New as Heck

[Carrion]

So now that September is halfway done, it's probably about time I actually make you guys aware of me, rather than just being That rando lurking in the online users list and sneaking through your tavern threads. 

My name is Danny, and I hope to show up at your October event. I've wanted to get into LARP for a very long time, and was actually considering Epoch before my sister (Alex/Ursel) found you guys and sang your praises. So I bailed hard on those guys and now I'm here. 

While Alex has been able to answer a good deal of my questions, and I've forgotten most of the ones she couldn't, I do have a few I'd like to bring up. Less gameplay stuff and more community based, I suppose. 

- I know your religions are going through a bit of an overhaul after recent events, and I was wondering if there are any established means of worship/rites/etc that are being added, already done in game, or if it's a free for all. 

- What are some decent ways to get involved with the in game community? I know that I've timed my arrival around the game a lot of people might spend hiding in a bush, but it's good to plan ahead...

- Are there any people that consistently leave from Toronto, or that area? I'm currently an Oakville resident, and while I'm timing this first game with a visit to London, the difference between leaving from there or leaving from Union is upwards of seventy bucks. I'd much rather throw some of that money and a coffee or something at another attendee, as I'm merely a poor burger peddler with naught but loose change and McDonalds coffee. 

- Do any of you have a thing you really wish you'd known before your first game that you wish to share, or a pet peeve regarding new players that can be avoided?

That's all I can think of right now, though I'm sure I'll awake in the dead of night in a cold sweat to type more when I remember them. Also happy to answer any questions you might have for me.

[Lilith Caia]

Hey Danny! Welcome to Ralinwood! My name's Cat. I'm a new player liaison here. Let me take a stab at your questions, and feel free to ask as many more as you like.

1. It's a free for all. There aren't any established means of worship - it's whatever PCs come up with. For example, sacrificing a fish for the goddess of the sea before a long voyage, or a hand gesture you make up as a holy motion for the god of war. Creativity is always good.
2. Just go up to people in the game and introduce yourself. People are very friendly OOG, and often IG too. If you're particularly worried, offer yourself for hire for the weekend as whatever your character does (eg: I'll protect you for All Hallows, or I'll be your personal medic) or whatever.
3. There are! For example, me. Before the game (when logistics opens), it's common practice to post on the ride post subforum that you need a ride. Peeps are pretty friendly.
4. I have two pet peeves for new players: 1. Terrible costuming, and 2. Going out of game. Now, it's always 100% okay to go out of game to ask a question or to get a clarification, but I don't like it when new players (and older players!) go out of game to do things like explain their character's motivations or talk about irrelevant things. Staying immersed the entire time makes the game way more interesting. My favourite PCs never go out of character, even in their tents. As for costuming, please just don't come in in a t-shirt and jeans. Raid Value Village for something that looks kinda medieval (check out our event pictures for examples). There are lots of easy ways to make things look more period appropriate (like cutting up a t-shirt so it has no nice even hems).

If you have any questions or want any help with costuming, building your character, coming up with a backstory, etc., let me know!

[Carrion]

Thanks for such a quick reply! All of this sounds great.

As far as the new player stuff, I'm going to be layering some cotton scrim and a scarf types shawl thing over loose pants and a black shirt of some variety, so hopefully I'll look appropriately Ye Olde Spooky Bush Hobo. And I'm gunning for one of the cabins, which I've heard are in game zones, so that should help build some decent habits.

[M.M. Salt]

The hobbo look is in season. Its all the rage

[Carrion]

Or is it... all the rag?

[M.M. Salt]

Ayyyyye hes going to do fine.

[Lilith Caia]

Yup, sounds like.

[Promises]

First, Welcome to Ralinwood!

You're in good hands with our NPLs. They're all excellent. When you're ready you can contact me at logistics@underworldralinwood.ca and we'll get your hobo into the database.

- Do any of you have a thing you really wish you'd known before your first game that you wish to share, or a pet peeve regarding new players that can be avoided?

This might not seem genuine, but, truly, I'd wished someone had said game is meant to be fun for you in the way you want. Don't feel pressured to play a certain way for others (beyond not cheating, staying in-game, etc). Find what you enjoy and do that. Don't enjoy combat? Don't do it. Don't enjoy drawn out roleplay scenes? Don't do them. I'd say try them and due to their nature of the game try to be ready for them, but find what you have the most fun with and stick to it. Try some new things, I'd recommend, but Underworld's a very diverse game. People do a lot of different things. It isn't just a fighting LARP. It isn't just a roleplaying LARP. There's a lot of room for creativity and any combination of things you want.

[Carrion]

Oh, just remembered another question.

I'm assuming you need our actual legal names for wavers and the like, but is it possible to set up my logistics stuff under Danny? I will eventually be legally changing it, but don't know which you need where.

[Promises]

Send me an email and we'll go from there! I like to keep that stuff out of view for everyone's privacy.