OCCUPATION: Ordained Eagle in the Order of Arnath’s Chapter of the Light.
KNOWN SKILLS: Can fight, in various ways and with various weapons. Can cast divine magic. Pretty intelligent. Is trying his hand at poetry.
BIRTHPLACE: A house in Starkhaven.
APPEARANCE: Around 6 feet tall. Stocky build. Usually wears armor and an Order tabard, and if not, basic clothes and a burgundy hood.
NOTABLE TRAITS: Looks young for his age. Somewhat easy-going, but in a serious situation, drops the light attitude for a no-nonsense one. He is not his father, and will tell you. Believes that his father lost his family’s honor and worth, and now he has to earn it back. You can call him Jerry.
RELATIONSHIPS: Other members of the Order, Lay and otherwise; Brother Carl, a mentor and friend; family: Mother, Father (both deceased); only child; no cousins, aunts, uncles, or other close relations as far as he knows.
RUMORS: Some say that his father was a Griffin of the Order, but when the Lich came to Mardrun, he fled rather than face the threat. They say he was hunted like a dog and hung for cowardice. Jerry doesn’t like to talk about it.
BIO / BACKGROUND HISTORY:
To the Keeper of the Library at Starkhaven,
You asked for details concerning my life, so here they are.
As far as I know, most of my family has been in the service of Arnath. My mother was a healer, a combat medic, in the Lay Order on Faedrun and then on Mardrun. My father was a Griffin. We lost contact with him around when the Lich came. One of my grandfathers was a captain in the Lay Order, and died in the early years of the war with the Undead. My other grandfather wasn’t in the Order, but my family thinks he was one of the major suppliers of food to it. We don’t know what one of my grandmothers did, but the other was a valiant Lion.
You get the idea.
Now, after all those generations of bravery and commitment to Arnath, comes me. My father was executed (I’ll talk more about that later). As the years went by, especially after my father’s death (which he must have deserved), my mother’s hair grew grayer and she grew weaker. She stayed as active as possible in the Order, vehemently refusing to stop her work. When the fighting between the chapters began, and the Starkhaven keep was taken over, she picked up her spear and joined the fray. She fought for the Fist, believing that strength was the only way we survived. From what I’ve learned, my mothers heart gave out when she was patrolling. Not even the magic of Arnath’s healers could save her. Soon after, a member of the Lay Order militia came by and took me to an orphanage.
So there I was, alone in an orphanage in Starkhaven. It was in the middle of the town, so the Fist and Light’s fighting was never far away. When the fighting finally ended, I was just shy of ten years old. The Chapter of the Light, the winning chapter, was desperate for more members after the losses suffered. I, a child who had just survived a war zone, somehow found myself in front of a Griffin that was testing my magical abilities. To both of our surprises, I was able to cast magic through the power of Arnath. The Griffin mentioned he had known my father, and he hoped I turned out better than him. I thought nothing of it at the time.
Anyways, I joined the Order. I was trained in all sorts of things. Fighting, healing, even cooking. After a few years, I was given to Brother Carl to apprentice under. My father may have known him. Carl was an Eagle, and I inherited a little bias towards the role because of this. Just a few months ago, I was ordained as Brother Gerald Anderson of the Order of Arnath. I chose to become an Eagle.
While Carl was obliged to train me as well as he could in all three roles, he only had experience as a Lion and Eagle, and he had far more in the latter. Due to this, most of my training was in Eagleship.
Now, about my father:
I don’t really like to talk about him. The few memories I have are him, vaguely red with the tabard of a Griffin, cooing at me in my cradle. I remember vividly one time. I saw him staring at the small shrine to Arnath that was in my childhood home. That was the last time I saw him.
When I was older, looking through the Order’s archives, I came upon a few papers detailing Harold Anderson (my cowardly father)’s desertion and execution. Unknown to others, perhaps due to some foul undead magic or a curse of the mind, my father turned on his fellow clerics and then fled, seemingly out of his wits. When he was hunted down, some expected him to be branded or punished in some way… but the judgement handed down by the clerics deciding his fate that day was swift and absolute; they hung him for his actions against the Order. Swift justice was a cornerstone of the Chapter of The Fist, afterall.
Nowadays. I try to stay “in the know,” where things are happening. I keep a journal, writing whatever it is that comes to me. Years ago, soon after I learned how my father died, I wrote down the three aspects of the Path, & how I live them. Here it is:
Duty to the People.
I try to stay just & fair in my life, & keep my word & my honor, & those of Arnath & the Order. I protect those that are weaker than me, & help those that need it.
Duty to Arnath.
I always pray when the time comes. I try to keep to the Path, & honor Arnath in all that I do. After all, I am his Light on this world, & must act accordingly.
Duty to the Order.
In the battle situations that I’ve been in, I always listen to my superiors & respect them. I learn from veterans in the Order, & treat them with the respect they deserve.
(The journal’s over now) I recently learned about Grimward deploying captured civilians into battle. Basil (a commander in the Lay Order) sent news about it. Apparently they threatened to kill the poor soul’s families if they didn’t fight. It seems to me like that’s just about the worst thing someone could do. I’ve heard through the grapevine that Basil was all for killing them. That’s something I dispute. I know he doesn’t have to follow Arnath, but I’ve been taught most of my life that my duty is to protect those weaker than us. That’s a dilemma there. If I had been there, would I do my Duty to the People, and spare the poor bastards, or my Duty to the Order, and obey my superiors? Ah well, that’s just my thoughts on the matter.
Now before I send off this letter, let me write this: I am not my father. I have honor. I follow the Path. I am of Arnath. I am an Eagle, fighting for Him. I am, I am, and I am.
.
Signed by my own hand,
Brother Gerald Anderson of the Chapter of the Light
The family of a Daughter of Gaia from Clan Goldenfield is preparing for the City-State of Newhope to hold a trial against the group of so-called “cultists” who killed her. There is quite a bit of attention on this trial, as the Ulven have a very different justice system from the City-State and some have questioned Newhope’s choice to not turn the accused killers into the Clan’s leadership. Being that another victim of these killers was a Daughter of Gaia from Clan Shattered Spear, the trial will go on as planned in the City-State, and the collective Ulven attention can be kept on the war effort.
Newhope has also been seen with a significant increase in caravans leaving their borders and heading North-West, presumably towards the ports that can take those supplies to their allies in Stormjarl.
The rise of the Blood Moon in early March left many Ulven uneasy. The sight of what usually is a bad omen, often indicative of increased Mordok activity and aggression, furthered Clan Whiteoak’s belief that a big Mordok offensive was on its way. However, as the Blood Moon rose and fell with very little activity, the Ulven stationed at the Shield were left both wary and grateful for the relative ease. In the absence of the Mordok’s typical heavy aggression, Pack Redwind has stepped forward to lead groups composed of both Whiteoak and Axehound Ulven in an effort to map more of the Great Forest that borders their land.
