Revels Tomorrow!

To everyone going to the Revels tomorrow... It's supposed to be a lovely day, but sunny and warm! Please plan accordingly. Also, please remember that NO alcohol is allowed. Neither are games that involve holes being put into the ground (ie, horseshoes). I will be bringing frisbees and other such stuff. Feel free to bring along something like that! We'll fire up the grill around 1130 or so... Then, we'll move on from the BBQ area to play some fun games and win faboo prizes!! If you'd like to join us after we've left the BBQ area at around 230, please feel free to come and join us at the park!! Exclamation points!!!!

CP Updated

Hello all!

CP for Spring 3 is updated and set. To apologize for the delay/thank you all for the hard work you've put into improving the game this past season, everyone got a bonus CP. Please let me know whether there is anything I missed.

Also, Revels are this Saturday! If you are signed up and planning on bringing someone, please let me know so I can buy the right amount of food! ^_^

Fall 1 BGS!

I know a lot of people missed the due date for BGS last event. I just wanted to remind everyone that BGS are due 3 weeks before the event.

BGS for Fall 1 are due no later than midnight this Saturday (this is the day of the summer revels). Traditionall BGS are due on a Friday, but I am giving you an extra day for Fall 1. In the future they will be due on a Fridayat midnight.

Updated Guide to Costuming

Guide to Costuming

In Legends, you can experience a fantasy world that goes far beyond the mundane one we normally live in. Costuming is a big part of achieving this - by dressing according to the genre (and your character's traits); you help this fantasy world be realized by everyone during the course of the game. Your costume can help you distinguish yourself in the game, as well as add many subtle enhancements to your character.

Though Legends may have a fantasy medieval setting; you are not obliged to make a costume that is rigorously authentic to any particular historical period or fictional setting. Legends is not a historical reenactment society. The world of Areth is very large and diverse, so you have great flexibility in coming up with a costume. Don't wear clothing that is obviously modern, or anything with noticeable modern logos. Try to avoid outfits that have zippers as the primary focus. Don't wear jeans (though black cargo pants have become widely accepted as the go-to pants for LARP costumes).

You shouldn't feel a need to ignore practical concerns - a costume shouldn't force you to not wear prescription eyeglasses, for example. Footwear illustrates this well. Legends is played in Massachusetts, so you may wish to wear modern footwear for reasons of safety or comfort. Rain happens often at Legends, so you should take care of your feet. "Costume shoes," intended for stage work, often do not hold up to outdoor use or harsh weather, and historically accurate footwear can be very hard to find and expensive. Simple hiking or combat boots are often ideal; you should avoid bright colors and visible logos - it's hard to go wrong with basic brown and black.

A good costume doesn't have to cost large amounts of money or take large amounts of effort to put together. You just need an in-genre costume that doesn't look cheesy. Many great, resourceful costumes can be put together on a low budget of both time and money. You won't be shunned if your costume isn't hand-woven out of naturally dyed linen or if you use fake leather to belt a tunic. A costume doesn't have to match "the real thing" in every function and detail. Also, remember that Legends is played mostly outdoors, so your costume should have at least a semblance of durability and water-resistance.

If your character wishes to conceal his or her identity, they may do so using clothing, e.g. by covering the face with a basic cloth. Your character may not wear a wig, a false beard, a fake scar, or any other sort of disguise that would change their appearance - these prosthetics are used by the Staff to distinguish between different characters played by the same person. This rule is intended to avoid out-of-game confusion. It may be possible to acquire items in-game that will further aide your character in disguising themselves.

Unless you are specifically required by your race to do so (as described below), you may not wear prosthetics that make you look non-human, such as fangs, horns, or snouts. Prosthetics such as these (and latex rubber masks) are used to distinguish between certain races - similar to above; this is to avoid out-of-game confusion.

If you do decide to use prosthetics as part of your costume - perhaps your character has a prominent scar on the left cheek, for example - you should make sure they are comfortable. You will be wearing them over the length of a weekend, and fake beards and wigs can become irritating over time. Remember that such costume pieces represent the "real thing" for your character, so you may not remove or replace them at will.

Some of the races that you can play in Legends have specific costuming requirements. These requirements make certain non-human races easily recognizable as non-human. Like most racial restrictions in Legends, they are kept to a minimum, to allow for greater flexibility on the part of the player.

Dwarves:

Dwarves, both male and female, must wear a full beard (real or prosthetic). Also, dwarves have a height restriction: all players who play dwarves must be no taller than five feet and eight inches.

Dwarves are famous for their skill in making armor - though it isn't required, they are often seen heavily armored. Dwarves may only wield axes, hammers, and maces.

Half-Elves:

Half-elves must have pointy `elf' ears. Suitable prosthetics can easily be found in costume shops. As with other prosthetics, you should be sure that they are comfortable over long periods of time and that they won't fall off easily.

Most half-elves wear costumes indicative of their ancestral connections with nature and the land, but not all. Of course, you'll find all kinds on the Frontier. Half-elves in general may not use blunt weapons.

Kia:

Kia, a race related to the Fey, may only be played by females. All Kia have some personal connection to an aspect of the natural world, and many honor this connection by wearing decorations that reflect that. From fur or feathers, to leaves or vines these decorations can be subtle or extravagant. Such things can be worn on the body directly, in images on jewelry, or decorations on clothing.

In some instances the Fey blood a Kia possesses may manifest itself physically. It is not unheard of for a Kia to have pointy ears like a half elf. However, it should be noted that in almost every time this happens there is some other physical manifestation as well. A slight tinge to the skin, a small area covered in fur, or a natural birthmark that resembles a tattoo representing the affinity.

