New Player Verushka Kit

New Players
1

Hi everyone!

I apologise if this is in the wrong category, I’m new to things like this so please bear with me.

I’m completely new to larp and hoping to attend the next event and just wanted to ask for some general advice.

I’ve been reading about all the nations and Verushka really sticks out to me. I love the dark fantasy vibe and the pictures of everyone’s kit on the wiki look so cool!

My question is where is a good place to start with putting together a good Verushka kit. I’m so nervous about not following the rules or adhering to the proper look and feel of the nation. I don’t want to turn up to my first event and look completely wrong or out of place :confused:

One thing I have been looking at for inspiration is some of the clothing in the Witcher games. Bright colored gambesons, Furs and other things etc. A lot of it seems to follow the dark fantasy aesthetic but on top of that it’s really cool. Especially the clothing in the older games and some of Eskells clothing in Witcher 3 ( I know it’s specific but it just looks so good :D)

I guess i’m just looking for some good general advice on where to start and also if people think this is a good place for inspiration. Also anything else I should know about Verushka customs and lore I would really appreciate. I want to be properly prepared.

Thanks so much. Sorry again for the nervousness. Any help or advice is appreciated. I have a lot to learn :smiley:

2

Hallo!

On costume stuff (as I don’t play in Varushaka, but have been eyeing stuff for back up and player event crewing), my advice :

  • Do not sweat your kit being perfect first time
    Empire has an ethos of continuous kit development and a community of crafty folks who do commissions, help with where to find/make stuff, and do craft trades
    We all start somewhere and it develops as you get used to the field and who your character is

  • Have a nosy at the Empire photo albums online from Oli Facey, Agent B Smith, and Chris Thomas.
    All three have big publicly accessible, non Facebook albums from the past four years ^ of play.
    Have a particular nosey at the Winter 386 (E1 2024) and Vesna’s coronation, as there’s some gorgeous in play kit inspiration there for Varushaka

    ^- Oli Facey has been one of the photographers associated with Empire for most of the game’s existence.
    However, kit briefs do get revamped as certain bits pop up about them. Past four years have been reasonably stable on what’s shiny for Varushaka

  • Given how warm and sunny the new site is and the propensity of Varushakan kit/the kit for fur and leather…I’d be tempted look more towards spring/summer national dress of the Baltics, Ukraine, and Russia, with a very, very big “clothing at Empire is INSPIRED by these outfits, not fully derived from” stuck next to this)
    (Not getting heatstroke is very big and clever. Not melting for the fashion of it is also sensible)

  • A hat can make or break a costume.
    And Varushaka actually had really clear brief on headwear. Make use of this

  • If you’re looking for base stuff, look both sides of the clothing store aisle.
    River Island, New Look, and M&S have all had some lightweight very nice Varushakan-esque tops in the women’s section right now. …And you can’t go wrong with drawstring, neutral coloured linen/linen mix trousers.

  • That being said…Burgschnider also has some very good plain base tops (and some very nice wool coats) which work for Varushakan brief

    Especially this entire collection
    Kievan Rus | Kievan Rus Clothing Collection | Kyivan Rus
    And
    Skjoldehamn Tunic Einarr Hemp (there is also a “women’s” one in white)

    (As a note, Burgschnider runs small on the arms, “to size” on the body and does dim slightly odd things in the wash. Order up a size and wash cold. …and anything strongly coloured, wash by itself the first time as dye leak is a thing)

  • Don’t be afraid to modify bought kit.
    Embroidery, patchwork, painting, dyeing, etc can take a generic piece of kit from a traders/high street shop and make it uniquely yours.

  • Buy weapons on site at your first event and please pay heed to what the brief says that you Nations favours
    Don’t buy them beforehand, they need weapons checking before time in on the Friday…and ones on site are more likely to pass the check

1 Like
3

Welcome along kyubi, to the hobby, the game, and these forums :slight_smile:

Don’t worry, you’re in the right place!

Excellent advice from Squeek_D, so I’ll just add:

Don’t get intimidated by the photos you may see. They tend to be of those players who may have spent years working on those costumes, taken by professional photographers, and then picked for quality.

Nobody’s expecting you to rock up looking great at your first ever event. Whatever you wear, you will have people looking better and worse than you.

Feel free to ask further questions here and elsewhere.

Oh, and here’s the FB group for Varushka, should you wish: