Taking part in a Dawn Lands Event
Player Character
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If you want to take part as a Player Character (PC) please pick a Class and a Culture. If you don’t want to fight in the quest(s) or take part in the challenges, if for example, you would rather play the part of a merchant or healer, you may play as a Townsfolk. If you want to be involved in the battles and quest fights then you’ll sign up as an Adventurer. Whichever you choose, you’ll still have quests, side quests, and activities to take part in.
Adventurer
An adventurer takes part in battles, quests, adventures, activities, feasting, shopping, and all of the things, both in town and out of town. You get in-game starting gold, in game experience points, and are eligible for royalty points and other rewards. You may stay in the town if you wish but many of your abilities will be wasted in the neutral zone (town) since combat and use of special abilities are not permitted there. You must pick a culture and class for this option and you must dress the part to the best of your ability.
THE PURPOSE: Adventurer classes allow for players to be physically active and be engaged in combat in a more classical type of LARP experience.
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Travelor (Cosplayer)
As a traveler you attend the event as your character. You can dress up as any original character you have that is medieval, fantasy, steampunk, or related. Other characters may be permissible, but please clear it with admin first. You DO NOT receive in-game starting gold (although you may acquire it through your adventures) or experience points and are not eligible for Royalty points. You do not have to pick a culture or class. You are still encouraged to engage in role playing and can take part in all in town activities except dueling or combat related activities. You will also get entry at a reduced price.
THE PURPOSE:Traveler allows players who just want to have a relaxing time cosplaying and/or hanging out to be able to take part without having to learn all of the rules.
NPC, Monster or Staff
If you’d like to play, but want to reduce costs, then you can sign up as an NPC or Monster. If you choose to play as an NPC or monster, you will be given a role ( perhaps more than one). You can specify a combat or non-combat role. You don’t have to choose a class and culture as an NPC, we will choose one for you. You will receive double experience points, standard starting gold, and are eligible for Royalty Points. You will also get an entry at half price.
THE PURPOSE: Monsters, NPCs, and Staff allow the LARP to run smoothly and help players who don't know exactly what they want to play, or that want to help, and/or need help with discounts to take part in the LARP.
Staff (Admin)
You may want to be involved in our LARP but take a more active role in helping the LARP operate. If you choose this option you could take part in the tavern, in operations, play as a Guard or LoreMaster, or you could have a more practical job such as security or parking. With this option you can receive 3 times the normal amount of Experience Points, standard starting gold, and you are eligible for royalty points. You may or may not need to choose a culture and/or class depending on what role you fill.
THE PURPOSE: To run and administer the event
Spectator (also known as Ghost)
If you want to simply show up and hang out, watch, and visit the merchants, then you may register as a spectator. As such, you’re a “ghost”. You can shop, buy food and drinks, take part in the feasting, and interact with administrators and some player characters. Ghosts can talk to other ghosts.
THE PURPOSE: The purpose of Ghosts is to give the Healer Townsfolk additional responsibilities of play, to add to the depth of the world, and to make the death of a character something fun and non-permanent.
The purpose of the Ghost as a spectator is to allow people that may be interested in our LARP, but are not totally sure, the chance to check things out. Also, this allows people that do not want to play the chance to come in and shop and explore a little.
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In Game Money & Items
Each player starts (unless your character class or race states otherwise) with a certain amount of income money. The standard starting money is usually 15 GP or 20 GP but this could change depending on the event.
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Rewards in Questing
If you take a quest that pays each individual party member for completion, to acquire payment you must be conscious to receive the payment. I.e. you can't accept payment on the behalf of an unconscious party member.
Interaction with Spectators and Ghosts
You cannot interact with players while attending as a spectator or in the state of a Ghost. Players (with the exception of Healer, Oracle, Hedgewitch, Necromancer, etc) should not interact or engage with Ghost or Spectators.
Looking the Part
There is NO height, weight, or other physical requirement for playing any certain culture within the game. However, please make your best effort to dress the part and keep with the traditional look and feel of the culture you are trying to portray. Also keep in mind that the cultures of the Dawn Lands have grown and evolved over the years since their arrival. There can be some creative adaptation to the look as long as it is keeping in the spirit of that culture. Things like make up and body paint are encouraged, as long as this is kept in good taste and is meant to help more accurately portray your character and not to be mean or controversial.
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Loaner Gear
We do have some loaner gear. But it’s limited and on a first come first served basis. If you contact the administration ahead of time, we can reserve some gear for you if possible.