Clan Shattered Spear is once again at the forefront of news on Mardrun, now that fighters from within the Clan’s captured territory are fighting for Grimward and Stonetooth under threat of their families back home being killed. In the chaos of the first few incursions from them onto Stormjarl’s land, a single Shattered Spear Ulven was saved from death before the decision to fight them back was made. Those close to the action where this happened have reported that this Ulven refuses to speak, overwhelmed with grief for the family they believe is now dead. Clan Stormjarl leadership is hopeful to hear from whatever Shattered Spear leadership remains for a decision on how to handle these warriors going forward.
In a surprising move, Clan Spiritclaw has sent a delegate to Grimward territory, flying their own banners in neutrality, in an attempt to gather more information about the strange religious beliefs and magical ability rumored to be used by the Stonetooth. So far, its unclear if this attempt has or hasn’t been successful.
Rumors have spread throughout Nightriver, that despite the tragic murder of their Clanleader being a year ago now, frontline fighters have been repeating Branthur Nightriver’s name as they strike down their enemies. These Ulven seek to make absolutely sure their Clanleader name is heard over and over again by the Great Wolf, so that if he is still in the thick of his Journey, that he faces the Great Wolf is allowed to move on.
Clan Steinjottun has announced a new festival taking place next month – Steinjottun Hawk Racing! Any and all across the continent are invited to bring their hawks, owls, crows, or even chickens to test out their prowess and skill. Several different tournaments will take place, all designed to put your bird to task. The victor bird is expected to be awarded, and their owner will be seen very favorably among the many expected to be spectating the tournaments. Don’t miss this exciting festival!
Thursday, April 10th: Resources and Downtime Actions Deadline
Wednesday, April 16th: Early Bird Pre-Registration Cut-Off Expanded NPC roles, prize giveaway raffle entry, guaranteed PC spot, faster PC reg.
Monday, April 21st: PC Skill Purchases Via Email Deadline There is no guarantee there will be time at event registration to update your PC’s skills.
=EVENT DATE AND TIMES=
Saturday, April 26th:
– Early Arrival Time – 9:00am – Registration opens – 9:30am – Registration closes – 11:00am – All Player Event Briefing – 11:15am – Scenario Begins / “Game On” – Noon – Scenario Ends / “Game Over” – 6:00pm – Check-Out & Clean Up – 6:00pm+ until whenever
***NOTE: If you are unable to make it before the official start time, it is your responsibility to discreetly notify Staff and get checked-in and NOT disturb the game in progress. ***
=Event Story=
Fighting in The Pass, the small strip of traversable land that connects Clans Grimward and Nightriver within the Great Wolf’s Hackles, has been grueling all winter. Through the thick, heavy snow and blustering, bitter cold temperatures, warriors here have been kept extremely busy as they continue the fight a year after their clan leader, Branthur Nightriver, was slain in ambush by Clan Grimward. With the recent news of more ground being taken within the Pass by Nightriver, confidence has grown in the Clan’s ability to build up and hold outposts further into the Pass than previously thought while Grimward controlled too much ground. The constant rotating roster of front-line fighters has kept the fight going, with warriors filtering in and out as needed to get back into fighting shape. Now that the snow has melted and frozen dirt has shifted to mud, the task of building up outposts has begun. Front line fighters now have no option of losing ground, or they risk the loss of these still developing outposts and the resources poured into them. Victories here are hard-fought and even harder kept, but Clan Nightriver continues to stand tall in the face of Grimward’s attempts to take The Pass, along with help from the Colonies. Fighters here will need to continue to persevere to keep this vital piece of land under Nightriver control. The fighting is expected to be brutal and keeping up the momentum by continuously bringing in fresh troops will be crucial for victory.
= EVENT SPECIAL MECHANICS =
1) Event Theme: “Combat Scenario” Event: This event will take place within the Pass of the Hackles between the adversarial forces of Clan Grimward and the forces of Clan Nightriver and Newhope. This event’s theme will focus on the grueling standoff in the narrow corridor of the mountain range, a notoriously difficult but strategically essential battlefield to control.
2) Specific NPC Roles: – NPC players will be representing Ulven NPCs at this event and are asked to bring Ulven-centric garb, weapons, and armor to be able to fill in where needed. Human roles are also available. – Most players will either play Grimward warriors, Nightriver or Newhope warriors, or Nightriver supporters. –Pre-Registration will be crucial for balancing and PC/NPC placement; players who miss the cut-off may be required to NPC! Players should be prepared to switch to an NPC role should their PCs become too wounded to continue.
3) Pre-Event Setup: PCs will be allowed pre-event set-up on the hill past the bridge. The Outpost will not be utilized for player camp at this event.
4) Decorum & Out-Of-Game Clarifications: Please note that the entire in-game area is monitored for decorum, immersion, and in-game discussions. Players will call each other on Decorum if they are not following this. However, please make an effort to check-in with others and make clear “Out of Game” clarifications discreetly if needed. 5) Updated 1.7 Rules! The 1.7 version of the rules is now ready in electronic format. Please go to the rules section of the Last Hope LARP website to get a copy of the 1.7 rules.
=EVENT LOCATION= W7111 New Frontage Road New Lisbon, WI 53950 – Take interstate to New Lisbon, take 61 exit – Turn onto Frontage Rd near Mobil/McDonald’s – Go 1.3 miles on Frontage Rd/42nd St (Drive past Victory Fireworks and Car Dealership) – Destination will be on the right
Membership and Event Sign-Up Info
There is no cost/charge/entry fee required to participate in this event and all are welcome to participate regardless of their membership status or not. However, certain perks require additional membership.
You MUST do BOTH (pre-register AND select/pay for your chosen membership services) before you are considered fully pre-registered for an event!
=FOOD, WATER, PROPERTY, AND SAFETY INFO=
=Food & Water= – We will be providing a simple, optional, pre-packaged food and/or fruit snack for players at this event. – This will NOT be enough to sustain you all day/event! – Players may be bringing food to share/sell but it is NOT guaranteed. – Make sure you bring feastware if you intend to eat in-game! – There is no running water at this location; all water must be brought in. – There will be some drinking water brought in BUT players should also plan to bring their own and carry it with them. *** You should plan on bringing some extra food/snacks and water to tide you over for the rest of the event. *** *** Plan ahead, be self-sufficient, and bring your own food/water! ***
=Camping, Bathrooms, Fire, and Electricity= – This event is a single day event; players should plan on driving home once it is over. – If you need a motel, there is a Comfort Inn and the Edge of the Woods Motel nearby. – There is a porta-potty onsite in the parking area for players. HOWEVER, in winter time, this porta-potty is for emergencies ONLY as it cannot be pumped out until the Spring when it thaws. If you need a full bathroom facility, please plan on driving 1.3 miles back to the Gas Station. – Campfires are allowed as long as they are PRE-APPROVED BY STAFF and either in an above-ground fire-pit or dug into a below-ground fire-pit. Any additional fires will be strictly, enforced, monitored, and must be pre-approved. – There is electricity at the site; please coordinate with Staff for anything that needs electricity and bring your own cables/extension. Simple things like fans or charging cell phones is fine, but portable heaters or anything that draws a lot of power must be pre-approved.
