It was fun. Did i mention that?

I was occasionally asked by some folks how i got such a powerful character. At first i thought it was random whine-bitching but then i realized that folks really wanted to know.

A lot of folks want to accuse people of favoritism when it come to doling out powerful characters. It's like some socialistic mental masturbation. the Argument goes something like: "I want a powerful character. that guy has one so i should have one too." It's nice to get one but it certainly isn't the end all be all of gaming or larping.

Let me get you hip to something. If you've walked in off of the street and the larp organizers don't know you from adam, you aren't going to get something spectacular right off the bat. That's a simple fact of life. I mean unless their pressed to fill slots or something it probably won't shake out that you'll get the kind of thing you're looking for.

Powerful characters are given to those who are trusted. This is a simple fact of Larp life. So if you want to gain that kind of trust you've got to earn it. Here are some tips:

1) Know the system.

This ought to go without saying, but i've even seen players who didn't know how to play rock-paper-scissors. If you can demonstrate that you know what you're doing and are even willing to help others who don't, that goes a long to earning points in the minds of those who are in charge. Heck they might even ask you to be a narrator.

2) Make yourself useful.

If you're not a very powerful character, attach yourself to someone who is and get to work on their behalf. Take your limited and meagers skills and figure out how to make the most of them. Storytellers get curious about players who can do a lot with very little. They wonder what they could do if given more.

True story: Once, i was cast in a larp as a forensic investigator. I was ordered to a crime scene to take a look and i made some notes. I began to ask pertinent questions to the storyteller on the scene. She got this deer-caught-in-the-headlights look in her eyes, and refered me to the head storyteller.

You see, i actually know quiet a bit about forensic science and evidence handling and police procedure. i've had to learn for my own games. So I made a list of questions and went in search of the main storyteller. When i finally got his attention, i began with carpet fibers and went from there. (I actually went to the lengths of explaining what i was looking for and why.) When i had finished quizzing the ST. He looked me right in the eye and said: "We really cast you well, didn't we?"

That gave me a warm fuzzy feeling. I also won a prize for that and other actions that i had performed. Made me want to larp some more.

3) Press the flesh

It's very hard to do much of anything in a larp if you stay in one spot all night. Some people might have to because of the nature of the game. (If the Vampire Prince is moving around all night it becomes very hard to do anything without his say so.)

You on the other hand, need to get out and meet people, find stuff out, put the pieces together and report back to the powers that be and get new orders.

4) Try not to bug the ST uneccessarily

This ought to be self explanatory but let me simply say this: I get to feeling like i'm going to meltdown if i've got four players who are going in different directions and demanding my attention all at once. Try dealing with 40. Don't run down the ST unless the need is dire and he's the only one who can answer it. Make use of Narrators and other players with more experience if you can.

4) Be fun to play with.

I ought not to have to explain this one. Don't be a shitheel when you win, don't be a sulky whiner when you lose. Don't get wrapped up in vendetta against other players, Don't monkeywrench the plot out of boredom, Don't be a creep, Abide by the rules, and try to have a good time.

-Sono Finito