View Awards: Cal/Syruss

The View from Valehaven Readers Choice Awards Nominations Continue!

How many times did you perform in 2015?
I participated in two official bardic's but mostly I perform with Bardic College around fires and at gatherings. However this year at Ashen Bounty I started using my bard skills on quests, through the power of magic and my awesome harp the heroes of the realms never lost ground and we seized the day.

Why do you opt to perform in Realms?
I opt to perform wherever I can be hear *chuckles*. I love to entertain whether I'm doing stand up comedy, acapella fire singing, small skits, telling stories or singing Q-eoke with my best pal Lord Nymbous as long as eyes are on me and smiles are on faces I will perform.

What do you do for performances and what are some things you keep in mind that you feel helps to make you successful?
As mentioned in the previous question I do (but am not limited to) Singing (with band), Singing (Acapella), Stand up comedy, Skit Comedy, Drama, Improvisation Playing instruments, puppet shows, Pantomiming  or just plan old epic tale telling.

What are some of the challenges you face regarding performing?
Knowing my limits is one. I would love to hit high notes I cannot but I sometimes try and fail anyways. Having performed so many times I still get a bit of butterflies but mostly its just excitement.

So challenge wise maybe getting enough of us together for a real Realms concert.

Tell us about a memorable moment you had while performing?
Well healing while singing and playing my fantastic harp at Ashen Bounty was fantastic. But I will never forget the when I first started singing outside Panthers, we were doing all kinds of different Nordic chants and old timey songs all acapella with a range of 4 to 5 people. We laughed, we sang, we drank (punch) but mostly importantly we had fun and those around us had fun too.

If someone wanted to get involved in performing in Realms what advice would you have for them? Jump in two feet first. Find someone doing something you like and asked to join. The realms has some of the most open and accepting people I have ever met. This lands helped shape me to I am today, I found my best friends here, my family here, I learned confidence and style poise not grace but I did all this by trying new things and meeting new and amazing people.

The Value of Reviews by Tucker "Temorse" Noyes

Why Should I Write an Event Review?

Event reviews are one of the most important, yet underutilized tools in our community.  Event Holders and their teams often put countless hours of their time and effort into throwing an event, not to mention money.  As a player we pay an event fee to help cover the cost of events, but we should also be willing to commit what is a fraction of the time it took to prepare for the event to review it.  Event reviews aren’t about gratifying the event holder, although in some cases they will involve that, but also to let the event holder which things they tried worked and didn’t work for you.  There is a lot of talk about players not enjoying events, or events not having content that players enjoy, however we have many events that go by with few to no reviews.

If you feel that there isn’t a lot of content that engages you in the game, then you should review events that you feel should be offering, or who claim to offer that content.  There is always varying responsiveness to event reviews, but you will find that many, many event holders take to heart what their players have to say, and will want to cater, when appropriate, to the interests of their player base.  In addition a lot of new mechanics are play-tested at events, and having some concrete feedback of how those mechanics went makes an event holder's decision to keep or ditch those mechanics a lot easier.


Writing an Event Review

There are a lot of things to keep in mind when writing a thoughtful event review.  It is certainly easy and convenient to verbally let the event holder know a few things they enjoyed on your way off site, but it is much more impactful if you write those thoughts down, especially because after throwing an event most event holding teams are pretty fried.  The two best ways to submit an event review are either by submitting it through the event review system on Realmsnet, or by sending it privately to the event holder either via email or social media.  Using the Realmsnet review system (which can be done by clicking the Event Archive option under the Events drop-down and clicking Post Review), is the best way to review an event.  This system has some built features specific for event reviews, and also has the added benefit of being public, so other players can look at these reviews to see if the event is something that would interest them in the future.  When reviewing an event via Realmsnet it is important to focus more on the content of your review than just the challenge and fun ratings.  While those ratings are a helpful way to visual your experience at the event, they aren’t as helpful as pointing out specific things you enjoyed or didn’t enjoy.  You can also rate other peoples reviews on Reamlsnet, for those you think are particularly accurate or those that you think may be unfair.  It is important to note that even if others have made a lot of the same comments that you have made, it is still important to review the event.  From an event holders perspective many people making the same comments is more likely to enact change, rather than if it seems to be the opinion of a single individual.