New Lisbon, WI – The entrance to the property is flanked by several driveways we (might) have permission to park on if needed. Please check-in or get directions before you park. You are allowed to park on the road as an overflow but you MUST park on our side of a road, try to keep the entire vehicle off the road, and minimize foot traffic on the road. – The property boundaries to the north, west, and east are marked by GREEN flagging tape. The neighbor’s driveway is also a boundary to the east. The southern boundary is the clearing leading up to the interstate. There are several deer stands on the property; at this time, we ask that you do not go into any of them.
– You may use Hawkins Tower as a look-out/archers post; max of 2 people up top at once. – The bridges are to be used for traversal only; no fighting on the bridges. – Do not cut down any trees without approval. – Do not use adjacent driveways/neighbor property without explicit permission! – Be cautious about driving into the property due to sunken/mucky areas and existing stumps. – Our property usually gets a lot of ticks early on and then a lot of mosquitos during mosquito season. Please plan accordingly with bug spray, layers, etc! – Our property is a wetlands and has run-off creeks and soaks up water considerably in the spring melt and if there is steady rain in the area. Players should be prepared for mud and muck or even standing water on parts of the property. Some players buy rubber boots and alter them to pass decorum, others have water-proof boots, others simply prepare a change of socks/shoes for when they get wet. Take the time to plan this out for your garb and footwear!
= WEATHER CONDITIONS, PARKING, & DRIVEWAY=
– Make sure to plan to bring weather/temperature appropriate base layers. *** Base/thermal layers do not need to fit Decorum but outer layers do… please make sure you get your garb checked! PLAN ACCORDINGLY! *** – There is ample room on the gravel pad to park 8-10 vehicles, even in rainy/muddy/snowy conditions. – Make sure you check with Staff before driving into the parking area in case it is muddy/rutted. When in doubt, park on the pad/road and then ask for help. – Because of the wet nature of the property, the parking lot may not be easily accessible if it rains/snows before or during the event. If needed, we will plan on shuttling players back to the nearby gas station to park vehicles and then get shuttled back to the event property. – If you park on the road, all participants must do their best to park ALL VEHICLE WHEELS off of the road and on the grass. An easy way to remember this; if you can park and all 4 tires are in the grass, you are good.
= SAFETY RULES =
– A number of Staff and approved players are trained or able to assist during emergencies (Raised hands will be shown during briefing). Staff have access to a Snake Bite/CPR/First Aid Kit if needed. In case of any emergencies, immediately contact Staff and let them handle it. – Make sure you adhere to our Alcohol and Tobacco guidelines; no one under the age of 21 can consume Alcohol or Tobacco products. These products CANNOT be sold for real-world money and serving them to a minor will get you ejected from the LARP. *** Check the PC cards/NPC sheets/discreetly check for IDs. *** – If at any time a player feels uncomfortable or unsafe due to role play, be aware of our “Out of Game Stop” call. Please use this discreetly and/or contact Staff if needed. – If at any time a player needs to remove themselves, physically or mentally, from the game please do so as discreetly as possible. Notify staff if possible or coordinate staff if you cannot do this discreetly. – Be aware of proper encroaching, medium hit strength, and be courteous to others. – If flooded, the Bridge is for traversal only; do not fight on it, don’t attack anyone on it, let them move beyond the flooded spots and then reengage. If the property is NOT flooded, do not use the bridge at all in combat! Use the terrain around it.
COVID 19 RESTRICTIONS & PRECAUTIONS
– All players ages 5+ must be either fully Covid-19 Vaccinated, be medically exempt (pre-approval needed and this includes children under the age of 5), or be in the process of getting vaccinated. This will be handled at Check-In. – All players are REQUIRED to wear masks UNTIL they have Covid-19 Vaccination Proof on record with us. Masks are no longer required to be worn before check-in as long as players have their Covid-19 Vaccination on file and they do not have concerning symptoms. – Players are required to do symptom checking at registration/Check-In. – Players can still be asked to wear a mask if they have concerning symptoms/exposure and any questions about this should be asked ahead of time for Staff to coordinate. – For full information regarding our Covid-19 Restrictions & Guidelines, click the link below: lasthope.kitsufox.com/wiki/covid-19-policy-practices/
== CUT-OFF DATE, SKILLS, & PLAYER INFO ==
= MONTHLY EVENT CUT-OFF DATE = – The Monthly Event Cut-Off date is a deadline that is critical to the preparation of the monthly story/event. This allows us to prepare PC bags, write NPC more detailed roles, finalize mechanics based on who we know is planning on attending, and properly tie in player influences like Resources and Organizations. – The Event Cut-Off date for this event is Wednesday, April 16th. – Players that want a more detailed NPC role must purchase the applicable membership AND signup for the event by that date. – Players that want a guaranteed spot for their PC must sign-up by this date. – Players that want to be added to the Prize Giveaway for the month must signup by that date.
= PC SKILL UPDATES = – If you sign-up and choose a membership by the Event Cut-Off date, staff will prepare your PC bag with items, coin, and condition ahead of time. – If you have updates to your PC, do them ahead of time and email us the changes. – The deadline for these PC skill changes is the Monday before the event! – If we have time then we can update your PC skills at an event. *** There is no guarantee we can do this at an event due to the registration time needs. ***
= ATTENDING EVENT BONUSES = – Players attending events in-person are granted several bonuses: – A PC may roll applicable Profession and/or Tradeskill rolls for coin/affects. You MUST bring your trade manual to check-in to make your rolls. – A PC may open and review applicable Lore cards at Check-In (and copy them over into their own Lore books if they so choose) – PCs that are part of an Organization may earn +1 Organization Exp per event day that they attend and prominently display Org heraldry. Bring and show your heraldry to check-in! – PCs that are part of an Organization may earn +1 Organization Exp for attending and prominently displaying Organization Standard/Banner (Min 3 PCs) Please tell check-in that you will be displaying a banner!
= DOWNTIME ACTIONS, ORGANIZATIONS, & LORE SKILL USAGE = – Players may have a PC(s) use Downtime Actions to make an impact on an event. – Organizations may pledge their monthly Actions and/or applicable Units to make an impact on an event. – Downtime Actions & Org Actions influencing this event must submitted by the Monthly Event Cut-Off date OR the 10th (Whichever is first) – Relevant information gained or a summary of the influence of these efforts will be available at Check-In at the event; a player must attend to be able to see that info. – IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO ASK FOR THAT INFO! – PCs with applicable Lore skills may have access to certain Lore cards at check-in. Frequently, there are Lore cards available for you to read that represent your characters ability to know about things going on in the area. Some of this information can be really useful to know! – You may not take these Lore cards but you are welcome to copy the information they have into your own Lore book but it must be done at Check-In.
