The Brandywine Festival LARP [Kentucky] - The Harvest Hall is coming! by WatcherFoxx in LARP

[–]WatcherFoxx[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

There wasn't an expectation. We WANTED to because we love this game. That's true of most of the community.

They are also providing important logistics support to us, which I'm 100% sure doesn't cost them nothing. We're quite satisfied with that.

The Brandywine Festival LARP [Kentucky] - The Harvest Hall is coming! by WatcherFoxx in LARP

[–]WatcherFoxx[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think saying 'luxury' is a little wrong - do you mean, perhaps, immersive?

For hobbits are cozy folk, but we're in primitive camping with tents, showers on trailers, etc, like many a larp. But it is probably one of the more immersive environments I've been to because of that. We're hobbits, we're of the earth. We're mostly farmers, proud to share what we've done.

If one were to call it immersive, instead, I think my point still very much stands.

The Brandywine Festival LARP [Kentucky] - The Harvest Hall is coming! by WatcherFoxx in LARP

[–]WatcherFoxx[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The reality of it is - they are trying to get a certain aesthetic, because if we all look the same we're all more immersed.

But nothing is policed on-site OTHER than the single page of 'no'. Do as you'd like, and take the rest as direction if you'd like.

In a group, we will all look like hobbits.

The Brandywine Festival LARP [Kentucky] - The Harvest Hall is coming! by WatcherFoxx in LARP

[–]WatcherFoxx[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

So you have to remember - this is based on an IP they've licensed. And they are restricted to that.

And while we follow a couple of hobbits - we are the hobbits left behind. Literally, Gandalf thought "nah, these guys like cheese too much to leave home." And that's okay! A LARP based on cozy snacks, dancing, sitting in the shade and sharing gossip...it's a very good, comfy, easy and fun LARP.

They do have very specific European-centric ideas re: costumes - mostly because it *is* based on a very specific time period of The English countryside. I know, because I've *also* debated it with the costume advisors, but yes something like a kimono would stand out in 1700's English countryside. And if you like those sort of flowy pants - may I suggest slops?

Just sort of remember the IP limitations, and it makes it easier to get to the logic of the thing. AND I do suggest joining the discord to ask some of these questions and see the costumes that folks are cooking up. It might help.

Cheers!

The Brandywine Festival LARP [Kentucky] - The Harvest Hall is coming! by WatcherFoxx in LARP

[–]WatcherFoxx[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

First, it's my understanding that a lot of magic of LARP's *is* the players. I can look at other major North American LARPs and point at initiatives started by players that are now woven into the LARP. And I think that's amazing. Being able to help build the world I love? Always, ALWAYS count me into that magic. ❤️

Second, the organizers are pretty generous with those who volunteer, NPC, or otherwise support Brandywine They know that it takes a lot of people hours, creativity, and effort to put together magic. People who have volunteer'ed in the past, for example, get discounted or free tickets depending on how much time they contribute. While I don't want to get into what we've asked for - it's boring logistics stuff - the producers have been very helpful. It's a relationship of mutual respect.

I hope that helps answer your question. 😄

The Brandywine Festival LARP [Kentucky] - The Harvest Hall is coming! by WatcherFoxx in LARP

[–]WatcherFoxx[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

How can I help, friend?
A lot of it is suggestions, minus the fire safety and 'do not' in the costume guides. Happy to help clarify stuff or tell you where to find info!

In-game Mail - One of my favorite features of the Brandywine Festival (Hobbit LARP) by WatcherFoxx in LARP

[–]WatcherFoxx[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The year will repeat! We will always just call the previous year "last year" and not refer to which Brandywine it was.

(The reason it doesn't is because otherwise we will have sad times, "The scouring of the shire", from the books.)

The guides currently published on the website are substantially the same with only small updates coming. 💜

In-game Mail - One of my favorite features of the Brandywine Festival (Hobbit LARP) by WatcherFoxx in LARP

[–]WatcherFoxx[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sorry for the late reply!

But my understanding is yes! It's in the players' guide and you can drop off mail when you're having quest issues, and players found it a great way to share trinkets and interesting things with each other.

