Full Time NPC Primer

     Firstly, thank you so much for volunteering for the World of OZ LARP! People like you are what keeps our game running and the world we create together alive. New and old players alike volunteer to help, but time and time again we see folks new to LARPing hoping to get a feel for our setting and the game through a more guided experience. We wanted to make a primer for new folks and those looking to full time for OZ.

What does full time NPCing look like?

     A full timer is someone who is attending a LARP for the weekend while exclusively playing non player characters as created and assigned by our storytelling team. At Camp Kirby our Storyteller camp in the bluebird building is the base of operations (ST Camp/Plot Camp as many people call it). Imagine it as a dungeon master’s screen and our storytellers are the dungeon masters for D&D. There are tables with bins of costumes, makeup, latex weapons, nerf guns, and snacks to help make their vision for plot come to life.

     During your stay, be it for the whole weekend or a day all your personal items will live in that building or one of the nearby cabins. During game on (around 9pm friday thru 1pm Sunday) all of site except the designated smoking area, closed kitchens, and ST camp are in character. A storyteller may approach you in ST Camp or call out to the room a type of NPC they need played. For example that could be a Farmer who needs help, a merchant looking to buy or sell wares, or an antagonist to attack the town. You'll get dressed according to the role, be told any relevant plot beats you need to know and off you and maybe some friends will be sent. As you go interact with the playership across the camp otherwise called the Town of Horizon Stronghold you will do so as a character. Not every role will involve mechanics from our ruleset, but when it comes up all players who are familiar with the system are expected to answer any questions if you do not know a rule or mechanic. Once you feel satisfied with the interaction in town, you will return to ST Camp and report what happened while removing the additional costume bits and returning them to their bins. Then feel free to take a break, laugh with the people in ST camp over the details of your shift because players did crazy things, and drink some water. Once you feel ready to go again, ask what needs to be played next.

We suggest reviewing the rulebook and skimming the lore before attending. To know where you're sleeping, please sign up on our bunk registry list as maintained by Logistics before the event in one of the designated NPC sleeping areas.

What should I pack?

1. Black clothes (to wear as a base layer while NPCing)
2. Change of clothing for after game
3. Towel (if needed)
4. Plenty of socks
5. Costume pieces you think could fit the setting
6. Bag to carry your things
7. Meals
8. Snacks
9. Comfortable shoes with good support
10. Phone charger
11. Hygiene supplies
12. Sleeping bag
13. Pillow
14. Sunscreen
15. Any personal supplies you may need (medication, ibuprofen, etc)

Where do I go before 9pm friday or if i'm arriving after game on?

     When arriving on site, be sure to check the discord to see when site is open. A member of staff will post before the event when exactly the site should be open and the day of when the walkthrough with Kirby staff has been completed. Check in with folks in the main hall at the center of site to see if the Storytellers are on site. This is an excellent opportunity to meet your fellow players out of character and introduce yourself. Folks will often be setting up decorations to help make the site look Ozian, so feel free to offer a hand.

     Once storytellers are on site, this is your opportunity to introduce yourself and see if they have anything they need help with if youre ready to give a hand. This might look like setting up decorations/nodes across site, unloading the storyteller trailer with all its bins, setting up ST camp, or chilling out and establishing where you want to throw your stuff. Helping with these sorts of tasks often leads to additional XP to spend on future characters you might want to play or just a very sweet first impression.

     If this is your first event, you will need to sign some waivers at check-in which usually opens at 6pm in the main hall. If you bring any latex weapons or blasters bring them to check-in as well to have them looked over by safety.

     As the clock gets closer to 9PM that's when your first shift as an NPC can begin! Our goal is to introduce you to the game at your comfort, so depending on you different shifts might be offered that focus more on talking, combat, delivering items, or just being a body to make a group look more present. What you get out of the game is what you put into it, so at your own pace be brave and lean into the fun. Everyone is excited to have you here.

Do I have to attend the whole weekend?

     No! Many folks who full time NPC for OZ are only able to attend for the day on saturday or some variation of two days. If you arrive on site after 9pm friday, please park your car in the designated parking area and quietly make your way over to Blue Bird (ST Camp) and check in with the Storytellers.

How do I sign up to full time NPC for an upcoming event?

     Our org is going though a bit of a restructuring, but for now please email our storyteller team at Ozstorycoordinators@gmail.com and you should be good to go!