= PC SPOTS & LATE PLAYERS = – To guarantee a spot for your PC at this event you must sign-up and pay for membership services before the Monthly Event Cut-Off date. – If you sign-up after this date, we will coordinate a waiting list for players wanting to play their PCs. – If NPC roles are needed, you will be notified before an event what those roles are so you can prepare. – If NPC roles are not needed, you will be notified that you’re approved to play your PC. – This helps us balance event mechanics and needed NPC roles to adequately facilitate an event but still allows ample opportunity for players to guarantee being able to show up as their PC.
We are following a strict time-block for check-in/registration so players will be expected to arrive on time to get registered and then attend the game briefing. – If a player is going to be late and they are going to arrive after registration closes, they are expected to notify the staff by emailing the lasthopelarp@gmail.com address to let us know. – This allows us to prep their NPC materials or pull their PC cards prepare their items/coin for when they arrive. Failure to do this may result in a forced NPC role if the player arrives after the briefing as all registration supplies are packed up and put away. – This does not mean we do not have wiggle room; all you have to do is notify us ahead of time via email so we can prepare accordingly.
= MANDATORY CHECK-OUT = – All players are required to properly check-out at every event; this means that all in-game items and PC cards with PC conditions will be turned over to Staff for proper record keeping. – We will be doing a dedicated Check-Out after each day. – If you plan on leaving before the end of the event day/scheduled Check-Out time, it is your responsibility to seek out Staff in order to properly check-out. – If you checkout as a PC, you may not “check back in” after a period of time. Once you check out as a PC, your PC is done for the event day. – There may be limitations on how and where PCs can check out at an event; ask instead of assuming if you feel like your PC would leave early, and then staff can assign you a role after that.
== SPONSORSHIP ==
=Wizard Quest= Our continued sponsorship for 2024 is Wizard Quest! Mention the LARP for a local’s discount and remember to share with us a picture of you attending for cross-promotion EXP! www.wizardquest.com/ Wizard Quest in Wisconsin Dells 400 Broadway Ave Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
== HELP! THIS IS MY FIRST EVENT! ==
– It is understandable (and normal) to be completely lost and overwhelmed coming to your first event. – Staff and/or Veteran players will be on hand to help guide you and answer questions. We want your first event experience to be a positive one! – It is very normal for staff and players to be running around doing things to get the event going on time; you may need to seek out someone with a gold belt flag and ask for assistance.
UPON ARRIVAL – When you arrive, the most important thing is checking to see if you need to park in specific areas. – Make your way to Check-In, wherever that is for the event. This will be where a number of players are at and also where Staff are at checking people into the game. This is also where Staff can guide you to the proper areas (such as New Player Helpers or NPC Wranglers)
AFTER CHECK-IN – Once you have checked in, the most important person/station for you to search for is the “NPC Wrangler”. This is usually 1-2 Staff members that are taking care of garbing up and handing out NPC roles. – There will be time available to make sure you are prepped for your NPC role. This is a great opportunity to ask questions! – If you need anything else from your vehicle or for any setup, this would be the time to do so.
BEFORE BRIEFING – Once you have your NPC role and you know who you can contact for questions, there is usually extra time before the event briefing. – During this time, we will do a Combat Tutorial so you know the basics of combat. This usually takes about 30 minutes, so try to factor that into your event arrival time. – There will be announcements of when briefing will take place; make sure you are available to listen to the briefing of an event as it covers a lot of story, safety, and property information.
AFTER BRIEFING – Normally right after briefing, all NPCs and the NPC Wranglers are assembled into a group to discuss NPC roles, any connections they may have, answer more questions, and review the overall event theme/goal.
DURING EVENTS – Once “Game On” is called, it is very important to maintain decorum in the game area. This can be very intimidating at first! – If you need anything, please discreetly find a gold belt flag staff member and ask for assistance. Most of the time we will move off to the side for a quick out-of-game clarification or move out of the game area entirely to be able to have a full discussion. – If you are confused on what to do, please seek out staff discreetly to double check your NPC motives and goals or discuss ideas on what you can do.
AFTER THE EVENT – All of your borrowed garb, gear, coin, etc will get returned back to the NPC Wrangler as soon as the event is over. – This will also be a chance to discuss any meaningful interactions you had as an NPC that we might want to follow up on – The NPC Wrangler and potentially other staff will be available to answer any questions you have.
The sunrise across the continent has started to bring warmer, longer days. The snow is melting despite the bitter wind, and everyday it brings the people of Mardrun closer and closer to the perfect conditions for war. The stockpiles are ready, the fighters are warming up, and the forges are being lit as Clan Stormjarl and Nightriver prepare for the renewed onslaught Grimward and Stonetooth are sure to bring to their borders.
Clan Stormjarl’s defenses have been bolstered even before the war broke out with many in the Clan focusing special attention on training warriors along Haygreth’s Scar and the more recent influx of trained healers, leading the defensive line of settlements south of The Scar looking very well-prepared for the coming defense. Nightriver has also taken the winter months to begin movement into Stormjarl territory to begin preparations for supporting the Clan in the fight everyone is sure is coming.
As Grimward begins probing Stormjarl’s defenses, it’s easy to see the Clan is still in recovery from the winter month’s harsh conditions and the ally’s offensive movement across the Yurnai River last year. While they stir up action across the border between the Clans, allies from across Mardun begin to move in to support the Clan, whether that be defending against Grimward’s grapplers keeping their warriors busy, or another offensive move while Grimward is still on the back foot. As the spring thaw fast approaches, one thing is for certain; this war is far from over.
=EVENT SUMMARY=
The day started cold and dreary as Stormjarl and supporters began preparations for the day. The thin layer of clean snow across the dirt quickly became wrought with footprints and cart marks, with supporters coming to ply their trades in support of Stormjarl. As the day began to warm up, the warriors warmed with it. Patrols were sent out both near and far, successful in their thwarting of Grimward invaders each time. The abundance of well trained healers, and the presence of many tradespeople, kept the warriors well taken care of as they returned from their attacks and patrols.
As the day pushes on, the snow melting into the dirt and turning to mud, warriors found themselves wearing down, but not without seeing a similar effect on Grimward. With success after success stacking up for Stormjarl, morale of the outpost grew until local leadership could finally claim the day had been a success, with Grimward’s local forces unable to quickly enough route reinforcements to cover the wounded section of their frontline.
