What a weekend! I have the usual collection of bruises and muscle twangs and the feeling of post-Larp-contentment.
Dumnonni Chronicles finished the year with an event especially for the Refs. So the tables are in a way turned and one of the regular players took over the reins and planned the event. I chose to join the crew for this one rather than play my character.
I arrived at the site on Friday afternoon having got a lift from one of the other players (cheers mate!). After the many “hellos” and setting up my tent and changing into my crewing outfit, I was more than ready for the evening.
There was a bit of a delay as some of the refs had hidden themselves in one of the local pubs, but then who can blame them. I was really chuffed when I was asked to go up as the first encounter, a norse trader, with all manner of fine items to offer to the various characters. As I walked up to the in character area I could see that a large moon had risen over the tree tops bathing everything in atmospheric light. I have to say I was incredibly nervous and had a bit of trouble keeping to a norse style accent and kept slipping into a more Gaelic one, but no one seemed to mind too much.
I spent the rest of the evening sat around a roaring fire chatting with people. This is one of the great aspects of Larp for me, being out under the stars, warmed by the flames.
Saturday morning the crew dressed as a celtic tribe went up to give battle to the heroes of Culhaven. This was done with lots of single combat of champions before the main battle, which was as usual gritty and great fun.
After lunch I made the mistake of “resting my eyes” for a bit and ended up sleeping for four hours! Later in the evening I was made up to look like a ghost by the excellent “Gore section” who we are very lucky at our events. Their special effects make up has to be seen to be believed. The rest of Saturday night was spent once again chatting around a fire. The weather was all in all very good with only a couple of very light showers and the temperature being cool rather than cold.
For most of Sunday I was dressed as a “Tuatha de Domnu” and attacking the players. There was one fantastic moment when one of the players hurled insults at me questioning my manhood. I replied by thrusting my groin forward and shouting that there was nothing wrong with it, only to receive an arrow straight in the soft parts! The Gore section were on hand to add the special effect of blood squirting up from behind my shield as I lay rolling around on the field in mock agony. It couldn’t have been planned better.
So the Larp year comes to a close with one of the best events I’ve attended so far, but with the promise of an extra event in February to look forwards to.
