Frequently Asked Questions - The Vorydian Chronicles LARP

A LARP stands for "Live Action Roleplaying Game." Think of it as a cross between a Renaissance Fair and a multi-player video game like World of Warcraft. There are multiple different LARPs that exist. Like video games, each specific LARP has a different set of rules (like controls and buttons do different things in different games, each LARP has its own version of "controls" and how people, logistically, play the game). For example, when using a weapon such as a sword at a LARP, the rules for how that sword works from one game to the next may differ. One game, it may cause a certain amount of numerical damage that you have to subtract from your character's hitpoint value whereas other games might be one-hit kills. Also, like different video games, each LARP thatexists has a different "world" or setting and therefore the story governing each LARP is totally different and completely independent from each other.

The Vorydian Chronicles is a High Fantasy / Steampunk mixed genre. Players who come to the game create characters within the Vorydian Chronicles rules system based on the lore of the game world. Every month for one weekend, we hold what are called "events" which last for the entire weekend. These events are held on girlscout camps and cost the game rent money for exclusive use of the camp. The game also is required to pay insurance in case of injury. In turn, the players must pay a fee to play the game. At each event, there are pre-written improvisational interactions for the players to participate in. These interactions are called modules. Modules are collections of encounters in which players, roleplaying as their character, participate in (much like a "quest" from a video game). What the players do on these modules can affect how the staff of the game writes future modules, because every action that the players do in the game can potentially affect the storyline. In this way, LARPs, much like real life, are "never-ending" and every action in the game world creates the ability for reaction from the plot-writers / owners of the game.

Vorydian Chronicles is a game series that invites people of a wide age range to take part in and enjoy. In order to attend an event, you must be at least 14 years of age and must sign our Event Participation Agreement. If you are under the age of 18, you must also have your legal parent or guardian sign our Event Participation Agreement. If you are under 18, your legal parent or guardian must also be present when signing our Event Participation Agreement; we will not accept a pre-signed form. Also, proof of identity will be required when signing the Event Participation Agreement. The Event Participation Agreement can be obtained at a live event at our logistics department or downloaded from our website. *PLEASE NOTE* - This game includes themes and limited content that will be restricted to adults who are 18 years of age and older. Attendee and Parent / Guardian discretion is advised.

An event typically starts on Friday night and lasts until Sunday afternoon.

The cost to attend an event varies. However, for our PCs, there are different methods of payment that are available.

Month-to-Month: As the name implies, this type of payment method is a simple month-tomonth payment method with no obligation. Costs for month-to-month varies by how much EXP a player wants to earn for his or her character(s) and whether or not they will be attending the Feast. The breakdown is as follows:

Player Attendance Flat Fee: 30 Dollars

+2 EXP (Maximum of 5 Purchases): 5 Dollars

Feast: 10 Dollars

The cost of insurance and the flat fee for those who wish to PC at an event are static, unchanging prices. A player may then purchase the Feast for an extra $10.00 and / or may purchase up to a total of +10 EXP for his or her character(s) at a cost of $5.00 for every +2 EXP that the player wishes to purchase. Each character a player wishes to play at an event must, at minimum, have +2 EXP purchased for that character.

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Contractual: We offer contractual agreements at reduced rates to attend our game. These agreements work like a subscription. It is a single, flat monthly fee that must be paid each month, regardless of how many periods a person attends an event for. Contract periods are a minimum of 1 year and the reduced rates are only applicable for attendees who are subscribed and have not defaulted on their agreement.

Please see Chapter 1 of our Rulebook or inquire with a director of the game for more information on Contracts, including specific pricing.

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Block-purchase: The last type of payment method we accept is block-purchasing. Blockpurchasing allows a person to purchase blocks of events at a reduced cost for one lump sum.

Please see Chapter 1 of our Rulebook or inquire with a director of the game for more information on Block Purchases, including specific pricing.

The Vorydian Chronicles is run by the owners and a staff of volunteers.  The owners of the game are Aaron Cervasio, Jen Schreib, Robin Kellogg, and Tony Alicea. A list of all volunteer staff members can be found on our forums here on the site.

Please take a look at our Downloads section of the website in the main menu at the top of the page.  Under "The Nexus" you should see an option for Downloads.

The Vorydian Chronicles allows adult-themed role-playing at the game.  However, there are a very strict set of rules which govern this.  ANY and ALL adult-themed role-play in the Vorydian Chronicles game is to be SIMULATED and SEGREGATED. We have various systems in place to ensure that this always remains the case. First and foremost, we have a 2-tiered system that is universally referred to as “LaochEnabled.” The first tier of this is specifically known as “LaochEnabled Level 1” and the second tier is specifically known as “LaochEnabled Level 2.” Being “LaochEnabled” on any level requires, at minimum, that the person be 18 years of age and that the person has passed our LaochEnabled exam. Our exam is designed with out of game questions to determine whether or not a person is capable of carrying themselves in an appropriate manner on an out of game level while role-playing and interacting with sexually-themed in-game scenarios. We will not tolerate or condone any real, unwanted touching, real violence, real sex, real drugs, real alcohol, real harassment, or the like. We do not condone the role-playing of adult themes in the general areas of game-play. All simulations of adult themes for role-play purposes must be in heavily marshaled and “closed” adventure settings for those who are appropriately “LaochEnabled.” One of the marshal’s many duties in these modules or adventure settings is to make sure that everyone present is authorized to be there and wants to participate.

Being “LaochEnabled” on any level does not mean that a person MUST worship Laoch or role-play such things. It simply means that a person is out-of-game authorized to willingly be around and participate in role-playing encounters that have adult themes. Participation, of course, may be by the evil characters actually performing the hideous acts OR by the good guys trying to save victims or stop the evil characters from invoking these dark rites. Some adult-themed scenarios may be simply going in to bust the equivalent of an opium den or possibly just having a party where there’s belly dancing and simulated character inebriation. This is why there are levels of participation, consents to honor, and age limits in place in our rules. Also, at any time and regardless of any level of “LaochEnabled” consent, everyone has the right and is encouraged to immediately demand their out-of-game removal from a role-playing situation that they don’t want to be involved in.

The whole institution of segregation and confirming consent might seem complicated and tedious. We believe it is the logical way to safely secure a healthy role-playing environment for everyone and is worth the work. The truth is that just as many people want to explore role-playing on a more adult level (be it fun-n-games risqué, disturbing risqué, or just plain gory horror-show things) as there are people who don’t or SHOULDN’T because they are under-age. Our desire is to create an in-depth game where people of all ages and role-play tastes can have fun. This spans many aspects of our LARP, not just adult themes. The price of this is clearly-defined lines of segregation, age-restriction, and consent.

We feel that with the proper mind-set, diversity, lines, consent forms, and marshaling that we can provide an environment conducive to everyone’s LARPing fun. Metaphorically, there is time to watch the “R” rated movie in Theater One after the kiddies go to bed, and anyone who doesn’t want to watch it can go watch the “PG” movie over in Theater Two… but we’re checking IDs and making sure you are in the right theater. The fact is that there are concrete times, places, marshals, consents and rules governing the entire aspect of adult themes in our game. Everyone is expected to honor and respect them for the enjoyment and comfort of all. We want to make sure that no one gets offended while at the same time ensure that everyone has awesome role-playing experiences.

Almost any answer to any questions you have can be found in our rulebook.  Please visit our downloads section and download the latest version of the rulebook.

Furthermore, you can always contact one of the game directors and ask your question or post your question publicly on our forums!