The outpost rallied in their recovery after such a long day, Stormjarl and their allies continuing to patrol the nearby roads. Warriors made their way to the trail again, but were met with an unexpected fighting force. Warriors of Clan Shattered Spear marched against the patrols and outpost, throwing themselves into battle with Stormjarl with desperation and anguish across them all. A Stonetooth Ulven stood among them, forcing them into battle under threat of their own families being killed where they still lived in the occupied Shattered Spear territory if the warriors were to surrender, show defiance, or not follow orders. This Ulven, the ‘thrall watcher’, being un-killable by Stormjarl otherwise all the Shattered Spear families would die regardless of their efforts to fight for Grimward and Stonetooth.
This upsetting encounter left the warriors of Stormjarl with a horrible moral dilemma and no time to dwell on it. The warriors of Clan Shattered Spear were cut down in their intense battle, as they begged for, and the Stonetooth was let go to walk home free.
In the midst of this chaotic battle, a healer and a bard stayed waiting in camp. While everyone from warriors to merchants ran to the trail to help support the fight or bring back wounded, they returned to even more chaos and panic to see that the bard’s throat had been slashed, and that healer was nowhere to be found. The bard was able to be saved, but the outsider who was believed to be the one who attacked in this moment of vulnerability, was not found.
In the end, with warriors making their way back into camp after the Stonetooth “thrall-watcher” made his departure, and with reports of similar attacks from Clan Shattered Spear’s people across Stormjarl’s outposts, the Clan is now left with very important decisions to make, and very little time to make them.
News of Nightriver crosses the continent again as the Clan announces they’ve made some ground against Grimward in the Pass in the past few months. Grimward is still holding the majority of the Pass, but this small victory means all flanking routes are effectively cut-off, and homes nearby have less danger to worry about if Nightriver forces are pushed back again.
Additionally, a ravine of Ironsand was discovered off the eastern coast on an unpopulated island, and once again the Clan is calling for assistance to collect and refine this sand this Spring.
The Southern coastline has been seeing unexpected action from Clanless Ulven lately, with two different raiding groups clashing. It seems that one group opposes the colonists and has been showing aggression to smaller colonist settlements, most recently the Fire Isle, and the other is distinctly anti-Grimward. The two groups clashed recently, but the winner of the fight was unclear in reports.
An informant of Lictor Mary has been spreading new findings from a specialized incursion into the lost Shattered Spear territory. From what information could be gathered, it seems able-bodied captured Ulven are being moved south, while those being kept local are having families threatened if they escape. It’s unclear now what this could mean for those Ulven, but this knowledge combined with the assumption of a heavy push on Stormjarl coming in Spring, the informant believes captured Shattered Spear could be involved in the coming fight.
Surprising and hopeful news has come from Stormjarl as well. The past few winter months have brought some stronger-than-usual storms to their coastline. The Clan had those weather events well in-hand, but reports say that the skies to the North, right in Grimward’s direction, looked to get far more treacherous. While nothing can be confirmed, if they received weather worse than Stormjarl has recently seen, this could mean a significant impact to their coastline and, hopefully, their readiness come Spring.
Shieldhaven has sent word to other allied groups: Ironmound is preparing to march to war. Stonetooth scouts in particular have already begun probing against Shieldhaven’s defenses. This news comes after Ironmound’s letter declaring their intentions of war, and now the continent can be assured; Ironmound is ready, and they are coming.
Bi-Weekly Combat Practices typically start in April and End in November. See our Events Page for exact start and end dates, and visit our Facebook Page for updates about potential cancellations.
Location:
Langer Park, Baraboo, WI 501 Remington Street, Baraboo 53913
During practice, LARPers have access to bathrooms. There are no water fountains, so please bring plenty of water for yourself as combat practice is often during very warm weather.
Our COVID-19 Guidelines are also enforced at our practices. Please read through our guidelines to be prepared at practice.
Age of Participants:
Ages 16-17:
Players within this age range will require a signed Parental Consent Form and a signature on their Yearly Waiver from a Legal Guardian to participate. They do not need to be accompanied by an adult to participate.
Ages 10-15:
Players within this age range may participate with Staff Approval and a signed Parental Consent form, as well as a Legal Guardians signature on their Yearly Waiver. They must also be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Ages 9 and under:
Players 9 years of age and below cannot participate in combat. If an adult player brings their young child to practice, they must be responsible for that child.
Every single player who wants to participate in combat must be trained by a staff-approved combat trainer, agree to follow our combat rules, and show respect to any borrowed equipment.
Monday, March 10th: Resources and Downtime Actions Deadline
Wednesday, March 12th: Early Bird Pre-Registration Cut-Off Expanded NPC roles, prize giveaway raffle entry, guaranteed PC spot, faster PC reg.
Monday, March 17th: PC Skill Purchases Via Email Deadline There is no guarantee there will be time at event registration to update your PC’s skills.
=EVENT DATE AND TIMES=
Saturday, March 22nd:
– Early Arrival Time – 8:30am – Registration opens – 9:00am – Registration closes – 10:30am – All Player Event Briefing – 10:45am – Scenario Begins / “Game On” – 11:30am – Scenario Ends / “Game Over” – 5:30pm – Check-Out & Clean Up – 5:30pm+ until whenever
***NOTE: If you are unable to make it before the official start time, it is your responsibility to discreetly notify Staff and get checked-in and NOT disturb the game in progress. ***
=EVENT STORY= The sunrise across the continent has started to bring warmer, longer days. The snow is melting despite the bitter wind, and everyday it brings the people of Mardrun closer and closer to the perfect conditions for war. The stockpiles are ready, the fighters are warming up, and the forges are being lit as Clan Stormjarl and Nightriver prepare for the renewed onslaught Grimward and Stonetooth are sure to bring to their borders.
Clan Stormjarl’s defenses have been bolstered even before the war broke out with many in the Clan focusing special attention on training warriors along Haygreth’s Scar and the more recent influx of trained healers, leading the defensive line of settlements south of The Scar looking very well-prepared for the coming defense. Nightriver has also taken the winter months to begin movement into Stormjarl territory to begin preparations for supporting the Clan in the fight everyone is sure is coming.
As Grimward begins probing Stormjarl’s defenses, it’s easy to see the Clan is still in recovery from the winter month’s harsh conditions and the ally’s offensive movement across the Yurnai River last year. While they stir up action across the border between the Clans, allies from across Mardun begin to move in to support the Clan, whether that be defending against Grimward’s grapplers keeping their warriors busy, or another offensive move while Grimward is still on the back foot. As the spring thaw fast approaches, one thing is for certain; this war is far from over.
= EVENT SPECIAL MECHANICS =
1) Event Theme: “Outpost Preparation and Defense” Event: This event will take place at an outpost along Haygreth’s Scar, against the border of Clan Nightriver and Clan Grimward. This event’s theme will focus on the local challenges of the Stormjarl warfront that is near the edge of their border, including Outpost protection and various missions or tasks outside the safety of the camp perimeter. Players are free to travel around and interact with things as they see fit.
