Once you have created your character using the Character creation section of this book, using the guidelines provided in the Experience & Levelling section, you are now ready to attend your first event or practice day at Darken Vale. Here are some guidelines about what you might need:
What to Bring:
1) Your printed character sheet.
2) Extra clothing, depending on the weather, and a bag to hold your belongings. Darken Vale does have space to store your belongings, but a bag is useful for keeping your things together.
3) Sturdy footwear suitable for outdoors.
4) Money- for paying entrance to the event and possibly for buying refreshments.
5) Water & snacks. Staying hydrated is particularly important. Food may not always be available.
6) Your larp weapons, armour, costume and other game equipment. Weapons and armour will be checked before play by an Elder to determine if they are safe for use.
What not to Bring:
1) Real or replica weapons or armour. Darken Vale Health & Safety permits only foam larp weapons that meet the correct requirements. (See Health & Safety rules section).
2) Alcohol or Illegal drugs. Darken Vale has zero tolerance to alcohol and drug use during game time. Abuse of this will result in a player being banned form the club. Some overnight games may allow the consumption of alcohol but only with proof of ID (18 and over). Tobacco products are acceptable at the discretion of the Chief Elder, & only in designated areas.
Trial NPCing (Non-Player Character):
A player’s first experience of Darken Vale will often be undertaken as a member of the NPC (Non-Player Character) team that supports the Elders in providing ‘extras’ for the other players to talk to and interact with or monsters and foes for them to fight. This gives a new player an immediate taste of the roleplay possibilities and combat system of Darken Vale in use and gives them some LARP experience if they have never done it before. All XPs (Experience Points) earned as an NPC will be applied to the new player’s character, so they will not ‘lose out’ by NPCing on their first Darken Vale experience.
What to Bring:
1) Your printed character sheet.
2) Extra clothing, depending on the weather, and a bag to hold your belongings. Darken Vale does have space to store your belongings, but a bag is useful for keeping your things together.
3) Sturdy footwear suitable for outdoors.
4) Money- for paying entrance to the event and possibly for buying refreshments.
5) Water & snacks. Staying hydrated is particularly important. Food may not always be available.
6) Your larp weapons, armour, costume and other game equipment. Weapons and armour will be checked before play by an Elder to determine if they are safe for use.
What not to Bring:
1) Real or replica weapons or armour. Darken Vale Health & Safety permits only foam larp weapons that meet the correct requirements. (See Health & Safety rules section).
2) Alcohol or Illegal drugs. Darken Vale has zero tolerance to alcohol and drug use during game time. Abuse of this will result in a player being banned form the club. Some overnight games may allow the consumption of alcohol but only with proof of ID (18 and over). Tobacco products are acceptable at the discretion of the Chief Elder, & only in designated areas.
Trial NPCing (Non-Player Character):
A player’s first experience of Darken Vale will often be undertaken as a member of the NPC (Non-Player Character) team that supports the Elders in providing ‘extras’ for the other players to talk to and interact with or monsters and foes for them to fight. This gives a new player an immediate taste of the roleplay possibilities and combat system of Darken Vale in use and gives them some LARP experience if they have never done it before. All XPs (Experience Points) earned as an NPC will be applied to the new player’s character, so they will not ‘lose out’ by NPCing on their first Darken Vale experience.
