Ref Roles & Training

We want crewing to be as enjoyable as possible – our current referee team work the whole event, but our goal is to recruit enough new refs that everyone could take some time off if they need too. If you’ve ever thought about trying out reffing, but still want a chance to roleplay with your friends during the event, then this could be the perfect time to try that.

If you’re interested at all, please email crew@profounddecisions.co.uk and let us know what you’d be interested in doing.

There are several ways to help out refereeing in Empire plus there are options for training and coaching that you can request

Ref roles

• Full time ref - for crew that want to ref the majority of the event
• Reduced hours ref - similar to full time ref but with less shifts
• Shift ref - for players wanting to help out for a 5 hour shift
• Battle ref - players that want to help ref during their monstering battle slot

Role	Minimum Time commitment	Ticket type	Meal tickets	Backstage access	Database access	Time off type
Battle ref	Monstering battle	Player	None	Limited	None	Player
Shift ref	1 shift	Player	2	Limited	When required	Event
Reduced hours ref	3 shifts	Crew	7	Yes	When required	Game
Full time ref	4 shifts	Crew	7	Yes	Yes	Game

• Time commitment (a shift is ~5 hours) - timings can be flexible as agreed with lead refs but reffing a battle in your monstering slot does not count towards the number of shifts you have reffed as this is covered by play one / monster one requirement. Being coached / trained does not detract from shift time as assumed to be on the job training
• Backstage access - Access to the Crew Welfare Space (only when on shift for shift refs) Crew Party & Crew T-shirts for full and part time only
• Database access - When required database access will be granted at the start of shift and removed at end of shift so no pressure to perform ref duties on an off shift
• Time off type - if playing a character follow the appropriate guidelines for Time off. Note all refs are regularly vetted for rules or conduct infractions

Training & Coaching

We are developing ways to offer training and coaching for referees of all types. This can be combined with any of the roles above although options for coaching during battles is limited currently.

Each event there will be slots for 1:1 coaching and training with one of our more experienced crew refs. To book a slot contact <create forwarding mail address e.g. referees@> and let us know your preferred slots, noting there will be a limited number of slots in each shift

Combat reffing - primarily focussed on skills needed to ref skirmishes and battles but can also apply to combat in Anvil e.g. duels

Tablet reffing - focused on the various transactions you may be asked to perform or players e.g. processing rituals, bondings etc

Additionally there will be online sessions in between events that are organised on the referee Facebook or Discord groups

Referee Shifts

The event is divided up into 5 roughly equal shifts of around 5 hours each with a few variations. Friday and Sunday are each a little longer based on the hours of Time In Skirmish reffing starts at around 09:00 on Saturday and Sunday for battles and ends mid way through the evening shift on Friday and Saturday as the light levels drop Anvil reffing starts at 10:00 on Saturday and Sunday and runs through to time out

• Friday evening 18:00 - 01:00
• Saturday morning 09:00 - 14:00
• Saturday afternoon 14:00 - 19:00
• Saturday evening 19:00 - 01:00
• Sunday 09:00 - 15:00

Collecting your Equipment

It is the person’s responsibility to make sure they have the right equipment and access to conduct the role they have volunteered for. Any questions or concerns can be directed to the Shift Leader/Co-Head Ref/Ref Coach (if you are being trained).

The following equipment is needed for each of the ref roles depending on whether you are doing combat / tablet reffing or both.

Role	Equipment	Combat/Skirmish specific	Tablet/Field specific
Shift ref	Yellow/Black tabbard Radio & Headset	Cheat sheet Notepad & pencil	Tablet Database Access
Reduced hours ref	Yellow/Black tabbard Radio & Headset	Cheat sheet Notepad & pencil	Tablet Database Access
Full time ref	Yellow/Black tabbard Radio & Headset	Cheat sheet Notepad & pencil	Tablet Database Access

If you are starting your shift at 6pm on Friday, then you should be able to pick up your equipment from the ref team from 3pm onwards.

If you collect your equipment during the event i.e. once time in has been called/after 6pm on Friday, you will need to liaise with the Shift Leader/Co-Head Ref or Ref Coach, if you are being trained, who can help you to obtain the equipment needed.

If you are battle reffing then the timeline of when and how to get your equipment can be found here Battle Ref Guidelines

Signing In & Out for your shift

You will be asked to sign in and collect your equipment so you can start your shift at the agreed time. You can do this by liaising with the Shift Leader/Co-Head Ref/Ref Coach.

Combat reffing – you will be allocated a Skirmish team who have a fixed timetable and the team should be near the monster room, if not you cal always go to the Regio and ask another ref to radio and co-ordinate meeting up.

Tablet reffing - you can meet at one of the fixed locations i.e. Regio or RAT. There will be a sign in sheet to confirm you have collected your equipment and database access has been granted to you.

You will be asked to sign out and return your equipment once your agreed shift is completed.

Combat reffing – you should be able to hand in the equipment to the other referees on your Skirmish team.

Tablet reffing - you can return the equipment to one of the fixed locations i.e. Regio or RAT. You will be able to use the same sign in sheet to confirm you have returned your equipment and database access has been revoked at the end of your shift.

Please note - you MUST make sure all of the equipment is returned to the refree team, because the same equipment is used for Battle Refs.

Disclaimer

The reduced hours ref and shift ref are new roles and therefore, the details above are subject to change or amendment following them being used in practice.