Just to make them EXTRA visible; the photos in this video were by Beth Dooner and Lisa Curtis; their websites are below. :) Beth: www.bethdooner.co.uk/ Lisa: www.lisacurtisphotography.co.uk/
+Herro Herro : In-character money possessed by your character at Empire can be kept across events; if you earn, say, three Thrones at an event, you'll have those at the next event as long as you haven't spent them, lost them or died. You either keep the physical coins and bring them back with you at the next event or, if you have need of them in your inventory for something in the downtime system, you put them in your hand-in pack at the end of the event and you'll get whatever you haven't used in DT in your character pack at the beginning of the new event.
That's my wife at 40:44! That photo was taken during our super spooky highguard ritual to summon the dead. It was a great event, although meltingly hot as the guys said. I almost got to shank Mark when I was an orc, only to get shot down by an arrow at the last second!
Being part of the brass coast was great in that battle, for most of it we were supporting the league who were ploughing through the forest to achieve all our missions. We then get a messenger tell us "Winter mark is being overrun, they need support back at the bridge!" so as a nation we all just started sprinting through the forest to make it back to you guys. Was great fun and I look forward to more events.
You guys look amazing in character! I say that because you all honestly look like you've immersed yourselves into different people. I've never been larping myself, so I'm incredibly jealous.
As someone who was sat round the Navaar fire for your story I gotta say I really enjoyed it. Full of drama & tension, wonderfully over-acted and it held the crowd enthralled. Next time you're in the Brass Coast come for a drink in the Brazen Parador.
Another great video guys. LARP sounds incredible from everything I've heard, I'd love to do it but until then I'm more than happy watching these videos as long as you keep doing them.
The biggest most important thing I've got from this, is that Trott needs to where makeup daily cause that eyeshadow is just *italian-kiss-fingers-thing it looks very much like face paint now I'm actually part way in, oh well I still think he'd look amazing with makeup
I met you guys at an event in 2018 but had to leave early and now I’m finally coming back this year. These videos made me so excited that I found it hard to sleep last night. Much like a child.
Were I'm from nobody likes roleplay - DnD and LARP are unknown concepts or completely "What the hell?" things for people to enjoy doing. I'm so glad that I can get a bit of a fix from you guys. Hearing the stories of the battles and fun RP moments makes me feel a lot less awkward about being a super nerd, and makes me look forward to the days when I have enough money saved up to actually visit one of these far-away unicorn events where people can get totally lost in a made-up universe and nobody thinks that they are crazy. Everyone seems so supportive and while I'm sure there are bad eggs and people who are terrible actors (myself included), I just adore this community. Thank you guys so much for getting me into it. :)
Not gonna lie. Keep rewatching these videos because it's so good to see you guys talking so passionately about something you clearly love. Plus it really makes me want to attend Empire but I have nobody to go with. This will do. :)
Empire sounds incredible! I love these videos you guys are doing. I've wanted to go larping for years but I suffer from ill health and haven't been able to so hearing these videos gives me something to look forward to hopefully doing one day :))
These videos are so enjoyable! I love that it's such an immersive experience for you guys, it's like being told real war stories from victorious (or not so victorious) warriors, so awesome! I don't have the time or money to get into Empire alongside my current hobbies, but with these videos I can still enjoy the universe and vicariously experience the events. Love it! mwah xxx
I was a unit commander for one of the units of skirmishers on the Sunday battle, in the copse in the field... That bailed immediately as a Wintermark column started to cut off our position- To the sound of Sigwald calling us all cowards! Let's see you step out of your shield line and say that, Changeling! I'll sell your horns, and keep your mane as a trophy! (IC ofc- see you next event! :D)
I really want to go to Empire one day (hopefully sooner rather than later). It sounds absolutely amazing. Also, I love hearing these stories, and I hope they do continue in the future.
First off. Brian Blessed has been added to my list of dream celebrity NPCs for Empire. Secondly, please someone tell me there's a picture of Trident I can use for reference so I can do a gif of him and Siggy giving each other goo goo eyes.
