Opening Speech Abridged

By Beren Olean | Tuesday, October 17, 2023

Welcome

to Crestfallen LARP. We are a frontier fantasy game focused on community through easy to learn rules and guides to help new players get involved. Players act out combat with foam based weapons, medical skills, merchant skills, crafting, and more. Renaissance festival costumes meet RPG stories.

Before we start play, we have some important items to discuss to make sure everyone has a safe and fun experience. This short speech will be used when all players have already signed to understanding and agreeing to the code of conduct section of the rules.

Content Warning

We believe that drama is important for any LARP game experience. As such, plot within our LARP may be difficult or troubling for some people emotionally. Attending members consent that the core game mechanics simulate combat which may include violence, abuse, injury, body dismemberment, kidnapping, suicide, self-injurious behavior, death, dying, blood, etc…

Real World Politics and Religion

We don’t want to discuss or use real world politics or religion. Plotlines may use Crestfallen versions of creatures found in different religions, but they are our own parody and are never intended to cause harm or insult.

Mental Illness and Mental Health Disorders

These are difficult subjects to tackle. Plot will never knowingly include a Mental Illness or Mental Health Disorder as the primary catalyst for a character to be good/evil.

Pregnancy:

This may be discussed as part of story but may NEVER be depicted in game by any member (Plot or Players). (May be discussed and changed via player base vote)

Taboo Subjects

Crestfallen LARP will NEVER include any depictions of the following items in any portion of its story, member backstory, plot, etc. These items do not occur in our fantasy based world and it is not the intent of Crestfallen LARP to deny the existence of these themes in the real world.

Rape
Sexual Assault
Slavery
Child Abuse

Mental Health

While LARP is a great opportunity to work through personal struggles and reduce stress, Crestfallen LARP is a purely recreational game and is not a substitute for help from a mental health professional. The mental health of all members is important to us for the fun and safety of everyone involved.

Sportsmanship

Like other games, sports, and physical activities, good sportsmanship is vital to a LARP game. Members should know, understand, and appreciate the rules and policies of Crestfallen LARP. The spirit of good sportsmanship depends on conformance to the intent of a rule as well as how the rule is written. If a “loophole”, “work around”, or other variation occurs where the intent of the rule and the written rule does not seem to match, members must make this information known to gain clarification and have the rules amended as soon as possible.

Fair play and honesty regarding Out of Game rules and discussions with staff are mandatory.

Recognition and appreciation of skilled performances in combat, roleplaying, crafting, and/or knowledge of the rules is expected and appreciated. LARP games are both performances and game play.

Respect for staff, marshals, plot, npcs, and EMTs is vital.

Respect for all members is required. While people may not like each other, it is important to maintain a cordial and tolerant level of respect for all members. Crestfallen LARP will not tolerate any purposeful disrespect between its members.

Every member has fun in different ways and with different aspects of LARP. All members should do their best to contribute to the enjoyment of all players.

All members (including Owners/Staff/Safety members) may be questioned regarding their actions and/or the rules. If there is a discrepancy or concern regarding this, there will be a staff structure in place where questions can be raised. Crestfallen LARP and its Staff can only help if it hears concerns or complaints.

Modeling proper sportsmanship will help influence others to do the same, making a positive environment for all members to enjoy.

Illegal Drugs and Alcohol

Crestfallen LARP does not allow the use of illegal drugs and alcohol during our events. Members suspected to be under the influence of such substances may be removed from participation, asked to leave (if it is safe for them to do so), have law enforcement involved, and/or be asked to not return.

It is our belief that storytelling requires tension and stakes. These often require members to deal with items that may make them uncomfortable out of game. The following policies and mechanics are in place for member safety physically and mentally.

Consent may be given or revoked at any point, for any reason, by any party. Consent must be granted every time physical roleplay takes place unless previously negotiated and notated on a character sheet (note, this consent may also be revoked at any time).

