Now that you’ve got a rough outline of what you think will go down at your event, you’re ready to start doing the prep work. This can pretty easily be broken down into a handful of easy to swallow chunks. Actually while on the subject of things that are easily swallowed, make sure you put “hard liquor” at the very top of your “to-buy” list.
Trust me on this one, you’ll probably want it after the event.
That way, all of my players that might read this will finally realize how much goes into running an event, and also how big of a lazy bastard I really am.
What makes this step extra easy is that some of these will be answered for you by the game or other officers.
If you are planning on having a nighttime event then try to pick a date as close to the full moon as you can. If it’s a daytime event, then really, I recommend picking a weekend, but any day will work. Generally speaking, this is one of those questions that will be answered for you. I would recommend picking a date that is decades into the future, too, so you have plenty of time to plan, but that’s not really going to happen, so, good luck.
I’ve been spoiled from years of playing and running a game with a permanent event site. One of our most active players and supporters has a huge tract of land. It makes it easy to know where we’re going to have events. In the last couple of years, though, we’ve grown to areas well outside an easy 15-20 minute drive to that site, and I’ve learned a thing or two about how tricky it can be actually finding an event site. Fortunately smaller games have more options in this, and bigger games generally have sites they frequent.
State Parks make a great place to camp and fight, and are generally free most of the time. There might be a small fee for camping. This is probably the best option if you don’t have access to a large hunk of private land. The downside is, not all states and county parks will allow boffer fighting in them. Make sure to check with the Parks Authority before assuming everything is okay.
Also remember this very important rule: No Alcohol allowed. I know for a fact that State parks in Missouri and Kansas are dry zones, and I suspect it’s going to be that way everywhere in the US. You can check on it, but don’t get your hopes up.
Of course, the best place to play would be someone’s private property. Of course, that’s assuming that they are willing to let you borrow or rent it. Don’t just go and set up camps on some dude’s land. That’s a dick move… and illegal.
As a last resort, there are plenty of places that you can pay to camp, and quite a few of them will let you fight there without a problem. Just make sure before your players drop down a site fee on the camp ground that you are going to be able to play there. Camping is fun, but it’s not what us stick-jockeys are coming out for.
guilt your friends into helping ask for help from other veteran players. Most of the time they will be eager to help out, if not, blackmail convince them how much you’d appreciate it.
A bit of advice, double the number of people you think you’ll need when you’re recruiting help. Some of them will be no-shows. They might just flake on you, or they might have a helicopter land on their car. Maybe it’s something as mundane as a medical emergency or getting grounded by their spouse. You’ll be better up if you have redundancies in place.
Again, some of these positions will probably be filled by the game officers, so you might not have to worry about it, but there is a list of people that you need before you even start the actual event itself:
The more your NPCs know about themselves, the better they’ll be able to react when the party burns all of your precious plans in the fires of their evil hearts.
Now, when I say “purchase” I don’t actually mean buying something, unless you can’t find another way to get your hands on it. Mostly, I mean “Scavenging,” but since you’re a LARPer, you’re probably already pretty used to that.
Really, you just need to gather all the things on your list, then prepack them into your bags.
Then Prepack your bags into your car.
Then preferably drive them out to the site now and store them in a hollow that is both well hidden but easy for you to find again.
Failure to follow all of these steps will result in “Little Damnits.”
So, basically what I am saying is forgetting something minor is going to happen. Don’t sweat it, but do your best to avoid it.
Figure out where everything should go down.
If you can, hang your signs and things.
This is the last chance you’ll have to really feel like you’re actually in control of any of this so enjoy it.
Meditate under a pretty tree.
A week later, you’re going to be sobbing under the same tree, so pick a comfy one.
Congratulations, it’s here.
You’re in the driver’s seat now.
Trust me on this one, you’ll probably want it after the event.
Prepping Your Event
There is an easy way and a good way to prep an event. My personal philosophy is that if you’re going to do anything that’s worth doing, being an event marshal isn’t on that list, so I go with the easy way. However, I’m not running a game for hundreds of people that have paid money to get into the event, so you might have a slightly more demanding burden than I do. So, I’ll outline the best way I know for preparing for an event, and I’ll casually mention all of the shortcuts I take.That way, all of my players that might read this will finally realize how much goes into running an event, and also how big of a lazy bastard I really am.