Here's a pic of Trident and his boss Karkinos (Trident is the one with the, well, with the trident). facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10155173791424424&set=a.10151486387654424.1073741826.511204423&type=3&theater Apologies for the rather in-IC background; we had this photo taken by the monster tent off the field.
The Goosewhisper was some of my favorite RP of the entire event, I've never done it before and the the atmosphere that shaman and the tent created was really good and made it feel really intense
To be honest, all of your LARP stories have inspired me to get into LARP myself. It just seems so cool and fun, and I love roleplaying in D&D and such so it seems a perfect fit. Sadly theres no events even close to me (I'm in northern British Columbia), but it looks like the place that I might be going to school at either this fall or the next has a local event so hopefully I can give it a go there! Thank you for introducing me to the greatness of LARP!
I actually started to larp because of the 'Lewis goes LARPing' yogpod. Really happy that trott and smiffy are immersed in the system because it gets me hyped about my own games.
God the Sunday battle was amazing! Again, you're very welcome for the Freeborn storm. I saw our egregore commended your efforts in battle, well deserved wintermark is crazy to fight with. Trott looked crazy all decked in kit, my character got pretty spooked by seeing Grimm on a dark pathway.
Maaaan you guys were the biggest damn heroes! Siggy wants to come and learn to fight with some Freeborn Skirmishers! And yeah Trott actually plays the dark character really well.
These kind of videos inspire me to LARP but it's honestly difficult to find a few people to go with since I don't really know anybody in that scene. However, I am in the midst of trying to convince a few people to go so hopefully I'll see you guys in the winter event
Holt Hyrde have a similar thing with having additional roles within the group. We have things like Hearth Mother/Father who looks after the camp, the Quartermaster, the Huscarl obviously, Mage speaker etc.
This is great fun to just listen to. Kinda wish I could go, but I'm content with just listening to these videos. The swedish LARP scene is there, I've even been to some. But I donno. The stories just tend to fizzle out for some reason. Maybe some of them will find this video and be motivated to keep going and promoting and grow the community yet again. :)
Love these froth recounts guys. Its amazing how everyone that goes to Empire plays such a different game. It was my first event this E2. Turned up as an Imperial Orc and I cant recommend enough that people join in. I dont think I bumped into you guys during the event, but I know our groups bonesetter said he popped passed at some point. That. And complaining about heat? I hope I never have to wear that orc mask and plate armour ever again!
So the box game that they mention was run by my group in Varushka (The Oxen Head). The "foam" they mention it being filled with was actually used underwear. I remember you guys coming over, it was great fun.
As with the last event, I saw a completely different side of the game to you all...it's brilliant to get a snapshot of what else is going on in the field.
The League smashed the Sunday battle. We didn't do as much of the actual pushes and things you guys were talking about, but we completed so many of the objectives it felt pretty badass. Also I watched the trial that took place on Saturday without knowing any of the back story about the guy and I really enjoyed it. But yeah I can see how it didn't live up to expectation
Woo cheers for the small mention of the Badger Boys! The Marches are having a summer fete next event, you guys should come over and take part in the various games we'll be holding (and peddle your wares to the other punters ;D )
As somebody who is planning to go down on Thursday next event, I have just gone to my first event and it was amazing, what kind of things can you do compared to somebody who would arrive on Friday?