2) Specific NPC Roles: – NPC players will be representing Ulven NPCs at this event and are asked to bring Ulven-centric garb, weapons, and armor to be able to fill in where needed. – Most players will either play Grimward warriors, Stormjarl or Nightriver warriors, or Stormjarl supporters. – Very few Stonetooth NPC roles are available for this event. Players interested in Clan Stonetooth roles must contact staff via email at lasthopelarp@gmail.com for the details of these roles. Note that Clan Stonetooth roles come with special garb requirements and require staff approval to play.
3) Pre-Event Setup: PCs will be allowed pre-event set-up in the Outpost. Spaces can be reserved via Downtime Actions or Org Actions, then the remaining space is first-come-first-served.
4) Decorum & Out-Of-Game Clarifications: Please note that the entire in-game area is monitored for decorum, immersion, and in-game discussions. Players will call each other on Decorum if they are not following this. However, please make an effort to check-in with others and make clear “Out of Game” clarifications discreetly if needed. 5) Updated 1.7 Rules! The 1.7 version of the rules is now ready in electronic format. Please go to the rules section of the Last Hope LARP website to get a copy of the 1.7 rules.
=EVENT LOCATION= W7111 New Frontage Road New Lisbon, WI 53950 – Take interstate to New Lisbon, take 61 exit – Turn onto Frontage Rd near Mobil/McDonald’s – Go 1.3 miles on Frontage Rd/42nd St (Drive past Victory Fireworks and Car Dealership) – Destination will be on the right
Membership and Event Sign-Up Info
There is no cost/charge/entry fee required to participate in this event and all are welcome to participate regardless of their membership status or not. However, certain perks require additional membership.
You MUST do BOTH (pre-register AND select/pay for your chosen membership services) before you are considered fully pre-registered for an event!
=FOOD, WATER, PROPERTY, AND SAFETY INFO=
=Food & Water= – We will be providing a simple, optional, pre-packaged food and/or fruit snack for players at this event. – This will NOT be enough to sustain you all day/event! – Players may be bringing food to share/sell but it is NOT guaranteed. – Make sure you bring feastware if you intend to eat in-game! – There is no running water at this location; all water must be brought in. – There will be some drinking water brought in BUT players should also plan to bring their own and carry it with them. *** You should plan on bringing some extra food/snacks and water to tide you over for the rest of the event. *** *** Plan ahead, be self-sufficient, and bring your own food/water! ***
=Camping, Bathrooms, Fire, and Electricity= – This event is a single day event; players should plan on driving home once it is over. – If you need a motel, there is a Comfort Inn and the Edge of the Woods Motel nearby. – There is a porta-potty onsite in the parking area for players. HOWEVER, in winter time, this porta-potty is for emergencies ONLY as it cannot be pumped out until the Spring when it thaws. If you need a full bathroom facility, please plan on driving 1.3 miles back to the Gas Station. – Campfires are allowed as long as they are PRE-APPROVED BY STAFF and either in an above-ground fire-pit or dug into a below-ground fire-pit. Any additional fires will be strictly, enforced, monitored, and must be pre-approved. – There is electricity at the site; please coordinate with Staff for anything that needs electricity and bring your own cables/extension. Simple things like fans or charging cell phones is fine, but portable heaters or anything that draws a lot of power must be pre-approved.
New Lisbon, WI – The entrance to the property is flanked by several driveways we (might) have permission to park on if needed. Please check-in or get directions before you park. You are allowed to park on the road as an overflow but you MUST park on our side of a road, try to keep the entire vehicle off the road, and minimize foot traffic on the road. – The property boundaries to the north, west, and east are marked by GREEN flagging tape. The neighbor’s driveway is also a boundary to the east. The southern boundary is the clearing leading up to the interstate. There are several deer stands on the property; at this time, we ask that you do not go into any of them.
– You may use Hawkins Tower as a look-out/archers post; max of 2 people up top at once. – The bridges are to be used for traversal only; no fighting on the bridges. – Do not cut down any trees without approval. – Do not use adjacent driveways/neighbor property without explicit permission! – Be cautious about driving into the property due to sunken/mucky areas and existing stumps. – Our property usually gets a lot of ticks early on and then a lot of mosquitos during mosquito season. Please plan accordingly with bug spray, layers, etc! – Our property is a wetlands and has run-off creeks and soaks up water considerably in the spring melt and if there is steady rain in the area. Players should be prepared for mud and muck or even standing water on parts of the property. Some players buy rubber boots and alter them to pass decorum, others have water-proof boots, others simply prepare a change of socks/shoes for when they get wet. Take the time to plan this out for your garb and footwear!
= WEATHER CONDITIONS, PARKING, & DRIVEWAY=
– Make sure to plan to bring weather/temperature appropriate base layers. *** Base/thermal layers do not need to fit Decorum but outer layers do… please make sure you get your garb checked! PLAN ACCORDINGLY! *** – There is ample room on the gravel pad to park 8-10 vehicles, even in rainy/muddy/snowy conditions. – Make sure you check with Staff before driving into the parking area in case it is muddy/rutted. When in doubt, park on the pad/road and then ask for help. – Because of the wet nature of the property, the parking lot may not be easily accessible if it rains/snows before or during the event. If needed, we will plan on shuttling players back to the nearby gas station to park vehicles and then get shuttled back to the event property. – If you park on the road, all participants must do their best to park ALL VEHICLE WHEELS off of the road and on the grass. An easy way to remember this; if you can park and all 4 tires are in the grass, you are good.
= SAFETY RULES =
– A number of Staff and approved players are trained or able to assist during emergencies (Raised hands will be shown during briefing). Staff have access to a Snake Bite/CPR/First Aid Kit if needed. In case of any emergencies, immediately contact Staff and let them handle it. – Make sure you adhere to our Alcohol and Tobacco guidelines; no one under the age of 21 can consume Alcohol or Tobacco products. These products CANNOT be sold for real-world money and serving them to a minor will get you ejected from the LARP. *** Check the PC cards/NPC sheets/discreetly check for IDs. *** – If at any time a player feels uncomfortable or unsafe due to role play, be aware of our “Out of Game Stop” call. Please use this discreetly and/or contact Staff if needed. – If at any time a player needs to remove themselves, physically or mentally, from the game please do so as discreetly as possible. Notify staff if possible or coordinate staff if you cannot do this discreetly. – Be aware of proper encroaching, medium hit strength, and be courteous to others. – If flooded, the Bridge is for traversal only; do not fight on it, don’t attack anyone on it, let them move beyond the flooded spots and then reengage. If the property is NOT flooded, do not use the bridge at all in combat! Use the terrain around it.
