What is LARP?

• Roleplaying is somewhere between an interactive storytelling game and improvisational acting.
• Each player acts the part of a character they have designed, who is under their control.
• The framework of the overarching story is planned out by Refs in advance, but the decisions each character makes will impact how that story is realised.
• It's very easy to start roleplaying if you've never done it before; even if you have no previous acting, fighting or game-playing experience.

• LARP stands for Live Action RolePlay.
• Instead of sitting around a table, talking through your character's actions, you physically act out whatever your character is doing.
• In this context, it also means that instead of rolling dice or using another luck-based method to decide the outcome of combat, participants actually fight each other with safe latex weapons.
• Naturally, we have some fairly extensive safety rules to make sure that nobody gets injured during combat.
• You don't need any experience with armed or unarmed fighting to start LARPing.
• Whilst skill at LARP combat is advantageous, the basics are easy to pick up, and proficiency is by no means a necessary prerequisite to enjoy or to be successful in the game.

• Planetfall is what is known as a linear LARP system.
• Each LARP event takes the form of a self-contained story, or Mission, which is made up of around twelve encounters, where players must fight, solve puzzles, evade traps, or negotiate in order to advance the storyline.
• Each Mission is part of a larger story, or arc, and so even small decisions that players make on one adventure can end up having large-scale consequences in the world at large.
• Linear LARP has always reminded the designers of classic series of Doctor Who, where GMs direct individual episodes to tell the stories they are invested in, whilst the Refs (head GM team) direct and maintain the overall shape of the wider narrative and system.
• It's not necessary to see every episode, or know what happened last week, to enjoy the experience.

• We meet between 10.30-11am on Saturdays at Shotover Country Park car park.
• The first encounter should start by 11.30am, and the final encounter should end before 5pm.
• People with cars then give everyone lifts back to central Oxford.
• Lifts and logistical organisation can be best achieved on our Discord Server.
• Attendees should be aware that Shotover Country Park has no public toilets and is a 20-minute walk from the nearest convenience shops. Please make sure you have everything you need before arriving!

• Nothing but yourself, some suitable clothing, and lunch (while we're not doing communal food during the pandemic)
• LARP involves quite a lot of running around in the woods, so wear clothes which you don't mind getting a bit muddy and covered in undergrowth and which won't suffer too much from the occasional encounter with branches and brambles.
• Hardwearing footwear which won't give you blisters from running around a lot and won't let in the wet too easily is a must.
• Gloves are advised in the colder weather.
• Dress up warmly with plenty of layers, unless the weather's particularly summery - even when the sun's out Shotover can have a lot of windchill, LARPs sometimes involve a certain amount of standing around waiting for the next bit and rain can turn up at very short notice.
• It's a lot better to wear too many layers and take some off when you get too hot than it is to wear too few and end up catching cold.
• If the weather is hot and summery, bringing suncream and water is recommended, though we will try to have an ample stock of both in the club kit.
• The LARP group provides safe latex weapons for everyone to use (small swords, big swords, maces, daggers, hammers, staves, axes, etc.) - many people also own their own weapons and may let you borrow them.
• The group can also provide some cloaks, armour, belts, weapon rings and a few other bits and pieces of costume if you feel you want them.
• Costume is a personal choice. Some people put a lot of effort into their costume, but others prefer not to. We don't want costume to be a barrier to entry, and so there is no requirement to have any special costume to play - turning up in jeans and a sweater is perfectly normal and fine.
• The first three Planetfall events you attend are free, after which point OLS Membership is required to attend.

Last updated: 2022-01-02

At time of writing, we are following government advice on running events at the current COVID risk level, and in line with the Oxford LARP Society COVID Policy. We will be reviewing this in step with any changes to government or professional advice.

The important steps to be aware of are:

• Attendees must be vaccinated or exempt
• Weekly Planetfall events take place exclusively outside, so are very well ventilated
• Equipment is cleaned between sharing, no communal food or costume is provided
• All attendees must give their name and contact details in case we need to contact them about an attendee testing positive
• All attendees must get in touch if they test positive within 2 weeks of attending an event

• Planetfall is run by Katie, Anna, James, and Susannah, all contactable on the OLS Discord Server.
• We can also be emailed at planetfall.larp@gmail.com