This section details how to create a larp character for the
Herofest larp/lrp world. Experienced role-players will already know much of this please bear with us
The larp/lrp character is the focus of Herofest and generally has a personality that is separate from your own (although this is not essential). This personality can either be developed before play or during events, allowing the Herofest world to shape your character.
To start the ball rolling, the first thing you should consider is what name you are going to give your character. This can be something from your favourite fantasy book or from a movie or entirely made up. Do not worry too much about this if it is your first ever larp event, you can always change it once you have seen how our weekends work and have a better idea about how to play your character.
Larp/Lrp Character Background
Every live role playing charcater should have a personal background or history. This is not essential for your first larp event or even your second or future events. As you come to more of our live role playing weekends you will begin to develop your character and a history and background will emerge. It is easier to not have a background and create it as you go along than to try and start with one that doesnt quite fit and then have to change it if you decide you arent happy with how it is progressing.
When you are happy with how you want the charcaters past to be revealed the starting point for this process is often to invent a background for the character, which can be anything from a few lines of personal history or a detailed brief. The types of things normally included in a background are your relationship to other group members of the larp faction you are in and any allies, as well as what your character's aims and objectives are (although clearly these may change). Players are welcome to submit any character backgrounds to the Herofest larp Referees prior to any event at the following e-mail address (markst@blueyonder.co.uk). This will allow characters to be fully integrated into the Herofest larp world, with the potential for some character specific plot to be included. In addition our Herofest larp referees may be able to suggest ways to enhance your larping background so that it fits better into the Herofest world and provide greater potential for character interaction in the future.
Larp/Lrp Character Race
The next step of character generation is to choose the live role playing race that you wish your character to be part of. There are three generic races within the Herofest world, which your character should form a part of; Human, Goblinoid and Elvish. The Goblinoid and Elvish races are divided into sub races as appropriate to ensure that every conceivable race is accounted for and contained within the three main races. There are no races that you cannot choose to be as a Herofest larp character, the following are some examples of the races and sub races to give players an idea if they have not already decided a race themselves.
No explanation should be required to play a human. If in doubt we will of course explain.
It is possible for any type of larping race or sub-race to be played; give us your ideas and we will fit them into one of the three main races detailed above or maybe you will be completely unique. However, ultimately it is about the live role-playing rather than being slotted into a specific type cast. There are no in game advantages or disadvantages to playing any races within Herofest larp; it is there to purely to enhance the live role-playing aspect of your characer.
The non-human races or sub-races have certain LARP physical representations (requirements, which players should observe for authenticity). This includes the application of make-up to change skin colour (e.g. Brown for Orcs or Black for Drow) or applying certain prosthetics (e.g. pointed ears for Elves or piggy noses, tusks for Orcs). What method you use to act as a phys-rep for your character is up to you, but you should produce something to clearly identify what race your character is – if in doubt, play a human! Advice on suitable phys rep requirements for your race may be obtained from any of the Herofest larp Referees.
Larp/Lrp Costumes
The costume is another identifying feature of your character, which helps you to stand out and should be appropriate for the character that you are playing. Obtaining a good larping costume may appear daunting for newcomers but need not be. A basic under costume (brown or black trousers and a shirt (with no buttons), with sturdy footwear, a plain belt and gloves) is a good start and can be further supplemented by other attire. Herofest can hire some items of simple costume (suitable Robes, Tabards and Hoods) to go over a basic costume. Avoid items of clothing that are glaringly unsuitable such as white trainers, jeans and labeled t-shirts. Seek advice from any of your larping friends who are already live role-players. There will also be larp items for sale at all Herofest events.
Larp/Lrp Props
The addition of suitable props for your character will also help set the scene, but are not essential. Props are used to act as a visual aid to role-playing and are substituted for real objects that are either dangerous or expensive to use (i.e. swords, money, fake jewellery, tankards or fantasy larp objects like wands or banners, that have no real world equivalent).
Larp/Lrp Armour
There is no benefit to wearing armour within the Herofest system. However it may be worn as part of your larping costume or to enhance it, but armour made of metal or other hard materials should not have any protruding burrs or snags that could cause injury or damage to other player’s or their latex weapons. Costume such as phys rep horns and claws should not have any hard or sharp edges that could cause injury during LARP combat.
Larp/lrp Character Allegiance
Every character within the Herofest larp world is considered to be part of a group and will be separated into one of numerousl Factions. All members of one group are normally put into the same Faction for simplicity and character interaction. All members of the same Faction are expected to show allegiance and undying loyalty to that faction and their fellow faction members and will subsequently be supported by their Faction. Details of your larping faction will be made available to you; details on how the different Factions interact may be contained within the separate Campaign section, or will be determined by you and your comrades’ actions!
Larp/lrp Character Class
The final thing to decide is your character class. There are a number of different larping classes available that define what your character can do on an event; you can only use the skills associated with the class that you have chosen. These classes and their associated skills are listed below:
LARP Class
LARP Skills
Archer
Bow
Crossbowman
Crossbow, One-handed weapon
Healer
First Aid
Militiaman
Two-Handed weapon, One-Handed weapon
Scribe
Read and Write Runes
Ranger
Two-weapon fighting, One-Handed weapon
Soldier
Shield use, One-Handed weapon
LARP Skill Descriptions
Bow
Allows a character to be able to use any Bow.
Crossbow
Allows a character to be able to use any Crossbow (one or two handed).
First Aid
Allows a character to be able to apply bandages to themselves and others.
One-Handed Weapon
Allows a character to be able to use a one handed weapon.
Size to be between 12” – 36” only (from tip to pommel).
Two-Handed Weapon
Allows a character to use a two-handed weapon.
Size to be between 36” – 84” only.
Swords cannot be taller than wielder.
Two-Weapon Fighting
Allows a character to use a one-handed weapon in each hand.
Read and Write Runes
Allows a character the ability to read and write any Runes.
Shield Use
Allows a character to be able to use a shield.
Size to be no larger than shoulder width and neck to groin of wielder.
Larp/Lrp Character Development
At the conclusion of each Festival event you will gain the ability to develop your character further, if you wish. This will allow you to choose one additional skill that is not normally available to your class. For each Herofest larping event you attend, you can gain an additional Skill. The maximum number of additional skills gained this way is two.
