Toes in the water...

 I can't remember what made me google larp events, possibly it was seeing some very landskneckt type pictures but discovering this was from a larp event.

                   Historical or larpsical?

Yes, this particular larp had a faction that I could just rock up to in my 16th century reenactment kit and job done...Plus just a couple of larp safe weapons. I don't really dip my toe, like reenactment I was planning to dive in after just a few minutes looking at the website. Foam dagger aquired! Now I was invested.

There are loads of what is larp sites/youtube videos out there, but briefly larp began with people taking roleplaying in their heads around a table to actually dressing the part and having in character adventures, originally in small fairly local groups. Over 30 years ago I occasionally 'monstered' (playing the non party people) at a local larp in Lancing. 

 That adventure style still exists but now you also have 'larp fests' as well, very large gatherings. At Empire there were 3300 people and all of them had put a lot of time and effort into their kit and character, it was literally a different world for the weekend. Far from those humble beginnings of plastic armour and a tablecloth for a cloak. 

It should be noted that some folk prefer the term lrp to larp as they feel having action in the title suggests it is all about fighting, it really isn't and some people spend all their time trading, politic-ing, preaching, playing music, crafting, running a shop or tavern, or dozens of other roles. If there is a gap in the market someone will fill it. (There are also detective, horror, sci fi, intrigue, post apocalypse, historical and other larps btw). 

What does the world think of larp? Most people are probably blissfully unaware of it. Gamers, reenactors, role players, cosplayers, etc more so. I get the impression it is seen as a bit silly, ultra nerdy! by some, Like portly 60 year old men who think nothing of dressing as a cowboy or a viking for a weekend, because it is historical, educational! Serious!  Yeah right.

 You have to say F'#- everyone else and enjoy yourself, let go, be free, be Ulpharen, arch mage of the brass coast if that is who you want to be! Live the dream!

So how do you start?  I can only talk about Empire.. first you pick a nation that appeals to you, maybe aestetically or in spirit. For me this was already decided by having kit that suited 'The league', an alliance of renaisance style city states. Then you pick your skills, what do you want to be good at? Fighting? Healing? Crafting? Using magic? A mix?  Then you have a resource, a business, a congregation, a mine, a ship, these might get you more money, or herbs, or a vote, etc. Then finally there was an option to write a little backstory. 

Things can sometimes resemble a folk festival, especially if you visit the Navarr camp in the woods... most people come back. 

Then you buy a ticket for an event. Empire employs at least a hundred staff, they mass book an entire campsite for four days, provide toilets, a coach to the nearest train station, as well all the admin and your character pack containing money and documents, also all the gear for the 'bad guys' in the two big battles, and create the plots and world events that spring from whatever happened last time, it evolves.

Live the dream!

And so I had bought my ticket, had all my stuff, including camp stuff from reenactment, the last weekend of July would see me go to Anvil where the ten nations meet four times a year..