Posted in Issues & Controversies, tagged bodice, boffers, Boy Scout Camp, chick, corset, Costumes, costuming, dwarves, elves, explain, feedback, females, geeks, geeky women, gender, girl laper, Girl Scout Camp, girls, hot girl larper, hot larper chick, larp, larp corset, larp naked, LARP website, larper chick, larpers, larping, larping date, larping dates, larps, latex, live action role play, Lore, opinions, renaissance corset, Rules, seventh kingdom, Weapons, weapons creation, website, website advice, women on April 27, 2009|
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The sparrows are singing, the trees are blossoming and the Internet search engine is exploding with LARP inquiries.
LARP fever is spreading!!!
There is no better time of the year to start thinking about LARPing. You don’t have to worry about freezing temperatures or scorching temperatures. Spring time provides those sunny days where the shade is still cool and the nights still breezy and fresh. You’re able to wear your costume to it’s full potential, no more hoodies and sweat pants and yet it’s not unbearable to wear a corset or chain mail. Before you decide on a LARP or head off to that next event in May, there are a few things you should consider.
If you’re a new player interested in experiencing LARPing you want to think things through before joining up with a LARP. I would hate for you to just go in without thinking about it, creating a character, putting money into that character, falling in love with the character… and hating the game. I’ve seen it happen SO many times. And you know what most people end up doing? It’s usually one of three things. 1) They suffer through the game in hopes that things will change just so they can continue to play their character. 2) Quickly leave the game, head to another and realize they cannot fully play that character since rules are different or it feels uncomfortable in a new setting. Or 3) a small part of them is jaded toward LARPing and they either continue to LARP at a different LARP with a different character (while still thinking about the old character) or straight out quit LARPing.
A player never quite realizes (unless you’ve been there) how much of them goes into a character. I know how that sounds. You’re thinking that it’s silly and creating a character is as throw awayable as the sheet of paper it is written on… wrong. You become attached and really put a piece of yourself into it. You become passionate as the character progresses and even if you do not start with a history, you think something up and run with it. You are determined to see you character reach his or her goals and when that character’s life is cut short, whether by in game death or by leaving the game, a small part of you dies along with it.
What to do to prevent this? It’s actually easier then most people think. Really and I mean really read into the LARP. Get to know it by reading all of the content provided for you and by activly participating in the Forums. Take notice in how kind the staff members are and how welcomingthe players are, both the veterans and newbies. Find out how long the game has been running. A long standing game means it has clout and a strong following with an interesting storyline, but it’s also long standing. What do I mean by this? Ask yourself if you would enjoy entering a game at level 1 when some of the other players are level 56, would you enjoy it? Especially if you’re new to LARPing? Would you be able to overlook that fact? Alot of games try to engross the new players while still entertaining the old players, not only is this rare but it’s even rarer that it is pulled off well. Then there are the new LARPs that are either starting this summer or have been around for a year. You are able to start fresh along with the rest of the player base, no one will look at you funny if you mess up some rules since everyone is still learning them, and you’ll really get a chance to interact with plot since it’s brand spanking new. There is also a chance that the game will flop or the staff are inexperienced in running a game so it can just be plain bad.
So when choosing a game, whether it be old or new, be sure to do your homework about it. It wouldn’t hurt to ask around as I’m sure you wouldn’t just go buy a new car without reading up on it or test driving.
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