The other option if you don’t feel comfortable posting in a public forum would be to contact the event holder directly with your review.  Sometimes this is helpful if you had an experience at an event that you would want to keep the in character aspects of the event secret, or if you are just more comfortable with a private message.  However, you should never use an event review as an excuse to privately harass or berate an event holder over a negative experience at an event, event reviews should always be constructive in their criticism.

However you choose to review an event, it is always important to remember to review the event sooner rather than later, generally within one to two weeks of the event being thrown, so that your experiences are fresh in your memory.  Sometimes it is wise, especially after a negative experience, not to review an event as soon as you get home, but to wait a day to really think on your experiences.  Many event holding teams will look over and discuss event reviews in the first one to two weeks, so it is important that if you want your opinion heard that you should review in that timeline.  If you don’t have a chance to do so, it is still helpful to post event reviews.

Event reviews are a tool that we as a community should strive to use more often.  Many events see over fifty players, but only a fraction of those players take the time to give feedback for the event that they attended.  One of the ways we can all work to improve the game and raise the bar for events is to write quality event reviews and for event holders, take stock in those reviews.

Putting it Into Practice Part II

Putting it Into Practice, Part II

Jason “Aeston” Rosa

About three years ago, I wrote an article for the View that attempted detail the purpose of fight practices and explain why attending practice is so important to us as individuals and to our community as a whole. Now, years later, as the View staff begins an in-depth look at some of the practices that surround our game, I want to pick up where I left off, in the hopes that my advice can help people who want to start their own practices around New England.

As many of you know, the Realms has existed, in one form or another, since the early 1980s. While it was certainly not the very first LARP North America had ever seen, it can be counted among the first, and due to that early beginning has been building its own unique culture and set of traditions ever since. Those traditions, and the community that we have built around them, are a vital part of what comprises the soul of the Realms, and it should not escape our notice that we continue to embrace those same traditions, year after year, with an equal amount of enthusiasm. That is a special thing.

And while we have a plethora of yearly events that are into their second decade of existing, and even a few in their third, another important tradition that often gets overlooked is that of our fight practices. Certainly there are other LARPs with heavy combat components that get together weekly and practice, I am not claiming that it makes us unique. Rather, I would argue that the people who come weekly to a fight practice, who go there to teach, go there to learn, and go there to see their friends, are as important to keeping the community of the Realms together as the people who work together to throw events.

Why I Want To Go: Dreamweaver 2

This weekend you can catch up on what you missed last year.  Venture into your dreams to solve puzzles and complete challenges with a team of your choosing.  The 5 of you will face all sorts of encounters as you race against the others to complete your dreamcatcher first.
Last year was cold and wet, but people who made it still had a wonderful time.  This year, staff has done some tweaking do bring you a sequel you will not regret attending.

An Atypical View Season 2 - #17

Advice for Newbies, from Formerly Fresh Faces, Part Two

Fresh Faces

Compiled by Becky "Kovacs" Baron

Since 2012, The View from Valehaven has periodically conducted interviews in our Fresh Faces series. One of the questions asked is "What advice would you give other new players?"

Here is part two compilation of advice from the previous Fresh Faces of the Realms to the newest generation:

Aspire to something because once you have a goal and you get enticed by the LARP you will have tons and tons of fun. Also make new friends because who else is going to look out for you? and LARPING alone is no fun.  

-- Brendan "Hayden" Lam (Friday, September 12, 2014)

Don’t be afraid to go and talk to people in this game. You can’t meet new people unless you say “hello”. Also don’t be afraid to ask questions.

-- Joshua "Enlon" Whelan (Friday, September 26, 2014)

Try to learn something from everyone you meet whether they have been in the realms long or not.

