Cottington Woods Rule Book

Decisions! Decisions! The Cottington Woods preliminary rulebook has been released! What are you thinking of playing? Do you have ideas for costumes and props? If you're attending the playtest (I sadly cannot), please be sure to include some thoughts!

Theory Thursday: Costume Guides

So, this is a day late, and I apologize for the lack of updates. I'm encountering some keyboard issues that are forcing me to use a less than stellar dictation program-- this makes posting a little difficult.

So, in the spirit of new games, I want to talk about the procuring costumes for new characters. What sort of things do you make sure your character always has? Where do you shop for costume items? Or are your costumes made by hand? Where do you go for costuming inspiration? How do you help new players find costumes?

Spotlight on New Games

In the New England community, there are a variety of new games debuting in the next year or so. Forums are a-twitter with possible character concepts, costume ideas, and prop construction. Over the next week or so, I’ll be looking at newer larps in the New England area. Please check out the websites below, and, if so inclined, share your character concepts and plans.

Invictus
Kyranthia larp

Shadows of Amun

Cottington Woods

Clockwork Skies

Are you involved with any of these games? Also-- am I missing any?

Invictus Announcement!

Invictus Announcement

Mickey Golosovker and Whitestone Games are proud to announce a new Accelerant Game: Invictus. A 3-year running LARP, Invictus will be a fantasy game set in a world inspired by the Roman Empire. Players will be able to be characters inspired by Roman gladiators, Egyptian priests, and Phoencian performers. Mickey and staff have been developing this game for awhile, and it looks to be a great campaign.

Here is the formal announcement! Check out the website, sign up for the forums, and join the mailing list. Many familiar faces will be on staff, including, of course, Mickey of Mirror, Mirror, and Madrigal, some Endgame staff, NERO people, and newcomers like me, Chris, and Anthony.

Introducing the new live action roleplaying game; Invictus!

Welcome to a world of Roman themes and ancient magic. A game of heroic fantasy, Invictus will run from 2013 through 2015 and tell the story of three of the most significant years in history. Players will portray characters from the diverse provinces of Illara, the greatest empire the world has ever seen, and come together to fight against the many faces of evil and corruption. They will be soldiers and sorcerors, merchants and mercenaries, patricians and plebians. They will come from rugged mountains and shining cities, shifting dunes and sapphire waters. In the eastern empire they will create a new future with hard choices and bold action while danger and intrigue lurk at every corner.

Come join us make the world come alive!

Mickey Golosovker and Whitestone Games

For more information, including campsite and 2013 event dates, please visit www.invictuslarp.com

Sign up for our mailing list at http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/InvictusLarp/ and our LJ community at http://invictus-larp.livejournal.com/ 

World Building: What Do You Look For in a New Universe?

This is just a quick post that is really more for my edification. I'm currently writing LARP background plot for the up-and-coming Invictus. I love to write, so I find myself lost in the little details. However, I'm wondering what people look for in new game universe information. What sort of things get you to play a game? What do you need to successfully build a character? What is unimportant? What do games often leave out, that you wish was included? Consider the following topics, how important are they to you?

1. Cosmology, religion, and ritual practice.
2. A solid rule and skill system, clearly written and available. 
3. Pictures and visuals from the gameworld.
4. A detailed geography and climate with regional information and a map.
5. Suggestions for clothing, make-up, and props.
6. A guide to game-appropriate weapons and armor.
7. Culture write-ups for regions or ethnic groups.
8. A rich political system that PC can immediately join.
9. A guide to NPCs that a character would know or about whom a character would have information.
10. A timeline and current-events log for the game.
11. An active and usable forum system, website, and character database.
12. A bestiary.