COVID 19 RESTRICTIONS & PRECAUTIONS
– All players ages 5+ must be either fully Covid-19 Vaccinated, be medically exempt (pre-approval needed and this includes children under the age of 5), or be in the process of getting vaccinated. This will be handled at Check-In. – All players are REQUIRED to wear masks UNTIL they have Covid-19 Vaccination Proof on record with us. Masks are no longer required to be worn before check-in as long as players have their Covid-19 Vaccination on file and they do not have concerning symptoms. – Players are required to do symptom checking at registration/Check-In. – Players can still be asked to wear a mask if they have concerning symptoms/exposure and any questions about this should be asked ahead of time for Staff to coordinate. – For full information regarding our Covid-19 Restrictions & Guidelines, click the link below: lasthope.kitsufox.com/wiki/covid-19-policy-practices/
== CUT-OFF DATE, SKILLS, & PLAYER INFO ==
= MONTHLY EVENT CUT-OFF DATE = – The Monthly Event Cut-Off date is a deadline that is critical to the preparation of the monthly story/event. This allows us to prepare PC bags, write NPC more detailed roles, finalize mechanics based on who we know is planning on attending, and properly tie in player influences like Resources and Organizations. – The Event Cut-Off date for this event is Wednesday, March 12th. – Players that want a more detailed NPC role must purchase the applicable membership AND signup for the event by that date. – Players that want a guaranteed spot for their PC must sign-up by this date. – Players that want to be added to the Prize Giveaway for the month must signup by that date.
= PC SKILL UPDATES = – If you sign-up and choose a membership by the Event Cut-Off date, staff will prepare your PC bag with items, coin, and condition ahead of time. – If you have updates to your PC, do them ahead of time and email us the changes. – The deadline for these PC skill changes is the Monday before the event! – If we have time then we can update your PC skills at an event. *** There is no guarantee we can do this at an event due to the registration time needs. ***
= ATTENDING EVENT BONUSES = – Players attending events in-person are granted several bonuses: – A PC may roll applicable Profession and/or Tradeskill rolls for coin/affects. You MUST bring your trade manual to check-in to make your rolls. – A PC may open and review applicable Lore cards at Check-In (and copy them over into their own Lore books if they so choose) – PCs that are part of an Organization may earn +1 Organization Exp per event day that they attend and prominently display Org heraldry – PCs that are part of an Organization may earn +1 Organization Exp for attending and prominently displaying Organization Standard/Banner (Min 3 PCs)
= DOWNTIME ACTIONS, ORGANIZATIONS, & LORE SKILL USAGE = – Players may have a PC(s) use Downtime Actions to make an impact on an event. – Organizations may pledge their monthly Actions and/or applicable Units to make an impact on an event. – Downtime Actions & Org Actions influencing this event must submitted by the Monthly Event Cut-Off date OR the 10th (Whichever is first) – Relevant information gained or a summary of the influence of these efforts will be available at Check-In at the event; a player must attend to be able to see that info. – IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO ASK FOR THAT INFO! – PCs with applicable Lore skills may have access to certain Lore cards at check-in. Frequently, there are Lore cards available for you to read that represent your characters ability to know about things going on in the area. Some of this information can be really useful to know! – You may not take these Lore cards but you are welcome to copy the information they have into your own Lore book but it must be done at Check-In.
= PC SPOTS & LATE PLAYERS = – To guarantee a spot for your PC at this event you must sign-up and pay for membership services before the Monthly Event Cut-Off date. – If you sign-up after this date, we will coordinate a waiting list for players wanting to play their PCs. – If NPC roles are needed, you will be notified before an event what those roles are so you can prepare. – If NPC roles are not needed, you will be notified that you’re approved to play your PC. – This helps us balance event mechanics and needed NPC roles to adequately facilitate an event but still allows ample opportunity for players to guarantee being able to show up as their PC.
We are following a strict time-block for check-in/registration so players will be expected to arrive on time to get registered and then attend the game briefing. – If a player is going to be late and they are going to arrive after registration closes, they are expected to notify the staff by emailing the lasthopelarp@gmail.com address to let us know. – This allows us to prep their NPC materials or pull their PC cards prepare their items/coin for when they arrive. Failure to do this may result in a forced NPC role if the player arrives after the briefing as all registration supplies are packed up and put away. – This does not mean we do not have wiggle room; all you have to do is notify us ahead of time via email so we can prepare accordingly.
= MANDATORY CHECK-OUT = – All players are required to properly check-out at every event; this means that all in-game items and PC cards with PC conditions will be turned over to Staff for proper record keeping. – We will be doing a dedicated Check-Out after each day. – If you plan on leaving before the end of the event day/scheduled Check-Out time, it is your responsibility to seek out Staff in order to properly check-out. – If you checkout as a PC, you may not “check back in” after a period of time. Once you check out as a PC, your PC is done for the event day. – There may be limitations on how and where PCs can check out at an event; ask instead of assuming if you feel like your PC would leave early, and then staff can assign you a role after that.
== SPONSORSHIP ==
=Wizard Quest= Our continued sponsorship for 2024 is Wizard Quest! Mention the LARP for a local’s discount and remember to share with us a picture of you attending for cross-promotion EXP! www.wizardquest.com/ Wizard Quest in Wisconsin Dells 400 Broadway Ave Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
== HELP! THIS IS MY FIRST EVENT! ==
– It is understandable (and normal) to be completely lost and overwhelmed coming to your first event. – Staff and/or Veteran players will be on hand to help guide you and answer questions. We want your first event experience to be a positive one! – It is very normal for staff and players to be running around doing things to get the event going on time; you may need to seek out someone with a gold belt flag and ask for assistance.
UPON ARRIVAL – When you arrive, the most important thing is checking to see if you need to park in specific areas. – Make your way to Check-In, wherever that is for the event. This will be where a number of players are at and also where Staff are at checking people into the game. This is also where Staff can guide you to the proper areas (such as New Player Helpers or NPC Wranglers)
AFTER CHECK-IN – Once you have checked in, the most important person/station for you to search for is the “NPC Wrangler”. This is usually 1-2 Staff members that are taking care of garbing up and handing out NPC roles. – There will be time available to make sure you are prepped for your NPC role. This is a great opportunity to ask questions! – If you need anything else from your vehicle or for any setup, this would be the time to do so.
BEFORE BRIEFING – Once you have your NPC role and you know who you can contact for questions, there is usually extra time before the event briefing. – During this time, we will do a Combat Tutorial so you know the basics of combat. This usually takes about 30 minutes, so try to factor that into your event arrival time. – There will be announcements of when briefing will take place; make sure you are available to listen to the briefing of an event as it covers a lot of story, safety, and property information.
AFTER BRIEFING – Normally right after briefing, all NPCs and the NPC Wranglers are assembled into a group to discuss NPC roles, any connections they may have, answer more questions, and review the overall event theme/goal.