-- Ben "Kyro" Hamilton (Friday, October 10, 2014)

Regardless of what happens in game, don't ever let it get to you out of game. Stuff goes down that doesn't need to go down if you allow these two worlds to merge like that. Don't ever be afraid to ask questions; there are a variety of ways to learn but experience isn't always the best first option. Most importantly, get to know the people! Sit down at Garharz's table and play cards, attend a feast and talk to people, spend some time around a fire. The more you get to know people the more fun everything can be. :]

-- Macayla "Sarabi" Wells (Friday, October 24, 2014)

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. At the worst you’ll get a snide remark, but much more likely you’ll get your question answered and then some.

-- William "Viro" Beatty (Friday, November 7, 2014)

When you get to an event, just go out there and suck for a while. If you’re new, you’re not going to be slaying dragons by yourself, and you’ll learn a lot faster if you throw yourself into the thick and die a few times. Stick with your friends and hopefully if they’re good friends they’ll keep you well enough alive.

-- Michael "Swoop" Zajac (Friday, January 16, 2015)

Relax, ask questions, listen to the monologue-ing, watch what's going on, and offer to help. Relax! Seriously. A lot of folks that larps attract have anxiety problems, or at least a high level of that awful social awkward. Don't be afraid to stick your foot in your mouth, or accidently ask a noble for plebian help. As long as you're not a total butthead OOC, there's nothing to worry about. If you make enemies and you really didn't mean to, you can pick up a different character: it's like changing your hairstyle.

If you're alright with a sword, find a spot in the line that's got a gap and pair up with someone who knows what's going on. Follow their lead, play support for them even if it amounts to jumping in front of hits. You'll learn with practice and experience, and soon you'll be the one a newbie is following around. Also, ask for sparring and tips. When the 'thinky types' are the ones busy. It happens sometimes, and the heavy fighters tend to get a bit restless.

If you're afraid of getting in the way in a fight, flutter at the back of the lines and haul corpses to the healers. None of the good fighters really want to risk breaking the line, and the heavy healers have set up circles that keep them from getting dead themselves. And when there's no one left alive to fight, we all lose. By the time you're in good shape from all the running, you'll have learned a few spells. Also: Heal Limb or Repair Armor/Item are good choices if you're going to be part of the corpse line, as it keeps some of the fighters from needing to be carried away.

If there's a puzzle going on, take a look and see if it's something you're good at. Even if it's not, give it a try. You might see something the regulars missed.

-- Kimberly "Desiree" Lougee (Friday, January 30, 2015)

Definitely take some time to meet people. Also, definitely get involved in plot. It is especially hard to get involved in plot as a newbie, but will definitely help out getting a character who is invested in things and is interesting to roleplay. So, meet people, and also find plot to be involved in.

-- Brian "Crispin" Rubenstein (Wednesday, March 4, 2015)

Okay so there is this guy in Blackwood with a jester hat. He takes that thing really seriously, do not talk about the hat. Just trust me you don't want to get scalped over this.

-- Ethan "Jean Baptise" Goldman (Friday, April 24, 2015)

Interact with the more experienced players, you can learn a lot from them, and they generally enjoy helping newer players.  In my experience, most players are friendly in character, and nearly all are friendly out of character, so really just go up and introduce yourself.  If you see they’re a good fighter, maybe ask for some pointers, or to spar a couple of rounds.  You go to these events to interact with people, so do your best to interact as much as you can.

-- Brian "Bludwin" Healy (Friday, May 8, 2015)

Just to have fun and be yourself. Meet many people. Don't be afraid to ask for help. People are willing to as long as you are respectful.

-- Taylor "Roarke" Struthers (Friday, June 12, 2015)

Find what interests you most, stick with it, and put yourself out there as much as you can. People with the same interests will eventually pick up and remember you. Even if you have a bad event or practice never give up, it happens to everyone, and above all else enjoy yourself! We come to the Realms to have fun.

-- Gregory "Daekara" Falconer (Friday, June 26, 2015)

Just get out there and do stuff. Don't be afraid talk to npc's/pc's do stupid things (obviously nothing too detrimental) get involved and most importantly enjoy yourself.  

