Archive for November, 2011

Baby, it's cold outside

Last time we wrote to you about how if you belong to one of the LARP groups that continues to hold events well into the winter, that there are certain precautions that you need to take. We gave you tips such as how you should bring extra socks to wear under your Renaissance boots, or bring some coffee or tea to drink to stay warm. But since newer LARPers can overlook what is needed to stay warm and safe during the winter, we thought of one more tip we wanted to pass on.

-Space Heaters: Some camps have cabins with electricity. Even though the aspect of most LARPs is to maintain the most authentic feel as possible, nobody will fault you for keeping an electric heater in your cabin. It is an excellent idea to warm up and dry off when it is cold out. However, you must always remember to keep flammable materials a distance away from the heater. The heater should be kept in the middle of the room and things like paper, cloth, leaves, and so forth should be kept away so that a fire doesn’t start. If you want to use the heater to dry out clothing, lay the clothing on the ground or over a chair but keep them far enough away so that they don’t get hot. Consider unplugging the heater when not in use. Also consider not leaving the heater on all night or when you are not in the cabin.

By keeping all of these things in mind while you are at and event, you will be taking steps to prevent fires through improper use of electrical heaters.

Does the weather stop your LARPing?

Now that we are well into November, most Live Action Role Playing or LARP groups have packed away their gear for the last time until the spring arrives. However, there are some groups that trek well into the winter to partake in this fantasy gaming hobby. If you are part of a group that still has events lined up for the year, we wanted to take some time to give you some winter LARPing reminders:

-Wool Cloaks: Renaissance wool cloaks are your best friends for the winter. Not only are they a dashing costume option, but they will help take the chill out of the air.

–Extra Socks: Nothing is worse than cold feet. Take several extra pairs of socks with you in case you step in a puddle, it starts to rain/snow, or you are just moving around a lot. The last thing you want to do is wake up and have to put wet socks back on.

-Coffee/Tea: Packing some sort of hot beverage is an excellent way to warm yourself up. If your camp has a “Tavern,” you can ask the person tending the tavern to heat it up for you then serve it to you in a period-appropriate cup. They also make those self heating drinks now that you can keep with you in your cabin before you go to bed.

–Fire Consciousness: Although a fire will keep you warm, just make sure you follow safe procedures. Keep everything in a fire ring, pit, or place, don’t go to bed leaving a fire unattended, and if you are having a dry winter, make sure that sparks don’t catch your clothing or dry leaves on fire.

Hopefully with these tips you’ll stay warm and dry while LARPing in the winter.

The truth is being revealed

“What would you have done in my position?” the Baron shouted at us, “She would have died!”

We all stood there, our faces twisted into expressions of confusion. Baron Galt-Haldane was only in his middle years; his daughter having just reached her 19^th celebration of birth. They both are well known for their youthful visages. But the woman we now stood before appeared to have walked the earth for more than a century. Her old and decrepit form was next to lifeless as she sat in a velvet chair, being attended to by aids. The Baron took off his Medieval Nobles Cloak, and slid into his own chair defeated.

“Tell us how this happened,” the Bishop commanded.

“When she was born, she had an illness that threatened her life,” the Baron started, “The physicians all said that nothing could be done. But then this man appeared and offered to save her.”

“This the same person we fought in the cave?” Grantiere queried.

“More than likely,” the Baron responded, “He said he could help with a price—her physical body would age ten years for each year she was alive.”

“But we’ve seen her many times, and she’s always appeared youthful,” said the Queen’s Advisor.

“We were told as long as she wore the pendant, she would retain her actual age,” answered the Baron, “When she turned 19, the man came back wanting to be her suitor, but I refused since he was not of noble claim.”

“Which explains why he wanted he sent his men after the pendant,” Trevor reasoned.

“And also what he’ll be after when he sends his skeleton army to attack the town,” said Grantiere.

“Skeleton army?” asked the Bishop.

“Yes my Lord—the walking dead,” responded Celebryn.

“What shall we do?” asked the Queen’s Advisor

“If we can destroy the vampire,” Trevor began, “Then the dark magic that binds his unholy hoarde together will dissipate.”

“Well,” I said, “We have three days until they get here.”

How do you celebrate Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving is said to have gotten its start at a three day feast that some of the earliest settlers had along with their Native American neighbors. They had the feast in order to celebrate a successful harvest after a brutal winter the year before. This original dinner has expanded into one of the most important days of the year in terms of feasting and spending time with friends and family.

A lot of people often wonder what the Pilgrims and Native Americans ate at the first Thanksgiving. You might be surprised to learn what was and wasn’t available. Although there are few accounts that describe the menu detail by detail, there are a few letters with specific details, along with educated deductions based upon what was available at the time.

Items that most likely would have been found:

-Venison

-Waterfowl

-Wild Turkey (though most likely not prepared the way we are used to it)

-Native Fruits: Plums, melons, grapes, & cranberries

-Local Vegetables: Wild onions, leeks, beans, Jerusalem artichokes, and squash

-Transplanted English crops: Thyme, rosemary, sage, parsley, carrots, parsnips, cabbage, and turnips

-Fish and shellfish

Despite the fact that this is regarded as the first Thanksgiving, there are well documented traditions throughout history all around the world of people having celebratory feasts this time of year in honor of the harvest. There are records that go as far back as the Greeks and Egyptians. If you ever wanted to consider having a Renaissance-themed Thanksgiving dinner, then you should feel free. You can even have the hostess serve the dishes wearing a Renaissance wench outfit.

Whatever way you celebrate Thanksgiving, or whatever you like to place on your table, please be sure to have an enjoyable holiday!

The right costumes can make or break the play

If you belong to a community theater, you know that you have to work hard to get as much out of the limited budget as possible. Each time you can find ways to save money, the more you can add to your overall performance.

One way to reduce costs for your company is to have an established wardrobe room. Having a wardrobe or costume room that you are continuously adding to means that you will accumulate a wealthy selection over time. When you have such a diversity of costumes to pick from, that means you will be more likely to find the correct costume for whatever show you plan on performing.

A popular style costume that can be used in a multitude of eras are Renaissance costumes. Whether you are working on something Shakespearean, Medieval, or any type of general historical setting from the Renaissance era, this style of costume can apply. Whenever there is a play with a King, a Queen, or nobility, these dresses or robes will certainly add a sense of atmosphere to your show. You can find these types of costumes at PearsonRenassainceShoppe.com, so that you can start building up the wardrobe at your theatre.