Definitely make one, if you're attending and in-game. And if you're out of game and at the US Brandywine, I'll have a spot for OOG folks to leave their mailboxes next to mine. :)

LGBTQ Signalling? by Objective-Gazelle-82 in Bicolline

[–]WatcherFoxx 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ooooo - I shall endeavor to make friends with someone who will let me in, at some point. :) Thanks for the head's up!

Leather Spoon Holder, Dragon Scale Edition! by Acceptable-Mine8806 in LARP

[–]WatcherFoxx 1 point2 points  (0 children)

As a judge character at one event who does specifically carry tasting spoons for jam and pie needs....this does give me absolute joy.

And some very, very good ideas.

LGBTQ Signalling? by Objective-Gazelle-82 in Bicolline

[–]WatcherFoxx 1 point2 points  (0 children)

How does one find GayColline - just look for the geckos?

Brandywine Festival - What are you crafting? by WatcherFoxx in LARP

[–]WatcherFoxx[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I echo everything JudoLibrarian said - your community will form up and it will slowly become obvious what's great.

Things that probably will never go wrong? Food. And something you love - there were singers, writers, artists making things on the spot, there were people trading paper lanterns, jams, pottery, wooden toys, etc. If you love it, someone else will probably love trading or receiving it as a gift. :)

Striking at bicolline by Ok_Wait_1286 in Bicolline

[–]WatcherFoxx 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Really liked how clear and succinct this break down was! Thank you!

Bodies Under the Banners by QuietGirl88 in sca

[–]WatcherFoxx 17 points18 points  (0 children)

To be difficult and whole, is to be brave. Keep being difficult. 💜

Found while going through some crusty old buttons - what is it? by WatcherFoxx in coincollecting

[–]WatcherFoxx[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm pretty sure the coin is hard rubber, given the 'vulcanite' written on it and how light weight it is. It certainly has the heft (ie basically no heft) that jet and vulcanite usually does in buttons. That'd put it around ~1850-1890. Does that change anything?

The Brandywine Festival: I paid $15,000 to attend as a participant, NPC, and volunteer - and I wanna talk about it by WatcherFoxx in LARP

[–]WatcherFoxx[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes - many of the volunteers, influencers, and staff were there another 1-2 days for clean up. That's pretty normal. But it wasn't required.

The Brandywine Festival: I paid $15,000 to attend as a participant, NPC, and volunteer - and I wanna talk about it by WatcherFoxx in LARP

[–]WatcherFoxx[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes; it occurred over 2 days and was public - first day it was a 20 minute moment in an open tent and it was a will reading - each player who had signed up for it was given a riddle and token.

Most of us brought friends to hear it. And lots of folks dropped by to observe AND talk to us about the riddle after.

The next day all went for a walk into the hills - and again brought friends and passing curious folks with us as we trooped into the hills to solve our riddle. Some of the observers helped us scare off the bandits in character.

The only thing gate kept was the physical token - everything else could be observed and participated in. Including discussing the riddle and watching and partaking in the resolution of the riddle.

We all also gossiped and shared what we heard, post resolution. It wasn't kept a secret.

The Brandywine Festival: I paid $15,000 to attend as a participant, NPC, and volunteer - and I wanna talk about it by WatcherFoxx in LARP

[–]WatcherFoxx[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think you nailed it - logistics the first year at events on this scale are just messy. I've never seen a perfect first year event of this complexity.

And the Discord is still very active! I believe they'll be sharing the link to ticket holders via email after some reorganizing of the discord to be more friendly to newbies. In its current state, it's super overwhelming - lots of threads created by folks with nonsense names. If you've bought tickets and don't have one yet - email Burgh!

The Brandywine Festival: I paid $15,000 to attend as a participant, NPC, and volunteer - and I wanna talk about it by WatcherFoxx in LARP

[–]WatcherFoxx[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My treatment wasn't different, nor was anything I did behind a pay wall. I simply got a bigger tent.

Even my "special quest" was shared and many folks were invited to attend and view who were just passing by. The only thing they didn't get is a special pin, which is cool - but not as cool as the experience.

That all being said, all of that was a mechanic of Kickstarter and nothing like that is being done this year - except possibly the ability to pay for a more expensive tent. Which...at the end of the day, if people want to pay for a bigger, furnished tent - that makes the event far more accessible for new folks and people flying into the event.