-- Miguel "Neko" Rivera (Friday, July 31, 2015)

Story Shards and How to Use Them by Ryan "Orion" Welch

From the website for Clan Rua Thar Cinn’s Event Series:

“In Rua Thar Cinn, we believe that the Realms is a living, breathing world that extends beyond the OOC end-times of events. We also recognize that real people have only limited time in their lives to play as fantasy alter-egos. To reconcile these ideas, our plot implements a system of actions, called Story Shards, in between events which allow for any level of participation, including none at all, without requiring a player to choose between engagement in the plot and their real life.”

By now, you’ve probably heard the phrase “Story Shard” thrown around quite a bit. There’s an even better chance that you’ve heard that phrase as part of a statement that goes something like: “How the heck do I use a Story Shard?” Well, the View From Valehaven is here to answer your most frequently asked questions!

How do I get Story Shards?

Story Shards are not items that you collect. Any individual is eligible to submit up to one Story Shard between Rua Thar Cinn (RTC) events. You may submit a Story Shard even if you did not attend their last event as a PC.

How do I submit a Story Shard?

RTC plot staff has a nifty website with an easy-to-use form for submitting Story Shards: https://sites.google.com/site/rtcplot/story-shards/story-shards-submissions. You can also email ruatharcinn@googlegroups.com. RTC will stop accepting submissions two weeks prior to their next event so that they they have enough time to address all of the Story Shards.

What can I do with my Story Shard?

You can use your Story Shard to interact with RTC’s plot in any number of ways, including (but not limited to) talking to NPCs, casting divination magic, conducting research, or experimenting with magic or magic items. Basically, you can use a Story Shard to perform actions that would be available to your PC between events (so long as those actions are relevant to this particular plot). After you submit your Story Shard, the RTC staff will review your actions and come up with the results of your actions. In rare cases, a role-playing encounter might occur, but you are much more likely to get a packet of information shortly before or at the next RTC event.

If I don’t submit a Story Shard, will I fall behind in the plot?

Absolutely not! RTC recognizes that we all have real-life responsibilities, so while Story Shards can be used to interact with the plot, they are entirely optional. The effects of a Story Shard is usually limited to the PC who submitted it.  Sometimes the outcome might also ripple through parts of the plot, but Story Shards will never result in a huge change in the plot between events. RTC does a very good job of maintaining continuity between their quests, so the only thing you need to do to stay involved with the plot is hit their events.

Are Story Shards the same thing as e-questing?

Not really. Most of the time, the results of your submission will be given to you at the next RTC event, although in some infrequent cases, Story Shards might be resolved with an IC encounter (online or even in person, depending on the wishes of the player submitting the Story Shard and the availability of staff to accommodate requests).

What’s all this talk about Story Shards and Trappings of Civilization?

“Trappings of Civilization” are in-game mechanics utilized by RTC that is independent from Story Shards. Trappings are minor abilities that represent PC specializations  that they may develop as a result of living in civilized society(ie near a city instead of deep in a forest). You choose a trapping for your PC when you check in at an event (you don’t have to choose the same trapping as you did last time, and some characters may qualify for two). Some trappings are available to everybody, others are limited to members of specific organizations and knighthoods. However, if your PC submitted a Story Shard after the most recent RTC event, you are required to take the “Career Adventurer” trapping. This does not convey any bonus because your PC has been busy being, well, a career adventurer.

How many times does the phrase “Story Shard” appear in this article?

Including the title, 26.

What You Missed - Feast of Eagle's Rook II

 [Editor's note: all photos by View Staff]

A full hall of eager patrons

First course: chicken & dumpling soup, Welsh Rarebit, hard tack

 (Not pictured: butternut squash and apple soup)

Perusing the auction items

Auction close-up #1

Auction close-up #2

Second course: a variety of fritattas, with garden salad

 (Varieties offered: sausage, pepper, and onion; bacon and onion; basil, tomato, and spinach)

Looking for something to do?

Trying to reach an accord

A game amongst friends

The Ashentable....plus Tychus

The usual suspects can be found at the casino

More dispreputable sorts

There were tourneys

 (I didn't get a photo of the tournies in action, so instead you get one of some of the participants)

Working in tandem

Where's the beef? Why, here it is.