I myself do Larp I really want to do Empire larp but I live in South Western Australia so it would be expensive to fly back and forth just to do larp, so I found one in South Western Australia called Shattered World LARP and it is amazing I haven't gone to any games yet but am looking forward to it. For those who do it already I am in The Wastes Faction and I hope to see you at a game some day
Excellent video Mark! Loved it as usual, you know how to make 3 people frothing about a weekend flow nicely. There is one point I'd like to challenge you on - since you mentioned having a conversation in the comments - the appearance of Dogri. Now don't worry, I'm fully aware that you all disclaimed that you have nothing against things like his height and appearance, just that it wasn't what you expected and feel like he may have been picked last minute because someone who 'looked the part' wasn't available. I would argue that LARP and Empire especially is one of those times that you CAN subvert those expectations of appearance. As soon as I was presented with who Dogri was, I unquestionably accepted it as him. I'll admit I had way less of a buildup than people in the nation so had less prior expectations, but I was still able to go "Huh, so that's him. Awesome" and to me, that was someone who was believably what the build up had been. To me, it made sense that someone younger than expected was Dogri as it made the story and power of his death all the more powerful than some grizzled veteran of the place. Especially given Wintermark has such an emphasis on making your mark and your story. I always like to see these things as a casting choice in a film, this is how Dogri looks, so what are we to take from it? Like, this ISN'T film, but this IS who the character is. Empire is full of characters and NPCs who look exactly how you expect them to (like Dani being a perfect choice for Castellan) but the subversion of expectation is just as powerful. And seeing him fight, I 100% believed he was who everyone said he was. He'd be a character I was cheering for in a film, even more so because he DIDN'T look like we expected. LARP is not bound by the same expectations as the film/movie industry, so we have even more power to subvert them. Because let's say for example, Dogri was actually played by someone in their early 20s, not a lot of muscle structure and for all intents and purposes... 'weedy'. This to me, is where I stop and go both in character and out of character "Woah, this wasn't what I expected at all physically... so just how powerful IS this dude? What is he hiding?" and see how the story unfolds with this information. And if Dogri was a grizzled older guy who you believe has been fighting for years... then well yeah, you believe it, and you can believe the stories pretty much etched onto his face with years. But it doesn't always have to be the obvious answer. I hope that makes sense! I don't really have an issue with your original points, but I wanted to offer this pool of thought. It comes from a play of crewing other games, where I am believably whatever character the game team give me. I'm currently playing a recurring villain, and I actually legit said "Oh man, my face is too 'gentle' to play a baddie" and the team said "And that's exactly why it works" and it sorta just hit me. Once again, thank you for this video and interesting topics! I especially love hearing about the battles as I only get very disjointed looks at them. Hearing about nations sweeping into save the day, or moments of panic followed by big damn hero moments spoke with such enthusiasm makes me incredibly happy. - Beth
Hello! Don't worry at all, I think it's just difficult for me to completely cut myself off (to my own detriment). To me I just couldn't get passed that Dogri didn't meet my mental expectation. I get what you're saying but harder to put it into practice you know? It wasn't that he himself didn't look the part, the dude looked badass, but he just wasn't the character I'd been told about (to me anyway). I think it's just a different mindset, I've not larped before Empire for... 15 years or so, haven't done other systems. Sometimes the people physreps throw me off, probably cos I am so used to Tabletop RP where it's just all in my head.
Hiya, Fair point with coming from Tabletop RP and there being more of built expectations than coming from somewhere else (or someone who has been larping for longer). It's an interesting counterpoint and one I hadn't considered, and I'm not sure how it can be challenged further. The main thing I can think of is obviously more time spent larping means more time getting used to what's in front of you rather than built up expectations. Also, I do highly recommend crewing a game should you ever have the time to - although I know you're quite a busy guy - seeing more behind the scenes certainly helped me out challenging expectations. And heck, that would be something interesting in general to be talked about on the channel, some people honestly prefer crewing to playing which is fascinating in its own right. - Beth
If you guys fancy a good tipple, ask for the Quartermaster at the Vorazi (in Varushka) tent. I make a mean Sloe Gin which I bring each event. Won't be there till E1 2018 as I'm travelling a lot to India at the moment.
I meant to come in Spring, but money really fucked me in terms of costume haha, should be coming to the E4 though. Very excited to start, these videos really inspire me with it
We have a fair few groups who run In-character drinking establishments as it happens. They seem to enjoy themselves and its a good way to a) meet people and b) accumulate in-character wealth hand over fist :)
Running an IC tavern requires a lot of OC logistics, it's taken us 2 years to get our tavern back up together after we lost the guys running it to Real Life (tm). But they can be great fun when the party happens in your tent! Of course some bars may be looking for people to help out for a few hours here & there. We've been known to hire Merc bar staff for the night!
Gregg Bond We used to run an IC tavern, it's great fun but as people said a LOT of work. I wouldn't recommend it for your first event (or even second!). Get a feel for the game first before jumping in at the deep end. :)
mushroomfall you don't really need friends you kinda meet people from your faction/nation and at the end of the day you are playing a character that could come from a lonely past
Great video. To people seriously thinking about joining Empire, I recommend checking out the new player fb group at: facebook.com/groups/528878433989783/ Everyone is super helpful, and please check out the other halls, there are some super cool nations to join, so don't feel you have to go straight for the overheated Wintermarkers! (Though they are awesome).
