So You Want To Try LARPing? (An Introduction to Empire LARP)

[@justacameraman4900]

Me: *starts to get interested in larping and does a bunch of research* 2020: *Happens*

[@Zanenrg42]

Same, shits tragic but now I have more time to make a cool costume ☹️

[@occamsaturn]

yup, I actually managed to gather 16 people in my area to start a new group and then... whoops. Hopefully they're still interested when/if this all comes to an end lol

[@brynf4377]

Same I started a costume and did lots research and the rona has halted any larp for the near future and it gives plenty of time to make an awesome costume for a first time.

[@lilliekat1103]

same, but i literally cannot find any larping groups, even from the before

[@femiwelch3849]

same but my costume is not done yet...it is complete but it will neve be done...

[@alfredrose733]

Friend: How much do you drink at empire? Me: Yes

[@Bozemoto]

I would drink more, but my canteen is full of socks.

[@LiamODellUK]

Important question: are there Shakespearean Live Action Role-Playing? Not only does it create the hilarious SLARP acronym, but imagine the potential Taylor Swift crossover. “Romeo, take me somewhere we can be alone. I’ll be waiting, all there's left to do is run You'll be the prince and I'll be the princess It's a LARP story, baby just say "Yes".”

[@AMillionMadMusings]

Okay so now I need to KNOW

[@marshapono]

i love the enthusiasm you have for this, it sounds like a lot of fun!!!

[@AMillionMadMusings]

It’s so much fun YOU SHOULD TOTALLY DO IT

[@smiletea8940]

Huh I guess now I have to listen to my brother who’s been trying to get me into LARP for ages

[@AMillionMadMusings]

Oops sorry

[@kshni_ammat]

And the magic words: "I am new to Anvil," if playing PD's Empire.

[@MrAgro98]

As someone who's been larping for a while, and is attending their first Empire this June, this has been a super useful video!! Would love to see more larp content from you!

[@thevoodooman1609]

How to understand LARP in a nutshell: Supersized D&D

[@onesmallmapletree8506]

Bruh I love this you're basically an English momo O'Brien 😊❤️

[@SelfMadeMaeve]

It’s not stupid it’s awesome

[@thoughtheglass]

At empire i had the opposite of a first evening freekout. I was walking back from dawn to the OC tents on the other side of the wintermark field at night, and looking at all the distant lights in distant tents made me really happy. It was the inversion of every other festival I've been to- normally the fun is found at some big stage or in a mosh pit, butthis time the fun was everywhere.

[@skittles_niamh2607]

My prayers have been answered I have dreamed about this I love you videos keep doing you 💕

[@AMillionMadMusings]

Thank you!!!

[@scottb7946]

I have been doing TT RPGs since 1977 and LARP since 1993 (though we used to play with trash can lids and broomsticks when we were kids). This is a fantastic video for first time LARPers and those interested in the hobby. I never thought this hobby would become so big. I attended La Grande Bataille de Bicolline last year (planning this year too) and when you move from small venue LARP (30-75 players) to large venue (anything over 1000 players) the feel changes greatly. in a small venue, you meet everyone or just about - in something like La Grande Bataille, the scope change is AMAZING! the best way to "win" at LARP is to go, and try to participate in as much as you can.

[@emmawright2777]

Hi! So I go to most of my LARPs on my own - and Empire was my first one! I had no trouble making friends, and I especially recommend the hospital (I promise I'm not biased!) It was definitely a little overwhelming the first time, but totally worth it. I've only been to a couple events, although I am planning to go to many more, but I found it quite hard to remember everything, but people will explain it all to you. It definitely takes a couple games to really get to know what you want to do, but I do not regret any of it and I hope this helps people who want to take the leap!!

[@monkiedunkie785]

been watching LARP videos for a while and saw the title for this vid and was like of course of cOuRse Gemma likes LARP suddenly everything makes sense aha

[@AMillionMadMusings]

Yep guilty as charged

[@quasi8180]

@@AMillionMadMusings larping would be a dream but i never get to go anyway id larp as someone from Narnia cause i love it so much despite its overbearing christian influences

[@texmex007]

Oh! I would love to hear from you and Pete y'all's experiences! I love going to renfests and seeing people LARP there it really does look like a fun time.

[@AMillionMadMusings]

I would love to go to a renaissance fair!!