Age Requirement

Crestfallen participants must be 18 years old to attend as we deal with mature subject matter and language. Crestfallen participants may attend with a legal parent or guardian from the ages of 16 to 18. It is the parent or guardian’s duty to care for the child participant and to understand that Crestfallen will not guarantee the change of its content.

Armband (Orange)

Orange arm/headbands denote a player who is a non-combatant. A player may be a non-combatant for any reason including but not limited to the following: Illness, Injury, Anxiety, Age, Stress, Disability, Mental Health, EMT Advisement. Additionally, players that are deemed unsafe with combat may be given non-combat status for a limited duration. Non-combat players may not be targeted with weapon or spell attacks. Ranged attacks that accidentally strike a non-combat player will be treated as a “resist”. Non-combat characters may not use any skill from any Skill Category containing the word Combat. The only exception to this is Energy which may not be used in combat, but may be used for crafting or condition removal following a battle. All players may use the Killing Blow counted action on a non-combatant by pointing their weapon at the target from an arm’s length away rather than physically touching them. This action is stopped through normal means or if a combat player comes within arms reach of the attacker. A character that is feigning injury/death must make themselves known in order to prevent a Killing Blow in this fashion.

Armband (Green)

Green arm/headbands denote a member of the plot team or marshal (PC or NPC). These staff members should be contacted if there is a rules dispute, rules question, cabin thievery, pick pocket, or similar situation. Not every plot member or marshal may be able to assist in every issue, but they should be able to point a player in the correct direction for assistance.

Armband (Blue) - EMT

Blue arm/headbands denote an EMT. If there is a medical emergency an EMT is called for their medical knowledge to take charge of a situation and make the best decision possible. Crestfallen LARP is a play at your own risk game. As such players should know their physical limitations and do their best to practice self-care as necessary.

Crestfallen LARP assumes that all players consent to physical contact with all weapons, spell ammo, and approved game props. Additionally, all players are assumed to consent on physical contact on the arms from the wrist to the shoulder for the purposes of spell touch casting, carrying, and counted actions. This assumed consent does NOT allow a player to grab, pull, or push forcefully.

Clothing Requirements

All attendees must be in appropriate clothing to take part in an active LARP game according to public decency requirements as well as appropriate clothing for the weather. Underwear/Shirtless gameplay is never acceptable.

In Game Laws

NPCs will use out of game knowledge if necessary to ensure players are not being bullied or abused by other players. We want to allow players the opportunity to play to their characters morals, but must ensure that this does not negatively impact another players enjoyment of the game.

Look Down

If a player has a problem with a situation that is going on in the game, they may opt out at any time by looking down and covering their eyes with a hand like a visor. The player and character leave the scene. The player should not be stopped or questioned regarding why the opt out has occurred. If there is an altercation between two PCs that causes a Look Down bow-out, the scene may need to follow a Negotiated Roleplay to ensure the story can go on in a safe but cohesive way. This should only be attempted after all parties have had a chance to analyze the situation and feel comfortable talking with all parties along with a plot representative. No player will be asked or forced to give any reasoning why the bow-out occurred, but all parties will be asked to give input to how the situation can be resolved.

Negotiated Roleplay

Negotiated Roleplay is where parties decide what will happen during a particular planned interaction between two or more individuals. Crestfallen LARP wishes to use this type of planned roleplay as a remedy to situations where players or characters bow-out of a scene for private personal reasons.Additionally, this mechanic is highly encouraged for any and all relationship dynamics at Crestfallen LARP. Relationships In Game and Out of Game are based upon communication. It is highly suggested that players plan these relationships well in advance and with appropriate safety checks to ensure all parties remain comfortable with the situation. This is not required, but highly recommended.

OK Check In

Players are encouraged to check on each other during stressful roleplay situations using an OK check in. A player who is concerned with a current situation should visibly show the OK hand sign to those they wish to check in with. Players may then give a thumbs up to continue, a thumbs down to show that there are issues and they wish to stop or fix the situation, or a level hand to show that they are unsure or things are starting to cause an issue. At this point roleplay may continue if all thumbs up are shown and a “Pause” should be called if there is a thumbs down to determine the problem and fix any situation before things get out of hand or to allow the player to use Look Down to walk away. A “so-so” wave is up to the asking players discretion but should indicate that a change in roleplay should occur.