A fun way to pass the day

Hard at work on dessert

Gwen handles the meat

Sampling the goods

Aeston's dinner

  (Main Course: beef pot roast and garlic parmesan chicken with green beans, potatoes, vegetables, and bacon jam empandas)

Entree sides: roasted potatoes, bacon green beans, roasted carrots and onions

Crispy bacon-jam empanadas

Garlic parmesan breaded chicken

Hungry hungry heroes

Storming the dessert table

(Including chocolate pudding trifle, multiple varieties of cookies, Indian corn pudding with maple whipped cream,and key lime cake)

Ravenous hordes

Hardware for Heroes

Hardware For Heroes

Brought to you by Neden Productions

We were all new once.  We all walked through the gate into this beautiful game full of wonder and amazement. You were probably swept up in the majesty of it all right away and then you notice something you forgot to wear clothes AHHHHHHHHHHH….OK wake up from that nightmare it didn’t happen and if it did oh boy.

The point of that horrific nightmare, if I may, represents you showing up to you first event woefully under-prepared for Costuming, Props, and maybe even Weapons. Well have no fear!  We have all been there, at least once, or maybe even twice. In fact depending on how many characters you have or how many image changes your one character has gone through, you may have had to buy tons of pieces of garb over the years.

That’s where this project started for me. I was receiving a lot of pressure at home to finally change my realms room into a proper guest room…….(Blah I know right) I don’t know why my wife’s friends wouldn’t want to sleep in a room full of Dragon heads, weapons, smelly armor and tons and tons of costuming (strange right).


But I am a love doctor, so I listened…I called my best buddy Nymbous (Andrew O’Leary) and said "hey man I have a ton of garb do you want some?" He politely responded with “I know I have like two totes of your crap at my house, no I don’t need more”. When one of our brothers Jean Baptist reached out on the Realms Page looking for Garb for his brother…

Well we had garb!!!!

We quickly put together a complete outfit head to toe Shirt Pants Belt. When Ethan’s brother dawned the Garb and looked really happy to do so we knew what to do with out totes and totes of garb; WE decided to make it available to everyone new player in need.

Neden Proudly Presents Hardware for Heroes

This collection of Pants, Shirts, Scarfs/Wraps, Belts and Weapons is going to be available to each and every event holder who requests it.

Requests should happen at least 2 weeks in advance in order to assure the bins arrive. As it stands the Bins and weapons will always be with Lord Nymbous and myself however, if they are requested and we cannot attend the gathering we will make sure another one of Neden’s members are in attendance with the gear.

We will provide the gear, a check out inventory sheet and the staff at the registration desk for those who wish to have this service at their events.

For you older adventurers fear not, if you find your self at a gathering naked or your twin sibling (who looks just like you and knows all the same people but is totally a different person we swear) just showed up to this land for the first time and has yet to acquire new weapons and garb then we will loan them to you as well. Players who have adventured for over 2 calendar years will need to leave a $5 dollar green back deposit for all weapons and garb they borrow (which they will get back upon return). The money kept because of broken weapons split pants and shirts will then be used to replace the gear so that new adventures always have up to date stuff.

Neden will be responsible for maintaining and washing all the clothing as well as replacing and re-foaming weapons that break down. However if you our anyone in your country has old garb that is just collecting dust or a pare of pants split so bad you don’t think they can be fixed please consider donating them to HARDWARE FOR HEROES we will fix repair or re-purpose all donations and make sure the get used by new and friendly faces.

An Atypical View Season 2 - #16

View Award Nominee Profile - Craftsperson - Eric Marques

What type of crafts projects did you make this year?

 Honestly too many to list, mostly swords, shields and long weapons.

Photo by Eric Marques

What are some things you keep in mind when crafting for Realms that you feel helps to make you successful? 

 It's all good for the game. Even if you give the new shield/ weapon/ whatever it might be to a veteran player they will most likely hand down their old stuff to a newer player. 