Children at the event
There will be a children's section where children below the age of 10 can hang out and play. Staff and resources permitting. There will be a trusted and safe adult that will be leading activities and play. If possible one parent (or guardian) is encouraged to stay with the child, or nearby, in the children's area.
Children under the age of 10 may not participate in questing or any other combat activities. Some exceptions can be made if the parent or guardian contacts the administration before the event or at check in and arrangements are made and all safety concerns are resolved. Children between the age of 10 to 15 can only quest and participate in combat activities if they are accompanied by a parent or guardian or have written permission on file. This is at the discretion of the local Guards and this may be adjusted on a case by case basis.
Camping
Attendees may camp during weekend events. This could include an extra fee, depending on the site. All attendees must follow local, state, and federal guidelines and laws. You may camp in modern or “mundane” tents, but an effort to have your tent or campsite look historical, fantastical, magical, or generally “period” is appreciated. All attendees that are camping will clean up after themselves. More, and specific, details will be given before each individual event.
CODE OF CONDUCT OF DAWN LANDS LARP ATTENDANCE
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No alcohol on site unless otherwise noted.
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No drugs anywhere at any time.
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Please refrain from smoking and/or vaping in any indoor buildings or structures at the Dawn Lands LARP event.
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Keep your weapons sheathed or leashed. An armed society is a polite society.
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Don't touch anyone unless invited.
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No on ground fires in camps are permitted. Above ground ire pits are allowed if used responsibly.
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Try your best to appear as your role or character would.
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No bullying.
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No adult may be alone with a minor unless they are that minor’s parent or guardian.
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We reserve the right to reject or eject persons or things found in violation of these guidelines.
Legal Stuff
All attendees must have a waiver, a photo release agreement, and a medical release form on file.
Player Vs. Player
The Dawn Lands LARP is not a game focusing on player versus player combat. Instead we focus on adventures and quests. Some events may have battles where there would be player versus player opportunities, but these will be part of the story. For example, some events may have tournaments, competitions, battles, and challenges where Player Vs Player is permitted. Having said that, once you are out of the safety of an established town, players may attack other players. It is our hope that if this is done it is limited, goes along with the attacking players story, goes with the plot, and is kept to a minimum. If this is excessive or seen as mean spirited by guards, staff, or admins then this will be off limits to the offending player. Guards may stop player vs. player combat outside of the established town, as well as inside, if deemed necessary.
Melee/Mass Battle
Sometimes in the Dawn Lands there is time for battle! When this occurs your party will be considered your unit. Abilities only work in relation to your party/unit.
In the case of a Melee/Mass Battle, it is important to acknowledge the abilities of other players and follow the rules. If there is any dispute then talk it out and seek the guidance of staff, admins, Lore Masters, or Guards.
Works as “Damage Negation”; this is known as ARMOR PROTECTION RATING (or APR for short). It does not add to hit points, but instead takes away damage from attacks. For example, if you are wearing Level 2 armor (which negates 2 points of damage) and are hit for 4 points of damage the resulting damage you take is now a loss of 2 Hit Points. There are three levels of armor, each providing a higher level of “Damage Reduction”. Light, Medium, and Heavy. If you’re not wearing armor, you have no protection, therefore, you‘ll take damage.
EXAMPLE
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Player Fred is struck for 4 points of damage.
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Player Fred has level 2 armor.
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Player Fred takes 2 points of damage.
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4-2=2 resulting damage.
What does the Armor look like?
We don’t care what material the armor is made out of as long as it is safe to the player, safe to others, and looks medieval or fantasy-like. This could mean that it is painted, covered, or made of the actual armor material.
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Armor Materials
The armor worn could be constructed of the following materials: leather, lamalar, metal plate, chain, or another material that is made to look like “period” armor. No modern armor or modern looking material (kevlar vest) is allowed, unless it is painted, decorated, or covered to appear fantastical, historical, or otherwise period. Everything must be able to pass the “10 ft rule”. Barrel plastic and other plastics are allowed if they are covered or painted to look as much like period armor or equipment as possible.
Guards and Lore Masters
Guards
Players that act as safety officers for the game are Guards. They have the responsibility of refereeing challenges, duels, and tournaments, keeping the peace, running inspections, and controlling the flow of traffic on the quest field or battle field. Guards have the power to penalize or ban players. Guards carry a yellow and black striped staff, so that they are recognizable.
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Lore Masters
Lore Master's lead parties on their current quest or are stationed throughout the play area. They referee duels, keep track of player and NPC abilities, help with ability use, narrate quests, and run inspections. They can penalize or ban players. Each Lore Master needs to know the event storyline.