I played a slave engineer in the Sunday battle, and the most memorable part was a group of wintermark pegging it after a group of 8 of us, while myself and another slave just froze. You guys legged it past not 10 feet from us and we got away Scot free XD
PC have to go in one day as a monster? That sounds interesting. For every LARP I've been to and heard about they cast NPCs for that special. But that sounds like a nice mixeup.
I wish you guys could hide a camera in your kit so we could see the non battle part, there are plenty of head cams in battle from Empire but no footage of the trading and everything else.
Just to make them EXTRA visible; the photos in this video were by Beth Dooner and Lisa Curtis; their websites are below. :)
Beth: www.bethdooner.co.uk/
Lisa: www.lisacurtisphotography.co.uk/
When you earn money at Empire are you allowed to save it across events or is it a one-event sort of thing?
Yesish? It is on the wiki. I know it crosses seasons but I ain't sure about the years. If the char lives I can't see why not.
Tabletop Weekly can you rate trotts smell out of 10
+Herro Herro : In-character money possessed by your character at Empire can be kept across events; if you earn, say, three Thrones at an event, you'll have those at the next event as long as you haven't spent them, lost them or died.
You either keep the physical coins and bring them back with you at the next event or, if you have need of them in your inventory for something in the downtime system, you put them in your hand-in pack at the end of the event and you'll get whatever you haven't used in DT in your character pack at the beginning of the new event.
Ty
This is making LARP look very tempting, ngl...
That's my wife at 40:44! That photo was taken during our super spooky highguard ritual to summon the dead.
It was a great event, although meltingly hot as the guys said. I almost got to shank Mark when I was an orc, only to get shot down by an arrow at the last second!
Being part of the brass coast was great in that battle, for most of it we were supporting the league who were ploughing through the forest to achieve all our missions. We then get a messenger tell us "Winter mark is being overrun, they need support back at the bridge!" so as a nation we all just started sprinting through the forest to make it back to you guys. Was great fun and I look forward to more events.
Ah, you sods were the ones who finally wiped my unit, I think... I was the orc with the magnificent hat in charge of the human ritualists.
You guys look amazing in character! I say that because you all honestly look like you've immersed yourselves into different people. I've never been larping myself, so I'm incredibly jealous.
It was cool meeting you OC at the food trucks on the Saturday. It was even cooler fighting you guys as an orc captain on the Sunday!
Also that ice lollie was a gods save during the militia briefing!
My pleasure, sorry if I was a bit out of it/tired!
Tabletop Weekly I was in the exact same place, sorry for the fanboy moment :D
Please, if any of the books mentioned at 1:12:00 ever get made, cover them on the channel.
As someone who was sat round the Navaar fire for your story I gotta say I really enjoyed it. Full of drama & tension, wonderfully over-acted and it held the crowd enthralled. Next time you're in the Brass Coast come for a drink in the Brazen Parador.
Thank you so much! I'd love to swing by, I should have a proper ADVENTURE story to tell this event!
Was far too distracted by Smithys hair.
ADVENTURE!
It's so good seeing you guys froth about the game. Love hearing about your escapades :)
Frost giant in the HOW was also me :P
I thought that giant had your face! Must have been dying in that thing! Thanks for being awesome. ADVENTURE!
Another great video guys. LARP sounds incredible from everything I've heard, I'd love to do it but until then I'm more than happy watching these videos as long as you keep doing them.
Thank you for the constant updates on the LARP adventures, really enjoy these!
Finally, the promised has been delivered... Glorious LARP has returned!
The biggest most important thing I've got from this, is that Trott needs to where makeup daily cause that eyeshadow is just *italian-kiss-fingers-thing
it looks very much like face paint now I'm actually part way in, oh well I still think he'd look amazing with makeup
I met you guys at an event in 2018 but had to leave early and now I’m finally coming back this year.
These videos made me so excited that I found it hard to sleep last night. Much like a child.