DURING EVENTS – Once “Game On” is called, it is very important to maintain decorum in the game area. This can be very intimidating at first! – If you need anything, please discreetly find a gold belt flag staff member and ask for assistance. Most of the time we will move off to the side for a quick out-of-game clarification or move out of the game area entirely to be able to have a full discussion. – If you are confused on what to do, please seek out staff discreetly to double check your NPC motives and goals or discuss ideas on what you can do.
AFTER THE EVENT – All of your borrowed garb, gear, coin, etc will get returned back to the NPC Wrangler as soon as the event is over. – This will also be a chance to discuss any meaningful interactions you had as an NPC that we might want to follow up on – The NPC Wrangler and potentially other staff will be available to answer any questions you have.
After Newhope’s long effort to stockpile and prep for the coming year that is sure to be filled with blood and war, the colony of New Hope has lit up with excitement at the recent news of the Annual Politcal Dinner. The Council has made an exciting announcement; the newest member of the Council, Duke Aailmyr, will be hosting this year’s Political dinner within the City-State’s walls. After concluding his work of lighting up the streets of New Hope with more and more enchanted lanterns and his creation of an Enchanter Trade school, those keeping up with the movements of the Council have been waiting to see what he does next.
The Duke has spread word across the City-State and beyond– once again the Glinting Emerald will be opening its doors, not only for those looking to rub elbows with politicians, but scholars of every domain are invited to bring their research projects to the table. The grand invitation and offer of space for ethical and safe research to be done is sure to bring many scholars out to both aid in other’s research and conduct their own.
Though, the final announcement from Duke Aailmyr has piqued the interest of many across the continent. Many have noticed the presence of the Northern Syndar present in the city over the past months, and the Duke has announced that the City-State has negotiated a sort-of partnership with the group. As a result, the Northern Syndar have donated a number of items to be researched by those in attendance, as their own lack of magical abilities has left them with no way to investigate them themselves. No other details of those items have been announced, but the hope for something new, and maybe even something that can aid in the Conquering, has sparked within many.
As the streets of Newhope begin to flood with people once again, the buzz of excitement for the Annual Political Dinner continues to grow with a new type of air: curiosity.
=EVENT SUMMARY=
The day started with Duke Aailmyr greeting those assembled and introducing two Northern Syndar. These syndar brought with them several things; a sample of flesh from one of the mysterious creatures they call a “Yolqui”, notes written in Ancient Syndar that needed translating, and an equally mysterious box, seemingly sealed by magical means. The state in which they existed, being unaffected by any magic seemed to also prevent them from being able to open the box. They made one request- the contents of the box were to remain in the box and no one was to look inside. Duke Aailmyr stressed the importance of this request to the group, backed by the City-State of Newhope’s authority, and the items were handed off.
As they handed off the box to one of the co-headmistresses of the Duke’s new enchanting trade school, a blank expression washed over her face. It seemed to slowly drain the mana from her as she was stuck in a trance with no recognition of the events around her. Only when one of the syndar from the north took the box from the headmistress’ grasp did she regain her mind. Research quickly began as the rest of those assembled began their regular discussions and politicking that was expected.
As the Duke entertained those present, even auctioning off several newly enchanted items crafted in his school, several discoveries were made in the research.
Many speculated on the nature of the Yolqui, comparing them both to Syndar and Ulven due to their animalistic features. The sample of hide was naturally high in salt and found to be as tough as leather armor even though it was thinner and much more pliable. Those studying the hide meditated, discovering that it was in tune with both arcane and divine magic, giving them the innate ability to cast magic. Some even theorized that the hide could be used as infused leather for enchanting items, though it would decay rapidly with unstable mana, requiring a fresh specimen.
While progress was made on studying the hide, there was great success with translating the notes and several trials involving the box. Whispers of doubt and thoughts of refusal to complete the box opening-ritual were heard, citing the ominous letter that had been previously translated. It was eventually determined that only a syndar leading a ritual could break the magic seal, so a small group gathered to do so despite the doubts. They were successful. The seal broke, but the room was quickly filled with shouts and screams as those involved with the ritual beheld a terrible vision. The exact details of the visions are not known, but word spread that they involved seeing Syndar fleeing some sort of calamity. Even more worrying though, some say the ritualists saw the Mother, even whispering that she spoke directly to them.
As a result of these harrowing visions, some present voiced strong concerns and opposition to opening the box the rest of the way. After a lengthy argument with the Duke in front of the syndar from the north, the box was eventually opened. Though the visitors from the north got what they asked for, reports indicate they left unhappy with all that transpired at the Glinting Emerald.
I am in the woods at night, walking. The new moon, high overhead. The soft snow, gently falling, muffles the sounds around me. It’s beautiful in its eeriness. A snap of a twig echoes through the strange, muted quiet. Looking behind me, I can see no movement through the trees.
A limb must have broken from the weight of the snow.
I think to myself. I continue on my way. Another snap and I whip around and catch a glimpse of some great shadow moving behind the trees a few miles back. I start walking more quickly now. A low, mournful howl echoes through the branches of the forest. My knife is in my hand now as I run. I can hear paws padding softly on the snow behind me.
It’s catching up
I think to myself. I stop and turn, my knife pointed at the beast. My body shakes as I try to stand my ground. Finally I can see it coming up. A massive, emaciated wolf. It’s flesh, a map of scars. I can see knives and needles stuck into its body as it slowly approaches. I can feel the deep and desperate hunger radiating out from the creature. It’s only a few short feet away now. Tears stream down its snout from its blue eyes. She lets out a soft whine before she lays down right at my feet.
I sit bolt upright in bed and I look around.
Blue, enchanted sconces. A four poster bed. Soft sheets. A woman next to me. It was a dream. I feel my own face, damp from tears. My underwraps are still on me but my ropes are undone. I shut my eyes and dig my nails into my palm.
Last Hope LARP and the owners of LARP Land are working with the NRCS to develop a conservation plan that improves forest health, forest diversity, and provides a better habitat for wildlife!
By working towards creating a better habitat for wildlife, animals native to the area are able to thrive in higher numbers than we saw when we first started the Conservation Program!
Even during the game, we are able to continue conservation work by actually cutting trees! Laborers in our game have the option to ask staff about potential real work they can be doing, and its often incentivized with in-game rewards as well.
Supporting forest health and forest diversity means the land that we LARP on will always be full of beautiful plant life, and our continued efforts mean we’re leaving the land better than we found it
Here are some examples of what Land Conservation at LARP land looks like!
Before
After
Firewood for cold winter events!
Clearing paths for adventure!
Opening a clearing for a battle!
Want to get involved?
Keep on checking on our Events page for updates about when we’re holding Conservation Work Days, or like us on Facebook and watch for events there!
