Kits for the Recruit

Back in October, I mentioned a silly project that started with some basic garb using common clothing items. I then went into an armor black hole.

I have returned to the concept of basic garb. I figure with a few modifications someone could fairly easily model the different cultures my LARP. I generated some images in Chat GPT to illustrate the concept.

Basic Kit

Here is a player in a basic kit - t-shirt tunic, sweatpants, belt, and hiking boots.

Regional Variations

Here is how we can take the basic kit and modify it to represent the different cultures.

Aridia - based on the tales of the Arabian Nights. Add a turban, vest, sash, and leg wraps.

Chevalia- based on the tales of the knights of Arthur and Charlemagne. Add a tabard. T-shirt color change is optional.

Aurelia - heartland of our Empire, inspired by Rome. Change the t-shirt color and wear shorter pants. I don't recommend going pants-less.

The Isles - akin to the Scottish Highlands. Swap pants for a kilt.

Nevora - Renaissance and Tudor fashion. A vest, flat cap, and leg wraps convey the image.

Palmyra - based on ancient Egypt. Change the t-shirt color, cut off the sleeves, and wear a white kilt instead of pants.

Rhuunheim - barbarians like the Vikings and ancient Germans. Add a faux fur mantle, leg wraps, and maybe bracers.

Scymatia - inspired by the Slavs of Eastern Europe, especially the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Here we use a bathrobe to represent a zupan. Add a faux fur hat and leg wraps.

Teikoku - akin to feudal Japan. Again we use a robe, this time as a kimono like top. Wide legged sweatpants complete the look.

Tortuga - a pirate haven. A bandana and sash give the pirate look.

I should mention that I purposely did not change the shoes. This is from a practical standpoint - we want to protect our toes during battle. Otherwise, I would have suggested sandals for the Aurelians, Teikokuans, and Tortugans.

Next Steps

I am in the process of compiling these guidelines as well as some basic campaign history, cultural information, and suggestions on acquiring a kit into a guidebook for new recruits.