Humans:

Legends has a number of different races of humans, each with unique cultures and backgrounds. Humans have no particular costuming requirements. The cultures of the different human races, as described in the Legends Rulebook, can inspire many costuming ideas. Remember that who you are, what you do for a living, and what the weather is like often have just as much impact on your costume as your race.

Putting a Costume Together

The key to a good LARP costume is being resourceful. If you start by thinking what you'd like to look like, and then hunt around for some pieces to work with, you can go a long way.

Develop an idea of what you would like to look like. Consider these things: What general style would you like? Tribal? Medieval knight? Robin Hood-ish? Renaissance? Middle Eastern? Japanese, or something from your imagination?

You should think of whether or not you will wear armor and what kind. What type of clothing will you wear and what materials it is made of? How you will carry things? In a pouch? On a pack? On a belt? Do you want to wear a hat or a helmet?

What do you have already? If you have anything at home, start there, of course. With a new perspective on what it is you're looking for, search through closets, attics and basements for things that could work "as is" or with some modification.

Hit the thrift shops. The Salvation Army and similar thrift stores are very useful. Remember to look not only for things that are ready to wear, but for things that, with a little modification, can be made into medieval/fantasy costumes or armor. (Hint: check on belts, handbags, leather coats, blouses, shirts and furs.) Anything made of real or fake leather should get a good looking at; they can be made into leather armor or vests. Small modifications are the key to making your thrift store purchase look in-game. A leather jacket is not in-game; however if you were to cut off the sleeves, remove the zipper and add some metal studs you would have the perfect armored vest. Even an old suit bag can be cannibalized, and with a few press-on studs, it becomes studded leather armor. Paint can be added to suit your taste.

Tag sales, yard sales, and school or church bazaars are some of the big bonanzas. The most amazing things can be found for props and costumes! It's kind of like panning for gold - sometimes it's slow, but you never know when you'll strike it rich! And with all of these, the prices are usually excellent.

Try a big fabric store. Big ones often have sales on remnants. Keep an eye out for remnants of fake fur, fake leather, nice wools, etc. going on sale. Also, go through the "Notions" section; you can find lots of little things to add to your costume, such as buttons, broaches, and studs. If you need to cut and hem something, but you don't sew, try some fabric glue or iron-on hem sealers (like Stitch Witchery).

Little touches like scarves, feathers, chains, belts, etc. can be found at a wide variety of places; also consider looking in costume shops, hardware stores, boutiques and dollar stores.

Work your pieces into the form you want. If you don't know how to get the effect you're looking for, ask around. You can call Legends if no one else knows how to do it. Keep in mind that you may be running, jumping, climbing and rolling in this outfit, so it should be safe and durable. Also remember that you'll probably be outside in rain at some point.

Costuming Links:

Sorry the Links are not embedded! The website does not like the coding today!

http://moas.atlantia.sca.org/topics/clot.htm/ - SCA Clothing Costume Links

http://www.garbmonger.com - Ye old Garb Monger

http://www.costumes4less.com/Medieval%2c-Renaissance_Costume_AS-SC_Store.aspx?OVRAW=medieval%20costume%20info&OVKEY=medieval%20costume&OVMTC=advanced&OVADID=69006224011&OVKWID=429902079511&OVCAMPGID=17013673011&OVADGRPID=27280595899&OVNDID=ND2 - Costumes 4 Less

http://www.pearsonsrenaissanceshoppe.com - Persons Renaissance Shoppe

http://www.cashanwei.com/category.aspx?cat1=EuropeanGarments - Cas Hanwei

http://www.armstreet.com/store/armor/ - Armstreet

Semi-Large Sewing project!

To all of my wonderful players out there tht have a little bit of cash and a minor amount of sewing talent:

We need You! I have a decent sized project that needs to be completed by Fall 1. I estimate that it will require about 36 yards of matching fabric. What were looking for is a couple of player who are willing to buy this fabric and sew it into specific costumes by next event. We do not require fancy fabric, a cotton blend costing around 2-4 dollars a yard should suffice.

Perhaps you have a little bit of cash but no sewing talent; feel free to team up on this project with someone who can sew, or vice versa.
You must be able to get these costumes to me on or before Fall 1. If you are interested, send me an email and I will get back to you on the specifics.

Summer Revels

We have scheduled Summer Revels for July 31st, starting around 11 AM, at the Larz Anderson park in Brookline. We'll be making it into an official event soon, but, for now, if you are interested in attending, please respond to this thread with the number of people coming so we can reserve enough tables.

A true Hero

http://en.tackfilm.se/?id=1277596510342RA94

Faux leather hides?

Heeeey all!

I was wondering if anyone might know a good site to actually purchase some faux leather hides for some costume pieces I'm going to be in the works to make. Nothing too expensive, of course!

Thanks in advance!

PEL's

Hey Folks,

I just wanted to shoot out a quick reminder that while we have a nice two month hiatus to recharge, the plot team is still going to be meeting to plan your doom on a regular basis. So, get those PEL's in early! The more time we have to go through them and digest your feedback, the better we can make the fall season. It also means we have more time to write your personal plot, which is a bonus!

Thanks to everyone for contributing to what I think is the best iteration of this game since I started playing eleven years ago. We're working to make the fall even better!

Dreaming in Legends-land

I have had my first legends related dream/nightmare.

In said dream: Apparently I accidentally gave away some Alchemists secrets, (despite not knowing any!) and so as punishment, Julian and Marcus held me down and cut off all of my hair.

Highly creepy.

Oh noes! They have learned how to send dream via alchemy! I have been threatened!

Thanks to staff...

I'd like to thank all the staff, new and old, for putting on a really awesome event.

In particular, Sunday's module was one of the coolest things I've ever been through at this game (in like 10 years).