Back to Basics:
What new players should know, and old
ones should remember....
By Kelly Bonci (Dame Twenaria)
So last month we covered packing. And
one of the key things to pack was garb. Which brings us to this article.
-: Garb :-
What is it, what purpose does it serve, and how do we get it?
Since this is a fantasy-based
game, there is no specific timeframe to work your garb from, or any timeframe
at all. You can wear a roman toga, a kilt, or a trench coat, even add some
wings, and all of it will work. Take your inspirations from Robin Hood, or The Clash of the Titans, or any of the fantasy anime that's out
there. You could even just make it up.
Aside from covering you up, and
keeping you warm, garb helps to set the scene. A large part of this game is
helping to set the "mood." It's easier to suspend disbelief if your
questing partner is standing next to you in pants, tunic and boots, than if they
have on a Metallica Tee, torn jeans, and once-white sneakers. In order to
enrich our environment, little steps can be taken by us all to bring the Realms
to life.
One of the hardest things when
you are just starting is garb. Some people use old Halloween costumes, or get
creative with the thrift shop. These are AWSOME resources. There are also other
ways to get your garb going. Everyone knows you can pop online and buy some of
the most amazing garb. People will envy you. but you will feel the pain in your
wallet, in many cases. Check the realms resource page if this is an option for
you.
However, if you are more
inclined, you can make garb very easily. For the super-new newbie, a t-shirt
several sizes too big (plain color) can be a great tunic. If you cut the collar
out, it looks even better. Add a pair of sweat pants, and a belt, and you have
basic garb to get you through the first few events.
Let's say you've survived the
first few events you attended, and you want to come back for more. Good!
You are hooked, like so many of
us. It might be time to take your garb to the next level. Besides, it's a good
thing to have more than one set of garb if you can manage it. Let's say, for a
minute, that you're not afraid of a sewing machine, or that you have suckered
someone into helping you. A basic Tee-Tunic is so easy, anyone can do it. And it looks a little more
authentic, or homemade (go figure) than the tee shirt.
See the wonderful artwork for a
basic idea on how to do it.
Find that old tee shirt you have
kicking around that is several sizes too big. Fold it in half length- wise, and
lay it down on the fabric you have (which should also be folded length-wise).
You want the crease of the shirt to be on the crease of the fabric (that's
called a fold, too). CAREFULLY cut around
your old tee
shirt, allowing a few inches if you want it longer or wider.
Now the fun part - sew across the shoulders, leaving a neck hole. Sew up the sides. Remember
that you want the side of the fabric you want showing (the right side) on the
inside when sewing. If you feel
ambitious, add trim.
DONE!
A good friend of mine suggests
going to the plus-sized women's section of a store and buying sized-20 drawstring
pants. They flow well, and often come in some nice, comfortable, lightweight
materials.
Footwear is always an issue.
Remember, a lot of the sites we use are rough terrain. Safety first. Combat
boots and hiking boots are often great choices. Sadly, you really have to buy
good footwear. Some people will attach leather sleeves to old comfy shoes to
make them look like boots. Great option!
Just like in everyday clothes,
accessories in the game really help make the outfit. Maybe a magic-user has
spell components hanging from his belt? Maybe that dwarf always has a tankard
with him. Does your character have a lucky token, or a religious symbol? Adding
pouches, trinkets, favors and
the like to
your belt helps make you character an individual. A hat, gloves, scarves...
these are all options for you. Even
makeup (scars, tattoos, markings) can be part of your garb. All of these little
things add up and give your character a personality of their own. As you play
the game more and more, you can tweak your garb as you like, and add to it. And
never be afraid to ask someone how to make or get something.
And of course, please use your imagination!!!!!
Originally published in The View From
Valehaven, 2nd Edition, Volume 1, Issue 2, August/ September 2004. [Editor's
note: the Realms Resource page mentioned in the above article, which was a webpage
containing links to various online vendors commonly used by the Realms
community, is no longer an active page. The sewing diagram has been modified
from its original version; the font and size of the lettering on the bottom
portion was modified to make it easier to read after being scanned; the wording
itself and the positioning are original. ]