Photo by Eric Marques

What are some of the challenges you face regarding crafting for Realms? 

Space, haha .. Just about every square inch of my two-bay garage was full of weapons or shields at varying levels of completion over the summer 

Photo by Eric, behold the lack of space, Marques

Tell us about a memorable project that you are particularly proud of? 

I made a big mouse/ net trap for a QOH tourney. It was 4ft x 8 ft and when you opened the treasure chest it would snap shut and actually trap a person. I imagine someone has to have photos of videos of it seeing as we had to do a demonstration on stage. 

If someone wanted to get involved in crafting in Realms what advice would you have for them? 

Start small and force your friends to help =)

2016 Magi Round-Table Discussion at Highbridge compiled by Will "Viro" Beatty

    This year, at the Feast of Highbridge, the Order of the Magi held their annual round table discussion. Everyone in the Realms has some connection to magic. You may cast spells and use magic directly, or even if you have no magic of your own you’ve had it cast on you, a heal limb, a raise dead. Since magic is so ubiquitous in the Realms it is important to acknowledge the areas and spells that people have trouble with. This can include debate on what the rules are or should be, or mistakes that people commonly make while casting spells or interacting with them.

    To begin to address these issues, those participating in the round table came up with a list of spells and effects that they have noticed issues with. It is not a list of all problems, but what people thought of in groups in about ten minutes. The list that follows is formatted as questions no matter what the issue is, to try to avoid taking sides on controversial topics. It includes common mis-castings, issues of poorly written spells, issues of consensus on the rules, issues in communication between player and magic marshal, and common mistakes made by people targeted by spells.

The list (in no particular order):

• When casting Heal Limb, can one foot move as long as the other foot is planted?
• What should happen when the time limit on Seance is forgotten?
• Can people other than the caster of Seance hear the conversation?
• Is there a proper way to get someone’s attention for Beckon Corpse (for example: using the target’s name)?
• What are the limitations on ways to apply potions?
• How should a magic marshal respond when a player attempts to cast Fortune Tell with no components?
• Are physical scalp tokens necessary?
• Can a player cast a Lightning Bolt with something (like a dagger) in their other hand?
• How important is the meditation between uses of Deathwatch?
• “How many castings do I have left?”
• What counts as hand(s) on the target for spells like Repair Item?
• Should a magic marshal inform the caster or the target of a persistent spell upon the termination of the spell?
• Does armor get repaired when the player is raised?
• When a caster touches two injured limbs and casts Heal Limb, which limb is healed?
• How should a magic marshal respond to a Guidance with no clear yes/no answer?
• Can a caster move their circle without breaking it and recasting by sliding it along the ground?
• What is meant by “animate” in the spell Animate Limb?
• When using the effect of an Implement, must the caster have it out and/or in hand?
• Does the caster of Seed of Life need to hold their prop while chanting?
• How long is a second when counting?
• What counts as “securing” a circle’s ends?
• If a caster starts to cast Heal Limb on an uninjured limb, and before the verbal is finished the limb is injured, what happens?
• Is it/should it be legal to look around while under the effects of Deathwatch?
• Can the caster of Beckon Corpse move while casting it?
• What counts as a specific request for the purposes of casting Divine Aid?
• Is there a proper way to finish a Ritual of Banishment?
• How clear must the caster of a spell say the verbal?
• Is the ability to repair armor built in to Enchant Armor, or does a caster using Enchant Armor need to also know Repair Armor?
• Can seer magic in general be cast on/about PC’s?
• Can Circle of Protection or Ward: Enchanted Beings/Undead be used like combat calls to negate damage from magic missiles/attacks from undead?
• What is an appropriate power level for Divine Aid?
• What senses does Vision allow use of in the vision?
• Can an undead with a 5’ or longer weapon strike at a person standing next to a person casting Ward: Undead (or an enchanted being strike next to a person casting Ward: Enchanted Being)?
• Can Divine Aid be directed to a specific entity (for example: a god)?
  
  
  
  
  [Editor's note: if anyone is interested in writing an article on any of these discussion points, please let your friendly neighborhood View editor know!]