[@dragonkittykuro]

I recently discovered larping (today) and didn't realise all my dreams could come true! I read about the renaissance fair in wayward son and thought it sounded amazing and imagine my shock when I found out how possible (and closer to home) an opportunity was! I don't think any of my friends would do it but it sounds like a very welcoming community, will defo have to do more research!

[@GudetamaSit]

I'm so excited that something so niche exists! Seems right down my alley. I'm really hoping the demand + events will survive after lockdown.

[@jockey5983]

Really interested in larping! I really want to get into it one day! My character is Vellie, she's a tree elf she used to be a tree, that was probably straight-forward. I'm quite a foreigner to everything fantasy so I'm encouraging myself to make Vellie a story because I would have so much creative freedom and once I finally start research and and know more about everything fantasy I can just kind of fix it from there.

[@delafontainedoes]

Such an amazing video! I'm flying internationally for my first LARP event next year (Contera, Missouri) with my best friend. This video was super encouraging, since I'm taking so many steps at once - first big international trip, first larp, and my biggest cosplay ever (custom giant tail, wig, gloves, the works). Hearing how welcoming the community is and enjoyable the events are is reassuring and encouraging for a baby larper :) Am now subscribed and can't wait to hear more about your event! :D

[@laurenwoods3609]

This is what I needed to accept a part of me I've been pretending I'm not. Thank you

[@autumn5788]

ironic.

[@LilithLorenz]

Im so sorry, but maybe this year all of us who wanted to start can now start. We just gotta hope those vaccines go out quick

[@laurenwoods3609]

Yeaaaaah that didn't really pan out. 🤣🤣

[@Clumsybutcute98]

E4 was my first event! But gosh I love Empire so much! I'm in Dawn but you seem so awesome and hope I get to meet you IC one day!

[@user-yo1fb1kg4omykehiggs]

Hi there, nice video, just one small point, the oily armour is NOT "Chainmail" that phrase was a Victorian term it's s simply called "Maille" (pronounced - mail") I'm a former Medieval/ Wars of the Roses re-enactor and our "Authenticity Officer used to scream at us if we called it chain... So, of course, we did it every opportunity we got! Still nice vid maybe I'll try it out Civic permitting!!!

[@ClearlyPixelated]

I would love to see a follow up video on this, if you’re still playing.

[@pipforrester5754]

More Empire content. Love it.

[@dienuta999]

I would love to see more empire larp video :3

[@theweatherwitch]

if you like LARP you might also like historical dress :)

[@AMillionMadMusings]

Probably almost definitely yes

[@NanaXardone810]

I know I don't even run the vampire larp, but I feel the shout-out Will see you in Anvil come April 💕

[@pazsince8180]

If I would larp it would only be for the dam good looken women

[@lilliekat1103]

I want to start, but I cant find any groups in my area. Help? I am young enough to still be in school.

[@ilikerunescape1100]

Big up wintermark THREE PEOPLE ONE NATION!

[@ajaxtelamonian5134]

Id be going in as Ive been a medieval reenactor for about 5 years now basically because the household im in also play dnd together and want more events as well as just something different thats not quite so expensive since we already have armour. Decided to go with Brass coast Corsairs as that looked fun. Cant decide over the Spear or Two handed Scimitar though.

[@kshni_ammat]

Freeborn!

[@jordang7479]

perfect timing!

[@cassieroo17]

Hey Gemma, I was just wondering if the Empire one is just in the UK or if they have another one in America, or if there isn’t, so you know of something similar in America? Anyway this video was epic and I love you keep doin what you’re doin!!!

[@AMillionMadMusings]

Empire I know is just in the UK but I’m sure there’s plenty of LARP events going on in America! I don’t know any off the top of my head but it’s definitely worth a research

[@cassieroo17]

AMillionMadMusings Okay cool!! I’ll definitely do some research, this sounds like a blast!! Thank you!

[@melodymadolla979]

No. Sadly nothing like Empire here in the US. You could look for Alliance or NERO but those are the closest things to the Empire I've found and none are festival Larps.

[@BritGamingchanel]

are you still attending empire? will be my first time in july

[@suzysquidink]

Thanks so much for this video! Something I've been super interested by for ages! Edit: A question - What's the etiquette on creating a character who is a very rude or standoffish person for instance? Would you be considered a mean person or would people understand that that's the character you're playing and roll with it?