Step 1 – The Easy Stuff
Step 1 is easy. It’s series of questions you need to answer based on what you put down in your plan. You do have a plan, right? You didn’t think you could get away with skipping Phase 1 of running an event did you? Well, pretend like you have a plan and answer these questions.What makes this step extra easy is that some of these will be answered for you by the game or other officers.
Pick a Date, Any Date:
If you are planning on having a nighttime event then try to pick a date as close to the full moon as you can. If it’s a daytime event, then really, I recommend picking a weekend, but any day will work. Generally speaking, this is one of those questions that will be answered for you. I would recommend picking a date that is decades into the future, too, so you have plenty of time to plan, but that’s not really going to happen, so, good luck.Pick a Place, a Good Place:
I’ve been spoiled from years of playing and running a game with a permanent event site. One of our most active players and supporters has a huge tract of land. It makes it easy to know where we’re going to have events. In the last couple of years, though, we’ve grown to areas well outside an easy 15-20 minute drive to that site, and I’ve learned a thing or two about how tricky it can be actually finding an event site. Fortunately smaller games have more options in this, and bigger games generally have sites they frequent.
State Parks make a great place to camp and fight, and are generally free most of the time. There might be a small fee for camping. This is probably the best option if you don’t have access to a large hunk of private land. The downside is, not all states and county parks will allow boffer fighting in them. Make sure to check with the Parks Authority before assuming everything is okay.
Also remember this very important rule: No Alcohol allowed. I know for a fact that State parks in Missouri and Kansas are dry zones, and I suspect it’s going to be that way everywhere in the US. You can check on it, but don’t get your hopes up.
Of course, the best place to play would be someone’s private property. Of course, that’s assuming that they are willing to let you borrow or rent it. Don’t just go and set up camps on some dude’s land. That’s a dick move… and illegal.
As a last resort, there are plenty of places that you can pay to camp, and quite a few of them will let you fight there without a problem. Just make sure before your players drop down a site fee on the camp ground that you are going to be able to play there. Camping is fun, but it’s not what us stick-jockeys are coming out for.
Blow the Horn to Summon Your Minions
Let’s face it, unless you’ve only got a group of 2-3 guys, no one is doing this alone. You’re going to need some back up. Now is the time toA bit of advice, double the number of people you think you’ll need when you’re recruiting help. Some of them will be no-shows. They might just flake on you, or they might have a helicopter land on their car. Maybe it’s something as mundane as a medical emergency or getting grounded by their spouse. You’ll be better up if you have redundancies in place.
Again, some of these positions will probably be filled by the game officers, so you might not have to worry about it, but there is a list of people that you need before you even start the actual event itself:
- Registration Table – Preferably x 2
- Combat Marshal- You’ll want 1 for every 20 combatants. Less makes things go slower, more makes them go faster.
- Goblin Wrangler – This is a selfless person that has the only job less enviable than yours, wrangling children. You now owe THEM a favor.
The more your NPCs know about themselves, the better they’ll be able to react when the party burns all of your precious plans in the fires of their evil hearts.
Step 2 – Purchase Your Supplies
Ok, you’ve got the logistics taken care of, now it’s time to hammer out the real brass tacks so to speak. You’ve got a list of everything you’re going to need to run this event, now is the time to hunt it all down.Now, when I say “purchase” I don’t actually mean buying something, unless you can’t find another way to get your hands on it. Mostly, I mean “Scavenging,” but since you’re a LARPer, you’re probably already pretty used to that.
Really, you just need to gather all the things on your list, then prepack them into your bags.
Then Prepack your bags into your car.
Then preferably drive them out to the site now and store them in a hollow that is both well hidden but easy for you to find again.
Failure to follow all of these steps will result in “Little Damnits.”
So, basically what I am saying is forgetting something minor is going to happen. Don’t sweat it, but do your best to avoid it.
Step 3 – Wonder Around Your Site
It’ s a good idea and a good practice to head out to the event site the week before the event and get a feel for the land.Figure out where everything should go down.
If you can, hang your signs and things.
This is the last chance you’ll have to really feel like you’re actually in control of any of this so enjoy it.
Meditate under a pretty tree.
A week later, you’re going to be sobbing under the same tree, so pick a comfy one.
Step 4 – Head out Early and Get Set Up
The night before the event is preferable, but if you can’t than the morning of, head out to your site, set up your own camp, and get ready to spend the next day working your ass off for little or now gratitude.Congratulations, it’s here.
You’re in the driver’s seat now.
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