Were I'm from nobody likes roleplay - DnD and LARP are unknown concepts or completely "What the hell?" things for people to enjoy doing. I'm so glad that I can get a bit of a fix from you guys. Hearing the stories of the battles and fun RP moments makes me feel a lot less awkward about being a super nerd, and makes me look forward to the days when I have enough money saved up to actually visit one of these far-away unicorn events where people can get totally lost in a made-up universe and nobody thinks that they are crazy.
Everyone seems so supportive and while I'm sure there are bad eggs and people who are terrible actors (myself included), I just adore this community. Thank you guys so much for getting me into it. :)
Not gonna lie. Keep rewatching these videos because it's so good to see you guys talking so passionately about something you clearly love. Plus it really makes me want to attend Empire but I have nobody to go with. This will do. :)
Love these LARP videos and seeing how enthusiastic you guys are about the whole thing! Can't wait for more!
Thanks man! We'll do one after each event!
AHhhhhh
Empire sounds incredible! I love these videos you guys are doing. I've wanted to go larping for years but I suffer from ill health and haven't been able to so hearing these videos gives me something to look forward to hopefully doing one day :))
These videos are so enjoyable! I love that it's such an immersive experience for you guys, it's like being told real war stories from victorious (or not so victorious) warriors, so awesome! I don't have the time or money to get into Empire alongside my current hobbies, but with these videos I can still enjoy the universe and vicariously experience the events. Love it! mwah xxx
Thanks Norton, that's kind of the idea of these recaps! :) Glad you like it!
this continues to be insanely interesting, Mark. thanks to all of you for sharing your knowledge & experiences! xoxo -Beazus
You have no clue how long I was waiting for this x)
I finished the video and was incredibly sad to realise i didn't have more to watch. Looking forward to hearing about your next adventures, Mark
Next one is in like 3 weeks. XD So quite soon!
This is the best thing. I've been waiting for this since the last one. Back to waiting I guess.
These videos have a wonderful flow. They have Schrodinger's structure; simultaneously unstructured and well organised.
I was a unit commander for one of the units of skirmishers on the Sunday battle, in the copse in the field... That bailed immediately as a Wintermark column started to cut off our position- To the sound of Sigwald calling us all cowards!
Let's see you step out of your shield line and say that, Changeling! I'll sell your horns, and keep your mane as a trophy! (IC ofc- see you next event! :D)
I really enjoy hearing about your adventures can't wait to see the next one.
As always, love these videos as it gives in insight to other peoples adventures at empire
I've been waiting for this!!! :D
another great video! awesome to see people so into what they do.. definitely makes me want to give it a go
I really want to go to Empire one day (hopefully sooner rather than later). It sounds absolutely amazing.
Also, I love hearing these stories, and I hope they do continue in the future.
First off. Brian Blessed has been added to my list of dream celebrity NPCs for Empire.
Secondly, please someone tell me there's a picture of Trident I can use for reference so I can do a gif of him and Siggy giving each other goo goo eyes.
Here's a pic of Trident and his boss Karkinos (Trident is the one with the, well, with the trident).
facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10155173791424424&set=a.10151486387654424.1073741826.511204423&type=3&theater
Apologies for the rather in-IC background; we had this photo taken by the monster tent off the field.
Yessss. YEEESSSSS!!!
GOING THIS WINTER WITH 5 FRIENDS HYPE
The Goosewhisper was some of my favorite RP of the entire event, I've never done it before and the the atmosphere that shaman and the tent created was really good and made it feel really intense
I had one the year before with another character and it was great. Feathergore and Shaman do an amazing job!
Tabletop Weekly apparently what I owe Shaman for it can be a dangerous thing from what the person who signed me up for it told me
Please continue these, it inspires me to join and I love the crazy antics!!
I am really loving these larp videos keep it up!
To be honest, all of your LARP stories have inspired me to get into LARP myself. It just seems so cool and fun, and I love roleplaying in D&D and such so it seems a perfect fit. Sadly theres no events even close to me (I'm in northern British Columbia), but it looks like the place that I might be going to school at either this fall or the next has a local event so hopefully I can give it a go there! Thank you for introducing me to the greatness of LARP!