[@AMillionMadMusings]

People would understand that you’re playing a character and in some ways love it because you’re creating tension and therefore game for people to riff off !!

[@suzysquidink]

@@AMillionMadMusings Cool thank you!

[@kshni_ammat]

It's always good to check in afterwards to make sure the moment didn't cause OOC bleed. A soft, 'OOC, are you ok?' is usually enough to let one know that one wasn't causing RL trauma.

[@suus-arido393]

I would LOVE to be in law enforcement.

[@AMillionMadMusings]

It’s a cool job dude

[@suus-arido393]

@@AMillionMadMusings sign me up

[@symphonysonic8643]

I wanna try this so bad!!

[@LilithLorenz]

I really wanna try this, it sounds so cool and i really want to know everything about it and do it and design outfits i love this so much but i dont know if i should ask my mom if i can after this whole covid thing is over, or if i should just wait until i turn 18

[@WarLordNyor]

Im Proud of you!!! Father wulluf and Shouty Mum!!! ^_^

[@AMillionMadMusings]

LOVE U GUYS

[@maxmortimer9323]

The one question i have is i tend to talk with some sort of urban vernacular i guess, so if i was to say hello to someone “easy bruv” how would this go down? Its deffo something that i do more in situations im not comfortable in so i could imagine it happening lmao x

[@kshni_ammat]

You might get odd looks; same way when someone calls out to Jesus whilst in character.

[@cryingaboutbooks]

HELL YAAAAAAAAS 👌🏼🔥

[@GothicQueenie]

you know who larps? NERDS

[@peterholmes1103]

morg daniels shut up ya nerd, the nerds are talking

[@GothicQueenie]

@@peterholmes1103 i dont mean you i mean gemma please dont hate me

[@peterholmes1103]

morg daniels nah you're dead to me

[@AMillionMadMusings]

Friendship with Pete has ended Morgan is my nerd friend now

[@smb6942]

I just want to be queen of Moondor

[@kibble0]

Can i make a LARP where I'm dead

[@hazapilgrim]

I mean mood but you ok fam?

[@AMillionMadMusings]

Yes but also I hope ur okay dude

[@grsimpson3957]

Yous aid play to your real world strengths, and in terms of combat I've done a bit of wrestling, BJJ, Kendo and fencing. But I hear most places don't allow strikes to the head, like in Kendo, thrusts, like in fencing, or grappling, like BJJ or wrestling. This negates all most all my experience training in different martial arts. I'd like to get into LARP but I'd like looser restrictions on combat, because, realistically, your thrust is on of your best tools in a swordfight and your grappling will be your last line of defense. Does anyone have any suggestions?

[@melodymadolla979]

Larps are role play games not for martial Arts competition. Try the Society of Creative Anachronisms or HEMA IF your focus is more realistic combat.

[@grsimpson3957]

@@melodymadolla979 Thanks, I've heard about HEMA but never actually seen it.

[@leoslemons8382]

*hi*

[@sasami102]

I larp in the US, so im curious if at a game the size of Empire, and since alcohol is allowed, are there personal safety issues that arise?

[@melodymadolla979]

Sadly there are no games or systems like Empire here in the US. The US is also more litigation happy than other countries. Everyone will sue anyone over anything so it's cost prohibitive to hold such a LARP here. There is also a more competitive culture over here. It's more about " winning" than playing a character. I did say mostly not exclusively. So finding immersion tends to be the greatest quest of all for US LARPERs.

[@bengtkunze5569]

Most people, except for the usual one idiot, don't drink wenig they want to fight or don't fight of they had a few. It's like driving a car: you CAN do it, but you shouldn't for obvious reasons.

[@idafryland7692]

I love how you said nonbionary folks. 🏳️‍🌈

[@fatimaalamien8786]

Hey just a question you over merlin yet?

[@AMillionMadMusings]

Nope

[@jjtrocking]

Great video but the stupid thing at the start kinda upset me, as I use it as therapy for my social anxiety, the thing about wintermark may I say is that it's not just what you said, as wintermark is made up of 3 people and they are all different in how they look, that is all, again awesome video

[@kshni_ammat]

That rubbed me up the wrong way too :(

[@alexandermartinez3010]

Can a 13 year old boy join please respond

[@kshni_ammat]

For PD's Empire, they would have to attend with a responsible adult; said adult needs to make a character and dress up too.