Behind the Curtain by Mikey "Janus" Donnelly

Behind the Curtain is a series in which I aim to peel back layers of the Realms and analyze them. I will look at what works, what could be improved and what should be avoided at any cost. This is based on my experiences both on staff and playing at various events. There will always be exceptions to what I say, and, on top of it, all of it is just my opinion. Most of the advice in here is intended to help Event Holders and other staff who help run events.There will be the occasional tip for PCs, but the vast majority of these columns will be concentrating on the other side of the curtain. So, with all of that said, let us get started with our first topic: The Reading of the Rules.

The Reading of the Rules is a decades-old tradition which is in place to ensure everybody knows the rules for the event.  Around half-an-hour after the event is supposed to start, Event Holders scramble to find a copy of the Omnibus, and then everyone is gathered together so the entirety of the Rules We Play By and the Rules We Fight By can be read aloud (often while people make snide comments and jokes).  The Omnibus gets passed from person to person in order to get everyone involved, but slowly taking more and more time as each person needs to find where they are reading from.  After this is when all the site rules are announced, and (sometimes) more people pay attention.  After tons of questions on how every different defense interacts with the new weapon call, a small IC briefing is given to the PCs and they are off like a herd of turtles.  This is what occurs at most events right now.  Some of these events may be exaggerated, but these are all things I have personally seen.  The whole process can take 15 to 20 minutes just covering rules which most players already know.  

How can we make the Reading of the Rules better?  With a little bit of preparation, we can eliminate much of the down time this process typically causes.  For example, are there any special weapon calls?  Print out several sheets with all the weapon calls, what they do and how they interact with different spells.  Each player can grab their own copy and read it (or better yet, refer to it when they forget later).  This also means you are less likely to forget to announce all of the weapon calls used during the event.  “You can also include rule changes and site rules to this sheet, if you have any.

Then it is time to start the Reading of the Rules.  The Reading of the Rules is traditionally the hard line between when players are in character and out of character, so the sooner it happens the more time your players can be in character.  Start off by reiterating important site rules (such as rules regarding bathrooms, parking, smoking, drinking, etc), and then answer any questions on weapon calls.  Doing this first allows people to remember the information better.  The next piece of advice may be somewhat controversial, but most players do know the rules.  Unless there are new players, you do not need to read the rules.  If you skip reading the rules, be sure to point out who your marshals are.  If you want to read the rules, I suggest using this shortened version:

The Rules We Play By

1.    Have Fun.  Pull yourself if you become mad or uncontrolled.

2.    This is a sport of personal honor; treat it as such. Don’t Cheat.

3.    Listen to the Marshals (then say who they are).

4. If something looks unsafe, speak up.

5.   Hold and Lay On (check to see if anyone does not know how it works, explain if needed.)

6.   Use Safe weapons.  Check them often for safety.  If you have any weapons which do not follow the Omnibus guidelines , check them in with <person>

7.   No live steel.

8.   Do not break real world laws.

9. Remember to check in any weird props.  That means electric light spells, and anything else not specifically allowed by  the Omnibus.

The Rules We Fight By

10.  This is a lightest touch sport. This means you should both take any hit you feel (no matter how light), and you should strive to hit other players as lightly as you can to score a successful hit.".

11.  The face (eyebrows to chin) and throat area are "off-target.”  Do not aim for them.  If you get hit there, do not take it, but take any other damage resulting from the swing if it connects with a legal area of your person.

12.  Only hit people with weapons. No grabbing other people’s weapons or physical contact (punching, wrestling, etc.).

13.  Do NOT charge. Charging is making someone move out of your way to avoid illegal contact.

14.  Shields are for blocking ONLY.  Do not hit anyone with your shield.

15.  Pommels are not legal striking surfaces.

16.  Do NOT ever throw a weapon at a participant, unless the weapon is designed for it.  Remember to check in any weird props.

17.  Do not shoot arrows with excessive force, and do not use your bow as a weapon.

In addition, if you are reading the rules, have only one person read the entirety of it.  This will save 10-15 seconds per rule.  Finally, when you are done, tell the PCs they are live so there is no ambiguity on whether they are IC or OOC.  If they are not live yet, tell them when they will be so.  After this abbreviated Reading of the Rules (or if you decide to forego the reading for experienced players), gather all of the new players around to give them the full reading of the rules.  This is so older players will not be making jokes to fill the time.

If you are PCing and would like to help out your friendly neighborhood Event Holder, there are two tips I cannot recommend enough. The first tip is to avoid joking around during the Reading of the Rules. While one joke may seem harmless, once someone cracks a joke, everyone else cannot help it. The second is to be quiet unless you have a question which is relevant to more than just yourself. Feel free to clarify how something works, but if a question is only relevant to you (how does something interact with a magic item for example), ask it after the reading of the rules is over.  Again, this is to prevent everyone from starting idle chatter, or asking inane questions.

Following this advice at the Reading of the Rules should make the entire process less painful for all involved, with players spending less time bored at the beginning of the event.  If you have any other tips for improving the Reading of the Rules, or if you strongly disagree, feel free to leave a comment below.  Additionally, feel free to request any topics you would like talked about in the future.