Out Of Game Headband (Pink)

Sometimes a player needs to be out of game. There are many reasons for this such as a way to remove themselves from stressful roleplay, medical emergencies, phone calls, or interacting with the staff of the game. Often plot staff may need to show they are out of game to convey rulings, set up modules, or traveling without causing the other players to be alarmed. A player wearing a bright pink solid headband is out of game and should be ignored unless prompted by the wearer. A player should contact a staff member prior to going out of game if time allows. Bathrooms, vehicle, active cooking areas, restricted medical sleep areas, and the NPC hub area are always considered out of game unless otherwise clarified.

Pause

This is how the game stops for safety, emergency, or plot reasons. To stop game a player must call out “Pause”. All players must echo the call “Pause” when heard. All players must look down at the ground and kneel if possible. During the pause the person who called it and plot staff will determine the reason for the Pause and handle it appropriately. Once the reason for the pause is completed it will be asked if there is any reason the game should not continue. If there is, the pause is maintained to fix the new situation. If there is no reason the call will go out “3, 2, 1, Start”. During a pause players should not look around, gather gear/items, or converse unless it is part of the Pause.

Additional Policies

Thievery

Stealing things in Crestfallen LARP must be very closely watched. A Marshal (Green Armband) must be contacted to steal from a cabin, public area, or when using game skills to steal. Characters may only steal in game cards and leaves from other players because they are the property of Crestfallen LARP and not the players themselves. To steal a weapon or other tagged item, the physical item must be taken and held by the player for at least one hour. Following this hour, the item must be given directly to a Marshall so that it may be returned to the player and the tag retrieved from the person who was robbed. A player may NEVER steal the physical property of another player.

NPC Requirements

NPCs are required to have appropriate footwear and clothing for the weather. This clothing should include neutral base layers for costuming such as plain brown, grey, or black. Additionally, NPCs must have a sealable belt pouch for carrying Leaves and Resource cards for distribution as treasure. NPCs who pre-register for an event may gain additional information regarding characters and/or monsters that they will be playing. Players who bring additional costuming to make the character/monster more realistic or interesting may gain additional CP for their efforts.

Danger Level

The planned difficulty of an event is listed on the schedule page in the danger level section. This level is on a scale of 1 to 4 and is a rough estimate of the dangers players will face as well as a mechanic that has an effect on the gathering and surgery skills. When a player uses the gathering or surgery skills, they will roll on the appropriate chart according to the danger level.

Faction Level

Monster factions gain and lose power as they complete tasks or plot points occur. The current monster factions and their level is listed on the schedule page below the danger level and follows the same 1 to 4 scale. Faction level will determine what abilities the faction has access to as well as how difficult they may be to defeat, how populated they are at the event, and how aggressive they may be throughout the course of the event. Faction levels will only go up or down depending on story. During two day town events, each faction is intended to have its own plot runner and NPC crew. This crew will have a number of assignments to complete. If the crew complete less than half of their assignments, then the faction level will go down by 1 for the next event. If the crew completes half of their assignments, the faction level will remain the same for the next event. If the crew completes more than half of their assignments, then the faction level will go up for the next event.

Acting

Roleplaying is a form of acting. Players often base this acting off of their own life, attributes they want to grow, or a mindset they like to explore. Here are techniques that we want all of our players to use while acting at Crestfallen.

