Helheim invasion suggestions

[Karina Nekarana]

Here's your chance to throw in your two cents, tell us what you would like to see at the next event.

This is to be a positive thread, anything negative or snarky will be ignored.

[Kensey]

I would love to see maybe a squad based combat scenario.

Maybe have squads of 5 or 6 try and complete an objective that collides with another squad? I could definitely make a detailed draft if ya want.

Also, non-alcoholic options for food/drink would be awesome, but I can bring my own (and plan to) as well.

[Karina Nekarana]

I do know at the feasts I plan on making non alcoholic period drinks, it tastes really good. And if I had time I would plan a dry party...in fact Ken, if you'd be interested in helping me get one set up we can do that

[Gabriel]

I have a squad 10v10 scenario tournament planned. Is that sufficient? If your unit doesn't have 10 people you may "pick up" others to make 10. But those can't be in another unit in the tournament.

[drysailor]

hey since most of Texas is in a burn band may u suggest having a couple fire barrels of water or some fire prevention if we are allowing camps to make fires. at any rate i would suggest limiting the size of the fire as well just in case so that we don't burn half the county down if it is still dry during the event

[Ethos]

Assassin Games

If there is to be a feast, then I can hardly keep myself from suggesting an assassination game. (Though these needn't be relegated to just the feast. The truly hardcore can participate all weekend.) While there are many variations and ways to play, one of the simplest involves nothing more than a set of small stickers, wits, and if someone is skilled enough... a dagger or two.

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This game is meant to drive role-play first and foremost. All aspects except rule clarifications with coordinators should be role-played when possible.

A select few people will need to be decided upon to be targets. The winner(s) being those whom live through the evening, successful assassins, or the person with the most coins (if playing with coins). Usually nobility or high officiaries are well suited for this role. Kings/Queens, clan leaders, etc. Often these people are marked with a special pin or sash so that would-be assassins know who they are looking for.

The name of the game is subtlety. An assassin cannot "win" unless they are able to commit their deed and escape unharmed. The "marked" should have a retinue of trusted guards they have selected to guard them through the event. (Or if you like your intrigue steep, guards they don't know. Bribes anyone? Also a great way to help people meet!) Since the only melee weapon the assassins have at their disposal is a dagger; merely rushing up to a target is a surefire way to get cut down. Once slain, an assassin is out of the game for the night/event.

As such, more inventive means of assassination must be devised by the players. Often times, this is where the stickers come into play. Assassins are usually give 3-5 stickers (Or may need to buy them with the coin system), these are "Poison", and can "slay" a target by means of reasonable contact.. such as a handshake with one stuck to the assassin's palm, or one stuck under the Marks drinking goblet, a pin in their seating pillow, etc. Imagination is key to a successful assassin, and good guards are key to a long lived target. If their mark dies, they lose too. Guards should always be on hand to look people over. Check food and drink, and keep an eye on the shadows.

A fun way to encourage roleplay is to have clan or group leaders given a handful of special "coins" to be used for the games. Both for the hiring of assassins, and the bribing away of assassins. Ending the event with the most -fairly acquired- coins is another way to win. (Handing them over to your buddies is not considered fairly acquired. You will be asked to document where they came from when turning them in.)

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Those are the bare bones of the game, easily molded to fit any occasion. (We are considering running them during practice to keep people on their toes.) Some other quick snippets and suggestions for streamlining are as follows.

- Golden Rule: Ignorance is not an excuse, if you are not certain about something, speak to a coordinator to get a clarification. It's a game of subtlety and stealth, be mindful of people not directly playing and how your actions could impact them. Courtesy at all times. Golden Rule, when in doubt, ask an organizer.

- All assassin's are to be given clear warnings about ranged weapons. These kills take place /off/ the battlefield, often around bystanders. So any attempt to throw or shoot anything should follow laws of common sense. Do not shoot bows into crowds of people, for instance. All thrown/shot objects should meet Dagohir battlefield standards. Golden Rule, when in doubt, ask an organizer.

- All assassin's are to be given clear warnings regarding the tampering of other player's belongings. It might seem clever to sneak into a mark's tent and poison their sleeping bag, but it is not. Respect and courtesy should always be given to those playing, and to those not playing. Golden rule, when in doubt, ask an organizer.

- All Marks must wear their... marks.. (Tag, sash, whathaveyou) visible in plain sight at all times. They cannot be hidden. If a mark removes their mark, they are out of the game for the event. No removing it to "save" yourself. Removing it equals disqualification. Golden rule, when in doubt, ask an organizer.

- If an assassin is killed or wounded, they are out of the event for the weekend. (Possibly reversible, pending some sort of magic. But that would only be discoverable via -heavy- role-play.) If a mark is killed, poisoned, or wounded by a poisoned weapon, they are out of the event for the weekend. A mark wounded by a non-poisoned weapon, but not killed, may continue on with appropriate wounded roleplay. Golden rule, when in doubt, ask an organizer.

- Slain players are not "dead" for the rest of the event in roleplay, they are merely out of the game. Their marks are to be removed and the characters recover after being brought to an apothecary or healer, having faced a close call with an untimely demise. (Or die, if the player decides to be ultra-hardcore with their roleplay, major props to them if they do.)Slain Marks and Failed Guards /cannot discuss any details of their encountered assassins/. Despite surviving, slain marks suffer "memory loss". If an assassin kills his/her mark and gets away, then they get away. Dead(ish) men tell no tales and failed guards cannot be trusted. Please do not ruin the event by spoiling things for the assassins, they are trying to have fun too. Golden rule, when in doubt, ask an organizer.

-Roleplay should always, always, -always- be encouraged over winning or losing concerns.

If anyone has any further questions or interest in this, feel free to PM me and I will respond as soon as possible. I have run these in the past as well as attended them. They are a fun way to add some political intrigue to your social events that can span as little or as long as you want during the event. Always fun.

Thank you,
Ethos~