New player, Advice needed for someone new to Dawn Nation

New Players
1

Hello all,

I’m new to LARPing but not new to the fantasy. As a new player I thought I should join a nation who has the many of the values I do therefore Dawn was an obvious choice. I’m hoping to come to I LARP event in the summer. I just want to give myself time to create my backstory and invest in my outfit. I was really hoping to wear basic chainmail, with a bold red tunic and carry a sword. Are there any symbols that I should wear or does that depend on where you rank in society? Do you always begin as a yeofolk and then you gain your own heraldry or d you wear the heraldry of the nobility you serve?
I’m just looking for ideas for a backstory, I’m really open to ideas, as I really want to fit in.
Dawn
Costume and Crafting
Kit and Making Things

2

First of all, welcome Richard, to the hobby, the game and the forums! And as a Dawnish player myself, to the nation!

Do you have any idea which event(s) you’ll be able to make?

Chain and bright colours is fine, I suspect you’ve looked at the style guide for Dawn? There are a few groups in red in Dawn, so you might get mistaken depending on symbols or other colours :slight_smile:

The basic Dawn kit, usually worn by Knights Errant, is the yellow sun on royal blue. That’s the national symbol, recognised by everyone as “generically Dawn”. Most Houses have their own symbols, many nobles have their own specific symbols, and so there are a lot of different ones.

As a quick guide:
Yeofolk generally wear nothing special, or the colours of their House.
Knights Errant (wannabe-nobles) wear the Sun-on-Blue and/or the colours of the House they’re aiming for.
Nobles wear the House colours, House symbol, and any symbols specific to them.

Examples:
Bob is a yeofolk of House De Rondell (symbol is silver griffon and 3 silver crescent moons on light blue), and wears neutral colours with a blue and silver sash, and a blue hat.
Sir Bobbie is a Knight Errant testing into De Rondell, and wears a tabard of Sun-on-Blue over her armour, or a light jacket in De Rondell colours when in camp.
Lord Robert de Rondell wears the colours and symbol of his House, with the griffon sometimes replaced by a dragons head, in memory of the drake he killed in single combat.

You can start a character at any point on the social ladder, but the fancier the kit, the better for the higher you go. That said, there’s some very flashy yeofolk and some rather battle-worn nobles, so don’t worry too much.

The classic advice to new players is to start as a Knight Errant; a wandering knight looking to win nobility as a member of a Noble House. As this gives you the perfect in-game reason to be wandering around asking questions and chatting to everyone and trying to find some folks you like.

(I can reccomend finding a group of folk to hang out with as a starting point, whatever you do. Have you found the Dawn Facebook group yet?)

Backstory ideas…
The big things in recent history have been the attacks of the Cold Sun, and the conquest of the Barrens.

The Cold Sun forces attacked from another dimension (effectively) and did quite a lot of damage before being driven off by Imperial forces. They didn’t hit Dawn as hard as other nations, but I suspect several Houses and groups were over-run, leaving scattered survivors (that’s you) who might come to Anvil to rebuild their fortunes.

A year or two ago, the nation of Dawn completed a mighty quest, conquering the rich territory of Barrens from our old foes, the Druj barbarians. Knights and ambitious young Houses flooded in to build new legends on the blood-soaked hills and valleys. Maybe you could be one of them?

Or perhaps some scion of an older House in Dawnish lands, recently finished a stint in the armies, or intent on striking out by themselves?

I am happy to answer questions, talk through backstories, and discuss kit or character builds!

Have a deeper look at Dawn on the wiki, and see what you think.

3

In terms of event I’m aiming to go to 2025 Summer Solstice 25-27 Jul27.
I really wanted to created a traditonal looking Arthurian looking knight. From my reading I’ve I know people of Dawn like their brash, bold and bright colours. I just wasn’t sure if a knight started with symbols or it was earned. I just want to really fit in with the story. Red is my colour, I was thinking of a cape and tabard. Carrying a longsword and shield. The classic knight look. With your equipment do you have to use all your equipment all the time? For example I might use a sword and shield into battle but use just sword with two hands in single combat.
I’m starting to work on my character backstory but I felt if I find others in the faction and collaborate. The story might have more substance.

4

Hallo!

Seconding @Geoffrey_Willoughby 's have a nosy at the Wiki

On story stuff;

Empire doesn’t have just one story.

There’s lots and lots of different stories in play (as there’s nearing 3k characters in the field). You find a niche for yourself and start poking that plot, rather than it being provided as a single story point for all

As such, and because there is so much plot out there, it’s easier to go in with a very light touch on the backstory to who your character is

So, as example;

I currently play in Highguard.
My character, Shibboleth of Tzipporah’s Chase, is from a Reikos chapter.
He was 15 when the Druj invaded, stayed in Reikos during the occupation, was involved in the “Whack-a-Shroom” chaos, and has only just started attending Anvil.
He’s a draughir and…that’s all I had when I started playing him

There’s a few big overarching bits I can play with (occupation of Reikos, the only member of his chapter to attend Anvil, and his lineage)

But, outside of that, that’s all he is.