Look up Bicolline larp. A week long LARP festival in August in a permanent medieval village. In Canada. Maybe not close to you, but worth attending.
I love hearing your about your LARP experiences!
I wish I could go to join in on Empire but I'm just a poor Australian uni student haha
Braedyn Rutherford same but in NZ XD
I have been waiting for this vid, im so hype to go larping oneday
I love hearing about your adventures! I wish such an in depth LARP happened in my neck of the woods in the US.
I actually started to larp because of the 'Lewis goes LARPing' yogpod. Really happy that trott and smiffy are immersed in the system because it gets me hyped about my own games.
God the Sunday battle was amazing! Again, you're very welcome for the Freeborn storm. I saw our egregore commended your efforts in battle, well deserved wintermark is crazy to fight with. Trott looked crazy all decked in kit, my character got pretty spooked by seeing Grimm on a dark pathway.
Maaaan you guys were the biggest damn heroes! Siggy wants to come and learn to fight with some Freeborn Skirmishers! And yeah Trott actually plays the dark character really well.
Tabletop Weekly Well if a jangly Freeborn girl called Santana wanders over to your camp talking about Courage say hey!
Best series(?) of just chatting, EVER. :D
Ive been waiting do long
woo love your larp videos with the bais. keep them coming!
I'm loving the videos about Empire, it sounds amazing. I would love to see more, maybe some lore videos?
Loving your stories. A few more and I might be tempted to find my own larp.
These kind of videos inspire me to LARP but it's honestly difficult to find a few people to go with since I don't really know anybody in that scene. However, I am in the midst of trying to convince a few people to go so hopefully I'll see you guys in the winter event
It was great roleplaying with you guys on the saturday(?) evening, Sam Balston and Harry Plougher got pretty smashed that night.
+Isaac Howell Ploughing Harry! Haha you boys are always great to hang and RP with!
Aww man this sounds SO COOL. I'm supposed to make a trip to the UK for work I wonder if I can get a glimpse of this amazing thing
This is really fascinating and sounds amazing.
Holt Hyrde have a similar thing with having additional roles within the group. We have things like Hearth Mother/Father who looks after the camp, the Quartermaster, the Huscarl obviously, Mage speaker etc.
This is great fun to just listen to. Kinda wish I could go, but I'm content with just listening to these videos. The swedish LARP scene is there, I've even been to some. But I donno. The stories just tend to fizzle out for some reason. Maybe some of them will find this video and be motivated to keep going and promoting and grow the community yet again. :)
I need more of this in my life.
Man I love hearing these stories from you gents, Arizona here in the states has nothing like this...
Holy Shit! I just subbed because of their original larp recap and i couldn't believe my eyes!! The day after i subscribed :O
Love these froth recounts guys. Its amazing how everyone that goes to Empire plays such a different game.
It was my first event this E2. Turned up as an Imperial Orc and I cant recommend enough that people join in. I dont think I bumped into you guys during the event, but I know our groups bonesetter said he popped passed at some point. That. And complaining about heat? I hope I never have to wear that orc mask and plate armour ever again!
This sounds like so much fun! I wouldn't even mind just going as a bard with a little drum - that is, if I organise friends to go with.
Brilliant editing, GJ
Wish I lived closer to the places empire puts on their LARPs, it sounds like an awesome experience!
First time on you're channel. Subscribed instantly because of the Ac Inc shirt XD
New player to Empire as of next event! Super exited!
So the box game that they mention was run by my group in Varushka (The Oxen Head). The "foam" they mention it being filled with was actually used underwear. I remember you guys coming over, it was great fun.
I like this one like the last one. I hope more episodes are planned in the future.
Yay! It's here!
I love the larp videos, its so interesting!!!!
This sounds amazing!!!
As with the last event, I saw a completely different side of the game to you all...it's brilliant to get a snapshot of what else is going on in the field.
Yeah for sure, I think that's the main reason Empire people watch it! Maximise the keeeeen!
