New Player Guide
What is Live Roleplaying?
Roleplaying just means assuming or acting out a particular role. In live roleplaying (LRP or LARP), we take on a character for the enjoyment of playing the role with other players. One of the best ways to understand live roleplaying is to compare it with similar hobbies.
Roleplaying games
In online roleplaying games and tabletop roleplaying games players create a character who can explore the setting and interact with other characters in the game. The world is usually filled with challenges and dangers for the characters to overcome.
Live roleplaying is similar but it is all done for real. You dress, speak, and act as the character you have created once the game begins.
Acting
In the theatre, actors embody the character that they're playing for the entertainment of an audience. When on stage, they stay in-character, either following the script, or improvising their lines as needed.
In live roleplaying, you are both actor and audience, improvising lines for your own character and experiencing the actions of the other participants in the game. There's no script - rather there's a shared understanding of the kind of things that might happen in the game, and a detailed setting that provides a framework and prompts for your characterisation. Everyone is roleplaying together, so the only audience is the other players.
How Do You Do It?
When you are live roleplaying you simply pretend to be your character, then act and speak as your character would. Unlike other roleplaying games, you never describe what your character is doing, instead you simply attempt the action. If you want to challenge another character to a duel, you must call them out, then draw your sword and try to strike your opponent with it. We strive to make the imaginary world feel as real as possible for all participants, so ask players try to avoid references to the real world and instead remain in their chosen role as much as possible.
How Does Fighting Work?
Many live roleplaying games involve combat, with players taking up latex weapons to actively fight against other participants. Our game rules provide a framework for fighting so that you know what to do if you get hit. At the events there are opportunities to take part in thrilling large-scale battles with a thousand participants that complement the social and political conflict of the field at Anvil.
There are important safety rules for fighting, the most important of which is that everyone taking part must pull their blows so that they land with virtually no force. Our new player team schedule an opportunity to try out combat before the event starts, which is highly recommended if you have never done live roleplay fighting before. It only takes a few minutes to learn, and plenty of players will be happy to show you how even if you miss the new player meeting..
What If My Character Dies?
It's unusual for a character to die unexpectedly in Empire, but it can happen if you go on a battle. But don't worry if it does, you can always create a new character if that happens, and we'll help you get back into the game as quickly as possible.
Do I Have To Fight?
Fighting can be exhilarating, but it's not for everyone. Many Empire players choose to avoid combat, preferring to focus on the social and political side of the game. Although you can never be certain what will happen to your character, most people who attend our events have little trouble avoiding combat if they want to.
Can My Character Be Anybody?
Your character must fit with the unique fantasy setting of Empire. You wouldn’t see Julius Caesar in a performance of Romeo and Juliet! You can find experienced players to talk to about your ideas using our forums and facebook groups or chat by email with our new player team.
Is It Difficult?
Anyone can live roleplay; enthusiasm is more important than experience. If you can pretend to be someone else then you can live roleplay. Live roleplaying has rules just like any game, but experienced players are understanding with new players who are still learning the rules and the setting so don’t be put off if you can’t remember all the details.
Everything you need to know to play Empire, the rules and a complete description of the setting, is available on our wiki.
Is Help Available?
We have a dedicated team of volunteers to help new players get the most out of Empire. They are there to answer any questions you have and to offer advice and guidance. You can email the new player team at any time before the event starts.
We arrange several meetings just for new players, on the days before the game starts. The meetings give you a chance to ask questions, meet other new players, and hear the team explain how to get the most out of your weekend. There's even a chance to try your hand at fighting for the first time.
You will also find that other players can be very helpful. We have an incredibly welcoming community as most live roleplayers love to help new players discover the hobby.
Who Does It?
Live roleplaying appeals to all kinds of people and everyone is welcome at Empire. We welcome participants of every gender, sexuality, ethnicity, and background. We've explicitly designed the Empire setting to try to provide equal roleplaying opportunities for everyone and we have strict conduct rules to ensure that all participants are treated with respect and dignity.
People of all ages live roleplay and many families enjoy roleplaying together. For Empire, we created the Academy specifically to provide roleplaying opportunities for younger players, where they can train to become the heroes of tomorrow.
Live roleplaying can be challenging for participants with disabilities. We strive to make Empire as accessible as we can, and provide advice and information here to help you assess the event.
Will I Enjoy It?
Live roleplaying, like acting, is enjoyable purely for its own sake. Some live roleplayers enjoy the social interaction, some prefer the thrill of battle, whilst others relish the opportunity to create and wear amazing costumes.
There is no winning or losing. Just as real life doesn’t offer clear-cut win or lose situations, neither do most live roleplaying games. However, Empire presents opportunities that you could never normally experience, allowing you to play a leading role in an incredible story. In the end it is impossible to know whether you will enjoy live roleplaying unless you try it.
What Do I Need?
As with any hobby, you will need some equipment to enjoy live roleplaying. For Empire, the bare minimum you'll need is some appropriate costume, somewhere to sleep, and an appropriate weapon if you plan to do any fighting.
You can purchase costumes, weapons, and armour from one of the many traders who support the hobby. We have traders at all our events who sell everything you need for your character. We recommend that you do not try to make your own weapons for your first event but if you have the time and the enthusiasm to make your own costume then there is a wealth of advice and guidance available online to help you create something amazing.
You will need food and drink for the weekend. You can bring your own, but there are a range of professional festival caterers at every Empire event who sell a wide range of options.
Costume
Costume is important because you need to dress as your character would. You can't wear modern clothing such as trainers, jeans, or printed t-shirts once the game starts. Our wiki has a look and feel guide with advice on suitable costume for Empire. If you have any questions about the suitability of a piece of costume then it is best to email us for specific advice.
Weapons
Live roleplaying uses specially made weapons constructed from foam and latex. You can buy live roleplaying weapons online, but they are usually more expensive, so we recommend buying a weapon from a professional live roleplaying weapon manufacturer who is trading at the event. The best way to find the perfect weapon is to browse the stalls on the day.
But don't forget that you'll only need a weapon if you plan to fight. Lots of characters at Empire don't carry any weapons at all!
Camping
Everyone at Empire needs somewhere to sleep, as well as food and drink. While it's possible to book into a nearby hotel, most players bring a tent with them or hire one to camp. If you have a period tent that is suitable for the setting then you can arrange to pitch that in the main arena and use it in-character, but that's something we recommend new players don't worry about for their first event.