Who Plays Empire?

New Players

Empire is continually growing, with new players coming to the game for the first time every year. Each event we welcome over three hundred brand new players. To help new players find their feet we arrange several meetings just for them, on the Friday before the game starts. The meetings give you a chance to ask questions, meet other new players, and hear members of 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.

Our community of experienced players is always happy to welcome new people to the hobby. The community created the special phrase “I'm new to Anvil” as a way for anyone to let others know that they're a new player. Most of our players will give you extra help and support if your character slips that into conversation with them.

There is a new player guide on this website to help new players get started and find out more.

LGBTQIA+ Players

Everyone is welcome to play Empire regardless of gender, sexuality, or identity. We have an official meet-up for all LGBTQIA+ players who want to attend on the Friday before each event starts. We have LGBTQIA+ writers and crew for Empire and the wiki is explicit that such identities are normal in the game. The history of the setting includes a number of important characters whose identity and story reinforce that this is a normal part of the game world.

We want all our players to be able to attend Empire without experiencing prejudice and discrimination. We support our trans and non-binary participants and their right to declare their own gender and that of their characters. We provide gendered and non-gendered toilets for all participants to use the toilet they wish.

We have a strict code of conduct that forbids discrimination and prejudicial language and behaviour. We have a conduct team to deal with any breaches that are reported to them. Participants who are not able to accept the values our game is founded on are not welcome at our events.

Young Players

Live roleplayers of all ages are allowed to attend our Empire events. Anyone under sixteen must attend the event with an adult and there are additional rules for young players.

We aim to provide a fantastic opportunity for young players to engage with Empire and get involved. We created the Academy as a way to help them have fun while learning to play the game. As they grow in confidence and graduate from the Academy, then we encourage them to get more involved in the wider game.

Once we are confident that a young player is experienced enough to roleplay with other players they can take the Test of Citizenship. There is no lower age limit, although most graduates are around 11 or older. Once they pass their test they can have skills and resources and will receive money for their character every event, just like any other player.

Young players can go into battle once they have passed the Test of Arms which they can take once they are 14 or older. The Test involves demonstrating that they understand the combat rules and can fight safely in melee. Once they pass the Test, they can take part in battle normally.

Accessibility

We strive to make Empire accessible. We want players to be able to attend and enjoy Empire regardless of accessibility challenges, but the event does take place outside, in a field, in British weather. We have extensive guidance on the accessibility challenges that players will face when taking part in Empire and there is additional information on the wiki about the ways we try to support players.

We have players who use manual and electric chairs and accessibility aids never need to be disguised or hidden. We have accessible toilets in multiple locations around the site. If you have specific access requirements we are keen to talk to you to discuss your particular needs. We want to improve accessibility at our events and feedback from our players help us to identify the problems that we need to overcome to achieve that.