It makes life easier and allows you chance to poke at things that interest you.

On weaponry/shield stuff;

Formalised single combat isn’t at all common as a broad thing for skirmishes and big battle.
(It’s not general common in Anvil, outside of very specific situations, like Dawn’s Glory Square/tourneys and the Imperial Orc fighting pit)

You’re more likely to carry what you feel comfortable with lugging around a fairly large campsite, rather than being constantly in “optimized layout”

Again, have a look at the Wiki for a bit more of your nuts and bolts of fighting and plot bits

5

I really appreciate the advice. I have had a long look at the wiki and there is so much. I have the bones of a backstory. I can let you have a look, but I’m open to suggestions and making changes.

6

Here is the basics of my backstory I’d love your opinion. I am very open to any adjustments or improvements.

Galahad Hawke is 35 years of age, Knight Errant. He is a wandering knight who is constantly trying to quench his constant thirst for glory and adventure. He is brave and bold but headstrong and reckless. He is constantly looking to challenge himself and prove his worth, whenever he can find an opportunity for glory he is always there.
Galahad grew up in Astolat in the settlement of Laroc. For as long as he could remember he grew up very close to the tournament ground. This instilled in Galahad such a passionate desire for glory and a determination to master the blade. The constant display of pageantry was always an inspiration. His desire for combat was born from watching countless knightly tournaments and noble combat bouts displaying the noble art of swordsmanship.
A year or two ago, the nation of Dawn completed a mighty quest, conquering the rich territory of Barrens from our old foes, the Druj barbarians. Galahad was one of the many young Knights and ambitious Houses who flooded in to build new legends on the blood-soaked hills and valley.
Galahad is a wondering adventurer and searches for glory wherever it can be found but because of this very often trouble finds him. He doesn’t believe in an unfair fight. Which means he is no stranger to getting into situations where he is outnumbered or outmatched but no one can ever tell him the odds because, it’s pointless as he simply won’t listen.
Galahad is constantly on the move, he is a strong believer in the belief that “actions speak louder than words” He will judge someone on the strength and skill in their arm, not the speed of a person’s words.

7

(reads backstory)

Well! Good start there! Galahad Hawke is fine for a Dawnish name. We’ve the expected bevy of Arthurian names about (I’ve known Mordred, Bors, Bohemond and Gwenivere, but surprisingly few Arthurs…), and Hawke could well be the sort of simple Yeofolk name that a family may well have. Good call.

Laroc… yeah, there’s a place that will be churning out Knights Errant for decades. Nice and simple. There’s a few Houses from Astolat on the field for you to say hi to as well.

Note that although Dawn looks Arthurian, it isn’t. Honour and Chivalry aren’t big things, and Dawnish knights will cheerfully push each other over in order to sieze the prize/kill/trophy themselves… Boldness, Courage, and a desire for action makes for a pretty heady mix.

You’ll fit right in… :smiley:

Keeping backstory reasonably simple is good. What happens to your character during the game should be the more important bit.

Speaking of which, having got a solid backstory and a combat loadout visualised (I can provide advice re skills if needed)… what will you be doing the rest of the time?

Each Empire event will have a couple of battles (monster at least one, they’re great fun), maybe a couple of quests you can go on, and probably at least one tournament… but the rest of the time?

“I like to fight stuff and seek Glory!” is a solid concept, but it doesn’t last all day. What would Galahad do between battles? Drink and hear war stories is fine (I have dozens…), sight-see in Anvil is also cool (and reccomended). You might want to look into other skills, depending on personal resource… or leave that bit blank for now.

You don’t need to flesh out all of the character immediatetly, you don’t need to spend all the character points at character creation. For that matter, PD are very forgiving of new players who want to change stuff after they try it out…

You’ve got the time, and there might well be stuff happening over the first two events that you hear about and want to pursue!

Have a think, take your time, and don’t drown in the wiki!

8

That’s great it’s much appreciated, I’ll keep thinking. I didn’t want to get too specific too early. As long as I get the basic concept I can add the details later. I’m also thinking long and hard on my outfit. Are some parts of the outfit more important like colour, your amour or weapons?

9

Not really…
I’d advise having a colour scheme (“red” is fine), and sticking to it at the start. Bright, strong colours is the Dawnish thing, two or three or even four of them… (unless you’re the house of Fools, whose colour scheme is Everything).

Armour… shiny if possible? Paint it if you like? Ribbons plaited through it?

Weapons… well, I always advise folk to buy weapons on site. Where you can have a good feel, compare the styles, and check prices. Also, it means if they fail weapons check you can take them back immediately… :stuck_out_tongue: Which is not an option if bought online.

A fairly generic fantasy outfit can be “Dawned up” with the right accessories and cheap bling. Favours, ribbons, flowers… :slight_smile:

We’ll be happy to give advice re an outfit if you post a picture here or on the Facebook page. If you specifically ask for advice.

10

I was thinking red of blue as a colour for a tunic or cloak. In terms of amour I might wear mail with some shiny shoulder pauldrons. My character has the shield skill so a brash vibrant shield is in order.