Archive for January, 2011

My name is Danius Halbing.  I’ve served on the Town Watch for five seasons, and in that time I’ve fought in many battles, been to many exciting places, and found out this dawn, that I shall be reassigned to a new post that shall be my greatest challenge to date:  Watchtower Duty.

I was told by our Captain that it would be a “Duty worthy of all my ancestors.”  I suppose he is of the opinion that the Halbing brood did nothing but stand around in an elevated platform for centuries.  However, my loyalty is to the Queen and if she needs someone in the watchtower, so there shall I be.

Since I anticipate my assignment to be uneventful, I decided to keep a journal as to record this exhilarating portion of my life.  As the sun crested the horizon this morning, I put on my Medieval palace guard tunic, sheathed my sword, picked up my pike and made way to watchtower overlooking the main gate to the castle.  I am scarcely able to contain my glee.  I shall continue to record any events of interest in this journal.  That is of course, permitting anything interesting actually happens.

A few weeks ago we brought you some humorous tales that we have collected from various LARP groups and presented them to you with the intent of evoking a good chuckle.  Today, the Jester is at it again.  He has found these two stories that will hopefully bring a smile to your face.

The first story revolves around the uncanny (and unintentional) timing of the gaming staff of one LARP.  It was a late night and to pass the time, many of the players were enjoying some story telling around the fireplace in the tavern.  One particular Elven Mage was recounting a story from her past about the “Night of the Fire Dogs.”  In this tale, an evil mage experimented with darkness magic and when things went terribly wrong, it ripped a seam between the real world and the plane of magic.  When this happened, dogs, shrouded in flame, came through the void and attacked the mage.

Unbeknownst to the players, the game staff had arranged for a few players to play the role of wolves  for a different encounter.  As soon as the mage was done telling her terrifying tale of the fire dogs, the people playing wolves let out a howl to make their presence known; completely unaware of what had just happened inside the tavern.  Needless to say, maybe of the players inside the tavern were very reticent to go outside.

The second story involves the lighting reflexes of a Human Mage.  The town was being assaulted by a creature known as a Harbinger, which was a creation of pure darkness energy and wore a costume much like our Medieval Gatekeeper’s Cloak.  It was so powerful, that a special substance had to be created in order properly dispose of the creature.  This substance required many components, but the component that makes this story funny is “swamp water.”  After they had gathered the materials needed for the substance, the players started to combine them.  The intent was for the substance to be applied to a weapon.

However, shortly after this substance was made, with real swamp water, the Harbinger assaulted the Abbey and looked through a window screen to see if anyone was inside.  The mage quickly grabbed the bowl and threw the swamp water mixture at the creature through the window screen, covering the player in stagnant bog water.  The mage then asked, “Did it work?”  The staff member playing the Harbinger spit the water out of his mouth and said, “Yes, I’m dead now.”

See what happens when you are quick on your feet?  Does anyone have any other LARP stories they’d like to share?

One of the most common public figures in Medieval society was the innkeeper. Whenever out-of-town travelers came into a new town, they eventually ended up at the inn. The inn was a place for merriment, drinking, and lodging.

Therefore, whenever someone new arrived, they always talked to the innkeeper to learn about the town. The innkeeper would also gain knowledge of the outside world as travelers pass through town. The innkeeper was like a Middle Ages version of the Internet.

So if you are looking for a persona to adopt at Medieval or Renaissance events, the innkeeper is a solid option. In order to look the part, you’re going to need a costume that is both authentic and comfortable. Our Medieval Innkeeper’s Vest meets both of these requirements.

Or, if you are putting on a theatrical production that takes place in a time period where the Renaissance or Medieval time frame applies, this Medieval Innkeeper’s Vest will certainly help bring your story to life. This is especially helpful when considering one of the most infamous innkeepers throughout the theatrical world: Thenardier from the musical “Les Miserables.” This character is a slimy con-man who runs an inn, attempting to rip-off his customers in the process. This vest is the perfect costume for such a character.

One of the most appealing aspects of the Medieval times was the notion of Wizards and the magic that they could cast.  Of course finding real magic can be incredibly difficult, but if you wanted to play the role of a wizard at a Renaissance Faire or Medieval event you are going to need both a Medieval wizard’s cloak and some magic of your own to perform.

In order to complete this trick, you’ll need a carrot, a sheet or handkerchief, and some small pins.  You’ll want to cut the carrot so that it is roughly the same size and shape as your thumb.

When you perform this trick, you’ll want to have the carrot concealed in your hand or pocket.  Pull out the sheet and start to twirl it around to show that it is an ordinary piece of fabric.  Then make a first, stick up one of your thumbs, and put the sheet over your thumb.  As you do this, quickly slide the carrot  up so that it now makes the shape of your thumb.

Explain that you will be able to withstand the pain inserting the pins into your thumb and that with your magical power, you will remain unharmed.  Carefully slide the pin through the sheet and into the carrot, adding in a bit of acting if you so desire.  Show the crowd that you have the pins in your “thumb.”
Then remove the pins, again adding some acting if you’d like.  Once they are all removed, inform the crowd that when you remove the sheet, that your thumb will not contact a single mark.  When you reach for the sheet, make sure to also pull the carrot away with the sheet so that you don’t have to conceal it again.  Put the sheet, and carrot, into your pocket and reveal to the crowd that you are unscathed.  You might want to rehearse this trick a few times and remind children in the audience to not try this by themselves.
Do any of you have magic tricks that our Medieval wizards can try out for themselves?