The League smashed the Sunday battle. We didn't do as much of the actual pushes and things you guys were talking about, but we completed so many of the objectives it felt pretty badass. Also I watched the trial that took place on Saturday without knowing any of the back story about the guy and I really enjoyed it. But yeah I can see how it didn't live up to expectation
I felt like I was just bumbling around in a forest on that battle so kudos for actually getting shit done. XD
Woo cheers for the small mention of the Badger Boys! The Marches are having a summer fete next event, you guys should come over and take part in the various games we'll be holding (and peddle your wares to the other punters ;D )
Oh yeeeeah I love the Marches Summer Fete. Will defo bring the lads over!
next time guys head down on the Thursday evening its awesome xxx look forward to seeing you again next event
Sadly we're usually busy doing stuff (content, editing, streams etc) so we can't. :(
As somebody who is planning to go down on Thursday next event, I have just gone to my first event and it was amazing, what kind of things can you do compared to somebody who would arrive on Friday?
woo loved the episode guys keep it up
Never clicked on a video so fast!
This was amazing! I'd love to go to one of these events, maybe one day when I'm not poor and friendless :p
I myself do Larp I really want to do Empire larp but I live in South Western Australia so it would be expensive to fly back and forth just to do larp, so I found one in South Western Australia called Shattered World LARP and it is amazing I haven't gone to any games yet but am looking forward to it. For those who do it already I am in The Wastes Faction and I hope to see you at a game some day
It was my first event and i havent stopped talking about it to people since i got home! xD
Excellent video Mark! Loved it as usual, you know how to make 3 people frothing about a weekend flow nicely.
There is one point I'd like to challenge you on - since you mentioned having a conversation in the comments - the appearance of Dogri. Now don't worry, I'm fully aware that you all disclaimed that you have nothing against things like his height and appearance, just that it wasn't what you expected and feel like he may have been picked last minute because someone who 'looked the part' wasn't available.
I would argue that LARP and Empire especially is one of those times that you CAN subvert those expectations of appearance. As soon as I was presented with who Dogri was, I unquestionably accepted it as him. I'll admit I had way less of a buildup than people in the nation so had less prior expectations, but I was still able to go "Huh, so that's him. Awesome" and to me, that was someone who was believably what the build up had been. To me, it made sense that someone younger than expected was Dogri as it made the story and power of his death all the more powerful than some grizzled veteran of the place. Especially given Wintermark has such an emphasis on making your mark and your story.
I always like to see these things as a casting choice in a film, this is how Dogri looks, so what are we to take from it? Like, this ISN'T film, but this IS who the character is. Empire is full of characters and NPCs who look exactly how you expect them to (like Dani being a perfect choice for Castellan) but the subversion of expectation is just as powerful. And seeing him fight, I 100% believed he was who everyone said he was. He'd be a character I was cheering for in a film, even more so because he DIDN'T look like we expected. LARP is not bound by the same expectations as the film/movie industry, so we have even more power to subvert them.
Because let's say for example, Dogri was actually played by someone in their early 20s, not a lot of muscle structure and for all intents and purposes... 'weedy'. This to me, is where I stop and go both in character and out of character "Woah, this wasn't what I expected at all physically... so just how powerful IS this dude? What is he hiding?" and see how the story unfolds with this information. And if Dogri was a grizzled older guy who you believe has been fighting for years... then well yeah, you believe it, and you can believe the stories pretty much etched onto his face with years. But it doesn't always have to be the obvious answer.
I hope that makes sense! I don't really have an issue with your original points, but I wanted to offer this pool of thought. It comes from a play of crewing other games, where I am believably whatever character the game team give me. I'm currently playing a recurring villain, and I actually legit said "Oh man, my face is too 'gentle' to play a baddie" and the team said "And that's exactly why it works" and it sorta just hit me.
Once again, thank you for this video and interesting topics! I especially love hearing about the battles as I only get very disjointed looks at them. Hearing about nations sweeping into save the day, or moments of panic followed by big damn hero moments spoke with such enthusiasm makes me incredibly happy.
- Beth
Hello!
Don't worry at all, I think it's just difficult for me to completely cut myself off (to my own detriment). To me I just couldn't get passed that Dogri didn't meet my mental expectation. I get what you're saying but harder to put it into practice you know? It wasn't that he himself didn't look the part, the dude looked badass, but he just wasn't the character I'd been told about (to me anyway).
