Our goal here at Darkwood Nights is to create an immersive, high production value, WYSIWYG larp. This game takes place in the 10th century, and should feel and look medieval to a lay person. This will look somewhat different across cultures that characters may embody in our game, and that is okay. Research on the time period and location is highly encouraged. Deco, weapons, and costuming must also comply with safety rules.
OOG - Out of game
IG - In game
WYSIWYG - What you see is what you get, no mind's eye theater
ST - storyteller
Kismet - an OOG reward system where you can exchange a quantity for various perks or experience points
Bright orange is the color for OOG. Get a bright orange headband for if you need to go OOG, and keep it on your person. Anything could happen anywhere.
No indecent exposure, as defined by Washington State law.
You must look suitably medieval from 10 ft away. (For more clarification on what "medieval" generally looks like, see "what to expect" and/or "above and beyond")
Any modern underwear or thermal layers should be covered. If full coverage isn’t possible the visible portions should be reasonably discreet.
No T-shirts, jeans, sport shorts or other obviously modern garments should be worn.
No modern prints, logos, or graphics. No visible sports fabric. No silk screening.
Avoid blatant costume fabrics. (These fabrics won’t hold up to larp conditions and are often especially flammable.)
No clearly unnatural colors, especially no neons or other fluorescent colors.
Shoes must be black, tan, brown or other colors obtainable with natural dyes. If they don't look medieval (such as hiking boots), they are meant to be unnoticeable, or unremarkable.
Hair elastics must be clear or a natural color (black included). They do not have to match your hair color.
Any armor should look roughly medieval, and not fantasy. The Fae faction often use ornate or odd armor/clothing and are an exception.
No loose glitter or other forms of plastic confetti. This is to respect the site, because glitter is very hard to get rid of.
Adhere to all faction clothing requirements in accordance with this deco policy
OOG bins must be covered with cloth, or hidden in an OOG space. When covered they can be used as a small table. (Plastic bins are always OOG.) The contents of these bins are considered OOG.
Any IG items must be kept in IG spaces. Characters should be able to interact with them.
IG tagged items can be stolen and must be kept in IG spaces.
No bright, white lighting. Keep it to dim and warm colored electric candles, and medieval looking lamps. Real fire is a safety hazard, and will not be allowed.
No obviously modern props or furniture.
If bedding such as a sleeping bag is obviously modern, cover it with a throw blanket or some other cover.
Modern looking furniture should be covered with a cloth or some kind of covering when possible. There should be an effort to preserve functionality, like being able to sit in a covered chair or couch.
Modern and/or fragile site decor, electronics, and other objects should be removed from IG spaces if possible. If removal isn’t possible, items should be disguised and the room arranged to minimize damage as much as possible. (Ex: There was a projector bolted to the ceiling of the “Tavern” building at Sound View. It was covered with a light-weight sheer to disguise it and then a table positioned directly beneath it so it was unlikely to be hit if combat occurred.)
OOG Spaces:
Bathrooms
Parking Lots
Under Beds
Plastic Bins
Kitchens
Bins marked w/ OOG ribbon or tape
Rooms marked with OOG ribbon/tape.
Plot camp and Check In
Bathrooms may be acknowledged in game with phrases like, “privy”, “outhouse”, “washroom” or "water closet". Saying “bathroom” is discouraged.
Indoor kitchens are TBD by safety and rules, but will not and should not receive any deco.
Cars should be parked in the designated OOG parking lots during game. They may be brought closer for loading and unloading before and after game.
Personal items such as extra clothes, makeup, money, medication, keys, etc. should be stored in OOG areas such as bathrooms or under beds.
Effort should be made to make under bed stored possessions hidden from casual view.
Any OOG bin that isn’t blatantly OOG should be marked with bright orange tape or ribbon.
Characters may not hide themselves or their IG belongings in OOG spaces.
Anything overheard while in an OOG space MAY NOT be taken IG and no IG conversations should be had in OOG spaces.
If you bring your own food, it must be stored safely in OOG spaces.
If using standard site lights for IG common spaces:
Lightbulbs should be replaced with warm, orange/amber colored bulbs, left off, or removed entirely if only some fixtures will be used.
Fluorescents should be covered with orange/amber filters.
LED fixtures and other unchangeable bulbs should be covered with amber/orange lighting films or gels.
Additional/alternative lighting for IG spaces may be provided by electric candles, or lamps meant to look like fire light.
Lighting should be generally dim.
Building owning players will be responsible for providing lighting in rented sleeping areas such as rooms in an inn.
Deco will be responsible for making sure common space lighting is put up and taken down. Players may choose to help with this under the direction of a member of deco in exchange for Kismet.
Anachronistic posters, wall sayings, obvious light switches, and other game breaking site features in IG common spaces should be temporarily moved or covered with a cloth or tapestry.
Blinds should be drawn up or covered with cloth or tapestries. (If the blinds happen to be wood, exceptions may be made.)
Deco will be responsible for making sure that common spaces have the appropriate wall coverings. Players may volunteer to help with setup and tear down in exchange for Kismet.
Do your best to refrain from using slang or modern references.
If you sing or bring an instrument, please perform something that does not break the theming of the setting. Covers of modern music are discouraged. A bardcore version may still pull people out of game if the tune or lyrics are recognizable enough.
Players should not use electronic music players during game.
Alcohol may be simulated or roleplayed with soda or other non-alcoholic beverages.
Food and drink brought into IG spaces must be in containers that look medieval. Flip top glass bottles, rustic ceramic mugs, metal cups, and wooden bowls and utensils are good examples.
Thematic bottle cozies are allowed.
You are welcome to eat whatever you like at game. Refrain from the use of obviously modern food names. Coffee and tea are the exception. Modern packaging must be kept in OOG spaces or thrown away.
Any player that has a mobility or medical aid will be allowed to use it in game space. Please contact staff to inquire about any concerns.
Ignore glasses. They do not have to be altered in any way but if you have more than one pair, try to bring the more understated ones.
If you need to use a C-Pap machine while you sleep, staff will - to the best of their ability - make sure you are placed in an appropriate room.
Players are responsible for cleaning their personal areas. All players must leave their areas in the same, or better, condition than when they arrived. Players can sign out when their personal areas are clean. Specific instructions will be provided for each area. The cleaning of common areas will be done by players and be rewarded with Kismet.
Any furniture a player has borrowed or rearranged must be returned to its original location.
Deco and safety will direct a group of players on making sweeps for picking up any leftover or stray packets around the site. Participating players will be rewarded with Kismet.
Setup and teardown down of ST camp will be done by players and ST. Participating players will be rewarded with Kismet.
Laundering of the garb at ST camp is the responsibility of deco team.
The regular maintenance, inspection, and repair of ST camp and deco props, armor, weapons, clothing and coverings is the responsibility of deco team.
If something from ST camp that would normally be repaired by deco needs to be replaced, deco will inform ST that they should discard and/or replace it.
The acquisition of new lights, light coverings, covering cloths and tapestries used by the org is the responsibility of deco team.
The donation of these aforementioned items by players to ST or deco will be evaluated and either given back because it doesn’t meet the orgs wants or needs, or be taken and rewarded with Kismet.