Tournaments, Challenges, and Duels
Events may have tournaments that are not tied to the main story line. This could be something like a Chess tournament for Scholars, Mages, and Monks. Or it could be a test of strength and skill for Warriors. Prizes won in tournaments may be used later in game play.
Players may challenge other players to duels, but these would take place under the supervision of a Guard and outside of the main quest storyline, usually in the arena . No player is forced to accept a challenge from another player. One can always say no (unless a player's class states otherwise).
Titles
In the Dawn Lands LARP many titles are earned or rewarded. So please check with Admin before you give yourself a title.
Currency
The only currency that can be accepted by in game merchants, services, and activities is OFFICIAL Dawn Lands LARP currency. Any outside, or different, currency will not be accepted.
The Royalty System
In the Dawn Lands LARP players are rewarded for recruiting others to our game or getting others to our game. If a player does this they are known as a Liege Lord. For every player a Liege Lord gets to each event receives a Royalty Point. If the Liege Lord gains enough Royalty Points then they can receive a Perk for them and for their group.
Liege Lords may pick from a list of Royalty Perks each time they achieve a new Royalty Rank and a bonus amount of GP per event. These perks apply to everyone in your group, party, or household (whatever you choose to call yourselves) but the GP only applies to the Liege Lord (although a good Liege Lord will spread the wealth, it is not required).
Only the perks from one Liege Lord at a time may apply to any one group, you cannot combine groups to get perks from multiple Liege Lords. There is some gray area to this and it will be worked out by the admins.
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Leigh Lords may pick a Perk at each Royal Level after they attain the rank of Lord or Lady. In order to do this a group must be made official. Some may be chosen more than once, those will be denoted.
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Many of the perks involve combat. You do not have to put your group's base outside of the town (a neutral zone), but if you choose to keep it within the safe limits of town that may negate some (or all) of your perks. The choice is up to you.
If there is a situation, such as a married couple, then they will need to inform the admin as to how they want the Royalty Points divided up and applied.
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Households are limited to 6 perks plus the charter perk. Even if the liege lord is changed.
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Liege Lords do not gain Royalty Points for themselves.
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Households, Guild, and Orders
Households
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A household is a group of players. This group could be based on a theme, such as “all pirates” or “all Dwarves”. It could be based on no theme at all “just a bunch of friends that like each other”. For this group to receive official perks of the royalty system in the Dawn Lands LARP game they must pick a Liege Lord.
The household can refer to itself in any way that it likes, a “Clan”, “temple”, “free company”, etc.
Households are not legally part of the Dawn Lands LARP and the Dawn Lands LARP takes no responsibility for their actions outside of the game. Inside the game they may get special recognition, with admin approval can be put on event schedules for their own activities, such as a tournament for household members only. A household could have a uniform, a flag, and even their own campsite.
Most importantly, with approval of the admin a household could perform a role within the Dawn Lands LARP game. A household could run a temple, or take up the role as the town guard for an event, or could hire themselves out as a mercenary group.
A household still must abide by party size when going on a quest. A party size is a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 5. The “normal” number is 3 players per party, so encounters that have 4 or 5 will be harder and encounters that have 2 players will be slightly easier. If a household is larger than the party size limit then they may split up into multiple smaller parties.
Liege Lords of households will be responsible for helping the administration spread important information to players. The Liege Lords will also be responsible for helping admin with things like updating players character sheets and updating any player information.
The big “take away” about Households is that they are created and administered by players, but get perks from the official game organization.
Guilds
Are organized according to profession, area of study, or duty. These mirror real life guilds in modern times and in history. Guilds can be organized by the Dawn Lands LARP administration or by players but must adhere to certain rules.
Guilds do not receive perks from the Royalty System but they can be integrated into the continuing story of the Dawn Lands LARP. This also means that Guild members may be needed to perform special duties or tasks during events related to the Guild’s role. With permission from administration a Guild could even set up special quests or related activities.
Guild members could belong to a Guild and Household. The governing body of a guild, or its leader, would determine the criteria for Guild membership. Titles, organization, and all other related considerations are up to the leader or governing body of the Guild.
Orders
Official Orders can only be created by the Administration. One example would be the Order of the Mule, which is given to players that help run the Dawn Lands LARP game. Households can create their own orders but these are something that they recognize internally and have no direct bearing on the Dawn Lands LARP game.
Membership in an Order is usually gained through service, a special deed, or an act of altruistic behavior (such as Bravery or Sacrifice).
A player could be a member of multiple orders. A player could also be a member of multiple orders, a household, and a guild.
HERE FOR A LIST OF KNOWN GUILDS, ORDERS, AND HOUSEHOLDS.