I have never done any live roleplaying before, is this system suitable for me?
Many people have had their first live role playing experience at Ascendancy LRP, and most come back for more. Don’t be worried about all the complexities, just watch what other players do and you should quickly pick it up. As with anything new, if you have questions – ask them! If we don’t know your difficulties we can’t help.

Where do I get costume and kit?
Some very basic tips for those new to costuming for a LARP event are…
Invest in a simple cotton shirt, in either white or black and a pair of black trousers or leggings as the basic under layer for your costume. For the ladies, a plain, full, ankle or floor length skirt can also come in handy as an alternative to trousers.  Avoid jeans if you can. Similarly, avoid trainers or similar sports shoes, instead opt for plain black or brown shoes or boots; leather walking boots are ideal particularly for outdoor events.
Once you have your basic under layer of clothing, you can dress it with outer layers appropriate to the character you are portraying and in-keeping with your background.
Roleplayers are usually on a continuous lookout for new kit which can be used to portray any character they have in mind, but the following are your basic options when engaged in the search for more kit…

• Charity Shops can sometimes turn up some gems for those who are looking to outfit a particular look.
• Specialist clothing suppliers aimed at niche markets often base their garments on historical clothing and so you may turn up something appropriate there.
• LRP costumers do exist, who make costume to supply the Larp and re-enactment market. Try putting in your search engine ‘Larp kit’ or ‘Larp Costume’ or something similar.
• ‘Make your own’ is always an option for those who are skilled in needlecrafts or feeling adventurous and want something custom made, just for them.

Do I need to know the Ascendancy LRP world background?
Most of the background is taken from periods and places in Earth history with a few tweaks, so it very easy to gain a quick overview. However the more you know the easier you may find it. Some new players come with no knowledge and learn as they play, others read every scrap of information available; it’s entirely up to you. Talk to refs and other players, they will help!

Do I have to book on every event?
No, each game will have its own plot for that weekend, as well as continuing with your personal plot. There may be a story arc that continues from event to event, but missing events will not stop you getting quickly and easily involved.

Do I need to understand all the rules?
The answer to this is most definitely no! But it’s advisable to understand the basic in-game calls, as well as any calls related to your character’s abilities. More info can be found in the Beginner’s Guide.

Who should I talk to at events?
If you have any questions at an event, find a ref (or player) not currently involved in the action, or in an IC (in-character) conversation, stick your finger in the air to indicate you’re OOC (out-of-character) and ask if they have time to talk to you. Go to one side and hopefully they can help, or point you in the direction of someone who can. During the event the refs also usually have an OOC area – if you approach this area, make sure they see/hear you and wait until they indicate it’s OK to approach, since they may be discussing plot or putting on costume they don’t wish you to see.

I have difficulty with … who do I contact?
Please refer to the contact page or email general enquires to ascendancylrp@gmail.com

What is the minimum age for players/crew?
See our Safety and code of conduct rules on the rules page. Under 18s should be accompanied by a paying adult. Indoor events are 16+.

Who are the Refs and Crew?
The Refs (short for referees) are the people in charge of running the game. They write plots, tell players what is happening, and adjudicate certain actions players may wish to take.
The Crew are the people who play various non-player characters (NPCs) during the event, under the direction of the Refs, with whom the Players can interact. They may be evil bad guys out to kill you, or more friendly folk with important information to impart – it’s up to the Players to figure out which!. Sometimes, players who wish to help out can take on a crew role temporarily.
Crew spaces at an event are allocated to volunteers who the Refs know to be enthusiastic and able role players. Crewing is free, and in some cases may even earn you a credit towards future events, depending on which event you crew for. If you wish to crew an event, please contact us, but be aware that crew spaces may be limited.

What is Shards LRP?
Shards LRP is the former name of Ascendancy LRP (the name was changed in 2007, along with major rules updates) and you will no doubt still find many references to Shards in the system. A Shard was also the name for each of the different worlds before they joined to form one world – you will now find the world as a whole referred to as the Shards world, and ‘Shard’ now refers to a continent or region within that world.