Playing to lift

This technique is all about sharing the spotlight with every player at the game. Players should do their best to “buy in” to what the other players goals and motivations are, thus treating them as real people and not just characters. Players should listen to the players around them, both in and out of game. A start is learning the characters name, a few facts, and a goal that they are attempting to accomplish. What is the character good at? What is the character working towards? What is the character interested in? Knowing the answers to these types of questions allows a player to let that person take or share the spotlight during those types of activities. This technique also includes pulling in players who may need assistance and helping them gain their moment in the spotlight. Pull people into conversations that are within arms length. Ask people for thoughts and opinions that normally do not voice them. This technique is well documented, but more information can be found in this article by Ericka Skirpan. https://thespacebetweenstories.com/2019/01/10/how-to-playing-to-lift-makes-you-one-of-the-cool-kids/

Yes, and

Yes, and… is an improvisational comedy rule where the actor should accept what is being said is fact and then expand upon the comment. LARP can use this technique to build on character backstory and thought processes that the player may not have originally thought of. With NPCs, this type of thinking should only be used by staff members or players that have a clear understanding of the world or motivation for the character. An example of this technique: An NPC is a powerful member of a faction and is being questioned. They are asked about their family and if they had a rough upbringing. If the player does not have a firm backstory, they may use the Yes, and technique to confirm that their upbringing was difficult and explain why. This makes the player that asked the question feel good for being intuitive and gives the NPC more motivation to work on.

Playing to the card

Players and characters are not always the same. Players should always try their best to act out and have the game skills to portray the character in the way they wish. For players this may mean taking academic research skills to seem more intelligent, combat skills to seem more tactical or strong, or gathering and holdings skills to seem more wealthy. NPCs in particular must take this technique into account. NPCs should not always fight to the best of their own physical or mental abilities, but instead lower or elevate their play based upon the card they are given.

Player Focused Workshops

Workshops are used to introduce players to different conditions, skills, or portions of the rules in a live play scenario. These are great ways to learn the rules of Crestfallen after reviewing the rulebook. A new player workshop will be available at the beginning of any event (one or two day) and will review any of the items reviewed in this speech as well as basic combat, life/death mechanics, and counted actions. Additionally players may sign up for combat, crafting, magic, medical training, research, and thievery workshops. These may be signed up for at the gathering hall with any staff member who has access to the organization folders. Help is also available at any time via email (CrestfallenLARP@gmail.com), during a discord hangout, or scheduled time with a staff member through these or other social media interactions.

Interacting With Plot

There are six primary ways to interact with plot throughout the course of an event.

Jobs

Jobs are found in all lineage and guild folders in the gathering hall. Players of the particular lineage or guild may sign up to take part in a particular job. These occur at set times during weekend events or may be chosen by an adventuring group during a one day event. Only members of a lineage or guild may advance within an organization.

Pioneer Cards

Pioneer cards are physical items found on site during an event. Each card has a non-combat and combat interaction found on it. Players must gather who they would like to take on the interaction, gather the card, and bring it to the plot staff for setup. These can occur at any time. Please note that these take time and resources to set up and can be affected by scheduled interactions or other items that are being run at the time. Patience is appreciated.

Random Encounters

Random encounters are fights that can occur from monsters in the world. Faction leads are given a set of tasks to achieve and a number of NPCs to play these monsters throughout the course of a weekend event. The monster factions may increase or decrease in power based on their interactions from one event to another.

Requested

Requested interactions are when a player or group requests an interaction based on personal character background, group background, or if they are unsure of how to interact with the game and would like some assistance. These are interactions that can occur at any time. Please note that these take time and resources to set up and can be affected by scheduled interactions or other items that are being run at the time. Patience is appreciated.

Scheduled

Scheduled interactions are world events that are planned for specific times of the day and are usually tied with the overarching story of the event. These are the core components of weekend events and are usually centered around one particular monster faction. The monster faction may increase or decrease in power based on their interactions from one event to another.

Stockpile Cards

Stockpile cards are physical items found on site during an event. These cards have a size of small, medium, or large listed directly on the card. Only a character with the gathering or harvesting skill may interact with these cards. A character may spend downtime or act out gathering from the stockpile for 30 minutes to gather a set number of resources from the stockpile. The character must bring the card with them to the gathering hall and return it to the organization folder to claim their rewards.

Anything that you feel should be added? Email us at CrestfallenLARP@gmail.com