New Game debuting this spring!! Need advice!

[Skarredmind]

Hey all, First let me thank all of you, this board has been an enormous resource in the creation of my own boffer LARP.

I am currently working on producing a US style (because I am in the US) Boffer weapon game, which I hope to debut this spring. Most of the major roadblocks have been taken care of, the rules are playtesting. Combat is bloody and simple, magic and the like is still in the works a tad, as is a skill system (the game is classless).

I am designing the game to be heavy on the roleplaying and light on the combat, but there should be enough combat to keep the sword swingers happy, while allowing those who are there for the RP to mostly avoid the combat if they wish.

The meat of the question is this, since I've played in a number of boffer games, but never run one (I've run several successful MET games in the past so plot, storyline, and background are not an issue for me).

What should I have on hand as starting props for the game? I am aiming for 10-20 players at the first event. The game is going to allow non-human pc's and enemies but to start we will be avoiding the non-humanoid ones (I have left enough room in the storyline and background to explain this, and leave it open for these things to appear as we play should they be needed). Players will be expected to provide their own weapons and equipment eventually, but as many of them will be first time players, I don't expect a lot of them to have quipment prior to the game itself. The way the rules are set up, everyone will have access to daggers only as their first weapons (they can buy up from there with XP if they wish). I am also planning on inviting interested parties to make their own weapons before the first real games (to hopefully relieve me from having to have 20 daggers on hand to start the game).

As of right now, I am expecting that I will need to have 6-8 differently colored tunics for NPC playing, and potentially a royalty costume or two, and maybe a few things that will let me play peasantry, rogues, and the rest of the cast of thousands.

How many various weapons would be a good idea to have on hand other than a compliment of daggers and the basic NPC weapons? What other props go into a successful game? In game currency? Locks/treasure chests?

Sorry for making it such a long post, but I really appreciate any help anyone is willing to share!

Thanks!

Alex

PS I (and the game) am located in Lancaster, PA in the USA... if anyone is in the area and interested in participating/helping with the play testing feel free to drop me a line!

[buggy]

Are you familiar with these folks: htt://www.xanodria.com

[Skarredmind]

[quote="buggy"] Are you familiar with these folks: htt://www.xanodria.com [/quote]

Yup...

And?

I am not sure that linking me to them answers my question in any way... what am I missing?

[buggy]

Well, they are near you and would be a good resource. They've been running boffer larps for over a decade and can probably help answer your questions.

[Skarredmind]

Oh I see... Good call, thanks.

[RyanPaddy]

[quote="Skarredmind"]How many various weapons would be a good idea to have on hand other than a compliment of daggers and the basic NPC weapons? What other props go into a successful game? In game currency? Locks/treasure chests?[/quote]

What are the PCs going to be doing?

If it's mostly killing monsters, looting them, and buying stuff then you need enough weapons and costumes to go around. And loot. And stuff to buy. And monster makeup or masks, ideally.

But if you've also got social or quest-like activity happening then you might want to think in terms of what props will best support those styles of play. Props can be tokens in quest-like problem solving (collect the X's and put them in the Y) or items of shared interest in social activity (there is only one Z but two players want it).

One often-forgotten but very important type of prop are in-game documents. Maps, scrolls, letters, contracts, even books. You can use a laser printer to print onto plain paper, and then stain them brown with tea to get an aged effect (laser toner is wasterproof so won't run in the tea). The great thing about paper props is that they contain information, and deciphering meaningful information is a great challenge in larp. You can create ancient documents about stuff that is still relevant to the present setting. Or current-day documents that give hints about what's happening between NPCs, info that might otherwise be hard to discern.

You might also want to consider set decorations (e.g. tablecloths, hangings, and wooden mugs for a tavern), and suitable food or drink items. A few uncut loaves of bread, some hunks of cheese, and fizzy brown beverage can get the feel across cheaply, much better for atmosphere than coke and potato chips.

[Skarredmind]

thanks for the suggestions, the in game documents is a really good idea too.

There is going to be a reasonable amount of monster killing, but the main focus of the game is going to be role play based, so its not going to be exclusively combat.

The main thing is I am expecting my players to provide their own costumes and weapons by the second event. I want to have enough extras on hand for new players and such, and most of my starting players will have the chance to assemble weapons and costumes before the first official game. I suppose the base question is how many weapons and basic costumes should I have on hand... (I am trying to figure starting costs more exactly at this point).

Thanks!!

[Gath]

[quote="Skarredmind"]What should I have on hand as starting props for the game? I am aiming for 10-20 players at the first event.[/quote]

I find the yard sales and second hand shops (the local Salvation Army outlet is my favorite) are great, and cheap, ways to get props. I bought the stuff to re-work the leather goods that I found into game props. Some purses make great belt pouches and some jackets and vests make good armor. Wooden bowls, metal cups, rugs, moose heads and even paintings can be found for a minimal investment.

[quote="Skarredmind"]I am also planning on inviting interested parties to make their own weapons before the first real games (to hopefully relieve me from having to have 20 daggers on hand to start the game).[/quote]

I was able to hold a few pre-game events at local game shops, and other venues, which gave people the chance to bring all their supplies and make a weapon with someone that has done it before standing right there. Then they got to test out the combat system, too. You might try getting in touch with the gammer's club at your local institution of higher learning. Most colleges and universities (2 year and 4 year) have one. They might let you come to a meeting and give them a presentation on how to make the weapons, test out the combat system and maybe even recruit some staffers.

[qoute=Skarredmind] Players will be expected to provide their own weapons and equipment eventually, but as many of them will be first time players, I don't expect a lot of them to have quipment prior to the game itself. [/quote]

I would suggest that you leave the responsibilities of costumes and props for the players on the players. They will bring their own stuff, and if they show up looking raggedy, they will often only do it once. One way to help is to have pictures of what the standard costume for the game looks like, so that when they check the website out, they will see what level of accuracy to shoot for. Put the tips about yrad sales and second hand shops out there for the players, too.

[qoute=Skarredmind] How many various weapons would be a good idea to have on hand other than a compliment of daggers and the basic NPC weapons? What other props go into a successful game? In game currency? Locks/treasure chests?[/quote]

I have a selection of swords, daggers, a few mace and club style weapons. My character has a massive battle ax. Do a search on the web and you will find people that will make weapons for you. Making them yourself is cheaper. This is why you might leave it to the players to make their own.
Old locks from an antique store or a flea market can be purchased cheaply and can be picked by almost anyone. Another option is using a modren lock and leaving it unlocked and having a dice bag with ten stones in it. If the player picks out a certain colored stone, they successfully picked the lock. Have three white stones and seven black for a hard to pick lock. Three black and seven white for an eaiser one. The player will have to have the key for an easy open, or lock picks to even attempt to open it.

I hope that the suggestions help you....