LARPs:WhatToBring
From EryriWiki
Below are several lists of things worth considering. Make your own list so you remember everything!
All of these items are character-independent. Remember that your character needs their own costuming, accessories, weapons, and perhaps even musical instruments. (Someone can revise this page to include these items.)
Contents |
[edit] Clothing
These are clothing items that are a must-have.
- Extra socks: This cannot be stressed enough. Bring more than twice the number you'd normally use. Socks get wet, you may want to use extras to stay warm, and you may want some set aside at the end of the event. Bring a variety - lighter socks for when it's hot out, warmer ones for when it's cold.
- Pajamas: Or something to sleep in. Sleeping in your costume can be fun at times, but often sucks.
- Warm clothing layer: In case it gets cold, you want something to put underneath your costume. Long underwear usually works very well.
- Cool clothing layer: In case you get very hot, it's good to have some clothing options which look good, yet do not cause heatstroke. Layers work well, as it is possible to go from hot to cold in a very short period of time.
[edit] Costuming
Any must-haves for any costume.
- Belt (and Frog): Something to hang bags from, or weapons.
- Packets: If you can cast any spells at all, they're useful to have around. Other people will often be helpful in this regard, but do not count on it. Packets are usually a scarce resource, so it is similarly a good idea to 'scavenge' them when you see them on the ground after a combat.
- Pockets and Pouchs: Not just the latest D&D ripoff targetted at people who like to play theives, both pockets and pouches are useful for carrying around items you might find in game, your stats, light sources, or anything else you might need to carry. Look to see that you can easily secure anything you use, so that you don't lose... anything inside.
- Racial Makeup: While not really 'clothing', it is needed to complete your costume.
[edit] Personal Items
- Kleenex: It is useful for blowing your nose, or cleaning your face or hands, or any number of other potentially gross tasks.
- Painkiller: Ibuprofen or some other non-drowsy painkiller is useful to have in the eventuality a headache develops.
- Bug Spray: It probably won't be necessary for an October event, but it's a nice thing to have. Ticks are *not* your friend.
- Toiletries: Toothbrush, paste, shampoo, mouthwash, etc. Include a bag to carry them in, as bathrooms are not usually part of the sleeping location.
[edit] Utility
- Knife: Knives are useful for cutting things. Do not use on other players.
- Light Source, Portable: Glowsticks, either the chemical or battery-powered variety, or a flashlight with fabric stretched over the end are useful for a light source you can carry around that neither destroys atmosphere nor your night vision. Tend towards solutions that you can turn off at will to preserve your usage as well as the environment.
- Paper Towels: Cleanup at LARPs is best handled with these. Spills, used cookware, etc. are all easily dealt with by paper towels.
- Paperware: If you need dishware of some sort, use paper for easy cleanup (the trash) and reduced risk of destruction.
- Plastic Bags: Old grocery bags are a good start - useful for collecting trash, or putting wet and dirty clothing into. Getting some full-sized trash bags for each set of people can be a good idea, too.
[edit] Bedding
- Sleeping Bag: Beds are provided, but usually in an unheated location, and without sheets. A sleeping bag is the quickest, easiest option, but bringing a blanket and/or pillow can be a good idea to.
[edit] Food
- Energy Food: Granola bars, energy bars, protein bars or the like can be useful for a quick, light, pick-me up.
- True Sustenance: At some point, you'll need some real food. The constraint here is that cooking is usually difficult. Arranging with other people to work out food can be useful to mitigate difficulty. Sandwiches, fruits and vegetables and other things that can be kept and served at room temperature are a good first line. If someone can bring a crockpot or other heating element, then soup or raman can be good solutions for getting lots of people tasty calories. Do not overlook the need to bring food, however, as it is important.
- Water: The number one most useful thing for anyone to have in an outdoor physical activity. Even if you're just standing around in the sun, you will lose water.
[edit] 'Nice to Haves'
These are things that fit into any of the above categories, but are not really 'essential' - either because you can get by without them, they are more expensive/fancier ways of doing something simple, or simply are things that won't be needed by everyone.
- Draping Fabric: A bit of appropriate fabric can spruce up a cabin to make it more 'in game', as well as provide some modicum of privacy.
- Duct Tape: Having duct or other sorts of tape for use on lights or emergency repairs is a good idea.
- Energy Drinks: For a sugar-based pick-me up.
- Gloves: For either warmth or to protect your hands while fighting, some set of handwear is a good idea.
- Hood: Or some other head-gear. Most heat is lost through your head, so being able to cover it is a good idea.
- Light Source, Stationary: Christmas lights work very well for illuminating a cabin with a dim, non-atmosphere destroying, non-night vision destroying... illumination.
- Sports Drinks: Gatorade, Powerade, Vitamin Water, Capri-Sun - whatever your preference is, these are good for fast rehydration and a little flavor.
- Tacks: Having some tacks to hang items such as draping fabric or christmas lights is nearly always useful.
- Warm drinks: The ability to make tea or hot chocolate can be useful to warm you up after a night in the forest.
- Warmth Packs: These chemically based heat sources can be good for particularly cold events or people.
- Water Resistant Layer: Having a layer that is resistant to rain is useful for personal comfort.
