a number of Commanders who govern the Faction as well as provide OOC support and assist in its running.
Refs: The 'referees' or members of the Game Team are responsible for running the game, ensuring people play to the rules and operating the plot. They will be clearly recognisable as they wear long white tabards with a big 'R' on them. The refs will know the rules of the game well and will offer any assistance you need in helping to understand them. It is essential that you obey what they say to you as it may involve preventing a real life injury or accident.
NPC's: Often played by Refs or members of the Game Team, Non-Player Characters (NPC) form an interesting and exciting part of the game world. They may be bad guys or monsters the players must defeat, helpful sages, wise wizards or just a small distraction for everyones entertainment. They work to provide plot details and interact with other characters to advance the understanding of threats faced or to bring about the downfall of the Factions.
Time In: Time In is when the game world is actually in operation and all players are expected to be their characters. At most events Time in will happen from 7pm of the first day until 2am, then from 10am until 2am most other days, on the last day of an event Time In will finish at 3pm.
Time Out: Very much the opposite of Time In, Time Out is the period between game time at events (2am until 10am) when most people will sleep and also before and after an event when players are not expected to be playing the game. At events it is common for some to stay up late into the night and remain playing their characters, even though events of the Game World will have stopped. This is fine but it must be remembered that it doesn't officially 'happen' and you cannot draw benifits from this time.
IC: Whenever you are playing in the Game World you are termed to be 'In Character' (IC). At all times you must remain playing your chosen character and refrain from discussions involving the Real World. There may be occassions during Time Out when you may be IC such as in a discussion on an IC Forum or during another event not directly linked to the CP plot. It is permissable to converse as your character during this time, although you should not seek to gain an advantage from it.
OOC: Out of Character (OOC) is a state of play that shows that you or a certain event is not actually occuring within the Game World. The Refs are essentially OOC and cannot be seen by characters. At other times you may be playing a monster group that have not yet arrived in game and will be termed OOC. Actions such as taking a photo or checking the time are also considered OOC activities. To signify that you are currently OOC it is customary to raise a hand above your head as you go about the action so everyone can realise you are not actually playing at that current time.
How do I generate a character ?
Firstly, check out the Character Generation page on the CP site. This will guide you through the basics of creating a character. You may have an idea already that you wish to play an Elf Ranger or Ork Shaman, or the group you are joining may require that your character knows at least some Corporeal Magic. In some cases you may wish to generate a concept based upon some of the information presented here of the Vipers Website. This is a great way to ensure that you don't wander around at your first event not knowing a few simple things about the Vipers or the Groups it is comprised of. It is important that you do not abuse the information presented here and play a character with too greater knowledge of the Game World without being able to justify it OOC.
Where can I learn more ?
Curious Pastimes maintains an impressive Website that includes all the rules you need to know in order to play and generate a character with. It also has an active Forum where players can discuss upcoming events and recall the adventures they have had. The site also includes a Newbie Guide that has been written by players for new players to help them get the most from CP events. It contains answers to the many questions you may have before you even arrive at your first event. Do take time to read through it and understand the advice given, it will make you playing experience all the better and also help you get a foothold in the game world. Should you need to read it at an event there are copies held in the Crimson Moon. The tavern is also the location of the Newbie Brief at the first and last event of each year, with a gathering held 2 hours before time in.
For a more universal look at LARP in general then read the following article on the BBC Website that serves as an introduction to the hobby for the uninitiated.
