I’ve been interested in getting involved in LARP for a while now, but for whatever reason been particularly fixated lately. I’d really like to attend E1 next year, and have a fair idea of the character I’d like to put together, but I don’t know anyone that plays, nor that I think would be willing to throw themselves into it with me.
I’m sure flying solo isn’t at all a new concept and can certainly be done but, /how/? I’m not entirely opposed to turning up and muddling my way through trying to make some friends at the event, but really it would be nice to have some friendly faces to look for beforehand.
I’ve looked for sanctioned events, though those that I’ve found thus far look to be fairly combat heavy (something I’d largely like to avoid to begin with at least). Are there any smaller events, or even socials going on in the long cold break between E4 and E1?
Hello lu-mon, and welcome to the hobby, the game and these forums!
1), playing solo is fine however you do it, but a word of clarification… do you mean to play as a single character (a group of 1) or do you mean to come along by yourself and then join a group in play?
What sort of character are you planning to play? There are many groups of players, for every nation, areas if interest, and so on. We can certainly put you in touch if you want to find someone to look for. Including some who might be more local to you than you thought…
That’s a great idea as a new player. Even if you go solo the whole time, having someone to meet, to chat with, to hang around with is great. It gives you a spot to drop anchor, socially. EG: “Aye, I am a wanderer along the roads of the Empire, but I met these folks on the way here and am sharing their fire for this meeting…”
While there are new player workshops and meetings and training courses (during the events, on Thursday and Friday), knowing a few folks before is a good idea, even if it’s just “Hi I chatted to you online, can I help put up your camp, what are you looking forwards to?”
Oh yes, getting there on Thursday is a good idea for a new player. It costs a little, but it allows you to explore the area, chat to folks as they arrive, make new friends and do lots of shopping (or indeed gawking in awe )
Sanctioned events: you CAN jump into the game at these (and many folk did, over lockdown), but as you’ve found they can be pretty fighty. While PD don’t run smaller events in the winter, there are indeed quite a few sanctioned events which are likely to be more social in nature, where folk meet up to plot/chat/sing/romance/backstab each other in a convivial manner. There might still be the occasional duel. If you can tell us approximately where in the country you are and what sort of character you’re planning, we may be able to suggest some.
There are a lot of groups on Facebook answering these questions as well. If you’d like to avoid FB, I can also have a search around myself and throw things your way.
Happy to answer any and all questions!
Here, by the way, are some useful discussions on the subject:
Certainly some of the socials are still taking bookings, although you’ll probably have to ping their FB pages or contact emails to find out which.
We usually suggest once you’ve picked your nation that you get in contact with your nation’s FB group, which will hopefully give you some real names to look out for at the event, and / or some IC contacts to put into your backstory. Will also give you a better idea of what the Nation is currently involved in and that your new character should think about having an opinion on as a conversation starter.
Plenty of groups are very happy to host a newbie either as an IC base until you find your feet, or as a new member of their group if they’re recruiting. Certainly mine has done both for our Chapter in Highguard.
Hi Geoffrey, many thanks for the warm welcome and thorough reply
I predominantly meant turning up on my own with no prior connections. Ideally, one of the main things I’d like to get out of joining Empire is meeting new people and making friends. So it would be great to end up joining a group, but character concept I’m leaning towards doesn’t necessitate this happening straight away, which leads to your next point…
The character I have in mind is a young Navarri, relatively inexperienced outside of his own niche living and working in the forest where he has grown up. Not naïve, but lacking the experience and broader understanding of the empire and other nations that would be gained travelling in a striding. Thus he is traveling beyond his steading’s sphere of influence, with the goal of travelling the empire, serving it’s people along the way and getting to see more of what it is Navarr are fighting to protect. It’s this journey that ends up bringing him to Anvil, hoping to make some useful connections
3/4. Totally! The social aspect is fairly high on my list of priorities, so having a familiar face or two to at least kick back with from time to time would be great
I was already leaning towards arriving on the Thursday. For the sake of practicality, so I can have plenty of time to do the new player things on the Friday without it being overshadowed by the stress of travel and setting up. Also to take advantage of the presumably slightly less hectic atmosphere and have a mooch around and chat to people
I live in SW London, and also drive so would hope that gives me a reasonable amount of options
I have already joined the Navarr FB group, though I’ve not had chance for a proper look yet hopefully I’ll find that to be useful
Hi Charlie, thanks for the reply I have indeed chosen, I’ve picked Navarr and have already joined the FB group. I think I’ll probably also reach out to people on there. If anything I think that’ll probably be best to get feedback from existing Navarr players to help develop a reasonably fleshed out and sensible backstory for my character before bringing him to an event
Actually your backstory as mentioned above will be fine, it doesn’t need to be complex. Coming to Anvil to see how the wider Empire functions is a perfectly good reason, and gives you lots of opportunity to ask people what they are doing and why, which is a great way to get into the game in character!
Hi, i started as a solo larper over the longest dark. If you are after social contacts,
I recommend attending one or more player events before the main event, in order to meet and bond with people. In general everybody is very friendly and easy to talk to, and the smaller events are great for actually getting you into plot etc.
Welcome! Looking forward to meeting you on the field