I think it's just a different mindset, I've not larped before Empire for... 15 years or so, haven't done other systems. Sometimes the people physreps throw me off, probably cos I am so used to Tabletop RP where it's just all in my head.
Hiya,
Fair point with coming from Tabletop RP and there being more of built expectations than coming from somewhere else (or someone who has been larping for longer). It's an interesting counterpoint and one I hadn't considered, and I'm not sure how it can be challenged further.
The main thing I can think of is obviously more time spent larping means more time getting used to what's in front of you rather than built up expectations. Also, I do highly recommend crewing a game should you ever have the time to - although I know you're quite a busy guy - seeing more behind the scenes certainly helped me out challenging expectations. And heck, that would be something interesting in general to be talked about on the channel, some people honestly prefer crewing to playing which is fascinating in its own right.
- Beth
If you guys fancy a good tipple, ask for the Quartermaster at the Vorazi (in Varushka) tent. I make a mean Sloe Gin which I bring each event. Won't be there till E1 2018 as I'm travelling a lot to India at the moment.
I wish there was something like Empire in the U.S. This role-play looks like so much fun!
I love these LARP videos
on the Sunday, I was the orcs and we held the gate and you lot gave us a great fight
I meant to come in Spring, but money really fucked me in terms of costume haha, should be coming to the E4 though. Very excited to start, these videos really inspire me with it
Mark, this and videos like this are really amazing keep it up P.s. GREEN FLAME
This is so up my alley, sadly I live in a Country cursed with a void of LRP
Empire sounds like a crazy amount of fun. Hopefully I can convince my relatively normal friends that it's a good idea.
Thanks for making my day guys, you're awesome too! trott i owe you a drink mate you pulled me out of there when i got paralyzed!
Is it wrong I kinda want to go to these events and just run a tavern for the weekend?
We have a fair few groups who run In-character drinking establishments as it happens. They seem to enjoy themselves and its a good way to a) meet people and b) accumulate in-character wealth hand over fist :)
Running an IC tavern requires a lot of OC logistics, it's taken us 2 years to get our tavern back up together after we lost the guys running it to Real Life (tm). But they can be great fun when the party happens in your tent!
Of course some bars may be looking for people to help out for a few hours here & there. We've been known to hire Merc bar staff for the night!
Gregg Bond We used to run an IC tavern, it's great fun but as people said a LOT of work. I wouldn't recommend it for your first event (or even second!). Get a feel for the game first before jumping in at the deep end. :)
Fuck! I really want to go LARPing, but it coasts a fair bit, and the travel and everything, but FUCK! It sounds so fun!
Rebel Jesus yup, not living anywhere near it, and for me not having friends interested sucks xD
mushroomfall you don't really need friends you kinda meet people from your faction/nation and at the end of the day you are playing a character that could come from a lonely past
As an American, this is definitely on my bucket list of things I want to do.
Please make more of these
half the shower block was cold water at the spring event on the saturday due to the heat
The golden voyage is the best ritual! ;)
Great video. To people seriously thinking about joining Empire, I recommend checking out the new player fb group at: facebook.com/groups/528878433989783/
Everyone is super helpful, and please check out the other halls, there are some super cool nations to join, so don't feel you have to go straight for the overheated Wintermarkers! (Though they are awesome).
*waves pom poms for the forum* forums.profounddecisions.co.uk/ You can read a bunch of questions and answers here too :).
Hamish Woodland I
I played a slave engineer in the Sunday battle, and the most memorable part was a group of wintermark pegging it after a group of 8 of us, while myself and another slave just froze. You guys legged it past not 10 feet from us and we got away Scot free XD
I was one of the Engineers you had to hunt down, only got caught right at the end :)
ugh god, i wanna go to empire so bad, dammit Australia why aren't you nearer to England.
PC have to go in one day as a monster? That sounds interesting.
For every LARP I've been to and heard about they cast NPCs for that special. But that sounds like a nice mixeup.
I wish you guys could hide a camera in your kit so we could see the non battle part, there are plenty of head cams in battle from Empire but no footage of the trading and everything else.